Serendipity: An unexpected but pleasant surprise.
Its been my favorite word for a very long time. And I love every time it happens.
Last night, I decided to try a new recipe. I'd seen one in a magazine/recipe book at the grocery store and just loosely remembered the idea and tried my own version of it at home. It turned out delicious! Just as we were sitting down to eat, the neighbors stopped by to return gloves they'd found along the road on their afternoon walk that they suspected might belong to one of our daughters (which they did). We invited them to join us for dinner as I had made plenty and we were just starting. It turned out to be a wonderful evening of fellowship and just getting to know each other a bit more.
Isn't Serendipity fabulous? I hope you will find some or make some for someone else too with a Good Deed today!
Here's that recipe, and some ideas for changing it up too!
Quick “Lasagna”
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Ingredients: (I love that these are things you can stock in the freezer and cabinet too and then toss together quickly last minute!)
1-2 bag(s) of frozen raviolis (I used cheese for this first one but any flavors would work well I think) (For my 10”sq baking dish, I used 32 large raviolis in layers of 4x4 so depends on the bag size and dish size. That made about 7-8 large servings, or nearly double that if smaller.)
1-2 jars of sauce (I used a Ragu Garlic Parmesan white sauce. You can use Alfredo or Marinara also, just depends on what you want for flavors, diet, calories, etc.).
1 box of frozen spinach, thawed and drained.
½-1 jar of pesto, just depends on how flavorful you want the dish.
Approx. ½ cup of shredded parmesan.
Directions:
Mix the spinach with the pesto sauce in a bowl.
Then in a baking pan, create two layers of the sauce (bottom of pan), then Spinach/Pesto mix, then Raviolis.
Finish with another layer of sauce to cover the raviolis, and sprinkle with the parmesan.
Bake: 350 degrees F for approx. 35 minutes, until bubbly.
Add a vegetable or salad on the side and a bread, and voila, dinner.
I think next time I’m going to try different raviolis (such as the vegetable or seafood ones) and sauces and other veggies too like zucchini, shredded carrots, eggplant or broccoli in with the spinach. I’m always trying to find ways to increase the veggie intake.
I think you could also use pierogies in place of the raviolis too. And it should freeze well like any lasagna also!
Enjoy!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
A Little Whimsy!
I joined a swap on SplitCoastStampers for Whimsy Jars. The word Whimsy is just fun, and is defined as being an odd, fanciful or fun notion.
A Whimsy Jar is basically a decorated jar filled with goodies.
In the swap, we are each assigned a secret sister who posts her 'wish list' answers to several questions so you have ideas of her likes/dislikes, and based on that, you fill a jar you have decorated with several goodies, and mail it to her. Here is the photo of mine... I crocheted a fun topper, wrapped it with decorated paper, made a matching tag, added ribbon and a handmade flower, and filled it to the brim (literally) with items from her list.
I love the idea of this, particularly for just a fun good deed. Remember the old idea of making something such as a plate of cookies, and then secretly sneaking up to someone's door, putting them on the doorstep, ringing the doorbell and then running off before they could answer? There is a joy all its own in doing the good deeds anonymously, I think particularly because we know how fun it must be for the recipient, and how wonderful to know you are being thought of and cared for in such a way.
My mind just swirls with ideas of things you can fill a fun jar with... candy, magnets, hobby items, toys, notepads, a gift card or certificate such as a movie rental and popcorn packet, homemade goodies, etc. So why not create a Whimsy jar and deliver it (anonymously or not) to someone this week?!
May all our lives be filled with a little Whimsy (and a lot of good deeds)!
Friday, February 10, 2012
BE BLESSED!
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Matthew 6:33 tells us to "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
This world and satan have daily distractions to try to deter us from that. But we can combat that by surrounding ourselves with daily reminders of God's great promises and love for us, from devotionals, to crafts, to decor, our screen savers, to even the dishes we use in our home. That is one reason I've signed up to be a Consultant with BLESSINGS UNLIMITED.
If you haven't seen their products, they are quality items that help you to incorporate your faith into all you do through the day. Take a look at their catalog sometime, and if you have any interest, my website link is to the right on my blog. (The picture above is the hostess special this month.) If nothing else, be inspired to surround yourself with the reminders of His Love, just as He is omnipresent and omnipotent. Be Blessed!
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