Friday, February 29, 2008

Show and Tell Friday

This is Kelli's Show and Tell Friday! I look forward to this everyweek--I may not play every week, but I do enjoy looking at everyone's Show and Tell's :o) So, please go over to Kelli's and leave your own link for something you would like to share and visit everyone there too.

This is a picture my son made me when he was in the second grade---it hangs on my wall and has hung on my wall since he gave it to me. My son is no longer a little boy--in fact he turns 16 on Wednesday, It seems like yesterday they placed this tiny little baby in my arms--and now he is head and shoulders above me...LOL--I treasure this picture because those days of little boy art work from him are gone, but the memories will always be there:)




Thank you so much for looking at my special treasure:)

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Pictures of the Lasagna Rolls

These are the lasagna rolls after I rolled them with cheese--> Topped them with sauce and more cheese--->
Out of the oven--->

They were really good, and the left overs I put in the freezer for another dinner. The recipe for the Lasagna Rolls is below this post---it was something new for me, and we enjoyed it. Tonight I will be making the famous *Little Cheddar Meat Loaves*--that recipe is two posts down:)

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Lasagna Rolls

This is the recipe for Lasagna rolls----My Grandmother said, what is the difference between the rolls and the regular way---nothing...LOL--just a little different set up:)

I am using this recipe as a base and then making it into my own. I am not using Prosciutto in mine--I am putting Italian sausage in the sauce--I will take a picture of it tonight when I pull it from the oven (Hope I will remember)

Lasagna Rolls

Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis


See this recipe on air Thursday Feb. 28 at 4:30 PM ET/PT.

Sauce: 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 teaspoons all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups whole milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
Pinch ground nutmeg

Lasagna:
1 (15-ounce) container whole milk ricotta cheese
1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed, squeezed dry
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
3 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto, chopped
1 large egg, beaten to blend
3/4 teaspoon salt, plus more for salting water
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil
12 uncooked lasagna noodles
2 cups marinara sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella (about 4 ounces)

To make the sauce: Melt the butter in a heavy medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the flour and whisk for 3 minutes. Whisk in the milk. Increase the heat to medium-high. Whisk the sauce until it comes to a simmer and is thick and smooth, about 3 minutes. Whisk the salt, pepper, and nutmeg into the bechamel sauce.

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

Whisk the ricotta, spinach, 1 cup Parmesan, prosciutto, egg, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl to blend.

Add a tablespoon or 2 of oil to a large pot of boiling salted water. Boil the noodles until just tender but still firm to bite. Drain. Arrange the noodles in a single layer on a baking sheet to prevent them from sticking.

Butter a 13-by-9-by-2-inch glass baking dish. Pour the bechamel sauce over the bottom of the prepared dish. Lay out 4 lasagna noodles on a work surface, then spread about 3 tablespoons of ricotta mixture evenly over each noodle. Starting at 1 end, roll each noodle like a jelly roll. Lay the lasagna rolls seam side down, without touching, atop the bechamel sauce in the dish. Repeat with the remaining noodles and ricotta mixture. Spoon 1 cup of marinara sauce over the lasagna rolls. Sprinkle the mozzarella and remaining 2 tablespoons of Parmesan over the lasagna rolls. Cover tightly with foil. Bake until heated through and the sauce bubbles, about 20 minutes. Uncover and bake until the cheese on top becomes golden, about 15 minutes longer. Let stand for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, heat the remaining marinara sauce in a heavy small saucepan over medium heat until hot, and serve alongside.

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Weekly Menu Plan

My Weekly Menu Plan:
(All dinners are served with a fresh green salad and steamed veggies of some sort---I also like to include a starch and a dinner roll of some kind---of course with the exception of certain meals like tacos)

Tacos

Lasagna rolls

Little Cheddar Meat loaves--Mashed Potatoes

Baked Chicken with Steamed Rice

Hot Wings with Celery and carrots!

Carne asada/pollo

Upside-Down Sausage and Mushroom Pizza
Recipe courtesy Robin Miller 2007
See this recipe on air Monday Mar. 03 at 3:00 PM ET/PT.
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 pound sweet or hot turkey sausage, casing removed
1 cup onion, sliced
8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
1 cup pasta sauce
1 cup pizza sauce
1/2 cup black olives, sliced
16 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup Parmesan, grated

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and cook for 3 minutes, or until browned and cooked through, breaking up the meat as it cooks with a wooden spoon. Add onion and mushrooms and cook 2 minutes, until soft. Add pasta sauce, pizza sauce and olives and bring to a simmer, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer sauce to the bottom of a 13 by 9-inch baking dish. Top with mozzarella cheese. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, milk and oil until blended. Whisk in flour and salt until well blended. Pour mixture over sauce in pan. Sprinkle with Parmesan. Bake 25 minutes, or until golden brown. Let stand for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Recipe Summary
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Inactive Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
User Rating:
No Rating
Episode#: RM0607Copyright © 2006 Television Food Network, G.P., All Rights Reserved

Christian Women


Christians
By Maya Angelou


"A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man should have to seek Him first to find her."

