I Registered

(no, not to vote. . . I did that last month remember and I donated my organs and they did not even give me a discount on my drivers license renewal :)), but for a half- marathon today. What is wrong with me? I have been going back and forth to try to decide if I wanted to pursue it. With a little peer pressure, I registered forty five big ones! I am scared to death. Someone, anyone talk me out of this exercise sickness that has come over me.

Part of the reason I have been wavering is because I have some major shin splints that has stopped me from running before. The word on the street is that the pain from running will subside after I break a running barrier or a leg . . .whichever comes first. I am at four miles and I have not been able to break the barrier. I have to ice down my shins right after I run and for quite awhile after I run. I am going to persevere though. All two of you that reads this blog will see pictures of me at the half marathon on December 6th. . .possibly crawling through the finish line. . .but I will finish! :)

In honor of the little frog and my perseverance, I will re post this anonymously written poem:

Two frogs fell into a deep cream bowl;

The one was wise, and a cheery soul.

The other one took a gloomy view

And bade his friend a sad adieu.


Said the other frog with a merry grin,

"I can't get out, but I won't give in;

I'll swim around
till my strength is spent,

Then I will die the more content.


And as he swam,
though ever it seemed,

His struggling began
to churn the cream


Until on top of pure butter
he stopped, And out of the bowl
he quickly hopped. The moral you ask?
Oh, it's easily found! If you can't get out, keep swimming around!

My pot runneth over!



Last week was my sister-in-laws wedding and I helped make the lasagnas for the rehearsal dinner - about 12 of the "no boil noodle" lasagna recipe I posted yesterday. I felt like I was in a catering business! It was really fun though.

The menu was Italian. We served kind of a Greek salad (ok, not so Italian. . .but yummy), amazing green beans made in the crock pot, lasagna and Parmesan bread. We had little bowls of rosemary garlic seasoning, olive oil and Parmesan cheese to dip their bread in on each table.

It really was quite the night. There were beautiful white lights on the porch wrapped with toule and real ivy from the yard. It was a beautiful night, the weather was PERFECT for dining outside and everyone looked like they had a great time.

I am so thankful to have married into a wonderful family! My pot really doth runneth over. . .and my in-laws are not my enemies :)!

Psalm 23:5 (King James Version)

5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Psalm 23:5 (The Message)

5 You serve me a six-course dinner
right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head;
my cup brims with blessing.

Now, that's what a call a blessing! I hope your "pot runneth over" today!

Menu Plan Monday

Monday - Homemade Pizza topped with pepperoni/bell peppers/onions/tomatoes, etc.
Tuesday - Biscuits, sausage and gravy and a game of Rummy with the kids
Wednesday - Chicken Fettucini Alfredo - you will not believe how amazing this stuff is; well you might if you look at the ingredients; my hubs and I made this earlier in the year and it is really good
Thursday- Chicken Caesar Salad - I love this stuff!!
Friday - possibly a date with my Prince Charming; otherwise we will be eating grilled cheese.. . .Prince Charming, you don't want to just eat grilled cheese do you? :)
Saturday - Chicken Pot Pie
Sunday - Taco Salad

This is a lasagna recipe that I made last week for my sister - in laws rehearsal dinner. It was REALLY good and it is really easy to make. . .except when you are making 8 of these! :)

Lasagna

(this is one of my favorite recipes and the best/easiest lasagna ever)

1 lb. bulk sausage

8 oz. small curd cottage cheese

1 egg

1 lb. grated mozzarella cheese

1 jar (32 oz.) Ragu chunky garden style spaghetti sauce

8 oz. sour cream

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Make meat sauce by combining sausage and spaghetti sauce. Create cheese sauce by pureeing cottage cheese, sour cream, egg and Parmesan cheese in blender. In greased 9 X 13 put enough meat sauce to cover bottom of pan. Layer UNCOOKED noodles, 1/2 meat sauce, 1/2 cheese sauce, 1/2 mozzarella cheese. Repeat layering again ending with mozzarella cheese. Refrigerate overnight. Bake at 350 for 1 hour until cheese is brown and bubbly.

I usually make two batches of this to freeze for later or for a friend in need.