Thursday, April 16, 2009

My Little Bunny




We took a walk today, and I couldn't resist taking pictures with my cell phone of the cutest baby in the world all bundled up in his bunny bunting suit in his stroller!

I've had a lot of jobs.

Here are the ones I can remember:
  1. Weis Markets (grocery store) - cashier
  2. Century 21 Real Estate - receptionist and advertising clerk
  3. Brother's Construction - receptionist and bookkeeper
  4. Fashion Bug - cashier
  5. Avon - representative
  6. My Aunt Lyn's house - taking care of my grandmother who was sick with cancer, and cleaning the house
  7. Hill Cadillac Pontiac Buick GMC - warranty clerk, receptionist, cashier
  8. Barnes & Noble - lead bookseller, music manager
  9. Wyomissing Institute of the Arts - registrar and receptionist
  10. Vision Auto Group - warranty admin.
  11. Heritage Ford - warranty admin. and service writer
  12. Clapp Auto Group - warranty admin.
I feel like I'm forgetting something....
But now, I think I have my favorite job, a nanny for Willow (almost 5) and John Henry (7 months)!



Wednesday, April 15, 2009

What we had for dinner tonight


Cottage Cheese Potato Lasagna

Ingredients:
  • 1 1/4 cup meatless pasta sauce
  • 1/2 can mushroom pieces, drained
  • 2 1/2 cup Swiss cheese, shredded
  • 2 cups cottage cheese (I used low fat)
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 1/2 lbs new potatoes, sliced (we used red potatoes)
  • 1/2 lb fresh carrots, sliced
  • 1 medium red onion (1/2 cup diced, rest ringlets)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoon sliced olives

Directions:

In a medium bowl, place pasta sauce, mushrooms, cottage cheese, egg, parsley and oregano. Stir until well blended.

Spray 3 qt rectangular casserole dish.

Wash new potatoes and carrots. Peel and slice 1/8th thick. Place carrots in microwave bowl and cook 2.5 minutes.

Arrange 1st layer of potatoes overlapping edges in prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup diced onions, salt and pepper. Spread 1/2 pasta and cheese sauce over potato layer. Spread layer of 1/2 the swiss cheese.

Repeat potato layer over pasta and cheese sauce. Top with 1/2 of carrots, 1/4 cup onions, and salt and pepper. Arrange balance of potatoes and carrots on top with pasta and cheese sauce. Top with onion ringlets and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, rest of swiss cheese and olives.

Cover with foil and bake 40 minutes at 450 degrees. Remove cover and brown top for 7 minutes, or longer. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Number of Servings: 6

Notes from Nicci: We didn't use the mushrooms or olives because I don't like them and my hubby is VERY sweet and accommodating of my various food issues.... I don't think it was lacking in any way leaving these out. Next time I may pre-cook the potatoes a min or two in the microwave like the carrots, I thought they could've used a tad more cooking. And I think I'd get a bit more potatoes as well. It was hard to cut them 1/8 inch thick so I probably cut them more like 1/4 inch think, and I sort of ran out for the third layer. Again, this didn't make a difference, but I know for next time. And there will be a next time!

Also, it was so SO GOOD that we each ate more than we should have (given the amount of cheese in it) and I'd say more like number of servings is 4. Make extra if you have company! Great paired with homemade bread!


One of my favorite things we've made since we got married! I highly recommend you trying it.


Tweaked a bit from a recipe found on Betterrecipes.com

Folkies at Taco Bell?

SmoothNicci's Smoothie Shop

I think I'm going to open a smoothie shop in Corydon. I mean there isn't one already, and I could definitely charge less than Smoothie King does for theirs (the cheapest is $5 for a 20 oz, their small!) I'm going to call my shop SmoothNicci's Smoothie Shop.

Here's some of my creations:

Island Smoothie

1 c. milk (or soy milk for you who are dairy-free)
1/2 c. fresh mango slices
3/4 c. frozen peaches
3 tbs. coconut sorbet
2 ice cubes
splash peach schnapps
spash dark rum

(alcohol optional for those of you nursing or abstaining ;-)



Dark Berry and Orange Goodness

1 c. orange juice
1 banana
1/2 c. frozen blueberries
1/2 c. frozen dark sweet cherries
1/2 c. frozen whole strawberries
1 squirt light agave nectar

BLEND!

What I had for lunch today































Taboule "doctored" with:
red pepper
green onion
tomato
olive oil
parsley
cayenne
lemon juice

MMMMMMMMMediterranean!!

I think he's amazing...