Meat Filled Manicotti

This is one of Honey's favorite Italian meals. It's a little time consuming but absolutely worth it!

14 manicotti shells
1/2 lb ground beef
1/2 lb ground Italian sausage
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
4 eggs, slightly beaten
1/4 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3/4 cup finely chopped onion
3/4 t dried oregano
1/2 t salt
1/8 t pepper
1 3/4 cup spaghetti sauce

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Cool in single layer on foil or waxed paper. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large skillet, brown meat and drain. Stir together 1 cup mozzarella cheese, eggs, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, onion, oregano, salt and pepper. Fill each cooled pasta tube with about 1/4 cup meat filling. Spread thin layer of sauce on bottom of 9 x 13 inch baking dish sprayed with Pam. Place filled pasta in prepared dish; cover with remaining sauce. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cheese and additional Parmesan cheese if desired. Cover with foil. Bake 45 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Butter Crisp Cookies

I saw this recipe the other day on a blog I love, Rocks in My Dryer,and knew I had to try it. It looked like something Maddie would love, and boy was I right. They are super easy and she loved them!

One box Pillsbury "pudding in the mix" yellow cake mix
1 egg, slightly beaten
3/4 cup butter, melted
1 cup Rice Krispies

Blend all ingredients together. Dough will be crumbly. Form into tight 1-inch balls, place on cookie sheet and flatten slightly. Bake in 350 oven for 10-12 minutes.

Vanilla Spice Cupcakes with Cinnamon Frosting

These cupcakes are easy since they start with a cake mix and they just scream fall! Your house will smell super yummy as they bake!

Vanilla Spice Cupcakes:
1 box spice cake mix

1 small box vanilla instant pudding mix

4 eggs

1/2 Cup oil

1/2 Cup water

1/2 Cup sour cream

4 oz softened cream cheese

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place all ingredients into stand or electric mixer and beat on medium for close to 2 minutes, batter will be thick. Scoop or spoon batter into 24 cupcake cups and bake for 18-21 minutes.

Cinnamon Frosting:

1 tub of Pillsbury Vanilla Frosting

4 oz softened cream cheese

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, plus more to sprinkle on top

Mix all ingredients until well combined and spread over cooled cupcakes. Sprinkle additional cinnamon lightly over frosted cupcakes.

The Week in Review

Let's see..............................

-Got a cold............one that won't go away. Stink. I hate colds. They slow me down. Maybe that's the point?

-Got pranked at school which was so fun! Pay backs are heck though so ..................(he he he)

-Won a beautiful bracelet on thotlady's blog! I never win anything so this was such a treat!

-Got a BUNCH of coupons in the mail from my sister! Yeah Sissy!

-Did not go to the gym even once. Man that's awful!

-Got a surprise package from my precious friend Dory. Inside was the cutest pumpkin EVER that says Blessings, a very sweet card, and some yummy chocolate covered raisins! What a sweet surprise from my sweet friend!

-Tried a new cupcake recipe for a wedding shower and they were YUMMY! I'll post the recipe tomorrow- along with two others- one for cookies and one for manicotti.

-Went to my first book club meeting and absolutely LOVED it! We read Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen and it was a very interesting read. Not a book I would normally have picked up but I really enjoyed it.

-Found a place to play the game Blokus online and now I'm hooked. I love that game! (If you decide to play let me know and we can play together! :)

-Kept looking at this beautiful teeny tiny initials necklace on Lisa Leonard's website. Isn't it adorable?



Funniest thing I heard all week:

"My goal is to NOT live longer than my teeth."

Happy Friday y'all!

Dear Loreal,

Dear Loreal,

I have been using your hair color for the past 5 and 1/2 years ever since I turned 32 and decided that I wanted to be a red head. That year I went to the store, picked out a Feria auburn hair color box and returned home. I have faithfully purchased a new box of that same hair color every 5 to 6 weeks since then. I love the color, the ease of application, and the great low cost. I've been so pleased with it that I have never considered changing brands.

Not until recently.

Recently I noticed that my roots were starting to show and that it was almost time to recolor my hair. So on my next trip to the grocery store, I walked down the hair color aisle looking for the now familiar box. I was a bit shocked when I found that my normal box with the cute short haired red head was not there. I decided however that perhaps Kroger was just out of that particular color and decided I would check again the following week.

A few days later I found myself at Walmart and decided to pick up a box of the hair color while I was there. I quickly walked down the aisle and glanced over the many Loreal Feria boxes- looking for the cute short haired red head. But once again, I did not find it. I was a tad bit worried but decided that maybe Walmart was also out of my particular color.

This past weekend I was at Target and again decided to look for my hair color. I walked to the hair color aisle hoping that I would find my color. But alas, the cute short haired red head was not at Target either. At this point I began to get a tad concerned.

