Our road trip north...way north!

For over 10 years now we've been going to Canada.  I've posted about it every year.  Every year I leave totally renewed.  There's always something different, something more, something special.  The people take time to get to know you, to visit, to make you feel special...

The sunsets and sunrise are bigger and more colorful.

The snow...oh the snow!  It's what we wait for! It never disappoints.

This year we happened upon a little coffee/gift shop.  We couldn't wait to go back everyday! Our new friends there were so much fun! (Mr. Mike, me and my Grace)

The whole gang in Rossburn at the coffee shop.

One of our favorite friends finally brought his violin on the last day. He played Ukrainian songs while my girls played their music.

Another favorite stop is Mrs. Marion's store in Olha. She always takes time to visit with us and always has everything we need.  She's more than the 'shopkeeper', she's like family to us.

Here's me and my crazy friend Cheryl. She makes me laugh more than anyone. I love this girl!

The kitchen of the little farm house we rented this year-playing cards with one of our buddies Taras. He's the most kind-hearted, giving person you could know.

Mr. Steve at the Olha store. So shy! he's so kind to pump our gas for us. So many stories to tell. Such a sweet man.

My favorite latte at the coffee shop in Rossburn. Better than Starbucks

Another favorite find.  This one is online too!

Chicken Asparagus Lasagna

This is my version of a recipe published by our local grocery store, Publix,.  It's a nice twist on traditional lasagna.  I love the addition of the asparagus.  Lots of pretty colors and super yummy!  My whole family loved it!

Ingredients

9 uncooked lasagna noodles

2 pounds asparagus, cute into 2 inch pieces

1 Tbsp olive oil

1/2 tsp lemon pepper

3 Tbsp butter

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 3/4 cups chicken broth

1/2 cup milk

2 tsp fresh marjoram or 1/2 tsp dried marjoram

2 cups diced cooked chicken

1/2 cup roasted bell peppers, drained and chopped

3/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

2 1/4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese*

1.  Heat oven to 350 F.  Grease 13x9 baking dish.  Cook and drain noodles.

2.  Heat 5 cups water to boiling in 3 qt saucepan.  Add asparagus, heat to boiling.  Boil 3-4 minutes, drain.  Place asparagus in bowl.  Toss with oil and lemon pepper seasoning.  

3.  Melt butter in 2 qt saucepan over med heat.  Stir in flour.  Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly.  Stir in broth, milk and marjoram.  Heat to boiling, stirring constantly.  Stir in chicken, 1/4 cup of bell peppers and 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese.  Cook about 2 minutes or until hot.

4.  Spread about 1/2 cup of chicken mixture in baking dish.  Top with 3 noodles, 1 1/2 cups chicken mixture, half of the asparagus and 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese.  Repeat layers, starting with noodles.  Top with remaining 3 noodles.

5.  Sprinkle top with remaining 1/4 cup bell peppers, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese and mozzarella cheese.  Bake uncovered about 30 minutes or until hot and top is lightly browned.  Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.

*I always use more cheese than a recipe calls for.  We love cheese!

I never told you about New York!

For my eldest daughter's 16th birthday we surprised her (and the whole family) with a trip to New York City!  Mark was in the Middle East and was meeting us in NYC.  I revealed the destination in Atlanta.

Before leaving I made a booklet of all the places I thought we might want to visit.  I included the address, hours, prices, etc.  For the last flight I told Mary to look through this list and see what she really wanted to do

Here are Grace, Mary (the birthday girl) and Emma in Atlanta right after they found out where we were going.

The 9/11 Memorial-the one place I insisted that we see.  I was totally overcome with emotion as I read the names.  I don't know anyone personally who perished on this awful day, yet I cried uncontrollably as I walked through this beautiful monument.

Leave it to us girls to find the library!  We've managed to find one in every city we've ever been in! We just love the library.

Our hotel was in Time Square.  This was the view at night. Gorgeous!

One day we went to The Top of the Rock. What a n amazing panoramic look we had at the whole city!

We had to go see Central Park.  Here are the girls on our last day.

One of the 'must see' things was a Broadway show-Wicked!  We all love  the Wizard of Oz and couldn't wait to see this show.  It was amazing!!

We have to go to Hard Rock in every city/country that we visit.(that has one)   We're never been disappointed!

Here are me and the girls waiting on the subway to take us to Lincoln Center to the see NYC Ballet perform The Nutcracker.  It was so beautiful!

American Girl!  One of our favorite places!  This is the 3rd one we've seen.  They never grow old!

Our Sweet Valentine's Day

Valentine's morning found me with 2 sick girls and my hubby in the Middle East.  We managed to make it a positive, very sweet day.  I found a recipe on Pinterest for Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies.  I made mine in a heart shaped cookie sheet.  They turned out so well!

1 box red velvet cake mix

1/2 cup butter, softened

2 eggs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix ingredients until combined.

Drop spoonfuls of cookie batter onto baking sheet about 2 inches apart (or use a sheet like I did.  I used a small melon scooper to put my batter onto each heart.)

Bake 10-12 minutes.

Cool.

Cream Cheese Filling

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 8oz pkg cream cheese, softened

1 1lb box confectioner's sugar

1 tsp vanilla

In mixer, cream butter, cream cheese and vanilla.  Gradually add sugar and mix until smooth.  

These little hearts are the easiest, and tastiest things ever!  I found this recipe on the back of the heart shaped cutter.  (from Target)
1 package of refrigerated pie crust
1 can pie filling
1 egg, beaten

Cut pie crust into shape of choice.  Put about a Tbsp (depends on the size cutter you used) of pie filling in the middle of the crust.  Brush egg around inside edge of 2 pieces of crust.  Put a piece of crust on top of one that has filling.  Press edges together very well.  My cutter had a crimping side.  Place on wax paper on cookie sheet.  Brush more egg on top.  Bake until lightly browned.

Free Art Lessons

On my Saturday morning blog scan I stumbled across this fabulous site with free art lessons.  As a homeschool mom I'm always looking for ways to supplement our curriculum and ad fun.  This blog is full of fun...for free!

Hearts everywhere!

For once I'm ahead of the game!  I've already been thinking about Valentine's day.  I found these cute patterns on Pinterest to try.  They make up quickly and are so cute!  Plus, I think they'll be healthier for our friends than candy.  :)

Isn't this the cutest little cookie?  I really needed a lighter color yarn for the 'cookie' part.  I was just using what I already had on hand.

This is a sweet little coaster.  So simple!

Helping our Library

The library in our town opened a little over a year ago.  We were so excited to not have to drive very far to get our books.  The library is only 3 rooms with 1 full time employee.  Both of my big girls volunteer there almost every week.  Our librarian is fabulous!  Her husband is a retired Colonel in the Marines.  They have traveled and lived all over the world.  She always has something interesting to talk about and teach.  

So, you'd think everything sounds perfect.  Only one problem-not much funding.  Our town council doesn't totally support the library.  Some members have said they don't see where there's a need.  Are you kidding me?  A library is very important to a community!  It's a safe place for our children to hang out and develop a love for learning (and reading).  

Anyway, the librarian tries many different ways to raise money to keep the library running.  One thing she does is a monthly raffle.  The girls and I crocheted this basket and the four dishcloths to donate.  We're hoping that it will get a good response and help out in a small way.