ic Kathe With an E: October 2012

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Guest Post With Jamie - Love Bakes Good Cakes

While I am off for my son's wedding, I will be sharing posts from some of my blogging buddies.  

First up is Jamie from Love Bakes Good Cakes
Jamie's blog is my go-to when I need 
to find something amazing to cook or bake for Mr. B.

Jamie also hosts a link party that starts
every Tuesday morning so,
after you link up to
You're Gonna Love It Tuesday,
be sure to go and share your posts with Jamie!
Love Bakes  Good Cakes

Today Jamie is sharing her recipe for goulash!
Thanks Jamie!
Love Bakes Good Cakes
Hello, y'all! My name is Jamie and I blog over at Love Bakes Good Cakes. Don't let the name fool ya - it's more than just cakes! I am happy to be over at Kathe with an E today. Kathe was one of my first bloggy friends when I started blogging and I am beyond honored to be here! Thank you so much, Kathe - I know you are having a blast with your family ... and I pray for many blessings to the new bride and groom!

When I think of Fall, I think of comfort food. I am reminded of my Grandma's kitchen and all the wonderful things she made with love. I can only hope that one of these days, my own children and grandchildren will look at me and my kitchen with those same fond memories. 

One of my family's favorite meals is this goulash. I love that it's an easy, one pot meal ... my family loves that it's tasty! I hope your family enjoys it as well!


One Pot Goulash
Slightly adapted from the Food Network
Yield: 6 servings

2 lb. ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
8 oz. fresh mushrooms, sliced
4 cloves of garlic, minced
3 cups water
1 can (29 oz.) tomato sauce
1 can (28 oz.) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 tbsp. Italian seasoning
1 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1-2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
Salt and pepper, to taste
2½ cups uncooked elbow macaroni

In a 5 qt. pan, cook and crumble beef over medium-high heat until no longer pink. Add the onion, green pepper and mushrooms. Cook until tender, about 3-5 minutes. Drain if desired. Add beef mixture back to the pot and add garlic, water, tomato sauce, tomatoes, Italian seasoning, paprika, sugar, crushed red pepper flakes, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat to medium-low. Allow to simmer for 15-20 minutes. Add the elbow macaroni and stir well. Return lid and continue to simmer for 15 minutes or until the noodles are done. Allow to sit covered for 5-10 minutes and mix well before serving.


I hope you enjoy!


signature

Monday, October 29, 2012

You're Gonna Love It - Week 28

First things first!
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of
you on the east coast!
Please keep safe 
and if you could,
leave a comment letting me 
know you are okay.
I am a huge worry wort
and you all are like family to me!

Happy Halloween week!
In spite of conditions to the east,
we are going to have lovely weather here this year.
This means the kids won't have to wear coats 
over their cute costumes!

Next, I have some terrific blogging buddies
filling in for me
for the next few weeks
while I enjoy some time with 
my sons and their families!
I get to meet my baby grandson and
I get to welcome a daughter into the family!
Please be sure to visit
Suzan, Jamie, Laura, Faith, Rachel & Alecia
while I am away!


 Once again, last week's party was the 
BEST ever!
So many awesome linkups!
You guys are seriously the best buddies in the world! 

Last week's most viewed
link was from Liz
at
Liz shared her awesome
I am a huge fan of ghoulish decor and Liz nailed it!


Now, on to this week's party!!
Feel free to link up anything you have created.
Recipes, decor, crafts, written or photographed.
Anything you are so proud of
you just gotta share it with others.
I will reserve the option of deleting 
any post that I do not feel fits the 
theme of my blog.

Normally I spotlight
some of my favorites on my
Facebook page but with all that is going on
that will be on hold until next week.

It would be nice if you'd check and
make sure you are not a 
no-reply commenter.
I try to respond to every email and comment 
you leave to me but, if you are a
no-reply commenter,
I can't and that makes me sad.

As always, I don't require that you
be a follower
in order to link up.
 I want you to follow
Kathe With An E
because you want to.
Not because it is required.


