The Hidden Truth, My Enemy The Egg And FaceBook

The structural characters of traditional Eggs Benedict are; English muffin half, toasted, Canadian bacon, a poached egg and hollandaise sauce.

This morning I posted a picture on Facebook of my breakfast, Eggs Benedict.
I made it all myself, hollandaise included. Hollandaise is not a very complicated sauce, it just takes about 10 to 15 minutes to make. I’m cool with sauces…they are a bit of a specialty of mine. You can buy those packets of powder (?), I never have though…I’m traditional like that.

My Eggs Benedict was non-tradtional in the sense that well, I didn’t have Canadian bacon or English muffins or lemon juice for that matter. Did this set me back? No….Fuck no.
French bread
A think slice of ham
…and Hollandaise made with Lime juice instead of lemon…OOOooooo…I’m so crazy!!!

The poached egg though was my dilemma. As proud as I am of all my culinary feats and abilities…
The simple EGG is my enemy.
It’s difficult for me to admit I can’t cook something.

I can’t fucking hard boil an egg without messing it up.
This past easter I wanted to make myself some Deviled Eggs…I followed 3 different recipes on ‘How to boil eggs’…I failed all three times. When I have actually succeeded in hard boiling an egg (so that the center is cooked) when I go to peel it half the egg white comes off with the shell.
They funny thing is that I KNOW what I am doing wrong and where I am failing. I understand the fundamentals of the process. I think it’s the Gods cruel punishment for my pride in the kitchen.
I set timers, check temperatures…I FOLLOW DIRECTIONS. (I hardly ever follow directions.)

This morning when I posted my picture you couldn’t see my mess of a poached egg I had made (5 of them actually). Poached eggs are not easy for most people to make…and for me to attempt this is retarded mentally slow of me and prideful…but I had a craving. Again, I know the fundamentals but the application leaves me dumbfounded.
What my Facebook friends couldn’t see is that I had to scoop out the egg yolk first then capture as much egg white as I could. Then in my artistic manner and a great deal of ’strategary' I placed it on top of my egg yolk with hollandaise draped over it to hide the imperfections …all for a picture for Facebook.

This blog is about more than My Enemy the Egg…it’s also about Facebook and my blog.
On Facebook you could look at what I post and my pictures…
I quote my Children, if they say something reeeeediculous ridiculous.
I try to be funny.
I post pictures of fun drinks ‘cause that’s what cool kids do.
I post pictures of things I make.
…but…
…The people that know me best and know the many (and not so many) things going on in my life know Facebook is just what I want you to see…not the real me.
Just like my picture of my Eggs Benedict I show only that which I want you to see.
My blog is where I tell the truth about what goes on…
Behind the Book’s Cover

Memorial Day

Memorial Day; Barbecues, an extra day off for some, sales at Macy’s…and most of all remembering our fallen; Family members, spouses, friends…

When I got divorced I only divorced my active duty spouse, not my friends or my memories of them.

The military is a different community from the average American community.
It’s not just made up of the active duty but family members as well…
…When stationed overseas or away from family you make a family.
I was/am blessed to have a great military family…some of which we have lost in combat.

We would spend our holidays together, random dinners and First Fridays at the Squadron. People would PCS in and PSC out and we would have Hails and Farewells. The active duty members would deploy and the spouses would step up. Closer and closer we grew with every event; every Air show we worked, every party we planned, every Holiday we shared.

One weekday before Easter when we were living in Japan a few of the Polish girls came over to our house and we made hunderd’s of perogies, securing enough tasty food for all that year. It wasn’t like you could drive home for the Holiday.

There were a lot of parties…
Ghetto Fabulous...
70’s Themes…
Wet and Wild Redneck style...
Famous Couples...
They had their own Burning Man parties and cookouts almost every weekend.

