My name is Bruinette and switching to Mac was my idea

Actually it wasn't my idea at all, what can i say I'm totally a poser? Recently due to thought about my future dream career and my current internship the Mac has really been calling to me. Not to mention my hobby turned obsession, photography, for which I really want Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 which is only available for either PC or Mac making my decision vital ($1200 computer vs $60 software...it's the software in that scenario that's making the decision). After an absolute meltdown yesterday morning when I could not get my scanner working for my internship, after downloading a multitude of drivers, help features, manual overrides, etc. I discovered it was in fact my operating system, Windows Vista, that had Bamboozled me. With shock and dismay I vowed that I simply couldn't take it anymore and my next computer would be a Mac! As luck would have yesterday afternoon I received an email with a deal for an additional $200 off the MacBook Pro Student discount at the SDSU student store. This morning I got my first ever Mac and I'm pretty jazzed about it. So far I've basically managed to charge it(I am posting this from my PC) but I have high hopes for the future Mac-Bruinette relationship. As a final homage to my long PC loyalty I have posted this obnoxious subject line to remind them that it was in fact them and not me that caused our breakup.

2 Corinthians 6:3-10

Some days I think I've got it rough, particularly over the past couple months as I have struggled with a relapse of Bell's Palsy and the long term ramifications of this illness I have moments when I feel a bit "woe is me." This is not horribly unreasonably, unpleasant things happen to the best of us and it would be unnatural not to feel sad during times of trouble. The problem for me is, and maybe it is only me but I sort of hope not, sometimes I feel like God is punishing me or making me go through pain just to see me suffer. That's where things go awry, we are tested, throughout our lives from beginning to end and never is it just to suffer. Our faith should grow stronger as God finds infinitely creative ways to provide for our needs, we should feel buoyed by the love and support God has given us in our friends and family, and we should feel hopeful that out of these trials we will have new eyes to see the world. Tonight, I am writing because I know that I looked at my very small trials and tribulations in the wrong way and I would like to express some of the things I've gained from this experience.
1.) A new book in the Bible to reach out to for comfort during struggles, if you're looking for advice on almost any type of issue no matter how great or small Paul pretty much lays it out for you in 2 Corinthians. I listened to my fair share of biblical teachings but I never cease to feel amazed by the insights Paul offers in this book. This winter, 2 Corinthians has really been speaking to me.
2.) An incredible appreciation for my family and friends. I have received the most incredible outpourings of support from my family and friends throughout this experience it just makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside to know what an amazing support network I have in my life. I know that for all of you if you ever needed me I would be there whether it involved planes, trains, automobiles, submarines, or space travel. I simply cannot express my gratitude for all the support you have offered, you are phenomenal!
3.) God works in mysterious ways, as always, because of my illness I left my job at the coffee shop mostly because of the crazy hours that were taking a serious toll on my sleep pattern. Amazingly, I now have an internship at a graphic design/advertising agency where I am simply falling in love with my work. I think about my work long after the day is over, so that I can be better the next day, and because I simply have enjoyed learning everything that they have to offer. I never would have been brave enough to leave the coffee shop if it hadn't been for Bell's Palsy and then it might have been ages before I figured out what I wanted as my next career move.
4.) A new view, I have been loving on my Canon G11 but it wasn't until I got sick that I really started putting it through its paces. I am continuing to learn and Scott Kelby and the Pioneer Woman rank in the highest columns of my inspiration list but I love in a place with stunning views, gorgeous flowers, and awe-inspiring landscapes that I rarely take the time to notice. Behind the lens I have been paying more attention to what is simply all around me.

Every rose has its thorns however the bloom on this rose is beautiful in my opinion.

Turkey and Smoked Chicken Lasagna

I am a huge lasagna girl, I think it is a perfect meal for a fall or winter evening and I wanted to post this recipe before spring officially hits and I have to wait til November to bring it out again. My whole family loves this dish because even though there is a lot of cheese I go with chicken and turkey sausage, ground turkey, and heart smart pasta sauce to lighten it up a little bit. This is also an ideal "get well soon" dish, it travels well and is delicious after it's been heated up in the microwave and it even freezes well. I just recommend if you freeze it that you put it in your fridge the day before you want to eat it because that will make the reheating much simpler. Now onto the main event...

What you will need:
2 bottles of Prego Heart Smart Traditional Pasta Sauce
1lb. lean ground turkey
1 package of Aidell's Smoked Chicken and Turkey, Garlic and Artichoke Sausage
Red Pepper Flakes
1 egg
1/2 cup of fresh basil
16oz ricotta cheese
16oz mozzarella cheese
1 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1 box of no boil lasagna noodles
9x13 pan

First, preheat your oven to 375F. Then, put pour the pasta sauce into a stockpot and heat on medium low.




Next, heat a 10inch skillet on medium high and brown your ground turkey. Be careful not to overcook your turkey because you don't want dry turkey in your meat sauce.




Break apart the sausage and put it into your pasta sauce and when the turkey is finished cooking add it into the pasta sauce as well. And ooooohhhhoooo, yummy meat sauce! Add red pepper flakes to taste (this means you've actually got to taste it a few times to make sure you like the level of spice, I like a smooth spicy finish but my dad doesn't so make it work for you and the group to whom you plan to serve the dish).










Next, grate your Parmesan cheese and chop your basil. I love basil, so I leave pretty large pieces but you should do what works for you, so if finely minced is your style, finely mince.









Now combine lightly beaten egg, ricotta cheese, basil, and 1 cup of parmesan cheese.






Finally, grate your mozzarella cheese. Once you've finished grating the cheese you are ready to assemble your lasagna.



Start, by putting 1/4 cup of the meat sauce into the bottom of the pan. I try not to put much meat into this first bit of sauce to make it easier to get the lasagna out of the pan later.





Then, place three of the lasagna noodles on top of your sauce.



Next, put three large dollops of your ricotta cheese mixture onto each of the lasagna noodles.



Then, smooth the mixture down until the noodle is pretty much completely covered.


Now, sprinkle I cup of mozzarella cheese evenly over your ricotta cheese mixture covered noodles.


Next, you'll cover the noodles and cheese with 1 and 1/4 cups of meat sauce. Repeat the layering process with the noodles and cheese two more times. At the end of this process you should still have 1 cup of mozzarella left but you should have used up all of your ricotta mixture.


Now you're in the home stretch. Put three noodles on top of your sauce (at this point you should have used 12 noodles total) Now cover the noodles with the last of your sauce. It is important that you cover every inch of visible noodle with sauce, if you don't you will end up with tough raw noodles instead of the tender noodle you're anticipating. Then cover the sauce with your last cup of mozzarella and your leftover 1/4 cup of parmesan. I like a really cheesy top so I like to add extra parmesan cheese to the top of the lasagna.






Now you need to take a sheet of foil and spray it with Pam (I only use Pam that is either pure canola oil or pure olive oil and I would suggest you do the same, it is a bit more expensive but your long term health is well worth the extra 30 cents). Cover your lasagna with foil with the pammed side down and bake for 15 minutes.





Then uncover your lasagna and bake for another 25 minutes until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly. Then let it cool for 10 minutes and serve.



MMmmmmmmm, simply scrumptious!

Short Trip to Balboa Park

Today my camera and I took a little jaunt to Balboa Park and here are some of the things we saw...

























































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Beauty is all around us if we only take the time to see it.