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11.30.2012

Just had to share..

Then...

Now...

As you can see, my life hasn't changed all that much. And that ^ is what I plan on doing all weekend. Thank goodness there is also room for Ben and my other child cat on the couch. 
Having a full-time job makes Friday so much sweeter.  

Happy Friday and hope you have a great weekend! 

11.28.2012

Everyone will beg for more!


We are slightly obsessed with anything spicy here in the Shea household.  You can easily control the heat in this dish by the amount of chili powder you use, but the more you add the yummier it gets!! Unless you don't like spicy.  Then don't add any at all!
Either way, this twist on mac n' cheese is so creamy and yummy and still includes your veggies! How awesome is that?!
Get ready for the smell of cumin mixed with melted cheese and chili powder to fill your house.  Everyone will be begging for seconds!



Mac 'n Cheese with a Kick!

Ingredients
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup half and half
  • 1 teaspoon dried cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 6 ounces whole wheat elbow macaroni
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 yellow onion, diced
  • 8-10 white mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder (if desired for spice)
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried cumin
  • 1 1/2 cups white cheddar cheese, grated
  • 4 cups broccoli, steamed and chopped
Cooking Directions
  1. Boil a large pot of water. Add macaroni to boiling water and cook until al dente. Drain and pour macaroni back into pot over very low heat.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine eggs, half and half, cumin, oregano and pepper. Set aside.
  3. Heat a large saute pan over medium heat. Once hot, add oil, onions, mushrooms, and tomatoes. Stir in chili powder and cumin until cooked through. Turn off heat and set aside.
  4. Pour the egg mixture and grated cheese into the pot of macaroni. Stir slowly and constantly until velvety and creamy.
  5. Turn off the heat and stir in the cooked onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, and broccoli. Allow the macaroni to sit for 3-4 minutes to thicken.

11.27.2012

Snow in the slooooww country.





Some people call it the deep south.  The palmetto state.  The swamp state. Others call it the lowcountry.  I like the slllooooww country. Anyways.
Ok, so it's not snowing here.  And it probably won't.  And we went home to Chicago for Christmas last year and didn't see snow.  And we didn't see snow for the two years we lived in Okinawa before that.  But it is snowing in my nativity scene and awesome village that we just acquired from Ben's mom (I knooow, not only did she bring the turkey and make a bunch of food for Thanksgiving, but she also handed over her amazing village collection...jealous, much?!)...turns out setting out the village and choosing exactly where each piece goes has always been more of Ben's thing growing up than his sisters--this is no joke, he gave me the 'don't you dare' look when I started moving around his pieces.

I don't even care that this snow is only visible in these pictures and not in real life.  They still give me hope that when I look up from the computer and out the window, I may see a flurry or two.  Or maybe a bunch of flurries and a snowman and snow filled trees!!
'Tis the season to dream of snow!