If you live it/lived it you understand the camaraderie and the amount of ‘get togethers’.
...That next time when you all gather…someone or sometimes even many will not be amongst you to celebrate…So you gather as often as you can.
I feel blessed to live somewhere that my military friends often frequent.
I love seeing them so they can fill me in on the goings on of their family and mutual friends…who’s doing what and where and so and so is a douche bag and so and so got promoted below the zone…

I’m writing this and thinking of all my friends spread across the world still living this life.
The stress of wondering…
…’Will I ever see them again.’
…’Will I ever hear their voice again.’
I hope this weekend they will get together and lift their glasses to the way to many Friends that have given the ultimate sacrifice.

In loving memory…

Capt. David Wisniewski

Lt Joel Gentz

Staff Sgt David Smith

Tech Sgt Michael Flores

Senior Airman Benjamin White

…”These things we do, that others may live."

…

Capt. Randy Roby

…and the many, many others lost…

Little League Weather…Could They Look Up?!

Great day for a game?!!!

May this PLEASE be my last post about Little League retardedness?!!!!

I’ve done a good job keeping my mouth shut at the games with a new understanding that…
...“boys will be boys when it comes to baseball”…and I’m not talking about the 7 and 8 year olds on the field…:/

LoveBug wasn’t excited to go to his game today…
…”When we win the Coach says, ‘You did ok today.’ When we lose he says, ‘You guys did horrible out there.’
We know I have no love for the Coach…The assistant Coaches have grown on me. I like they way they are with the Children when the head Coach is out of town…It’s a much more fun and an easy learning environment.

Today the weather forecast was bleak. I kept on waiting for the canceling of the game, as was my Ex.

Note…Many of you that read this might be unaware that I have been a 'Soccer Mom' for years. I have nothing against sports although it may look like it from past blogs…My problem is…

COMMON SENSE IS NOT COMMON

I don’t like it but will sit through rain (sprinkles) and yucky weather, cold and wind…all the while feeling bad for my Children as they play through it.
I draw the line at lightning and bad weather.
I know our weather is hard to predict… ask any weather man here!…But when it’s obvious and in your face/over head…can we be reasonable? please?

I get to the game at 11:28. We are to be there 30 minutes before when we can. The game starts at 12:00, supposedly.

Via their, Colorado Springs Little League, face book page this is what/how things went down…
All the times are estimates…but you will get the drift…

3 Hours ago… (around 11:30)
Warning! ) Lightning Strike 15 miles for Colorado Springs Little League. Lightning strike alert for CSLL. Lightning.

3 Hours ago… (around 11:36(ish))
Note…I’m gonna paraphrase…I feel lazy…
The call to evacuate the fields, lightning within 10 miles.

12:16 (ish)
The all clear is given to “Play Ball!"

The teams that WERE playing FINISHED their games as we stood around…

Another lightning strike….
Another 30 minute wait…

We waited…My Ex joined us in my Cool Mini Van…You have to go to your vehicle…you can’t stay on the field. (I get this…I’m not one to play with lightning…that shit will find me!)

I wasn’t leaving. I wanted to as did EVERYONE ELSE. I’m the pariah though…This bitch is sticking around. I’m not gonna leave the team with one less player….
What if our schizophrenic weather with a crack addiction and a side of ADHD decided to change it’s mind?…It wasn’t though and that was obvious…

30 minutes later and the game is back on.
The Coach had to leave…a Birthday party. I understand that you schedule things expecting them to be complete at a certain time…this is Little League not a Cricket game. (Cricket can go on fooooooreeeeeeever.)

We get out of my Cool ride and head to the field…
Where intelligent Men stood.  Yes, I said that.
They realized and understood the weather was what it was and neither team wanted to go through yet another delay…So they cancelled.
Meanwhile…
The Little League representative was on the other field…ignoring that which was over head and the obvious?!…

There was a few more posts after we left…
There was another lighning strike warning…
Then a…
…a delay
Then a...
…”Please be patient as we are trying all we can to get these games in today.”
Then finally.
…”All games cancelled today."

