Easy Cheesy Baked Tortellini

Photo credit: https://www.instrupix.com

Easy Cheese Baked Tortellini 

Ingredients

• 1 (20oz) container of refrigerated or frozen cheese tortellini
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 (24oz) jar of pasta sauce
• 8 (ounces) cream cheese (cubed)
• 1-2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated or shredded parmesan
• seasoning to taste

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta a la dente according to the package directions; drain and set aside.

2. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9x13 baking dish.

3. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef with the seasoning of your choice (I use salt, garlic powder, pepper & Italian seasoning).

4. Remove the excess grease from the browned beef and then stir in your tomato sauce and cream cheese. Simmer for a few minutes until the sauce is well incorporated.

5. Gently toss your cooked tortellini in with the sauce mixture and then pour it into your casserole dish; Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella and parmesan.

6. Bake uncovered in the center rack of your oven for about 20 minutes. Switch the oven to broil and continue baking for an additional 2-3 minutes or until the cheese starts to brown.

7. Enjoy with garlic bread, salad and/or veggies!

I can't take credit. Pinterest find and so worth pinning. 

Binzebo - Construction Part 2 of 4

If you have been following along we did it!!! We purchased a Pinterest inspired item that I thought was just a dream project that would stay pinned in the land of things I wish I could... and never turn into a how lucky and I to have item. We purchased a 1950's grain bin with hopes of turning it into an outdoor bar/lounge aka Binzebo.

Grain Bin On Original Farm Site

In part 1 of this 4 part series I talked about the cost and process of obtaining this beauty. Make sure to check it out: Part 1

Part 1 Total $1450.00

Construction process was a long one even though we had the installation manual we felt very overwhelmed. We started out by laying all the pieces out and deciding which ones we planned to use and where. The original setup was far shorter than our planned design so we had to figure out how to increase height. After ordering all new bolts we began the reconstruction process. The farmer that we purchased from had informed us that the top had to be constructed first then lifted with walls being built as it was slowly lifted up. 

It was a slow process. We worked on a couple pieces at a time, pressure washing as we went. With full time jobs, side jobs and other home constrconstruction projects it took us 2 months to get the top constructed. We set 7 post at 12 feet. We chose 12 feet because we wanted 9 foot plus head room and post went right to top along the almost 3 foot side wall. 

As you can the yard is sloped so we had to take that into consideration when putting the post in. Don't worry, yard will be leveled during landscaping phase. The next step was to get top onto 7 preset post. 

It was time to get to lifting. We hunted and hunted for heavy equipment without any luck. we had no chose but to hire some big guns and hire a crane truck. 

This was the most exciting day ever. The work was far from over but we could now start to see it coming together. We spent several late nights putting up the back wall.

But man doesn't it look fabulous?!! 

Ed climbed up and put on the cap and we were ready to start painting post, adding a fun touch and deciding where the fire ring would go. 

The next step will be level the area and then add the fire bar under the BUTLER logo.

P.s. Having BUTLER painted in was a special project. I had to have it, and since our grain bin is generic it was not originally on it. 

Part 2 cost:

- $175 bolts

- $280 Post and concrete 

- $150 crane

- $30 paint

- $50 BUTLER logo 

Part 2 Total = $685 

Project Total (so far) = $2035

Binzebo - The Big Purchase Part 1 of 4

Yee Haw!!! It has started. Have you ever been browsing Pinterest and come across something fabulous and thought to yourself I would love to have that but man we could never afford it or construct it? This was/is one of those items. About a year ago I came across this picture of a farm grain bin that had been turned into a gazebo and it was love at first sight. I pinned it for later.. aka never going to happen but I don't want to lose it. A couple months later it popped up again and again I thought man I really want. Knowing that Ed would say umm no I showed him and to my surprise he said let's make it happen. Dang! That is all I needed to hear to start the planning juices flowing. I don't normally get a yes so fast and when he does I don't normally get planning participation but this was different... secretly I think he was also experiencing love at first sight. 😍

Pinterest Inspiration Picture

Additional Pinterest Inspiration Picture

Excitement set in and the ideas started flowing. We both agreed that we wanted it near our current firepit and maybe even have it where you could sit at the bar and firepit at the same time. We also knew right away we wanted a solid back wall with a TV mounted (much like inspiration picture). With excitement flowing through my fingertips I started planning. Location and style were set but there is so much more to putting up such a huge structure then that. We started hunting for the perfect yet inexpensive grain bin to buy. After months of hunting online we found one. Perfect size of 14' in diameter. Great condition for age. Grain bin was set on family farm in 1950's and has been used by 3 generations. The only downfall was distance from home and the big one... how are we going to get this huge grain bin disassembled and hauled home. The farmer was amazing he offered to disassemble for us and had the original setup manual. First nice day in February we headed the 7 hours south and out of state and loaded it up in the truck and trailer and brought it home. The pile was heavy and huge but home.. now the real fun could begin. How are we going to assemble this beast?! **Being the sorta person I am; all I could think of is how will I decorate it. 😂**

Purchased Grain Bin Original Site

Loaded up and heading home.

How much did it cost? Keeping with my moto of keeping life transparent here you go. 

• Grain Bin $1000
• Extra for Farmer to take down $100
• Travel cost $350; (truck/trailer rental and gas) 

This makes running total $1450

9 Week Challenge

What is it going to take to get motivated, to get off my butt and take my health seriously? Maybe a 9 week weight loss challenge?! 

November 1st it starts. My work place started a 9 week weight loss challenge. The basic challenge premise is as follows:

- $20

- Lose 4% of starting weight

- Split winners pot

Okay so there is more to it then that but I am sure you get the point. Because I believe is putting myself out there and being honest to myself and to you here it goes... it is weigh-in day.

Wow 225.0 pounds, how embarrassing. I am going to try not to pout and cry over it. I did it to myself. I ate the extra candy bar (s). I sat on the couch when I should have been working out. If I was giving myself a pep talk;  I'd tell myself to suck it up, get off my butt, put the candy bar down and do what I need to do to drop the weight and regain my healthy happy body. The comfortable couch girl doesn't even know where to start. This week I plan to research, meal prep and shoot to workout 30 mins 3 times this week. 

I have 9 pounds to lose by end of the year and it starts with week 1.