I really enjoy cooking and eating food made from scratch, but I just don't have that much time to do it as often as I would like. So, I have started trying to find recipes that have the homemade taste and feel, but don't keep me in the kitchen for hours at a time.
This receipe is from one of my cookbooks (the name of the cookbook escapes me at the momemnt) and it is delicious!
Ingredients:
12 oz box of macaroni shell pasta
1 bag of shredded cheese
5 cups of 2% milk (you can use skim if you prefer)
1/2 cup of water
2 tablespoons of butter
salt and pepper
Start with a 9 x 13 pan and use the butter to grease the bottom of the pan; melt the remaining butter to be mixed in later. Layer the macaroni shells across the bottom of the pan. Mix the shredded cheese, milk and remaining melted butter together and pour over the macaroni shells. Salt and pepper to taste then give everything a good stir.
Bake at 350 for an hour or until the liquid is soaked up by the pasta.
This makes a large portion, so I take half of it and put it in the freezer. When we are ready for mac-and-cheese I pull it out of the freezer and heat at 350 until it is warm and bubbly.
Enjoy!
Friday, March 25, 2011
Wedding Stuff
I know I have mentioned that my beautiful sister is getting married in May and I couldn't be more excited! She is marrying a wonderful man who we all adore.
Her wedding made me start thinking about my wedding, my husband and where we are now. My blog is titled, "Just Past Main Street," primarily because we actually live past Main Street in our city and because we have always been a little off the beaten path. Here's a glimpse as to why. . .
I met my husband the night I graduated from high school. I went to school with his baby brother and as high schoolers sometimes do, we had a little get together to celebrate the end of high school and all the crazy, wonderful things to come. My husband stopped by that night to wish his brother well, but he met me at the front door instead. I asked him who he was there to see, he named his brother and then I informed him that our gathering was not for old people. See, my husband is 8 years older than I.
Anyhow, I let him and his friends into our celebration. They hung out, everyone was talking and laughing, celebrating our big step into the real world. After spending some time with him, I was really surprised at how much we had in common despite the age difference.
A few weeks later I called him and asked him out. Yep, I called information (we didn't have yellowpages.com then), got his phone number and called him at his apartment where he was in college. I wish you could hear the surprise in his voice when he answered the phone and heard me on the other end.
The short version is we dated off and on while I was in college and when he moved to another city to start his career after he graduated college. When it came time for me to graduate, we decided that I would move to where he was living and take things from there.
Months later we were engaged (that is another story) and then married. We decided to do an unofficial elopement. Yep, we took off to a Caribbean Island, just the two of us and got married on my mom's birthday. It was wonderful! We had the best time and still look back on our wedding as one of the greatest times of our lives.
Fast forward a few years and here we are with our sweet little boy, rescued dog and to borrow a phrase from my friend H, we are "livin the dream." It really is a dream - meeting my husband at a high school party and surviving a long distance relationship, growing up, getting married and becoming parents.
We still have a long way to go, but we still like being a little unconventional at times. It is what works for us and our lives, Just Past Main Street.
Her wedding made me start thinking about my wedding, my husband and where we are now. My blog is titled, "Just Past Main Street," primarily because we actually live past Main Street in our city and because we have always been a little off the beaten path. Here's a glimpse as to why. . .
I met my husband the night I graduated from high school. I went to school with his baby brother and as high schoolers sometimes do, we had a little get together to celebrate the end of high school and all the crazy, wonderful things to come. My husband stopped by that night to wish his brother well, but he met me at the front door instead. I asked him who he was there to see, he named his brother and then I informed him that our gathering was not for old people. See, my husband is 8 years older than I.
Anyhow, I let him and his friends into our celebration. They hung out, everyone was talking and laughing, celebrating our big step into the real world. After spending some time with him, I was really surprised at how much we had in common despite the age difference.
A few weeks later I called him and asked him out. Yep, I called information (we didn't have yellowpages.com then), got his phone number and called him at his apartment where he was in college. I wish you could hear the surprise in his voice when he answered the phone and heard me on the other end.
The short version is we dated off and on while I was in college and when he moved to another city to start his career after he graduated college. When it came time for me to graduate, we decided that I would move to where he was living and take things from there.
Months later we were engaged (that is another story) and then married. We decided to do an unofficial elopement. Yep, we took off to a Caribbean Island, just the two of us and got married on my mom's birthday. It was wonderful! We had the best time and still look back on our wedding as one of the greatest times of our lives.
Fast forward a few years and here we are with our sweet little boy, rescued dog and to borrow a phrase from my friend H, we are "livin the dream." It really is a dream - meeting my husband at a high school party and surviving a long distance relationship, growing up, getting married and becoming parents.
We still have a long way to go, but we still like being a little unconventional at times. It is what works for us and our lives, Just Past Main Street.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Gumbo Recipe
We tried another recipe this week and loved it! It is a healthy version of gumbo.