I must say now that there is a Little League Mom that doesn’t like me because she doesn’t know me or understand that to me…
A game is a game and at the ripe old age of 8 my LoveBug won’t be picked up by the pro’s tomorrow…I’ll support my Children in the things they love with the understanding that a proper schedule and a loving (and yes, stern) environment will help them succeed in life. Life’s not fair and if anyone knows that my Children do.
My Children are well rounded and they are CHILDREN…and I will let them be so.
It’s not about ‘the times’ it’s about COMMON SENSE.

When Does The Game End?

I have a love hate relationship with the game of baseball.
I love that my LoveBug loves it, can play well and pays attention when sitting on the bench.
I hate the Little League mentality.

Saturday LoveBug had a noon game. He was 15 min late because his Korean school gets out at noon. I was there waiting for him and there when the game started…at 12:08. (Sadly I have learned and found to look at my phone for the exact time of anything involving Little League…it’s done me no good.)

There we all were cheering our team on. We were playing the undefeated team.
We were losing.
The whole ‘we started late' so we can play late had already happened…:/ LoveBug had a piano recital that afternoon and I sat there wondering…
…’do they think this is the ONLY thing happening in the world?’
I had said my bitchy piece only to get shot down yet again by a huddle of Men(?) that had had their dreams shattered and would berate Women and Children to make them feel better.
It was the last inning and we were up up to bat and the Coach, the poor guy is only there to verbally assault 7 and 8 year old boys…and his son is gonna need serious therapy, had only called 3 boys up for the line up(?). The three boys had batted and the coach stood there wondering why no other boy was ready. He comes over to the dugout, a pissed look on his face and his anger is noticeable as he wears it on his sleeve…he says…
…”Who’s up next?! Why isn’t someone ready?”
Remember he had only told 3 boys to be ready…
He walks out on the field and says…
…”Let’s just end this now.”
We didn’t have three outs, we were up to bat and he didn’t finish the inning…he just stood there and quit…after arguing that they needed more time to play because they started late.

Last night, Tuesday…we had a game. Be there at 5pm for practice 30 min. before the game starts. Ok…I’m there on time with my Children, our dinner packed in a cooler because we had to leave at 4:30 and won’t get home till 8…then showers and bed time.
The game started at 5:28…yes, I looked to see the time…I’m turning into the bitchest of all bitchy Women.

Note…Men wonder why Women are bitchy…they create the bitch in us with their douche bag behavior. It’s not us…it’s them.

7:15 the ‘last’ inning ends. I know this because one of the other Mom’s and I had checked our phones for the exact time. The boys from the other team, the losing team, run out on the field and line up with dignity. Parents have started packing up their shiz and we are ready to go. The ‘Umpire’ (a Dad from the losing team comes out on the field and talks with the the coaches. He has decided the games ‘last’ inning ended at 7:14.

Note…Aghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. If you think any of this ridiculousness is about one fucking minute you would be sorely mistaken.

I stand up and say…
…”It’s 7:17. Why are we starting a new inning.”
Coach…”Khirstin", or whatever the fuck he called me this time, “we can start a new inning if the last one ended before 7:15.”
Then the douche bag Dad/Umpire from the other team decides he needs to yell at me...
…”The last inning ended at 7:14 we can still play!”
Me…”The game is over. Can we use some common sense and see that. These are 7 and 8 year old boys that have school in the morning.”
Douche bag Umpire/Dad…”The game isn’t over."
This goes on and don’t think I let it go…I can admit when I’m wrong and say so. I’m not wrong this time.
The Umpire/Dad had decided in his little mind (according to me and several of the other parents) that maybe they could tie the game.
Our Coach didn’t have the back bone to stand up and say…
…’It’s over. The last inning ended at 7:15.” to the other Dad/Umpire.

So they continued to play as my blood pressure went noticeably through the roof.
I had lost yet again.

