"What's for Dinner?" Wednesday

Tonight's dinner is a favorite in our house. It is super tasty and very simple to prepare!

1 lb hot Italian sausage removed from casings
2 C baby spinach
2 C light cream
1 lb pasta of your choice (I use penne for this recipe.)

Break sausage into bite size pieces and cook on medium heat for 10 - 15 minutes. While the sausage is cooking, boil water for your pasta. Next, add light cream to sausage and stir. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer. Add spinach and cook for 2-3 minutes until spinach is wilted. Spoon over cooked pasta.

Welcome Wednesday 9/8

Metaphorical Home Poem

We're coming up on four years since we bought our very first home! This is a poem I wrote shortly thereafter.

The Pusher

we became friends with the pusher in September

he’s been knocking ever since



when I leave the office

I meet my husband at the red brick cape cod

on the corner of

E. Woodlawn and Tacoma



we are high by 5p.m.



he says

“dance with me”



we take off our shoes and the green grass tickles our souls



sing

climb

the

stairs



to the copper nest

we

j

   u

      m

           p

on cotton pinstripes

breathe fabric softener dreams



because we OWN

the paneled wall

that crack in the ceiling

the spot on the rug

the drafty windows

every inch



it is a pill

from the medicine cabinet

I swallow it each evening

to dissolve the day

Music Monday

Happy Labor Day! I had a lovely weekend spent mostly around the house enjoying time with Matty and hubby and today we went fishing. The weather was perfect all weekend. I feel rejuvenated and ready to take on the week ahead =)

Today's song choice is Michael Tolcher's Kings in Castles. Michael is a musician from Georgia that I've had the pleasure of seeing live a few times. He puts on a great show so if you ever have the opportunity to see him, GO! Really, most any of Tolcher's songs are good choices to enjoy with your child but I chose Kings in Castles because it is a reflection on growing up. It has a positive message about shooting for the stars all the while staying true to yourself, a great lesson for children and adults alike!

Deep Breath...

I am not so successfully fighting back tears right now and at the same time, I feel extremely blessed and grateful.

The past two days in a row, there have been fatal accidents along the same stretch of a local highway. I did not know the people who lost their lives; nonetheless, my heart hurts. It hurts for the victims and the families and their friends.

I find myself wondering, did any of them put off today what they were planning on doing tomorrow? And now tomorrow is not an option? I hope not, but let's face it, we're all guilty of taking tomorrow for granted.

It's scary to leave the house. Even if you are a perfect driver, you cannot control others.  In an instant, a life can be taken. I guess this is where faith comes in; I called a friend tonight just to tell her how affected I had become by these two accidents. She told me to pray; to relinquish this burden to Him because it is not my burden to carry, so I prayed. And I feel better, but still shaken. I know I can't put all of the people I love in a protective bubble; all I can do is live fully, love deeply and revel in the simple moments that mean so much.

My awareness (both on the road and in the way I live my life) has increased this week. I am sorry that two people had to lose their lives in order for it to happen, but I am thankful for the opportunity to make the most of today.

"What's for Dinner?" Wednesday

Tonight's meal was a variation on one that a friend (love you Mary!) gave me:

Ingredients

6 thin cut pork chops
salt and pepper
2 tbsp pan searing flour
2 tbsp olive oil
2 C baby spinach
1 C coarsely chopped onion
2 cloves finely chopped garlic
1 tsp finely chopped capers
1 can cream of celery soup
1 C skim milk
1 cup low sodium chicken broth

1. Salt and pepper your pork chops to your liking.
2. Sprinkle both sides of pork chops with pan searing flour.
3. Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil over medium heat.
4. Add pork chops. Cook 2-3 minutes each side.
5. Remove pork chops from pan.
6. Add the other tablespoon of olive oil.
7. Add garlic, onions and capers. Saute 5 minutes.
8. Add cream of celery soup and stir until all ingredients are well blended.
9. Add 1 C skim milk and 1 C chicken broth.
10. Heat for five minutes, stirring occasionally.
11. Add 1 C of uncooked long grain rice and stir.
12. Cover and reduce heat to a simmer.
13. Add pork chops back into pan.
14. Cook for 20 minutes.

Voila!

Monday, you can hold your head. Tuesday, Wednesday stay in bed...

Well since I can't stay in bed, I'm going to join in the fun over at take it from me. You should too!