Leprechaun mischief!

Here are some of the mischief we woke up to this year.  Did you know they have green pee?

He never forgets the milk.

He also sucked their thumbs!

We made crock pot corned beef, carrot, potatoes and cabbage.  The cabbage was a hard sell but they really liked the corned beef.  The recipe is used is here.  She gives a recipe for your own seasoning, but I just used the one that came with the corned beef.

Crock Pot Breakfast Casserole

We make a hot breakfast for our kids every school morning.  It started years ago when we were trying to address our son's difficulties at school.  Now we do it because it is healthier and cheaper.  

The first bus comes at 6:55 am, really early!  So we have to roll out of bed at 6 to make sure everyone eats a good breakfast.  I was excited to try a crock pot recipe that allowed me to hit snooze an extra time.  My family loved this and it was completely ready when I rolled out of bed.  Or it would be perfect anytime you want a wonderful breakfast without slaving away all morning.

Crock Pot Breakfast Casserole

1/2 pound cooked breakfast sausage(more if you like lots of meat)

1 onion chopped

1 green pepper, chopped

1 red pepper, chopped

2 lbs. frozen hash browns( I used dehydrated and it works if you re-hydrate first)

1 1/2 cup grated sharp cheddar

12 eggs

1 cup milk

1 tsp. dried dill

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. pepper

Spray crock pot with non-stick cooking spray.  Layer 1/3 of the hashbrowns, 1/3 of the meat, peppers and onions and 1/3 of the cheese.  Continue to layer, ending with cheese.  In large bowl, combine the eggs, milk, dill, salt and pepper. Pour over the hash browns.  Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours.

Enjoy a yummy breakfast when you roll out of bed in the morning!

Crock pot beans

I use beans in a lot of recipes but I always use canned.  It is not too expensive if it is a can here and there.  I always forget to start beans early enough unless I do a lot of planning ahead of time, doesn't happen most days.  My family has a new favorite dinner, white chicken chili. Since there are so many of us, it takes several cans of beans.  It was adding up to an expensive meal.  So when I found this money saving recipe I had to check it out.

The idea is to cook up the beans and use them immediately or freeze them for a meal later.  I did both and loved the results!  If you freeze them, the best way to thaw them is to leave them out on the counter for a few hours.  But if you're short on time, immerse them in hot water for a while.  Do not heat them in the microwave, they break open and will get mushy.

Crock pot beans

1. Wash any type of dried beans and pick out the discolored or broken beans.

2.  Pour them into your crock pot.

3.  Add enough water to cover 2 inches above the beans.

4.  Add 1 tablespoon lemon juice.  (This helps makes the beans easier on your tummy.)

5.  Cover the beans and turn the crock pot on high for 3.5 hours.

6.  Check them for desired tenderness.  It will take longer if you live at a high elevation, mine took 4 hours.

7.  Now they are ready to use.  Enjoy a nice healthy, cheap meal!

To freeze:  let them cool slightly and then place them in a ziploc bag.  Keep them in the freezer for months.