Wordless Wednesday

Fresh Spinach anyone?

As our garden grows, so does my sisters.  The addition of Walter to her brood has not slowed her down from having an awesome garden, which I am thankful for! We seem to have developed a small co op between our two families. She brings spinach and romaine, we bring fresh eggs and clothing for the kids. Sometimes we add some cd’s to swap too!

Her visit this weekend brought us some fresh spinach, baby romaine, and some cd’s. I decided to make some pasta for dinner. (Even though I didn’t have any fresh bread to go with it, you know how us Italians are!) First I washed the spinach….

       

Then added a few ingredients that I had laying around the kitchen (this is turning into a sort of improvisational type of dinner!)

I cooked  some rigatoni. Sautéed the spinach in some olive oil and garlic (two cloves!) tossed them all together, adding some lemon juice, salt and pepper. Then I topped it off with some fresh feta, et voilà!!!

 

It was yummy, and somewhat farm fresh!

Thanks to Jess, and her garden!

* On a side note, Matt told me that he was glad I introduced him to Feta! Now, if I could just get him to love Goat Cheese!

Summer Reading

I've never been a big reader. I read slowly, and sometimes have trouble retaining what I've read on a day to day basis. I do enjoy reading despite these road blocks. If (and this is a BIG if!) I can find a book that can hold my interest, I do find myself trying to make time to read. Usually on my lunch break at work, or after Ava's gone to bed (I also find it easier to read in total silence).
That being said, I am currently reading "Mennonite in a Little Black Dress" by Rhoda Janzen. A memoir a an adult woman who's life recently changed dramatically (divorce, car accident, yadda, yadda) who returns to her quirky Mennonite family's home, "where she is welcomed with open arms and offbeat advice" -from the back cover of the book itself! It's really good so far. I appreciate the author's humor :)
I have a line up planned for when (and IF!!) I ever finish this book! It goes a little something like this:
Running with Scissors and Magical Thinking by Augusten Burroughs. Both suggested (and borrowed) from my friend Karen. Also, Swamplandia by Karen Russell. My sister (and most avid reader I've ever known) Jessica, suggested this one. So, here's to some relaxing summer reading!!! What books are on your list??
     

Sugar? Butter? Crisco? How could it NOT taste good???

I'm addicted to cookies. Well, sugar in general, really. I also love to bake, and consider myself to be pretty good at it. Enter the biggest road block ever. I'm always trying (wishing, anyway) to lose weight. But I LOVE COOKIES. Of course, Matt could go through life without any sweets (crazy, I know) For God's sake, he doesn't eat his own birthday cake! So, when I bake, I'm forced to eat it all! (Or bring some to work...)
Anyway, for Father's Day,  I made Matt some sugar cookies. He will eat sugar cookies, and peanut butter cookies.
* I might add that, while these are no "Grandma Barber Sugar cookies" they're still pretty damn good! and they really do melt in your mouth. (must be the Crisco??!!)

Melt In Your Mouth Sugar Cookies

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
2 cups sugar
1 Teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/8 teaspoon salt ( I omit, as I use salted butter)
3 egg yolks
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

Preheat oven to 300  degrees. In a large mixing bowl, combine butter and shortening. Mix with electric mixer on medium/ high speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar, salt, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Beat until combined. Beat in egg yolks and vanilla until combined, scraping sides  of bowl occasionally. Beat in as much flour as you can. Stir in remaining flour.
Shape dough into 1 inch balls ( I use a scoop!) Bake for 15 minutes, or until sides are set. Cool on cookie sheet for 1 minute (very important, or they'll fall apart when you try to transfer them!) Transfer to wire rack, let cool.

* Recipe courtesy of  Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook, 12th edition.

Reflection Part II

It's been over a month since my surgery, and every day is awesome! It's still really weird to leave the house without what used to be my "faithful companion." Otherwise know as my fake boob. That stupid little hunk of silicone ruled my life for so long. Now, it's just a thing of the past. So, I've got that to still get used to. I did buy a new bathing suit!! While I haven't lost any weight (like I had planned) I still deserve a new suit. That, and A Bird starts her swimming lessons tomorrow, and I've got to get my chunky meatball butt in the pool with her!
Other than that, things are well. I just turned 31, but really, don't feel a day over 28! A bird turns 4 in a week. She growing up so fast! It's so awesome, and really sad all at the same time. She'll be starting school in a year. She'll have to start at a new daycare (which means saying goodbye to Krista and her friends) and she'll have to ride the bus for like, 45 minutes, and with Highschooler's! I really don't even want to think about that yet :(
It also seems that possibly, this week, spring has actually sprung! Thank goodness, I was growing quite tired of winter! Happy Spring!!!

Alright, So I'm the Loud Girl.

After 31 years on this earth, and countless people telling me, I've come to the realization that I'm the Loud Girl.
 You know, everyone has one in their family, or a friend, or girlfriend. They talk constantly, very loudly, about everything and anything. With no regard for any one's conservativeness, or how awkward some conversation topics might make people feel. Well, that's me, all the way. I'm not proud of this fact. I mean, I guess sometimes I'm okay with it. It's kind of nice to feel comfortable enough in my own skin to say what I want. Lord knows I embarrass myself often. and I know there are some people out there, that never say what they want, or what they're thinking for fear of how people might take it, or that they'll upset someone.. But, more often than not I wish I had a "filter". Oh hell, sometimes I wish I had, like, three filters. I'm always putting my foot in my mouth, and then having to apologize for whatever mess I had just created. This definitely gets old after a while.  And to always be known as the "Loud Girl" or the one that no one can never get a word in edge wise with, well, it sucks. Some days I wish I could wake up, and keep everything to myself. My thoughts, my opinions, my feelings, what I ate for dinner, and how it came out... you get my drift. But how do I just change that? How does one just stop being who they've been for the last 31 years?? So then I say to myself, well, people either have to love me or hate me. Except me, or not. But who am I fooling? we'd all like to be excepted, right? I don't know... I guess when I figure it out, I spread the word. Or, will I? Maybe I'll just keep it to myself?!

These boots were made for walking...

Walk MS 2011 !!!

So, It's that time of year again, when all of the "usual" fundraisers are in full swing! Two years ago, I raised money for March of Dimes. Last year, I volunteered to do the "banking" for The Relay For Life. This year, something new, but close to home... Walk MS. My Step-Father-In-Law was diagnosed with MS a few years back, and so far, has been controlling it well. But, we all now the day will come where it may start to control him. So, I am walking for MS. For research, and a cure. I am feeling pretty good about this one.. it's in May (May is a beautiful month!) I'm starting to feel a little healthier! It's fresh air, and exercise, all for a good cause!
If anyone would like to donate (any amount is , of course, appreciated!) or if you just want to come out and walk with me, please let me know!!! Or click  http://walknyr.nationalmssociety.org/site/PageServer?pagename=WLK_NYR_homepage  to reach my pledge page! Click on donate/Epledge, find my location (Canandaigua, NY) type in Lauren Schrader, click find... and BAM!! that should lead you to my page :)
 I thank you all in advance for your help, or even, just your kind thoughts! You're all beautiful, and together, we can make miracles!! (I really do believe this :)