HE DID IT!

 Friday Ryan graduated from High School.  The ceremony was wonderful.  They had it on the football field at the school. Which was super convenient because we live so close!  I am so thankful things have opened up enough that he could have an in person graduation. Funny how perceptions and expectations changed so much in the past year and a half! 

So proud of our boy! Can't believe he's all grown up.

I am happy Hannah could be there with us too, by graduation day it we went from being allowed 2 to 6 guests. =)

And Grammy D and Poppi

Sunday at Church.  I am so thankful for our wonderful church family!

This past year or so has been pretty rough on him.  It was wonderful to see him accomplish this milestone with big smiles this weekend.  He is planning to pursue a career as an electrician. I'm looking forward to see what God has in store for him.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, 

“plans to prosper you and not to harm you, 

plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

Freezer Meal Review- Parmesan Garlic Pizza Pasta

I made one of the freezer meals from our workshop last night.  I came home with no idea what to cook and no desire to cook. A little pinterest research and I decided to try and cook my Pizza Pasta from frozen in the Quick Cooker! It worked! 

The original recipe is farther down the post but here is how I cooked it-

I plopped the whole frozen block in Bruce and set it to custom for 17 minutes- in retrospect- I would have also added 1 cup of the water needed when you add the pasta.  It did scorch a little on the bottom because of that and that also would have helped it come up to pressure.

After the 17 minutes- I released the pressure, broke up the ground beef with the Mix n Chop.  Poured in the pasta and 3 cups of water, stir well,  replaced the lid and cooked on custom for 7 minutes.  *Beef was not fully cooked at this point but finished cooking with the pasta.

Released pressure, stirred and topped with cheese.  Replaced lid for a few minutes to let cheese melt.

This recipe could easily be made vegetarian.  In fact next time I may cut back on the meat and split in two bags so I can have a vegetarian version for Mikayla.

Veggie people- substitute you favorite veg instead of ground beef and pepperoni.  ie mushrooms, peppers, onions, zucchini... whatever floats your boat. 

I like how versatile the recipe is- I think next time I might try it in the crock pot. Maybe also with sausage instead of ground beef.  I might also use broth instead of water, to add to the flavor.  Overall it was pretty tasty.  I would make it again for sure. 

I enjoy having these meals in the freezer ready to go.  I have my next workshop in the planning phase- shooting for the 1st week of August.

Parmesan Garlic Pizza Pasta

Groceries

- 1 lb lean ground beef

- 1 cup sliced pepperoni (about 4 oz)

- 1 (32 oz) jar pasta / marinara sauce

- 1 block (8 oz) Mozzarella Cheese

- 2 oz Parmesan Cheese

Pampered Chef Pantry

- 1 Tbsp Garlic and Herb Rub

- 1 Tbsp Italian Seasoning Mix

- 1 Tbsp Three Onion Rub

Pampered Chef Tools for Easy Recipe Prep!

- Cutting Board / Flexible Cutting Mat

- Measure-All Cup, Measuring Cup Set, or Easy Read Measuring Cups

- Measuring Spoon Set or Adjustable Measuring Spoons

- Microplane Adjustable Coarse Grater

 

Instructions

1. Bag #1 - Gallon:

Open bag that contains ground beef.  Prep and add the following:

a. Three Onion Rub:  Measure using Measuring Spoon Set

b. Garlic & Herb Rub:  Measure using Measuring Spoon Set

c. Italian Seasoning Mix:  Measure using Measuring Spoon Set

d. Pepperoni:  Can use knife to cut into smaller pieces if desired

e. Marinara Sauce:  Pour into bag

f. Parmesan Cheese:  Grate using Adjustable Grater

g. Mozzarella Cheese:  Grate half using Adjustable Grater

“Knead” contents to mix thoroughly; squeeze out as much air as possible; seal.

2. Bag #2 - Quart:

Prepare and add the following:

a. Remaining 4 oz mozzarella cheese, grated with Microplane Adjustable Coarse Grater.

Squeeze out as much air as possible; seal.

3. Double-Bag:  

Place bags into another gallon freezer bag.  Insert pre-bagged instruction label.  Seal and freeze.

Cooking Day:

To Thaw:  Transfer bag to refrigerator 1-2 days before cooking.

