Exciting news!!  My nephew is coming up from Wyoming to visit this weekend!!  When I told my mom she said, "I hope you have lots of food".  lol!  Well, yeah!  Did I mention that said nephew will be changing out 60 electrical outlets and installing multiple light fixtures and a bathroom fan?!?  Heck, yeah, I'll feed the kid.  I'll feed him good!!
I think he will really like a recipe we just tried last weekend.  I know he likes fries, because one time (at band camp) he rode his horse through the drive thru at McDonalds (followed by his pet goat).  I'm not even lying.  You can read about it here:  https://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/wyoming-boys-take-horses-through-mcdonald-s-drive-thru/article_2d74926b-c35a-5e37-8442-6b9beaa3680e.html

Garlic and Balsamic Fries
1 1/2 lbs Yellow Idaho Potatoes
2 Tbs Olive Oil
1/2 - 3/4 tsp Garlic Powder
1/2 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Pepper
1 Tbs White Balsamic Vinegar

• Cut potatoes into 1 inch thick wedges.  Heat oven to 400° F.  Line a large cookie sheet with aluminum foil; spray with cooking spray.  In a bowl, toss potatoes with olive oil, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
• Lay potato wedges in single layer on cookie sheet.  Bake until tender and golden brown - 30 minutes.  Transfer potato wedges to bowl and toss gently with white balsamic vinegar.  So Yummy!

As always, if you try this recipe, I want to hear about it!  

Feeling a little crafty last weekend, I tried something I had been wanting to try for a long time.  Drum Roll, please.....Screen Printing!!  I had found a class, but couldn’t muster up anyone to go with me, but then on an exercise trip to Michaels (that’s my gym, lol!  That and Walmart, Goodwill, Home Depot, Lowes, and the Gallatin Valley Mall), I found a Craft Smart Adhesive Screen Stencil in a design that I liked!  OMGosh!  How EXCITING!!  
 
I will say  - listen to my instructions, not theirs!  #3 says PAINT with brush, squeegee, foam pouncer or fingers!  NOOOO!  Only use a squeegee, or you WILL be doing it again and using a squeegee.  The other items just can’t push the paint through the screen. 
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The part I really like about this craft is that the template is reusable as many times as you want.  I hope you pick one up and try it.  I want to see!  Send me a picture at melissa@realhousewifeofbigskycountry.com or post it in the comments so we can ALL take a peek at your craftiness!! ​

We tried a new place in Bozeman today.  Bobcat Burgers.  My husband says that he likes it more than The Frontier in Three Forks (our favorite former burger joint).  I feel as if I scored BIG TIME, because our last burger joint has been a favorite for many years.  

I knew when I saw Bobcat Burgers quietly hiding behind a convenience store that we NEEDED to try it.  It just smelled soooo good!  There is only around 8 items on the menu, each one sounding wonderful.  You can check out their website here:  http://bobcatburgers.com/#posts
If you find yourself wanting a bite while in Bozeman, give this place a try and let me know what you think!!  Oh, and sorry I didn't take any pictures of the burgers.  I was too mesmerized by the shake!


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My morning started out with a thought.  What can I do for just myself right this moment.  I opened a drawer in the bathroom vanity and there it sat.  A facemask that has been sitting around since before we moved to Bozeman 6 months ago!

I, being the super smart and swanky lady that I am, know all about face masks.  You take them out, unfold them, stick them on your face, hope in the bathtub, and relax - letting letting the mask do its' magic.

Well, I did all of those things.  I was really enjoying it, except I had let my Kindle battery die and didn't have anything to read.  And really did have to relax all the way.

When I had really bilked all the relaxing I could do in the tub, I stood up, grabbed a towel, looked in the mirror, and holy heck - WHAT IS THAT?!?

My first bubble mask.  I had NO idea it was doing that on my face!  I felt that I really should read the directions.  Ut oh!  It was only supposed to be on my face 3 to 4 minutes.  I had been in the tub for a good 20 minutes.  After washing it off, I know you will be happy to know that my skin felt so smooth.  My makeup  went on so well.  And I only broke one toe kicking the door when I scared myself getting out of the tub. #glamglowbubblesheet

We really like to either have brunch or linner (between lunch and dinner) on Sundays.  One big meal that gets us through the day, so we can enjoy our Sunday before sending my husband back to the grind on Monday.

This is what we are having today J  It’s my son, Wilson’s favorite.  And he’s visiting today, so even better!

Please comment below what your favorite recipe is!  I love to try new ones all the time!

