Easy Lasagna

Since my dear hubby wanted lasagna this week, I added it to a the menu.  I didn't find a pin I liked, so I took a couple of recipes I had to made my own. Of course, I forgot to take a picture of the finished result, but it was yummy and looked oh so good.

First I gathered my ingredients:

• One box of Barilla Oven-Ready Lasagna Noodle (no boil). I truly only used about 6 because I used an 8x8 glass dish.  Use a 9x13 to make it a little "thinner".
• 15oz. Ricotta cheese
• 2 cups Mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 Tablespoons dried minced onion
• 1 jar of Spaghetti sauce- I used Ragu meat flavored because that was what was in my pantry. 
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning

First, I browned my meat with a little minced garlic.  Now, we use the jarred kind.  Yeah, yeah, I know it doesn't have the flavor, but that is what what we use. 

When that finished, I just ladled off the fat.  It was a very small amount due to the quality of the beef. (P.S. I got it at The Fresh Market on its Tuesday special; $2.99lb) 

Then I mixed the following together: Ricotta, Mozzarella, grated Parm, and dried onion.  I love onions; my family does not.  These minced onions are small enough that they don't notice them, but I get the flavor.   It looked very crumbly, but that is ok.

After that, I started assembling my lasagna.  Now, we are a family of five, but my two youngest as super picky, and my family almost refuses to eat leftovers, so I try to fix just enough. you can make it go further by adding a another jar of sauce.I added a little sauce to the bottom of the dish, then placed my two noodles,  If you used a 9x13, you would need three.  They expand during cooking so don't worry if they don't seem to fit.

Then I added my cheese mixture.

Followed by the ground beef

And some shredded cheese

I used some Kraft Italian cheese.  I was in the fridge.

I continued to layer into the top which was two layers of noodles, sauce and cheese.  I very top layer was the cheese mixture. I covered it in aluminum foil and cooked for about 30 minutes.

I fixed a little garlic bread to go with it, and hubby was very happy.

-Carol

What if I Don't Wanna Cherish Those Moments?

"Remember these days; they are only little once."

"Cherish these moments. You will never get them back."

"Hold on to these times. You'll miss them where they are gone."

It seems as though my Facebook page as been inundated when these types of articles and blog posts about cherishing those moments while your children are little. Well, frankly, I am about sick of them. You must understand. I  LOVE my children.  I would move the heavens and earth for them if it meant them never getting hurt or sick. And as much as I loved them during their baby stages, I do not- repeat- do NOT miss the days of cleaning up spit-up, crying through the night, sleepless nights, baby-proofing everything in bubblewrap, teething, potty-training.  I am glad it is in the past. Will I forget them? Probably not. Do I want to keep them little forever? No to that, too.

To me, and it is probably just my interpretation of these sentiments, there are too many people already living in the past:  "I miss their little toes."  "I miss their smell."  "Why can't they stay little forever?"  Couple that with all the imagining and pressure we put on the kids about the future, and we forget to celebrate who they are now.

Enjoy the NOW moments. I know I could hold my little girl in my arms and just hold her forever. But you know what, she can sit on my lap now with her arms around me, and we can have a conversation about her day. Her wants. Her fears. Her own visions for her life.

My son, now 7, just lost his first tooth.  A milestone.  Celebrate THAT.  He was the cutest baby ever, but he is growing into a handsome young man today. I know I can't get those little moments back, but I don't think they are any more important than the moments we are having now.

My littlest, finally officially potty-trained over six months now.  Hooray.  I want to celebrate what is to come.  How everyday, I can understand him a little more. He has a major speech articulation issue that requires speech therapy. I would trade those frustration tantrums of not being able to communicate his needs and wants.

I do get sentimental but only when I realize how far they have come, not because I miss how little they were.  I don't think it was any easier than now, or even easier now than then.  Parenting is hard no matter what stage you are in.  I just want to help my little ones celebrate today without regret of their past selves or and without fear of the future.  I want them to know I love them now.

- Carol

Free Academic School Year Printables

As the school year approaches (we start August 4!!), I am attempting to start off and stay organized.  This year instead of buying a calendar that never really fits my needs, I made my own.  I plan on keeping all of the following pages in a 3-ring binder.

I haven't created a cute front cover yet, but I may not because I like the design of the binder.

My first is my Monthly Calendar: 

August 2014-July 2015

Then I have my weekly calendar:

This is two pages with spaces for each family member

Next I have my Birthdays & Anniversaries

I use this instead of taking up space on the calendar

Follows is my To Do List

I can just "x" the task once I am done.

I am also including My Faith Page

I want to try to focus my thoughts on my blessings and to remember those who need prayer

Last, I have my Weight Loss Goals

This will hopefully encourage me to focus on overall health instead of just numbers.

Whatcha think?

My New Cleaning Schedule

I hate to clean. It's true. I would definitely characterize myself as a little on the lazy side.  I would much rather watch television, Netflix, or Hulu, than clean my house. However, I hate my house to be messy. It has become quite a problem.  I can't afford for anyone else to clean it, and I don't think anyone will do it for free. So I just have to hunker down and get it done.

I have discovered I love lists. I could lose all day making lists. I like making lists of the lists I am going to make. It's a problem. Nonetheless, I made a check-off list for cleaning.  I call it my Completely Possible Cleaning Schedule.  It has my daily chores and my weekly responsibilities. The best part is it shouldn't take very long to do it, so I can spend the rest of my time doing those things I enjoy: binge-watching, crafting, getting a pedicure, volunteering at my kids' school, grocery shopping (yup, I enjoy shopping for groceries).

Anyway, hope you enjoy the list. I put it in a plastic page protector and make off my squares with a dry-erase marker. Then, wipe it off at the end of the week, and start again.

Carol

Freebies for Good Report Cards: Macon Edition

Nearing the end of the year, as we anticipate report cards, be sure to celebrate those A's and B's.

Here are some Macon area places that reward good grades:

Chuck E. Cheese  - Take in your most recent report card and receive FREE tokens for good grades.

Krispy Kreme  – Take home a free original glazed donut for each A (up to 6 A’s). Simply show your report card and receive your warm, delicious doughnuts!. What could be better?

Hello There, Cupcake - Offers one free cupcake for all As for any report card, any grade level. Simply show your report card.

Now there are more nationwide programs that offer good grades, but I have not verified them in Macon. As I verify more, I will include them.