A Family of Two | MarriagePartnership.com

A Family of Two | MarriagePartnership.com
We didn't choose to be child-less, but we've discovered some great things about our marriage because of it.
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Evoclin is my friend

So I have been prescribed the acne medication Evoclin for my face and I have to tell you I am so happy I finally went to a dermatologist and stopped messing around with over the counter meds. Not to mention that I didn't mess around when it came to finding a quality dermatologist. I highly recommend Crutchfield Dermatology...they are not the cheapest route but they are no BS if you know what I mean and they have a great staff that really listen to your needs and explain things. anyways...so after a few months of using Evoclin...it is rare if I get a breakout. Usually the only time that I get a breakout is after wearing makeup which is horrible for your face anyways. If I do get a breakout I dab a little of my convenient Evoclin foam on my face and vola overnight it is GONE! I love this stuff...but let me tell you it does have a hefty price tag. If your insurance doesn't cover it to buy it would cost you $299. Luckily Crutchfield knows about this and will help you get an insurance discount card so you can easily afford the medication. I was lucky enough to have my appendix out this year so my prescription deductible was meat so it didn't cost me anything...I guess we will see what happens when my insurance renews, but until then I am getting a free refill and using sparingly. Hope this encourages those out there that know the angst and pain of dealing with painful adult acne. Remember I am not a Doctor so Evoclin may not be right for you...check with your dermatologist for the best option. (I know, I sound like a prescription drug commercial)

Made an Offer!

Chris and I made an offer on a house last night! This is the picture that is up on the MLS right now, unfortunately there are no inside pictures right now. We could be up against some competition on this house. This is ok, because we don't have a lot of wiggle room for our price, we are firm, therefore if we don't get it its just meant to be. Please pray that if it is Gods will for us to have this house that we will, and that if it is not that we would not be able to get this house. This house is a ranch style home...not the style I tend to gravitate too as I enjoy the wide open spaces of most split entry homes. However I have to say that this house is very cute! Not to mention my favorite part is that it has a LARGE kitchen! Plus they have done updates throughout. Finally it is really close to my church family which would be a huge blessing. I will be sure to keep you all posted!

DIY Garden Pots

photo credit: Carly Hennigan/ Istock
I have always wanted to start a container garden on my deck/patio, as I live in an apartment and do not have land to start my own garden. One problem, containers can be so expensive and the cheap ones break really easy after a few years. So I have been bound and determined to find a solution to my gardening container needs and thanks to HGTV I have finally found that recourse I needed. Here is a video that explains how to make your very own containers from practically any old container you have laying around. These containers look great, and when I finally get the chance to test this awesome gardening recipe out I will post my findings! Hope you enjoy.

DIY Gardening Pots by HGTV

NEW "New Moon" Trailers!

Click here for the latest trailers for the November 20th release of New Moon!

Meet Jacob Black










Picture thanks to Summit Entertainment

Expanded New Moon Trailer thanks to the VMA awards!









Picture thanks to Summit Entertainment

Its just around the corner!

Quick n’ Easy Crock Pot Lasagna

Serves 6- 8 people (depending on your crock pot size and how big you

cut your pieces.)

Lasagna is one of my favorite meals to make and I am always amazed by the number of people I talk to who think Lasagna can be difficult or too time consuming to make. I don’t like to spend a lot of time cooking and since I am an inpatient person when it comes to cooking I make my Lasagna with little prep time. I usually make my lasagna in my casserole dish in the oven but recently I discovered a super easy way to make Lasagna in a Crock Pot / Slow Cooker.

Now to save on time and money I usually make vegetarian Lasagna but if you would like to add meat you may do so. I will add special “meat step” to my fellow meat lovers out there.

The Ingredients:

You can make your lasagna as complex or simple as you would like, really there are no rules. Just relax and have fun with it.

• 1 Box Regular Lasagna Noodles (you may use the “no boil / oven ready” noodles if you wish, however this is not needed and can cost more $)
• 2 – 14.5oz Cans of Tomato Sauce (you may substitute your favorite pasta sauce but I like to make mine from scratch to save on crabs and preservatives)
• 2 – 14.5oz Cans of Crushed or Stewed Tomatoes - Do Not Drain!! You need the extra moisture for the crock pot. (Feel free to mix it up with Crushed Tomatoes with green chilies or with Italian seasonings…or whatever kind you prefer)
• 2 – 14.5oz Cans of Diced Tomatoes – Do Not Drain!! Once again you need the extra moisture
• 1 – 6oz Can of Tomato Paste
• 4 – 1Cup of Mozzarella Cheese (I usually use about a cup of cheese per layer of noodles, feel free to use more or less depending on your tastes.)
• 4 – ½ Cup of Parmesan Cheese (once again feel free to use more or less depending on your tastes, I usually just sprinkle on a medium coating over the mozzarella cheese per layer of noodles)
• 1 – 8oz Can of Mushrooms – Do Not Drain!! Once again you need the extra moisture
• 1 – Medium/ Large Onion – Chopped
• Italian Spices to Taste – (Have fun with this part, and don’t worry too much about exact amounts. I spice by looks and taste so the Spice Suggestions below are just general guidelines to follow.)
• ¼ Cup of Garlic Powder
• ¼ Cup Parsley
• 2 Tablespoons Basil
• 2 Tablespoons Oregano
• 1 Tablespoons of Bay Leaf

