As many already have before me,
I have decided to switch OUT of being a xanga-er.
I've been blogging at http://hickles.blogspot.com/
I like this site because of the ability to anonymously comment,
but also I like the simplicity of their layout.

My only wish of conformity to xanga
is that when you upload a photo on blogspot
into the text
it automatically posts it to the top,
and then you have to move it down to the spot
within the text where you want it.

But that's my only complaint as of yet.

See you there?
Come visit me!

 I had mushrooms in the fridge that needed to be eaten,
and I quickly formed a plan on how to use them.
Synthesizing several recipes given to me over the years,
I put together a recipe I'd like to share. Mmm.

I started by lightly sauteeing Mushrooms in margarine
(I use "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter")
With Green Onions and Black Pepper
(no salt needed)

In a bowl I mixed 1/4 c. sourcream
with 1/2 can Italian Stewed Tomatoes, chopped,
and one can drained green chiles.

Then I warmed white corn tortillas in the micro.

I set the other 1/2 can Italian Stewed Tomatoes aside,
and poured shredded MexiCheese into a bowl.

Now to assemble:
In a Pam-sprayed casserole dish
I put three spoonfuls of mushroom,
one spoonful of chopped stewed tomatoes,
one large spoonful green chile mixture,
about 1 Tbsp of shredded cheese
and rolled them together.

Once all tortillas had been filled
I poured the remaining green chile mixture over top,
smothered in cheese,
and topped with bits of the chopped tomatoes.

Oven Temp: 375
Cook Time: 30 min.

Seriously fantastic.
Served with sour cream!!

So if you decide to have a veggie meal some night
they were quite tasty and filling.

---No---
Greg does not eat mushrooms. I made his enchiladas with chicken.
He said they were good too, but I did not photograph those...

Well, we're in Montana
And much like the rest of the Northern states
We are COVERED in snow!
It's gorgeous
and now I can much appreciate it,
as we are finally here!

We drove this year
from Los Angeles
and only 2 hours north of L.A.
we began to hit snow!!
Here are cactus in their winterwonderland:


And since we're here in our warm home
watching it snow ALL DAY
(literally! It's not supposed to stop ALL DAY!)
I thought I'd try Inga and Kelley's Choco-Mint Cookies.


They are a hit!
Everyone is thoroughly enjoying!
Thanks for the recipe, Kelley!

When we stopped in Utah to have breakfast with friends
on our way home, I received a precious lil' gift
from William Sonoma! Looky Looky!


It was a Rudolph, Santa and Frosty pancake mold pack!
They're so cute!
And we made EGG NOG pancakes...
Quite yum!

We got the recipe from a coffee table book:
Southern Living: Christmas Cookbook

Eggnog Pancakes
Prep: 15 min     Cook: 10 min.

1 1/3 c. all-purpose flour
1/4 c. sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp. ground cloves
1 1/2 c. refridgerated eggnog
1 large egg, beaten
1 Tbsp. veg. oil

Combine first 6 ingredients in a large bowl.
Combine eggnog, eggs, and oil in another bowl;
add to flour mixture, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened.

Pour about 1/3 c. batter for each pancake.
Cook pancakes like you do any other pancakes!

Anyway...
They really were good! We each only ate one- as I used about 2/3 c.
to make them big enough to fill the Christmas molds.
With a touch of maple syrup they were fantastic!

Alrighty...
Well I'm off to eat a cookie
and see if I can help with prep for the coming festivities.