Cook Time:  

Frozen:  Crockpot:  4-6 hours on high 

Thawed:  RockCrock Dutch Oven or Deep Covered Baker:  Microwave on high 20-30 mins

Additional Ingredients Needed:  1 (16 oz) box uncooked rotini or other short cut pasta, 3 cups water

1. Pour mixture into cooking vessel and add water.  Cook according to directions above, 

2. Add rotini:

a. Crockpot:  Last hour of cooking time

b. Microwave:  Last 12-15 mins of cooking time

3. Top casserole with remaining shredded mozzarella cheese at the end of cooking.

Weekend Adventure

 We had a wonderful weekend! Saturday we decided to drive up to Boldt Castle for the day. 

George Boldt began building the castle for his wife Louise in 1900, sadly it was never finished as 4 years later he halted all construction when she passed away suddenly. The castle was left to the elements for over 70 years until the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority acquired it and began restoration of the buildings and property. 

It was a beautiful day and we very much enjoyed our little day trip.  The house was gorgeous, I love this time period.

I was underwhelmed by the size of the ballroom...Rhett tried to get a picture of my unimpressed face but I kept laughing...

I told Rhett I want to redo our kitchen to be like this... (minus the woodstove).

My other favorite was Louise Boldt's suite.  Her bedroom was beautiful.  Of course with a balcony overlooking the river as well.

We had a lot of fun and a lot of laughs.

View from the top of the Castle.

Sunday morning Bruno and I took a little jaunt down to the creek and sat by the water for a bit.

I just love being by water, creeks, lakes, rivers, ocean...it makes me feel so peaceful.

I made some french fries for a Sunday night snack...in the Deluxe Air Fryer of course ;-)

I can not believe this guy is graduating on FRIDAY!

I made and ordered his party invites last night.

I'm so happy summer is here!  Looking forward to packing in all kinds of summery things.  Especially our vacation in July.

Tuesday Catch Up

Last night was my first Freezer Meal Workshop and it was a hit! We had a great time and we now have 5 meals in the freezer!  Hannah actually did more than half of my meals while I chatted and answered questions, etc... it was really fun and I am looking forward to planning the next one!

Friday I went to this sign stencil workshop, with Jess, by the lake it was so fun and relaxing!

Didn't they come out great!?! I still have to put a clear coat on mine before I can leave it outside in the weather.

The boys have really been enjoying getting back to our regular morning walks!

I'm on day 16 of our Run Streak- first time this year on a run with Buno we have dipped down into the 12s.  That made me happy! Today's run felt pretty great. 

Can you believe June is half over already!  It's DOUBLE REWARDS month for qualifying hosts! 

Made a super yummy veggie egg scramble in my ceramic egg cooker and am also very happy to have cold brew again... bring on summer!

May Books

1- The Grumble Free Year by Tricia Goyle (eBook) 5/4

I read an excerpt from this book as part of a devotional and almost bought it on the spot. I decided to see if the library had it and listened to the audiobook.  It is one I wouldn't mind owning and going over again at a slower pace in my devotional time.  This book was a great reminder to not grumble and complain but to cultivate a life of gratitude instead.

One thing that really stuck with me is that grumbling is not just a bad habit- it is an affront to God- it is saying "God, you have failed me." OOOF.

"Everything doesn’t need to be fixed overnight, but set your mind to work on solutions instead of struggles."

 

2- Women of the Bible Speak by Shannon Bream (print) 5/6

This was our book club selection. I really enjoyed this look into several of the women in the Bible.  Again its one I would like to read again at a slower pace. I kinda blew through it to try and finish it in time.  Each chapter compares and contrasts two different women, for example- Sarah and Hagar or Rachel and Leah.

This book really shows how God has a heart for women. He sees our struggles, like Hagar. He used women outside of his Chosen people, like Ruth and Rahab because He knew their hearts. No matter who you are- God sees you. God loves you. God can use you.

3- The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim (kindle) 5/7

This book really took me by surprise and felt like a really nice escape to the Italian countryside.  I saw it on MMD kindle deals. The synopsis intrigued me so I checked to see if the library had it... and they did. I did not realize at first that this book was actually written in the 1920's.  I very much identified and felt for Rose and her loneliness and longing.

In the warmth and light of what she was looking at, of what to her was a manifestation, an entirely new side, of God, how could one be discomposed? If only Frederick were with her, seeing it too, seeing as he would have seen it when first they were lovers, in the days when he saw what she saw and loved what she loved.… She sighed.

Rose clasped her hands tight round her knees. How passionately she longed to be important to somebody again

4- The Bridgerton Collection  Volume 1 (kindle) by Julia Quinn (kindle) 5/12

This is actually 3 in one- the first three books in the Bridgerton Series. The Duke and I, The Viscount Who Loved Me and An Offer from a Gentleman. I read it because I binged watched the entire first season of Bridgton in one day on Christmas vacation. It was an amusing if albeit predictable romance read.

