What's Cookin: Stove Top Shepherd's Pie

Have you ever found yourself with a lot of sides, but no real main dish? That's how I felt last weekend, until I came across this recipe from the back of the Stove Top box (who looks at those recipes? This girl). 

I realized I had 4 out of the 5 ingredients already... however the recipe called for beef.

I've never cooked beef before. 

Truth be told, I've never cooked any meat before. 

Not that I'm a vegetarian, I was just lucky enough to always live with someone else who was a great cook, whether it was a friend, roommate, etc. So I was a bit weary, but you can learn how to do just about anything on Youtube. 

(And I didn't die, so that's a plus!)

Anyway, this only took about 20 minutes, and made a lot of food (it says 6 servings, but I think it was more, or maybe I just got tired of eating it after 4 servings). 

Ingredients:

1 lb. of ground beef

1 box (6 oz) of Stove Top Stuffing Mix for Chicken (I had Cornbread, so that's what I used)

2 cups of frozen mixed vegetables

1/2 barbecue sauce

1-1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

Heat oven to 425 degrees

Prepare stuffing according to directions on the package

Meanwhile, brown the meat, then drain. 

Stir in Barbecue sauce, and spoon into greased 2-qt. casserole dish

Top with stuffing, vegetables, and cheese

Cover with foil and bake 15 minutes.

Enjoy!

Mine burned a little on the edges- I didn't cover it. Still tasted good though!

What's your go - to for a quick, easy dinner?

Fall Bucket List

Back in May I created a Summer Bucket List. I tried to blog about most of the things I did, but I'm still a little behind! Here's a review:

1.     go on vacation somewhere warm and tropical (June can't come soon enough!)- check! (though I still haven't written about it... not too late right?!)

2.  go down the Shore (that's what we say in Jersey!)- check!

3.     go to a Phillies game (or 5)- I went to a Yankees game... but it's baseball so I'm counting it!

4.     picnic in the park- check!

5.    see an outdoor movie- check!

6.     get my hair did- check!

7.     BBQ (or attend one)- check!

8.     try 5 new restaurants- I was hoping to actually write about them, but I know I went to at least 5 new spots

9.    have a bonfire/ roast marshmallows on an open fire- fail

10. RELAX!- check!

11.  go to a concert/music festival- check!

12.  go to a fair- I think I did this? 

13.  have a movie or TV series marathon day- check! 

14.  purge all needless junk from my home, and update my closet- check!

15. Take lots of pictures- check! (just need to upload...oops!)

16. Start (and finish?) a scrapbook- fail 

17.  tubing down the river (I want this every year, but probably won't happen...again... grumble)- double fail 

18.  Read some good books- I read at least two? Not too bad, all things considered

19.  go on a boat ride/short cruise- check! Took an hour boat ride during vacation, and a ferry to Governor's Island!

20.  watch fireworks- fail. Kinda disappointed about this one more than the others :/

And since yesterday was the first day of fall, and even though I really love summer, here are a few things I'm looking forward to doing in Autumn:

drink allthepumpkin ales

bake pumpkin pie~ an annual tradition!

craft something (maybe another wreath?)

host a party

attend another concert

dress up for Halloween

attend a football game//tailgate

bake banana nut bread

 buy 2 major purchases [necessary]

attend a fall festival

enjoy a PSL or 5

have a blast at my friend's wedding

find time to have fun during a work conference, and go to the San Diego Zoo!

What are you looking forward to this season? 

**Linking up at The Petite Blog Hop at Smile and Write!

The Happiness Report #41~ Happy Fall!

crafty

- lazy days

- winning last week's Fantasy Football game! Hoping to do it again this week!

- a new found appreciation for my job 

- link ups: they give you a defined topic to write about, and I love finding new blogs to read
- Youtube suggestions: I like finding great new music as much as I like finding awesome new blogs
- putting up some fall decorations

- opening all the windows
- coupons. I seriously bought the Sunday paper just for the coupons!

- I cooked meat for the first time... and lived to tell about it!

- this video:

Around the Interwebs:
- I just found The Other Juliette, and this post absolutely cracked me up!
- I also just found Helene in Between (super late, I know) and she gives a great tip right here
- Not only am I a part of Gen Y, I'm pretty much the definition of it... and this article is actually pretty accurate as to why so many in my generation are unhappy
- Allie outlines some positives about being single

What's making you happy this week?

