Baked Ham and Macaroni and Cheese

This is one of my favorite meals, but we do not have it that often. Joel is not a big fan of ham so I try not to make it too much. He would rather have ham this way than just plain though!

1-1 1/2 c of uncooked elbow macaroni
1/4 c butter
1/2 t salt
1/4 t pepper
1/4 c flour
1 3/4 c milk
8 ounces extra sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 c fully cooked ham, cubed.
Bread crumbs

Cook macaroni as directed. In separate pan, stir butter, salt, and pepper until butter is melted. Blend in flour. cook over low heat, stirring constantly (flour burns easily!), until mixture is smooth and bubbly. Remove from heat, stir in milk. Place back on heat and heat until boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir one minute, remove from heat. Stir in cheese until melted.

Place cooked macaroni in ungreased baking dish or bowl. Stir in cheese sauce. Mix in cubed ham. Sprinkle top generously with bread crumbs. Baked uncovered in 375 degree oven for 30 minutes.

This is so tasty and filling! Even the girls liked it, and they do not always like homemade macaroni and cheese.

Today, we had the second meeting of our cooking club. Cheryl made margherit pizza and tiramisu. It was so good. I can't even begin to describe. The pizza had fresh basil and tomatoes on. The tiramisu was delicious. The girls even ate both things (this after they had already eaten their lunch!). It is so fun to have such good friends. I seriously think we should take up a crafting club too! I am excited for next month because it is Jackie's turn, and Jackie is one of the best cooks I know. I would like to make her my full-time cook, but I think her husband would protest!

The girls opted (read with sarcasm) not to take a nap after we came home. They considered the two minutes their eyes were shut in the car three blocks from our house their nap. So they bounced around in their room, jumping on beds and such for an hour while I tried to do my Wii Fit and work some. They did go to bed early tonight!

Tomorrow looks like a rainy day so we will probably have to stay inside all day. If it weren't so chilly, I might let us go out, but it is chilly! So I will be glad when Friday comes. We are going to a local fair (as long as it isn't raining). It will be good to get out of the house. I think we are going to keep going out every morning for as long as possible. Hopefully December. Or January. But I always plan that and then it hits 45 degrees and I wimp out. I do not really like the cold!

Well my Scribblenauts is calling. You can imagine how much crafting I am getting done!