Here are somethings I’ve taken away from this fiasco…

I was respectful for a time, until ‘they’ decided that our time is not worthy of respect. This happened at the first practice I had attended after the coach had sent out an e-mail saying practices would be from 5:30-6:30…At 6:30 the parents start packing up…the Coach kept the boys till 7. I kept my mouth sorta shut. I was wondering that perhaps I had made a mistake…
No. I hadn’t.
It has been made clear to me now that our time is not worthy of respect by those involved with this association.
The 'end' of the game has consistently/every time so far, been determined that the 'last' inning always ends at 7:14. It doesn’t. Or that they started late…
They can’t conceive or understand that the game is over…or our Coach just quits in the middle of an inning he argued to have!
Last night the boys understood that the game had ended…the dad's didn’t.

My son’s Coach continues to verbally abuse the boys and one Mom had to say last night that he wasn’t to talk to her son that way…
I understand a need for sternness but…
They will drop balls.
They will strike out.
They don’t know yet where to throw the ball.
They are 7 and 8 and will get bored sitting on the bench.

My Ex is out of town for a bit, has been most of the month it seems. He knows of my frustration but doesn’t know I want to take my son out of this mess because I don’t want him to think this is how adults should treat Children. I’m embarrassed of my own behavior because I refuse to sit by as all of us on the stands and those Children in the dugout are disrespected.

I want this to be my last rant about Little League. It has left a very bad impression on me. The behavior of the Men involved is sad…

Ps
If they want to have a dick measuring contest I’ll go out and find the longest, thickest strap on I can.

Pss
I’m so classy.

Little League Retardedness

'My LoveBug was signed up for a Little League team by my Ex. LoveBug loves baseball and is not to shabby of a player.

LoveBug is 8.

LoveBug’s weekly schedule…
School Monday-Friday till 3:40.
Monday nights: piano from 4:15-5:00, baseball practice at 5:30-7:00.
Tuesday nights: games (30 min away) 5:30-7:30ish and they want us there at 5:00 so we leave at 4:30 or the soonest we can.
Wednesday: is free day.
Thursday: baseball practice (I think because there is no set schedule for baseball on Thursday) 5:30-7:00.
Friday: is a free day.
Saturday: Korean school 9:00-12:00, baseball games 12:00-2:00ish and this coming Saturday a piano recital after his game.
Sunday: Church and Sunday school.

I was excited for my son to play something he loves…he says often…
…”Mom, when I grow up I don’t want to have Children because I want to be a professional baseball player and they are never home. It wouldn’t be fair if I had kids.”

I did not sign up LoveBug for this. My Ex did. 

My Son is 8 and I want him to be 8 and be a child and make mud pies and play in my street on the sidewalk…I want him to have a childhood like I did…not some schedule…he will have that later!!!

There was a big whoha to start off the season…my Ex went and thought he was there to get the schedule…no…it was a time waster of 'Little League is the greatest yada, yada, yada…’ (those are my words.)

Our first practice was on a Thursday night. My Ex ask’s me…
…”Can we switch Tuesday and Thursday I have a video conference call.”
Me…”No. I have an appointment Thursday night. I’ll make arrangements.”
I think my Ex thought I would be able to cancel my appointment. I made arrangements to get John there…
Thursday rolls around (the Children were on Spring break so they had spent the day with me till my Ex got out of work) and he says to me when I hand him all of LoveBugs gear…
…”Oh, I thought you were taking him?”
Me…”No, I have an appointment. Kat will pick LoveBug up from your place and stay with him and then deliver him back to you.”
He was a little out of sorts I’m guessing by his reaction.

Note…Thank you Kat for being there for me and doing my Ex a favor.

There was a scrimmage that Sunday I was unable to attend because I had to go out of town.

The following Monday my Ex picked LoveBug up from Piano to get him to practice…I couldn’t which he understands because BrownNut also has Piano that night immediately following LoveBug. I can’t be two places at once.

From then on I was able to be at games and such and most practices. I want to be there for my son and support him…even if I don’t have them on a Saturday I will be at their games, soccer, baseball…recitals, plays...you name it.
At my first practice I was able to attend the Coach kept calling LoveBug, “James”…
Being the passive aggressive person I can be I shout out…
…”Way To listen to your Coach and know he’s talkin to you even though your name is not James!”-I’m an asshole.
I found out later that he had been doing it the entire time.