I would also love it if you would link back
in some way
so that others come and party with us.
Either grab the party button
or add my blog link
to your post or on your

  blog party page.
But again, it's not required.

I only have one rule:
I ask that you please 
DO NOT link up
giveaways, Etsy shops or anything for sale.
Save those for the first Tuesday of each month
(next week!)
when, 
Anything Goes!

 
Remember to come back and check out 
the other links.
Leave a comment, make their day
and let them know
you saw them at
Kathe With An E

This week’s party is sponsored by:
You blog. You Profit. Sign up for SocialSpark!
  Did you know that you can earn money blogging about brands you love?


Guest Post With Suzan - Simply Vintageous

  While I am off for my son's wedding, I will be sharing posts from some of my blogging buddies.  

Not to worry!
the
You're Gonna Love It Tuesday 
party will still be up and running later today!

Those of you on the east coast,
please be safe and let us know you are okay when you can!  

Today I am so happy to introduce you to Suzan from
Simply Vintageous

Thanks Suzan! 

Good morning everyone - I'm so happy to be here - I just love Kathe ( and her Canadian husband lol ) and was more than thrilled to be able to guest post here today - I blog over at Simply Vintageous. AND HERE'S THE UGLY TRUTH - on being 50 something. I write myself big notes all over the place when I'm going to be guest posting because I can't remember anything anymore - my brain has become so saturated with paint that it has a very hard time retaining actual information anymore................ AND THEN I LOST THE NOTES - well, they're somewhere I suppose - perhaps under a paint can or two - and because it's now 1.30 in the morning, it's far too late to run around and paint something ( I've done that when guest posting, believe me ) I frantically went through all my old posts - and I think it's safe to say this one is like a new one ( before I had any followers at all ) so this is what you get when you ask me for help! ( my head is hung in shame on this one - but for those of you going through the big M - you'll get it - and for those of you that aren't - your time is coming my dears - your time is coming!
Suzan screams - OH MY GOD!
John screams - ( from the bedroom ) What?  What happened? 
Suzan screams - OH MY GOD!
John runs out of the bedroom - Are you ok? What's the matter?
Suzan says - I completely forgot I'm supposed to be guest posting for Kathe tomorrow morning
John says - You woke me up - you know that right?  You woke me up because of this?
Suzan says - Well I didn't mean to wake you up - but I'm panicking
John says - Good night Suzan - I'm starting to hate your blog
Suzan mumbles - I'm not so crazy about your golf either.........................
So here we go - my Ottoman revisited I love glitz - I'm like a magpie and am always attracted to things that sparkle while shopping. And this wicker black ottoman had definitely seen better days so..................
before
lol - now you WILL POSITIVELY not believe what I just did - I accidently deleted all the original after shots of this project - can I get any crazier ( probably - but I don't want to know about it ) so it's partly a brand new post after all Suzan says - while opening the light in the bedroom - Sorry I have to take the ottoman out of here John says - What is going on in this house - it's almost 2 in the morning - why are you rearranging furniture for God's Sakes?  Dear God - I need to get some sleep Suzan Suzan says - I accidently deleted some photos I need for Kathe's post - so I have to take some more John says - Do you think you can close the door on your way out? Suzan says - yes, of course - and leaves the room John yells - DO YOU THINK YOU CAN TURN OUT THE LIGHT TOO!!!!!!! sheesh - some people get so grumpy when you wake them up ok - so here's a brand new " after " shot
I also happened to have a round piece of marble that I use to turn it into a side table
And I did it Kathe - by hook or by crook I got this post out to you on time!!!
I hope you're having a wonderful week with your son and new daughter - I'll do better next time ( I promise I'll put a note on the wall in front of my computer and one on the bathroom wall and one.......... ) 

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Recipe~Chicken In The Chips

 I believe I ordered this recipe collection
booklet from the Sunday ad inserts
many many years ago. 

It's pages are wrinkled and yellowed
from use but, it is almost like a
treasured heirloom. 
I will never part with it!
So many interesting and delicious recipes!

My very favorite is,
Chicken In The Chips.


