Friday Friend Recipe #102--Tacos in Pasta Shells

Recipe number 102

Come with me as I continue to countdown my Friday Friend Cookbook
What is it, you may ask?

In a nutshell...
About 15 years ago, 50 of my closest friends and family, who had been on an e-mail forum with me, sent in recipes in different categories and we compiled a cookbook.
I decided to count those down!
Why?

Because  one night I was looking thru the cookbook and I said, "I should make every recipe in here for my blog"
The Handyman--who thinks he knows me better than I know myself, said,  "you'll never EVER do that."
Well,  maybe I will!  Maybe I'll show him!

Which brings me to recipe #102  My Tacos in Pasta Shells

These are yummy, yummy, Yummy!!

They have all the good stuff in them.  Cheese and pasta and hamburger in a sauce!

I think I make a bit more sauce than it calls for because I like a bit more to lay on top of the shells.

Tacos in Pasta Shells

by me/Debbie Stone

Winnemucca, NV

1 1/2 lb ground beef

1 cup favorite salsa

3 oz cream cheese with chives

1 cup tomato sauce

1 T chili powder

1/4 t salt

18 jumbo pasta shells

1 cup shredded cheddar

1 cup shredded jack cheese

1 1/2 cup crushed tortilla chips

sliced green onions

sliced black olives

Brown meat; drain. Add salsa, tomato sauce, cream cheese, chili powder, and salt.   Simmer 5 min.  Cook pasta shells till almost done.  Fill  shells with beef mixture and arrange in baking dish.  Spoon any sauce left over shells.

Cover and bake at 350 for 15 min. 

Uncover; top with cheeses and crushed chips. Bake another 15 mins.  

Remove and sprinkle with olives and onions.

Me oh My!

This is my recipe and I hate writing about myself.

Wait!

That's not true-- I do it all the time. BUT usually I write about myself THRU a friend's story--now I have to write a story all about me--and I find it a bit intimidating today.

Also a picture---I have to find a picture of myself that is halfway decent.

Halfway decent....  ???

Why do we do this to ourselves?

We are who we are.

 We need to like ourselves.

I certainly hope that when I die, no one comes to my funeral and says:

"she was always chubby...she had such a round face... nice person, but fat."

Let's face it--they are not!

They are going to miss me and be sad and nobody will care about my little round face. 

 Except to miss it, I mean.

So speaking of that, let me descend backwards and say  "one would THINK I would be in better shape after doing all these runs/walks throughout the years"

I have joined in with the Alzheimer's Walks, the heart walks, the cancer walks, March of Dimes-March for babies walks, the fun runs, and yet---still have that round face!

A few pics of a couple of my walks thru the years:

I don't like to get involved in the political-ness of things (like where all the money goes, etc)  but just want to say that the Susan G. Komen 3-day/60-mile walk the one of the most moving things I have ever done.

Thanksgiving morning--- 2015.  I signed up for 5 adults and 4 kids.  A family team.

Since it was 10 degrees at 7am, only these 2 hardy grandchildren braved the cold and joined in THE TURKEY TROT!  (and the Handyman)

The Handyman DOES look like a Popsicle.  and I have many layers on and the camera adds 10lbs. 

What was I saying above?  Oh---we need to like ourselves.

I do like myself---just not pictures of me. 

The Bay to Breakers in San Francisco--

I've done it 3 times.

I love it---it's so much fun.

My friend Stella and I waiting for the race to begin.

So many sights to see!

Like transvestites or drag queens  or people just dressed up in costume for the race.  (I should know the difference, my apologies to the people)

This was the first time I saw a naked runner too.

I don't have a photo, but he was a true redhead-- I could tell--- just saying.

(there was red hair everywhere)

and for every race/walk/run I have done--always a great support system in place!

Stella's husband, Ken, also waiting for the race to begin.

I can't remember why he has underwear on his head.

And for the 3-day/60-mile walk?

My brother-in-law and his friends  were our support crew.

We were the Random Racks of Kindness and they were the Bras.

So that's my story!  And I'm sticking to it!

Told with a straight face--a little round straight face!

It's time for a....Summer-cation!

Sheila from Book Journey is hosting a Summer-Cation Blog Hop.

Ahhhhh.....Summer!

She says:

Happy Summer-Cation!  As I mentioned last weekend on the blog, I just need to do something SUNNY!  I decided to host a last minute “let’s talk about something shiny” (THE SUN!) event where others were and are invited to join me to post something about a summery event, a giveaway, summer plans, WHATEVER as long as no snow or cold is involved.

I repeat….

No Snow and NO Cold can be mentioned in your posts. 

Oh man.  I cannot mention S--w   or  C--d, because those things are EXACTLY what we want to get away from.  I must hide my inner rebel who feels like shouting it out--just once.  It's like when someone tells me not to touch the hot plate,  I still have to feel it--just once.  But I will resist.  NO S--W will be mentioned here.......  this is all about the SUNSHINE.

One thing I love. LOVE. LOVE!    Is sunlight shining on water.  Lakes, ponds, rivers....with sunlight sparkling on the waves, ripples or smooth, glass like surfaces.    I LOVE IT.     Sunlight shining on water is one of my favorite things ever!

