Happy Friday!
May your Friday be filled with laughter, happiness, and an abundance of good vibes that spill into the weekend.
How’s the week been for you?
Mine good!
Leaves are falling like confetti around here and I scoop them up and bag them or blow them into the yard to mulch up via a mower at some point to become one with the yard for winter.
Fun line-up to present this November 8, 2024.
BEGINNING WITH:
WORD POWER
Reminders to me – thought it’d be a cool share.
CHUCKLE-WORTHY CARTOONS
By some of the best, most successful professional cartoonists who do what they do! And they excel.
QUICK QUESTION
What’s incredibly cheap I’d pay more for?
Believe it or not — Top Ramen.
I love having these 40 cents or less packages in my pantry for a go-to when I’m not all that hungry, but feel like a little-little something to eat.
Have no idea where my Top Ramen cheap crush comes from – ha!
Because …
Nope, didn’t even know about these little squiggle noodles when I was growing up — and nope didn’t live off of them because they fit my budget at some stage in my world.
And nope — I don’t add a little bit of this or/a little bit of that to the noodles as some do.
I like it — OG.
What’s your incredibly cheap thing you’d be willing to pay more for?
OH LOOK!
THINGS TO BE HAPPY ABOUT!
Quick thought list I came up with – however, the list could/should be endless.
SPINACH AND CHEESE ZITI CASSEROLE
Is absolutely one of my very, very, very favorite recipes.
It makes quite a lot.
I generally divide it in half. (Think square sized baking pans – or best – aluminum, disposable pans)
I prepare to freeze half (before baking) and then proceed with baking the other half and serve on the day.
HUGE THANKS
All for popping in today and giving us a read + thoughts + sharing + caring.
We feel the love and we love you back.
Ready?
Set.
Let’s go.
Enjoy!
WORD POWER
TWO WORDS THAT SOUND SIMILAR
BUT HAVE TOTALLY DIFFERENT MEANINGS
- Passed or Past
No matter how you have “passed” the time – you have never “past” the time.
“Past” is an adjective, noun but never a verb.
(Think – we have “passed” our one year in business. Not we have “past” our one year in business.) - They’re or Their
“They’re” is the contraction for they are.
“Their” is ownership.
(Think – “their” house, “their” yard.) - Then or Than
“Then” is commonly used to express a sense of time or what comes next.
(Think – That was “then” – not now.)
“Than” is used to form comparisons between two things.
(Think – There were so many more dogs “than” cats at the shelter.”) - Number or Amount
Use “Number” when you can actually count what you refer to.
(Think – “number” of people who attended the pottery class.)
“Amount” refers to a quantity you can’t count.
(Think – the “amount” of free sodas we served at the last concert was crazy.)
- Principal or Principle
A “Principal” means the primary or of first importance.
(Think – Mr. Jones is the “principal” of our grade school.)
A “principle” is a fundamental.
(Think – the “principle” idea of faith is belief.) - It’s or Its
“It’s” is the contraction of it is or it has.
That means it doesn’t own anything.
(Think – “It’s” just another day.)
“Its” relates to possession.
(Think – the cat found “its” mouse toy and played joyfully.) - Farther or Further
“Farther” involves a physical distance.
(Think – Texas is “farther” from New York than New Jersey is.)
“Further” involves a figurative distance.
(Think – we can take our plans “further.”) - Insure or Ensure
“Insure” refers to insurance.
(Think – our cars are “insured.”)
“Ensure” refers to assurance of personal efforts.
(Think – this new HVAC system will “ensure” your home will be warm all winter and cool in the summer.)
QUICK QUESTION
WHAT’S INCREDIBLY CHEAP
YOU’D PAY MORE FOR?
OH LOOK!
THINGS TO BE HAPPY ABOUT!
