Humpday Help - A Super Easy Meal

Being a busy mom of three boys it's hard to find quick meals they will actually eat. Here's one they love!

Stovetop Ziti
1 lb ziti pasta
1 12-oz bag broccoli florets

Sauce:
1 26oz jar marinara sauce
1 c ricotta cheese
4 c shredded or diced mozzarella cheese
1/3 c chopped fresh parsley (I keep some in the freezer)
1/4 c grated Parmesan cheese

1. Cook pasta in a large pot according to directions on the package. Add the broccoli 4 minutes before pasta is done.
2. Mix marinara sauce and about 1/2 the ricotta in a large saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat.
3. Drain pasta and broccoli; return to pot. Add sauce mixture; toss to mix and coat. Immediately add mozzarella and 1/2 the parsley and Parmesan. Stir until mozzarella melts.
4. Transfer to serving bowl; sprinkle with remaining parsley and Parmesan. Top with dollops of remaining ricotta.

A Special Boy

Today is my son's 12Th birthday. Not a day goes by that I'm not amazed at how time has flown by. He's growing too fast but I'm very proud of him. Trevor loves books... reading and writing them. He hopes to publish a poetry book and/or a short story some day. I believe he will do this! (His 8 yr old brother already has!)

My little man already thinks about college... looking at Alma - Go Scots! He plans on being a scientist, a writer, and a book shop owner!

I've tried to take him to book signing events promoting children's and young adult writers. He's met Johnathan Rand at least five times. (See photo of Trev & his favorite author above.) He's even attended some of mine knowing that he's not allowed to read my work until he's 18. LOL.

It seems to me, that when a young person actually meets the author they in turn will read more work by that author and more books. This all being good!

So the message I send to writers of all genre is to be available to your fans, encourage young people you know to attend book signing events. I also send the message to those who enjoy books and reading; attend events with a friend, take a young person to an event of their favorite author.