What's On Our Menu This Week? Legendary Sloppy Lasagna

So, I made Sloppy Lasagna a few weeks ago. 

Then I decided to try my hand at making it again.

And I discovered what makes this recipe so great:

YOU CAN HIDE VEGETABLES IN IT.

My husband is not a huge veggie eater.

He likes salads, broccoli, green beans and he LOVES carrots.

But he is not a huge fan of tomatoes.

I, however, eat at least one tomato a day.

If I were stranded on a desert island, I could survive with tomatoes.

I. AM. NOT. LYING.

So, I cut up green onions and tomatoes into tiny pieces.

TO HIDE THEM.

And I didn't tell my husband.

I don't call that a lie; I call that a healthy secret ;)

Here's what you'll need:

1 lb Italian sausage

1 tbsp Italian seasoning

24 oz tomato sauce

16 oz noodles

8 oz shredded cheese (I used colby jack this time)

Vegetables (spinach, tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, etc.)

Here is a step-by-step (WITH PICTURES THIS TIME) on how to make Legendary Sloppy Lasagna:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

 2. Boil pasta until done.

3. Brown sausage in a large skillet. Then add in seasoning.

4. Add in veggies. You can pick and choose which to add in because THE SAUCE will hide it ;)

5. Add in sauce. To hide your vegetables, of course!

6. Drain pasta.

7. Throw pasta into a bowl and toss in sauce mixture. Mix well together.

8. Put into a large baking dish. Cover in cheese.

9. Bake for 15 minutes.

10. Pull out of the oven, serve, and enjoy. Also, hide chuckles when you husband tells you how delicious it is as he takes a big bite you know if filled with delicious veggies.

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Our Week In Review: Sunsets Galore!

I haven't traveled a whole lot in my life.

Just around the U.S. 

I've seen beaches, mountains, deserts, plains and skyscrapers.

And I've watched the sunset from both sides of the country.

While New York and San Diego have glorious sunsets, nothing compares to the ones I see from my backyard.

It's probably what sold me on living in Small Town USA.

This week, I captured LOTS of (terrible images) of our glorious sunsets on my phone.

Each more beautiful than the last.

So, I thought this would be a good place to share them.

And since I spent most of the week sick, this is a good way to start our week in review!

I started teaching my QuickBooks class this week.

I really love teaching.

Even when I have two classes in a row and lose my voice halfway through ;)

I'm not going to lie, standing in front of a room of people and teaching takes some getting used to.

The nerve-wracking part is making sure I'm clear and concise when teaching.

Other than that, it's a breeze for me.

My teaching bag. There are five books in there!

I got sick this week. 

A sore throat stopped me in my tracks. 

And I tried to push through.

I taught with a sore throat.

I cleaned with a sore throat.

I did all the things I normally do.

Until Friday arrived.

And my body finally told me I needed to RELAX.

So I did.

Headstand Elmo.
For best results, fill will Nyquil before bed ;)

I ran to Wal Mart and picked up this cute picture to hang in my kitchen.

Then I came home, threw on some sweat pants and crawled into bed.

Hot tea, writing, and Chuck. 

SERIOUSLY the BEST show ever!
I cannot lie.
When they made the final season, I couldn't watch it for an entire year.
I just didn't want it to end.
But I eventually watched it.
And cried.

On a slightly less serious note, I've probably watched the entire series about 7 times.

But who's counting?!

I felt well enough to run some errands with Kelly Friday night.

We stopped in at Lowe's just to check out their clearance section.

Somehow, we managed to score 42 square feet of tile for $100.

That's 75% off the normal price.

Um...

New kitchen counters,

HERE WE COME!

Also, I needed a project to keep my hubby busy for the next couple of weeks.

Because he doesn't already have enough on his plate ;)

You can check out what the Hansen Huskies were up to this week here.

They enjoyed some warmer weather before it turned cold and cloudy again. 

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The Hansen Huskies Enjoy Warm Weather!

It's not often we experience warm--we're talking 73 degrees here--weather in January. 

But when we do, the huskies take FULL advantage.

They love temps between 31-74 degrees.

Anything colder, they're indoors.

Anything warmer, they're indoors. 

Moping.

So, I snapped some pictures of the kiddos enjoying the warm weather.

They were too cute not to share!

Princess Z decided to take a nap on the couch.

She doesn't like sunbathing. 

She prefers couch surfing.

When it gets "too" warm in her spot, she heads over to the entryway.

