If you've been thinking about a raw diet for Fido but are hesitant because you think it is difficult, I promise it doesn't have to be.
In the beginning, I measured everything, but years later, I pretty much eyeball it.
- 1 apple, core and seeds removed
- 1 large carrot (I use ahredded because it mixes better)
- 5 oz spinach
- 2 whole eggs (yes, you want the shell in there)
- About 1 cup of whole plain yogurt
- 2-3T ground flaxseed
- 2T olive oil
- 3-4 chicken livers (or other organ meat)
Mix it all in food processor
Combine with about 1.5 lbs ground beef
Make into patties and freeze, then thaw as needed.
Obviously, the size of patties and/or amount you feed your dog will depend on his or her size.
And, of course, this is where I'm supposed to recommend you consult your vet. 😊
This was one of the best decisions I made when it came to our eldest child’s college graduation.
About 6 weeks prior, she called to ask what we wanted to do each day we were there because all of her friends’ parents had certain nights, times, etc they wanted to go to dinner, take photos … and the list went on and on. I could hear the stress and overwhelm mounting in her voice.
So I said, “We’ll do whatever you want to do whenever. Just tell me where we need to be and when we need to be there.” There was a pause, and then, “Really?”
(You see, go-with-the-flow isn’t my normal personality. I’m a planner. Oh, I’ve gotten way better in my 40s, but when it comes to big events, I usually still like somewhat of an itinerary.)
I told her we still wanted to spend some time with her and take photos, and we did want to take her out for a nice meal or two, but it could be whenever it fit her schedule. I could almost physically feel the relief seeping through the phone.
So we went, we were pretty darn flexible, and our family of 5 had a wonderful time celebrating this amazing young woman.
Turns out the best gift wasn’t money or something tangible, but simply a release of worry and expectation. And that’s something we can all afford to give. ❤️
Parenting a young adult is a whole different ballgame.
The phone call came while she was at school, a couple of states away. She was upset, telling me about a problem, so I offered some suggestions. Her next statement caught me off guard. "Instead of telling me what to do, sometimes I just need you to listen."
I spoke to her a few minutes more, but I had to get off the phone before I said something I was going to regret. My feelings were incredibly hurt. After all, I was only trying to help.
But after I calmed down, I started thinking about when I was her age. And I realized two things. One, I remember feeling almost the same way at times. And two, she will one day understand my intentions were good.
So, the next time she called with a problem, I asked her, "Would you like my help with this, or do you just want me to listen?" And we had a great conversation.
Now, that doesn't mean we've ended all bumps in our relationship, but it sure has gone a long way in improving our communication. Getting ready to see how it works with kid #2.
Hearty Family Lasagna That Feels Like Home 💛
We all crave comfort food that brings the family together—and this homemade lasagna is just that. In fact, this recipe is so delicious, yet simple, I’ve started using it for my weekly Lasagna Love contribution. Haven’t heard of Lasagna Love? It is a fabulous volunteer opportunity to help feed other families in your community. What I especially love about it is that I can set up when, where, and how much I volunteer on MY schedule. It’s the bonus of the wonderful feeling of doing for others without the stress of it taking away from time with my own family. If you want to learn more, you can check it out here: https://lasagnalove.org/
Why You’ll Love This Lasagna
- Comfort-food classic with rich meat sauce and melty cheese in every bite.
- Picky-eater friendly—hide extra veggies in the sauce without sacrificing flavor.
- Make-ahead convenience—assemble early and bake when ready.
- Feeds a crowd—great for leftovers, gatherings, or meal prep.
Ingredients (makes a 9 × 13" pan, serves ~8)
For the sauce:
- 1 lb lean ground beef (or turkey/Italian sausage)
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 (28 oz) cans crushed tomatoes
- 2 tsp dried parsley
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp salt
Cheese layers:
- 1 (32 oz) container whole milk ricotta
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 cups shredded mozzarella, divided evenly (may want more)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Small bunch fresh basil
Pasta:
- 1 - 9 oz box oven ready lasagna noodles
Directions
- Make the sauce:
In a dutch oven or large pot over medium heat, cook ground beef until no pink remains (5–7 minutes, and depending upon fat content of meat, you may want to add a little olive oil to dutch oven). Add garlic, cook 1 more minute. Add crushed tomatoes, salt, oregano, and parsley. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. - Mix the cheese layer:
Crack eggs into large bowl and whisk. Stir in ricotta, parmesan, pepper, and 2 cups mozzarella. Mince basil to make ¼ cup, then stir into cheese mixture. - Layer the lasagna:
- Preheat oven to 375 °F.
