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Cheesy Hamburger Casserole

Here is another one of those delicious meals you can make for the whole family on a busy weeknight. You can prepare and bake it, make it ahead of time and either chill it in the refrigerator or freeze it. 


Ingredients:


2 lbs. hamburger
5 cups shredded frozen hash browns
1 (26 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
1 small onion, diced
1& 1/2 cup grated medium cheddar cheese
salt & pepper to taste


Brown hamburger and onion. Drain. Add soup and mix well. Remove from heat. 


Place hash browns in 9" x 13" greased pan. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Top with meat mixture. 


Bake at 375 for 1 hour. 


I found this recipe over at   I made a few alterations but the original can be found under the Main Dish section. Thanks Nicole!

Thankful Thursday

Today I am reflecting on all the things that right here, right now, I am thankful for.

~ Spencer's never ending smile and laughter

~Having a smart, funny, hard working guy who still kisses me goodbye every morning

~My BFF Tammy, who has never given up on me, even when I gave up on myself.

~My adorably wonderful friend, Carolyn. God smiled on me the day we met. She just gets "me".

~Photoshop Elements 9. I am in love with this software and the my big geek for getting it for me!

A few examples of what I have been having way too much fun with:

 Original

 Photoshop Elements 9 redo

 Original

  Photoshop Elements 9 redo

Original

Photoshop Elements 9 redo

I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose ~Woody Allen~
 

What are you thankful for today?

Bacon Cheddar Ranch Dip

Super easy and full of flavor, this is a great appetizer or snack to start off the new school year with. Taking only a few minutes to make and a little time to chill, it's one of those recipes I am grateful for when the hours in the day seem to have flown by and I need something fast and delicious!


Ingredients:
1 pkg. (1 oz.) ranch dip
1 pint sour cream
1/4 bacon bits
1 cup shredded medium cheddar cheese


Combine ranch dip with sour cream. Add bacon bits and shredded cheese. Mix well. Chill


You can use crackers, chips or fresh vegetables for dipping. Enjoy!

Sweet Shot Tuesday

My Sweet Boy

Straight out of the camera. No editing.

Simple editing. Contrast, color and sharpening.

Filters: Warming and Film Grain

What type of photo editing do you "play" around with? Would love to hear your favorite textures, add-ons and filters. If you have a favorite photo using any of the above, please leave a link in the comment so I can take a look. That would be great! 

As always, thanks so much for stopping by!

Macro Monday - Bittersweet Nightshade

These tiny, delicate flowers (just wider than a fingertip) turn into translucent red berries in the fall. The berries are a favorite of birds but poisonous to humans.

Lisa over at Lisa's Chaos has more Macro Monday links.

Neiman Marcus Cookie Bars

I don't usually jump on the trendy food bandwagon. These bars are an exception. A worthy one. Rich enough to satisfy any sweet tooth. 

Crust:

1 package yellow cake mix
1 egg, slightly beaten
1/2 cup butter, melted

Topping:

8 ounces chocolate chips
3/4 cup nuts of your choice, chopped (I used pecans)
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 lb. powdered sugar
1 cup coconut (optional)

Mix crust ingredients together well. Press into bottom of 9" x 13" pan. Press in the chocolate chips and nuts. 

Sprinkle coconut over chocolate chips/nuts.

Mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, eggs and vanilla. Pour over pan mixture. 

Preheat oven to 300. Bake 1 hour or until top has slightly browned.

Cool and  keep refrigerated. These are great right out of the oven but even better after being refrigerated.