Warm Ham and Cheese Sandwiches

These little sandwiches are the perfect size and recipe for a gathering. They are just the right amount of sandwich, taste great and are easy to prepare. They offer something a little different than cold cuts and bread. I'm a big fan.

 Warm Ham and Cheese Sandwiches  (makes 24)

2 packages "brown and serve" rolls

1 1/2 lb. sliced ham

1/2-3/4  pound swiss cheese-sliced

2 sticks margarine or butter

2 TBSP. Worcestershire Sauce

2 TBSP. prepared mustard

2 TBSP. poppyseeds

4 TBSP.  brown sugar


Prepare sandwiches and place in large baking pan(s)

Next, melt butter and add the next 4 ingredients. Bring to a boil.

Remove from heat and pour the hot sauce over the sandwiches.

Let set for 2 hours (I did overnight and debated if they should be refrigerated or not, they went in the fridge).

Bake at 375 degrees for 7-10 minutes until bubbly.

I had great reviews at the Fathers Day party. The Shaull family is really a bunch of small people who don't eat a lot so maybe thats why it worked so well. I wondered as I was pouring the sauce over if I should have made more of it, but they tasted great with this amount. If I think of it next time, I will probably make extra. I didn't get a picture of the final product, but they looked great stacked on my Wilton Armatele platter!

Thanks to Katie for passing along this little gem! Katie and Pete by the way have the cutest new addition to their family. Meet Cosmo.

Oreo Truffles with a Twist

A new twist on oreo balls. We're preparing for a baby shower this weekend, these will be the favors. Final photo to come along with all the other preparations and finished products.

These were pretty simple, we made oreo truffles and then put some white chocolate colored with a drop of blue food coloring in a ziplock baggie, cut off the corner and made fun designs.

Texas Caviar

This one comes from my Uncle Jim and Aunt Terri. We had everybody over for Fathers Day and this was one of their contributions. It is very good and makes a nice alternative or addition to salsa. I did a bit of research and it doesn't appear this is so bad for you either.

Texas Caviar
Drain and rinse one 16 oz. can black beans
Drain and rinse one 16 oz. can pinto beans
1 can of white or yellow corn
1 sm. jar of pimientos diced
Dice:
1 c. green peppers
1 c. yellow peppers
1 c. celery
1/2 c. red peppers
Then:
Mix and boil (bring to boil/cool) the following:
1 c. apple cider vinegar
1 tsp. salt and pepper
1 c. sugar
3/4 c. olive oil
Pour over vegetables and marinate overnight.
Drain in colander after marinating.
This is best served with scoops. Enjoy!

Summer time in Northern Michigan

I have been M.I.A. for an embarassingly long time. I have a few new recipes to share, those will come soon. In the mean time, what have we been up to the past 6 weeks or so? Well, since you asked...

We still don't have a/c and we've had a couple scorchers this summer. We have a ways to go, last year we hit 95 I believe.

 We have been enjoying our new dishwasher... sometimes squeaky fish needs a bath, too.

 We've been battling injuries. This happens to be a mis-diagnosed foot problem. Initially believed to be a hip or knee problem. The cone does not go over well hence the sad face.

 We watched our god-baby take her first steps (read: we taught her how to walk).

 We went to a USA vs. Canada soccer game at Ford Field. USA!

 We did some boating on Grandpa Bill's boat

 And some boating on Grandpa Al's boat. Griffin took his first dive in the water which was a bit of a shock. Thank goodness for his life jacket...

 We went to a graduation party with the Peters fam

 And we went to a baptism

All in all, its been a pretty busy summer! 4th of July was awesome - we had perfect weather up north. We still have a lot to look forward to including wedding showers, birthday parties, a trip to Chicago for girls weekend, a trip to Tampa for our anniversary, another trip up north, and a few weddings! Sorry for my lack of sharing. Don't worry, I'll be back.

P.S. I started a new job, too. I now work for Amway as a project manager managing the development of new products. Its really fun! I'm about a month in. I miss my friends at Crowe for those of you reading. This is a great opportunity and I'm really enjoying it! I can't wait until Im a few more months in and know what Im doing :)

Happy summer!