Yum!

Ok, so I never really intended to post recipes on here, but I've had lots of requests for this one, (and it's one of Gracie's favorites) so I thought, "Why not?"
Being a working mom, I'm always looking for recipes that I can make quickly and affordably. We're not big casserole people (I find that half of it ends up in the garbage anyway) and by the time we get home in the evening, there's not a lot of time to spend on cooking- who wants to spend time on that anyway? So here's one of my quick, easy, and cheap go-to meals. I usually try to keep everything for this on hand because it's a true life-saver. Keep in mind that we are a small family of three (one of whom eats like a bird) so for families of more than three or four or for big eaters or leftover lovers, you may want to double it and make two.

Quick and Easy Stromboli
1 can Pillsbury French Loaf dough
3-5 ounces meat/s of your choice (pepperoni, ham, canadian bacon, etc)
2-4 ounces shredded or sliced cheese/s of your choice (mozzarella, provolone, etc)
2-4 ounces fresh sliced vegetables of your choice (onion, black olives, peppers, etc)
2 tbsp. butter
1 tsp. minced garlic or garlic powder
1 tsp. italian seasonings
spaghetti or marinara sauce for dipping

Allow canned dough to set out for a few minutes. This allows the dough to be more workable. On a cookie sheet, unroll the dough completely and lay flat. Layer your chosen toppings onto the dough, starting with the meats, then vegetables, and finally cheese. Fold in the ends of the dough, and then the sides. Pinch dough closed and place seam side down on the cookie sheet.
Melt butter and stir in garlic and italian seasonings. Brush over the top of the uncooked stromboli.
Place in a 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Remove and let cool for 5 minutes. Cut into 3/4-inch slices and serve with warm sauce for dipping.

We usually use ham, pepperoni, provolone, mozzarella, onions, and black olives, but you can choose toppings to fit your taste. Also, you can adjust the seasonings to fit your taste.
Enjoy!

Are you still there?

Well, it's been awhile. Life has been hectic and frankly, I've not been feeling the least bit inspired to write anything on here. And I know exactly why.
I allowed myself to get into a pretty deep funk. I allowed myself to think that nothing was going my way. I even let myself fall into that "God-really-must-not-care-about-me-even-though-I'm-trying-really-hard-to-be-a-good-Christian" trap. I won't dwell on why- because those are the things that kept me from enjoying the good stuff the last few months. It's the kind of stuff that gets everyone down; the trials that are put there for a reason. I just haven't been 'using' them properly.
Luckily, He laid some peace on my heart this past week so that I could see past those trials, even while they're still happening. When I look past them, I get to take a deep breath and enjoy the blessings. And there are a lot of them. 


Of course, Grace is growing like a weed. She is so smart and happy. Kindergarten is her next adventure and she is facing it with excitement and confidence. She got a little taste this summer because I was blessed with a summer school position, so she was able to enroll in Jumpstart Kindergarten. She did great! Now that it's over, we're looking at six weeks off together. I always look forward to this time for us to recharge and reconnect after the busy school year. 
I've been blessed to have some clarity in terms of my fitness and it has really paid off. So far, I've lost 15 pounds and myself and my family are eating healthier. (Who knew you actually had to watch what you eat in order to LOSE weight, right? Pfftt...)
Even Andy's transition with his job has really been one of those 'blessings in disguise.' We're not sure yet where it will take us, but we are truly trusting God that it will be somewhere great.

I like a quote that I read recently that has really helped me to find that peace I've been looking for. "The reason we struggle with insecurity is because we compare our behind-the-scenes with everyone else's highlight reel." I'm not sure where it came from (found it on Pinterest) but it sums up what I need to be doing in my life. Instead of using my struggles as a source of envy and 'woe is me,' as I compare what I am or am not going through to what everyone else is or is not going through, I'm learning that I should instead be using these struggles as a source of wisdom, strength, character, and a path to a closer relationship with my Saviour.

Facing the cold, hard, autumnal truth...