I have been making this recipe for 25 years now!
My sons grew up on it
and it's one of Mr. B's favorites.
It is probably one of the best comfort foods
in my recipe arsenal.
Chicken, cheese, Fritos...
what is not to love about it?
Oh did I forget to mention that it's 
quick?
It's quick!

 It's a casserole you can make ahead and pop in the oven for 
a fast and satisfying dinner.
Most, if not all, of the ingredients are probably
sitting in your pantry right now!

Here's the rundown:

2 to 2 1/2 cups diced cooked chicken (or, leftover Thanksgiving turkey)
1 - 10 1/2 ounce can condensed cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup picante sauce (Pace Hot really is the best!)
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded monterey jack cheese
2 cups coarsely crushed Fritos (no need to go crazy here, keep the pieces recognizable)

Combine everything, saving some of the cheese and Fritos for the top. 
Mix well.
Spoon the mixture into a lightly sprayed 1 1/2 quart casserole dish and top with the saved cheese and Fritos. 
Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees, for 20 to 25 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
And enjoy!

This truly is a hearty, family-pleasing casserole!

I hope you give it a try and 
that it becomes a favorite of your family!

This post is is no way affiliated with Pace Picante Sauce or Fritos (I wish!). I just wanted to share a quick and easy recipe with you 

Click here to see where I may be partying this week.

And don't forget to come by on Tuesday's
for the link party.
Pin It

Sponsor Love!

In case you haven’t noticed, or you read my blog via email 
or a reader, I have some amazing sponsors on my sidebar. 
Each month I love to give a shout-out to those great shops 
and blogs that help support Kathe With An E.
I hope that you would spend a moment visiting the links 
and give them the love they deserve!

First up is my Facebook Bloggy Girls Club group buddy
Merissa from Little House Living

Merissa is a true barefooted country girl at heart.
Having lived through some scrappy times,
Merissa has learned how to make do on little
and shares those skills on her blog.
Her goal is to not only teach people how to shop, 
she wants to show them that it's possible to be thrifty 
in every area of their life and 
still be able to live a full happy life!
Little House Living
Next up is Marie from the etsy shop

When Marie was a young girl her father, yes, her father, taught her
how to knit and, what was once a necessity, is now her passion.
Mari stocks everything from hats to coffee cozies 
to scarves to cute little knitted owls
in her shop.
She is also open to custom orders.
Her prices are very reasonable as are 
her shipping charges.
 https://s3.amazonaws.com/passionfruitads/ads/000/082/578/medium/125_x125_add_copy.jpg

If you haven't visited Hilary's blog, 
Sweeping Mama
yet, you are totally missing out!

Hilary is a super creative mom
who shares her adventures as well
as her weight loss journey.
Hilary is one amazing gal!
Sweeping Mama
This next sponsor is one that
really speaks to me.
Nancy is a contributing editor to
Prudent Living Magazine
and hosts 
On The Home Front 

Nancy has completed both the Master Gardener 
and the Master Composter programs. 
She is interested in providing delicious, nutritious, 
chemical-free food for her family. 
She gardens organically, and what food is not consumed immediately 
she tries to preserve to be enjoyed later. 
Nancy loves walking into her pantry and 
seeing shelves filled with the garden’s bounty! 
Nancy also shares tips from her readers
and posts some awesome homemade
recipes.
Othf_button

The final sponsor shout out 
goes to another of my Bloggy Girls Club buddies,
Kendra from 
A Proverbs 31 Wife

Kendra blogs about being a virtuous wife, crafts, recipes,
book reviews, everything!
And, let's not leave out her sense of humor!
I find Kendra to be a kind and goofy friend!


125x125


A huge hug and thank you to all of 
you lovely ladies for being so supportive of 
Kathe With An E!



 (If you'd like to learn more about getting your ad on my sidebar, 
check out my Advertising/ Disclosure page)

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Seventh Generation Review, Real Simple and the Clean House Challenge

 As you know, since I was let go from my real job a few weeks ago,
I have been a cleaning fool!
No surface has been untouched!

