Starbucks Tuesday

If you are wondering at the title - I make a bargain with myself - the first workday of the week, I get to go through the drivethrough to encourage myself to get out of the door on time. On the first morning, I am so reluctant to let go of the weekend that I feel as if my feet are glued to my kitchen floor. I have to decide on what to wear the night before, because I would never be able to reach a decision if I left it to myself on a typical Monday morning.

On the last workday of the week, I allow myself a latte because I have made it through another week without disaster. (Usually) I live for weekends. Weekends used to mean soccer games, baseball cookouts, sleepovers for five 11 year old boys. But now weekends are all for me. DSJ is over, we sleep in a bit, we drink a few glasses of wine, cook together and listen to music. I try to get some of the chores done on weeknights, so that I can relish all of my Friday evening to Sunday afternoon bliss. After dinner Sunday - reality kicks in. Time to pick out another work outfit for another reluctant Monday. Five more wakeups - and it will be time to celebrate another week over. ANd BTW - I do like my job. A lot. I just like my time more.

Restful Sunday

There is nothing I like more than Sunday (when I have Monday off, that is) The house is clean, the kids come over, I can stay up as late as I want (even 10:00 if I feel up to it) and sleep in tomorrow. And my sweetheart has tomorrow off, too (from now on he will be known as DSJ, for Dear Sweet Jim) so that makes it perfect. I am making lasagna for dinner, doubling the recipe in fact, so that ALL will have leftovers, Jim, RyanandLisa, and Randy and me. My recipe is one that I have modified a bit from one that I got from my best friend Susan ( a non-cook if there ever was one - so you know if she makes it, it is easy and GOOD)

Franco's Lighter Lasagna
(originally from Franco Harris (remember him? 70s Steelers?) lightened up by me.)

3 cloves garlic, chopped
3/4 lb. lean hamburger
48 oz. crushed tomatoes
1 onion, chopped
6 oz. tomato paste
6 oz. water
1 t oregano
1 t basil
1/4 C red wine
1 t sugar
8 oz. uncooked lasagna noodles
15 oz. red.fat ricotta cheese
1 carrot. chopped
1 C mushrooms. sliced
1 green pepper, chopped
2 zucchini, sliced
8 oz. skim milk mozzerella

Pre-heat oven to 350. Spray 9x13 pan with PAM.

Chop garlic fine and saute - add beef and brown. Add tomatoes, paste, water and all seasonings. Cook at simmer for about 1 hour.

Put 1/3 of meat sauce in pan, a layer of noodles, 1/2 of ricotta, 1/2 of veggies and mozzerella. Repeat, ending with sauce. (I actually put veggies in food processor because Ryan would have a pile of vegetables on the side of his plate - he gets that from his other parent!)

Cover pan with foil and bake 1 1/4 hours. Let stand 10 minutes to firm up before cutting. (1/8 pan has 7 WW points)