Lasagna Roll-Ups {A Recipe}

To top things off, it's SPRING BREAK!

 This means lots of time spent in my jammers, an overload of Toy Story 3, quality reading time, and a life lived at a much slower pace. All of these things are making me exponentially happy this Monday morning.

I always being out of school (I teach, not attend, fyi) because it means I have more time to enjoy the things I do daily, such as cook dinner. Here's a recipe I love that I plan on cooking later this week.

 Bloggers, today I give to you lasagna roll-ups.

For this recipe you will need:

-1 lb. sausage (browned and drained)

-1 carton ricotta cheese (I use low fat.)

-1 egg

-2 or so cups of mozzarella cheese

-1 jar marina sauce (any kind you like)

-12-15 boiled lasagna noodles (it's good to have a few extras in case some break in the spreading or rolling process)

Once you've browned your sausage, mix the ricotta cheese, egg, and sausage in a bowl. It will look kinda gross, but don't let that take away from how yummy this will taste when you are finished assembling it.

Once this is mixed well, lay your lasagna noodles on a flat surface. If you look closely, you'll see that I always put mine directly on my clean counter top.

 (Tip: once you've boiled the noodles, don't drain the water; it will be easier to get the noodles out without them breaking if you remove them directly from the water onto your flat surface of choice.)

You will then spread the mixture onto the noodles as evenly as possibly.

Next, carefully roll each noodle/mix and place it in a greased Pyrex.

Once your Pyrex is full (usually about 10-12 roll-ups),  cover them in marinara and top with mozzarella cheese.

You will then bake this for about 25-30 minutes at 350 or until the cheese is melted, and it's nice and bubbly.

Reasons I love this:

-it's easier to serve than regular lasagna because it's already divided into individual servings.

-the sausage gives it a nice little kick that regular lasagna is often missing.

-everything is cuter in small packages.

Eat and enjoy.

Also, tonight's the season finale of The Bachelor. While I won't be watching because I'm not a fan of Ben, I WILL be thinking about my upcoming interview with Holly Durst. While I've gotten some great question ideas via e-mail and facebook, I'm still looking for one or two more to ask her on Thursday. Any ideas? You can leave a comment and learn more here.

Happy Spring Break Monday to you and you and you!

Today I'm linking here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Holly Durst, My New BFF

Raise your hand if you watch The Bachelor.

It's okay to admit it, I promise.

It's my guilty pleasure.
And although I haven't watched much this season (don't shoot me, but Ben just isn't my favorite), there have been a few participants I have just LOVED over the past few years.

Like, I honestly think we'd be best friends in real life.

Holly is one of those people.

Bloggers, in case you haven't already met her, this is my soon-to-be new bff, Holly Durst.

No, I'm not some totally crazy stalker.

I AM however, going to be doing a review of her newly released children's book, Chocolate Socks, next week. They've sent it my way for review, and it should be on my doorstep any day now.

It gets better though....

I also get to INTERVIEW Holly!

Like, we get to talk on the phone....for fifteen minutes as designated by her agent or publisher or publishing company or whomever it is that sets up her interviews about her new book.

The hard part:

When I submitted my request to interview her,  I never in a million years thought I'd get chosen to actually interview her.....and I now I'm not sure what to say exactly.

I mean, I'm sure once I read her book the ideas will come flowing at full force,

but right now all I can really think to ask her are these three burning questions:

1. Holly, do you regret the way things went down with Michael (aka my FAVORITE guy to ever step foot in the Bachelor house. Love him. Love Holly too though, so this is a tough one for me)? By this I mean, do you regret him finding out you were engaged on national television?

*Can't ask her that.*

2. Holly, how stinkin' excited are you about your wedding to this handsome fella, Blake the adorable dentist, as I like to call him? How many babies do you want to have? What color are your bridesmaids dresses? Where are you going on your honeymoon? Oh,and where do you shop because you are serious all kinds of adorable?

(Yes, I realize that's five questions posing as one....it's how I roll.)

*Again, can't ask her any of this.*

And finally, I'd really like to ask her:

3. So, ummmmm, Holly....can we please be bff? Because I'm pretty sure it's written in the stars.

*This would be the point where she'd hang up on me. I can't let that happen.*

So, bloggers.....as you can see, I'm in a bit of pinch, and I'm calling in reinforcements.

If you had fifteen minutes of phone time with Holly about her new book (or her personal life, in case I get brave and try to sneak one of these questions in there somewhere in a way so discreet I'm sure she won't notice), what would YOU ask her?

What do you want me to ask her FOR you????

I need help.

Pleaseandthankyou so very much.

