After midnight

Yes, it's after midnight and I'm still up in part because we ate a late supper and I still feel very stuffed. I've been working on a CD scrapbook for one of Tim's co-workers. Actually two of them, a couple who works there had a baby boy last week. So I'll post a few pix when I'm finished. I usually only use 4 cd's so that's 8 pages. I used a Circle Scissors at a friend's house this week and was ready to go out a buy one. I had a 40% off coupon from Michael's so I thought that would work perfect. But they no longer carry the purple and green Circle Scissors! I went to Hobby Lobby as well. I looked at Office Max and Target too still no luck. So I went to Ebay and put in a bid. I've never won a bid yet, so I'm not sure I'll win this one, but it would be nice as I feel it's the best price I could possibly pay. It sure would make cutting circles so much easier and so many different sizes of circles.

Tim had Chemo on Thursday. It went pretty well actually. He was there for only about three hours and hasn't really had much for side effects. He said he had an upset tummy yesterday, but just queasy is all. I'm sure it may be worse next week or about the third week. Thankfully it's only six weeks this time and he only goes in for the drip and does not have to carry a pump.

Well since I'm still not tired I think I'll tempt you with a recipe. Here is the recipe for Taco Pasta Shells that I made tonight. This recipes is from the Light and Tasty magazine put out by Taste of Home. Speaking of Taste of Home, if you ever get to Milwaukee WI you should go visit the Reiman Publications Visitor Center. They have some interesting facts on the first floor and also a test kitchen and an area where they showcase birdhouses built for a contest. Maybe for their Birds and Blooms publication? Anyway, downstairs is their outlet store. If you're a cookbook fanatic like me you can find tons of Taste of Home cookbooks there for reasonable prices some as low as $2.00 for a hardcover book! While you're there you may as well stroll the rest of the shops of Greendale Village and stop at Ferch's Malt Shoppe and Creamery. They have great burgers, onion rings and of course will mix you any flavor you can think of for your ice cream. Yes, they've been around longer than Coldstone's, well at least in the Milwaukee area! Next door you might want to visit Lotions & Potions, there are a few gifts shops, a quilt shop, across the street there is Great Harvest Bread, gotta try their bread YUM YUM!! They cut you a big complimentary chunk of bread and you can try as much as you want. They also have cookies and muffins. There might be more additions as it has been two years since I left Milwaukee. There is a coffee shop and a couple of other restaurants. Okay so that's my visit Greendale spiel onto the recipe.

Okay so here is the recipe for Taco Pasta Shells. I know I really should have tempted you like my friend Estee does by taking photos of the process of making this fabulous dish, but I did not take any.

18 Uncooked jumbo pasta shells
1 1/2 lbs. lean ground beef (I used ground turkey last night).
1 bottle (16 oz) Taco Sauce (I was able to use a 10 oz bottle and it was plenty).
3 oz fat free cream cheese (I used reduced fat).
2 tsp Chili powder
3/4 C shredded reduced fat Mexican cheese blend, divided
20 baked tortilla chips coarsely crushed (I forgot these last night and it wasn't a big deal). You're beginning to wonder if I ever follow a recipe completely aren't you? Well maybe the first time I might....

Cook past according to the package directions. Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, cook beef (turkey) until no longer pink; drain. Add 1/2 cup taco sauce, cream cheese and chili powder; cook and stir until blended. Stir in 1/4 cup cheese blend.

Drain pasta and rinse in cold water; stuff each shell with about 2 tablespoons of the beef or turkey mixture. Arrange in a 11x7x2 inch baking dish coated with nonstick cooking spray. Spoon remaining taco sauce over the top. Cover and bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining cheese blend and bake for 5- 10 mins longer or until heated through and cheese is melted. (Of course I just sprinkled the cheese and let it sit on top of the stove until the cheese melted). Sprinkle with chips. I served Spanish Rice A Roni with this dish.

Nutrition Facts: 3 stuffed shells equals 384 calories, 13 g fat (5g saturated fat), 67 mg cholesterol, 665 mg sodium, 33 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 33 g protein. I'm sure the fat calories were a little bit lower using ground turkey.

I've taken this to crops and it was well received! Anne Thomsen of Westchester OH is the originator of this recipe.