I've been in denial for quite some time, but it's over. Fall is here. The leaves are changing color and my poor piggies will soon be missing the light of day as flip flops are replaced by...ugh....I can't even say the words.

After the awesome summer the Rasco family had, we are now sorely missing it. We didn't go on any float trips, or fancy vacations, or even the fair but I think it is one of the funnest summers to date. I think that what made our summer so much fun was that we didn't go on any float trips, or fancy vacations, or even the fair. We took one day at a time and didn't try to make the summer to live up to something else from the past. Don't get me wrong, we did some of the "traditional" summer activities like the family reunion, baseball games, weekly pool trips, playdates, and SDC. But we also did a few things that we'd never done before, like ziplining, Wild Animal Safari (I KNOW- 26 years in Springfield and I've NEVER been...), Moonshine Beach, and tubing on the lake- well, Gracie went tubing, but I'm scared silly...

Anyway, after our much needed summer break, here are a few things I learned:

-The world will be a sad, sad, place if we all do away with summer break and go to year-around school. There is no amount of learning that can replace the fondest memories of a summer spent with family.

-The most satisfying meal in the world has to be a pbj, doritos, a peeled and sliced apple, and a cold glass of chocolate milk, especially when enjoyed in the sun with your daughter.

-If you're going to have a tea party on the front lawn, put real tea in her little plastic tea pitcher and real cookies on her little plastic plates....it is so worth it!

-EVERY little girl needs to build a sandcastle with her dad before she's too old to realize he has NO idea what he's doing.

-EVERY little girl needs to jump off her daddy's shoulders into the cold, deep lake before she's too old to be scared.

- Cousins are, in many ways, waaay better than siblings.

-Zebras need to find a way to take better care of their teeth.

- The most priceless memories are usually the ones that weren't planned and cost you nothing.

Goodbye summer. See you next year.

"holy" sashes, ant apocolypse, plastic eggs, and missing panties

That is the stuff spring is made of around our house. And a busy spring it has been.

Near the end of March, Grace was a flower girl for the second time in a beautiful ceremony for Ashley and Justin. Of course, on the day of the wedding, we were running a little late (this is a trait that is inherited when you take the Rasco family name). I was trying to take care of some last minute details, so I asked Andy to run the iron over her sash real quick. Well, needless to say, my husband, who is quite unfamiliar with an iron, created a very special "holy" sash for Grace to wear to the wedding. Despite nearly having an aneurysm, I had a flash of genius and we were able to swing by POH and grab a roll of wide yellow ribbon to "create" a new sash.

Early in April, our dear friends the ants returned as they always do this time of year. I learned that the only thing that will kill this variety of ants is Borax, and lots of it. I'll be keeping a stockpile for next year when the battle begins again.

Also in April we celebrated Easter with our family, though this year we tried to shift the focus more to Jesus and his death, burial and resurrection. Gracie is really at that age where these things begin to sink in and I think she learned a lot this year about his love for us and his ultimate sacrifice. However, she also learned a lot about the Easter bunny this year. I fear Gracie will be one of those kids who catches on far too quickly because her parents slip up a little too often. On Easter eve, Gracie saw a bag of plastic eggs I had gotten out. I think she thought the Easter bunny had hidden them all in one spot. She was upset to find them all empty (I hadn't filled them yet) and I had to come up with a cover story. I don't know if she really bought it or not.

Mother's Day was fabulous, despite the fact that we were incredibly busy. No, I didn't have the breakfast-in-bed, put your feet up all day kind of Mother's Day. But Gracie did "treat" me to a fantastic breakfast at Krispy Kreme and a nice afternoon with my family at my niece's birthday party.

Also this spring, Gracie had a tea party (with real tea!) and her first french braids. She hunted for bugs with her cousins and watched her mom lose a shoe in a foot of mud and cow poo ("You should have wore the boots like Dad told you to, Mom!). She heard about a devastating tornado and said a prayer for our neighbors who lost everything. She saw a rainbow after the storm and remembered it was a promise from God.

