weekend, recipe

We are taking a break this weekend. Friday, Scott and I are both on unpaid furloughs. Well, sort of. I am working from 8-10:30 to help cover for my time spent with Mom last Wednesday. Anyway, we plan to be on the road by 11:30, on our way to Sioux City.
We're going to be taking Weston to see the Muskateers (Hockey) games on Friday and Saturday night with Scott's Aunt Linda and Uncle Byron. I even heard a rumor that Scott's cousins will be joining us Saturday and that we may be sitting in the box seats with little living rooms and kitchens. I love sitting up there.
Scott's mom Lila is coming to visit Saturday afternoon. Weston should be sufficiently spoiled this weekend. And, as always, my goal is to leave by noon on Sunday so we can keep working on packing up the garage.
A thought for the diligent readers: I am thinking of blogging about Music ADD... I have it. I don't think it's a real condition, but it's real in my life. And I have some thoughts on it. Do you?


Yesterday was St. Patrick's Day. I used to celebrate the holiday. I mean, my name is Erin and I have a sister named Shannon. Hello? It only makes sense. Even if Shannon looks Irish, but we're not Irish. :) Sometime I will have to tell you all about my favorite St. Patrick's Days. Both in Chicago. Anousha was at both of them. but they were 5/6 (?) years apart. So much fun.
Anyway, with a child, especially a little one, there isn't a whole lot you can do except dress them in green and try to give them some Irish culture. Last year we had Potato Soup. This year I thought we would try Shepherd's Pie.
So... I took this recipe for Easy Shepherd's Pies from Real Simple. And then I doctored it, based on the other recipes I'd looked at. And it turned out pretty good.
So, if you want it, here goes:
Print the recipe here.
I would up the ground beef to 1 1/2 pounds.
I sauteed half a red onion in White Cooking Wine.
Once soft, I added 1 can of Carrots & Peas (together in the can) and 1 can of Whole Kernel Sweet Corn, both cans of veggies rinsed in a colander and drained. (I also wanted to add Mushrooms, but I was out.)
I added 1 1/2 cloves of Minced Garlic to veggies.
Added these spices: 1/2 tsp each of sage, thyme, and paprika.
I upped the ketchup to just over a 1/2 cup, and 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire Sauce.
I gently mixed all these together and put them into a casserole dish. Then I topped them with the potatoes and yes, I used the optional cheese (Weston threw it in for me.)

I cooked 17 minutes instead of 10... . It was great. Even better for lunch today. I will make again.

Next time changes: More garlic, salt and pepper; mushrooms; and my dad said that he adds 1/2 a small pkg of brown gravy mix (powder only) to the hamburger. While it's baking, the mix thickens the sauce and makes it creamy. Sounds like a plan. But I will definitely do this again.