New Home, New Beginnings

So, it has been a year since I last blogged. I know, I'm terrible. I just can't seem to stick with it. I plan to try harder though. This is something I really do enjoy. 

There have been so many great changes this past year for us. I'm counting my blessings, God is good! 

Our big change was buying a new home. In January, we decided that we needed a bigger home. After looking at homes and figuring out what was best for us, we came to a decision. We decided to stay on the same property we'd been living on for the past twenty years, and start with our new home there.  

Our choice to stay here was a good choice. We love living in the country! There's just something about pine trees, cows, and dirt roads. Our kiddos love it out here too. 

From June through September, we lived in a motor-home while our home was going through the construction phase. It was a crazy, long, hot summer...to say the least! We were beyond happy when we finally moved in. I will forever be grateful for our new home! 

I think everyone misses our old home because we made a lot of memories there. However, we are all excited to make new memories here. Home is definitely where your heart is.💗

I'm a Gram-Gram

Many times, I've heard people talk about how being a grandparent is, "One of the best things ever!" I am so thrilled to say that those people were right. My husband and I became "Pee-Paw and Gram-Gram" on September 23. Our oldest daughter, Brittany, gave birth to her first baby, Madelyn Grace. We all fell in love instantly.

When I was in labor with my first child, I definitely wanted my mom by my side. I think most women are like that. There's just something about wanting your mom during that vulnerable time. Brittany asked me to be there during her labor and delivery. It was such an honor to be present during Madelyn's birth. I'll always be grateful for that privilege.

Everything went very well during the birth. Mom and baby were both healthy, and the new dad, Brandon, was "over the moon!" My husband and I just sat back and watched the three of them bond. You could feel the love in the room. Miss Madelyn is very blessed with an amazing mom and dad. 

Being a grandparent is somewhat indescribable. It's more of an amazing thing you just feel in your heart. Seeing your firstborn hold their firstborn just reaches deep down into the soul. It's something so special. I thank God very much that I'm able to experience being a grandparent. Our family is beyond blessed.

💗💗💗

Back to School

Summer break officially ended yesterday, so that means today was, "back to school day." I was so busy over the weekend with the baby shower, that I didn't get to do much prepping for our first day of homeschool. I'm surprised to say that today was not that bad. I woke up around seven. I got a lot of school prep completed on the computer while everyone else was still sleeping. After a couple of hours on the computer, I finally managed to make me a cup of coffee with pumpkin pie spice creamer. It is heaven in a cup! I needed it too. I like to fix a special breakfast for the first day of school. Today's breakfast menu was chocolate chip pancakes. The kiddos enjoyed their breakfast.

That's his happy face. I still think I was more excited about the first day of school than he was. After completing five subjects, and chasing after my energetic three year old, I managed to throw some lunch together: cheese pizza and leftover veggies from the baby shower veggie tray. Not too bad!

We closed the day with a science lesson. We're learning about plants. Science is my son's favorite subject. I like to save the best for last for "attention-span" reasons, if you know what I mean, ha ha! After our science lesson, we went outside for a walk and collected some leaves. Hands on is a great way to learn. 

I seriously think we are getting take-out for dinner this evening. We are trying to get in the routine of going to the park and walking a couple miles most evenings. Today has been long and busy but very productive. 

Homeschool and A Baby Shower

Can you believe it? August is half way over! Where does the time go? Now the busy part begins. This week, I'll be preparing for my daughters baby shower and for our third year of homeschool. Yes folks, I'm going to be a grandma. I can feel the excitement building! I am so ready to meet my little Madelyn. We all are. I love it that my family is expanding. There's nothing quite like family.

Now, back to planning the baby shower. Baby showers are great. Family and friends get together and celebrate the baby and mom-to-be, and of course, don't forget the food. All I can think of is pink, pink, pink, and finger foods. Do you think I can just dye all of the food pink? Just kidding. I have a page full of food ideas. Meatballs, baby quiche, dips, fruit and cheese trays, finger sandwiches, cupcakes, and please let's not forget the punch bowl full of sprite, ginger ale, and sherbet. I'm definitely looking forward to this baby shower!

Next week, it's back to school. I do, however, believe I am more excited about school than my son. I enjoy getting everything ready for a new year of homeschool.

As for now, I've gotta wrap this up. My three year old has been busy. I just found a trail of cracker crumbs through three different rooms. I'm thinking Hansel and Gretel maybe? It's never dull around here, that's for sure!

Baked Spaghetti

To save time and money, I usually create meal plans for our family to follow.  I prefer to do two weeks of meals at a time.  The less I go to the grocery store, the better.

Spaghetti is one of those meals we eat weekly or biweekly. Sometimes, it can get boring.  So, I thought I'd try something different.  After looking at several different recipes, I got an idea of what I wanted to throw together.  A lot of the times, I won't follow a recipe.  I like to "do my own thing" in the kitchen and see what I can create.  

First, I browned a pound of lean ground turkey with one diced onion and some seasonings: salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder, dried basil and oregano. Next, I added a large jar of spaghetti sauce to the meat.  I turned the heat to low and let the sauce simmer.