Monday night as I ran into Walgreens to pick up some pictures, I decided to make another attempt at finding my hair color. I crossed my fingers and went down the aisle full of hair color boxes. I decided that if my box wasn't there, I would simply have to break down and try another brand or color.

Of course, the short haired red head was not there and so I began to search through the many, many boxes of auburn colors. Now I am sad to admit but I never paid attention to the actual color name and certainly not the color #, I just picked up my box based on the model on the front. I honestly had no idea what the color was called or what the number was.

As I looked through the boxes I realized that I was in a pickle. There were many, many shades of auburn. There was dark auburn, bright auburn, auburn auburn, and several others. I began to get very worried because the last thing I wanted to do was pick the wrong color and end up looking like carrot top.

So I started picking up all of the boxes and examining them- trying to figure out what color I needed and still wondering why they had stopped making my favorite color.

Imagine my shock and delight when after 15 minutes of looking- I noticed this little note on top of one of the boxes.

I was so excited to find my cute little short haired red head on the TOP of the box that I did a little dance right there in the aisle!

Oh Loreal you ROCK! Thank you for realizing that some women, like me, are in such a rush that we shop by picture- not by name or by number. That sometimes, about somethings, we are DINGY!

You have earned a customer for life.

Love,

Shannon

Disobedient and Thankful

I bought Lisa Whittle's book Behind Those Eyes back in August and immediately started reading it. I was so touched by it and so convicted by the words she wrote as I saw myself on almost every single page I read.

When I saw that Lisa would be speaking in Houston, I immediately bought tickets and took two friends to hear her speak. She was absolutely wonderful and I hung on every word God spoke through her that evening. I came home excited and ready to continue reading her book and facing the things that I felt God leading me to face.

And then, as much as I loved the book- it became difficult to read.

Really difficult.

Difficult because it was painful to face the truth and to risk being vulnerable and being real.

And so- although I knew that God was prompting me to pick the book back up and face the truth- His truth- I did not.

I put the book down.

And I am embarrassed to say, I left it there.

Occasionally I would see it sitting on my desk and I would think momentarily about picking it up but I never did.

I could feel God calling me to pick it back up and face some things in my life and heart that truly needed to be faced.

But I am ashamed to say I ignored his call.

And then today sweet Lisa wrote a post that so touched my heart and my soul that it honestly made me weep. Her words truly were a gift from God.

As I read her words I could hear God reminding me over and over again that His grace is all that I need.

And as soon as I finished reading her words and drying my eyes, I went and picked that book back up.

And I thanked God for forgiving his daughter who is disobedient and flawed and for loving her always.

Lessons I've Learned

In the past two weeks I've been in four different states and four different hotel rooms. The days I have been home have been full of trying to catch up at work, tennis lessons, laundry, cleaning, grocery shopping, and trying to fight off a stinkin' cold (unfortunately I think the cold is winning).

I've learned a few lessons in those two weeks.

I've learned.....................

1. All hotels- regardless of cost- are NOT created equal. (The Adolphus in Dallas- ROCKS!)

2. Taking tennis lessons at age 38 will definitely make your arms SORE and make you sweat. ALOT.

3. Some people have very interesting fashion ideas. I call this pic: Memphis Man. The Man of Many Colors.

4. My sweet Honey does not make the bed when I am out of town and only makes it the day I am going to return. (Maddie threw him under the bus this time)

5. My dad ROCKS. Who else would come and take Maddie to and from school and dance AND do laundry while I was out of town? He's the BEST!

6. Eating out ALOT and not going to the gym will = a gain of at least 3 lbs. :(

7. No matter how cute your new shoes are, and no matter how comfortable they seem, do NOT wear them when traveling. DO NOT.

8. There are some weird things in Texas. Weird.

9. The Memphis airport has rocking chairs all around for people to sit in while waiting for their flights. How sweet is that?

10. Neiman Marcus is so overpriced it is ridiculous. Wanna guess how much this ugly Santa was? Over $3,000. Three thousand DOLLARS? Are you kidding me? For an ugly Santa? For ANY Santa? Insanity!! I wouldn't have taken him home even if he was free.

11. There's truly no place like home.
12. I am blessed. Blessed.

Manic Monday

Updated with pics of B's room below! :)

You know it's going to be an interesting week when you arrive at school to find:

a. Your door handle wrapped in foil

b. A sign on the board that says..........

U R lucky we ran out of foil!

c. Balls all over the floor

d.

PS You should see my next door neighbor B's room. Let's just say she was not as lucky as I was!

The Scrabble board cracked me up! It says: Next time lock UR door. U got owned.

B and I made the mistake of leaving Friday without locking our doors.

Let's just say, there will be payback. Someone (who's name starts with S and ends with hannon, has a master key! Bwahhhhhhhhh!)

A Note to Myself

Dear Shannon,

If you decide at your oldish age to take up a new sport like tennis and begin taking lessons you had better invest in some Ben-Gay and some Advil.

