Rainy days

It has been raining here all week long...



That means no playing outside at home...



No playing on the playground at school...



What are a couple of pent-up, four-year-olds to do?



The short answer is to look for any indoor activity that releases all of that energy...



Bouncy balls are a lot quieter than roller skating indoors...



and slightly more safe, although I contemplated the need for a helmet after Gracie was thrown from her bouncy ball the 5th or 6th time...



but there were no injuries... only a good time.

Recipe of the week: Lasagna

I do not recall where I found the below recipe for lasagna. I definitely found it online, but I do not recall the site (Cooks.com, maybe?). The printed copy of the recipe does not list a site notation, and I failed to bookmark and/or otherwise note the origin.

This is a delicious lasagna that is well worth the involved time and effort. However, I think most of us would save this for a weekend option.

Lasagna

Ingredients:

1 pound sweet Italian sausage
3/4 pound lean ground beef
1/2 cup minced onion
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
2 (6.5 ounce) cans canned tomato sauce
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil leaves
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
12 lasagna noodles
16 ounces ricotta cheese
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 pound mozzarella cheese, sliced
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1) In a Dutch oven, cook sausage, ground beef, onion and garlic over medium heat until well browned. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce and water. Season with sugar, basil, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, 1 tablespoon salt, pepper and 2 tablespoons parsley. Simmer, covered, for about 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.

2) Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain noodles, and rinse with cold water. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese with egg, remaining parsley and 1/2 teaspoon salt.

3) Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

4) To assemble, spread 1 1/2 cups meat sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Arrange 6 noodles lengthwise over meat sauce. Spread with one half of the ricotta cheese mixture. Top with a third of mozzarella cheese slices. Spoon 1 1/2 cups meat sauce over mozzarella, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers, and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Cover with foil: to prevent sticking, either spray foil with cooking spray, or make sure the foil does not touch the cheese.

5) Bake in preheated over for 25 minutes. Remove foil, and bake an additional 25 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes before serving.

Dimples and toothy grins

Easy, breezy patios and porches

Now that we are officially into spring, I spent some time perusing other-worldly porches yesterday on the Southern Living site. Granted, I am supposed to be looking for ideas for our guest room that will be converted to a nursery in a month or so, but these porches caught my eye.

Anyrate.

Here are the slides.

Sunday best?

Sunday mornings are a race against the clock. While it would be nice to gather the girls together for a quick snapshot or two, it doesn't seem to happen.

Instead, the best I can do is capture a pic or two upon our return home. These pics are usually devoid of part of the attire (in the below case, the sweaters have been removed). Also, there are usually Kool-Aid mustaches and an overall disheveled look from playing with their friends.

Friday's quote

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

-Jesus Christ, Matthew 5:9

Dancing monkeys

SXSW

I know very little about this conference, and what I do know I have gleaned over the years from reading about others' experiences. Basically, I like to get my nerdiness vibe going vicariously.

My favorite post-SXSW recaps this year include:

1) Maggie Mason's update of the Mobile Manners Brunch. Who wouldn't want to eat quiche and discuss etiquette? No? Just me? I can think of several of you who would be down for this.

2) Eleven very short stories about SXSW by James Mitchell via Matt Haughey.

Recipe of the week: Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

This recipe has been around forever and ever, and everyone refers to it as something different, i.e., chocolate oatmeal cookies, no-bake cookies, quick cookies, drop cookies, etc. The bottom line? They are one of my all time, hands down, favorite cookies. Actually, for me they are number one, with a bullet. The recipe is from my mom, but I think most moms have this one lurking in their little recipe boxes from the 70's. Here it is, in case you have somehow missed it:

Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

Put in a saucepan:

4 cups sugar
1 cup cocoa
1/2 pound butter
1 cup milk

Bring to a rolling boil, and then cook for two minutes. Then add:

1 cup peanut butter
6 cups oats
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons vanilla

Mix thoroughly, and then drop on wax paper.

I like that recipes from the 1970's did not get flowery with language and/or mince words. Somehow I managed to lift the original typed (and much worn) index card from my mom, and it really does add to the experience. This recipe is obviously pre-Food network, pre-Williams Sonoma and pre-everything else that makes simple cookies pretentious.

Anyrate. These are scrumptious. I have made a vow to myself to only make them once a year (at Christmas time), but I did make an exception this week and make them for Skip's family.

Wordless Wednesday

Stalking

Today I stalked our mail carrier.

