Weeknight Casserole

While I have not been blogging, I have been cooking. Here's a new recipe.

Where's what you'll need:
1 pound lean, ground beef
14-1/2 oz. can diced tomatoes, drained
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1-1/2 cups sour cream (I used low-fat)
3 oz. package cream cheese, softened (also low fat)
8 oz. package medium egg noodles, cooked
1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Here's how to make:
Brown beef in a large skillet over medium heat; drain. Add tomatoes, salt and sugar; reduce to low heat and simmer for 5-10 minutes. Set aside. Combine sour cream and cream cheese in a bowl; mix well and set aside. Place half of the noodles in a lightly greased 13x9 baking dish; top with meat mixture, then sour cream mixture. Layer remaining noodles over top; sprinkle with cheese and bake at 350 for 25 minutes.

March 2, 2009... Note to Self: Snow isn't as much fun when you're an adult and have to go to work.

Weekend in Asheville

Keith and I spent the weekend in Asheville. We visited the Biltmore on Saturday and had dinner at a great little restaurant called Corner Kitchen. The Biltmore was fun, we were there for about 5 hours. We ended up doing the audio tour, which was definitely worth the few extra bucks. And did a wine tasting.

SNOW!

A week ago today, Keith and I were watching the news and hoping to wake up with snow. We woke up happy!

Busy, Busy, Busy

The past few weeks have been busy with work and the holidays so here's a quick recap:

Anna and Jimmy arrived in Ruffin on 12/20. Keith went to Winston the following Monday, I went to Ruffin on Tuesday. Keith came to Ruffin that Wednesday (Christmas Eve). We both went to Winston that Thursday (Christmas Day) and back to Raleigh on Friday.

Saturday we headed to Sanford for Anna's Surprise 30th Birthday Party then back to Raleigh on Sunday.

I worked Monday and Tuesday. Mom, Dad, Anna and Jimmy came to visit on Tuesday. Mom and Dad left on Wednesday. Anna, Jimmy, Keith and I went to Sanford on Wednesday (Happy New Year) then back to Raleigh on Thursday. Friday, Saturday and Sunday... Keith was sick and I was a couch potato.

January 6, 2009... Note to Self: Being a couch potato is hard work.

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells...

Jingle all the way! Oh what fun it is to run on a cold Saturday!

Megan and I ran in the Jingle Bell Run over the weekend. Our goal was to finish and we did with bells on (literally).

Fast and Hilly

That was the course description of the 5K I ran in this weekend, and I have to agree on one thing... the course was hilly. The first half was basically all downhill, while the remaining half was all uphill. I finished but my time isn't anything to be impressed by, but there is always next time. The Jingle Bell Run is in two weeks and hopefully my time will come down some.

November 23, 2008... Note to Self: YAY for 3-day work weeks.

Bargin Barstools

Keith's requirement - has to have a back
Sara's requirement - to be able to keep my arms and legs instead of selling them to pay for the barstools (and to match our table).

As we found out, these two requirements don't go together. Barstools with backs aren't cheap. However, due to my bargain finding abilities, Keith and I (mostly I) found a winner.

After spending a Saturday morning searching for barstools, we (mostly I) came home frustrated. I wasn't about to pay $100+ for a barstool, and we needed two. After doing an internet search that afternoon, I discovered that JCPenney has barstools, and BINGO I think I had found a winner. The barstools had backs and they were on sale for half off so my arms and legs were safe. The only problems were that they were online only and on backorder (This was early-October). Good news - They could be returned to the store if we didn't like them.

I decided to take my chances and ordered two, only after I did a quick google search for coupon codes for JCPenney. I found one for free shipping... SCORE!

Anyway, the barstools arrived today. The backs are in tack. They match our table perfectly. My arms and legs are still attached. Oh, and I put these together all by myself. I even sat in them and they didn't go crashing to the floor.

November 17, 2008... Note to Self: Google is my friend.