Author Archives: katherine

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Recipe: Slow-Cooker Lasagna

Since Andy has been working NONSTOP down at the rental to get it ready for our new tenants (T-minus 5 days, folks) I knew I needed to have really fast, really easy dinners this week. But I also didn’t want them to all be hotdogs.

My slow-cooker and I kind of have a hate-hate relationship. I’m convinced it actually cooks on sterroids because anytime I cook something on “low” heat it’s done if HALF the time the recipe says it will. HALF…that totally throws off the entire concept of a “turn it on before you leave to work then have dinner ready when you get home” slow cooker.

However, since Andy was going to be home with Rylee for the day, I thought this would be a pretty safe, non-hotdog recipe to try.

Although I will admit… I was very skeptical.

I found the recipe on my go-to easy recipe website, the trusty old Kraft Foods. Instead of my typing it all out or trying to mess with the formatting of copy & paste, you can find the recipe HERE.

I did alter a few things in the recipe…for example: I used a spicy italian sausage instead of ground beef, I used part skim ricotta cheese and I used fresh basil instead of parsley.

I was able to get most of this prepped the night before so that I could throw it together Monday morning and put it back in the fridge for Andy to turn on later that day. I had Andy put it in at 2 PM because according to the recipe it only takes 4 hrs to cook and I figured w/ my track record I’d better skim off an hour or so.

Here’s the quick run-down…

The goods…

About this time I’m thinking “Really? This is supposed to work?”

All assembled.

The after-math. Yes, it was so good that 2 of us ate almost half of it.

Judge away folks…

So there you have it! Easy. And it was ready when I got home from work…all I had to do was melt some more cheese on top.

And also? Please make a note that this is NOT mexican food!

Fashion Police Friday – July 15, 2011

Dear Rylee: Looking ahead to your teenage years

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My Dear Miss Rylee,

I know you only recently turned 3, and that your teenage years seem so far off, but I’ve been thinking lately and I wanted to go over a few things about what you can and cannot expect when you hit those dreaded wonderful teen years. And while I’m at it, I’ll also throw in a few tips that’ll make the whole world a happier place.

I don’t even know where to start…

I guess since it’s Summer break and I’ve been running into this a lot lately (no pun intended) we’ll start here…

When you’re a teenager and you cross a street or parking lot or anywhere else you could potentially hold up traffic, DON’T BE AN ASSHOLE! You need to be considerate of other people my dear. That means I want you to run that sweet little behind across the road so that the car doesn’t have to stop just because you’ve got the “pedestrians have the right of way” mentality. And also? If you’re on a road with a sidewalk, for the love of all things holy, use.the.sidewalk.

I want you to be mindful of others. That means when you’re walking through the mall (or football game or where ever) with your little pack of girlfriends, don’t take up the entire walkway. People may want to go around you you know. And people also don’t want to hear about “how drunk you were at so-n-so’s party last week” or that those shorts that girl had on made her look like such a skank…or whatever mean term you crazy kids will use by that point.

I happen to think that last little bit also ties in with not being hateful or judgmental or rude.

Back to being mindful of others, and considerate for that matter, if you notice someone close-ish behind you as you are walking into a building, wait and hold the door for them. Then smile at them too. It’ll brighten their day. This rule also applies to any pregnant lady, mom with babies/toddlers, any older person and anyone with their hands full. Don’t question it, it’s just the right thing to do.

Never, ever underestimate the power of a solid handshake and eye contact. I know you might think it’s silly, but trust me on this one. Oh, and you’d be smart to mention that to any boy you plan on dating too.

Honey I am going to tell you right now, you are not going to get paid for good grades…ever. I don’t care if all of your friends get paid for every A they get. You need to try your hardest, that’s all your dad and I ask. If you don’t get straight A’s, that’s fine as long as you put forth your very best effort.

As long as you are busy in school with sports, or some other extra curricular activity like 4H or FFA or DECA or whatever you choose, your father and I will provide you with a vehicle to drive and pay for your gas and insurance. The minute you stop participating in sports or your chosen activity for whatever reason? You better plan on getting a job. Period.