One of the personal choices I have made include using products that are friendly to the environment, like those from Seventh Generation™

 I was so excited when recently I was sent a box of Seventh Generation™ products to try out. 
Seventh Generation has three new specialty cleaners (Wood, Granite/Stone, and Stainless Steel) and they are all USDA Certified Biobased Products made from non-toxic, biodegradable formulas.
I can't really attest how well the granite & stone cleaner or the 
stainless steel cleaner work as I couldn't test them. 
I don't have granite or stone or stainless steel 
in the house.

 But, I can tell you that I do love the wood cleaner!
With ingredients such as essential oils of lemon and camomile
and organic coconut oil, this stuff rocks!
And it smells flippin' amazing! 
I tried it on my buffet and it cleaned and shined her
up like brand new! 
The Hand Care Dish Liquid is a USDA Certified Biobased Product with fragrances from essential oils and botanical extracts. The formula is non-toxic, biodegradable and contains Advanced HerbaVera™ Moisturizing Technology.
 Lots of nice bubbles and it did an excellent job of cleaning. 

  
But, because I like to keep it honest,
I did find it to be a bit rough on my hands.
I tend to be sensitive to some dish soaps so your use of it may vary.
My favorite, by far, is the
The Natural Laundry Detergent Packs! 
They are a USDA Certified Biobased Product containing no dyes, 
synthetic fragrances, nor optical brighteners. They are effective in hot or cold water as well as HE, front and top load machines.

I have an older top loader and let me tell you!
These little packets pack a punch!
Not only did they clean our laundry, the
rinse water was clear as a bell!
You get 30 pods to a package. You use one for regular loads
and two can be used for heavier loads.
Once this hits the store shelves I will be loading (see what I did there? LOL) up! 

Right now, Seventh Generation is also teaming up with Real Simple 
to host the Clean House Challenge.  
Until October 31st, users can participate in an 
interactive experience designed to educate those interested 
about keeping a green, healthy house!  
By participating you’ll also be eligible to receive some 
valuable coupons for Seventh Generation products and prizes (who doesn’t love a good coupon nowadays?!)  
You can participate in the Clean House Challenge by visiting Real Simple’s website or Seventh Generation’s page on Facebook.

*Be sure to stop back by next week because,
Seventh Generation sent me ANOTHER box of products to try out
AND
has offered to giveaway a full box to one of YOU!
 Whoohoo!
 I was compensated with free products from Seventh Generation to use and write a review.  As always, all opinions are 100% my own!



Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Wedding Brunch Tablescape

Have I mentioned my oldest son is getting
married soon??
Only like 20 zillion times right? LOL!

I know that when we get there it will be very hectic
so, I set a table with some of my 
most precious pieces, pieces that may belong to my son and
his beautiful wife someday.
A table for us, in my imagination, to sit at and
enjoy each others company
before the festivities begin.
 Many of the dishes were inherited or gifts.
Most special to me are
the Epiag dinner plates
I inherited from my mother when she passed.

They were passed down to her from her grandmother.
My great-grandmother, my son's great-great grandmother!
They are topped with my favorite collectible,
a Candlewick salad plate.
The gold plated flatware was a Christmas gift
from my parents when I was a young girl.
Remember when we older gals had hope chests?
This was for me to put into my hope chest.
 I know my future daughter will be using
the color purple so I used a pale lavender charger
and purple napkins.

I folded the napkins to look like roses in bloom
and placed them in crystal goblets.
A lovely gift from Mr. B.
The centerpiece is a large champagne glass
filled with purple potpourri and white roses.
The bridal bouquet will be white roses.
The two tall candlesticks were a gift,many years ago,
  from my son. 
I just love them and use them often.
 The smaller candle holders are actually 
glass light shades, found thrifting, placed on a
Candlewick dessert plate.
A bridal white tablecloth and
a burlap runner keep it simple,
yet elegant.

A table set to honor my beloved son and our shared past
as he begins his exciting future
with his beautiful bride.
The day will bring to light the fact that my son is grown up. 
I know he’s been grown up for a while, but 
 it’s a completely different feeling when one of your children is married.
Now before I tear up again, join me as we toast the bride and groom!



