Lasagna

When Lance and I got married I was not exactly a pro in the Kitchen, actually even today I'm still no Betty Crocker! I mean I can cook a recipe and pull out a few family favorites but growing up I never really took charge in the kitchen, I loved assisting in any way I could and I guess that's why I really do have a desire to cook.

So when we got married I decided to have my own little kitchen tradition, I take one new recipe a week that I have been wanting to learn how to make or that sounds good and give it a shot. Now there have been some disaster ones and some that we have adopted as a favorite. One of our favorite ones is "Chicken Tacos" actually they were suppose to be "Chicken Empanadas" but I changed it because I didn't like the dough and tacos is more convenient.

The recipe I chose for this week was "LASAGNA!" Yes, I have never made a lasagna before so I was really excited to try it. And let me tell you it was delicious and so easy!!! I always thought lasagna was really difficult to make and scared myself away from it but now I'm adding it to the list of "good eats" Here's the recipe I got from Betty Crocker with some added ingredients.

Cooked Lasagna Noodles (6)
For the Sauce:
(I had leftover spaghetti sauce so I used the rest of that as well)
1 14oz can of undrained diced tomatoes
1 8oz can of tomato sauce
1 tbsp of Italian seasoning(I added some cayenne pepper and bay leaves)
1/4 tsp black pepper
meat of your choice(Italian sausage, ground beef)
1 large chopped onion
2 cloves of garlic (I used 3 mine were small)
For the Filling:
1 15 oz container of ricotta cheese
1/4 cup of Parmesan
1 beated egg
mozzarella cheese

Ground the meat with onions and garlic til meat is brown
add the tomatoes, sauce and seasonings bring to a boil, then simmer for 15 min
layer the pan with sauce, then add the noodles layer with the cheese filling, sauce, mozzarella cheese, and repeat
Bake on 375 for 30-40 min covered then take cover off and bake for 10-15 min

ENJOY!

Make it Count

Philippians 2:13 "For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfil His good purpose."

This morning was a little different for me, I woke up kinda early and heard God saying "I was not promised today" now to have that be the first thing I hear in the morning was a little scary, I immediately thought "am I gonna die today, that is true I'm not promised today or tomorrow or the next!" my heart was in a little bit of a panic I didn't know what to do with that, my husband was still alseep next to me, I wasn't going to wake him up so I just pondered those words and decided I needed to get up. I went to the living room sat on the couch for a few minutes still processing my life and the fact it could be over any minute, and then it hit me well if this is the last time of my life I can't live in fear I need to live in urgency and purpose! I know I want my life to be purposeful and to be all that God intended it be but to wake up with those words it was like a slap in my face to be more careful and detailed with my life because I don't know when its going to be over and I'm not going to live counting my days down but live out the rest of my days and make them COUNT! So wherever your at in your life, you were created for purpose and to live every day the way it was intended too!

Hello 2011

I can't believe how uncontrollably excited I am to be writing this post, this is so unlike me especially around this time of year! Normally I would fall into this big Christmas letdown depression of not wanting it to end and wanting to hold onto the holidays, the Christmas music, the candlelight services, the lights,  lol I'm pretty sure I'm  not the only one.

For a lot of people "New Years" is such a great celebration and a time to write resolutions and goals but for me it was never a big deal. Growing up we would play monoply, have snacks, and try to keep our eyes open til Midnight. Honestly I don't think I could tell you what I have done every single New Years because it just hasn't been that big of a deal. My husband and I actually spent this New Years driving home from the airport, we said "Happy New Years" kissed eachother and looked for any fast food restaurant that might be open, which we did find one!

 And when it comes to New Years Resolutions, well lets just say I never kept mine (like many people) Ok your wondering why I'm so excited I'm getting there. Over the last 2 weeks we have spent our time with family and let me tell you it was such a blessing. It was like Thanksgiving in my heart all over again I was realizing how truly blessed I am to have such a wonderful family and to be sharing Christmas with them! So walking into 2011 with this overwhelming spirit of gratefulness how could I not be more excited! This really is going to be an amazing year! My sister is having her first baby, my friend Meg is also having a baby, my brother is getting married to an awesome woman, I'm a part of an amazing program that's raising up strong leaders, my friends and I are going on a couple's retreat. Those are just the knowns, there are so many unknowns that are going to be wonderful! If you reflect on the blessings in your life it will be hard for you to look at the negative.

So I walk into 2011 with great expectancy, the past is behind us, we choose how we want to live and I choose a positive attitude, an open heart, and a willingness to do whatever God wants me to do!

Goodbye 2010 Hello 2011