My Spring Mantel!

Spring has finally sprung!
One of my favorite things (among many other things!) about our new house is having a true mantel - and I love to decorate it for the seasons.

Winter Mantel 2014-2015

 I love to use things I've collected over the years - and other people seem to like to give it their own touch too. ;)

Spring Mantel 2015

Since I had a layout that I felt worked well already, I just switched out a few key items and left some of the elements that still worked, like the mirror (hi, by the way) and the candlesticks.

I added a pinkish purple candle instead of the sage one. I also added a lighter milk bottle than the urn from winter. And of course... added some bunnies.

Using things you find along the way makes it feel less planned - and perfect in a non-perfect way. Hope you enjoyed the spring mantel! Do you like to decorate a certain spot for the holidays?

Freezer Meals: Beer Beef Shepard's Pie

Mmm! Even if you're not a beer drinker, you can appreciate the hearty, wheaty flavor the beer gives this dish. This dish makes a great freezer meal, and an even better leftover for lunch the next day!

Beer Beef Shepard's Pie - Freezer Meal Recipe
Uses 2 tin loaf pans (or one larger casserole dish) and two freezer zip-lock bags (or saran wrap) 

Ingredients:
1 1/2 lbs. ground beef
1 small amount diced onion (I am not an onion fan, so I usually add maybe 1 or two tablespoons)
1 tablespoon minced garlic (save yourself some time and buy it jarred!)
1/2 or more bag frozen mixed veggies, thawed (you want peas, carrots, corn, green beans mix)
1 tsp each thyme and marjoram
6 oz. beer (I used Bell's Best Brown Ale - if you can't get Bell's, a good brown ale will work... you can also use beef broth instead.)
1 packet brown gravy mix
1/2 to 1 cup shredded cheese
4-5 russet potatoes
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp milk
Olive oil, salt and pepper

Peel potatoes and chop. Boil a pot of salted water and add potatoes, let cook 20-25 minutes.

Dice the onion. Pour a little olive oil and salt and pepper in a saucepan, cook until the onion begins to turn translucent. Add the beef, and cook until it is mostly brown. Add the thyme and marjoram.

Turn the burner to low, and add the gravy packet and 3/4 cup of beer. I also add just a hint of water here too. Add the veggie mix after a few minutes. Let the mixture simmer to evaporate most of the liquid, but don't boil all of it off... when you recook this dish, the extra liquid keeps it moist and tasty. Turn off the burner.

Meanwhile, drain the potatoes and mash. Add butter and milk. Once most of the liquid has evaporated and the mixture has cooled for a little bit, pour the mixture into 2 small loaf pans or one large casserole pan. On top of the mixture, add a little cheese. Then, add the potatoes on top and a little more cheese on top of the potatoes. Seal or cover in tinfoil if your tins didn't include covers and place into a freezer safe zip-lock bag. Serve within 2-3 weeks.


When it's time to serve...
Remove the shepard's pie tin from the zip-lock bag and let thaw, either on the counter or in the fridge. I usually take mine out in the morning and let it thaw on the counter, it's still usually almost frozen solid even many hours later.

In the tin with tinfoil or cover removed, bake at 400 for 25-30 minutes. If you didn't have time to take this out, cook at 250 for 30 minutes, then 375 for 20 minutes. Serve! It's great with a little sour cream too.

New Arrivals to the eBay store!

New arrivals to the eBay store! Click the links to bid or share with your friends!

Posted by Little Oak Creations on Tuesday, March 31, 2015

The Best Biscuits and Gravy Recipe

"The best" is a pretty big claim, eh?
I'd put this recipe right up there with the best. It's a pretty easy recipe as long as you have all of the ingredients.

Chances are if you've stayed over at the LOC house, you've been served these the next morning. It's my go-to recipe for feeding about 4 adults because it's so hearty and such an unforgettable meal. The taste is great by itself, or add a bit of hot sauce for dimension.

"The Best" Biscuits and Gravy Recipe
 (Yields about 4 adult servings)

You'll need...

• 2 1/4 cups of flour total (2 for biscuits, 1/4 for gravy)
• 2 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder (not baking soda!)
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt and more for the gravy (1/2 t for the biscuits, to your liking for gravy)
• 1 Tablespoon of sugar
• 1/2 cup of butter, diced (1 stick)
• 3 3/4 cups of milk (1 1/4 cups of milk for biscuits, 2 1/2 for gravy)
• 1 loaf of sausage, thawed if frozen
• Black pepper to taste 

1) Preheat oven to 450.
2) In a bowl, mix 2 cups flour, 2 1/2 tea. baking powder, 1/2 tea. salt, and 1 Tbl. sugar in a bowl.Once mixed, cut your butter up into small cubes, and cut it into the mixture. I often use my hands for this part to get all of the butter mixed in. It should look like crumbs once it's mixed in. Not everything will be covered in butter.
3) Slowly add 1 1/4 cups of milk to the dry goods mixture. Stir as you pour.

4) Now, drop spoonfuls of the batter to an ungreased cookie sheet. By this time, your oven should be close to preheating or already there. Place the biscuits in, now it's time to make the sausage gravy.

5) Place the sausage loaf in a pot. Brown the sausage, crumbling it as you go.

6) Once all brown and crumbled, add the 1/4 cup of flour to the sausage. Stir to coat.

7) Gradually stir in the 2 1/2 cups of milk. Add salt to your taste (I would start with 1 teaspoon and go from there) and black pepper to taste. Let the mixture come to a boil, then reduce heat and let the gravy simmer for about 2 minutes.

8) By about this time, your biscuits should be ready! Let both cool for a minute or two, then enjoy!