Monday, March 28, 2011

blessings and recipe

Last week was a really hard week.  It just was.  Too much sadness, too much helplessness.

This week I count my blessings:
1. Today is the first day since last Tuesday that I haven't had a headache.  Amazing!
2. Today the sun shone, AND I saw a robin (it was super fat, and cold, but it was a sign of spring....)
3. Today everyone liked the new casserole I made.  Even Boy who typically doesn't like casserole because he doesn't like things "all mixed together, " except lasagne and pizza.  Boy even asked for the leftovers for his lunch tomorrow.  (But he doesn't get them, because there is only enough for one, and I declare the dish "Mine.")
4.  I have one less sandwich to make for tomorrow, 'cause I get the casserole....

New Casserole:
Ham and Cheddar Noodle Bake
2 1/2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
3 tbsp butter, plus a little extra to dot the top of the casserole
2 tbsp flour (I used bean flour)
1 cup milk
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups diced ham
1 cup frozen peas or corn
1/2 cup crushed crackers (I used Glutino Cheddar crackers, but Ritz would work nicely too) or bread crumbs

Cook noodles according to package directions.  Drain
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add flour and milk.  Whisk together and bring to a boil.  Cook for 2 minutes or until thickened.  Remove from heat.  Stir in cheese and salt.  Add ham, cooked macaroni and corn/peas.  You can add a little extra milk if you think it's too dry.
Transfer to greased baking dish.  Top with cracker/bread crumbs and dot with a little additional butter. 
Bake at 350F for about 20-25 min.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

I intended to blog about a couple of things today -- Boy's new sled, Rocky dumping another plant, along with complaints about spending March Break in one arena or another.

But I can't complain, about anything.  I would far rather be spending my time at the arena than the funeral parlour....

A friend of ours, a young teenager, passed away last night quite suddenly, quite unexpectedly.  They believe it was spinal meningitis.  He was fine on Friday evening, got quite ill in the night and by Saturday night he was gone.

So I am sad.  I cannot make any sense of this.  I just can't get my head around it.

I will take my boy to hockey this week and I will be grateful for the opportunity.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Horror of horrors!!!

Yes, even MORE horrifying than finding a mouse in your crockpot!!
So horrifying I almost cannot speak of it.

But I started this post, so I will.  But I warn you .... you won't be able to look at me the same again....

Still reading???
Looking for an excuse not to look at me ever, ever again???

Here it is.
Horrifying!

Today I made the most basic mistake, the mistake that is made fun of on movies and TV shows, the thing that your mother warns you about from the first time you ever put on a skirt...

I tucked the back of my long flowing skirt into my bloomers.  It was a long full skirt so no hiney was exposed but IT COULD HAVE BEEN hanging out for all the elementary children in Small Town to see!!!

A very sweet, concerned parent volunteer followed me down the hall, ran to catch up with me, and then pointed out my faux pas.

Horrifying.
I died.
Then I laughed.
But not really.

The end.