First Day Fun

Today was the first day of the spring semester.

My first day of student teaching too.

Despite being nervous this morning, the day worked out well. 

My first day was not too exciting, since I spent the day observing classroom routines, getting to know the students, and acquainting myself with additional course materials.

And after my first day, I got to spend a little time in the kitchen.

I made lasagna, which might have turned out better if I had used a 9 inch pan, 

instead of a 9x13 inch pan. 

However, it still turned out  (just not as meaty).

 Here's my recipe (which happens to be the FIRST new recipe from my 101 in 1001 list)

Beef Lasagna

18 oz pkg lasagna noodles

3/4 lb ground beef

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1 teaspoon crushed dried oregano leaves

1 Tablespoon parsley flakes

1 8 oz can tomato sauce

1 6 oz can of tomato paste

3/4 cup water

1 egg, beaten

1 12 oz carton of cream cheese

1 c shredded mozzarella

Cook noodles as package directed. Add cold water until noodles can be handled. 

Lift out, don't drain.

Lightly brown beef. Add garlic, onion, salt, pepper, oregano, parsley, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and water. Simmer 5 minutes. 

Mix together egg and cottage cheese.

In greased, 9 inch baking pan, spread layers of 1/4 meat sauce, 1/2 noodles, 1/4 meat sauce, 1/2 cottage cheese and 1/2 mozzarella cheese. Add another 1/4 meat sauce, remaining cottage cheese, mozzarella, then noodles and finally meat. 

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes and enjoy!

Mmmmm..... delicious!

In addition to lasagna, I made a strawberry/rhubarb pie for my friend Seieroe's birthday. 

(NOT a new recipe, but one I hope to feature here someday soon)

I took it over to his apartment, and as usual, found it unlocked, 

which made it easy to leave the surprise birthday pie

However, I also came back from my little birthday errand with another, tall, thin friend. 

Meet John Wayne.

Charming, isn't he?

Last year, when I lived next door to Seieroe and the boys, my roommates and I would periodically steal John Wayne for movie nights, mostly just because we could

or even to help create a little holiday spirit.

 

 Beautiful, isn't he?

 And so full of Christmas cheer!

Amazing what finals week can do to our imaginations, right? 

 So, as to ensure that I get my pie pan back, 

John Wayne gets to stay at my house for a few days. 

I don't think he'll mind, do you?

 

Hope everyone starting classes this week has a successful first week!