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'', I'm whispering "I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven."

When I say... "I am a Christian" I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak an d need His strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far to o visible but, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I still feel the sting of pain..
I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say ... "I am a Christian" I'm not holier than thou, I'm just a simple sinner Who received God's good grace, somehow!

Friday, February 22, 2008

Fantastic Friday




Good Morning!

One of my favorite things to do is when it is raining, I open up my shades covering the windows and have a nice cup of coffee with Hazelnut creamer--and type away and watch the rain pour down--I am going to make my shopping lists for the week--I will be going to
Ralph's this week--they have chicken breasts at a good price, and they also have grapes at a really great price. Ralph's also has awesome manager specials, and they double coupons. I will also go to Trader Joe's--awesome, awesome store<--- I truly missed TJ's while I was in Georgia--and when I moved they opened one up there.



After I go shopping I will make my menu for the week, and share it here, I hope it gives some of you ideas on what to make for dinner--I know that when I blog hop on Menu day, I get tons of ideas.

I also want to share a fantastic post I read yesterday by Brenda--->
Click here <---You have to see how she organizes her pantry, it is Fantastic and wonderful. Brenda, I hope you don't mind:)

I did want to do the zoo this weekend, but it is supposed to POUR all weekend, so I was thinking of crafts to do---I want to get some felt at Michael's, I have a coupon for 40% off of anything in the store. We will see, it also depends on my husband and if he stays home this weekend or if he works.

As Soon as Little Kevin wakes from his nap, I will Vacuum and finish up my housework.

I did not do Show and Tell this Friday, I wasn't sure if I would have been able to visit everyone so I will play next week--but please hop on over to Kelli's and look at everyone's treasures, and leave your own link too:)

Thursday was the 100th day of school, so we had to make a chart of 100 items and put them in groups of ten--I was aloud to assist, but Alexis did the bulk of the work:) I think the chart came out awesome and she is so proud --as should be.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

BlogLines VS Google Reader

I have had Bloglines for a very long time--and I have never been able to get it to work right--everytime I went on they asked me if they could send an email to verify my account and I would never get a confirmation...it showed me all the blogs that were updated but that was it--it was more of a pain then a help--so I just resorted from my list and from my memory of what blogs I wanted to visit more then I looked at my blog lines. Last week I started Google Reader, and I love it--it was easy-peazy--and now I like it much better--everything is much bigger and easier to navigate and I am a confirmed member...LOL.

Anyway, I am updating my list of blogs and I actually sat down yesterday and went to a bunch of blogs through my reader (Did you get a comment? )--I need to add the rest of the blogs I love to visit--so if I have not been by your blog, I have had trouble with my BlogLines, and I am resolving the problem:)

Park

We had gone to the park over the weekend while it was beautiful outside. It is raining this week so we won't get to go to the park for a couple days, I am glad I went when I did--the children just love the outdoors:)In the picture above and below, Alexis is actually in the play toy--can you find her?



I love this picture!

Shadow!

Can you see both Alexis and Kevin?



Tuesday, February 19, 2008

New Polls--->

I have a couple new polls in my sidebar---if you can, would you please take a moment and vote:)

It is Tuesday---but in actuality it is *like* Monday.

Alexis went to a Birthday Party yesterday, and she went Ice Skating for the very first time---she did soooo well....we had a great Monday--it was also My Husband's 38th Birthday. My sweet Husband--I have to say he is such a nice Man--very loving and caring, and he just adores his children so much!!! He takes such good care of me---of US!!

Well, this is going to be a fun week, lots to post about. I want to post more of my dresses, but I think it is more fun to show them on me, then on a hanger--so I am going to ask someone here to take pictures as I remember--so hopefully, those will be coming soon.

It is a cold dark day, and they say rain is coming---so I am going to work on some projects I have going--when it is warm outside, I just want to play---LOL--I took some pictures of the children at the park over the weekend I am going to post--and Alexis in her ice skates and her 100 day Chart poster. My Son Tony is turning 16 in March---I can not believe it. He wants to go to *Medevil Times*--so that is where we will go:)

Sharing A Popsicle!

Kevin, Alexis and Little Kevin----Popsicles--they LOVE popsicles!


My Pretty girl--she has blue color in her hair (it was a Hanah Montanah hair colr kit, washes right out)



LOL--Little Kevin spotted me



This is my favorite picture--Little Kevin is almost standing on his own--LOOK at those little legs...LOL --->



Monday, February 18, 2008

Monday!


