Time for a Recipe...

So today I was cooking.

Yes that is right. I was cooking. I know I know....it's hard to believe. But every now and then I venture to the kitchen for more than a diet pepsi.

So today is my mom's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANA. And since we are homebound because of the car, I decided to make my homemade manicotti bake. It's not the average manicotti. But it is VERY popular here in our house.

So I thought well why not share. Maybe some of you will get as much enjoyment from it as my family does. It's actually pretty easy to make. So here is the recipe for Jenni's Famous Manicotti Bake.

Well maybe not famous...but I am all about embellishment.

Ingredients:
1 Box of Manicotti Noodles
1 Small can of spinach (you can use fresh but I am cheap)
2 8 oz bags of cheese- now you don't HAVE to use this much. But we LIKE ours extra cheesy. And I typically use the 6 cheese italian blend. It has parmesan in it and saves an added expense.
1 15 oz container of Ricotta cheese
1 Egg
Your Choice of Spaghetti Sauce

Now on to the instructions:

Put noodles into a pot of water to cook. *TIP* Use a little oil to prevent sticking *ADDITIONAL TIP* if you use oil do not spill the boiling water on your foot or it WILL cause 3rd degree burns

While noodles are boiling, mix 1 bag of cheese, ricotta cheese, egg and spinach in a bowl. mix well.

Open spaghetti sauce.

Once noodles are cooked, cool them. Now I am impatient. So I replace the hot water in the pot with ice cold water so I can move along.

Take each noodle and stuff it with cheese mixture. Now this can be difficult. And the noodles make break. Thats OKAY. You can just fill it and stick it back together. It doesn't matter because this isn't traditional manicotti.

Once noodles are stuffed place them in a baking pan. You want one with some depth because you will topping the noodles.

You will probably have some cheese mixture left over. Now you can trash it, save it or use it. I usually use it. I top the noodles first with the mixture that is left. Then I pour spaghetti sauce over the top LIGHTLY. You don't want it too saucy. After that top with remaining bag of cheese. Again you don't have to have that much cheese. This is FAR from a healthy recipe. But oh so good.

Once you have topped the noodles, stick in the oven at 350 for 30 minutes or less depending on your oven. Be sure to watch it.

And another tip: Don't forget you are cooking and burn the top layer LOL

Let cool. Eat and enjoy!

Organization...

So it is my mission in life to organize. My life. My schedule. My finances. And most importantly my home. That is my current BIG goal.

So when I saw that Confessions of a Yummy Mummy was giving away a bunch of organizational stuff....I JUMPED. But I also wanted to share it here. There is not only a planner, some post it's and cute cute cute storage boxes. But she is also including a Target gift card AND a Container Store gift card.

You can't beat it!! I am soooo hoping to win this one! It would be the perfect start to my new organization plan!

And the bad news...

They took my taxes.

As in the WHOLE check.

Stupid student loans.

Here I think my answer is coming and now I am at ROCK BOTTOM. I do not know how we will take care of the things hanging over our head. Top of the list is of course the brakes. Since we can't drive anywhere and can't get Madison to school. UGH.

But strangely enough, I feel an inner peace. I KNOW there is a purpose to this. That God is working through me right now. He is leading me where I need to be.

Now if He would just give me a clue.

The good news...

Madison made the talent show. Well sort of. She had to change the song she was singing. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing. But two girls chose the same song. And Madison messed up some words. So she was the one to change.

But she will be singing in it.

Provided I can get her there :(

The good news and the bad news..

Please tell me its not just me. That this happens to others too. You see I have never just been able to say "I've got good news". It seems bad news is synonymous with the good news. So the phrase most often used around here is "I've got good news and I've got bad news"

Is it just me? Do others simply have good things happen without the bad?

Stay tuned for my good news/bad news posts.

You can make this....

Have you ever visited their site?? I had the privilege of "meeting" one of the founders through HCTS. She is VERY talented in what she does. I often browse through their site and dream about what I plan to attempt to make. So many cute things to choose from.

So when I realized that Blogging Momma was doing a giveaway with a $50 bundle from You Can Make This, I just had to sign up. And since I "know" the people and the quality of what they teach, I had to recommend it here.

So head on over to Blogging Momma's site and sign up for your chance to win!!

There is a curse on me...

or else God has a sense of humor.

I have been waiting on taxes. Expecting them the 30th. Good news right? Can pay some much needed bills? Get back on track?

So today the brakes went out.

I dont mean they acted up a tad.

We are talking smoke billowing out from the tires, can't stop, serious going out.

So tomorrow I will find out how much of the tax money will go to brakes.

Then I get to decide who we put off.

I say food. Who really decided we needed that stuff anyways?? LOL

But my positive chatter for the day: Madison auditioned today. She said she did well. We find out Friday if she made it.

Wish us luck.