Puzzles and Cards

Over the past few weeks we have been dumped on with snow. Not near as much as those in PA and WVA but we have had our fair share. In the process of waiting to be melted out of the house the kids and I did some puzzles. We took pictures of two. We got them from the Goodwill and the top puzzle had four pieces missing. Do you know how hard it is to do a puzzle when there are mystery pieces missing?

This puzzle below had all the pieces. It was a thousand piece puzzle as the other one was "only" five hundred pieces. They both took us a couple days to complete. I tell you, my smallest child is the one with the most patience to complete the puzzles. She does a good amount of the work on them too.

Below, I have a few of the Valentine's Day cards I made. The top is just a general one.

These are the cards I made for the kids! They turned out great and the kids love the handmade cards.

This Valentine's Day card below was to my wonderful husband.


This is a close up. I just love this stamp.

This was a 'warm up' card to get the juices flowing. I hate this one. I don't think I did very well and because of that I just kind of stopped and didn't finish it. I am not really sure why I took the picture of it either. Oh well.

Old Meatloaf Recipes

I found these when my MIL gave me a bunch of old crochet and knitting patterns that she collected over the years. She cut them out of magazines and in the process inadvertantly saved some recipes that happened to be on the back of the patterns.

These come from the Woman's Day Magazine, January 9, 1978! Enjoy.

Mushroom Meatloaf Square

1 container (1/2 ounce) instant, dyhydrated mushrooms (can you even get these anymore? I would use regular mushroom slices either from a can or fresh.
3 slices firm white bread
1 tablespoon instant minced onion
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 cup hot broth, tomato juice or water
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
Paprika (optional)

Put mushrooms, bread, onion, and parsley in a large bowl. Pour broth over all and let stand until cool. Stir in salt, pepper, and eggs. Add beef and mix well. Pack in a greased 8x8x2 inch square baking pan. Sprinkle with paprika. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 50 minutes or until done. Let stand 10 minutes. Cut in squares. Makes 6 servings.

For a more up to date recipe, I would substitute fresh mushrooms for the dried, and diced small onion for the dried minced onion. I would also add a bit of garlic and reduce the liquid to 1/2 cup.

Meatloaf Ring

1 cup broth
1/3 cup fine dry bread crumbs
4 gingersnaps, broken
1 tablespoon instant minced onion
1 small bay leaf,crumbled
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon peper
1/4 teaspoon allspice (optional)
2 eggs
1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef

In a large bowl mix well broth, bread crumbs, gingersnaps, onion, bay leaf, salt, pepper allspice and eggs. Let stand 5 minutes. Add beef and mix well. Pack in greased 5 cup ring mold. Bake in 350 degree oven 50 minutes or until done. Let stand 10 minutes. With a knife loosen edges: unmold. maske 4 servings with leftovers.

Frankfurter Meatloaf

1 cup beer, broth or water
1 tablespoon instant minced onion
1/2 cup fine dry bread crumbs
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoons prepared mustard
1 egg
1 1/2 pounds lean ground bef
1/2 pound frankfurters

In a large bowl mix well beer, onion, bread crumbs, salt, pepper, mustard, and egg. Let stand 5 minutes. Add beef and mix well. Pack half the mixture in greased 9x5x3 inch loaf pan. Press frankfurters lengthwise on top. Cover with remaining meat mixture. Bake in 350 degree oven for 50 minutes or until done. Let stand 10 minutes before slicing. Makes 4 servings with leftovers.

Last one.

Beef-pork meatloaf

1 cup broth, tomato juice or water
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons fine dry bread crumbs, divided
1 tablespoon instant minced onion
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon crumbled dried sage or poultry seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 eggs
1 pound lean ground beef
1 pound pork-sausage meat

In a large bowl mix well broth, 3/4 cup breadcrumbs, the onion parsley, sage, salt, pepper, and eggs. Let stand 5 minutes. Add beef and pork sausage and mix well. Shape in smooth, firm 12 ince loaf in greased 13x9c2 inch baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs. Bake in 350 degree oven for one hour or until done. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Let me know if you try any of these recipes.