Almost a year ago, I started researching the 50mm 1.4 lens. The price, unfortunately, was very offputting. I looked for some used options, but could never bring myself to accept the risk. Periodically, I would poke around again to see if I could find anyone with a barely used lens who might be looking to trade up (and reasonably sell their current lens to me). Finally last week I located such a lens on eBay (natch). The lens was purchased eight months ago and its owner wanted to acquire a 70mm version instead. I was intrigued. I bid, and I won.

Then I became nervous. Because, even used, the price is still exorbitant, albeit 20-25% off the new, retail price. Very thankfully, I received incredibly generous birthday funds (back in December) from my mom, my dad and stepmom, and Skip's parents. Still, we tend to hoard special funds such as those, and I never purchase anything of significant value, sight unseen. To be completely truthful, I rarely purchase anything of significant value period.

The item shipped immediately after payment was sent and was scheduled for delivery today. Since my signature was required, the stalking was necessary. The lens arrived and is absolutely perfect. It is in great condition with very minimal use, and I couldn't be happier with the purchase.

Thanks Mom; Dad and Eva; and Ralph and Sally! I LOVE it!!!

Go, Gran, Go!!!

Tomorrow Skip's mom is undergoing surgery (hip replacement). Please pray that everything is smooth sailing and that Gran is back to playing with the girls in no time.

Go, Gran, GO!!!

Spring break

Last week was spring break, and we had a fantastic time doing some of our favorite activities at home.

First, we struck out for the zoo to see the new African Safari exhibit with all of the new elephants. However, the first elephant to be on display saw the crowd, became spooked and was ushered back to his new home. Skip thinks he may have seen all the Alabama Crimson Tide gear (i.e., Big Al the elephant) and probably thought he had somehow gotten mixed up with a weird elephant cult.

No matter... we had a great time anyway exploring the petting zoo, riding the carousel and seeing the other, non-spooked animals.





We dined out a couple of times... al fresco, of course.



We tried out a couple of playgrounds that are not in our neighborhood:




We celebrated birthdays with Grammie and also Poppa:



We logged on a few times to do a little work:



We also spent a morning making cookies in our Easy Bake Oven!





We played outside a lot, mostly blowing bubbles, picking flowers and...






... and playing football!






We are returning to regular routines and schedules today, but last week made us eager for summer. How about you?

Friday's quote

Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been.

-Mark Twain

Kisses

Recipe of the week: Pot Roast

After spending a couple of weekends traveling, we were ready to embrace the comfort of home food again. Accordingly, a simple Pot Roast appeared on our menu right away. Here is one of our favorites (via Martha Stewart):

Pot Roast
Serves 4-6

3 pound piece beef for pot roast
Course salt and freshly ground pepper
4 carrots, peeled and cut into 3-inch lengths
4 medium Yukon gold or white potatoes, peeled and cut into quarters
1 large onion, thinly slliced
2 dried bay leaves (we omit the bay leaves; there is plenty of flavor without them)
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's Tomato Soup

1) Season beef with salt and pepper. Place carrots, potatoes, and onion in a Crock-Pot. Season with salt and pepper. Add bay leaf and thyme. Place meat on top of vegetables. Add soup. (We also add half a can of water to help the potatoes and carrots cook.) Cover, and cook on low heat for 8 hours (high for six hours).

2) Remove meat to a cutting board. Transfer vegetables to a platter. Slice meat, and add to platter. Pour sauce into a liquid measuring cup and skim fat. Taste, and adjust for seasoning. Pour sauce over meat and vegetables, and serve.

Enjoy!

Praying specifically

I believe in the specificity of prayer. I believe this vast and intricate universe of ours evidences God's love of details, and I further believe He expects us to be detailed and specific also. Accordingly, I want to share the below message from Sarah (via Facebook), for whom I requested prayers earlier this week, outlining her current situation.

From reviewing her note, you will see that she has been given the "green light" to begin a trial at Duke, starting 03-16-11. Sarah has a 67% chance of receiving a chemotherapy drug (and a 33% chance of receiving a placebo).

***PLEASE pray that she receives the drug (versus the placebo).***

From there, "this drug has been shown to have approximately 30% efficacy in shrinking adrenal cancer patients’ tumors and is a much more targeted therapy than conventional chemotherapy drugs (and of which have not been proven effective in combatting adrenal cancer)."

***PLEASE PRAY that this drug is effective for Sarah.***

***PRAY that she is healed.

Thank you again for continuing to pray.



Pray for a Miracle!

by Sarah Lindsey Gupta on Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at 9:07pm.

