Wednesday, January 26, 2011

A Lasagna Story

Way back in 1995,
when I was a young wife and mother,
I barely knew my way around a kitchen.
In fact, I didn't even own a cookbook at that time.
My two year old was an extremely picky eater, so we ate very basic, very bland, very boring food.

In January of that year, when my baby brother's 
(one of my most favorite people in the whole, wide world and I would do absolutely anything for)
 birthday was just around the corner, I told him I would make him a birthday dinner.
He asked for lasagna.
"That should be easy enough," I thought.  "Noodles, meat, sauce, cheese."
Then he asked for a vegetarian lasagna.
"Even easier!" was my next thought.

I made him a piping hot lasagna and a humongous cake (from a box) in the shape of a fish.
(the fish... that's a whole 'nother story)



Feel free to laugh at this next part, because it cracks us up.


As I proudly serve him his birthday lasagna,
he looks at me and grins,
"Do you think you may have forgotten something, Alisa?"
"You said you didn't want meat in it," I reply.
"Yes, but this is just noodles and cheese."
"Yes."
"Oh."
"OOOOHHH!"
I had baked him lasagna noodles with cheddar cheese on them.
I won't lie.
Not my sharpest moment.

Fast forward 16 years.
I now know my way around my kitchen.
I also own a cupboard full of cookbooks of all kinds.
January and my baby brother's birthday rolls around again.

I text him, "Give me another shot at a birthday lasagna."
"LOL... Okay, but this time I want meat in it and a red velvet cake."
"Done."

Both were a HUGE success!
Not a bite of lasagna was left in the pan.




And the cake was gone almost as fast too.




Happy Birthday, Little Bubba.
I love you.



(both recipes came from The Pioneer Woman Cooks)



11 comments:

campsusie said...

Beautiful story Alisa!
I have a little (or shall I say, younger) brother, similarly bearded, who I feel the same way about!
Your birthday meal looks scrumptious!
Susie

knitterbeader said...

Isn't it fun to laugh at ourselves sometimes. Great looking lasagna and cake!

Scented Sweetpeas said...

lol love that story! I too was a very bad cook and have been known to burn boiled eggs but I am getting better I think :-) oohh that cake looks fab!

luckygirlgifts said...

Isn't it funny how fast time flys and how we have no idea where we'll be as people in a few years.
The lasagna and cake look fab.
Have a wonderful day
Cari b.

Heidi said...

Yum,,,,that red velvet cake looks SO good! What a sweet sister you are!

Robin Thomas said...

Good things come to brothers who wait.

La Petite Gallery said...

Boy!! little Bubba really grew up. Time fly's when you are cooking..
looks good

yvonne

amy~ the gypsy chick said...

what a cute story Alisa! i have to confess that i have never made lasagna from scratch before :( i really think that i need to take a walk on the wild side & just do it...
i hope that you have a great weekend!
xoxxo
amy

Georgianna said...

What a sweet story, Alisa! Congratulations on your culinary successes.

Unknown said...

Awww what a nice memory! The cake looked YUMMY! Happy belated birthday to your bro!

Sand xox

Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking said...

That is such a cute story.It sure looks like you are an excellent cook now! Ireally like your blog. Glad I found it.