Now…on to Little league nonsense. Yes, some people would read that and wonder why I wrote 'nonsense’…LoveBug is 8 and there are also 7 year olds on the team.

Is Baseball the beallandendall of all sports…at this age?! No. It is not. My son is also very good at soccer. He is good at anything he tries…except telling the truth, that it seems is very difficult for him…I digress….

Here is the jist of some of the things I take point with…
The times of the games on Tuesday in particular are to late for a school night. Is one game a week…at this age not enough? We get home at 8pm. We are home for a mere 30 minutes before we have to leave. When we get home I have 3 Children that have to shower and they have to read for 15-20 minutes…We eat at the park…I make some kind of sandwich dinner, fruit and such...
I am a stickler for being on time and doing all I can for my Children.

The Coach…ahhhhhhhhh the Coach…did not make the game schedule. I know this and put nothing on him for it. I think twice a week practice is acceptable and good…for an hour, not an hour and half. He is also a volunteer…that’s nice...to point.
The Coach speaks to the boys and he does it with a harsh tone that anyone that has heard him has commented on. When he complements them you can see his transparency, it’s empty and you can tell he’s disappointed they didn’t hit the ball, catch it or throw it far enough….he should be ashamed.
The Coach has placed the boys where they will be on the field (even during practice)…not giving them any opportunity to learn more or show him 'what they’ve got’. All of the boys not just mine…the Moms are frustrated but what do you do?
We have heard horror stories about Baseball Coaches taking shiz out on the Children because a parent said…
…”Hey, can we move these boys around so they don’t get bored, can learn more and not learn to hate the game…and learn to love it.”
Guess what?…I’m that parent that speaks up. Not just for my Child but all of them.

Last night was a trainwreck of a game. At 7:22 they started a new inning…it’s against regs. The parents had started packing things up and getting them to their cars…all the coaches stood in the field and had a powwow…We were not privy to said powwow. We parent’s, the ones around me were confused when the boys ran back on to the field…I went to the dug out and tried to get the Coaches attention…I was ignored. So I went to the other side where he had drifted off to comforted by the other Men Coaches to surround him…He might have been oblivious to me…but I think not.
Me…”I think the regulations say you can’t start a new inning after 7:15…It’s 7:22.”
(If you think I’m ridiculous keep reading and I will explain why I was frustrated…)
Coach…”We started late so we can keep playing it’s in the regs.” ish of a quote…
Me…”All these boys have school tomorrow and you are starting another inning now?! I don’t care about that reg."
Him…"Kristin (Holy Fashizle he knew my name!) if you want to take your Son home now you are welcome to.” He said it harshly and in a manner that I grown accustomed to for years…one I no longer accept…The coach told me several times he would be happy for me to take my boy home.
Me….”No. What I want in the future is for all you Coaches to show some common sense and know when to end the game…(here’s where I might have ‘screwed the pooch’)…baseball is not thebeallandendall of the world. These boys have school tomorrow.”
Him…”I don’t see any other parents over here complaining.”
Me…”That’s because they are afraid to say anything.”
I walked away and said to my Ex…
…”You should have said something. This whole this is ridiculous.”
I wasn’t talking about the ending of the game but the whole situation.
My Ex did nothing.

While I was writing this I got an e-mail…He should have addressed it to me…

"Good game played by the boys tonight.  It was interesting to say the least.  Our next game is Saturday, 12:00, Field #1.  We play the first place, undefeated team.  Please have your son there 30 minutes early so we can get in the much needed warmups. 

As far as playing the extra 15 minutes tonight, and to prevent any future problems, if you need to take your son home because it's getting late, I have no problem with you taking him out of the dugout and take him home.  All games are 2 hours or 5 innings and no inning can start with less than 15 minutes left (which happened tonight).  I understand the games during the week can be long and end late.  So if it's it getting too late, I have no problem if you need to take your son.


