The one on reading and cooking...

I went to lunch with a sweet friend of mine yesterday. She inspires me in so many ways, but one way in particular is her voracious appetite for reading! It is contagious, and I am always asking her for recommendations! I do love to read, but it seems harder and harder to find the time to do so these days! I have decided that it doesn't necessarily have to be a huge chunk of time, but can be 5-10 minutes throughout the day where I pick up a book and read a couple of pages when I have the chance! So, today, I decided that it was time to get a Library card so that I could check out some of Lexi's recommendations!

Remember that Dewey Decimal System? Yeah...those random numbers...I love them! I wandered down the aisles of books and let my fingers slide across the spine after spine. I felt smarter just by being there! Several of the ones I wanted were not available, so I ended up only checking out one. I'll definitely be back, though!

 My pile of books I am currently reading, or am about to start!

 Oh, funny story from the library! There was a man who worked there wandering around making sure that I found everything I needed. He felt like I needed to know about all of the possibilities for digital books as well, but I told him that I just loved to hold a book in my hand and turn the pages. He said, "Well, I understand that! Can I tell you a joke?" I said "OK!" He said, "Do you know why you're so tall?" I replied, "No, tell me why!" He said, "Because your mama didn't feed you anything with shortening!" Hehe! He made me laugh just because of his random speech, and I had my chuckle for the day!

On to cooking....I LOVE this dessert recipe! It is super easy, and I decided that I needed a little afternoon treat so I made myself one! It doesn't have a name that I know of, so we'll just call it "Strawberry Delight!" The kitchen is definitely my happy place, and I loved finding myself there this afternoon! I don't know if I had more fun cooking or photographing this "test kitchen" session!

Slice 4-5 strawberries in a ramekin baking dish:

 Sprinkle with about a teaspoon of sugar:

 Pat out a small section of pre-made sugar cookie dough and place on top:

 Bake at 350 for about 15-20 minutes until bubbly and light brown on top and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Yummy!

 I had some vegetables that I needed to use, so I sliced them up, drizzled some olive oil, and seasoned with garlic salt and pepper and roasted in the oven:

 I also made some salmon and creamed potatoes! I love a yummy, healthy meal!

Race Day and a Happy Birthday Party!

I heard a question asked this week: "When is the last time you did something for the first time?" I thought that was a fitting question especially for my weekend which I accomplished a few "firsts!" One of my "firsts" this weekend was racing in my FIRST half marathon!! I have run in several other races, but I have never run a half marathon!! I have been training since November for this race and finally this weekend was the race!

 I had an IT band injury about a year and a half ago, so when I started training for this 1/2 marathon, I had to be careful! Lots of prayer and stretching and strengthening exercises later, I was able to finish without further injury! I did stop and stretch my IT band out about 4 times during the race when I felt it tightening up! But, even with the stretching stops, I was happy with my time!!
I didn't get any pictures at the race, but my roommate took this one when I got home after the race:

 She had made this banner and hung it over my door the night before the race!

 The other "first" from the weekend was making a caramel cake for my mom's 60th birthday! She told me that was the kind of cake she wanted, but I had never made that kind of cake before, so I was a little nervous about how it would turn out!

 Thankfully, it turned out well! Not the prettiest thing to look at, but it tasted wonderful, and that's what counts, right?

 I went to my parent's house after my race and made a little display for my mom...I took an empty frame and strung some string through it and clipped pictures of my mom on it!

 Did a little arrangement of roses mixed with some greenery from my yard...

 When we asked my mom what she wanted for her birthday, she said she just wanted everyone to be together! Everyone managed to be there except for Nathan's wife, Laura, who had to work! We missed her!
A tired aunt RuRu with Elaine Mae:

 Auntie Tat:

Uncle Jon Jon:

Uncle Na Na:

 I really didn't do a good job getting pictures of everyone...Robby, Tom, and Aunt Marlene and Uncle David are all missing from the pics! So sorry!
Singing happy birthday!

 Thomas was really excited to help Grammie blow out her candles...

 Ivey and the birthday girl:

 Sweet parents!

My mother is an incredible woman of God and we are so thankful for her life and her example! How thankful we are for the 60 years of life God has given her! We have so many special memories together and look forward to many more! We love you!

Pioneer Woman's Veggie Lasagna

I went to a birthday party last week and the hostess made Pioneer woman's Vegetable Lasagna, and it was so good! I decided to make some myself! I made some changes to her recipe and added some extra goodness! First of all I added broccoli because I had some on hand that I needed to use! I chopped it and steamed it:

 Chop one red pepper and one onion:

 Chop 4 squash and a package of white mushrooms:

 The recipe did not call for spinach, but again I had some on hand that was going to waste, so I threw it in!

 Saute the veggies in about 2 Tbsp of olive oil with about 4 cloves of garlic, starting with onions, adding bell pepper, squash, mushrooms, spinach, and then the steamed broccoli.

 Add a large can of diced tomatoes (drained).

 She only called for 1/2 a cup, but I put a whole cup. (pour yourself a glass as well!)

 Season to taste! I added salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, basil, oregano, and fresh parsley (about 1/4 cup)

 I mixed a large container of cottage cheese with a small container of ricotta cheese, added 2 eggs, 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese, 1/4 tsp of salt and some parsley flakes:

 Layer veggie mixture, noodles, cheese mixture, and sliced mozzarella--repeat ending with veggie mix on top.

Bake at 350 for 20 mins covered, 10 mins uncovered, and let stand for 10 mins before serving (sprinkle with parmesan cheese.  

I had enough extra to do a small individual one for my roommate to take to work!

Of course, what I didn't show is the part were the liquid bubbled over and spilled in the oven and smoked the house up! I had to shut the oven down, take out the racks, clean the spills, put the lasagna on a baking sheet to catch any future drips, and finish baking! Whew! Life's not perfect! That would be were the extra glass of wine would come in handy (and not fill the dish quite as high as I did in the first place!). :) 

V-day in B-town!

Happy Valentine's Day! My mom and I drove down to B-ham see our little Valentines! We had such a fun day together! I just can't express the love that I feel for these two little cuties! They melt my heart every time I see them!!

 We had a great tine just sitting in the living room playing and visiting!

"Grammie" always comes with tons of fun!

 Once a teacher, always a teacher...Grammie brought some arts and crafts for Thomas to do!

 In the afternoon, we went outside and did a photo shoot! Beware: picture overload to come!!! :)

I just love this candid one! While we were taking Elaine Mae's picture, Thomas just ran over and plopped on the blanket beside her, she immediately put her little hand up on his shoulder. She loves him so much and lights us every time he is around!

 Pretty mommy with her pretty babies!

  Aunt RuRu again!

 Grammie!

 Three generations! So thankful for God's faithfulness in our family's life!

 We had a great time, and we'll be back soon!