A Happy Ending

For the past couple of weeks there has been a black cat hanging around our neighborhood.  He had a collar and we could tell that he was definitely lost.  The neighbors (including us) started to feel bad for the little guy and began to put food out for him.  (Yes, I know...bad idea...)  So, after putting flyers up with no response and this cat following us around non-stop, Matt decided to call an animal shelter.  They suggested to check on craigslist to see if the owners posted something.  Within minutes, Matt found the owners!  We called and found out that they live in KEY WEST!  Yes, they were on vacation here when their cat jumped out of the window at local grocery store.  They are coming to get him this week.  :)  I am not big on black cats, but we couldn't help but feel bad for this friendly cat.  We are very happy for him and his owners to be reunited.

I think Beacon is happy to have us all back to himself too :)

Homemade Mac'n Cheese for Big Kids!

Every once in a while I really want some mac'n cheese, but I always feel too guilty to buy it in the box from the store.  So, I was really excited when I found (on Pinterest, of course) this recipe and it tasted so good! 

Ingredients

• 8 oz macaroni pasta
• 8 oz American cheese, grated
• 1/2 cup fat-free Greek yogurt (I use 0% Fage)
• Salt
• Pepper
• 1 1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
• 1 cup shredded leftover chicken (optional)

Instructions

1. Cook macaroni pasta for 8-10 minutes in salted water, until al dente.
2. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining the pasta.
3. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot.
4. Add 1/4 cup pasta water, the yogurt, and 1/3 of the grated cheese and stir until the cheese has melted.
5. Stir in remaining cheese, one small handful at a time to prevent clumping.
6. Add additional pasta water as necessary to thin the cheese sauce.
7. Stir in peas and chicken, if using, and serve warm.
8. To reheat, microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring in between. If you think it needs it, add a tablespoon or two of skim milk or water. It's usually creamy enough after it's heated thoroughly but it's up to you.

A Couple of Notes:

*I didn't add the peas or chicken.

*Instead of using shredded American Cheese, I used the old fashioned Kraft Singles (I think the last time I ate this cheese was when I was 8 years old haha).  I just shredded the cheese into smaller chunks and slowly added it to the pasta, allowing it to gradually melt in.

*This recipe may not be super healthy but at least it is easy and homemade with real ingredients (not like the box version with a packet of powdered cheese--although it is still yummy ;).

Enjoy!

March Madness (ps-this post has nothing to do with basketball :)

We kicked off this spring with some exciting trips to visit close friends and family.  It really has been madness.  At least one of us has been out of town for the past three weekends!  It has been really fun but I am also glad that things are now settling down a little bit.  So, here it goes...

Not pictured is Matt's Denver ski trip with his Dad and the Wilkersons.  It sounded like they had a good time, and thankfully there were no injuries (at least, not to my knowledge)  The last time Matt had been to Steamboat was when we started dating in college--I couldn't help but include that small detail ;)

Next, we headed north for the McCauley reunion.  It was fun to see Topher star as the lead role in "Footloose." We were all amazed by his singing and dance skills!

And for the grande finale...I went home for part of my spring break!  I was able to visit with my sweet friend, Mary, for our traditional breakfast date.  Then, I was headed off to a bridal shower for Jackie (a fellow "CORE" member).  We were all amazed that we managed to get the majority of our friends together for this event, considering we literally live all over the country now.  It was a special time (we missed you, Erin!).

We went with a "mini" theme because, well if you know Jackie, it just made sense.

 Props to the Ostertags for the lovely decor. It matched the colors for the wedding.

 Showing off her bling bling!

 This book was my Dad's contribution to the shower...not surprisng at all.  haha

 The many faces of Jackie. hehe

 "A" for effort, Casey!  Although, we were all impressed that your remembered this bridal shower tradition!

 Somebody said something awkward...as you can see from Mrs. Krauss' face.

 And, some more awkward/hilarious/classic moments...

 Later, we went downtown to celebrate a little bit more with just the girls.  (Yes, this is was all in the same day..I told you that this was the grande finale!)  We had a lovely time together.  Kendra's place was super cute.  We even earned $20 towards Jackie's honeymoon fund...I think it was the fanny pack that won people over (thanks, Mr. O!)

 The rest of my time home was spent with the usual things that I just love.  Pizza night, watching Disney movies with Natalie & Stratton, dropping by Mere and Dad's work with Jimmy Johns...

 A sad part of this trip was saying "goodbye" to my childhood home.  My parents are moving to another home in the area.  It will be a fun change but it was weird cleaning out some of my closets.  I had saved every single paper from middle school through college, and had them all filed in various bins!  Wow.  I finally narrowed down my posessions to this...

hanging files, ballet shoes, old prayer journal, and science textbooks

 It was truely bittersweet (I overuse this word, but it always sums things up so nicely) rummaging through old yearbooks, journals, and pictures.  There are many memories in the old house but I know that they will always stay with our family.  Life is so short anyway...I guess you can't get bogged down with holding on to too much, else you will miss out on all of the fun memories to come!

Spring in March--a new concept

Being a Michigander at heart, I am very familiar with the four seasons. So, when we moved I was uncertain about how I would transition to such a warm climate. However, as of right now, I am totally okay with the weather here. :) Spring came in like 2 days! There was no annoying transition month, where everyone is ready for it to get nice out but it's not quite there yet. It rained one day...and then it was spring! I am amazed.

Every season comes with its joys and trials (pardon the cheesey seguae..that was pretty bad hah). Some seasons are confusing and difficult. But, this season seems joyful and exciting to me. God has provided community in our lives that I was not expecting, and I am SO grateful. I realize that life is not always like this. In fact, as Christians, we know that we should not expect life to be easy or always enjoyable. So, I am counting my blessings and giving praise in this sweet season, knowing that I will need to remember it when a bitter season comes along again. Always giving praise.

In church, we sang, "Our God is able. Our God is faithful." I have been thinking about what faith means this week. A friend told me its about "being excited and hopeful, but realistic." It's about being okay with what God's will is even if it's not the easier route. Faith is about knowing that God is able to do anything. He always has our best interest in mind, and we know that our future is secure with Him. That is something I can always, regardless of the season, be excited about!