If you look closely, you can see the muddy paw prints on my door.

I should really clean those off.

They've been there awhile.

Niko. 

Please excuse my dead-looking backyard. 

Oklahoma only looks pretty in the wintertime when it's covered in snow.

When spring comes, the yard will liven up again.

Z doesn't have time for my pictures.

BORRRRRING

She makes the funniest faces when the camera is on her.

Also, she has MAJOR attitude.

Abner, also known as my "BIG" bear.

That's what I call him.

He dug a hole.

Then laid in it. 

That's pretty much what he does all day long.

He has such a rough life.

I tried taking a picture of all three looking at me.

But they refused to cooperate.

#mamatried

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What's On Our Menu? Chicken Nachos

The past two weeks have been all about chicken. 

You can find my chicken tacos here.

We do weird things like that in our house. Two weeks of chicken, two weeks of pork, two weeks of spaghetti, two weeks of beef...you get the point.

So, I ran to Wal Mart to pick up some chicken and stopped in my tracks.

I shall make Chicken Nachos for dinner, I thought to myself. 

And I made them.

Then we ate them.

Then we loafed around.

Because we were full.

Here's what you'll need: 

4 chicken breast

Tortilla chips (amounts may vary depending on hunger level)

4 oz shredded cheese (whichever you prefer)

Fajita seasoning packet 

Guacamole

Roma tomatoes

Green onions

Jalapeno peppers 

Artichoke hearts

Salsa con Queso (aka more cheese!)

NOTE: Amounts may vary depending on your likeness of the items listed.

Here's how you prepare it: 

1. Cut chicking into bite-size pieces. Place in skillet with olive oil. 

2. Once chicken is finished cooking, add in half fajita seasoning packet for BOLD flavor.

3. Scatter tortilla chips onto cookie sheet. 

4. Scatter chicken over tortilla chips.

5. Place heaping amounts of cheese (I used Colby Jack) on top of chicken and tortilla chips.

6. Place in preheated oven (325-350 degrees depending on how your oven cooks) for 10 minutes or cheese is melted.

7. Cut up all veggies.

8. Pull cookie sheet out of the oven.

9. PILE ON THE GOODIES (including Salsa con Queso because it MAKES these nachos) AND ENJOY

Warning: If you are using jalapenos, don't assume washing your hands erases the juice from your hands. AND whatever you do, DO NOT touch any part of your body with your hands. Take it from me, your cheek should never feel on fire. Don't ask me how I know ;)

Also, on a somewhat related note, I found this awesome way to re-grow green onions on Pinterest. So, I'm testing it out. I'll let you know if it works!

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Guacamole: A "Bertos" Creation

Let's just put it this way: when I got married, I could make sandwiches.

And that was pretty much it.

So, I set out to teach myself how to cook.

I made a few mistakes along the way.

But I've learned a thing or two since I burnt that first meal.

Listen, nothing ever comes out perfect.

And I have a difficult time recreating GREAT meals.

BUT there is one thing I make consistently and it ALWAYS comes out the same.

Guacamole.

Yes, the Southern California in me is OBSESSED with guac.

And if you can't get it anywhere near Alberto's, Humbertos, or any of the "bertos", we can't discuss my FAVORITE food group.

Somehow, I managed to recreate what I remember it tasting like. It's been almost four years since I last ate at a "bertos". Yes, it's a touchy subject. I think I felt myself shed a small tear. Southern California Mexican food, I MISS YOU. 

Because I miss it so much, I have spent many years trying to perfect carne asada, pico de gallo, and guac.

So far, this is as good as I've gotten my guac recipe.

Here's what you'll need:

2 ripe avocados

2 tbsp sour cream

2 tbsp salsa

1 tsp Tabasco (if you like stuff HOT, add more)

1 tbsp garlic powder

Dash of sea salt

Pepper to taste

 1/2 lime

Here's how you prepare it:

1. Cut and pit avocados.

2. Scrape insides into bowl.

3. Mash with a fork.

4. Add salsa and sour cream. Mix well.

7. Add 1/2 lime juice, Tabasco sauce, garlic powder, sea salt and pepper.

8. Mix together and ENJOY.

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My Three Little Loves

I snapped this photo Sunday morning. 

I got up early to do a load of laundry before church.

When I looked the door, I saw these three sitting together (like they do every morning) and watching the Earth wake up. 

This is the only time of day they spend calmly together--not playing.

And I couldn't resist sharing this sweet photo.

These are my three little loves.

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