Old friends...

I have to say I have been enjoying moreso than ever being online. Right around Christmas I began being able to keep up with alot of old friends I haven't seen some in almost 20 years or more. I have a page on http://www.facebook.com I never really used it much but then all of a sudden I got a few friend request from some of my old best girlfriends in the world. I have missed them all bunches. I cannot believe sometimes we have grown up having kids have jobs, mortgages, all that fun stuff. There are even a few of us that have high school kids. I have made some wonderful memories with these ladies and I hope we can see each other more and not wait til another reunion......

Zack is turning 15

Well my oldest is turning 15 on Saturday. Oh my where has the time gone? It seems like yesterday that mom and dad where take me to Twin County Community Hospital in an ice storm. My Nannie, friend Beth Cruise, and my mom were there with me. My mom was in the room with me and I am so glad she got to be there with her first grandson. When my dad called at lunch time (Zack was born at 11:57am) he asked what I had i told him a son.... he said "hot damn i gotta a grandson". When I talked with my sister Julie, who was 8 at the time, she told me to send him back because we had been expecting a girl.



Well the years passed and Zack has shown himself as an athlete, comedian, and really good guy. I don't really know too many people who have meet Zack who don't love him. He is such a good hearted young man.

I am very proud of my son. I am proud of the young man he is turning out to be, and the direction he is taking in his life. He has always talked about being an architect, and possibly flying planes in the military. He is a christian and gave his life to the Lord a year and a half ago. He loves playing sports, and loves being with his family.

I love you Zachary. I want you to know that you are truly a blessing and you have the best parts of me and your dad. I am so excited to see where you go in your life and so blessed that I get to be here to watch. Happy 15th birthday.....

New Recipes from a newcookbook

So mom got myself Julie and her a new cookbook from Taste of Home. It is a 3 in 1 cookbook with slow cooker recipes, casseroles, and soups. It has like 500+ in it. So I thought I would share the first two I have done from it. They were yummy....

Nutrition Facts
One serving:
Calories:
265
Fat:
9 g
Saturated Fat:
4 g
Cholesterol:
57 mg
Sodium:
306 mg
Carbohydrate:
27 g
Fiber:
2 g
Protein:
19 g
Related Recipes
Related Meals


Four-Pasta Beef Bake
Taste of Home - try a FREE ISSUE today!
This hearty casserole looks and tastes a lot like lasagna, but it's quicker to prepare since you don't have to layer it. It disappears fast when I share it at a gathering. Served with rolls and a salad, it makes an easy and satisfying supper. -Harriet Stichter, Milford, Indiana
SERVINGS: 16-20
CATEGORY: Lower Fat
METHOD: Baked
TIME: Prep: 15 min. Bake: 25 min.
Ingredients:
8 cups uncooked pasta (four assorted pasta shapes of your choice)
2 pounds ground beef
2 medium green peppers, chopped
2 medium onions, chopped
2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
4 jars (26 ounces each) meatless spaghetti sauce
2 eggs, lightly beaten
4 cups (16 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
Directions: Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the beef, peppers, onions and mushrooms over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Drain pasta and place in a large bowl; stir in the beef mixture, two jars of spaghetti sauce and eggs. Transfer to two greased 3-qt. baking dishes. Top with remaining sauce; sprinkle with cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a thermometer reads 160°. Yield: 2 casseroles (8-10 servings each).

Nutrition Facts
One serving:
(1 cup)
Calories:
456
Fat:
21 g
Saturated Fat:
8 g
Cholesterol:
94 mg
Sodium:
1323 mg
Carbohydrate:
29 g
Fiber:
2 g
Protein:
33 g

Chicken Tortilla Casserole
Casserole Cookbook Try a FREE ISSUE of Taste of Home!
I started making this delicious dish about 15 years ago, after my husband and I were married.— Pamela Hoekstra, Hudsonville, Michigan
SERVINGS: 4-6
CATEGORY: Main Dish
METHOD: Baked
TIME: Prep: 20 min. Bake: 30 min.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped celery
3 cups cubed cooked chicken
10 flour tortillas (6 inches), torn into bite-size pieces
1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
3/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1 cup salsa
Directions: In a saucepan, bring the broth, onion and celery to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 5-7 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Place in a large bowl; add chicken, tortillas, soup, chilies, 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese and pepper. Transfer to a greased 11-in. x 7-in. baking dish. Top with salsa and remaining cheeses. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until heated through. Yield: 4-6 servings.



I hope you enjoy them... maybe I will share more that I do from it