Because after spending an hour hitting forehands, backhands, and learning to serve, you will be sore.

VERY VERY VERY sore.

So sore that your arms will feel like they are about to fall off when you do something as simple as try to put a shirt on.

And as a bonus your family will laugh at you.

Often and loudly.

Especially when they say they say that you look like a duck when you are concentrating on playing tennis.

Quack quack quack.

Love,

Shannon

A Look In the Bag

Some of you guys are so smart and guessed correctly.

Here's what was in the bag:

Wish you could have seen the look on his face. It was hysterical!
After all of the jokes and harassment I received about my shampoo/conditioner
buying, he so deserved it!
(And not to worry- he did get some nice, regular gifts too!)


Loved, loved, loved the guess of a zebra.
Made me laugh out loud.
Too stinkin funny!

What's in the Bag?

Here's one of Honey's birthday presents.





Can you guess what's in the bag?

Happy Birthday Honey

In honor of my sweet husband's 46th birthday today,

I decided to list 46 of the many reasons that I love him.

1. He is a godly man who loves the Lord.

2. Instead of talking all of the time, he sits back and watches others in a group and as a result is very, very, very intuitive.

3. He NEVER gets angry- because he says that people are only usually angry because they are being selfish.

4. He is the handiest man ever and can fix absolutely anything.

5. He is a fabulous father and an incredible step-father to Maddie.

6. He loves his family with all of his heart.

7. He is the hardest worker ever! He gives it 100% in anything that he does.

8. He is always willing to lend a hand. If he notices someone broken down on the side of the road or a woman with a flat tire- regardless of where he is going- he will turn around and stop to help them.

9. He is thoughtful. Once when I sent him to the store for some feminine hygiene products (bless his heart)-he returned with them, some of my favorite cookies, and some flowers. What a sweetie!

10. He does not complain- EVER. Really.

11. He's romantic. Back when we were just friends and had not yet started dating, I had a Valentine's party for some of my single friends. I cooked a big Italian dinner and everyone came over for dinner. When T arrived he had a single long stem red rose for every single woman there- plus one for M who was only 3.

12. He's got a great sense of humor and is always playing tricks on me and on Maddie. He keeps us laughing.

13. He is a great gardener and our yard always looks fabulous!

14. He takes my car every week and washes and vacuums it out because he knows that I love a clean car!

15. He fell in love with me when I was fat and after I lost the weight he told me that he wanted me to know that although he complimented me more since I had gotten thin, he wanted me to know that it wasn't because he thought I was more beautiful thin, it was simply because I accepted compliments better.

He said he didn't care what size I was- he just loved me.

16. He brings me a Sonic Diet Coke when he knows I have had a really bad day.

17. He takes care of paying all the bills and makes sure that we are financially secure.

What a treat not to have to pay bills!

18. He pats my butt every morning while I am standing at the bathroom counter

getting ready as he walks by to get his socks.

19. He is tall, dark, and handsome!

20. He always, always, always holds my hand.

21. He is a true gentleman- always holding doors and pulling out chairs.

He wouldn't dream of sitting while waiting at a restaurant when a woman was standing!

22. He plays with my hair at night when I can't fall asleep (which is most nights).

23. He rubs my feet when they are killing me after a long day- even if he is tired and doesn't want to.

24. He loves my cooking and always brags on me in front of others.

25. He encourages me and believes in me 100% and is my biggest cheerleader!

26. He prays FOR and WITH me.

27. He has the most gorgeous blue eyes and a special look that's just for me! It makes me swoon!

28. Even though he had a horrible previous marriage and an unfaithful wife,

he trusts me and loves me with all of his heart.

29. He is faithful and loyal.

30. He will help me do anything I ask- even if he is busy with something else or would rather not.

31. He is a big guy- about 6 ft and STRONG as an ox!

32. Even though he is a big strong guys guy-

he loves to go to chic flicks with me! How lucky am I?

33. He is very wise.

34. He is quiet. (Of course, between me and Maddie- when would he get the chance to talk around here?)

35. He has an incredible singing voice and sings all the time.

36. He picks on me all the time. Even though I say it drives me crazy, I actually love it!

37. He loves to play games- all kinds!

38. He knows how to relax and has learned how to make me take the time to relax too.

39. He treats me like a princess and spoils me rotten!

40. He knows how to calm me down when I am upset and makes me feel safe.

41. He gives the best hugs EVER!

42. He sees the good in every situation and person that he knows.

43. He mops the floor because he knows it hurts my back.

44. He puts up with my crazy busy schedule and my insane perfectionist tendencies-

and loves me in spite of them!

45. He puts up with my Sonic drink and shampoo buying addictions.

46. He has a heart of gold!

I am truly blessed to have such a FABULOUS husband!
Happy Birthday Honey!