Home Improvement

Here on the Ponderosa, we've been painting deck rails. . .

And painting porch rails. . .

And painting rails around the steps. . .

There are so many rails and it takes hours and hours

But we only like one section. . .

   

Then we can start on the floor! 

Outside my front door

You just might be a redneck if this is your front door!

Tuesday on the Ponderosa

 

Can it be a casserole without Ritz crackers?

We are not a big fan of casseroles here on the Ponderosa.  Maybe it is because most casserole recipes contain onions and peppers and things we don't like, but it seems that many of the casserole recipes I find have Ritz crackers.  Since we have plenty of squash from our garden, I searched my favorite recipe site, Tasty Kitchen for ways to use squash.  I found a recipe called  Mom's Squash Casserole and yes it does have Ritz crackers.  I prepared it for the Ponderosa supper tonight and we found it to be quite good, even blog worthy.  Here's the ingredients, but I adjusted and changed them to fit the ingredients in my kitchen so therefore I am changing the name to Ponderosa Squash Casserole.

Ponderosa Squash Casserole

Ingredients

2 pounds fresh sliced squash--this was two large squash from the garden

2 Tablespoons Butter, melted--that's Blue Bonnet Margarine for me

1/2 chopped onion--there are no onions here but I did use a small amount of minced onions

1 sleeve Ritz Crackers, crumbled and divided -- You can't mess with a good thing

1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar Cheese--a staple in my fridge

2 ounces of diced pimentos--left these out since there are no pimentos on the Ponderosa

2 whole eggs, beaten--eggs are always good

4 slices of cooked bacon, crumbled or bacon bits--I only had microwave bacon

Dash of salt and pepper

Preparing Ponderosa Squash Casserole

Combine squash and water to cover in a medium saucepan.  Bring to boil.  Cover, reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes or until squash is tender.  Set aside.  Saute onion in better until tender.  Combine onion, squash, 3/4 cup cracker crumbs, cheese and remaining 5 ingredients.  

Spoon mixture into a lightly greased 2 quart baking dish.  Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

We liked the squash casserole and it would be a good dish for a potluck.  It's too much for just two and you make a lot of dirty dishes just getting the ingredients ready--a pot for boiling squash, a skillet to saute the butter and onions, a bowl for the crumbled crackers, a plate for the bacon, not to mention the measuring cups and spoons.  I had a sink full of dishes by the time the casserole was ready for the oven!

 

It doesn't have much color or look real pretty, but it was tasty with green beans, corn and mashed potatoes! 

Caution--Cuteness Ahead

Warning--this post is filled with what has to undoubtedly be the three best looking grand kids in the entire world. . .

Even if they have milk on their chin!

Freezin' Beans

First you pick them!  We got up at six to beat the heat.

Then you break them.  This will take a while so breaking them in front of the TV is recommended.

 Next you blanch -- prepare (vegetables) for freezing or further cooking by immersing briefly in boiling water.

 Spread on the table to dry.

 Bag them up and place in freezer to enjoy on a winter day.

Our 4th of July

Our Fourth of July was filled with

Family

Friends

Food

 Fun

 Fireworks

 Firsts

 And

Frogs!