Probably my all-time favorite store... not because I purchase from the store... but, I LOVE all the pretty things as sources of INSPIRATION... full of beautiful things & great ideas.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
day 21. a recipe.
This is a YUMMY new recipe! I did everything possible to make it more healthy... *Turkey sausage, *whole wheat pasta, *no olives, *half of the cheese. So good! :)
Baked Ziti
This hearty baked pasta combines sweet Italian sausage with eggplant and two kinds of cheeses. To streamline preparation, the same pan is used for sautéing the vegetables on the stovetop and then baking the pasta dish in the oven.
Ingredients:
- 4 tsp. plus 1 Tbs. olive oil
- 3/4 lb. sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 small eggplant, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup dry red wine
- 1 can (28 oz.) crushed plum tomatoes with juices
- 5 oz. ziti, cooked until al dente
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1/3 cup rinsed chopped Kalamata olives
- 2 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
Directions:
Position a rack in the upper third of an oven and preheat to 400°F.
In a 10-inch nonstick fry pan over medium-high heat, warm 2 tsp. of the olive oil. Add the sausage and cook, stirring and crumbling with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
Discard all but 1 Tbs. of the fat in the pan. Set the pan over medium-high heat and warm 2 tsp. of the olive oil. Add the eggplant and cook, stirring occasionally, under tender and browned, about 6 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl.
Set the pan over medium heat and warm the remaining 1 Tbs. olive oil. Add the onion and cook until softened, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the wine, increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a boil, stirring to scrape up the browned bits. Cook until the liquid is almost evaporated, about 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes and their juices and simmer until thickened, about 10 minutes.
Add the sausage, pasta, basil, olives, 2 cups of the mozzarella and the tomato sauce to the bowl with the eggplant and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer the pasta mixture to the fry pan and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella and the Parmigiano-Reggiano on top. Cover the pan, transfer to the oven and bake for 25 minutes. Uncover the pan and broil at 500°F for 5 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Serves 6.
day 20. a hobby of yours.
I love it when I have an excuse to make and decorate CUPCAKES! :) These are some of the cute Easter ones I made for life group last week! And they were YUMMY!
day 19. a talent of yours.
So, I kinda love that I get to take photos of cute little kiddos like this... I feel very blessed that God has entrusted this talent to me... I get to capture moments in time for people... that they will hopefully treasure forever.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
day 18. whatever tickles your fancy.
So, I've been dreaming of sitting in a porch swing... house out in the country... drinking iced tea on a warm summer night watching the fireflies... (and maybe eating watermelon!)... with windows open, curtains blowing in the breeze... friends over to chat... something yummy baking in the oven... sounds heavenly to me. :)
Thursday, March 25, 2010
day 17. an art piece.
Jumping right ahead to day 17. :) This is something I LOVE to do. These are some earrings I made... and they happen to be for sale. $32. Let me know if you want to purchase them! :) [shameless plug]
Saturday, March 20, 2010
I went to the salvation army thrift store yesterday and overheard this guy's story... he was in his mid-20's and a volunteer was helping him pick out things he would need to start a life on his own... off the streets...dress clothes, shoes, coat, luggage...he couldn't believe he could pick out anything in the store that he needed... my heart was so happy for him... God reminded me that one person truly matters... this guy's life was changed... little things can make a huge difference. ♥ .
day 12. whatever tickles your fancy.
I can't help it. These just make me smile. Every lovely element of color and vintage. SPRING. I love these "whatever tickles your fancy" days...
day 10. photo taken of you over 10 years ago.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
day 09. photo(s) that you took.
Photos? I take LOTS of those. ;)
I kinda LOVE to take photos of PEOPLE. :)
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
day 08. photo that makes you sad.
God is the hope for the hopeless... He is near to the cry of the orphan. Precious little child left orphaned by the recent earthquake in Haiti. Wish I could give them a hug and take them home with me.
Monday, March 15, 2010
retreat 2010.
If you ever need God to rock your world... sign up to be a high school life group leader... better yet... get signed up by someone else. :) This semester has been one of the most significant times of growth I have ever experienced. When there are people in your life looking up to you and depending on you... it changes you. I suppose it is a similar feeling of responsibility to having a spouse or children. It's basically a process of getting over yourself so that someone else's life can be better. God has really challenged me with the reality that I only have a window of opportunity with some of these students... maybe a matter of weeks for the graduating seniors. I have to be intentional. Although there have been great obstacles and challenges, sitting on the floor in the basement of our host home listening to student after student telling about how God is changing their life... makes it worth every minute of prayer, sweat, and hard work. Yes... retreat was tons of fun... getting all decked out in pink, getting hit in the head four times in a row in one game of dodgeball, running through the mud to the finish line, crazy cheers, losing your voice, wild bus rides, late nights... love it all... but, it's so cool how God can use all of that to tear down walls, build relationships, and get students' attentions.
Sometimes the change is a journey of breakthrough after breakthrough... sometimes it's immediate. Students are now wanting to come to church... taking notes... asking deep questions... passionately praying for their unsaved family... being bold about their faith... breaking free from the chains that have bound them. And it's just the beginning?! :) Wow. Can't believe I get to be part of this.
day 06. whatever tickles your fancy.
I love this photo so much. spring flowers. vintage. random arrangement. the unexpected mirror and clock. bright, fresh colors. makes me think of spring. and I just love that. :) I wish this was my nightstand to wake up to every morning. :) hmmm... might have to do something about that. :) makes me excited for farmer's market flowers!
day 05. favorite quote(s).
Friday, March 12, 2010
day 04. favorite book.
This has been quite an influential book in my life over the past couple of years... one of those books that you buy used and highlight to your heart's content... so you can go back through and read those parts... definitely worth reading. :)
Thursday, March 11, 2010
day 03. favorite tv show.
On the rare occasion that I watch TV... I really love to watch this show! baking, crafts, health, gardening... lots of fun stuff! :) I know it makes me pretty cool! :)
martha stewart living.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
day 02. favorite movie(s).
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