the first thing my mother bought me when i moved into my own apartment after college was a lasagna pan. and then she gave me her easy vegetarian lasagna recipe so i would hopefully use it and have something besides veggie burgers and lara bars to eat (i was a vegetarian that did not know how to cook at the time). it’s cheesy, there’s always leftovers, it’s great to freeze for later, and reminds me of my mother. i made it this week and it’s better than i remember. here it is.
ingredients
- two jars of pasta sauce (i go for the classico brand. lots of flavorful options.)
- lasagna noodles
- one container of ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan
- 1 egg
- two handfuls of fresh spinach leaves
- mozzarella cheese
- optional: slices of tomato for garnish
directions
- heat oven to 350
- mix together the ricotta, parmesan, and egg
- in 9 x 13 pan, put a little sauce on the bottom
- fill bottom w a layer of noodles
- spread 1/2 of the cheese/egg mixture
- layer of spinach
- layer of mozzarella
- big layer of sauce.
- layer of noodles
- spread 1/2 of the cheese/egg mixture
- layer of spinach
- layer of mozzarella
- big layer of sauce
- little more mozzarella
- spinach to garnish (optional: slices of tomato to garnish)
- bake at 350 for 1 hour – and then let it sit for at least 20 minutes before cutting
a friend loaned us an amazing peacock halloween costume for ramona this year. the photos speak for themselves: she would have nothing to do with it. which is too bad bc we were both going to be peacocks, what with the peacock feather headbands i had DIY’d for the both of us for her pink and gold first birthday (which she also refused to wear).
so we improvised. i went to her wardrobe and picked out the silliest things she owns — a thrifted faux fur stole and a no-sew ribbon and tulle tutu i made. and whaddyaknow? she ended up being a mini edith (either one!) from grey gardens. i think she pulled off the old-crazy-lady look quite well. we wore these get-ups to this past weekend’s highland haunt in lohi denver.
tonight we think we’re trick-or-treating in congress park, a neighborhood i hear has the best candy output in denver. we only think we may go because ramona has been going to bed at 6:00 each night and who knows if she’ll stay awake and happy enough to make the rounds. fine by us. in that case we’ll sit at home and get around to carving our pumpkins and roasting pumpkin seeds.
what are you doing for halloween tonight?
i’m really excited to talk about the friends & sponsors sidebar i added in my blog redesign. i hope to collaborate with other bloggers, etsy stores, artists, business, et cetera, to showcase great talent and products. if you’re interested, click over to my sponsor tab to look at options for getting involved. my inaugural prices are dirt cheap so snatch a spot while they last!
in the meantime, i’d love to give a shout-out to the people that have signed up. make sure to pop over to their sites, online or IRL, and say hello. they are really wonderful people doing really great things.
- the humble pie store — a new, tasty pie shop in denver.
- hey! party collective — these denver ladies put on some mean, fun parties.
- the petrichor — amanda and her fabulous blog filled with fashion, DIYs, denver, and buster.
- the kin collective — denver-based company behind my new blog design.
- mountain versus plains — illustrator who makes greeting cards for every occasion. even the ones that don’t exist.
- crema coffee house — the best coffee shop in denver.
- huckleberry roasters — my favorite coffee in denver.
- girl in the pj’s — alli writes a great lifestyle blog out of central australia. she also has an etsy shop w stunning photos!
- sakura bloom sling diaries — a project i was so flattered be a part of. check out the pinterest board for volume II.
- sailfish beach resort — my mother’s family’s beach “resort” on the florida gulf coast, available for rent year round. bless my mother’s heart for being so supportive and signing up to be one of my very first sponsors. but either way, y’all, this location is one of the most beautiful and tranquil places in my memory.
signs of fall everywhere (and now winter since it has snowed this weekend). we’ve been cozying up with sweet treats and the company of friends. and now the restaurant is on its last leg of inspections so we’re busy with server training and getting to know the wines (the fermenting grapes were over at the infinite monkey theorem). it’s getting close and we are anxious to be able to serve the people of denver really great food in a really unique environment.
elsewhere
- checked out my new blog design yet? i’m in love. but i’d still love to hear your feedback! consider clicking through TO THIS POST and leaving a comment. you’ll be entered to win a $30 gift certificate to ollie’s vintage, my vintage shop.
- mckenzie opened up her oliver and abrahams etsy shop. her illustrations and photographs will take you somewhere magical. she’s offering 10% off now through the end of november so please visit her blog, take a look around, and say hello. heads up: the big storm is heading her way so in the event her farm (and thus electricity) gets hit, orders may go out a little later than usual.
- have a facebook page for your blog or shop? pj writes a really informative post on how to get your blog or shop more fair play in the facebook timeline, since facebook has changed their policies and now require a pay-to-promote.
- that being said, make sure you’re following ollie’s vintage on facebook to be updated on new items and sales.
- had enough of the lumineers? too bad. here’s ho hey performed by ps22.
- on thanksgiving and tradition and thankfulness, by michael chabon.
- parents: please please please read this article about how tricky people are the new strangers. it is certainly eye-opening to ways we can continue doing our best in protecting our children.
our new favorite sweet shop. humble pie is located at 3rd & elati in the baker neighborhood of denver. come for the pie and stay for the cozy decor and friendly staff. tamara, proprietor and pie slinger, has put a lot of love and thoughtful touches into this place. her pies kick some serious tastebud ass.
if all that wasn’t enough, this store has definite denver love: they also serve huckleberry roasters coffee and has touches of mountain vs plains throughout the art on the walls and branding (the artist, paul michel, is also a pie slinger extraordinaire. pictured above).
jp and i had the breakfast burrito quiche, the veggie quiche, and the chocolate chess pie. OMG.
this is, believe it or not, not a sponsored post.
have you clicked through to see my new site? do it! i’d love to hear your feedback. comment on this post for a chance to win a $30 gift certificate to my etsy shop.
welcome