Melissa’s Meatballs (makes about 30)
Ingredients

• 2 pounds hamburger – sometimes I will replace ½ pound with ground pork
• 2 eggs, beaten with 1/2 cup milk
• ½ cup grated Parmesan
• 1 cup panko
• 1 small onion, minced or grated (1/2 a large onion)
• 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
• ½  teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ tsp dried basil
• ground pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup minced fresh flat-leaf parsley

Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients with hands.
2. Form into golf ball-size meatballs.
   
3. Bake at 350° F for 30 minutes

I’m not one to normally fix or eat breakfast….But when I do, it tends to be amazing.  Well, I mean, how could it not?  Breakfast that has to be made usually consists of one of the devil foods – bacon, sausage, or ham.  And we all know how great those are!! (on that note, feel free to interchange the bacon or ham for the sausage in this recipe) – So come on over to the wild side with me and make this for your tribe.  They will love you just a little more.
 
 
SAUSAGE HASHBROWN BREAKFAST CASSEROLE
PREP TIME: 10 MINS  COOK TIME: 35 MINS  TOTAL TIME: 45 MINS
INGREDIENTS:

• 1 pkg refrigerated crescent rolls
• 1 lb breakfast sausage
• 1 (30-32oz) bag frozen shredded hash browns
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 8 eggs
• 1 cups milk

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large skillet, cook sausage until no longer pink. Drain fat.
2. Add hash browns to skillet and cook until lightly brown.
3. Spray bottom of 9x13-in pan with cooking spray.
4. Pop open crescent rolls.  Lay down 2 4 piece sections in 9x13-inch pan.
5. Place hash browns on top of crescent rolls. Top with sausage and cheese.
6. Whisk together eggs, salt, pepper, and milk. Pour over hash brown mixture.
7. **Cover and refrigerate at this point if baking later.**
8. Bake, uncovered, for 35-40 minutes.

Oh, my goodness gracious!  This is just about one of the best things I’ve ever put in my mouth.  I don’t even know what else to say about it.  I typically would not put egg yokes in my potatoes, but DAMN!  Now it’s as if they belong there and all the other potatoes, I’ve had my whole life long cannot even compare.  Also note – I am not usually over dramatic about potatoes :)

Let’s get to this!  Gather up your ingredients.  And please – sharing this with you is my pleasure – no need for thanks or phone calls lol!

Cheesy Potato Souffle
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3 lbs. russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces (around 9 small potatoes)
1 Tbsp kosher salt
6 large egg yolks at room temperature
1 cup heavy cream at room temperature
¼ cup unsalted butter melted
2 cups shredded white Cheddar cheese
½ cup shredded Asiago cheese
½ tsp. ground white pepper
 

1. Place potatoes into in large pot.  Cover with water by 1 to 2 inches.  Bring to a boil over high heat and cook potatoes until done – about 15 minutes.  Remove from heat.  Drain well and return potatoes to pot.  Mash potatoes with potato masher until very smooth.  Stir in egg yolks, cream butter, both cheeses, white pepper and salt.  Transfer this concoction to a lightly greased 9 x 13-inch pan and let cool to room temperature (about an hour).
2. Preheat oven to 350۠° F.  Bake, covered, until heated through, about 45 minutes.  Uncover and bake 15 minutes.  Increase oven to broil on HIGH, and broil until topping is browned - 3 to 4 minutes.
3. Call your loved ones and tell them you love them because this tastes like heaven <3

Occasionally, I can pat myself on the back for a good idea.  And this was one of the times!  I have tried so many different jewelry storage ideas over the years.  The problem has been that I could not see everything.

Now I can!  I LOVE it!!  I don’t find myself wearing the same pieces all the time.  I can reminisce the memory associated with some of the pieces every time I am in the room.  I receive joy because the frames are sparkly.

They were very easy to make.  I went to Goodwill to get the frames.  $4.99 each!  The shelf has been hanging around for a while.  After removing the backing and the glass, I marked underneath one side of the frame every ½ inch.  Then I got our smallest drill bit and predrilled all the holes.  I screwed in all of the little hooks (1/2”) that I had picked up at the hardware store. Then, because I  had all of the hooks openings towards the back (I would have them face the front if I were to make more) I cut two small pieces of a square dowel and glued onto the back of the frame in the middle on both the top and the bottom.  Then, I screwed the hanger onto the dowel and placed on the wall.
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Go through necklaces first and purchase frames based on most the necklace’s length. 
Enjoy!  And post a picture!  I want to see!