Writer's Conference

Last week Jessica and I were at writer's conference. I'm only going to post a few pictures since looking at people sitting around writing isn't that much fun. All the pictures are on face book.

Conference wouldn't be the same without Torry.
Or Jesse.
Mark led the fiction track.
We made taco soup for the faculty and staff.
Me leading an after hours session on writing devotions.

Hanging out

Me explaining some of the joys of blogging to my class.

Jessica finds conference very amusing.

This is our tough look.

Now we are back home with lots of work to do. I have a few articles to write and some point of view changes to make on our Kidnapped in Haiti book. But today I'm off to the dentist for a crown. Yay rah. (NOT)

Young Cooks

Jasmine made a different kind of lasagna in February. We were all a little skeptical about it, but it turned out great!








Sausage Tortilla Lasagna
1 ½ lb sausage ½ tsp garlic
2 c small curd cottage cheese 3 c spaghetti sauce
2 T all purpose flour 10 lg tortillas
1 tsp oregano 1 ½ c shredded mozzarella cheese
1 tsp basil

Brown sausage in a skillet. Drain grease. Mix cottage cheese and flour in a large bowl. Add the sausage, seasonings and 1 ½ c of the spaghetti sauce. Mix. Spoon ½ c of the mixture on to each tortilla. Roll like a jelly roll. Place seam side down in a large baking pan sprayed with cooking spray. Pour remaining sauce over the top. Bake covered at 375F for 30 to 35 minutes. Uncover, sprinkle with cheese. Put back in oven until the cheese melts. Serves 6.

Kayla cooked for the first time in February.

Upside Down Pizza
2-3 lbs ground beef 1 c shredded mozzarella cheese
lg jar of Ragu spaghetti sauce 1 can crescent rolls
1 c shredded cheddar cheese

Brown meat and drain. Add spaghetti sauce and heat 5-10 minutes. Spray 10x13 pan with cooking spray. Spread meat and sauce mixture in pan. Top with cheeses. Unroll crescent rolls across the top. Bake at 350F until brown, about 10-15 minutes.

Hanging with Jessica

Jessica and I spent a couple hours at the parks before our writer's conference.



Gone wild!



Anyone know what our tattoos say?

Not quite pro basketball material.

February Food

Mexican Shepherd's Pie
1 lb lean ground beef
½ cups slice green onions (our chef left these out)
1 c thick salsa
1 ½ tsp chili powder
¾ tsp cumin
11 oz can mexicorn drained
1 pouch Betty Crocker loaded mashed potatoes (these sell by the pouch, not in a box)
1 1/3c water
2 tbs butter
1 c milk
½ c shredded cheddar cheese
1 med tomatoes cut into wedges
tortillas chips

Cook ground beef and 1/4c of the onions in 10" skillet until beef is cooked through. Stir in salsa, chili powder and cumin. Spoon corn evenly over beef mixture in skillet. Cover and cook over slow heat until thoroughly heated.

Meanwhile, in 2-qt saucepan, heat water and butter to boiling. Remove from heat and stir in milk and pouch of potatoes with seasoning until just blended. Let stand 1 minute. Beat with fork.

Spoon potatoes over the mixture in the skillet. Spread evenly. Sprinkle with cheese and remaining onion. Cover and cook over low 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Arrange tomato wedges around potatoes. Garnish with tortillas chips.

Jessica made baked chicken and stuffing.

Tyler made upside down meat pie.

upside down meat pie
1 lb ground beef
1 tspn mustard

1/2 cup chopped celery
1 1/2 cups biscuit mix

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/3 cup cold water

1/4 cup chopped green pepper

3 slices cheese cut in half diagonally

1 can condensed tomato soup
In 10" oven-proof skillet brown beef and cook celery, onion and green pepper until tender. Stir to seperate meat. Drain well. Stir in soup and mustard. Combine biscuit mix and water,
roll or pat dough into a circle slightly smaller than skillet. Spread meat mixture evenly in
skillet, top with biscuit dough. Bake at 450 degrees for 15 minutes until browned. Turn upside
down on platter. Top with cheese. Cut in wedges and serve. Makes 6 servings.

Jeff didn't cook but made a cheesecake. Unfortunately it was gone before I got a picture, but here's the recipe:

Cheese Cake Pie
8 oz cream cheese 1/3 c sugar
2 tsp vanilla 8 oz Cool Whip thawed
Ready Crust fresh fruit or pie filling

Beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth.
Fold in whipped topping. Spoon into crust. Chill three
hours. Top with fruit or pie filling.

I am at conference working on a laptop. Jasmine cooked some awesome lasgna roll ups that I'll post later.

Mardi Gras Parade

Jessica is holding the state flag. Her friend Anthony is on the end holding a rifle.

Jasmine and I waiting for the parade to begin.

Explorers color guard leading off.

Jasmine was really feeling pain in her neck but wanted to wear all the beads she caught. She'd also gotten hit in the face by a few. We ended up taking off all but a couple strands of beads.

End of the parade

Mardi Gras 5K, Last Basketball

Today was the twin's last basketball game. Kaleb just wasn't into it, but Kayla may be an athlete yet!

Jeff and Adam ran in the mardi gras 5k.

Jeff was first overall with a time of 19:21. We need to find him a race with some real competition. The only two races he's been in, he's been first overall with times around 19 minutes. When we used to all run, the overall times were in the 15-16 minute range. I'd like to see what Jeff could do with someone to push him. He's only ran twice to practice in the month between the races.

There was a 13-year-old girl right on his heels when he came over the line.

Adam came in at 21:40.

The guys don't have another 5K until March 19.