As a reminder, this isn't park and rec baseball anymore.  It's the first important step for your son's future in baseball regardless if for one year or many years.  My job is to teach them fundamentals to make them better players in case they do decide to play further on.  If we win along the way, that's a bonus.  As far as this team goes, f you have a issue or problem, I'm approachable and will listen to your concerns.  12 years of coaching high school baseball doesn't make me a perfect coach but I've been around the block once or twice. 


So hang in there and hopefully the season gets better and more fun!"

An example of the Coach’s behavior at this fiasco of a not so fun game ‘cause he makes it not fun…
We had a batter up and a Child on 2nd Base. This boy is all excited and he’s ready to make a run to 3rd…the batter looked like he was gonna hit the ball but struck out and Boy on 2nd in his 8year old mind want’s to get to 3rd and starts rocking like he’s gonna make a run for it…He took a step forward and then back realizing the ball did not get hit…The Coach yells from the dug out to second base…
…”Nobody talked to you! Nobody said anything to you!!!”
The Coach has a dictator mentality and has the ‘dic(k)’ part down pat.

The following e-mail was sent at the beginning of the season and gave me a ‘heads up' to what kind of Coach I would be dealing with...

"Parents, looks like the weather is going to be bad for the next two days.  I'm going to cancel practice for both today and tomorrow.  Due to my schedule I'm not sure we'll have another practice before our first game on Saturday.

Sunday's scrimmage was interesting to say the least.  Thanks to those who could make it.  I was disappointed in some of things we did or didn't do but at this age I'm not sure what to expect.  I was talking to one of the parents and discussing how coaching young boys at this age is really different from my high school coaching days so please bear with me.  If I'm too hard on your son or your son has special needs I need to be aware of, let me know. 


So I will send out another email this week if I can squeeze in a practice or two before Saturday.”

I worry because of the way I am…standing up for shiz. LoveBug will be late on Saturdays and I worry the Coach will not let him have good play time…LoveBug usually hits well, 3rd or 4th batter…I hear that’s a good place to be in line…

I don’t care what we are talking about, sports, art, music…There is a school of thought by the instructor…'This is the most important thing’…’Your time should be dedicated to ____’.

I agree…when a Child is older and has had the opportunity to try a number of things.

I stood there knowing the coach(es) thought I was that ‘crazy bitch Mom’...News flash!!! I’m not.

I have told my Son that the Coach was nice enough to volunteer but if he quit I would put my hand up and coach myself…I know nothing about baseball but they would learn to LOVE the game….and maybe learn what position they are really good at playing.  Me and my jacked up hands would be out there wrapped, wired and braced throwing to and fro….After an on line baseball tutorial of course.

Hey Homies

Hey Homies,

I haven’t blogged in awhile. I also have been remiss in reading my Friends really awesome FB status updates.
Just ‘cause I haven’t been blogging or spending my time on-line doesn’t mean I don’t have opinions on shit going on around the world and around the perimeter of my life.

They say if you don’t have anything nice to say just don’t say anything…
This is a first for me…I’ve been saying nothing.

I might throw in the towel though and start spewing my vile opinions and if that happens it’s not gonna be a pretty sight.

These are not my vile opinions...

So in the mean time if you need to see a therapist please do so.
If you are getting divorced and using your Children to hurt the other party, stop being a douche bag, you are hurting your Children.
If you have claimed someone else’s life as your own admit to yourself you are pathetic we all know it.
Stop belittling others to make yourself look better we all know the truth.
If you have an outdoor cat it will most likely shorten it’s life span.
Of you go to church on Wednesdays and Sundays..that does NOT make you a good Christian…I know the truth.

Ok, that’s all for now…

Hearts and rainbows to all ya’ll bitch’s out there.

Ps
I also have been really busy…and I’ll catch ya up on that shiz later.

