Breakfast Casserole and Gooseberry Patch Giveaway!

The kind folks at Gooseberry Patch have blessed us once again with a giveaway!  Details on the giveaway in a minute, but first I want to share this yummy recipe!  (My notes on how I tweaked it are after.)

Company Breakfast Casserole

1/2 lb. bacon
1/2 c. onion, chopped
1 doz. eggs, beaten
1 c. milk
16 oz. pkg. frozen shredded hashbrowns, thawed
1-1/2 c. shredded sharp cheddar
1 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper

In a skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until crisp.  Crumble and set aside, reserving 2 tablespoons drippings.  Saute onion in reserved drippings until tender; set aside.  In a bowl, beat eggs and milk;  stir in onion, bacon and remaining ingredients.  Pour into a greased 13" x 9" baking pan.  Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes, until a knife inserted near the middle comes out clean.  Serves 6.


*Notes*  I used about 1 cup of chopped ham leftovers instead of bacon.  I used about 1/2 tsp. onion powder instead of onion.  I used half dozen eggs instead of 1 dozen.  I used mild shredded cheddar instead of sharp.  This fed our family of 10 eaters.  My mom, who is gluten free, enjoyed it!

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Purchase 101 Cozy Casseroles at my Amazon store HERE.

HERE'S THE GIVEAWAY SCOOP!

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**GIVEAWAY**

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Please be sure you leave something that distinguishes you from other
comments like "Carmen from northern Indiana". 

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Entry 1

Since this cookbook is about casseroles, 
leave a comment (in the comments at the end of the post) with your favorite casserole ever (not just my blog...your favorite casserole you've ever had).

Entry 2

Share the link for this giveaway on Facebook.

Leave a separate comment (at the end of the post) telling me so. (Another entry)

Entry 3

Blog about this on your own site.

Leave the web addy in a separate comment (at the end of this post).

(Another entry)

Please be sure you leave something that distinguishes you from other comments like "Carmen from northern Indiana".

**All entries need to be a separate comment for drawing purposes.  I count up the total number of comments and then enter it into random.org.  Random.org picks a number then I count down to that number in the comment section.  If all entries are left in one comment unfortunately you will only get one entry.**

**Prize**

One blessed reader will win a copy of 101 Cozy Casseroles!

** Giveaway ends Tuesday, May 22nd at midnight EST **
(winner will be announced on Wednesday, May 23rd)

  
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Tune in soon for another casserole recipe!

**Originally the giveaway was scheduled to end the 18th, but I made an error in my calendar calculations for the giveaway.  So...ya'll get a bit more time! 

Fabulous Four!

I can't believe the four years ago today I gave 

birth to our beautiful Abigail Elizabeth!  

She has such big, beautiful blue eyes framed 

by long and lovely eyelashes.  

 

She has a giggle that's as contagious as can be.  

 

She loves her brothers and sisters, especially Lydia Grace.  

 She is Lydia Grace's shadow.  

Whatever Lydie does, Abby does.  

 She's super cute and spunky and 

we love her so terribly much!  

Happy Birthday little peanut! 

Gluten Free Chocolate Cake

My mom loves chocolate cake and since she's gluten free (she has Celiac disease) it's very rare she can enjoy it. (There's not a lot she can enjoy.  Anything with flour or caramel coloring (it has wheat in it) can make her ill for days.)  I found this recipe a while ago (not sure where) and decided to make it for mom's birthday!

6 1- oz. coarsely chopped semisweet chocolate squares
1/2 cup unsalted butter
3/4 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla

Glaze:
2 1-oz. coarsely chopped semisweet chocolate squares
1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 1/2 teaspoons milk
1 1/2 teaspoons honey
1/8 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a small cake pan with cooking spray; sides and bottom. 

Melt 6 oz. chopped chocolate and butter in a saucepan over medium low heat.  Stir until chocolate and butter are melted and smooth.  Add sugar and salt and reduce heat to low.  Cook while stirring for about one minute. 

Remove pan from heat.  Whisk in eggs, one at a time.  Use a mesh strainer to sift cocoa powder into mixture.  Whisk until the batter is smooth.

Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for about 25 minutes.  The center of the cake should be just firm to the touch, but be careful not to overbake or it will dry out.

Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes.  Invert the cake on a plate. 

Make the glaze:  melt 2 oz. chopped chocolate and 1 1/2 tablespoons of unsalted butter (in the same saucepan if you like).  When melted and smooth, remove the pan from heat.  Add milk, honey and vanilla and stir until smooth and glossy.  Let the glaze cool for about 3 minutes before pouring on the cake.

Pour all the glaze in the middle of the cake.  Use a rubber spatula to spread the glaze evenly over the cake, allowing the glaze to evenly run down the sides of the cake.


Enjoy!

The big 7-0!

This birthday wish is for my mom.

She said she didn't want a party for this occasion so we've been showering her with lots of love and the kiddos have been giving her all sorts of fun projects they've made for her.  

Bekah made grandma a birthday hat and then took a picture with her camera.

Mom!  We appreciate all that you do for us!  From the many hours of helping us clean, take care of laundry, organize, and baby sit, to wiping tears and kissing ouchies. 

We sat around the table this morning and shared our favorite things about Nana (what the littles call her) and the most comments where that she's so helpful.  She's willing to do the things that no one else wants to do.  From cleaning a little chickie bum to helping birth a goat (she helped me deliver little miss Pixie), to cleaning up nasties when all the kids have decided to get sick at the same time!

Love you MOM!

(Mom with Dad in '04.  Dad's been gone almost 8 years now.)

H A P P Y  B I R T H D A Y !!!!!