Baked Mac and Cheese and Cabin Fever

Cabin fever is setting in and it's starting to get a little uncomfortable.  These little teasers of 70 degrees one weekend and waking up to a foot of snow and 10 degrees is becoming exhausting.

My husband is convinced he's never going to see a golf course again this year.  Trust me, I am praying that green grass shows up sooner than later! There is only so much remodeling construction at our home, in one weekend that any of us can handle right now.

He has rigged up his own hitting net in our garage that is on a pulley system and can be stored up to the ceiling or down, for his daily practice shots.  It is actually a very clever system and I'm really impressed how he did a DIY practice range in our 3rd car area.   It's however, a miracle my car has not taken a ball yet!

Since our garage is quite chilly this time of year, he has a personal propane heater that I got him for his birthday.  It's amazing how warm these little babies get.

He also did a DIY of this (I actually have no idea what this contraption is).  It looks important.  He took a lot of time in making it and he uses for practicing in the garage.  I only know that I keep tripping on it, while trying to get to/from my car.

My husband is ready to go with whatever the weather brings....on the left, his "clicgear" golf bag buggy, and on the right...the ever necessary snow shovel.

Let me also just state for the record that I did not hang that mirror up for me to check myself out before I leave for work in the morning.  That is my husband's mirror which we scored at Goodwill for $2 !!.  He was told to hang it in the practice area, so he can see his swing form.  

While he continues to practice his golf, I continue to practice new recipes.  This one came to me from my youngest daughter.  She has made it three times at our house now, and it just gets better and better.  She takes half the pan back to her school, and leaves the other half for me and husband to enjoy during the week.  It truly is one of the BEST homemade versions we've enjoyed.

The BEST Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese

Courtesy of Mom On Timeout

16 ounces Cellentani pasta (or elbow macaroni), cooked

1 Tbl extra virgin olive oil

6 Tbl unsalted butter

1/3 cup all purpose flour

3 cups whole milk

1 cup heavy whipping cream

4 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

2 cups Gruyere cheese, shredded

salt

pepper

1-1/2 cups panko crumbs

4 Tbl butter, melted

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded

1/2 tsp smoked (or regular) paprika

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Lightly grease a large 3qt or 4 qt baking dish and set aside.  Combine shredded cheeses in a large bowl and set aside.

Cook the pasta one minute shy of al dente according to the package instructions.  Remove from heat, drain, and place in a large bowl.

Drizzle pasta with olive oil and stir to coat pasta.  Set aside to cool while preparing cheese sauce.

In a medium bowl, combine the sharp cheddar and Gruyere cheeses together.  Set aside.

Melt butter in a deep saucepan, dutch oven, or stock pot.

Whisk in flour over medium heat and continue whisking for about 1 minutes until bubbly and golden.  

Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream until nice and smooth.  Continue whisking until you see bubbles on the surface and then continue cooking and whisking for another 2 minutes.  Whisk in salt and pepper.

Add two cups of shredded cheese and whisk until smooth.  Add another two cups of shredded cheese and continue whisking until creamy and smooth.  Sauce should be nice and thick at this point.

Stir in the cooled pasta until combined and pasta is fully coated with the cheese sauce.

Pour half of the mac and cheese into the prepared baking dish.  Top with remaining 2 cups of shredded cheese and then the remaining mac and cheese.

In a small bowl, combine panko crumbs, Parmesan cheese, melted butter and paprika.  Sprinkle over the top and bake until bubbly and golden brown, about 30 minutes.  Serve immediately.

