Spaghetti Casserole

1lb spaghetti noodles (I actually use vermicelli)

1 lb ground beef or Morningstar farms “meal starters” tofu crumbles (I swear to you there is no taste difference, it’s fabulous)

1 large jar spaghetti sauce

1 can sliced olives, or a can of small olives sliced

1 2-cup bag of cheddar cheese

1 2 cup bag of mozzarella (OPTIONAL, but I love it)

1 “normal” size canister of grated parmesan cheese.

Cook the noodles to just short of your general desired consistency. They’ll cook a little while baking. While they’re cooking, brown the ground beef, add the sauce, olives, and cheese. If using the tofu, only cook it long enough to defrost it before adding the sauce. Cook it too long, and it will get rubbery, and that’s generally a bad thing. J When the noodles are done, put them in an oven safe bowl or baking pan (and make sure it’s fairly large; this is a lot of food you’re making!) and add in the sauce. Mix well until thoroughly combined, and then cover the top with a thick layer of the parmesan cheese. I generally wind up using the whole canister. Cover the bowl or pan with foil and pop into a 350F oven for about an hour. In the last 5 minutes, you can take off the foil to get a little bit more “crisp” brownness on the cheese, but that’s not necessary.

HAZ SOME BBS!

The world has kicked the shit out of far too many people I love lately. I declare us all in need of some baaaaaaaby animal therapy.

LET US BEGIN.



Hewwo? I iz upsidowns. U help me, yis?



They are either some very small ducks or that is a very large teacup.



I WANT ONE. Warning to those who may ever be my roommates: I am in love with daschunds and will likely have at least one as soon as I can. THIS SORT OF PICTURE JUST FUELS THE FIRES. (his tongue omg)



"Help! THE SHOELACES ARE EATING ME!"



I blame for my inability to look at baby turtles and not think of Bob Bryar and Jon Walker.



IT IS THE TINIEST, WRINKLIEST, SPIKIEST LITTLE DARLING HEDGEHOG EVER. AND IT IS ON AN APPLE.



YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWN



pthbbbbbbbb



~smooches its noooooose~



Play? :D :D :D?



I think this is the crankiest looking bb ever. O_O



I always have loved slow lorises. I could not tell you why, other than their exceptionally large eyes. The babies? well. ~Hands~



....oooops. He go boom.



"Ya got a little schmutz...just...lemme..."



"Hello? Hello, is somebody in there? I can see something...hello?"



I cannot tell you how cute these guys are in person, whether they're babies or adults.



That is a very small bunny.



"I twipped."



I have always wanted a pygmy marmoset to sit on my shoulder and cling to my ear. Now I want one to sit on my hand and cling to my finger.



It's a shame sugar gliders are really not good pets. because OMG. ♥__♥



EARS! BELLIES! SAD ICKLE FACE!



I think he fell asleep. Maybe. Possibly. I wonder if his name is Joe... >_>



om nom nom ow nom nom...



There is nothing to do but squeak at this picture. ~squeak~



I like the one in the middle. Remind anyone of Gee mid-song?



What do you mean this tree doesn't hide me?



This is a fennec hare. That means it is a bunny. it looks like a kitten. ~HANDS~



I DEMAND YOU TELL ME THAT THIS IS NOT CUTE. BECAUSE WHEN YOU DO, I WILL TELL YOU YOU ARE WRONG.



Moooooooooooooooose.



...peekaboo...



"Stop teasin' an' GIMME!"


"You're s'posta cover yer mouff when ya yawn!"



Ferret kits. In a glass.



EYES. SO BIG. OMG.



...it looks like a dandelion gone to seed. (it is apparently a macaque.)



This is a very small turtle. I want it.



Fun fact: these little dears are poisonous. BUT STILL SO CUTE OMG.



Aaaaaaand that's about it. I feel as though I have given you all a hearty dose of sweetness and light to make your days and nights just a little bit easier to be getting on with. Feel free to bookmark this post and come back to see all the little darlings when you need a pick me up. Direct anyone you want over here to indulge in some sweetness.

And I leave you with one last baby...


A BABY CHICKEN!

Puppy Chow

Just made this for our class party tonight. This is a fun, delicious little recipe for the whole family. I apologize to everyone who's not in america, because this recipe is, by default, american. Peanut butter and crispix are, as far as I know, not available in other countries. D: I'm working on trying to figure out a good alternative, but so far, no dice. :P I'll let you know if and when i figure it out.


ETA: I've discovered that Canada has Crispix in the form of "Crispix Krispies" and that New Zealand has peanut butter. So noted, and I apologize for such a blanket statement. I was basing that off my own experiences in Europe where neither thing exists. :P In the comments is a link to the wikipedia page for Crispix so y'all can see wtf it is. :)

Return of the ETA: I've been reminded that using name brand Rice Chex will render this recipe gluten free. :D

Revenge of the ETA: So. I've been thoroughly chastized. Other countries have both crispix and peanut butter. Consider me informed. :P

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Peanut Butter
1/4 cup Butter
1 cup Chocolate Chips
1/2 tsp. Vanilla
9 cups Crispix cereal (any flavor)
1-1/2 cups Powdered Sugar

Equipment:

large bowl
rubber spatula
gallon sized plastic bags

Method:

1. Combine peanut butter, butter and chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl.

2. Microwave for one minute then stir to blend all ingredients thoroughly. Add 1/2 tsp. vanilla. Stir well.

3. Place the 9 cups of Crispix cereal in a very large bowl.

4. Pour the peanut butter-chocolate mixture over the cereal and toss evenly, making sure all the cereal gets a good covering.

5. Coat with powdered sugar, sprinkling evenly over the cereal and tossing as you sprinkle to cover each piece well.

Alternate step: put chocolate coated cereal into plastic bag and pour int he powdered sugar. seal and shake around gently until everything is properly coated. This is usually what I do, but it is occasionally a big ol' pain in the butt. It depends on how much I'm paying attention and if little hands are involved. :D

So! Recipes! God save you all.

See, the biggest problem with posting recipes is that I have a bitch of a time giving them *names*. XD So. That is your task, should you chose to accept it! Gimme names~

This was tonight's meal. it fed TLE, me, and there's leftovers for me to take tomorrow. Obviously easily adjusted for big families or appetites. :)

Ingredients:
1 package Morningstar Farms meal starters: "beef" crumbles
1/2 lb small pasta shells
1 small can tomato paste
1 qt box of veggie broth
1 can creamed corn
Worcestershire sauce
salt

equipment:
sauce pan
skillet
some form of stirring utensil (i used a wooden spatula)

method:
1. dump the drumbles into the skillet, just enough to thaw them out. They're tofu. they don't need browned.
2. add Worcestershire sauce to taste. I have a liberal hand, and I still added more later, so be aware that what looks like lots may not be enough. Also remember that you can always add more; you can't take away.
3. add tomato paste; stir
4. add entire carton of veggie broth; stir to make sure all the paste is melted into the liquid.
5. bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer. The goal is to thicken the mixture by reducing it.
6. when you've reduced it by 1/3, add the can of cream corn and stir. This will add flavor, veggie goodness, and help thicken.
7. get the water for your pasta boiling, add salt. pour in noodles and cook until just shy of your preferred firmness; drain.
8. drop drained noodles into the saucy goodness and give it a toss. The noodles will finish cooking and soak up the last of the soupiness, leaving you with a really nice thick, coverage of sauce.
9. dish it up and om nom nom!

So, lovlies. What do we call this delightful little dish of yumminess?

Happy Valentine's Day

Untitled from S Johnson on Vimeo.