Duck, it's a duck!

I don't like to pack, and I was putting off cleaning, so today I made a duck! I wanted to give my new niece something handmade, and I bought a bunch of fleece scraps at the craft store on base, so I decided to try a ducky! My favorite part is the little heart with her name on it. It's more of a decorating item than a toy, but I still think it's cute!I decided I want to make something handmade for my other nieces also, so when I get back from my trip I might make them bugs (like ladybugs and butterflies) or sweets (like cupcakes and ice cream cones). Any other ideas?

Barcis Lake - Take 3!

So...Barcis Lake is really pretty, and not too far away, so it made for the perfect girl's day out! So, I ended up there for the 2nd time this week. We spent some time laying out in the sun, hiked up a short trail, ate lunch at a park, took lots of pictures and grabbed some gelato on the way home. Great day! I just wish we had gotten a picture of all of us together.

The only picture I have of everyone (except me): Megan with the pink backpack, Katie (holding Kylie) in the middle, and Betsy leading the pack (she was the one who got to walk into the spider's webs!)

I like slides!We did make a pact to make a girls day out once a week (starting the week after I get back.) Our next plan is to go to the big shopping mall in Udine. Udine is about 45 minutes away and I hear it's one of the biggest malls in Europe! There is even a Disney Store! Since we have all read the Twilight series, we have considered going to Volterra, but I'm afraid that might be an overnighter. We'll see!

Onion Soup Mix Meatloaf

We had meatloaf tonight. I used the recipe from the box of onion soup mix.

Ingredients:

1 envelope onion soup mix

2 lbs ground beef

3/4 cup plain bread crumbs

2 eggs

3/4 cup water

1/3 cup ketchup

Directions:

Mix all ingredients in a big bowl with your hands.

Form into a loaf on a baking sheet.

Bake 1 hour in 350 degree F oven.

Let stand 10 minutes.

Another meal Jake liked, which is good because I'm leaving him with lots of leftovers! I'm leaving tomorrow to go visit my sister's family, and I keep asking Jake what he will eat while I'm gone. He keeps reminding me that he did live alone for two years after he got out of the dorms, so I guess he can take care of himself again.

Tatortot Casserole

I got this recipe from my cousin, Staci Wood.

Ingredients:
1 lb. hamburger
1/4 lb. velveeta
1/2 cup milk
1 can cream of mushroom soup
8 oz. sour cream

Directions:
Brown and drain hamburger
Microwave velveeta and milk
Add soup and sour cream
Mix with hamburger and pour into 9"x13" dish
Line up frozen tatortots on top of mixture
Bake at 350 degrees F for 45-60 minutes, until tots are crunchy

It was so yummy! Jake liked it too! The only problem I had is that I don't have any of my kitchen stuff here in Italy, and Jake only has a 9"x9" dish here, so the mixture barely fit and started to bubble over the edge before the tots were crunchy.

Defiance

Jake and I rented the movie "Defiance" this weekend. Neither of us had ever heard of it, but with the very limited selection of rentals at the shoppette, it seemed to be the best choice. Jake tends to like history and war movies.

It takes place in Russia in 1941. The Nazi Germans have invaded and are capturing or killing all Jews they find. A group of 4 brothers are hiding out in the woods. Unlike most peaceful Jews, they rebel and seek revenge for the deaths of their family members. This makes them well knows and other Jews come to join in their Otriad. The take in everyone who comes to join them.

It is a true story and very touching. But, the movie has a lot of language and a lot of violence. But I do recommend it if those don't bother you!

Barcis Lake - Take 2

We went up to Barcis Lake last month, but we passed right by Barcis Lake on our way to and from the National Park, so we decided to stop for a few more pictures of the beautiful lake.

Beef Stroganoff

While cleaning out Jake's cabinets, I found a packet of Beef Stroganoff Sauce Mix, so I decided to try it out. I just used the ingredients on the back of the pack.

1 1/2 lbs. boneless beef sirloin, trimmed and cut into thin strips (I don't think my strips were thin enough)
2 Tbsp oil

1 cup water

1 cup sour cream

1 packet beef stroganoff sauce mix

Prepare noodles as directed.
Heat the oil in a skillet.

Add beef and cook until no longer pink.

Add water and sauce mix.

Bring to a boil.

Simmer, covered, for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Remove from heat.

Stir in sour cream.

Mix in drained noodles.

Yum!