I noticed a neat room starts with a well made bed. I was looking at pictures I had posted in the past and notoiced how nice my rooms looked with a made bed. Everything seems to fall into place after that. I noticed Alexis's room did not look as neat as it could be last night--and it was the bed, we had junk on the bed, I declutered it and remade her bed--now her room looks good. Today is Monday--and I have a lot going on. First and foremost it is my Dear, Sweet Husbands birthday--38 today---woohoo---

I put my menu up for the week, and I just had a thought about making the beds that I wanted to scribble down here...LOL...

Weekly Menu Plan


This is my menu plan for this week---it can change at any time, and it is in no particular order. All my dinners are served with a fresh green salad--except for things like tacos. Also, if I have time, I will make dinner rolls--and all dinners have a starch and a veggie.

Roast with potatoes and carrots

Chicken Wings

Baked Chicken

Chicken Casserole

Spaghetti and Meatballs

Tacos

Pork Chops

I will post the menu in more detail everyday in my sidebar, like what noodles I cook--what potato dish or other veggie I make, etc--but this is what I have in my Fridge/Freezer:)

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Saturday's Stuff!

My Big Clean from Friday is continuing .....

Some things I did today:

I went to the .99 cent store
Went grocery shopping at Albertson's

Set up a lemonade stand for the kids--(Alexis made $7.50)
Did 3 loads of Laundry
Scrubbed a toilet

I have my weekly Menu plan done, so I will post that too.

I need to get a toy box for Little Kevin, it is amazing how much stuff a little baby can accumulate...LOL. I have been using a big basket I got at Michael's awhile back and it just does not hold everything any more. I really like the organizing tubs that I saw on *Jon and Kate plus 8*--she organized her whole house and she got these really neat organizing tub/shelf like things for the kids toys.

We had Tacos for dinner tonight--I always like an easy dinner after grocery shopping. My buzzer on my dryer just went off, so off to fold I go. Happy Saturday Everyone. xo

Friday, February 15, 2008

Super *BIG* Clean!


Yes! It is one of those days--again...LOL! To be continued........

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

ZZZzzzzzzz :o)

Oh---what a night<----Isn't that a song? Little Kevin went to sleep at his normal time---and then at ten--I decided to go to sleep--guess who woke up and decided it was play time. I normally don't give in--but I was so dead tired I was scared I was going to fall asleep while he was up--so I got up and we went into the living room--YES, I admit I was frusterated and I was grumbeling. I was up at 4 that morning and had quite the busy day, and I was T.I.R.E.D!! Well, my dear sweet husband new I had been up since 4 and was worried about me not getting enough sleep --he told me to go to bed and he would play with Little Kevin until he got sleepy---well after about an hour I woke up startled---and remembered my baby was downstairs--I ran and got him and cuddled him and nursed him and he went to sleep. Do I feel bad, yes, I was frusterated and I do not like when I think that way---


Col 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

Monday, February 11, 2008

Award!

My dear, sweet blogging friend Elizabeth, from a Merry Rose has given me this award:) I am honored and touched so very much!!!! I had received this award awhile back from someone else too, and placed it in my sidebar. Elizabeth has asked me to give it to some one too. I would give it to everyone that visits me----you all are so wonderful--but Elizabeth told me to pick one....LOL:)

I am giving this award to a dear friend--her name is
Maria, and I *met* her on a message board for babies due in July 2001----we have corresponded through the years--but just this past year, we have been talking a bit more through our blogs---Maria always leaves me the sweetest comments, even if I make a post that I think no one would be interested but me, she is ever so faithful and gentle with her words---I look forward to what she has to say. Please go pay Maria a visit and read about her daily life with her daughter Kiera:)

Maria, please take this award and put it on your blog and if you would like, pass it on to someone else:) ((((Gentle Hugs My friend))))

Dresses and Skirts

Here are some of my Dresses and Skirts----->





....More to come.

Friday, February 08, 2008

Happy Valentine's Banner--->

I made this banner for Valentine's---I hung it up over our windows in our dining room--it looks so pretty in that room


Here is a little dish I bought at the .99 cents store and the candles too--I have this on our table:)


Show and Tell Friday

This is Kelli's Show and Tell Friday! I look forward to this everyweek--I may not play every week, but I do enjoy looking at everyone's Show and Tell's :o) So, please go over to Kelli's and leave your own link for something you would like to share and visit everyone there too.

On Tuesday Alexis, Little Kevin and I took a walk along the main drag in San Clemente (waiting for Tony to get out of school)--it is what we call *DownTown* It is just a small strip that goes to the ocean and all along are shops galore--we stopped at the used book store and these are 3 books that I bought--they were .25 cents each. This first one was written in 1948--it is in such wonderful condition

I just loved Holly Hobbie growing up so I just had to have this book
This is what the inside page had on it--someone named Dorothy recieved this book from her secret sister---how fun, now I have it:)
This next book is so cute----I just couldn't pass it up---it is a small thick book with something special written for every day of the year:)
This is what it has for February 8th.
As always, thank you so much for taking the time to come by and visit. Happy Show and Tell Everyone!!!!