Ingredients:
1 carton of chicken stock
1 quart of tomatoes
1 bag of okra
1 small yellow onion
3 stalks of celery
olive oil
black pepper
garlic powder
cajun seasoning
1 bag of shrimp
2 chicken breasts
1 smoked sausage
Coat bottom of pan with oilve oil, dice up yellow onion and celery; sautee in olive oil. In a large pot, add chicken stock and tomatoes; bring to simmer. Add onion and celery to tomato/chicken stock. Add okra to large pot. In same pan that you cooked the onion and celery, sautee chicken cut into 1-inch chunks with cajun seasoning sprinkled over chicken. Do the same for the sausage. Add meat to pot with chicken stock and tomatoes. Add fresh-cracked black pepper - I did about 5 turns on the pepper gridner, cajun seasoning - I did about a tablespoon (taste it and see what flavor you like), and garlic powder - I did about a teaspoon. I don't season all at once - I add some, let it cook, then taste and add more if necessary. That way you don't over do it. At the very end, add the shrimp and let it cook a few more minutes. Serve over rice.
Ingredients:
1 carton of chicken stock
1 quart of tomatoes
1 bag of okra
1 small yellow onion
3 stalks of celery
olive oil
black pepper
garlic powder
cajun seasoning
1 bag of shrimp
2 chicken breasts
1 smoked sausage
Coat bottom of pan with oilve oil, dice up yellow onion and celery; sautee in olive oil. In a large pot, add chicken stock and tomatoes; bring to simmer. Add onion and celery to tomato/chicken stock. Add okra to large pot. In same pan that you cooked the onion and celery, sautee chicken cut into 1-inch chunks with cajun seasoning sprinkled over chicken. Do the same for the sausage. Add meat to pot with chicken stock and tomatoes. Add fresh-cracked black pepper - I did about 5 turns on the pepper gridner, cajun seasoning - I did about a tablespoon (taste it and see what flavor you like), and garlic powder - I did about a teaspoon. I don't season all at once - I add some, let it cook, then taste and add more if necessary. That way you don't over do it. At the very end, add the shrimp and let it cook a few more minutes. Serve over rice.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
A Story About A
Wanted to share a funny story about my son, who for privacy purposes I call "A." During the recent snow in our city, my son and I went outside to play. As we were attempting to make snowmen, throwing snowballs and having fun, a child walked by our house on the sidewalk. He was about 7 or 8 years old and was just walking past our house minding his own business when my son decided to strike up a conversation. It went a little something like this:
A: Hey!
Boy: No response.
A: HEY!
Boy: No response.
A: HEY KID!
Boy: Still no response, now walking faster.
A: HEY KID, I TALKIN' TO YOU!
Boy: No response.
A: Mommy, why he not talk to be? Why dat boy not talkin to me?
Me: Son (through laughter), not everyone wants to talk to us. Some people don't like talking to people they don't know and some people just don't like talking.
A shrugged his shoulders and didn't really seem to think too much more about the kid who wouldn't talk to him. He tackled me in the yard and we continued making snow balls and enjoying being together on that beautiful, snowy day. Oh, to be like him and not worry about the people who aren't interested in talking to us and worry about the people who are right in front of us.
A: Hey!
Boy: No response.
A: HEY!
Boy: No response.
A: HEY KID!
Boy: Still no response, now walking faster.
A: HEY KID, I TALKIN' TO YOU!
Boy: No response.
A: Mommy, why he not talk to be? Why dat boy not talkin to me?
Me: Son (through laughter), not everyone wants to talk to us. Some people don't like talking to people they don't know and some people just don't like talking.
A shrugged his shoulders and didn't really seem to think too much more about the kid who wouldn't talk to him. He tackled me in the yard and we continued making snow balls and enjoying being together on that beautiful, snowy day. Oh, to be like him and not worry about the people who aren't interested in talking to us and worry about the people who are right in front of us.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Why do you go to church?
So the last few Sundays, our pastor has been preaching on why people go to church. He referenced an article he read recently by Anne Butler (I'm trying to find said article and will update you when I have it).
Brother Don talked about some of the "typical" reasons people go to church. "I was raised in the church" or "I have just always gone to church." He also talked about us going to church relating to the fact that we ask hard questions in our chuch, questions that may never be answered.
It all got me to thinking about why I go to church and to be honest some of my answers surprised me.
I go to church because I feel it is the right thing to do but there is some depth as to why I feel it is the right thing. Here is why I feel it is the right thing to do: as Christians we are too praise and honor our God - what better way to do it than with other Christians in our beautiful sanctuary. I feel it is the right way to honor God. I also know that it is not the only way to honor God. I know that you can worship and praise God any where you are - in your car, on a walk, or at your family dinner table.
I go to church because I want to set an example for my son, that I go to church because I love it, it helps me start my week off the right way and it keeps me focused and reinforces my Christianity. I want my son to see me asking God for forgiveness of my sins, praising Him for the good things in my life and helping others in His name.
I also go to church to learn more. There is so much history in the Bible, so many wonderful examples of struggles people have faced since the beginning of time and it is inspirational. It inspires me to know that God loves us and has loved generations of humans who were just that. . . human.