But I think one of my most favorite memories of this past spring will be....the great panty fiasco. We were set to be on time for once for church this past Sunday. Gracie had dressed herself in a lovely little sundress and we rushed out the door with several minutes to spare. We were pulling into the drive of the church when Gracie suddenly yelled "Mom, Dad! I'm missing my panties!" Needless to say, we were late for church.

Gracie-isms

Life's been crazy so my blog has not been top priority lately, but my mom has been hounding me to update so I better do it and get her off my back already. So how about some of Gracie's best Gracie-isms from "Gracie's Book of Gracie-isms"

December 2009- age 3

After whizzing through the living room buck naked on her trike, I asked Gracie where her panties were. Without a second thought she said "I don't know. I guess they got up and walked off."

February 2010- age 3

One day on the way to the sitter's, I asked Gracie what she wanted to be when she grew up. Here was her response. "Ummm...I want to be an architect or a musketeer." [Long pause] "And I want to be a tree climber." [Another long pause] "But mostly mom, I want to be a mermaid."

Spring 2010- age 3

About this time, Gracie became curious about the daily pill I take. So one night after getting tired of her asking I blurted out that it was medicine to keep her from having any brothers and sisters. Weeks later at the hair salon, she was sitting in one of the chairs waiting for me to get my hair cut. A nice older woman began to make conversation with her. The woman asked things like her age and her favorite food. Then the woman asked her if she had any brothers or sisters. Gracie promptly replied "No. My momma takes medicine so that I won't have any."

November 2010- almost age 4

She was talking on the phone to her Aunt Sho-Sho. She asked Gracie what her favorite candy was. Gracie must not have heard correctly because she said "Andy? DADDY'S my favorite Andy Sho-Sho!"

November 2010- almost age 4

Daddy had just gotten home after deer hunting. He had his latest deer butchered and caped out (so it was only just the head laying there) in the back of the truck. Gracie looked at it and with a very confused face asked daddy, "What'd you do....shoot the whole body off?"

December 2010- age 4

Gracie and I were playing with her new dollhouse. She decided that it was time for her dolls to go to church. I asked where church was going to be. She began moving all the chairs up into the attic of the dollhouse and told me it would be up there so that they can be close to God.

March 2011- age 4

Andy had eaten a package of Whoppers that Gracie was saving. When she discovered this, she confronted him. He told her that he ate them because he'd had a really bad sweet tooth. That night at dinner, Gracie told me about how daddy had eaten her Whoppers. Here's what she said:

"Mommy! Daddy ate all my chocolate balls! (pointing to one of her teeth) He said he had a bad sweet tooth." [Turning to daddy] "Daddy, what tooth was it?"

Yes. I write all these down. Someday they will come in REAL handy.

Happy Holidays from the Rasco family!

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

I won!

I started running a couple of years ago. First, it was mainly just to lose some weight and to help out with my school's running club. Then I started 5k races. When those became less challenging, my friend, Krista, suggested a half-marathon. After several months, I began my training thinking there was no way I could ever run 13 miles in a row. But last fall I completed my first half-marathon, and then signed up to do it again!

Over the last three years and 14 races, Gracie and Andy have only missed two. They have been my biggest support system through all of this. Many races are in the fall and winter, but they wake up at the crack of dawn and bundle-up to fight traffic, closed roads, and other spectators to come see me cross those finish lines.

Last weekend I completed my second half-marathon. Gracie and Andy were there. I honestly don't know if I could have done it without them. Knowing they were going to be around the next bend, watching for me, cheering me on, well, that made all the difference. Each time I caught sight of Gracie standing in the distance, holding a little sign that said "go mommy," I had that heart-swelling feeling in my chest.

When I finally crossed the finish line, Gracie came running to me and saw my finisher's medal. She was so excited and she screamed, "Mommy you won! You won the race!" Well, I certainly didn't come in first place, but with my daughter as my #1 cheerleader, I've won every race I've ever run.