I love…

Like anyone else, I love a lot of things. Especially, today, I love the Earth. I love the air and the sounds and the miracles that happen in and around the earth. Specifically, I love how the earth gives us water and crops and grows luxuriously green grass for me to pad my summer feet through. Of course there is more, but that’s what I’ve got first thing in the morning.

However, since we are on the topic of things I love, I thought I would share a little bit more…

Like, how much I love how sweet smelling and worn out my dogs are after they come home from an afternoon at the groomers.

I love a productive afternoon of working hard on stuff in the garage so we can be DONE with this move already, and then taking my girl to donate a car load of stuff at the Salvation Army and grab a milk shake for the ride home.

I love free birthday gifts from Sephora, just for being a member.

I love that my fourteen year old thinks it’s amazing to watch The Hunger Games (for the 4,000th time) on her iPod nano. All 2.5 inches of it.

I love washing my face first thing in the morning. It sets the tone for a day.

I love new books, and new book release Tuesdays. I love how the ones I’m most excited about are delivered magically to my Kindle at some time in the night.

I love the Monday morning sounds of the washing machine running and bird songs as their artists bask in rays of crisp sunshine.

I love making brown butter French toast a’lorange with Gen. We chat about things, and realize our moods are both up several levels, likely due to the bright blue sky and ginormously glowing orb it holds.

I also really, really, really love Macaroni & Cheese. One of my girlfriends and I pride ourselves on being adventurers on a quest for the world’s best ever Macaroni and Cheese. In the beginning, my husband thought that was just not a cool enough adventure for him, but as the years have progressed he too has grown a bit Mac ‘n’ Cheese obsessed. Every new restaurant, or every stumble upon a new Macaroni & Cheese recipe is like a taunting challenge, SO it only made sense to share those voyages with you. Welcome to Mac & Cheese Mondays, ya’ll…

To start, I thought I’d share Chw’s current favorite Mac’n’cheese recipe. It’s pretty great, just not my favorite, but I am an equal opportunity Mac & Cheese maker so it works out fine and everybody wins. (though, for the record, Gen’s favorite is also my favorite, so we kind of win just a little more!)

What you need…

2 c. of your favorite small, dried pasta.

1 c. shredded sharp cheddar

1/2 c. shredded ANY OTHER CHEESE YOU LOVE

1, 8oz package cream cheese

1 c. undiluted evaporated milk

1/2 c. grated (NOT DRIED) parmesan cheese

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Cook your pasta in boiling, generously salted water, according to your package directions. Drain, but don’t rinse.

Combine, back in pot (BUT NOT ON HEAT) the pasta with the cheddar and other cheese (Not Parm.) and cream cheese. Stir until the cream cheese is melted.

Poor into casserole dish.

Slowly stir in the milk, making sure to scrape the sides of the dish.

Evenly sprinkle Parmesan on top

Bake between 25 and 30 minutes- or until desired golden browning on top.

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Chw’s Favorite Mac & Cheese

(Adapted from Beatrice Ojakangas Mac And Cheese To Beat The Box recipe)