Garden Boxers
Since we’re first-time homeowners, the thought of maintaining a garden just seemed way too hard for us (and too much work). But after living in our house for a little over a year now (!), green fever has finally hit. Over the past few weeks, ManFiancé has been working on building a garden box. We don’t know the first thing about gardening, but I’m planning on figuring it out along the way.
Oddly enough, we came home a few weeks ago to 3 plants sitting on our sidewalk: pepper, tomato and strawberry. We didn’t know where they came from or who left them, but they were right there for the taking. So we took them. It’s not stealing if it’s on your property right? We were convinced this was a sign. A good sign? Still not so sure.
This weekend, the garden box was finally finished. Only the pepper has survived out of the 3 (it’s been about 4 weeks since we found them), so that’s the only plant in our “garden” so far. It concerns me a little that we managed to kill the strawberry and tomato plant already, but I’ll just pretend they never existed (they were free, after all).
{ok, so the tomato plant is still there, but it’s on its last stem}
Like I said, we don’t really know what we’re doing. If you know of any good veggies or fruits that are hardy and can thrive in the hot Florida weather – I’m all ears.
p.s. congrats to ManFiancé for his first successful build. more projects to come? we’ll see.
New Lineup
Maybe I’ve been crazy busy, maybe I’ve been uninspired, or maybe I’m just plain lazy. (ok, so that’s probably it)
I haven’t blogged in 3 weeks. I think about it, but thinking doesn’t translate into doing. I know it’s pretty bad when even ManFiancé says something. He knows I go through my lulls here and there, but when he says things like, “so I guess you don’t have your blog anymore…” That’s no bueno.
I got to thinking while I was in the shower this morning, I should create an editorial calendar. It’s something I do in my professional life, why not do it for my personal blog as well? It only makes sense. It’ll keep me on a schedule, and you’ll know what to expect. A win-win for everyone!
So, here goes – starting next week the new lineup will be as follows:
Miscellaneous Mondays – Mondays are a good day to re-live the antics that have occurred over the weekend. Since I’ll no longer be doing my Happy Weekend posts (where I divulge exciting information about me cleaning the house), I’ll share at least one fun, miscellaneous thing I either did, ate, saw or whatever over the weekend. Or I might just post a picture of my dog. Just as good.
Time-Off Tuesdays – I hate Tuesdays. No blogging today, unless something crazy happens. Like the world ending.
Wedding-Stuff Wednesdays – I’m planning a wedding, so you get to read about all the fun that entails. The joys.
Thrifty-Find Thursdays – I’m a cheap girl, and I love finding a good deal. I find it, you reap the benefits.
Food Fridays – I like to eat, and you like to look at pictures of food. Maybe if you like one of these recipes enough, you’ll try it over the weekend. No excuses, you have 2 full days to mess it up.
So, what do you think?
I can’t guarantee I’ll be an avid 4-times-a-week blogger, but a girl can try.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
A Special Happy Birthday
Today is my sister’s (Heather) birthday. She would have been 39 today. I most likely would have told her 39 is the new 25, and to live it up like I know she would. She’s not here with us anymore, but I think about her every day. Especially today.
Happy birthday, Heather. I hope you’re living it up in heaven…
Happy Weekend
I was talking with a friend yesterday at work, and she mentioned one of her favorite meals: peanut butter, fried eggs and Siracha on a toasted english muffin. I was like EW, WEIRD – but naturally I had to try it because it contained my all-time favorite food: eggs.
I made it last night (since I’m a huge supporter of breakfast for dinner), and it was surprisingly delicious. I can’t promise I’ll make it again, but it was a pleasantly sweet and spicy surprise – far different than any other dinner I have ever tried. Plus, you can never go wrong with Siracha. I put that stuff on EVERYTHING.
For all you beer-drinkers out there, tomorrow is our national holiday. And if you’re Irish, you probably hate everyone. But it’s all good. Here’s to glorious green beer, corned beef and cabbage, and kick-ass Irish music!
{my dad is Jewish and my mom is Irish, so I have an obligation to post this}
Happy Paddy’s Day (eve)!
To celebrate the holiday, what better song for My Favorite Song Friday than something from Flogging Molly?
Beer, Beer, Beer!
Have fun and be safe!
I Needi Ziti
My dad’s famous dish, “I Needi Ziti” has been revamped. When I was younger and my parents first split up, my brother and I would go over to his place and he’d make us “I Needi Ziti” and “Thick Shakes” (we lovingly called them) – basically, super delicious baked ziti that tasted the best only when my dad made it, and chocolate ice cream and milk in a glass that you stirred until it was just barely drinkable. Just thinking about it brings tears to my eyes because it was such a difficult time for us, but they were such comforting foods that it made it seem like everything was going to be okay.
This time, circumstances are different, which made me change-up the recipe – a new tradition based on old memories.
Seriously, the pictures don’t do it justice. It was so good, and actually kind of healthy (kind of…)
I Needi Ziti {Revamped}
Recipe created by me!
Prep time: 1 hour
Cook time: 45 minutes
INGREDIENTS
1 box Garden* Ziti (I had penne, which works fine)
1 small onion
1 large zucchini
1 large medium yellow squash
10 small mushrooms (I used baby portobello mushrooms)
1 red & 1 green pepper
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 lb. ground turkey (if frozen, thaw before cooking)
1 1/2 jars red pasta sauce (or, make your own!)
2 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella
1 large container ricotta cheese
Parmesan cheese, salt & pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Cook pasta according to directions, until al dente (I prefer more of a “bite”). Clean and coarsely chop all vegetables. Add to medium-hot pan with extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper, and saute until slightly brown.
In separate pan, add some extra virgin olive oil to hot pan. Once fully heated, add thawed ground turkey, salt and pepper. Cook until just browned.
Once all ingredients are cooked, add pasta, ground turkey, and cooked veggies to large pasta pot. Then, add the red sauce and ricotta cheese. No need to turn on the heat for this pot because everything will still be hot, and you don’t want to cook these anymore. Gently mix together until everything is covered in sauce evenly.
Transfer everything from pasta pot to large 13×9 glass baking dish. I like to add a little bit of pasta, then add some shredded cheese, then more pasta. Layers of cheese really makes it!
Once all pasta is in the pan, add an extra-thick layer of shredded cheese to the top. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes. For the last 10-15 minutes, uncover and let cheese bake. If not brown to your liking, broil for an additional 5 minutes.
Let cool for 10-15 minutes. When plating, grate some parmesan cheese on top and enjoy!
*garden pasta has 1 serving of vegetables per cup, and it’s multi-colored. healthy and fun!
salted chocolate | life with a dash of flavor 