I love to hike in the mountains, on the beach, thru the woods and come upon sunlight on the water,  it's the most beautiful thing to me.  Throw in some spring wildflowers and MAN OH MAN.

Don't you just want to go NOW?    Let's go for a hike and check out this most beautiful WINTER (I did not mention  S--w or C--d) buster!    Come on, get your shoes on---we are going for a SUNNY hike.   Before I show you our (just pretend you are doing this sunny hike with me)  photos,  I want to tell you how you can win this coffee mug (coffee is good on early SUMMER mornings.  Good with a book while sitting on your patio after your early SUNNY hike):

It's the "Greatest First Lines Ever" mug. I love it and I want you to have one too!   All you have to do is make a comment on this blog post. ( I would love to be your friend on Goodreads too, but that is not a requirement),  just make a comment and I will randomly choose a winner to receive this wonderful 'literary'  mug.   My friend Sally thinks it would be a great challenge to read every book on this mug. What do you think?

Okay now... a collection where we are going to take our sunny hike to see "Sunlight on the Water"

Booking Thru Thursday

Today's Booking Thru Thursday question is:
Happy Spring Equinox, everyone! What book are YOU choosing to celebrate with?

I will be celebrating by finishing up "Mudbound" and starting  "The Lacuna" for book club  next Wednesday.  Although I did find out that the Spring Equinox is also  World Storytelling Day, so that's kind of exciting news. 

I don't know if Oral Storytelling is the same as Reading Aloud, but I  love to read aloud to people.  My grandchildren mostly.  They appreciate me--their grandfather does not so much.  Years ago--28 or 30, I took a community college course on Reading Aloud, and I practiced on the Handyman.  I would read aloud in the car when we were traveling (we traveled far and wide--Nevada is big state ~grins~), this was before Books on Tape were wildly popular. Anyway, one time he laughed at me.  Because I was trying out different voices for the different characters.  It was what we were supposed to do!  He just didn't get it.

I listen to  'oral' stories or books almost every day when I walk.  I have books downloaded onto my iPod.  I love it.  I have no music on my Ipod.  I listen to books on my Ipod when I have to drive anywhere also (which is really weird, because I love music, but that's a story for another time)---it syncs to my car radio.

So...
Spring Equinox
World storytelling Day
Reading Aloud
Listening to oral reading aloud while walking
segues into:

my vent about walking shoes!  Right? 
I have always been walker.  (not to be confused with AMC's the Walking Dead) Sometimes a better walker, loyal to a program and to exercise, sometimes not so much.  But I just signed up for  Wendy Bumgardner's  Aboutwalking.com,  70 days to a better me, walking program.
I've been very dedicated this past week.  It really feels great to be out there  walking again.  Mentally and Emotionally great, not to mention physically.

I had to laugh at this article (from Wendy Bumgardner) this morning on walking shoes.
These are the kinds:
Motion Control Shoes (MC)
Lightweight Performance Training Shoes for Neutral Feet

Stability Shoes
Cushioned Shoes

Racing Flats

Race Walker Shoes

Lightweight Hiking and Trail Shoes



There are a few more types, but they really get  into heavier hiking types. So, I thought I would  buy myself some new shoes, and I was thinking I might need the Cushioned Shoes, because I have bad arches, flat feet and the word chusioned?  Just sounds so comfortable. Well, when I read the descriptions this is what best fits me: (the motion control shoes) Motion control shoes are the most rigid shoes. They are designed to be inflexible because they are meant to limit overpronation. They are generally heavy, but durable. Many are built upon a straight last, and may have a dual density midsole, with the denser material on the inside of the foot to help correct for pronation. Primarily, motion control shoes are for over-pronators and heavier people. Often people with flat feet do well in these shoes. The problem with most motion control shoes is that they tend to have a thick heel which makes walking in them the same as walking uphill with every step.   TWO THINGS! often people who are heavier do well in these shoes?!!!  And people with flat feet. I admitted the flat feet!! Can't I have some dignity here? Do I have to admit that I need to lose a (more than) few pounds. (sigh) How dare they!   This is my show... a motion control shoe.  (and it looks exactly like the shoe I wore this morning)  

Happy Spring Equinox!
Happy Reading aloud or listening Aloud!
and Happy Walking!

Walking and Books

I signed up for the  "Walk of Life" program, and today is day #2.  My legs hurt.
(* humble admission that I am very out of shape)

We live in a very hilly area--you can't walk from our house without going  uphill or downhill. There is no flat area to walk.  But that's a good thing, right?
Before  you know it, I won't be huffing and puffing the whole time.  
(*another humble admission, that every spring starts out with me huffing and puffing and then by summer's end, it's an easy walk for me.  It's the below freezing temps that keep me inside during the winter)

But the Walk of Life is different.  I have to  'make a life change'  and 'eat healthy'  (sigh).  It's 70 days to a better me.  (I'll keep you updated.)

One thing I can tell you--day 2 of walking is a better me.  It puts me in a great frame of mind. 
So....WHY do I ever stop?  Activity  (walking for me)  is so good for your  mind.  