Brother Don talked about some of the "typical" reasons people go to church. "I was raised in the church" or "I have just always gone to church." He also talked about us going to church relating to the fact that we ask hard questions in our chuch, questions that may never be answered.
It all got me to thinking about why I go to church and to be honest some of my answers surprised me.
I go to church because I feel it is the right thing to do but there is some depth as to why I feel it is the right thing. Here is why I feel it is the right thing to do: as Christians we are too praise and honor our God - what better way to do it than with other Christians in our beautiful sanctuary. I feel it is the right way to honor God. I also know that it is not the only way to honor God. I know that you can worship and praise God any where you are - in your car, on a walk, or at your family dinner table.
I go to church because I want to set an example for my son, that I go to church because I love it, it helps me start my week off the right way and it keeps me focused and reinforces my Christianity. I want my son to see me asking God for forgiveness of my sins, praising Him for the good things in my life and helping others in His name.
I also go to church to learn more. There is so much history in the Bible, so many wonderful examples of struggles people have faced since the beginning of time and it is inspirational. It inspires me to know that God loves us and has loved generations of humans who were just that. . . human.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Perspective
Last Friday I was at an event for my job. The event is a 12 hour radio and tv fundraiser to help make wishes come true for children with life-threatening medical conditions.
Throughout the day I was struck by the people who wanted to help, whether is was the radio/tv folks asking their listeners/viewers to donate, the volunteers who gave their time so generously and the wish families who came back to share their stories of hope, strength and joy. Sometimes I think we focus so much on the bad it is very easy to forget the good and that day was a day full of good things.
I usually do well with controlling my emotions - it is my job to tell people about the Foundation and do it in an emotionally provocative way, but still keep my composure and be professional. There was an instance that really go me that day. A little boy around my son's age who has cancer and his mom came to do an interview for the radio-thon. He had already received his wish. He was absolutely precious; a sweet face with cute little cheeks, blue eyes and sandy brown hair. He reminded me so much of my son that when I looked at him I couldn't help buy cry. I honestly don't know his prognosis. Some of our wish kids beat their illness and live long lives, others do not. As a mother I cannot fathom what our wish families go through. I cannot imagine what it is like to have a child who is very sick. All I wanted to do was go get A from school, take him to do something fun and give him all the hugs and kisses I could give. I talked to my husband on my way home and told him how much it touched me to see this little boy and how I couldn't wait to see my own. When I came home I heard "MOMMYYYYYYY!" My husband had let our son stay up so I could see him and give him the biggest hug I could muster. I, of course, started crying and hugged him so tight he said "Mommy, dat too much!" It was the best hug ever.
Throughout the day I was struck by the people who wanted to help, whether is was the radio/tv folks asking their listeners/viewers to donate, the volunteers who gave their time so generously and the wish families who came back to share their stories of hope, strength and joy. Sometimes I think we focus so much on the bad it is very easy to forget the good and that day was a day full of good things.
I usually do well with controlling my emotions - it is my job to tell people about the Foundation and do it in an emotionally provocative way, but still keep my composure and be professional. There was an instance that really go me that day. A little boy around my son's age who has cancer and his mom came to do an interview for the radio-thon. He had already received his wish. He was absolutely precious; a sweet face with cute little cheeks, blue eyes and sandy brown hair. He reminded me so much of my son that when I looked at him I couldn't help buy cry. I honestly don't know his prognosis. Some of our wish kids beat their illness and live long lives, others do not. As a mother I cannot fathom what our wish families go through. I cannot imagine what it is like to have a child who is very sick. All I wanted to do was go get A from school, take him to do something fun and give him all the hugs and kisses I could give. I talked to my husband on my way home and told him how much it touched me to see this little boy and how I couldn't wait to see my own. When I came home I heard "MOMMYYYYYYY!" My husband had let our son stay up so I could see him and give him the biggest hug I could muster. I, of course, started crying and hugged him so tight he said "Mommy, dat too much!" It was the best hug ever.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Sister's Wedding Update
I am so excited and blessed, to be a part of my sister's wedding. We talk on the phone every day and I honestly don't know what I would do without her. There is something about a bond that sister's have and I am so thankful for her.
As part of my matron of honor duties I have the joy of attending showers, planning her bachelorette party and most importantly standing beside her on her wedding day. It is such an honor to be that person and I can't wait for all of the fun showers and parties to come!
I am also very excited that she is wearing my wedding dress. It looks beautiful on her and it will be the second beach wedding for our dress! I have played the day over in my head a hundred times and I am sure I will cry, but I think overall I will be smiling the entire time!
As part of my matron of honor duties I have the joy of attending showers, planning her bachelorette party and most importantly standing beside her on her wedding day. It is such an honor to be that person and I can't wait for all of the fun showers and parties to come!
I am also very excited that she is wearing my wedding dress. It looks beautiful on her and it will be the second beach wedding for our dress! I have played the day over in my head a hundred times and I am sure I will cry, but I think overall I will be smiling the entire time!
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