Well, baby girl, I think that’s all I’ve got for now but don’t be surprised if I add to this list someday.

I want you to love your teenage years, but I also want you to be a well rounded kid that has some common courtesies that are no longer so common.

If you want me to teach you a proper handshake, just let me know.

I love you more than life itself,

Your Mama

Photo Credit

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Have anything to add to my list? Leave me a comment…I want to hear!

Pity…party of one.

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These last few days I’ve just been in a funk. Last night it all seemed to be rising quickly to my breaking point and I had this great post I was writing in my head all about the crappy stuff and how tough my life is and woe is me. A regular old pity party.

Things like having a three year old who loves to push your buttons until she finds just the right one to make you snap. The stupid asshole dog got skunked again. My garden that I finally got under control and planted has decided to take a shit and none of my cucumbers sprouted and the beans all sprouted then died soon after. I’m ready to just cover that section back up with the winter cover and call it a day. And the weeds…oh the weeds. (I am completely convinced that weeds are another one of God’s way to punish Adam and Eve…and now us). And how my wonderful, hardworking husband came home from his 12 day trip to turn right around a few days later and work a 12 hour, then a 14 hour day on the rental…during my weekend. When I specifically requested he get help with Ry during the week so that we could have family time on the weekends. Then there was the realization that, after the rental project was over and the new renters are in, our focus is going to shift to all the other projects on the property that will have been neglected…like painting the barn and repainting the front of our house and mowing the grass on the back half of our property, and by the times that’s all done the front part will need to be brush hogged again. Plus that’s also on top of the regular mowing of our “yard”. Suddenly, all of the fun summer “to-dos” I had swirling around in my head seemed to come to a screeching halt.

Combine all that with the fact that I just went off of a medication I’d been on going on 3 years and my hormones are just all sorts of crazy and it was getting to me. Holy balls was it getting to me…

Then, last night after I put Rylee to bed, while Andy was (still) down working at the rental I picked up the phone and made a phone call. While there was nothing deep and philosophical about the conversation, it automatically made me feel better. The mini bowl of chocolate ice cream probably helped too.

After I hung up the phone I thought for a few minutes. And I prayed.

This whole shit storm? Guess what…it’s just life. And it’s a life that we chose. Sure we might not get to go on all the amazing camping trips I had planned out in my head. But it doesn’t mean that we can’t go on one. And we can do plenty of other fun stuff. I need to stop being so selfish. It’s time for me to put my big girl britches on and suck it up.

We chose this.

P.S. Shout out to my very best friend Julia…my B. Just…thanks…

4th O July Recap

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I know I’m a few days late here folks but I’ve been enjoying these last two days off. Soaking up all the sunshine and family time I can get. Do you blame me?

I didn’t think so.

Moving right along…

Our 4th of July was nothing short of perfect. Well, as perfect as it can be while missing the man of the family but Rylee and I made the most of it!

We started out the morning going on a hike with cousins we never see nearly enough. It was so great to spend some time with them. The hike was pretty easy (perfect for carrying an extra 30+ pounds on your back!) and it was gorgeous!

(click the photo to enlarge)

After we got home I turned a movie on for Rylee so I could shower and make the nearly-world-famous “Marlene Dip” for our Fourth of July party. We go to the same party every year. Andy’s been going for the last 15+ years and I’ve gone for as long as Andy and I have been together! It’s always a ton of fun and there’s so.much.food. I’m not even kidding…I’m pretty sure I ate an entire day’s worth of calories in the span of about 2 hours! This year the gathering was smaller than normal, but it was perfect. Rylee had a great time playing with her buddy “Tee-an” (as she calls him). She is still not a huge fan of fireworks so we stayed until she told me she was ready to go home.

I’m still busy catching up on things…how was your 4th of July?

Somewhere In The Middle

Mostly Average Accounts of the World's Okayest Mom.