Sunday, September 30, 2012

Creamy Bacon Carbonara

Absolutely delicious!

CREAMY BACON CARBONARA
 2 eggs
1/4 cup Cream or Heavy Cream  (Whipping Cream)
1/3 cup Parmesan
Fresh diced Parsley or dried flakes
1/4 tsp. Salt
1/2 tsp Red Pepper flakes
*(I doubled the Sauce recipe, and it was perfect)
1/2 lb. bacon
1 small onion, chopped (opt)
3 mushrooms sliced (opt)
1/2 lb. Pasta
DIRECTIONS:
Beat the eggs, cream, Parmesan, parsley, salt and the red pepper together in a bowl.  I just used a fork.  Fry the bacon until crisp, then crumble and set aside.  With 1 -2 Tbsp. bacon grease, saute the onion and the mushrooms until the onions are translucent and golden.  Drain the pasta and while still warm, add to the onions and mushrooms.  Pour cream mixture into the pasta, and stir over low heat for one to two minutes. (**I doubled the sauce recipe and I saved a bit of the pasta water, just in case my sauce got thicker than I liked – simply add a bit if you need it)   Don’t do this on high heat, or you will make scrambled eggs.  Serve with additional Parmesan, and a loaf of Crusty French bread and a salad.  So Good!

*I added Zucchini, Chicken, Yellow Pepper, Parmesan Cheese, and some additional spices.

Dave Ryan's 5K

I ended up walking my first 5K, but I walked it in 40 minutes so I'm proud of myself. It was really about the cause anyway and Special Olympics MN was a great cause! 
Over 3,000 runners!
Good friends since 1st grade!
Lining up!
Walking to the start line!


Start line for the 10K and finish line for both the 5 and 10K race.
Walking to the start line!
And were off!

Almost done!
We did it!

My toe was killing me by the end and with reason, look at that blister!




Thursday, September 27, 2012

Avacado Basil Pasta

Ingredients
  • 8  ounces
    dried bow tie and/or wagon wheel pasta
    see savings
  • 2  medium
    avocados, halved, seeded, peeled, and coarsely chopped
    see savings
  • 6  slices
    bacon, crisp cooked, drained, and crumbled
    see savings
  • 2/3  cup
    chopped fresh basil
  • 2  tablespoons
    lemon juice
  • 1  tablespoon
    olive oil
    see savings
  • 3  cloves
    garlic, minced
  • 1/4  teaspoon
    ground black pepper
  • 1/8  teaspoon
    salt
  • 1/2  cup
    finely shredded Pecorino Romano cheese
Directions

1.Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain.
2.Meanwhile, in a large bowl combine the avocados, bacon, basil, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, pepper, and salt. Add the hot pasta and toss to combine. Transfer to a serving bowl. Sprinkle with cheese. Makes 4 servings.


**My family loved it! I only had one Avocado so I added a Pepper. I also added an Onion, Cooking Wine, and Shallets along with some additional spices and Parmesan Cheese.

***Found the recipe through Pinterest, but here's the direct link: http://www.recipe.com/avocado-basil-pasta/

Introductory Speech

-->
What Makes You Tick?
Do you have a passion? My name is Liz and I have had a passion for young children for as long as I can remember. I enjoy working with children, teaching them, and watching them try new things. My passion for children and my knowledge of education inspired me to become a teacher in a private school and teach Kindergarten or Third grade. I know I can use my talents to help children grow, learn, and make a difference in their lives.
In school, I always enjoyed English, Science, and Art. I struggled with Math. I didn’t enjoy that subject until 7th grade when I had a great math teacher. She made math more enjoyable by creating activities to go with each lesson. If a student didn’t understand a concept, she would explain it in multiple different ways. She was always willing to go out of her way to help make sure her students did the best they could.
            When she was my teacher, it was the first time I understood Algebra. It was also the first time I was able to get excited about math class. In high school, I would occasionally go to her house on the weekend for math help. She was very patient and knew how to explain the material in a way I would understand it. She and I have become very close, and I consider her and her family a part of my family. In high school, I started babysitting for her children, and I’ve been able to watch them grow and am honored to be a part of their lives. She has been a tremendous influence as to why I want to become a teacher. She showed me that you can influence a student’s life, make a difference, and be the one to help a student find love for a subject they thought they would never enjoy.
             Growing up, reading was a hobby of mine. I was considered a bookworm. I read books on the school bus, when I’d go for a walk, and I’d stay up late every night because I was so engaged in whatever book I was reading. The older I got the less I read for fun. The books which were chosen for me to read in high school and college had no interest to me so over time I lost interest in reading all together.
After taking a Children’s Literature class a couple years ago, I became a Children’s Literature fanatic. I believe reading to young children is important for many reasons. Not only is reading fun, but books help children develop language skills and provide background knowledge to all subject areas. My entire bookshelf is dedicated to Children’s Literature and for many; I have correlating lesson plans and activities to go with the story. I am constantly ordering books off Amazon, pre- ordering books from my favorite authors, and receiving the new Scholastic book order form makes my day. I love the illustrations, story lines, and memories children’s books include. 
             Good experiences with teachers, a love of learning, and a love for Children’s Literature all made me wonder if a career working with children would be a good fit for me. It was not until I started working with children in a setting outside of babysitting that I discovered it was my calling. I took a job at the YMCA working with children ages 6 weeks to 10 years old. I loved the structured setting and being able to implement curriculum to a group of children whether it was games in the gym, craft, or story time. My job at the Y helped me determine what age I wanted to teach. I enjoyed all the ages, but I felt like I could spend all day with the infants, toddlers, and preschoolers so I chose a degree in Early Childhood Education.
            Now that I have my Associates in Early Childhood Education and am going on for my Bachelor’s at Southwest Minnesota State University I am even more sure that teaching is the right career. I have had the opportunity to work at Sacred Heart as a Preschool paraprofessional and I loved it. I enjoyed watching the children try new things, make new friends, and find a love for learning that will hopefully stick with them for years to come. I took a Kindergarten Methods class and had the opportunity to spend a semester in a Kindergarten classroom. Teaching Kindergarten was everything I had hoped it would be and more. The best experience I had was doing an externship at Sacred Heart with my 3rd grade teacher. I learned a lot from that experience as it was my 1st time in a classroom setting where I was in charge and had to create all the lessons and activities.
            My love for children, hobbies, and the positive influence of numerous people around me has played a vital role in helping me decide to become an Early Childhood Educator. I know I can take my talents and help children grow, learn, and make a difference in their lives.