- Spread 1 cup of sauce in the bottom of a 9 × 13" baking dish.
- Spread ⅓ cup of cheese mixture each on 3 lasagna noodles, then evenly space noodles in baking dish. Top with 1 cup of sauce.
- Repeat above step 3 more times. Top with last 3 lasagna noodles, then cover fully with remaining sauce.
- Bake to cheesy perfection:
Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and sprinkle remaining 2 cups of mozzarella on top (I actually like to use more, so make it as cheesy are you like!) Bake uncovered for 15-20 more minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Pro Tips & Variations
- Veggie boost: Toss 2 cups fresh spinach or mushrooms into the sauce during simmering. You can also add grated zucchini to the cheese mixture - just make sure you squeeze out extra moisture before adding.
Serve It With…
A crisp Caesar salad, herby garlic bread, and a big hug from the whole family—because nothing says home more than lasagna night.
Give this recipe a try and let me know if you sneak in some veggies for the kids. If you loved this, stick around for more recipes and family-friendly twists! 🍽️
I wrote this a few weeks ago while I was supposed to be getting ready for graduation. The thoughts hit me so hard that I simply had to take a few minutes to quickly jot them down.
I made the mistake of starting to read Dave Zahl’s newest book, The Big Relief, in between college graduation activities for our eldest. Oh, don’t get me wrong - just a few pages in and I’m reminded of why I love hearing him preach, his podcast, and reading anything he writes. Dave’s mixture of wit, explanation, and understanding always speaks to me. It was simply the wrong time for me to be reading, as I am already emotional, because it reminded me of two things: his discussion of grace took me right to how our Grace was aptly named, and it reminded me just how much I miss church.
I’ll save the discussion of the “grace” part for my full book review, but I needed to jot my church thoughts down right now, even though I’m supposed to be getting dressed to watch my daughter walk the stage.
It took years for our family of five to find a church we all loved. I had grown up in the Episcopal church (as did my husband, briefly), but none of the local ones would do our premarital counseling as we were getting married in a different diocese. So when it came time to explore churches with our kids, I didn’t even look at any of the Episcopal ones. Then I went to a funeral at Christ Church and immediately knew I wanted to bring the kids to a regular service to see if we liked it. I felt peace, the kind of peace I had not felt in years, sitting in that pew. Long story short, they all did, and our family became not only regular members, but volunteers, especially when it came to the children acolyting.
Fast forward to 2020 and the decisions the big wigs of the church (not our local leaders) made. Y’all know I believe in keeping it real, so I’m going to say the church let us down big time. I was severely disappointed in a significant part of our lives being ripped away, especially at a time Grace needed it as she prepared for adulthood. We have a large ministerial staff, and over two years, NOT ONE SINGLE leader reached out to see how our family was doing. That kept me disappointed, but the anger didn’t creep in until Harlow needed a religious letter for his Eagle Scout, and one minister would not answer any of his emails or mine. (Thank you to our former children’s minister for saving the day and writing so eloquently about Harlow’s heart.)
When the church shut down, Harlow was only one class away from being confirmed. The following year, he went back for a few classes he didn’t need to repeat (if you know him, this makes perfect sense), and we attended his Confirmation. Not going to lie, I was there with a bitter heart. My mama bear instincts still felt this place had seriously let my children down. But then something interesting happened.
Our youngest wanted to go back to middle school youth group as soon as it opened. Not only that, but she wanted to attend the 5 o’clock service before, have dinner, and then stay for youth group. I was fine with that as long as I didn’t have to go. So off she went, and she’s been doing that for at least two years, all by herself.
Well, last weekend, it was her turn to be confirmed. I went because I had to … and several people greeted us who genuinely missed us. The bishop gave a sermon that spoke straight to my heart, and suddenly, I felt at peace in that pew again. I don’t know if I’ll turn back into a regular attendee who also volunteers, but I do know I finally feel at home again.
