Found My Coffee Fix

 

Amazing warm day here in La Crosse, however, very humid since we are very close to the Mississippi River.  Spent a good portion of my day at the Conference Center.  Walked two blocks this morning to find an awesome coffee shop.  Got my Americano fix to start the day, while Bike man enjoyed his latte. I felt like I went to heaven while drinking my espresso drink.....excellent coffee beans.   

 

 





 

After my morning sessions, I met Bike man for lunch in the city park.  Look what I found in the park!  These oak leaves are so large.  I pick one up and told myself I need to identify what type of oak tree this leaf came from.  Holy cow, this leaf is bigger than my hand!

 



We found the People's Food Co-op, which was on my list of places to visit.  Being a Board of Director for my local co-op, I've been wanting to visit this particular co-op after hearing really good comments.

Enjoyed a warm night walking around downtown La Crosse.  Thunderstorms are finally rolling through the region.

Is That Me?

Kind of a bizzare thing....almost freaky.  I was searching for a photo tonight since I'm attending my annual library conference in La Crosse, Wisconsin.  I searched for photos at the Wisconsin Library Association conference and randomly picked this photo.  Little did I know I would find a photo of myself.  See the blond woman dressed in black with the blue book bag over her shoulder?  Yup, that's me talking to Sue from Scandinavia Public Library.  Thanks Lester Public Library for snapping that random picture without me even knowing.

Decided to eat dinner tonight at the Dublin Irish Pub.  The food was excellent and the Irish Soda bread was the best I've ever had.   Enjoyed a Capital Octoberfest beer, while Bike man ordered a Guinness.  Walked around the downtown tonight.  I especially like the bar called, "The Library."  The sign advertises to tell your mom you're at the library!!!!  Only in a college town.

Task Completed

Relief, the buoys are out of the water.....all seven.  A big thank you to Mike and Chris for helping their dad today.  Couldn't ask for more beautiful weather.

Helped Out

New customers, repeat customers.....they just kept coming, and coming and coming!  I decided to help my neighbor & friend Jill (and Mike) today during her open house.  All of her custom made barn wood home decor was on display and for sale.  Her customers came prepared....prepared to buy!

Do you need a sign that describes your mood?  Jill & Mike can make it for you!

I especially liked her rod-iron cross on a piece of barn wood.

Bird houses, picture frames, wall shelves, trunks, boxes and furniture, Jill has it all.  I had a blast talking to Jill's customers and helping her keep track of each sale.  I am amazed at what a good business woman Jill has become over the years.....her customers truly love her.  I wish everyone could love their job like Jill & Mike love their business.

Ended our day with a nice warm outdoor fire built by Bike man, and then eventually made a big pot of homemade potato soup for Chris & Trisha, who are visiting this weekend.  Couldn't beat the beautiful weather today!

Just Like That!

A  friend and I attended a wake late this afternoon of a mutual library patron.  Harold had a perfect ending....he closed his eyes, feel asleep and past away.  Just like that!!!  I could only smile while I said my final prayer for Harold.  What a nice way to leave this world......

Chit Chat

The garden has died back, the hostas have wilted and the wild flowers are now brown and dry.  I'm counting each day before it turns cold and snowy!  After some cold and windy days, today felt like heaven.  No wind and 58 degrees.  Enjoyed a run with two friends tonight....three miles of complete chit chat!

A Joint Effort

Before I tell you about our late day joint effort, I just need to mention that we watched Felix Baumgartner live on TV as he attempted to parachute jump from a capsule 24 miles above New Mexico.....or basically Earth!  I have to say that the three hour effort made me almost ill.  Watching this event live made it all too real for me.  Over and over again I kept saying that if I was his mother or his wife, I just would be an emotional wreck!  Both our sons were here watching with us.....Mike and Chris.  If you didn't watch, please Googe the event and take a look at the video clips.

So, getting to our joint efforts, Bike man and I decided to make stuffed pasta shells  for dinner.  My mom and I enjoyed Spinach Florentine back in September @ my local co-op, so I was determined to make this dish myself......but only use my garden kale instead of frozen spinach. 

I found a basic recipe for Spinach Florentine, but used fresh kale from my garden.  It took some time to chopped it all up, but eventually I sauteed some onion and the kale in olive oil.  In the meantime, I also carefully cooked the pasta shells.  Had to be very careful not to over cook the shells.  I believe I cooked the pastas shells for about 7-8 minutes in boiling water.

While I was busy doing the sauteing and cooking pasta, Bike man put together the filling, which would be used to fill the pasta shells.  The filling consisted of ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, several eggs, chopped fresh Italian parsley, and seasonings, salt & pepper to your taste.  When the kale and onions were sauteed, I added that to the cheese filling.

It was Bike man's idea to add some cooked bacon, of course this is optional.....kind of a man thing ya know?

Stuffed my pasta shells and placed them in a 9x13 inch pan with a small layer of spaghetti sauce on the bottom of the pan.

Added the remaining spaghetti sauce over the top of the shells.  Then added shredded mozzarella cheese on top and covered in tin foil.  Baked covered for about 30 minutes @ 375 degrees, then uncover and set to broil for about 5 minutes just to brown the top.  This is one of the best pasta dishes I've ever made.  I was excited to finally use the last of my fresh garden kale.  Personally, I prefer kale in this pasta dish rather than spinach.

I will be posting this recipe to my "Turtle Recipes" later tonight.  Thought about you Mom Moo when cooking this pasta dish tonight.  You would LOVE this recipe.   I promise to make this recipe when I come to visit!