Another added benefit?  I get to listen to a book on my iPod. 
Woo hoo!  

Right now I'm listening to  "Flight Behavior" by Barbara Kingsolver.

I'm finding it very interesting.  She narrates the book herself, and I had read a couple of reviews that said, while she is a great writer, she should leave the narration to someone more professional.
While she's not the best I've ever heard,   she certainly isn't bad. 
Flight Behavior is also my  Lit Wits Book club has chosen for March.  I can't wait!  It will be an interesting discussion. 

Here is the synopsis from Goodreads:
Flight Behavior is a brilliant and suspenseful novel set in present day Appalachia; a breathtaking parable of catastrophe and denial that explores how the complexities we inevitably encounter in life lead us to believe in our particular chosen truths. Kingsolver's riveting story concerns a young wife and mother on a failing farm in rural Tennessee who experiences something she cannot explain, and how her discovery energizes various competing factions—religious leaders, climate scientists, environmentalists, politicians—trapping her in the center of the conflict and ultimately opening up her world. Flight Behavior is arguably Kingsolver's must thrilling and accessible novel to date, and like so many other of her acclaimed works, represents contemporary American fiction at its finest

Saturday Snapshot--March for Babies!

When I was a kid, we went from house to house asking for dimes (literally dimes!  We had a little box to put them in and we liked to shake it when asking for donations) to help children who had polio.  Later it evolved....

The March of Dimes was established by FDR to fight polio.

The mission focus was shifted to premature birth and birth defects.

Research breakthroughs have helped save thousands of babies.

The name was also changed to  "March for Babies."  You can read all about the history here,  but I just wanted to remind you that the MARCH FOR BABIES takes place in April at a park (or walking trail) near you, so if you know of anyone who could benefit from your kind donation, don't hesitate to contact them and volunteer to sponsor them with a monetary gift of your choosing.  Or better yet... do the walk yourself!
When you walk in March for Babies, you give hope to the more than half a million babies born too soon each year. The money you raise supports programs in your community that help moms have healthy, full-term pregnancies. And it funds research to find answers to the problems that threaten our babies.


I did the walk last year with my youngest son, his wife, and their 2 year old (then) twins.   The twins were born 8 weeks premature.  

Here are some pictures from the walk  ( I did a post last year, but just want to remind you how important it is) last year.


She doesn't look like a very happy miracle, but she really had a great time.

We walked around the marina.  It was a gorgeous day!

I'm linking this to Saturday Snapshot, hosted by Alyce from "At Home With Books."    I love this weekly meme.  For all the details, check out her site.

Good Morning!

I, too, have my cup of coffee this morning, as I listen to the rain come down... it did stop for a bit, so the Handyman and I could go for a walk this morning.  We were late getting out---5:15 a.m.  (I blame that on my husband.  He has to be at work at 7:00).   We are not used to so much rain out here in Nevada.  I say, so much.. but it's only rained off and on for the past 3 1/2 days, that's it.  Some of these Nevadans are fed up, they want sunshine, but I LOVE IT.
We do have a mystery that plagues me tho....Nevadans have never got the hang of umbrellas, so we don't use them.  I think it's because it rains so little, we just dont' "own" any umbrellas, and then when it does rain, it usually only lasts a short while, so what's the use?  

I am writing this random post because I wanted to remind you again that October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month...In Canada too!  And I linked to BeanTown Baker's  Power of Pink Challenge a few days ago, so I wanted to remind you.... make something pink and post about it this month.

A few more random pictures from my 3day-60mile walk.

There were medical tents at every pit-stop. There were pit stops every few miles.

Tent city again--you had to remember your street letter and tent number, because they all looked alike.

My sister in law and my friend.  Pretty much passed out after walking on day #2.

A few mintues earlier, you would have found me lying there too.

There  was a whole litte "city" at the end of the day.  We had 'crew' who cooked for us and cleaned for us. Shower trailers and even a "rememberance tent" (that was very emotional)

There was also a tent decorating contest!

October already

I've been missing in action for almost 2 weeks--wow--time goes by fast.  Every blog I've read this morning talks about fall and how fast it has gotten here, or where has September gone  (that one I do have to agree with, cuz it just sped by).
I  think that as we get older --not that I'm OLD, but I am 51, so that means I'm older than half the population in the United States--I think time seems to go faster.

As a young bride my grandma told me this story about how one day she was sitting enjoying a cup of coffee in her dining room.  They had great windows in their old home, huge, big, picture windows from both the dining room and the living room.  She was enjoying the view of the mountains out of her dining room window, when all of the sudden an old white-haired, stooped man came into her yard and started picking apples from her apple tree.
She was really annoyed at this old man....who could he be and what did he think he was doing, helping himself to her apples!   Then it dawned on her that it was my granddad, who had been out for a walk.  And she thought to herself,  "when did he get old?"   "Where did the time go?"

It will happen to all of us.....it goes fast.  Let's enjoy it.  With good food, good friends, family and lots of humor (we dont' want to end up as cranky old people, do we?).

I will be back later in the day with a food post.  Oreo Cupcakes.  I think they were a hit.

Early morning walk.....in the desert!