What's New
I've been learning to knit. Even when it's frustrating because I'm doing it wrong, it's still very relaxing. I enjoy creating things from nothing. It's amazing that something new can be made just from a ball of yarn. So far, I've only played around with a few patterns, making bookmarks and potholders. I want to practice with a few more patterns before I try to make a scarf, but right now that's my goal. To make a scarf. After that, I'll set my sights higher, like a sweater or a blanket, but I'm trying to dream big while still thinking small, in steps. Maybe one of these days I'll be brave enough to post some pictures of my projects, but for now I'm still too shy.
In addition, I've been rediscovering my love of beautiful words. I've been reading a few classic books where the words just flow on the page, but in addition to that, I also read poetry this week, which I haven't done in a while.
Testament Talk
Speaking of poetry, my favorite book of the Bible is the Psalms. Something about the book is both inspiring and relaxing for me. It's no coincidence that my favorite Psalm is also the shortest Psalm. That makes it easier to remember, but it also has a powerful message in just a few words.
Psalm 117 - Praise the Lord, all nations! Laud Him, all peoples! For His lovingkindness is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord is everlasting. Praise the Lord!
Wow. All nations should praise God and revere Him because His love and kindness and generosity and faithfulness and His mercies are so great toward us. His truth lasts forever! That's an amazing verse, to me. It says so much with so few words.
What's Cookin'
Poetry always makes me feel creative, and so has learning to knit, so this week I'm going to share another of my cooking creations.
Sarah’s
Pasta Casserole
Ingredients
- · 1 box uncooked penne pasta (I prefer one called penne rigate)
- · 1 jar Traditional Old-World Style Ragu sauce
- · 1 pound shredded Mozzarella
- · 1 regular bag of shredded parmesan
- · Dried Basil flakes
- Preheat oven to 350
- Boil half the box of penne pasta (a little salt with keep it from sticking to the pan).
- Put 1/2 pound of mozzarella, 1 jar Ragu, and 1/2 bag shredded Parmesan in a large mixing bowl (I use glass because the Ragu will stain plastic.)
- Add a few shakes of basil (to taste; I usually shake the jar 4-5 times.)
- Less is better if you're not sure how much you like.
- Mix ingredients gently with a large spoon until cheese is covered with Ragu.
- When pasta is tender, drain, and add to the cheese mixture.
- Mix pasta until completely covered with sauce.
- Place pasta mixture into a deep casserole dish
- Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and a little more shredded Parmesan (about a handful) on top.
- Bake in the oven for 30 minutes - until all cheese is melted and sauce is bubbling.
- Because each oven is different, cook times may vary.
*Variation: Use a bag of shredded 6 cheese variety instead of just Parmesan
*Variation: Use Oregano instead of Basil
*Variation: Slice 2-3 deboned chicken breasts into small pieces; cook in skillet until browned; add to pasta mixture.
*For more cheese, serve with grated Parmesan
Book Nook
Since my Testament Talk was about the Psalms, I feel it's only right to recommend my favorite poetry book. I often have a hard time choosing my favorite poet, so I prefer books that have a selection from many different poets. This was a book that that I had to read for a class in college, and it quickly jumped to the top of my favorite poetry list.
Before you can make the decision about whether or not this book will be for you, I should disclose that the Victorian era is my favorite. I like several things about it, including the poetry and literature. After all, Sherlock Holmes is from Victorian England.
So, even though it may be cheating to recommend and anthology, I will anyway. I encourage you to read The Penguin Book of Victorian Verse, edited with an introduction and notes by Daniel Karlin, with poems from Wordsworth, Browning, Tennyson, and many more.
This week's recommendation is Downton Abbey. I had a hard time getting into it at first, but I kept trying and after I made it past the first 3 episodes, I was hooked! It's a drama, and it definitely leans more towards the soap opera end sometimes, but it's mostly a good, interesting, if occasionally predictable, historical drama.
If you've had a hard time getting into it, I recommend trying again if you're at all interested in historical dramas.
Weekly Reflection
This week was a good one. I went thrift store shopping with my mom, which is always fun. I made good progress in reading all the books I checked out from the library, and I've been good about not checking out more until I read them. I still have some out, but several are short, and I'm trying to just focus on making steady, albeit sometimes slow, progress on one book at a time. We'll see how long that lasts.
Because we went shopping, I also cleaned out my closet and got some of my old clothes ready to donate, and shifted some things around to make more room.
My room feels cleaner, and tidier and I haven't even vacuumed yet!
But maybe that's boring for you to read, so I'll stop here. I hope you all have a very blessed week!
