Two quick Summer Recipes:

Chicken Scampi

For summer I like to make chicken scampi.  It is a nice and light pasta dish.  I boil 3 chicken breasts and shred.  Make some angel hair pasta, mix in my favorite Scampi seasoning then the chicken.  Steam some broccoli and serve on the side and it is a family favorite.

BLR  (Bacon Lettuce Rice)

Another one, this is a family recipe that I grew up with.  Cook some bacon and crumble it.  Make some rice.  When finished mix the bacon into the rice with some lettuce.  I know it sounds really weird and it might be, a little.  :)  But this was something that my mom made in the summer for us growing up.

Thank you Sarah!


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Fresh Summer Recipes

What could be better then a quick & refreshing summertime dinner?  Somehow during the summer when we are supposed to relax and enjoy the breeze or the hot scorching sun, it can easily become a busier time of year. This got me to thinking: A collection of fairly short, yet good recipes could be a solution to having the relaxing summer evening to just enjoy.

Here's the plan, hopefully it will work!  I'd like to share two of my favorite yet quick summerstyle recipes; however, also would like to ask if you would participate by adding one of yours!   Either posting it in the comment box below (not sure if it will fit) or emailing it to me  then, I would love to post it!

Here is my First~ Love this one. It is quick, but good.  It makes a large amount . .so depending on your family size it could be two meals.

Bombolina Baked Chicken

Toss 1lb. prepared Rigatoni in a large bowl with 3 cups tomato, 1 cup mushroom (if you like them), 2tsp. garlic, 1/2 cup parsley, salt & pepper.

Add 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese Stir. Place it in one 11x15 or two 8x8 baking dish(es).  Place cooked (browned) chicken on top of the pasta.  Pour Newman's Own Bombolina Sauce over the chicken and pasta.  Top with 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese.  Cover with foil and bake @ 350F for 35 minutes.  Done!

Now this next one is not a recipe I found . .or even figured out on my own.  Feeling a bit like I'm cheating.  It's from a friend.  However~it's Sooo goooood!  While yes... it is a salad... in my house it is a Dinner.  Everyone loves it.  And let me tell you salad in our house is not considered a dinner.  (With the exception of me and my daughter-we happily eat salad anytime!)

Italian Spinach Salad

In a large bowl toss spinach (a large bag), a pint or two of grape tomatoes, a full package (or bunch) of basil leaves (whole or torn in half). Then add a package of mozzarella balls; toss it all together then add a reduced balsamic vinaigrette (it's worth getting a good one), and you will want to have this done before you assemble the salad.  So quick, so delicious!

Enjoy!  And please take a moment to share a quick summer dinner!!

What’s the Point?

Ever have a Day…that you were actually busy all day long yet it dra a a ged and by the end of the day - you really just feel like you did absolutely Nothing?   It’s like this sort of brain-frozen mode.  You know what needs to be done.  It’s just not exactly your favorite thing to do.  Brain off.  Tasks begin.  Feeling lethargic.  Light headed when you get up <too fast> to take a much needed water-break.  

Or how about the week that feels like it flew by way to fast - but somehow also felt ~slow.  Huh. . .how 

does that work?

Well there you have some of my feelings as I attempt accomplish organizing the finished school year,  as well as putting together the next school year.   Usually I don’t mind paper and book work like this…however.. many  hours of it...not my favorite thing.  And again, I feel like I'm not doing anything.  Considering  that, now add the 'catch up' for my neglected - home schooled -lived in - house, it’s really not feeling like summer break-yet-.  And I seem no less busy. . .possibly even more busy.

Not trying to make this into a complaining session here so. . . My point?  (don't worry it's coming.)  Seems I have a hundred things to do.   My mind going in that many directions.  Yes, I can multi-task, and yet even at that your brain can only handle so much.

Then I (randomly) hear someone utter these words, “I love teaching.”  Oh, boy.  Don’t I?? Is that not what what my current work/organizing is all for?  Not just school teaching, but even just being - a - parent - teaching.  As well, not only if you have children - aren’t we all teachers in one way or another, possibly kids or perhaps a co-worker, maybe you’re a mentor (with -or- without knowing!).  Teaching Is fun.

But here is my fairy tale version:  I pull out a lovely book.  Kids eyes light up.  Each comes prancing over and sits still --for the whoooole story.  Hands folded in laps.  When the book/lesson is done, each eagerly raises hand simply because they want to “in there own words,”  recite every detail of what they just learned.  And they perfectly answer each question they are given.  To top it off they each make a collage or do and experiment perfectly depicting the content of what they just learned. 

Ok, so that’s a stretch (by a lot), but on the same token - it may be the perfection we seek.  Overall just as a very simple reminder:  Teaching Is Fun!  Think about it for a bit, whatever kind of teaching you do.  For me it’s my kids and it’s sad that I need to remind myself how much fun it is to teach-and how adventurous -to learn.

What does the worker gain from his toil?

I have seen the burden God has laid on men. 

He has made everything beautiful in its time.

He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom

what  God has done from beginning to end.

I know that there is nothing better for men then to be happy and do good while they live.

That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil-- this is the gift of God.

Ecclesiastes 3:9-13

Our 1st day of school this past year...feels so long ago!

Gets feet dirty outside, comes in to do school inside