17: Alanna's favorite number

Again, nothing new to post.  Alanna said her favorite number is 17, so here is the seventh picture in the first folder...

Surprisingly, it turned out to be a picture of Alanna performing a ballet dance to "Be Our Guest" at a competition in Casper in 2006 (I think). 

777

When I have nothing new to post I think I will just start posting old pictures.  I asked Brad what his favorite number is and he said, "777."  So here is picture number 777.

Miley in December 2007, about 6 months old.

The first time I ever used a digital camera...

This was taken with my very first digital camera.  It is still one of my favorite pictures. 

Fourth folder, eighth picture...

Thanks to Kristen tagging me, I have something to post for today.  Actually, I was going to take pics at the girls' school carnival and post them tonight and save this for tomorrow, but, believe it or not, I took my camera with me and forgot to use it!  Why do I always forget to use my camera?   Especially when I'm supposed to be posting a picture everyday?  Maybe it was because I was so busy running to the bank, setting up booths, and serving up chilli and cinnamon rolls. 

Oh well, here is the 8th picture in my 4th folder that Kristen tagged me to post:

This was a Alanna's 4th birthday party in July 2004. 

Chillaxin'

At least Jake has no problem taking it easy! 

Spinach Lasagna

http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=1375

Ingredients

2 cups cottage cheese, 1% Milkfat (not packed)

1 large egg, or equiv egg substitute

2 cups mozzarella cheese, part skim milk

1 jar spaghetti/marinara sauce (tomato sauce)

1 pkg spinach, frozen (10 oz)

9 lasagna noodles

1 cup water

1/8 tsp black pepper

3/4 tsp oregano, ground


Directions

Preparation: In a large bowl mix thawed and drained spinach, cottage cheese, 1 cup mozzarella, egg and seasonings.

Spray cooking spray on a lasagna tray or 13x9x2 baking dish. Layer 1/2 cup sauce, 3 noodles and 1/2 cheese mixture. Repeat layer.

Top with remaining noodles then sauce and sprinkle with 1 cup of mozzarella.

You can also sprinkle grated parmesan cheese on top. Pour water around the edges and put a few toothpicks on top. This will prevent the cheese from sticking to the foil.

Cover with foil and bake at 350* for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, or until lasagna is bubbly.

Let stand for 15 minutes before serving.

Note: You can also substitute chopped broccoli for the spinach.

Number of Servings: 8

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user KARASTART.

What a day!

Oh man, what a day!  It was definitely a Monday.  Hopefully, today wasn't any indication of how the rest of the week will go.  I had a busy day at work and so did Brad.  Makenna was busy with Honor Band practice and homework after school and Alanna had dance.  Brad and I were able to go on "date" to Starbucks after work, which was very much needed.  Once we got home, though, it was time for supper, homework and clean up. 

Homework time!

Spaghetti noodle mess

Makenna helping "clean up" the noodles

"Oops!  Did I do that?"

Brad helping me clean up the mess while Makenna documents the whole ordeal.

Crustless Spinach, Onion, and Feta Quiche

Another tasty recipe: http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=308291

Ingredients


1 medium onion, diced

6-oz fresh baby spinach

2 large eggs

1/2 cup egg beaters (liquid substitute)

1/2 cup all purpose flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

pinch cayenne pepper

1 1/3 cups non fat milk

1/2 cup feta cheese


Directions

Preheat oven to 400F.

Lightly grease a 10-inch quiche/tart pan (or a pie plate)

In a medium frying pan, cook diced onion with a bit of vegetable oil (or cooking spray) over medium-high heat until translucent and tender. Add in fresh spinach and cook until just wilted. Set aside to cool for a few minutes

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, flour, baking powder and salt. Whisk in milk, then stir in spinach-onion mixture.

Pour quiche base into prepared pan. Top with feta cheese.

Bake for 25 minutes, or until center is set and the outside edge is golden brown.

Let set for 5 minutes, then slice and serve.
Number of Servings: 6
Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user JENNLOVE.

Sparkpeople.com

Sorry, I've got nothing for today.  So, I thought I would at least post this link to a really neat website for health and fitness.  Check it out:  http://www.sparkpeople.com/

No Guilt Cheese Enchiladas

Mmmm...these were so good!

http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=797473

A Day in the Life of Rose

Holding down the covers

Still not ready to get out of bed so I can make the bed

Watering time

Chow time

Nap time

Miley time

Looking for something to do

Play time

Breakfast for Dinner tonight

We had breakfast for dinner tonight, or brinner, as Kristen would say.  After a long, tiring day it is nice to come home and have some good comfort food! 

Potato and egg scramble, apple walnut pancakes, and hazelnut coffee

Spaghetti Casserole

This is what we had for supper tonight...

It was delicious!!

Here's the recipe:  http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=106847

Ingredients


6 ounces uncooked multi-grain spaghetti

1 Tbl. olive oil spread (or butter)

1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (can use nonfat for less calories)

1 (26 oz.) jar meatless spaghetti sauce (I used Classico fire roasted tomato & garlic @ 50 cal / 1/2 cup serving)

1 (12 oz.) bag Morningstar Farms Grillers Recipe Crumbles

2 cups chopped green pepper

1 (14.5 oz.) can diced tomatoes, drained (I used Hunt's Organic basil oregano @ 20 cal / 1/2 cup)

8 oz. nonfat cottage cheese

1 (8 oz.) can mushrooms, chopped

1 small onion, chopped

2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese (I used Kraft Pizza cheese - mozzarella & cheddar)
(Use whatever spices you want. I used extra oregano, but the others were already in the sauce and tomatoes).

