I don't eat casseroles

blogger friends,

we have been friends for some time now, and it is time i let you know something about me-
i don't (won't) eat casseroles.
it's my thing.
i usually establish this early on in relationships (after all it would be uncomfortable to arrive at someones home and be served a casserole, or have one delivered to my house, ick!).
it is also my opinion that those who eat casseroles are from an entirely different generation.
a generation that will eat anything, including goulash and grits. your casseroles cannot be trusted.
Dr. Suess says it best, "i will not eat them here or there, i will not eat them anywhere!" i have been questioned on what is and what is not a casserole. for instance are enchiladas, lasagna, and quiche a casserole? i eat those, and my answer is NO.

and finally on to a great, and easy lasagna in a crock pot! yes, i am sharing a recipe, because i was really so amazed at it's lasagna-ness, though it was made in a crockpot.

Ingredients

• 1 medium-size onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-1/4 pounds ground turkey
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 container (15 ounces) low-fat ricotta
• 1 cup Italian-blend shredded cheese
• 12 lasagna noodles (12 ounces) broken in half
• 1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped broccoli, thawed and squeezed dry
• 1 jar (26 ounces) chunky tomato sauce

Directions

1. In a large nonstick skillet, cook onions and garlic over medium-high heat for
4 minutes or until softened. Add turkey to skillet and cook, breaking up large chunks, for about 6 minutes or until no longer pink; drain fat. Season turkey with oregano, salt and pepper. Set aside.

2. In a small bowl, combine ricotta and1/2 cup of the Italian shredded cheese.

3. In a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker, layer half the uncooked noodles, overlapping as necessary. Spread half of both the meat mixture and broccoli over noodles, then top with about half of the tomato sauce and 1/4 cup water. Gently spread ricotta mixture on top, and continue layering with remaining noodles, meat, broccoli, sauce and an additional 1/4 cup water.

4. Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 5 hours. Sprinkle remaining
1/2 cup of Italian cheese on top for last 15 minutes of cooking time or until melted.

btw-i added some chopped zucchini to mine as well. this serves 8-10.

Happy Eating!

Intoxicate My Heart

For who is the Lord but the Lord?
Who is God except our God?
The highest.
The most good.
The most mighty.
The most omnipotent.
The most merciful,yet most just.
The most hidden, yet most present.
The most beautiful, yet strongest.
The stationary, yet incomprehensible constant. You cannot change, yet You change everything. You are never new, yet never old. You make all things new, yet conquer the proud with old age before they know of it's approach.
You are ever working, yet ever at rest. You are still gathering yet You lack nothing. You are still supporting, filling, and overspreading; still creating, nourishing, and maturing; still seeking, although You have all things.
You love without yearning, are jealous without bitterness; share our regret without self-reproach; express anger without losing serenity.
When all others fail to finish what they propose, Your purpose remains unchanged. You receive what you found yet had never lost. You are never in need yet rejoice in what You gain. You never covet yet exact payments, so that You may owe. Yet who has anything that is not already Yours? You pay debts when You owe nothing, but in remitting debts You lose nothing.

And what have I now said, my God, my life, my holy joy? What does any mortal say when speaking of You? Yet woe to the one who does not speak, for silence is the most eloquent voice.
Oh that I might rest in You.
Oh, that You would enter my heart and make it intoxicated, so that i might forget all woes and embrace You, my only good.

The Confessions of St . Augustine

obedience

i am wired to be obedient. i love obedience. maybe it is because i am a first born.
i do not like disobedience. when i discover that i have been disobedient, i am quick to remedy it.
my mother tells me that i have always been this way, even as a toddler. when my sister came along, she antagonized me, pulling my hair, poking at me... she interrupted my obedience, and i would either cry or hit her.
i am attempting to be obedient in a situation right now. my hair is getting pulled, i am being poked at, and antagonized. i have cried. i really want to hit someone.

do,re,mi,fa,so,la,ti,do

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Struggling

I am struggling.

Struggle; to strive to achieve something in the face of difficulty
to make forceful efforts to get free of restraint or constriction
to have difficulty handling or coping
to make ones way with difficulty

Each of these definitions describes me. I am tired. I love God, and this is vulnerable for me to say, but I curse him with one hand and praise him with the other. I think of the scripture that says "faith is being sure of what we hope for, yet certain of what we cannot see." One hand raised in my hope "You are God there is no other, You are God there is none like you." One hand raised, well, with a "where are you...move, move, help, rescue, move!?"


"You are matchless, O Lord.
So our praise of You must rise above our humanity.
Magnificent is Your power.
Your wisdom has no limits.
And we lowly creatures aspire to praise You. What is a human being, but a tiny particle of Your creation? Each human carries within the mark of coming death. That mortality bears witness to human sinfulness. It declares to all that You rebuff the proud.
Yet despite our lowness, human beings aspire to praise You, though we be but a particle of Your creation. You awake in us a delight at praising You. You made us for Yourself, and Our heart is restless until it finds it's place of rest in You."

Confessions
St. Augustine

My Baby Is 6

You Are My SUNSHINE, My Only SUNSHINE, You Make Me Happy When Skies Are Gray, You'll Never Know Dear, How Much I Love You, And I Love You More Everyday!


Josie,
I remember this day 6 years ago, how overwhelmed with joy I was at the sight of you. I think of the meaning of your name Josefine- "May God Add," and think of all that has been added to our lives in these 6 years. You truly are my SUNSHINE. Your smile melts me, your hugs and little hands on the back of my neck are sweetness, and when you shout "I LOVE MY MOMMMMYYY!!" You grab hold of my heart.
We have enjoyed many moments with you this past year; learning to ski, swim, read, and skip have been highlights. We selfishly love your "r" less words, as they keep you our baby a little while longer. We delight in hearing you sing the same phrase over and over, finding your voice (daddy always looks at me, grins and says, "that was you"). We have enjoyed watching you in piano, how much taller you seem after each lesson (Ms. Cathy sure delights in you). We cherish sweet moments, and the sounds of our little girls playing dollies. We love the roar of laughter when you play with Noah. We dream of your future, and like your plans to be a "cooker," and to all live together in the same house forever ( and yes, I'll take care of your children while you work at your "wanstwaunt"). We especially love that you love God and Jesus even more the most, and pray you ALWAYS WILL.

Birthday fun included- a sleep over with her 2 favorite friends Abby and Emma, the welcoming of her very own American Girl -Samantha, and fun with mommy and Emilie at Princess Wishes, Disney on Ice (wish i was 6).

adventure

i am staring out the window at my kids, they are playing with worms. i love them (my kids, not the worms).

last night we were discussing our day, what we were thankful for. Michael said he was thankful for the for a rainbow he had seen earlier in the day, and for the beautiful sunset God gave him as he traveled home from work. i began to pout, for just a moment, to God about how i had missed those things because i was stuck indoors all day with the kids. God prompted me to ask Him what my rainbow and sunset was on this day. seeing clearly i added to the conversation, i am "thankful for the rainbow i saw, when emilie wrapped her arms around noah, comforting him when he got hurt. And, my sunset , came in josie's sweet expressions, her big smile, her "r" less words, as i soak up her 5-ness (she will 6 at the end of the week).

sometimes. i just miss it.
sometimes i envy everyone else's adventures so much that i miss my own.
this is my adventure.
Adventure: an unusual, exciting, typically hazardous, experience, or activity. the exploration of unknown territory. the encountering of risk. daring and exciting activity calling for enterprise and enthusiasm.

My 100th Post!

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