It Is The Season For Snowmen...and Hearty Casseroles

Hi everyone and here we are at Sunday evening again.  It is snowing softly here after having a nasty lake effect snow storm yesterday.  I love the snow.  I think it is so clean and pretty and it makes it so cozy to be indoors doing all of my favorite things: sewing, cooking and baking, crafting and watching movies with my husband.  He is watching the Super Bowl at a party right now and I have had a great afternoon putting the finishing touches on my latest project.

Don't you love it when you see something in a catalog and you end up making it yourself at home for next to nothing?  Such is the case with this adorable snowman candle holder. 

I saw it for around $20(not counting shipping) and I had to have it.  I made some changes to the original design to more suit my decorating style and taste.  I had my husband hack me off a block like I used for my sewing caddy.  Then I drew him a rough sketch of the size flat circle and carrot nose I needed. He was able to use scraps so the cost is zippo at this point. 

Fortunately I am a tole painter from way back so I have quite a collection of craft paint.  I chose the colors I wanted and painted the three pieces.  Then I sanded off the edges to distress them. 

I winged it with the facial details of the snowman, making them very simple.  I used a q-tip for this.  Then I used a burgundy color and another q-tip to rub red cheeks on him.  I used a stylus to put all sizes of white dots on the face and nose to simulate snow and glued him together with wood glue.  I brushed a coat of satin varnish on him and let him dry.  After that, I just popped in a battery-operated
candle and a candle ring I had from another decoration and there you have it.  I think it turned out cute and I paid very little for the candle. 

I want to share an amazingly cozy casserole I tried.  It is Chicken Cobbler and it is to die for.  I found it in a cookbook and it was a big hit.  You start out by cubing up some day old bakery bread(I used French bread)-you should have a couple of cups of cubes- and drizzle with 1/4 cup of melted butter.  Sprinkle 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese over the buttery bread cubes and toss.  Set aside.  In a large bowl, combine: 3 cups cooked broccoli florets, shredded cooked chicken meat(I used a rotisserie chicken), 1/2 cup drained and chopped roasted red bell pepper from a jar, a small jar of Alfredo sauce, and 1/2 cup sour cream.  Mix and transfer to a greased casserole dish.  Top with bread cubes and bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes until bubbly.   It is delicious.  Enjoy!

My oldest son turns 22 this coming Friday and I don't know where the time has gone.  He wants steak, loaded mashed potatoes and Caesar salad for his birthday dinner.  I am going to make him some Twinkie cupcakes I saw last week on a blog.  They look pretty unforgettable so I can't wait to try them.  I hope you all have a great week.  Stay warm and take care.   Nancy