Confessions and Back That Azz Up!

via

- I take all my photos with my phone. Which is why there are so many crappy photos. It's easy. And I don't even know where my camera is (I also moved recently, so I'm sure it's in one of the boxes still... which brings me to number 2)

- I still haven't unpacked from moving. And I finished moving August 13. I mean, I did unpack some stuff, mainly when I was looking for things I actually needed, but I haven't been motivated to unpack the rest. Maybe this weekend?

- I hate moving. Packing, unpacking, reorganizing, renting (and driving) U-Hauls, the physically moving heavy crap... I try to think positive, like "But I have a whole new space to decorate!" but then I remember that I'm lazy and there are reruns of Friends on.

- My coworker has been out for two weeks and though I used to complain that she was annoying, I miss her. Especially since I have been the only one in my department (yup, department of 2 right here) and my workload is REDIC. To say I'm overwhelmed would be an understatement, and I've worked more late nights than I care to mention.

- I will look at every single person's post in a link-up that I partake in, even if I don't post a comment... and I will not be satisfied until I do. So sometimes I'm reading them a week late. 

And with that, my favorite link-up of the week (because who doesn't like listening to good music to get you through a lame Friday afternoon and ready for the weekend?)...

This or That? [In Pics...Mostly]

So I saw this over at The Peanut Program, who got it from Two Thirds Hazel, and wanted to play, because apparently I am a link-up wh*re with no motivation to recap my own life, and I'm not ready to talk about Fall yet. So we're choosing... This or That?
Vacationing in Florida or vacationing in NYC: Vacationing in Florida, because it's warmer than here, especially in winter! iPhone or Droid: iPhone! I've never had a Droid, but I'm very happy with my iPhone NSYNC or Backstreet Boys: I wasn't a huge fan of either one, but I guess N*Snyc. Fun Fact: I was standing in line with my friend to get Jessica Simpson's autograph at a music store (she was opening for them nearby), and the people behind us gave us free tickets to the show since they couldn't use them! Being forced to delete Facebook or being forced to delete Twitter: Facebook because I'm not a fan of all of the Fluffers (great definition here), rants, or seeing all of these people's statuses who I'm not really "friends" with.  Fireball or Miller Lite: Miller Lite because even though I actually like Fireballs, I can control myself much better with beer. Fireballs act like mind erasers for me. Full House or Family Matters: Innocent Olsens and Uncle Jesse... what's not to like?! Plus, Urkel annoyed me after awhile. Dumbledore or Gandalf: Confession: I have never read or watched any Harry Potter. So Gandalf wins as coolest wizard. 
Dying Easter eggs or Carving pumpkins: Carving pumpkins 

Though I was never this good at it!

NFL or NCAAF: NFL all the way- I never got into the college teams/league. A hangover forever or sobriety forever: A mini hangover or like a full blown "Im going to die a slow horrible death" one? I can handle the mini one, otherwise, I guess sobriety :/
January or July: I love summer, so definitely July. January is one of the gloomiest months of the year! Hannah Montana or Miley Cyrus: I don't like either, but at least Hannah wasn't twerking or licking sledgehammers.  Shark Week or Fashion Week:  Fresh Prince of Bel-Air or Saved by the Bell: "In West Philadelphia, born and raised..." Britney or Christina: I think Christina is more talented, but Britney is definitely more entertaining Burrito or Burrito Bowl: Burrito Reading blogs on your phone or reading blogs on your computer: Computer because it's faster and easier. Angelina or Jennifer: Too easy.  Doug Funny or The Rugrats: LOVED Doug! And Pork Chop! And Qual Man! An open mouth chewer or a heavy breather: Ew. I guess open mouth chewer because it only lasts as long as they're eating? But both are really annoying, and kinda gross.

Oh, How Pinteresting!

I have a lot of posts "in the works", however no motivation to actually finish them. Not sure what that's all about. I have, however, been quite busy on Pinterest. So you guys get another linkup-- sorry! And as much as I hate to admit that summer is coming to a close, I can't help but be swept up into some fall-inspired pins.

Here's what I've been pinning lately:

I can definitely think of some friends that would get a kick out of this!

Gathering ideas for this year!

Every.Time.

Beef stew, crock pot style

Too cute!

Most pinned this week!

I love everything about this transitional outfit

What are you pinning lately?

You can see all my other pins here!

The Happiness Report #40

-This. Is. So. How. I Feel-- Going Out in College vs. Going Out Now

-I'm Happy that I didn't get addicted to this game!

-online shopping

-happy hour

-sweatpants

-finding out that I'm going to Cali!

-As a female born in the 80's, who didn't love Lisa Frank?

-I can't believe this is a real product... to ensure that your shit really don't stink!