One Year Ago: Good-Bye Sweet Angus

Two Years Ago: Creamy Penne Pesto Chicken

Three Years Ago: Champagne Margaritas

Four Years Ago: Birthday Flirtini

Five Years Ago: Raspberry-Lemon Dump Cake

Six Years Ago: Chocolate Layered Pudding

I'm Back...and One Year Older

I'm back!  Hard to believe, but it's been exactly two months since my last post...for those of you who follow along, sorry about my hiatus.  It was a much needed break as there has been so much going on since my last post. I needed time to take care of (and still continue taking care of), I guess for lack of a better word...life. In addition for this year, my grandma is turning 90 in March, I am celebrating my 20th wedding anniversary in May and my twins will then be graduating high school...2017 is already looking like a blur!  So, here's a snip-it of what's been happening all that time away...

Let's start off with yesterday was my birthday.  I am now fully vested and can say that "I am in my 50's".  Not quite sure how that happened, but I wake up everyday and thank God for the gift of breath.

My husband threw me the ultimate (and very strategically planned) surprise birthday party a few nights ago.  To say that I was surprised is a complete understatement.  I burst into tears like a baby I was so taken back with the outpouring of new friendships we have made since moving to Colorado.  I truly am blessed beyond measure to have these wonderful people in our lives and for that I am eternally grateful.

My mom and dad also outdid themselves (again) and sent me the most colorful, spring arrangement that can only put a smile on your face every time you walk by and see it.  Thank you!!

Christmas 2016...was definitely the one to remember!

Every family has that one story of something that is so memorable at Christmas time, you tell the story every year...Well, this past Christmas is sure to make the top of the list of stories for the future...try to follow along.

• My mom sends me a "daughter" Christmas card with my gift.
• I coincidentally (unbeknownst to me), purchased the same card for my daughter.
• My husband also (on a separate shopping occasion alone), selected the same card for said daughter.

• Then, I selected another card for my other daughter.
• My husband also (again), selected the exact same card for same daughter.

So, as you can see in exhibit above, three people go card shopping alone on different occasions and purchase the exact same cards...what are the odds?

The next hurdle (milestone) that took place was my "babies" turned 18, and I truly don't know how that has happened so incredibly fast.  As I was selecting photos to put on their doors while they slept, I of course became overrun with emotion and it all starts hitting the heart.

Over their school break, they decided on the college they will be attending in the fall, which after months of college visits and applications, was an incredible feat in and of itself.  Then, we started the scholarship application process (which is another post and story all by itself that I will save for another day...) During this time, I also discovered a site called Grown and Flown...because parenting never ends.  If you have high school age kids or young adults, whether heading to college or not, it is a must read.

During one of my "woe is me, my children are leaving me, and I will have an empty house, sadness and saga moments"...I read one of their blog posts.  In so many words it said...don't be sad! Don't let your kids see you so sad!  You are not sending your kid off to jail, or rehab, you are sending your kid to college!  You should be celebrating and congratulating yourself that your job is nearly done here and you have raised a young adult who is graduating high school and ready for their next chapter in life...so snap out of it!  

After I absorbed all that in, I realized the article was spot on...no more sad faces, only encouragement and happiness for them. (Yeah, we'll see how far that philosophy takes me on high school graduation day!)

Can you tell I did a lot of "door decorating" in college as a Resident Advisor?

Back to happy...we celebrated their birthday dinner at The Melting Pot.  If you have one near you and are celebrating a special occasion...must go!  I had the hostess add red rose petals all over the table before we arrived (cause you only turn 18 once) and it was a meal experience like no other!

Speaking of experience like no other....I don't know if it was just the right day in the bakery, but the oh so ever Chocolate Cake my husband got for my party was over the top good!  I have to give a shout out to Sam's Club for an outstanding platter of perfection!  As you can see, there wasn't much left after the first night.

So, that's what's been happening around here (give or take a few other stories to be shared soon)...I'll try to get back on the blog'n wagon and post more in the near future.  The good news is these past couple of months I have still kept cooking new things (and driving family crazy photographing food), so I'll have fun things to share with you.  Until then, have a blessed day and year!

One Year Ago: Birthday Flirtini

Two Years Ago: Purple Potion #49

Three Years Ago: Chocolate Layered Pudding