Canadian Babies Rule

Just after I found out I was expecting last year, I found some iron on transfers on sale at Michael's. They were so cute, I had to have them. It took me a long time to find plain white onesies to put them on, but finally I found a three pack for cheap at Winners. I've since gone back and gotten two more packages of them because I like to wear them on Salean under her dresses. 

I Also wanted to do one with Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh, I had an iron on transfer I had bought years ago at a dollar store, but unfortunately that one did not work. I'm guessing it was to old. 

I had a hard time with the letters on the Made in Canada one, they were so small, they just would not stick! It took forever to get them on! As you can see, I lost the dot on the letter I. 

They are big enough to hold over until July, so I can wear one of them on her for Canada Day. I have not put them on Salean yet as they are to big, but she is growing like a weed, so they will fit soon! 

Hope everyone is having a great week, it's been either raining or cold here all week, can't wait for Summer! 

~Natasha. 

Quick & Easy Lasgna

Yesterday was a rainy miserable day, and to go with the weather, Salean was not feeling well and in a grumpy mood and Mommy has a cold. Yesterday was Easter Monday here in Canada, it is basically a bank holiday, but a lot of people take it off as well. Since Daddy was going to be around for dinner, I offered to make stew, something he loves and would go great on the miserable day. While I was talking about stew, I said something about lasagna, and he said he'd rather have that since we had not had it in awhile. Lasagna is one of my favourites, so I agreed. 

This recipe I found in an issue of Kraft's What's cooking magazine  I don't know how many years ago. I do not like the taste of either Ricotta or Cottage cheese, something that is in a lot of lasagna recipes, so I was very glad when I found this one. It takes five ingredients: Sauce, noodles (quick noodles that you don't have to boil), cheese, hamburger and water. 

Quick Lasagna

1 Lb ground beef

3 cups grated cheese, divided use

3 cups pasta sauce 

1 cup water

About 12 ready to cook lasagna noodles.

In large pan, brown ground beef, drain if necessary. If desired, add onions & green peppers. 

Meanwhile, in large bowl measure out 3 cups sauce (I find a jar has about 2.5 cups; sometimes I will use salsa or plain tomato sauce to top it up if I have some leftover and do not want to open a new jar). Add 1 cup water, stir. Spoon a bit onto bottom of 13X9 pan to prevent sticking. Add hamburger and about 3/4 cup (a couple handfuls) of cheese to remaining sauce.

Layer sauce mixture with noodles in pan. Top with remaining cheese. Cover with aluminum foil; bake at 350 F for 15 minutes, remove foil and bake for additional 15 minutes, or until pasta is tender. 

Let set five minutes on counter before slicing to serve.. 

This was the first meal I made for Mr. Man.I usually serve it with garlic bread, but had so much going on at the time I forgot, much to his dismay. The leftovers are great, to! I usually wrap individual slices in foil, and freeze them. When I want  slice, I pull it from the freezer and let it thaw. At home, I bake it for 10 minutes, but if I was at work I would just microwave it for about 2 minutes. 

They say babies don't understand the concept of missing people until they are about 9 months, which is when separation anxiety will sometimes happen; but I think even at three months, Salean misses her Daddy when he is away. They spent most of yesterday cuddled up watching TV (I know, they are not supposed to watch it before age two, but I think rainy sick days can be an exception). Today I can tell she is still not feeling well,  I have tried cuddling with her on the couch but I have caught her staring longingly at "Daddy's" chair a couple of times. Poor kid :-( When she wakes up from her nap, I will have to try for cuddles in that chair. 

For now, it's lunchtime, and I am taking advantage of nap time to have a slice of lasagna for lunch!

Have a great day, everyone! 

~Natasha.