[Peaceful Moments of the Garden]

One of the many things I love about the Spring garden is the freshness and rebirth of the new season.  After a morning of puttering in the garden, I love to spend a restful afternoon listening to the peaceful movement of wind chiming through the trees accompanied by the sweet harmony of the birds singing.

[Easy & Simple Lasagna]

Easy and Simple Dinners can go a long way. One of my favorites is my easy Lasagna Dish...

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INGREDIENTS:

I usually get most of my supplies for this recipe from Trader Joes.

• 1 to 2 packages of Four Cheese Ravioli

Found in the cold food section at your local Trader Joes. You may try other type of ravioli, but the four cheese is good for Lasagna

• 1-2 jars of Three Cheese Tomato Sauce

• Vegetables ~ I choose depending on the inspiration.

- Spinach; fresh or frozen

If frozen, thawed per instruction.

- Zucchini; fresh

If using fresh, Slice thinly to layer with other veggies.

- Artichoke hearts; canned or frozen.

 If frozen, pre-cook in oven till browned with a little splash of olive oil, dash of salt.

-Eggplant; fresh or frozen

If using fresh, Slice thinly to layer with other veggies.

Trader Joes has a nice frozen roasted eggplant that you can thaw out or pre-cook till brown....

• 1 cup of ricotta cheese

• 1 package Mozzarella cheese (Shredded or Sliced)

• 1 package of Grated Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS:

1. Pre-heat Oven to 350F

2. Cook ravioli per direction. Then drain and rise with cold water

3. Prep Veggies; If you are cooking with fresh eggplants or zucchini, thinly slice them. If you are cooking with frozen, thaw or pre-cook per instruction.

Use a casserole dish or glass baking dish to cook in :

4. Make your first Layer of ravioli, place one next to each other to cover the bottom of the dish

5. Add your veggies; layer them like the ravioli.

6. Add a layer of Three Cheese Tomato sauce, evenly spread over veggies.  

7. Add your cheeses; spread the ricotta cheese followed by a layer of mozzarella with some parmesan cheese

8. Repeat steps 4~7

9. Your top layer should finish with tomato sauce sprinkled with mozzarella and parmesan cheese

10. Cover with aluminum wrap and bake in oven for 45 minutes to 50 minutes.

11. Take off the cover for last 15 minutes to get a little crusty, adjust to your tastes.

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ADJUSTMENTS:

My Friend Nicole had requested the veggie version of the recipe, but if you like a little more spice, I recommend adding a pound of cooked ground beef and a few links of spicy Italian sausage.

To complete your easy Italian dinner I would add a fresh green salad with black olives, feta cheese, splashed with Italian Style Dressing, serve with warm olive bread, or your rustic style bread of choice.

Enjoy!

[Garden Surprise]

[Table Decor ~ Spring American Spirit]

Create a Spring theme for your next luncheon or dinner with spirit of Celebrating America.

[Spring Cleaning - The Closet]

With spring beginning to bloom, one thing I like to do at the beginning of the seasons is to refresh my wardrobe  by organizing my closet .

The first thing that comes to mind in starting one’s day is really about  “what I am going to wear?” - or the most famous statement from many of us is ,“I have nothing to wear.” 

No matter what size your closet or the various fashion styles from simplistic contemporary, traditional, to professional work wear that you may house in your wardrobe, for some reason we as women of today “never have anything to wear".

I find one reason we run into this daily dilemma is because of the consistent challenge of time… we do not allow ourselves the time to think and prepare for the day; overwhelmed by the pressures of family, work, school, more, and more responsibilities … yet less & less time…

One of the greatest tips I love to share is keeping an organized closet, which truly is the greatest way to give oneself more time and peace....to be at ease in our day....

Organize your clothes in Sections:

I find it is best to organize your closet by sections:

Dresses

Pants

Skirts

Blouses

Sweaters

Jackets

Color is Key:

Each section should be organized by color, so when you are putting an outfit together it is easier to “create the look”.  I also advise that you do the same with your accessories such as hats, handbags, purses and scarves.

This practical guide to closet organization serves two purposes:

1. Time management~ an organized closet makes outfit selection easier and more time efficient…

2. Money Saving ~ when we are able to truly see what we have in our closets, through organization, we do realize that we do “have something to wear.­”

3. Creativity ~ I find that an organize closet gives one the tools to be more creative in putting together an outfit. It’s like having a full palette of paints to create a masterpiece… 

PS.  Ssusan’s Style Etiquette

I advise refreshing one’s closet each season.  And yes, I still believe the tradition of white outfits are introduced to your wardrobe Memorial Day and put to rest at Labor Day.

[Elizabeth's Chicken Soup]

My sister and I were talking about recipes and some new easy meals to make that will last a couple of days... She had shared one of her staples in her recipe book, homemade chicken soup... Easy for any of us to make and create to our tastes.... One of the things I like about a basic chicken soup recipe is that you can be more creative when adding the vegetables and seasonings.... depending on what is in your refrigerator......

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BASIC INGREDIENTS:

• 2-3 cans of Chicken Broth

• Vegetables - Zucchini, carrots, asparagus... green beans... fresh or canned...

• I usually add 2/3 to a cup of each to create a hearty soup.

• 1/4 cup diced onion

• salt , pepper, garlic, basil, other seasonings to your tasting.

• 1 cup chopped pre-cooked chicken breast

DIRECTIONS:

Add all together.

Bring soup to a boil and let simmer for 20 minutes.

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OPTIONS:
Serve with some accent garnishes: like chopped cilantro, shredded cheese.
Serve with a slice of bread or roll and a small dinner salad ....
and you are set for a nice easy lunch or dinner...

[Create a Garden Theme]

You can create a vignette or a theme with your garden...

Add different plants, flags, or add a splash of color by creating plant designs in containers and pots.