Now to go and pray that I don't:

a.) giggle uncontrollably

b.) freeze in a state of starstruck panic

c.) ask ridiculous questions that are boring, overly asked, or both

d.) all of the above

If you guessed D, run right now and reward yourself with a cookie, because YOU, my friend, are a winner.

Now be sure and leave a comment with your questions for Holly, k?

Seriously.

I need your help.

Here's hoping your Thursday is all kinds of fantastic and that I am able to contain myself next week for at least fifteen minutes.

Five Thanks: February

1. Being Pushed

It's no secret I love Africa. Love really doesn't even do the way I feel justice. And this month has brought about several possible opportunities for me to help. More to come on this soon, but let's just say that when life gets hectic and crazy and I tend to put Africa on the back burner, God pushes me over and over and over again to keep it at the forefront of my thoughts. And, in this case, I really appreciate the push.

2. Movie Date with my Mom

This past weekend my mom and I went to see The Vow to celebrate her birthday. Even though her big day was over a month ago, I love when we take time out to just be together. I'm pretty sure that's exactly how it's supposed to be.

3. LOOOONNNNGGGG Overdue Reunions

I am so thankful that I finally got to spend some time with my best friend. Way too many moons have passed since we were last together, and I have missed the heck out of her. I missed her silly jokes, the way she sings when she drives, how she knows me inside and out, and simply who I am when we're together. And no worries-- we are already planning our next get together.

4. This Book

Even though I already talked about this book here, I just wanted to say ONE MORE TIME what a wonderful reminder it is of God's never-failing love for us. His forgiveness never ceases to blow my mind.

5. Opportunities

This month was stock full of things to do. My planner literally has no room left for last month, and I'm thinking I MIGHT have squeezed three free hours out of it. But, with opportunities often come good memories, and last month certainly delivered. I was busy, busy, busy, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

And yes, that is an empty cup of froyo. To a girl with a milk allergy, froyo is the greatest invention of the 20th century. Seriously, it's right up there with disposable diapers and mixed tapes.

Here's hoping your February was one to write home about too.

Happy Wednesday to you and you and you.

My Life Verse

I believe my gifts are encouragement, dedication, creativity,and service.

What are yours?

And do you have a life verse?

This one has been with me for several years now, and I don't see it going anywhere any time soon;

serving other is at the very heart of who I am, and there are few things in this world that make me as happy as helping another.

Here's wishing a happy Tuesday to you and you and you.

P.S.) This post is best when scrolled through quickly. Try it now; thank me later.

Making My Cheeks Hurt

Some days I smile so much at the joy that is this little girl,

that by the end of the day....

...my cheeks literally hurt.

And I hope it never, ever stops.

Here's hoping your weekend was even half as good as mine, which came complete with a lunch date with my mom, new mascara, and a viewing of The Vow.

Happy Monday/Nine Weeks Test Week/Almost Spring Break to you and you and you!

This Week, I Am Happy

Today I'm home with a kidney infection.

This means I'm :

a.) watching Grey's Anatomy reruns like an addict

b.)chugging cranberry juice by the gallon

c.) wasting time on Pinterest

d.) all of the above

However, I refuse to let one yuck day put a damper on all the things I have to be thankful for this week.

In no particular order, here are some things that are making me smile as of late:



This week I got to spend some time talking with this precious girl. Although she's not going back to Africa this summer, she is doing awesome things, and I could not be more proud of her.

(Note: no, the man in the background was not staged. Sometimes good things just happen; try not to be jealous, mkay?)

So, Libby's tonsils have been MIA for several months now. She's sleeping better, breathing better, and enjoying the day in and day out more than she used to; this makes me one happy mom.

Ever had one of these lovelies? You should. They are amazing.

This week my bff Meagan and I survived our first charity ball. Good times were had by all, and lots of dinero was raised to help local kiddos in need. Love when that happens.

On our recent trip down South, Libby and I got to spend some time with my pseudo little sister, Rebecca (aka Libby's godmother). I'm still smiling about the way these two love each other and communicate. Seriously, there has never been a better match. Sometimes I make really good decisions; clearly asking Rebecca to be her godmother was one of those times.

In the past week, I've read the first two books in this series. I wasn't so sure I'd love them at first; they're a little rough around the edges. But love them I do. Add these to the list of unfinished stories floating around in this here head; the third book doesn't come out for several months....boo on this.

And last on today's list, I am loving watching this precious couple prepare for their upcoming trip to Uganda. If you're looking for a great daily read, I strongly suggest you take a peek at their blog. Pretty sure one peek is all it was take for you to become hooked; it was for me.

Here's hoping your Thursday is top notch and that both of your kidneys are a-ok.

Oh, and do you follow me on Twitter? If not and if you want to, you can find me here.

Hope to see you there soon.

Today I'm linking here and  here. Join me?