Recipes

When Jonathan and I got married I discovered I love to cook! Since I have been staying home I have started trying all kinds of new recipes. I don't think I have made the same thing twice in months. I have even tried to make things recently that I have been intimidated to make like pot roast and lasagna. I found this lasagna recipe in this months Southern Living, and it is AMAZING. It was too good not to share!

Ingredients
12 uncooked lasagna noodles
1 (24-oz.) container 4% small-curd smooth-and-creamy cottage cheese
1 (16-oz.) container ricotta cheese
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup refrigerated pesto
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups (10 oz.) shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1 pound lean ground beef
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
2 (24-oz.) jars tomato-and-basil pasta sauce
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 375°. Prepare noodles according to package directions.
2. Meanwhile, stir together cottage cheese and next 4 ingredients. Stir in 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
3. Cook ground beef and onion in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring often, 6 to 7 minutes or until meat crumbles and is no longer pink; drain. Stir in pasta sauce.
4. Layer 1 cup beef mixture, 3 noodles, and 2 1/2 cups cottage cheese mixture in a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Top with 3 noodles, 2 cups beef mixture, and 3 more noodles. Top with remaining cottage cheese mixture, 3 noodles, and beef mixture. Sprinkle with remaining 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese.
5. Bake, covered, at 375° for 40 to 45 minutes. Uncover and bake 20 minutes or until cheese is browned. Let stand 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

For dessert I made Almond Joy brownies. I just started liking coconut when I was pregnant with Jon David. Now I can't get enough! I found this easy recipe online. It was a bake off recipe in the 50s

Ingredients

4 ounces almond joy candy bars (4 whole regular sized candy bars or 8 miniature candy bars)
1/2 cup butter or shortening (I prefer butter, but original recipe called for shortening)
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped almonds

Preparation

Heat oven to 350°F.
Grease 9-inch square pan.
In medium saucepan over low heat, melt candy bars and shortening, stirring occasionally until chocolate and shortening are melted.
Add sugar and vanilla; blend well.
Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.
Stir in flour, salt and chopped almonds; mix well.
Spread in greased pan.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until top springs back when touched lightly in center.
Cool completely; cut into bars.

3 months

Every evening before Jon David's last nap and before his daddy gets home, we go outside and swing on the porch swing. The dogs come up, sniff him, and flop down at my feet. It is my favorite time of day! I am dreading it getting colder, because I adore this time so much. It was such a beautiful day the other day the wind was blowing, the trees were moving, and Jon David was memorized and I thought this is the life. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else doing anything else!

Our 3 month old sweetie pie is getting such a personality. He doesn't laugh but has giggled a few times lately. He has dropped his 11 pm feeding. He sleeps from 8 pm to 8 am. It is great, but I do miss feeding him at 11. He never opened his eyes, but he was so peaceful and sweet. I loved holding him one more time before he went to bed for the night. The bright side is it has helped his daytime naps. It is so hard to believe he is 3 months!

I think he was a little scared of the basket.

His new favorite thing to do is suck on his fist and blow bubbles.

He also loves to lay on his boppy and look and laugh at himself in the mirror.

I know Jonathan has been looking forward to watch the first Auburn game with his son. It was very sweet. Please disreguard the boxes to the left waiting on an entertainment center.

Since Jon David is staying awake for longer periods we took him for our first walk around the subdivision. I honestly wasn't sure if I could do it by myself. Our driveway is so steep. I knew I could get down with him, but I wasn't sure if I could make it back up, so we took daddy and the dogs along with us. He LOVED the walk. I just knew he would go to sleep, but he stayed awake the whole time. He loves being outside and looking at the trees. When we got home, I was determined to push him up the hill. Thankfully I was able to. I see many more walks in our future!

Oh sweet boy, how we love you. You just keep getting better and better. You have captured our hearts. We can't get enough of you! We are so thankful God chose us to be your parents!