Bacon Chicken Crescent Ring

What is one of the most versatile foods ever? Why crescent rolls of course! Oh, the recipes are endless! Here is a favorite one of mine. I love sandwich recipes...so EZ and quite tasty! Not to mention it looks very impressive. Like you've spent all day in the kitchen! Enjoy!

Bacon Chicken Crescent Ring (8 servings)
2 tubes crescent rolls
10 oz. can chunk chicken, drain & flake (I cooked a few breasts)
1-1/2 c. (6 oz.) Swiss cheese, shredded
3/4 c. mayonnaise
1/2 c. red pepper, chopped
1/4 c. onion, chopped
6 bacon strips, cooked & crumbled
2 T. Dijon mustard
1 T. Italian salad dressing mix

Grease 14” pizza pan. Unroll crescent roll dough; Separate into 16 triangles. Place wide end of one triangle 3” from edge of prepared pan with point overhanging edge of pan. Repeat with remaining triangles along outer edge of pan, overlapping the wide ends (dough will look like a sun). Lightly press wide ends together. In small bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Spoon over side ends of dough. Fold points of triangles over filling and tuck under wide ends (filling will be visible). Bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

Merry Christmas to Me!

I do believe I'm gonna bite the bullet and start collecting these most wonderful resin gingerbread houses. I mostly like to buy handmade but I should be able to enjoy these for many years to come. I have the perfect ledge in my kitchen to display them. Aren't these just fabulous? I love to buy myself something really "special" every Christmas because when my mom was alive she would always buy me something for Christmas that I fell in love with. I tell myself that these special Christmas gifts to myself are from my mom because if she were here she would be surprising me with them, she would want me to have them. That is how SPECIAL she was! I so miss her!

Baby's First Christmas

Lots of new babies in 2011. I've gotten several orders for Baby's First Christmas lightbulb ornies and here they are! I think they turned out so cute! Lovin' the green one!

PINTEREST

Well, what rock have I been under? How long has Pinterest been around without me being a part of it? So many questions about such a wonderful website. I think Pinterest will be in the same category with the likes of Yahoo, Facebook, etc. If you haven't checked it out for yourself, then you are missing lots of things. It didn't take me long to have over 2,000 things pinned. I have so many Christmas decorating ideas, Christmas food to make, clothes to buy, home decorating, etc. that I don't know how I will ever find time to do such. I'm thinking of even making myself make at least one or two recipes off of it every month. Heck, even my sisters are hooked and this year for Christmas we are doing a craft swap but the idea has got to come from Pinterest. Here is a link to my board if you wanna get started! Enjoy! You will be happy you did!

http://pinterest.com/cyndimac/

Gingerbread Christmas Tree

I've been busy this past month painting a terra cotta pot with lil' gingerbread all around it. It was very time consuming and VERY heavy...just awkward to paint. I was determined to get it finished by this past weekend as it was my door prize for our annual chili cook off. I took the ornaments along on vacation to Florida a few weeks ago and managed to get them painted...sometimes waking up at 4:00 and 5:00 in the mornings to work on them. Told ya I was determined.

The pattern was designed by Cindy Trombley who is so talented. She has the cutest gingies ever! I was so happy to finally use the pattern.

This prize was intended for the ladies only but the guys wanted in on the action so I gave them a ticket too and wouldn't ya know it...a guy won it! LOL Didn't make the ladies too happy. Luckily, the guy who won has a wonderful fiance' and she will enjoy it for many years to come!

Breast Cancer Lightbulb Ornies

I have painted these breast cancer lightbulb ornaments in honor of my mom. All proceeds I make off these will go to the Susan G. Komen foundation in my mom's name. You can find them in my Etsy shop (just google cyndimacsnickknacks.etsy.com).

Enchilada Casserole

Who doesn't love Mexican food? I made this recipe a few weeks ago and it was delightful! I will certainly be making it again. Served it with spanish rice. Enjoy!

Enchilada casserole

1 lb. lean ground beef

1 (1-oz.) pkg. Taco Seasoning Mix

2/3 cup water

1 tablespoon oil

½ cup chopped onion (I used more)

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained, rinsed

1 (10-oz.) can Enchilada Sauce (I used 2 green)

1 (4.5-oz.) can Chopped Green Chiles

1/3 cup sour cream (I doubled)

6 Flour Tortillas

4 oz. (1 c.) shredded Mexican cheese (I used 8 oz)

2 to 3 oz. crumbled chèvre (goat) cheese (didn’t have)

1 cup Thick 'n Chunky Salsa

3 green onions, sliced (didn’t use)

Heat oven to 400°F. Brown ground beef in large skillet over medium-high heat for 8 to 10 minutes or until thoroughly cooked, stirring frequently. Drain. Add taco seasoning mix and water; mix well. Cook 2 to 4 minutes or until mixture is thickened, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, heat oil in medium saucepan over medium heat until hot. Add onion and garlic; cook and stir 3 to 4 minutes or until tender. Add beans, enchilada sauce and green chiles; mix well. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Stir in sour cream. Spoon ground beef mixture down center of each tortilla. Roll up; place seam side down in ungreased 12x8-inch (2-quart) baking dish. Spoon bean and enchilada sauce mixture over filled tortillas. Sprinkle with cheeses. Bake at 400°F. for 8 to 12 minutes or until cheeses are melted and casserole is thoroughly heated. Spoon salsa down center of casserole; sprinkle with green onions. (I didn’t have taco seasoning but used chili powder and chili-O - will try the taco seasoning next time).