My dear, dear Facebook Family,

First let me say thank you for your countless words of encouragement and support this past weekend. It’s been an extremely difficult weekend...and your kindness and support have been overwhelming! Thank you for loving me and Sumit! We are so blessed to know each and every one of you...which is why we are reaching out to all of you again tonight asking for your prayers and love.

I have to give glory where glory is due.....so praise God for ALL He has provided and lined up these past few days. I am in AWE over His mighty Power and abilities, moved by His compassion and gentleness, and stunned by His PERFECT timing. Without going into a laundry list of all the difficult news we were told this last weekend, please just pray that Sumit and I continue to seek God’s Voice in this storm and follow His will--as we believe His way is NEVER wrong! We sincerely give all glory and thanks to Him; and feel with all of our hearts and souls that He is not only working great things in OUR lives...but also in the lives of THOUSANDS of people that love and support us unceasingly! For all of you that have so kindly expressed how WE have inspired you--please know that while we are very flattered by these words, we simply can not take credit for the power of the Lord. He is the Great Physician. He is the amazing Redeemer. He is the inspiration of OUR hearts. He has taught us so much! Please don’t thank us--THANK HIM! Without His love and grace and mercy; we would have nothing.

Fortunately, I have been found ELIGIBLE for a clinical trial chemotherapy drug at Duke known as Insulin Growth Factor Receptor OSI-906 and will begin treatment tomorrow morning at 8 am. This drug has been shown to have approximately 30% efficacy in shrinking adrenal cancer patients’ tumors and is a much more targeted therapy than conventional chemotherapy drugs (and of which have not been proven effective in combatting adrenal cancer). Unfortunately, there is a 33% chance that I will receive a placebo on this clinical trial. Based on the current size and location of my tumors, I am not a surgical candidate at this time (the only PROVEN cure for ACC or adrenocortical carcinoma)....so this is my best shot at beating this disease right now.

This drug is my best chance at shrinking my tumors. I write to y’all tonight begging for your prayers. Pray that whatever God’s will is for us, we will be led down that path and listen to His voice. Pray that our Lord Jesus Christ has mercy on me, and allows me the opportunity to live a long and HEALTHY life here on earth with my beloved HUSBAND, Sumit Gupta, and my family and friends. I want so badly to glorify God’s name and sing HIS miraculous praises; because it is ONLY through Him and by Him that anything in this world matters. I’m asking you to pray for a miracle. I’m asking you to ask God to save my life. I’m asking you to PRAY with all your heart, mind, and soul that God provides everything I need at exactly the right time so that I can live a life on this planet in which He feels proud of! I want so badly to be the woman He wants me to be. I want SOOOOOOO badly to spend a LONG time here on earth as a healthy and subservient woman of God. I mean that with ALL that I am; but I will admit it gets really difficult to keep my focus on the Lord when so many of the “white-coats” are giving me their human perspective on everything.

It may very well be that God’s plan is NOT that this drug works. I really may not be here for as long as I’d like...but please know that I believe whatever the circumstance, God is NEVER wrong. His view on everything is FAR greater than our own. Who knows what all He has in store for any one of us at any given point in our lives? Our time on earth is but a blink of the eye in the grand scheme of things--so why not LOVE and appreciate all that He has given each one of us so selflessly? It amazes me how INCREDIBLE and complex a world I’ve been handed over by someone that simply asks me to love and trust Him. It really doesn’t get more simple and beautiful than that. I sincerely believe He loves each and every one of us beyond what we will ever be able to understand...not because of what we DO, but because of WHO WE ARE.

He commands us to love each other. He instructs us not to worry or be anxious in anything. I have been so wrong in spending any time wasting away the precious time He has given me...and I ask each of you to look inside yourselves and let go of any of the worry or anxiety you may feel in your heart. Just trust Him and He will provide. I’m sure of that. I believe He will see me through this and be by my side each and every step of the way. I love Jesus with all my heart, and have seen TOO many of His miraculous good works (especially just within the last week) to discredit His power. I ask you to pray that I am able to maintain the patience and strength to allow His name all the goodness and glory He ultimately deserves. Pray for a miracle! Please just pray for a miracle! :) All things are possible with God!

A stroll through Colonial Williamsburg

Last weekend in Williamburg, our only down time consisted of a super quick lunch before the Saturday afternoon wedding. In total, we had four antsy travelers on our hands, and therefore, we decided to head to Williamsburg for a quick stroll and lunch.










Stretching the legs of four under-ten wedding guests was absolutely mandatory (at least for the two youngest). Finally, a slideshow of the weekend can be found here.