Counting Down To Graduation

Are they ready? Are you?

We’re almost there. They’re in the home stretch of high school and graduation is around the corner. How ya feeling? Sad? Excited? Worried? Thankful? Probably all of the above. Our featured article is one mama’s letter to her daughter as she graduates, and it hits differently now.

This week’s Just Sayin’ has me allll in the feels as I think about my firstborn graduating soon and then moving to college in a few months. Whew. It’s a huge mix of emotions for parents, isn’t it? Be sure to scroll down below the recipes to read it and let me know how you’re feeling.

Well, one thing that’s easy to deal with is this week’s Recipes of the Week. We’ve got five delicious weeknight dinner recipes for you, so no more worrying. Dinner will be ready in no time.

I’ll see you all Wednesday for some Mother’s Day themed Extra, Extra! treats!

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To My Daughter As She Graduates High School

By Angela Williams Glenn

Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

As your graduation day approaches, I am filled with both joy and sadness as I watch you get ready to spread your wings and leave this nest of your childhood I have so painstakingly built for you these past eighteen years. How I wish I could keep you bottled up in childlike innocence, naïve to the harsh realities of the world. But the world awaits you, baby girl, and I have to let you grow up.

Believe it or not, there was a time when the thought of growing up scared you. However, I don’t know if it ever scared you as much as it scared me. Soon, you will be ready to walk out that door of your childhood. The silence that follows will echo in my heart because that door closes a chapter of my life as well. I will watch in the shadows as you pursue the visions of the grown-up world you imagined as a child.

Don't Be Afraid Of Moving Forward

You will always find it a little sad to say good-bye to the chapter of life you're ending. Even as excited as you may be about college and growing up and whatever awaits you in the next chapter of your life, you will miss this chapter of your childhood. Your childhood here with us is just your first chapter. Then you start a second one after you graduate school, and how many you write depends on how many doors you open and close in your life. But we all write several chapters as our lives are constantly changing and growing.

Leave Behind The Relationships That Bring You Down

When it comes to boys and men, remember not every man is going to dote on you and pamper you. Whether it's the first boy that breaks your heart, the one that lets you down later in life, or the one that makes unacceptable demands of you at work or in school, I pray you have the strength to be able to stand up to them, walk away from them, and not let them destroy you.

Find Your Independence 

I hope you find your independence. One day you may want to marry, but I don't want your survival and existence to be grounded in the need for someone else. A girl who can survive and exist independently will be one that finds herself a man that is her equal — not a man she stands behind, but alongside. I hope you are strong enough to find yourself that partner one day.

Take Risks To Find Success

The grown-up world may not always treat you kindly, but know it is yours to conquer. If you work hard and take risks for the life you want to build you can make it happen. Find your talents — and you have talent, don't doubt that — and share them with the world. Know you are always enough. You are enough for the people that truly love you and you are enough for the roles you play. Take risks. It takes risks to find great success. Taking risks is how you make your dreams a reality.

Don't Let Life Get Too Busy

Life will get busy and crazy, but always hold those that you love near and make time for them. The older you get the faster the sand will pass through the hourglass of time. It's okay to grow up. I don't want to let you sometimes, but you'll be okay.  Hold on to your wonderful childhood memories as you move through life as they will get you through the tough patches. You'll be sad to leave some things behind but remember to focus on the great things that are always ahead, and I steadfastly believe great things are ahead for you.

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RECIPES OF THE WEEK:

We’ve got your dinners for the week covered. From Slow Cooler Ribs to Beef and Bean Enchilada Casserole, there’s something everyone will love. And you don’t have to stress about planning. Win, win.

Caprese Casserole

Ingredients:

• 1 large package whole grain medium shell pasta

• 8 cups fresh baby spinach

• 2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes

• 1 (15 ounce) can reduced-sodium chick peas (garbanzo beans), rinsed and drained

• 2 cups bottled roasted red sweet peppers, drained

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

• 3/4 cup sliced fresh basil

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 6 tablespoons thinly sliced shallots

• 4 cloves sliced garlic

• 3/4 cup balsamic vinegar

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease a 3-qt rectangular baking dish.

2. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain pasta, reserving 3/4 cup of the pasta water. Set pasta and water aside.

3. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add shallots and garlic, cook 3-5 minutes. Add spinach and cook about 1 minute more (when spinach is wilted).

4. Transfer spinach mixture to a large bowl and add pasta, 1 1/2 cups of the tomatoes, the beans, and 1/2 cup of basil.

5. In a blender, combine roasted peppers, salt, and reserved pasta water. Cover and blend. Add to pasta mixture and stir. Transfer to the baking dish.

6. Cover and bake for 25 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese,then bake, uncovered, 10 minutes until cheese is melted.

7. In a small saucepan, bring vinegar to a boil, reduce heat, Boil 5-10 minutes, until vinegar is reduced to 1/3 cup.

8. Top pasta mixture with remaining tomatoes and remaining basil. Drizzle with reduced vinegar.

Golden Catfish Po’boy

Ingredients: