Hunter and school...

We worry about our little boy.  Of course, he isn't so little.  He's happy and having fun in this picture.  But, we still worry.  He has been having difficulty at school for several years with a few boys who love to torment and bother him. (We have talked with the school for several years too!)
It has effected him more than we realize. He hates to attend school.  At school functions he would rather talk to adults or be by himself.  His grades are horrible! It took an article about bullying for us to evaluate this situation and realize we need an alternative solution.
We are thinking and praying about allowing Hunter to enroll in an on-line public school. (almost immediately).  We feel that for Hunter to finish his middle school career, will give him the chance to outgrow the problems that has plagued him.  I hope that the years in a different learning style will improve his self esteem and confidence in himself.

All Store Brands are not Created Equal!

Okay here's the deal.  I like to pinch a penny when I can.

Pillsbury makes the best quality canned rolls out there. I love the ease of popping open a can of rolls and enjoying the flaky goodness, and the can is about $2 here.  (Expensive for 8 little rolls!)  So, for about fifty - sixty cents less I can buy the store brand and save some pennies.  BUT, not all store brands are created equal.
Recently I've started making homemade pizza rolls with them.  (see previous post here... Homemade Pizza Rolls )

Walmart makes canned crescent rolls that are most like the national brand!  It stretches nicely and has a smooth texture, which makes pizza roll making a breeze.    

Kroger also makes a canned crescent roll and I found the dough to be grainy and not pliable enough to stretch around fillings for a pretty looking pizza roll.  This is a fail in my book.  Kroger is cheaper, but the quality is too.  

Pasta Dish

Pasta Dish
(recipe from back of a box)




I like to experiment with new recipes all the time.  And sometimes the best ones come off the back of a box.  I got this recipe from a Barilla pasta box.  It is light and tasty.







Ingredients:
1 lb box of your favorite pasta shape
1 green pepper, julienned
1 red pepper, julienned
1 yellow onion, diced small
4 tablespoons fresh chopped flat leaf parsley.
3/4 cup fresh grated Romano cheese
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 cup salted pasta water
salt and pepper to taste

Cook pasta according to directions.
Meanwhile....
Saute onion in large skillet (I use a 12") till clear.
Add the peppers and 1 cup pasta water.
Cover and let simmer till the peppers are softened.

Toss cooked and drained pasta into pan with the the liquid and peppers/onions.  Salt and pepper to taste and add cheese and chopped parsley.  Serve immediately!

This is Matt and Emmy

We love to add people to our family, whether they be from abroad or we grow them ourselves!

The year 2011 brought a wonderful surprise to our family, Emily Ann was born in May.  She has been a blessing and is treasured by everyone in our family!  Emmy is 8months here.

The year 2011 also brought Matthias Hatzenbuhler to our family.  He's from Germany.  Emily absolutely adores him!

Homemade Pizza Rolls

Okay...I saw on Pinterest, a yummy recipe for a great pizza snack. Here is my version and my own photo of the finished treat!

Pin It

Preheat Oven to 375 degrees. Line baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray.

Ingredients:

1 can of crescent dough

Favorite pizza sauce

Pepperoni

Italian Seasoning

Garlic Powder

Shredded Mozzarella

Shredded Parmesan

Directions:

Unroll crescent dough and stretch the triangle a bit.

Layer 1 teaspoon of pizza sauce, 2 pepperoni slices and shredded Mozzarella cheese.

Fold ends around the filling like a little bundle.

Sprinkle with garlic powder

Sprinkle Parmesan cheese

Top with Italian Seasoning.

Bake about 15 minutes until golden. Dip in warmed pizza sauce for a great treat! My kids LOVED THIS.