4th of July Wreath & Table Runner

It is a bit late but at least it is still July! The last day sure but that still counts. :) I made these last year and never got around to putting them on my blog. I like having a wreath and table runner for each holiday because it's not much but it makes things a bit more festive. :)

The table runner is the same pattern I have used for all the other ones that I have posted. It really is so easy to make. I also really liked how this one turned out.

 

It's not the best picture but you get the idea. The stars and stripes fabrics really look great together and I found the coolest two-toned star buttons at JoAnn's to go with it.

Next is my 4th of July wreath. I'm very proud of this. This is the first yarn wreath that I made and I came up with the design myself. I saw some and got ideas and went from there. The stars are just felt that I cut out using a pattern so they would all be the same size. Pretty nice huh? :)

It was pretty quick to make and it turned out great! Happy late 4th of July!!!

Fiesta Nachos

Several years ago I had a double date with some friends and they made this for dinner. It was so incredible that I asked for the recipe. I have made it several times since then and every time it is a hit! Even if it is just me and Greg that night ;). We had the entire family over to our place last week for a little family party and I made fiesta nachos for dinner. Everyone loved it! It is so easy to make and it goes a long way because you eat it with chips. Super tasty! Try it out!

I barely got a picture of it, people were eating it so fast! This is the second pan!!!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1/2 large onion
• 1 can refried beans
• Colby-Jack cheese (or the cheese of your choice and any amount that you want)
• 1 small can green chilis
• 1 c. salsa
• Olives, chopped
• Tomatoes, chopped
• Green onions, chopped
• Tortilla chips (sturdy chips are the best for this)

Directions:

1. Cook the hamburger and onion is a skillet until meat is browned and onions are soft.
2. Spread the refried beans across the bottom of a 9" X 13" pan. 
3. Next, layer the hamburger/onion mix, chilies, salsa, and shredded cheese.
4. Cover the pan with foil and heat in a 350 degree F oven for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly (I like to take the foil off and bake it for 5 more minutes to brown the cheese but not too much).
5. Layer w/ your favorite toppings and eat with the tortilla chips. Enjoy!

German Pancakes

 This is one of my favorite breakfasts. It is so good that I'll even make it for dinner. It is quick and easy too with only 5 ingredients! I got it from my Cooking for Two cookbook which is awesome for small families. It's great to have recipes that have smaller portions; that way I don't have to divide any recipes. :) Try it out and you will love it!

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp. butter
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 c. milk
• 1/2 c. flour
• 1/4 tsp. salt

Directions:

1. While you are preheating the oven to 450 degrees F, place butter in 8" X 8" cake pan and put in the oven  to melt (don't let it burn!).
2. Beat eggs in medium sized bowl.
3. Stir in milk, flour, and salt.
4. Mix well.
5. Pour batter over melted butter.
6. Bake at 450 fro 15-20 minutes (mine takes 15 if that so watch it near the end of the time) or until edges are golden brown.
7. It will puff up and then deflate a bit when removed from oven. 

Serve with whatever toppings you like. Generally I just use powdered sugar but I had some strawberries I needed to use and it was incredible. Enjoy!