A windy Saturday, friends at the park & a crazy woman with a camera.

On a blustery afternoon about a week ago, we headed off to the park for some fun with friends. I took a million pictures of everyone, but really like these two. They aren't going to win any awards---G doesn't really need that other hand, does she? That's why H.F. gave her two, right?!? Still, I love how they capture the joy of the girls doing things they love.

While it always worries me, H loves exploring outside (usually as far from the house as possible) by herself. There were six of us on the playground, but she was always off by herself exploring and finding what she liked. See how happy she looks in that moment that she glimpsed the next thing she wanted to go to? I love that! While the distance that she wants to roam still gives me ulcers, I should work harder to not worry about her love of solitude. After all, being able to appreciate solitude is a valuable thing, right?

Then there's G. She is such a rowdy little stinker! At 8 she isn't much different than she was at 2. Neither of the girls are, really. G still loves bouncing and tearing around like a lunatic, constantly in motion; it's when she's happiest. So I love this (one handed!) picture of her on the teeter-totter. It shows how she lives life--a smile on her face and arms thrown open wide to embrace the moment she is in; preferably with as many friends around her as possible. G does not possess the same appreciation for solitude that her sister does. ;)

Anyhow, we had a lot of fun. Squealing, jumping, climbing and dangling were in abundance that day. But man, was it cold! We had to go 'warm' up by hitting the DQ for ice cream and french fries when we were done. Because H and G are numbers 4 and 5 in our kid line-up, I find myself more aware lately that many of the things we're experiencing with them are likely 'lasts'. I feel a greater sense of urgency than ever before, to take it all in and really live those moments as they happen. I've gotta soak it all up, baby!

Red and White Lasagna

Here's a recipe that's a big family favorite. Is was the result of not having any ricotta cheese....and not being willing to make the 20 minute trek to the store. Turns out that we like it better this way, and using the oven-ready pasta makes it so much faster! Don't worry about the water we're adding to the recipe---it will hydrate the uncooked pasta. ;)

1 lb. sweet italian turkey sausage, removed from casings
1 lb. ground turkey
1 large onion, diced
2 Tbs. minced garlic
1 box oven-ready lasagna noodles
2 jars (normal size) marinara sauce
1 jar water (1/2 jar each, to rinse each marinara sauce jar)
1 jar alfredo sauce
1/2 jar water (to rinse aflredo sauce jar)
4 cups (more or less) mozzarella cheese
1 c. parmesan cheese

Cook onion for 2-3 minutes, then add sausage (remove from casings first), ground turkey and garlic. Cook until no longer pink. Drain if needed. Set meat/onion/garlic mixture aside.

Into a mixing bowl, empty marinara sauce jars. Fill each jar 1/2 full with water, shake, then empty into bowl with sauce. Mix red sauce and water together in bowl.

In another bowl, repeat process with alfredo sauce, rinsing jar with 1/2 jar of water and emptying into bowl. Mix well.

In a 9x13 pan, spoon in about 1 1/2 cups red sauce. Lay first layer of pasta; four noodles. Add half of meat mixture and 1 1/4 c. mozzarella. Cover layer with half of red sauce.

2nd layer: 4 noodles, remaining half of meat mixture, all of white sauce, 1 1/4 c. mozzarella, 1/2 c. parmesan cheese.

3rd layer: 4 noodles,remaining red sauce, remaining mozzarella, sprinkle with remaining 1/2 c. parmesan. Spray a sheet of foil with cooking spray and use it to cover lasagna. Bake at 350 for one hour. Remove foil, bake about 20 minutes longer. If you're unsure whether it's done, give it a poke in the center to see if the noodles feel tender.

Allow the lasagna to set up for at least 15 minutes before serving. Yummy!