 Love was truly a spectacular, sacred thing.

“It means that love isn’t about being afraid that it will all be snatched away. Love’s about finding the one person who makes your heart complete, who makes you a better person than you ever dreamed you could be. It’s about looking in the eyes of your wife and knowing, all the way to your bones, that she’s simply the best person you’ve ever known.”

5-  What Kind of Woman by Kate Baer (print)     5/13

 

A small book of poetry- I didn't love every poem and at the beginning I wasn't sure, but I easily read this in two sittings. 

6- The Queen of Hearts by Kimmery Martin (print)     5/16

This was an OK story- I feel pretty ambivalent about it. Already the details are fading and its not one that will stick with me. The main characters are doctors and it has very Grey's Anatomy vibes.

7- The Ministry of Ordinary Places by Shannon Martin (print) 5/21

I really loved this book, real life practical advice on how to love those around you in day to day life. Heartwarming (but not easy) stories from the author's own life and neighborhood.

We might have a zillion reasons to be jaded about our world, but that is not the kind of person I want to be. I want to be someone who clings to the grace and the gift and the good.

I swallowed down the truth for the umptenth time that the path from neighbor to friend only feels long when we watch each other from a safe distance.  When we share our actual loves, swinging open the door to the details that define us-- our preferences, our favorites, our fears -- the atmosphere draws closer, and the world feels smaller and far less lonely.

The world would not feel so impossible if each of us committed to truly knowing five of our nearest neighbors.  We wouldn't feel so alone if we would  commit without expectation to the big-hearted drifters nearest us.  This flies in the face of church small groups commonly arranged by demographics and shared interests, but I promise that the result can be a wonderfully diverse reflection of God's kingdom.

Beginning to live as though there's no such thing as other people's children might be our most critical, significant contribution to the flourishing of our own world.

 Our title as mother isn't defined, by biology or science. It can't be measured in centimeters or the arc of a curve. Mothering is the thing all women do, with the small and big kids under our care, the neighbor boys up the street, our students, our grown nieces, the children we can only hold in our hearts, and the ones we don't even know yet to hope for. What I'm trying to say is that none of us is off the hook here. Humanity is crying out to be nurtured.

8- Strike Me Down by Mindy Mejia  (print)    5/26

I really enjoyed this book- it is a financial thriller- who knew there was such a thing! Nora is a forensic accountant. She is charged with finding a missing 20 million dollars in prize money before the kickboxing tournament happening the next week.  The company owners are a husband/wife duo- estranged and suspecting each other.  Of course Nora is entangled with both of them. Logan the wife is her kickboxing instructor and idol. Aaaannnd she had a one night stand with Logan's husband Greg (did not know who he was at the time). Seems like a pretty big conflict of interest to me but whatever.

All the characters were pretty flawed and had questionable morals. But the plot was great and kept me guessing.

9- The Giver by Lois Lowry (eBook/print)    5/27

Hannah was reading this for English class. I'm pretty sure I tried to read it when Ryan or Mikayla read it but never did.   Ryan claims it as his favorite book.

A dystopian story, a community without color, much emotion or any choices. Everyone the same. At 12 years old the children are given their vocation assignments.  But Jonas it turns out is special and is assigned to work with an old man called The Giver- he begins to see things differently, learning about color, light, love and pain....

The worst part of holding the memories is not the pain. It's the loneliness of it. Memories need to be shared.

10-  The Scarlet Thread by Francine Rivers  (print)  5/31

OK- so this one- it was our book club pick. I raced to finish it in time. Book Club got bumped to next month.  Oh well. It was kind of a hard read for me, I have trouble sometimes reading about marriage issues.  I did not care for Sierra at all at the beginning of the story. I felt like she was selfish and childish. But it did get better as it went along. I really enjoyed her come to Jesus moment! :)  

One thing I definitely took away from this book- was the importance of perspective- and the difference putting ourselves in a Christian circle and church can make!  

Life isn't static Sierra.  Thank God.  It's constantly in motion.  Sometimes we find ourselves caught up in the currents and carried along where we don't want to go.  Then we find out later that God's hand was in it all along.

Her mother lifted her head and looked across at her with gentle humor.  "Your father wasn't an easy man either Sierra, but he was worth it." 

This month: 10

Total read in 2021:  40

Kindle/Ebook: 2    Print: 6     Audio: 1

Library: 9   Owned: 1

Favorite this month-  The Ministry of Ordinary Places