Crazy winter weather and a bit of whining!

Those of you who've been around for awhile know I'm not a fan of winter.  I hate being cold and I'm not a fan of driving in the snow. I must admit it can be so beautiful though!  And I'm thankful that I don't have that long drive to work everyday.

Anyway, it's only January and I'm really ready for Spring. It looks like I'm going to have to wait though, we're in the middle of another Polar Vortex.  

It's been a strange winter. We had lots of snow in December, but then it warmed up over Christmas.  We had enough snow on the ground that we didn't lose it all, but we lost a lot.

The beginning of January we got lots of snow.

Then last week we had what's called thundersnow.  It was snowing, but thundering so loud it shook the house.  It was so weird.

The next day it started raining.  The snow all melted.

Then last Sunday, this was going on when we drove to church. I've never seen a rainbow in January in Michigan before.

And now the Polar Vortex is back. 

Here's the view out the front window.

and this is the view out the back. It's supposed to be frigidly cold this coming week with lots of snow.

It will make me appreciate Spring all the more, right?    :)

Friday Funny

Cooking Thursday

Recently, I had some leftover pulled pork and was looking for a different way to use it. I came across a recipe that combined it with macaroni and cheese.  Bob loves mac and cheese, but it's something I rarely make as it's not the healthiest of meals!  But I decided to try this one and it was really good.  This one has cottage cheese in it to increase the protein, which you would never know once it's made.  So, if you want a way to use pulled pork that would be a yummy treat, here's a recipe for you! I halved the recipe to make a 9x9 pan,

Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese

3 1/2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
4 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
2 cups milk
8 ounces velveeta cheese, cubed
1 1/3 cups small curd cottage cheese
2/3 cups sour cream
2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
4 cups pulled pork
1 1/2 cups BBQ sauce

Cook macaroni as directed on package and drain.
In medium saucepan melt butter, then stir in flour, salt and sugar until smooth. Slowly whisk in milk, bring to a boil and stir for 2 minutes until thickened.
Stir in velveeta cheese until melted, then stir in the cottage cheese sour cream and 2 cups cheddar cheese until melted.
Pour over macaroni and stir. 
Transfer to greased 9x13 pan.
Stir together the pork and BBQ sauce and place on top of mac and cheese.  Sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese on top.
Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees, then remove foil and bake another 20 minutes.