Tag...You're It!

I was tagged by Heidi H. to answer the seven questions she gave me. Then I am to come up with seven questions and tag someone else to answer those questions.

Here are the seven questions Heidi H. asked me.

1. Do you prefer email, texting, phone calls, or face-to-face interaction? Why?

I prefer face-to-face interaction.  I love seeing people’s facial expressions.  People’s body language says so much about their true thoughts and feelings, especially their eyes.  If you aren’t face to face, you can’t see or hear the slight pauses, the catch in someone’s voice, or the excitement in their eyes. 

2. What are your favorite blogs?

I love Captured by Heidi J It’s the first blog I check everyday.  Heidi has such an amazing eye for capturing people’s personalities in a natural setting through photography!

I also am a huge fan of the Secret Agent L blog.  Secret Agent L has a mission of performing anonymous random acts of kindness to brighten other people’s day.  I believe in focusing on the positive and am always looking for ways other than a smile to brighten someone else’s day!

Of course, I love keeping up with my friends through their blogs too!  Hickstionary, Boys will be boys, and the Smith family

3. If you could go anywhere, where would you go and who would you take with you?

Right now I would love a tropical location with my family!  Who knows, maybe that will happen one of these days. J

On a smaller scale, I’d just love to come home to a completely clean house with no school work to do and hang out with Ace and the boys!

4. Have you and your husband created any traditions for your family? If so, what are they?

A few years back I created a tablecloth to take with us wherever we go for Thanksgiving.  The middle says “Give Thanks”, and the people that we are spending the holiday with all use a fabric marker to write what they are thankful for that year.  I love getting it out and looking at everyone’s blessings every year.  It’s pretty special to see my 93 year old grandfather’s signature on it for the years he’s been able to join us.  It’s something I know I’ll treasure for many years to come.  It's also something my children will be able to look back on someday to see what they were thankful for throughout the years.

5. What's on the menu for your favorite meal? (Recipes optional....) :)

Seafood Lasagna – yummy (of course my hubby won’t eat it so it only gets made occasionally - usually when I know my brother will be gracing me with his presence!)

Ingredients

            1 green onion, finely chopped

            2 tablespoons canola oil

            2 tablespoons plus 1/2 cup butter, divided

            1/2 cup chicken broth

            1 bottle (8 ounces) clam juice

            1 pound bay scallops

            1 pound uncooked small shrimp, peeled and de-veined

            1 package (8 ounces) imitation crabmeat, chopped

            1/4 teaspoon white pepper, divided

            1/2 cup all-purpose flour

            1-1/2 cups milk

            1/2 teaspoon salt

            1 cup heavy whipping cream

            1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, divided

            9 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained

Directions

            In a large skillet, saute onion in oil and 2 tablespoons butter until tender. Stir in broth and clam juice; bring to a boil. Add the scallops, shrimp, crab and 1/8 teaspoon pepper; return to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 4-5 minutes or until shrimp turn pink and scallops are firm and opaque, stirring gently. Drain, reserving cooking liquid; set seafood mixture aside.

            In a large saucepan, melt the remaining butter; stir in flour until smooth. Combine milk and reserved cooking liquid; gradually add to the saucepan. Add salt and remaining pepper. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.

            Remove from the heat; stir in cream and 1/4 cup cheese. Stir 3/4 cup white sauce into the seafood mixture.

            Spread 1/2 cup white sauce in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Top with three noodles; spread with half of the seafood mixture and 1-1/4 cups sauce. Repeat layers. Top with remaining noodles, sauce and cheese.

Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand for 15 minutes before cutting.

6. What is your favorite date night?

Honestly, anything with my hubby. It's just nice to have time to ourselves.  I'm not particular about what we do.  Date nights are few and far between.  Babysitters out there?  We’ll take you – anytime!

7. What's your goal right now?

I would love to be able to gracefully make it through the last three quarters of the school year with a smile on my face.  It’s a challenging year in which I am wearing an unbelievable amount of different hats.  I can do it!  Yes, I can…I think...I hope! J

I now tag Heidi J. to answer the following seven questions!

1. What does a perfect day look like for you?

2. What is your favorite season?  Why?

3. If you had unlimited funds and could purchase or do something just for you, what would it be?

4. If I challenged you to perform a random act of kindness, what would you do? (Of course, you can always go out and do it!)

5. What were you like as a student in school?

6. What qualities do you appreciate in a friend?

7. What's your spouse's best quality?