+ Perfect timing
+ Weekend puttering
+ A fortune cookie message
+ Wind chimes swaying and playing with the wind
+ A random riot of colors
+ Finishing a long overdue project
+ A firm handshake
+ Trying to answer your phone before it goes to Voice Mail
+ Kitties licking
+ Great shadows lengthening in your yard or in fields
+ A child’s eyes
+ “Quack” of a duck or “Caw” of a crow
+ Favorite song playing on the car radio
+ No line at the restroom
+ A dog’s face when it hears “Walk” or “Treat”
+ When you finally remember the word or name that was on the tip of your tongue
+ Laughing to keep from crying
+ Walking through fall leaves
+ Random wave of greetings from a stranger
+ Feeling the presence of a Guardian Angel
+ A call from a friend you haven’t heard from in a long while
SPINACH AND CHEESE ZITI CASSEROLE
Saucy, creamy baked lusciousness.
Serve with toasted garlic bread.
HERE’S HOW WE MAKE IT
INGREDIENTS:
* 1 cup chopped yellow onion
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 4 TBSP olive oil
* 6 cups canned Italian plum tomatoes, chopped, with juice (about 2 x 28 0z cans)
* 2 tsp salt
* 1 tsp ground black pepper
* 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
* 2 tsp dried oregano
* 2 tsp dried basil
* 1 tsp dried rosemary
* 1 pound mozzarella cheese
* 1 pound whole milk ricotta cheese
* 1 x 28 oz can spinach, drained
* 2 eggs, lightly beaten
* 1 cup Parmesan cheese
* 1 pound ziti, cooked al dente, drained
NOW LET’S GET IT HAPPENING:
IN A LARGE SKILLET OVER MEDIUM HEAT
* Saute onion and garlic in olive oil, stirring frequently so garlic doesn’t burn
* Add the tomatoes, and herbs and spices
SIMMER FOR 1 HOUR, STIRRING OCCASIONALLY
MEANWHILE
* Cut one-third of mozzarella cheese in thin slices and reserve
IN A LARGE MIXING BOWL
* Cut remaining mozzarella into small cubes and place in mixing bowl
* Add ricotta cheese, spinach, eggs, Parmesan cheese to mixing bowl
* Stir and combine well with a wooden spoon or spatula
PREHEAT OVEN TO 350*
* Spoon a little layer of tomato mixture/sauce in the bottom of a large casserole/cake size pan
* Layer with half of the cooked ziti, all of the cheese/spinach filling and half of the tomato mixture/sauce
* Add the remaining ziti and lightly toss with 2 forks to distribute the cheese and spinach filling throughout the casserole
* Spoon the remaining sauce over the ziti
* Place the reserved mozzarella slices in a decorative pattern on top
* Bake for 45 minutes
REMOVE FROM OVEN
And let the casserole dish set on the counter for about 5-7 minutes
CUT ZITI CASSEROLE
In large serving squares and plate them
SERVE
With toasted garlic bread
~ hippie cowboy recipe box
Quick question answer…
I would pay just about anything for chocolate!!!
Love the cartoons!
Word Power is spot on. One of my pet peeves is the misuse of “further” for “farther” – and it is on the list 😉
After reading “Things to be Happy About” I have a big smile on my face and I’m headed to the weekend!
Thanks for the fun, Daymaker!
Your cartoons always make me chuckle🤣 my husband loves ziti and have a hard time finding a really good recipe this one looks delish he will be a happy camper😋 thanks again for a fun enjoyable blog
I noticed Daymaker Readable Art has 4 words that greet the reader upon my opening each time. It’s the MISSION STATEMENT which reads, “Heart, Art, Laughs & Inspiration”
I couldn’t be happier reading the blog knowing those 4 words are the guidelines.
OK, so one of the features today is WORD POWER: TWO WORDS THAT SOUND SIMILAR such as “Farther or Further.”
That pair always stumped me until today.
And then comes another list of statements that make for a happier day.
Love it!
My happy spot today was watching 7 birds come into our freshly filled bird bath. They were so happy lined up on the edge, taking turns bathing and air drying.
Now that, too, adds to a happy day!