What If I Won the Lottery?

Like millions of other Americans this past week, I bought a lottery ticket. The jackpot beckoned at 640 million dollars and the things I would do with that kind of money. Well, it was fun to think about the what ifs? What I would buy? Where I would go? Who I would give money to?

Even in discussing the what ifs, I was really surprised by people. One woman said if she won, she wasn't giving money to anyone. I couldn't help but think it a little selfish especially since it was unlikely to really become a concern.

The statistics I heard were surprising. You have a better chance of being struck by lightning twice than winning the 640 million jackpot. Ninety percent of lottery winners are broke within five years. One city boasted that they were selling over a million lottery tickets an hour. There was a ninety percent chance that someone would win last night. To buy every combination of numbers would cost you a little under 176 million.

Many lottery winners claim that the lottery ruined their life. There is even a tv show about it.

I fell asleep before the numbers were revealed last night. I woke up around midnight and thought about checking, but decided to go back to sleep with the possibility of what if until morning. Pleasant dreams of traveling to exotic locations and buying extravagant homes and cars filled my night.

This morning, I checked my numbers. I didn't have the right combination, but it was still fun to see that I had three of the winning numbers - none of them on the same line of my $5 worth of tickets.

There were three winners last night who will share the jackpot and unfortunately I was not one of them. So I guess I will return to my job on Monday morning thankful that I have one to go to.

Family Favorite: Hamburger Casserole

This is a family favorite that is easy to make. We often have it for Sunday dinner, but it is easy enough to make on a weeknight and it is great reheated.

You start by peeling potatoes and cutting them into 1/4"slices. You also cut an onion into strips and break it apart. Since some of my family detests onions, I only place them on half.

Next you brown some ground beef and add a can of Campbell's Golden Mushroom Soup, and 1 cup of grated Colby and Monterrey Jack Cheese.

You bake for 35 minutes at 350° or until potatoes are done (check to make sure they are tender by piercing with a fork). Remove and add a 1/2 cup more cheese and return to the oven until the cheese melts.

You'll have a yummy casserole that is also great as a left over. (The potato on top on the side was to let me know which side did not have onions). 

Mama's Hamburger Casserole

4 potatoes (or enough to cover the bottom of baking dish)

1 small onion

1 1/2 lbs ground beef, browned

1 can of Campbell's Golden Mushroom Soup

1 1/2 cup Colby Monterrey Jack cheese (reserve 1/2 cup)

Bake at 350° for 35 minutes. Remove and add reserved cheese to top and return to oven until melted. 

Sunday Favorite: Macaroni & Cheese

My grandmother grew up during the depression. She was a very frugal person and that was apparent in her macaroni and cheese. Grandmother's version was mostly macaroni with only a little cheese. After Grandmother left for church my Mom would grate more cheese and add it to the casserole. It was always a favorite among all the grandkids. It is simple and tasty.

Macaroni & Cheese

2 cups dry elbow macaroni

2 eggs

1 1/2 cups milk

2 cups sharp cheddar cheese

Salt and pepper

Butter

Directions: 

Boil macaroni noodles as directed. 

Pour hot cooked macaroni noodles into casserole dish.

Put half cheddar cheese into macaroni noodles and stir.

Beat eggs and add milk, salt, and pepper. Pour over noodles.

Cover with the remaining cheese.

Add a few pats of butter over the cheese.

Bake at 350° for about 35 minutes.

I prefer to grate block cheddar cheese, which seems to give it a better flavor.

I love you Biebs

Today my facebook status was hacked. I believe the culprit was my daughter in law, Casey.

The post read: I am so happy to hear that Justin Bieber is now eighteen, now we can be together without hiding it... I love you biebs!

I have to give it to her for originality. But from now on I'll be sure to be logging out of facebook.

I had Daniel this morning and it is quite difficult to cook with a demanding baby around. I'm so glad that Ashley and Casey were here this morning to help, otherwise we would have had a really late lunch. Today was the easy day: baked ziti, salad, and my Grandmother's Applesauce Cake. We also had brownies because my niece requested them, but I really wanted applesauce cake and since I'm the cook - we had both.

This cake is so easy to make.

Grandmother Rodgers’ Applesauce Cake

Ingredients for cake:

•                Yellow Cake Mix

•                2 eggs

•                2 cups applesauce

•                ½ tsp cinnamon

•                ¼ tsp nutmeg

•                ¼ tsp cloves

•                ¼ tsp ginger

Ingredients glaze:

•                1 cup powdered confectioners’ sugar

•                2 tbsp orange juice

Preparation:

Mix all ingredients (do not prepare cake mix according to box instructions).

Bake for 30 to 35 min in 350° oven.

Drizzle glaze over warm cake.