Meat & Sauce Mixture

While the sauce was simmering, I boiled 16 ounces of angel hair spaghetti noodles according to the package.  Also, I prepared the cheese mixture during this time.  In my Ninja, I blended about 16 ounces of cottage cheese, 1/2 cup of sour cream, 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, and one egg.  After I blended this, I added about one cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and some more oregano.  It reminded me of the filling you use when making lasagna.  Instead of ricotta cheese, I just used cottage cheese that I put in the food processor. 

Cottage Cheese Mixture

I covered the bottom of a large casserole dish with about half of the meat and sauce mixture.

Then I added a little more than half of the cooked noodles.

There ended up being too many noodles.  Not to worry, I just put the leftover noodles in a bowl and added butter, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and oregano.  My toddler will love those leftover noodles for lunch!

Leftover Pasta Bowl

 

Okay, so back to the noodles in the casserole dish.  Once I put the noodles on top of the sauce, I covered them with the cottage cheese mixture.  

Then I poured the remaining meat and sauce over the cottage cheese.  Lastly, I sprinkled some mozzarella, parmesan, and cheddar cheese on top.

 

I baked this uncovered at 350 degrees for about 35 minutes.  The final result was this casserole dish full of yummy, cheesy goodness that my family enjoyed!  

Baked Spaghetti
 

Claire Bear's Banana Bread

I love to spend my evenings hanging out in the kitchen baking. There's something special about this time of the year that gets me in the mood to cook and bake. It's also nice when the aroma of fresh baked breads and cookies fill the air. 

Tonight I noticed that my bananas were getting spots all over them. Once they're covered in spots I cannot eat them. So I thought to myself, "I should use these bananas in some banana bread!". I decided to make up my own recipe. At least then, I can add a few healthy ingredients.

Naturally, my one year old toddler is attached to my hip. If I'm baking, then she is baking! I pulled up a chair for her to stand in so she could watch and "help" her Momma bake. As I would mix the ingredients, she would steadily point her finger at the mixer and speak her baby talk. Once the bread was placed in the oven, I turned the oven light on so she could watch the bread bake. She definitely enjoyed that! Right then, I decided to name the recipe after her.

When the bread was finished baking, I put it on the table so it could cool off. I absolutely planned on eating a piece tonight along with a nice cup of pumpkin pie spice flavored coffee. I shared my piece of banana bread with my Claire Bear. She made her "mmmmmm" sounds as she ate. My mother and sister in law and my daughters boyfriend were visiting tonight. We all ate fresh baked banana bread. I had a cup of coffee with my piece. These are times when great memories are made! Baking just has a way of reaching the heart<3 

Claire Bear's Banana Bread

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

1/2 c. real butter

6 oz. Neufchâtel cream cheese

1 c. light brown sugar

3 medium overripe bananas, mashed

1 egg

1/4 c. light sour cream

1 tsp. vanilla extract 

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. cinnamon

2 cups whole wheat flour

*Optional: chocolate chips and/or nuts

I didn't have any of the above optional ingredients, but would love to add some chocolate chips the next time!

Spray a pan with some Pam. I did not have a loaf pan so I ended up using an 11 x 7 in. brownie pan. It worked great too!

Save yourself some muscle, time, and energy and use a heavy duty mixer. I used our KitchenAid mixer.

Cream together butter, cream cheese, and brown sugar on low speed until creamy. Then add mashed bananas, sour cream, egg, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth. Finally, add the remaining dry ingredients and mix well. Pour batter into greased pan and bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes. Allow bread to somewhat cool once it is finished baking. 

After the bread has cooled to your liking, spread a pat of butter on it and enjoy...especially enjoy with dear loved ones! 

Lemony Garlic Pasta with Kale

I'm trying out something new with my family. For the past three Monday's, our dinners have been meat free. It's something I found on the Internet a while back. It's supposed to help the environment and it's also good for you. We had black bean tacos one night and they were really good, and the next Monday we had cheese and veggie pizzas. I don't eat meat the whole day, but my family eats meat at work and school. They're okay with the Meatless Monday dinner even though they're meat lovers.

Tonight, I just threw some ingredients together that I had on hand. I made a pan full of pasta and surprisingly it turned out great! My husband was like, "Some shrimp would be good in this!" I told him I'd make it again with shrimp or chicken.

Ingredients:

2 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, diced
5 cloves garlic, chopped (I love garlic)
4-6 cups fresh kale, chopped into bite sized pieces
Zest from 2 lemons
Juice from 2 lemons (I used 2 lemons total)
16 oz spaghetti, cooked
1/2 cup pasta water
2 tbsp butter
Parmesan cheese, use as much as you like!
Fresh diced tomato, optional
Salt & Pepper to taste

Directions:

In a large pan on medium heat, add 2 tbsp olive oil and sautée onion in it until it's soft. Add kale and garlic to the onion and let it cook down for about 5 minutes. The kale will begin to wilt. (Careful not to burn the onion or garlic). Meanwhile, go ahead and boil the pasta according to directions on the box. When the pasta is finished cooking, save about 1/2 cup of the pasta water and drain the rest. Combine the pasta and pasta water with the kale mixture and add 2 tbsp butter as well. Take the zest and juice from the two lemons and toss in with the pasta. Sprinkle with as much Parmesan cheese as you like...I like a lot! I also added fresh diced tomato on top! Use salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!