I always share my tables with 
and 
Marty at A Stroll Thru Life Table Top Tuesday

Click here to see where else I may be partying this week.
AND
Don't forget to come by on Tuesday's
for my link party.

Monday, October 22, 2012

You're Gonna Love It - Week 27

I am so happy the days are going quickly!
In less than two weeks 
we will be heading to the UP
(Upper Peninsula of Michigan)
for my oldest son's wedding!
He is such a fine man and I am so very proud of him!
He's a student, a teacher, a coach and 
will soon have his PhD!
And I just can't wait to call his beautiful bride
my daughter!
 (Source:Ali Shryock Photography)
Oh goodness,
I'm crying tears of joy here!


 Let's all celebrate the happy occasion with a fun
PARTY!

Last week's link ups were epic!
Thank you all for sharing!

The most viewed link was from Debbie at
Debbie shared some of her
Home Goods
(love that place!)
Debbie just recently started her own 
linky party on Wednesdays so,
be sure to link up here
and then, go link up at her party too!
Grab yourself
an I've been featured button Debbie!

On to this week's epic party!!
Feel free to link up anything you have created.
Recipes, decor, crafts, written or photographed.
Anything you are so proud of
you just gotta share it with others.
I will reserve the option of deleting 
any post that I do not feel fits the 
theme of my blog.

If you follow my Facebook page 
you will notice I spotlight
some of my favorites there too.

It would be nice too if you'd check and
make sure you are not a 
no-reply commenter.
I try to respond to every email and comment 
you leave to me but, if you are a
no-reply commenter,
I can't and that makes me sad.

As always, I don't require that you
be a follower
in order to link up.
 I want you to follow
Kathe With An E
because you want to.
Not because it is required.


I would also love it if you would link back
in some way
so that others come and party with us.
Either grab the party button
or add my blog link
to your post or on your

  blog party page.
But again, it's not required.

I only have one rule:
I ask that you please 
DO NOT link up
giveaways, Etsy shops or anything for sale.
Save those for the first Tuesday of each month
when, 
Anything Goes!


Remember to come back and check out 
the other links.
Leave a comment, make their day
and let them know
you saw them at
Kathe With An E

This week’s party is sponsored by:
You blog. You Profit. Sign up for SocialSpark!
  Did you know that you can earn money blogging about brands you love?

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Organizing The Bathroom Cupboards

I am still in big time
defunktifying organizational mode!
This past week I attacked the  cupboards
and drawers in our master bathroom.
 This is my side.
There were numerous empty bottles
of various different lotions, makeup,
soaps, etc.

I took everything out and was left with
a dirty icky cupboard.
 Even after wiping it out
there was some grungy something in the back
that wouldn't come clean so,
I made a trip to Big Lots
and got some contact paper for $2.00 a roll!
The Dollar Tree is right next store to Big Lots
so I also picked up two small bins.
I measured and cut the contact paper
and laid it down.
Tip: once you have it down and 
have gotten as much of the air bubbles
out that you can,
wipe it down with a damp sponge.
It lays it down flat with no air bubbles at all!
Here is a nice and blurry after photo.
I was able to thin everything out
and everything fit into the bins I had purchased.
I did the same to the three drawers that go down the middle
of the two cabinets.
 And, with some extra bins I already had
I was able to clean our Mr. B's side too.
(The icky looking back piece there is some spare
drywall a previous owner put up
to hide some sketchy plumbing work.
It will be replaced when we can afford new cabinets.
Yeah, it bugs me too).

Cost of this project, $3.00 and, another 10 poundsish of
trash out to the bin!
This old house is getting lighter and lighter!

I actually only used one roll of the
contact paper. 
I will be using it when I do 
the guest bath and under the kitchen sink.
I am hoping that by the time I do
score a new job, I can open any cupboard or walk
into any room and know it's been certifiably de-funktified!

Click here to see where I may be partying this week.

And don't forget to come by on Tuesday's
for the link party.