It’s crazy to see these growing in our backyard when I’ve only seen them used in weddings!
Now only if I had peonies, roses and sweet peas would my life be complete. ;) One day!
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cherjoy
I was given a veggie lasagna recipe from a friend and have been dying to try it. On Saturday we hit up the farmer’s market for some veggies and made a big lasagna feast! To the recipe below I added two cloves of finely chopped garlic and some onion. This lasagna literally melts in your mouth. Enjoy!
INGREDIENTS:
o 1 ½ cups light chunky mushroom & garlic pasta sauce (or your favorite sauce)
o 1 (14.5-ounce) can stewed tomatoes, undrained and chopped
o 2 cups fat free cottage cheese
o ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
o ¼ teaspoon pepper
o Cooking spray
o 9 uncooked lasagna noodles
o 3 cups shredded zucchini (3 medium-sized)
o 6 (1-ounce) slices of provolone cheese, each cut into 6 strips
o You can also use other veggies (can of frozen box spinach, shredded carrots, mushrooms, etc.)
COOKING STEPS:
1. Preheat oven 350 degrees.
2. Combine pasta sauce and tomatoes; stir well and set aside.
3. Combine cottage cheese, parmesan cheese and pepper; stir well and set aside.
4. Spread 1/3 of the tomato mixture into bottom of a 13” x 9” baking dish coasted with cooking spray.
5. Layering:
o Place three uncooked noodles over tomato mixture
o Top with 1/3 of the zucchini
o Spread 1/3 of cottage cheese mixture over zucchini
o Top with 12 provolone cheese strips (2 full slices cut up)
o You can layer the other veggies as you desire
6. Repeat layers twice with remaining tomato mixture, noodles, zucchini, cottage cheese mixture and provolone strips.
7. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 15 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.
*8 servings*
NOTE: Uncooked casserole may be covered and refrigerated overnight. Let chilled lasagna stand at room temperature 30 minutes and then bake according to instructions above.
Now that we’ve been here a few weeks, I’ve quickly adapted to life living on the central coast, where there is weather, trees and endless ocean air.
Here are just a few things I’ve recently learned:
- When taking clothes out of the closet, shake violently in case of spiders. This also applies to shoes, sheets, blankets, and towels.
- At stop signs it helps to signal.
- When reversing, you should always look behind you.
- With the rain come ants.
- Just because it’s sunny doesn’t mean it’s warm.
- Always wear a beanie when running on the beach, or your ears will freeze off.
- If it smells like skunk in the house, it’s just Tacoma.
- When in doubt, leave the insect alone.
- Stop and smell the roses, literally.
- Toms and sandals are not good shoes to wear in the rain.
- If you leave your sun roof open in your car, a raccoon WILL hang out in your car all night.
- The beach is amazing, but not when you have to constantly sweep it up in your house.
- The farmer’s market might be my favorite part of the weekend.
- And last but not least, breathing in the ocean air every day really does make you happier. And I’m convinced that’s why everyone here are so incredibly friendly – because they’re all very happy!
Happy weekend!
Our day in Oia was one of the most memorable days of our trip to Greece. We woke up to a gorgeous blue sky, quickly had breakfast and headed off to the bus station to go to Oia.
Oia was breathtaking.
We had the most AMAZING lunch – the view was incredible!
I so wanted to be this girl reading on the ledge!
After lunch we went on to explore, shop and then made our way down to the shore to swim.
This was the same dock where Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants was filmed:)
After a few hundred pictures, we rode donkeys to the top and had a sunset dinner.
The dessert was to die for. I can’t even explain to you how creamy this pistachio delight was.
While we waited for the sun to set, Rob sipped on a cappuccino and I wrote in my travel journal:
And the rest was history!
Hopefully I didn’t overwhelm you with too many pictures! I have so much more to share. Stay tuned!
When we walk the beach, Rob and I look for pretty shells. And I’ve recently found them the perfect finishing touch to a wrapped gift! My favorites are the ones with the ridges; they’re more artsy.
At my office we have these super soft, American Apparel tees and they come in child, women’s and men’s styles. So I thought to include one in my Mom’s birthday box and also sent a couple out to my 2nd cousins. Also made sure to include a little shell!
Just a heads up. If you receive a gift from me in the near future, it most likely will include a little sea shell;)