Optional Ingredients

• 1 – 8oz or 16oz Ricotta or Cottage Cheese (Small Container, If using Ricotta Cheese consider putting one additional can of crushed tomatoes in)
• 1 Package Spinach (use fresh or bagged next to the lettuce in the grocery store)
• 1 – ½ pound Meat (Hamburger, Italian Sausage, Ground Turkey, etc…)
• 1 – ½ or 1 cup Chopped Veggies (zucchini, peppers, broccoli, okra, cauliflower, eggplant, etc… If you are using frozen vegetables this will help the moisture of your lasagna)
• 1 – ¼ cup water (put the 1/4 cup of water into your empty pasta sauce jar/can. Pour tomatoey juice over the whole pile of food for added moisture if your lasagna is looking to thick after adding the added ingredients.)

The Directions:

My Crock Pot

For the Meat Lovers Start Here:

1. Brown Meat and Drain. (If you don’t drain your meat you may put in some of your chosen spices with the meat during the browning process for extra flavor.)

For the Vegetarians Start Here:

2. Mix together tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, crushed / stewed tomatoes, tomato paste, mushrooms, onions, remaining spices and any optional ingredients i.e. vegetables. (Vegetarians need to use a separate bowl, Meat Eaters you can mix all of this in with the meat on your stove. Remember to save a jar, don't rinse or throw away if you are going to use some of the optional ingredients!)
3. Spread one cup full of sauce mixture into the bottom of your Crockpot. (this helps prevent burning or sticking of the noodles)
4. Top with a layer of dried lasagna noodles. (No Boiling Required! You'll have to break them to fit, and little pieces will fly all over the place. Don’t worry about getting the pieces to lay pretty, I usually just break up a bunch of noodles and throw them in.)
5. Top with a layer of sauce mixture. (Always layer sauce on both sides of noodles for added moisture to help them cook)
6. Top sauce with your layer of Cheese (I usually put my cup of mozzarella down first then sprinkle the top with an even coating of Parmesan cheese. If you are using Ricotta Cheese then put this down first then layer mozzarella etc… on top)
7. Top Cheese with a thin layer of sauce mixture
8. Top with dried lasagna noodles.
9. Top with sauce again.
10. Top with cheese.
11. Repeat steps until you have filled your crock pot ending with cheese as the final layer.

Tip: For Denser Lasagna’s consider pouring the 1/4 cup of water into your empty pasta jar and shake. Pour tomatoey juice over the whole pile of food before your last layer of cheese. This will help keep your Lasagna from becoming too dry.

Cover and cook on low for 8 hours. If your crock pot cooks hot like mine I only cook it on low for 4 hours. If it is your 1^st time trying this recipe I recommend the 4hr time for your first run, if it does not seem done you can always put it on for longer. If you are cooking meat make sure you have cooked it completely before placing it in crock pot.

Printer Friendly Recipe (Copy & paste text listed below)

Quick n’ Easy Crock Pot Lasagna - Serves 6- 8 people

The Ingredients:

1 Box Regular Lasagna Noodles

2 – 14.5oz Cans Tomato Sauce

2 – 14.5oz Cans Crush or Stewed Tomatoes - Do Not Drain!!

2 – 14.5oz Cans of Diced Tomatoes – Do Not Drain!!

1 – 6oz Can of Tomato Paste

4 – 1Cup of Mozzarella Cheese

4 – ½ Cup of Parmesan Cheese

1 – 8oz Can of Mushrooms – Do Not Drain!!

1 – Medium/ Large Onion – Chopped

Italian Spices to Taste –

¼ Cup of Garlic Powder

¼ Cup Parsley

2 Tablespoons Basil

2 Tablespoons Oregano

1 Tablespoons of Bay Leaf

The Directions:

1. Mix together tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, crushed / stewed tomatoes, tomato paste, mushrooms, onions, remaining spices and any optional ingredients i.e. vegetables in separate bowl.
2. Spread one cup full of sauce mixture into the bottom of your Crockpot
3. Top with a layer of dried lasagna noodles.
4. Top with a layer of sauce mixture.
5. Top sauce with your layer of Cheese
6. Top Cheese with a thin layer of sauce mixture
7. Top with dried lasagna noodles.
8. Top with sauce again.
9. Top with cheese.
10. Repeat steps until you have filled your crock pot ending with cheese as the final layer.

11. Cover and cook on low for 4- 8 hours.
    

Recipie Provided by Joy Harings