Mac And Cheese

First off…I didn’t grow up with Mac and cheese as a kid. I grew up with east Indian curries as a staple.
When we moved back to the good ol’ US of A I was introduced to boxed ‘kraft’ mac and cheese. I hated it. There was nothing complex and had no dimension to it…Flat, bland and out of a card board box with some un-holy, before there was Snookie orange, orange powder…Add milk and butter…whatev…

I took that box as a teenager and made it a great tasty snack that Gwen;), Laura, Jane and I would eat after school…
Make said box of Mac and cheese…sans (that means without) milk or butter
In a pan heat up 2 Tbs butter
Add
1/2 chopped onion
1/2 chopped green pepper
saute till limp(?) about 3 min on med high heat
Add
1 can of diced tomatoes, juice and all and cook for 3 more min(ish)
Add to mac and cheese, grind pepper to taste in it and eat it up.
I still eat this to this day. It’s easy and quick.

I grew up sorta had Children of my own…that love Mac and cheese.
Keeping in mind that my Mom didn’t make homemade Mac and cheese…I taught myself by reading books and shiz…
I came up with something that’s a cross between Mac and Cheese, Alfredo and Carbonara.

Pasta…
What kind of pasta you use is important, it needs to hold the sauce and the solids you put in your sauce.
My favorite is Campanelle. It has a place where a pea fits perfectly, ya know about the size of a Child’s nostril.

Make your pasta according to the directions on the box, drain and cool off with water and sprinkle with olive oil so as not to find a sticky situation when ready to add to your sauce.

Cheese…
I implore you…grate your own cheese!!!
#2... It’s cheaper…
#1…Cellulose is what keeps your pre-grated cheese from sticking. Cellulose is powdered wood pulp. Now, I’m not a girl opposed to putting some wood in my mouth (my choice of course).
…skip the wood till after dinner ladies.

Grate/shred your choice of cheese’s…I like a variety.
Parmesan, gouda, cheddar…mix it up and get crazy.
Make sure you have 3 Cups worth.
Reserve 1/2 cup for the topping.

Veggies…
Yes, vegetables!

Butternut squash… It adds a sweetness and also nutrients to something already delicious and full of fat…my-as-well try to make it semi good for us.
I grate/shred it…There is a reason why I do this…it’s harder for my LoveBug to pick it out.
1 cup.

Garlic…1 clove smashed and chopped.

Onion…1/2 finely chopped.

Peas…frozen please!
1 1/2 cups.

Meat…
Bacon or Panchetta.
It depends on who I’m making it for…for my Children…Bacon.
2 slices cut up and browned and drained.
It’s not imperative to have the meat in there…but it’s better with it.

Now that I have said my piece...on to the recipe…
I’m hoping you have your mis a plas (I think that's French for all your shit together and ready to go).

Hopefully you have made your pasta and set it aside.

2 slices bacon or panchetta cut up, browned and drained.
Put to the side.

Saute in pan on med high heat…for about 4-5 minutes.
1 Tbs olive oil
1 Garlic clove...smashed and chopped
1/2 Onion... finely chopped
1 cup Butternut squash…shredded.
Remove from pan and set to the side.

I’m assuming you know to clean out your pan.

In pan melt
3Tbs butter
then add
1/3 Cup of flour …
add a pinch of salt and 3 or 4 grinds of pepper
Cook on med heat for 2 or 3 minutes (you wanna cook the raw flour flavor out)

Add
3 Cups Skim milk
Stir with a whisk until thickened about 5 to 7 minutes…keep a watch on it so it doesn’t stick.

Add your 2 cups of cheese and stir in…this is a good time to taste for salt.
The reason I didn’t mention salt above because it depends on the cheese you use…different ones have different salt contents…Parm is saltier than cheddar. So taste and add salt to your liking.

Add your veggies you sautéed earlier and set aside to include your peas and bacon you already fried up in a pan.

Stir that shiz all together…with your pasta...
Put it all in an oven proof dish...

In a sperate bowl add 1/2 Cup of Panko (you can use regular bread crumbs if that’s all you have, Panko is better though) and your 1/2 cup of cheese you set aside…per these really jacked up, very long, wordy directions.
Sprinkle on top of your pasta.

Bake @350 for 15 to 20 minutes.

Seriously good luck and I hope you read through this several times as I made it confusing for sure!