Monday, April 18, 2011

Neverending story

Too much on my mind ...confused as all hell.......but I'm trying to make the bet out of crappy situations. Lately my head has been elsewhere, while my body was forced to keep on thinking about others and how to make the ones around me happy. Which is what i'm supposed to do but why wasn't I happy in the process.  Being sad and miserable is a horrible way to live your life, i know this but yet i can't seem to turn this frown upside down, when i try everything just gets all twisted.Just when things would seem good, everything was crashing around me.  My sister had her wedding this past weekend. I had soo much fun and really enjoyed my time being part of the bridal party. I couldn't be more happy for her and her husband.... wow they have only been together for eleven years  and have three kids together LOL But the day was awesome. Despite all the rain and wind we had a beautiful outcome and a great time!  can't wait to see all the pictures.
No offense though I'm so glad this wedding is over! There has been way too much drama, time, money and tears during the last few months. My relationship with my boyfriend has suffered, my mental state has suffered and certain friendships are finished. I don't know how to quite explain everything but i know since i have not written down anything that i have been feeling lately has been making me feel worse. I don't have anybody to confide in that i trust enough to understand and i don't know how to find the right words to talk to my bf without starting any fights. Because thats how we have been living. Like walking on eggshells around eachother and that just makes me wanna cry. I love this man I will always love him but the strains on our relationship right now are testing us to the max. I think we have about exceeded our limit. We will come out stronger on the other side because in reality its just miss communications and my issue has finally become clear to me, I have no control over what has been and is happening in our lives. I have to learn how to accept it and deal or find another way to cope. Me and the Boy are better off with eachother, we are better parents together. So for now i just keep on living and doing what i do best,,,, Be a momma because without my lil slug a bug... I wouldn't be where I am today even though the times today makes living tough... we are survivors and thats what I have always been.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Some people asked.....

I received some comments on my Spinach/artichoke stuffed shells  so I shall deliver..
Ingredients

1 (12-ounce) box jumbo pasta  shells
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 large yellow onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 pound ground turkey
1 bag of baby spinach
1 (8 to 10-ounce) package frozen artichokes, thawed and coarsely chopped (or you can use canned)
1 (15-ounce) container ricotta cheese
 1/3 cup grated Parmesan
3/4 cup grated Asiago
2 eggs, lightly beaten
5 cups of marinara sauce (use your favorite)
Directions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and partially cook until tender but still very firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 4 to 5 minutes. Drain pasta

Meanwhile, in a large heavy skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions and the garlic and cook until the onions are soft and starting to brown, about 3 minutes. Add the ground turkey, salt and pepper to taste and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is slightly golden and cooked through. Add the artichoke hearts and half the bag of spinach, stir to combine. Wait till that half of spinach wilts down then add the other half. (this will prevent overflowing of pan, if you have a deep pot add the whole bag at once)  Remove from heat and let cool.

In a large bowl combine the cooled turkey mixture with the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, Asiago cheese and eggs, Stir to combine
To stuff the shells, cover the bottom of a 9 by 13 by 2-inch baking dish with 1 cup of  sauce. Take a shell in the palm of your hand and stuff it with a large spoonful of turkey mixture, about 2 tablespoons. Place the stuffed shell in the baking dish. Continue filling the shells until the baking dish is full, about 24 shells. Drizzle the remaining Sauce over the shells, top with the grated Asiago (or Mozzarella if thats what you like). If freezing, cover tightly with plastic wrap and place in the freezer for 1 day and up to 1 month.

To bake, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Bake until the shells are warmed through and the cheese is beginning to brown, about 60 minutes (20 minutes if shells are unfrozen.) 
ENJOY!!!!!
Let me know how they come out if anyone makes them.
Believe me theres nothing better to me than comfort food made Healthy ........

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Updates and Apologies


So in the past two weeks I haven't felt much like myself. This has resulted in not wanting to post, not wanting to talk to anyone, and not wanting to be creative in any way.
So I am sorry for any of the people (the whole 7 that follow me) that i did not give an update on my sister's Bridal shower sooner. Ya know the Shower that i spent all my time on to make perfect!! Yeah that one. SO here it goes!.... By the way It was a total SUCCESS! My sister was incredibly happy and everyone enjoyed themselves. 
The Menu:
Stuffed Shells with ground turkey, artichokes, and spinach (my sis' Fav)


 The half finished version..........^^^^^^^^^




The Complete finished version>>>>>>>>>
They were so tasty. For appetizers I had made Stuffed Mushrooms and little Caprese Tartlets


 For Dessert I made Strawberry Glazed cupcakes!
 And a Cake my Mom picked up that was adorable!
AND last but not at al least the Favors. Okay so my inspiration was to make wedding cake pops but i'm just gonna blame the fact that i don't bake and lack of practice because the wedding cake idea went well first see here>
 I opted out of the pop idea but the wedding cakes look ok in that picture but trying to dip them in chocolate with no stick became a horrible idea sooo..... I just made cake balls lol Which everyone LOVED!! so it was still a success

 I put them n little boxes (same colors of my sisters wedding) and tied the with ribbon.

 It was a perfect afternoon spent with amazing family and friends I wish i had taken the pictures myself and had my camera (still in the process of searching for it) because maybe this blog won't look like such a mess but my points were made and once i figure some more "techy" stuff out I'll put up my recipes.

 A picture of the bridesmaids with the bride of course!! ( the little girl my cousins daughter since my cousin was working and couldn't make it LOL)