Thanksgiving leftover mini-casseroles

I came away with an unusually large collection of Thanksgiving leftovers this year - so I decided to fabricate a new way to finish off the heaps of stuffing, turkey, potatoes and - that Turkey-Day table staple - green bean casserole.
I employed my oven-proof souffle cups for a nice layered casserole. These fluted dishes are perfect for individual pot pies or other similar recipes; I'm almost always cooking for two, so they come in handy often.
I began with a packed crust of stuffing, and then added (in equal-sized layers) turkey, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes and gravy, more turkey and a last topping of stuffing. A sprinkling of classic French's fried onions adds hearty crunch, while echoing the onion flavors found in the stuffing and green beans. Heated through in a 350-degree oven, this recipe couldn't be simpler - but every bite is a grand combination of Thanksgiving flavors.

I'm currently loving . . .

Photographi by Bobbi. This Northwestern-Wisconsin photographer is only 21, but she's already captured my heart with her retro-fab, movement-based fashion photos and stunning, clear portraits of fairytale woodsy splendor. (It doesn't hurt that she's a little blonde pixie, whose haunting mod image echoes back to Edie Sedgwick and Twiggy). Her combinations of striking beauty and hardscrabble, small-town imagery really appeal to my senses, a la tulle and feathers floating over paint-chipped windows. (Personally, I'm dying for her to take my picture. :)

(All photographs by Bobbi Solum) http://photographibybobbi.blogspot.com

Elizabeth Taylor would be envious . . .

When my Grandma Jane, who was a fabulous woman in her own right, passed away a few years ago, I found myself with some of her equally fabulous jewelry. She loved gold and precious stones, but also had a veritable collection of fun and funky costume pieces. I was thrilled to discover that some of the oversized clip-on earrings she'd always worn would make terrific cocktail rings - which seemed gleefully appropriate to me, as I remember her fondly with a Manhattan in her bejeweled hand, always sparking and social. :)

For this particular ring, I needed pliers to pry the earring clip free (which is much easier than it might look) and used a strong glue (such as E-6000) to secure the bauble to a ring blank. These blanks are adjustable, inexpensive, and found at most craft stores - mine came in a set of four, which allows for mistakes or a whole set of cocktail bling. Pick some up and flaunt that vintage jewelry like your own personal Taylor-Burton diamond. ;)