3 garlic cloves, minced (optional)

1 Tbl basil or 12 fresh basil leaves, chopped (optional)

1/2 tsp dried oregano (optional)

Directions

Makes 12 servings.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Spray a 13 x 9 x 2 baking dish with cooking spray.



May make ahead and freeze or refrigerate, then thaw before cooking.



1. Cook spaghetti according to package directions; drain & pour into bowl. Add olive oil spread and Parmesan cheese; toss to coat.



2. In a nonstick pan, spray a small amount of cooking spray and saute the onion and pepper. Add Morningstar Farm Crumbles, spaghetti sauce, tomatoes, mushrooms, and seasonings. Heat throughout.



3. Stir in cottage cheese and cooked spaghetti. Add 1-1/2 cups shredded cheese. Pour into greased 13 x 9 x 2 baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining cheese, cover & bake at 350 degrees F. for about 40 minutes or until heated through.



Number of Servings: 12



Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user 4GIVN1.



Number of Servings: 12

Simba and Nala

Remember Simba and Nala from The Lion King?  It seems like so many years ago when that movie came out.  I was sitting in my office tonight trying to think of what to post and I was looking at Simba and Nala sitting on the shelf and it took me down memory lane.  This is the Simba and Nala that Brad brought home for me when he made his first trip back to Newcastle from Jamestown, ND where he was attending college in October of '95; that was over 14 years ago!  He brought me Simba and Nala and a Lion King poster because our first date was when we went to my friend's house and watched The Lion King.  I've managed to keep these all this time and they're still in really good shape, despite losing their box and tags when we let Makenna play with them when she was a baby.  For now, though, they are safe sitting on the shelf, out of Miley's reach. 

Dalbey Park

It was a beautiful day today.  We walked a few laps around the fishing lake at Dalbey Park this afternoon.

Makenna taking pictures of herself...

"This is how we hike with dogs."

Alanna says, "This is how we hike with dogs."  I say, "Leave it to Alanna to hike with dogs like this."

Double Chocolate Mocha Trifle

This is what I made for dessert tonight.  It is so good!!

Here is the recipe:  http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Double-Chocolate-Mocha-Trifle/Detail.aspx

Friday Night Chicken Recipe

This is an awesome recipe.  It makes a lot of food, though; so if you can't use it all, share it with a friend!

http://www.mealsmatter.org/recipes-meals/recipe/33996

Steamed Salmon with Walnut Vinaigrette

Steamed Salmon with Walnut Vinaigrette

Ingredients:

4 salmon fillets (about 3 ounces each)

1 1/3 lbs small red potatoes, quartered

1 lb asparagus, trimmed

1 cup honey-Dijon mustard vinaigrette, low-fat

½ cup walnuts, finely chopped



1. In a three-tier bamboo steamer, place the salmon in one basket, the potatoes in another, and the asparagus in the third. Set over boiling water. Steam for 15 minutes, or until the fish is opaque throughout and the asparagus and potatoes are tender.



2. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine the Dijon mustard vinaigrette and nuts; cook, stirring, over medium heat until the sauce is heated through.



3. Arrange the salmon, potatoes, and asparagus on a platter and serve the sauce alongside.

http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/?page_id=35&iRID=530

Makenna's Band Concerts Then and Now

Makenna performed in her 6th grade band concert tonight.  Her band is half the size it was last year and she is one of two flute players in the band which means she has to play really, really well otherwise people will notice.  They sounded great. 

For those of you who have followed my blog over the past year you may remember how unhappy I was with the set up of the band concert last year...

This was all we could see of Makenna's concert last year in the old school:

This is the view we had this year:

Even though it was hot and crowded in the gym, at least we could see and hear Makenna play.

From Madalen

The girls got their Christmas presents from Madalen today.  For those of you who didn't know Madalen, she was our exchange student 2 years ago.  She sent them each a bag with Body Shop lotion, soap, and perfume.  Getting a package from Madalen was worth the 20 minute wait in the line at the post office today! 

These are just some extra pictures...

"Miley was that you??  You are one stinky little dog."

...in with the new

Yay!!  We got our new washer and dryer today.  I can't wait to put them to good use on Thursday!  It may take me the better part of the day to read the instruction manual so I know how to use them first.

Sharing

Miley and Rose are learning to share...

Apparently, Miley was too exhausted this afternoon to kick the cat off the bed, like she usually does.  So, instead,  she decided to lay down beside Rose and share the bed. 

Getting ready to workout...

Thankfully, Makenna thinks it is hilarious to take pictures of me working out with the Active Trainer for the Wii, otherwise, I wouldn't have had a picture for today.  Anyways, that game really kicks my butt!  I can't believe how sore I get.  Oh yeah, and I am definitely not posting any of the other pics Makenna took of me working out!

Sorry, this is all I got...

Today was a great day- slept in, read my book; walked 5.5 miles and had Starbucks with one of my best friends, then watched My Sister's Keeper with Krista and Makenna.

Out with the old...

What have we done now?  On one hand, I get to take a break from doing laundry, but on the other, it sure is going to pile up.