Highs and Lows of the Week

Highs and Lows of the Week:

• Received some heart wrenching news about a dear, inspiring woman.
• Cut out of work early on Friday and went on a weekend trip to Duluth with friends.
• Celebrated my joyful nephew’s 7^th birthday.  Kid you not, the kid would get excited about new underwear.  He is so sweet.
• Hung wall décor
• Said farewell to work computer number 2.  If my new one decides to go to computer heaven I will start to feel offended. 
• Had my former roommates (two of my greatest friends) over for a roomie reunion and dinner (baked ziti recipe below)
• Got to see my former roommate’s growing baby belly.  I cannot wait to meet my newest niece/nephew. Eeeeeek!
• Watched Ellen which is the highlight of my day and it always makes me laugh AND cry (Um, did anyone watch it yesterday? Lordy, waterworks over here) Check out the emotional meeting here!
• Had great seats at the Wild game last night, thanks to our friend Mike.

While looking back at the highlights/low points of the past week I’m reminded to never take life for granted.  I laughed my ass off in the past week, cried my eyes out, thanked God, and the next day found myself asking Him why terrible things happen to good (the best) people.  Some things I will just never understand but  I’ll continue to be thankful for the people I have in my life and for the life He has blessed me with. 

And now for the dinner I fed my roomies, everyone always loves it...

Baked Ziti

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. (box) dry ziti
• 1/2 onion chopped
• 1 lb. lean ground beef (we've also done Italian sausage and ground turkey)
• 2 jars spaghetti sauce-24 oz each
• 1 package provolone cheese slices
• 1 1/2 cups sour cream
• 6 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 tbs. grated parmesan cheese

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• Butter 9x13 baking dish, set aside
• Cook pasta, drain
• In large skillet brown onion and ground beef over medium heat
• Add spaghetti sauce

To assemble, layer as follows:

• Half of ziti noodles
• All provolone cheese
• All sour cream
• Half of meat sauce
• Remaining ziti
• All mozzarella cheese
• Remaining meat sauce
• Top with parmesan cheese

Bake for 30 minutes or until cheeses are melted, let stand for 10 min. 

Enjoy!