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Nagging Mother


Irritated with my mom and I found this comic. I can relate, this is exactly how all the conversations with my mom go.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Christian Pickup Lines

 10 Christian Pick- Up Lines

1. Hey girl, I put the "stud" in Bible Study.
2. Hey girl, I was reading through the book of Numbers and realized I didn't have yours.
3. Hey girl, I'm not Boax but you can glean my fields any time.
4. Hey girl, if I march around you 7 times, would you fall for me?
5. Hey girl, would you be in my purpose- driven life?
6. Hey girl, I think one of my ribs belongs to you.
7. Hey girl, me... you... Song of Songs... the remix.
8. Hey girl, I didn't believe in pre- destination, until tonight.
9. Have you died before? That looks like a resurrection body to me! 
10. Hey girl, can I come to your church? I want to see your body... of Christ.

Thank you @davemelendez on Twitter for sharing these funny Christian Pick- Up lines.

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Pregnancy Announcement

http://pinterest.com/pin/34762228344887294/
Thank you Pinterest, this is by far the best pregnancy announcement I have ever seen!

**Follow me on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/lizs07/

Friday, September 7, 2012

Leaf Songs

Today, http://www.survivingateacherssalary.com found a great collection of leaf songs and poems at the Busy Teachers Cafe. Here were a few of my favorites:

Leaves Are Falling
to the tune of "Are You Sleeping?"
Leaves are falling, leaves are falling,
All around, All around,
Brown and yellow leaves, red and orange too,
On the ground, On the ground.

Raking Leaves
I like to rake the leaves
(Make raking motion with hands.)
Into a great big hump .
(Pretend to pile leaves.)
Then I move back a bit,
(Take a step or two back.)
Bend my knees and jump!
(Bend knees, then jump.)

Ten Little Leaves
to the tune of "Ten Little Indians"
One little, two little, three little leaves,
Four little, five little, six little leaves,
Seven little, eight little, nine little leaves,
Ten little leaves fell down.

Five Little Leaves
Five little leaves so bright and gay
(Hold up five fingers.)
Were dancing about on a tree one day.
(Dance in place.)
The wind came blowing through the town,
(Sway with the wind.)
And one little leaf came tumbling down.
(Gently tumble to the ground.)

Four little leaves . . .
 

The Leaves Are Falling Down
to the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell"
The leaves are falling down,
The leaves are falling down,
Fall is here, and winter's near,
The leaves are falling down.

 The Leaves on the Trees
to the tune of "The Wheels on the Bus"
The leaves on the trees are changing color,
Changing color, changing color,
The leaves on the trees are changing color,
All around the town.

The wind makes the leaves say "Swish, swish, swish,"
"Swish, swish, swish, swish, swish, swish,"
The wind makes the leaves say "Swish, swish, swish,"
All around the town.

Then the leaves come tumbling down,
Tumbling down, tumbling down,
Then the leaves come tumbling down,
All around the town.

The leaves on the ground make crackling sounds,
Crackling sounds, crackling sounds,
The leaves on the ground make crackling sounds,
All around the town.

We'll rake them up into a pile,
Into a pile, into a pile,
We'll rake them up into a pile,
All around the town.

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Diesel Turns 1!

Diesel had a busy day, he helped me change the sheets...

He played outside catching bugs and enjoying the sunny weather...

He tried on his Grandpa sweater, it'll be snowing in two months you know...

Then it was party time! He tried to run away...
He was a little overwhelmed...
And a little sad he had to take a bunch of pictures because he doesn't photograph well..

But, the presents made it all worth it!
He was exhausted from his exciting day and called it a night earlier than usual!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DIESEL! We Love You!!