Whether you’re looking for theater, film festivals, art exhibits, concerts, dance recitals, or sporting events, you can find this and more at the local institution of higher education.  Check out their website or student newspaper to see what they have to offer.

Twice a year for the past five years I have had to make a tough decision. Should I volunteer to be the soccer coach for my daughter’s rec league soccer team? Every time I’ve elected to not volunteer. Now those who know me understand that I love spending time with my kids and working with other kids, so that’s not the issue. What it’s always come down to is having too much to do and a lack of spare time for extra activities.

Here’s the strange thing though. Although I’ve never volunteered to be the head coach for my daughter’s team, the parks and recreation department has sent me the roster and assigned me to the position almost every season since my daughter started playing. I’ve always accepted the offer, but not without a bit of grumbling to my wife about it.

Now several years and teams later I won’t claim to be the greatest girls soccer coach ever and I won’t say that the practices and games haven’t added to our family’s stress level over the past few years, but when I walk through my kid’s elementary school and have girls from the team run up and give me five or call out “hey coach,” I start to recognize that the sacrifice is worth it. I can assure you that by volunteering my time I’ve grown closer to my daughter, feel better about myself, and have learned a valuable lesson about sacrificing a little to gain a lot.

What are some experiences you’ve had where you’ve been forced into volunteering and it’s changed your your way of thinking?

Chicken Pot Pie with Mashed Potato Topping

1 frozen pie shell

1 can of cooked chicken, drained

1 can of cream of chicken soup

1 can of mixed vegetables, drained

1 package of instant mashed potatoes

1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese for garnish (optional)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees and bake shell for about 10 minutes or until starting to turn golden. Meanwhile, mix the chicken, soup, and vegetables in a medium pot until heated through and salt and pepper to taste. Prepare the mashed potatoes according to package directions. Take out par baked shell, fill with mixture, and top with mashed potatoes [Aside: My mother has never made instant mashed potatoes. My husband, on the other hand, ate these frequently in his bachelor days. Evidently he would open the package, empty some into his mouth, add a bit of water, swish it around, and call it a meal. . . . Let's just say that his tastes have evolved.]. The aforementioned husband just persuaded me to scatter some cheese over the concoction, arguing that a little cheese never hurt a recipe, so I complied. If you want to add a bit of visual interest, use a little paprika or parsley instead.

We’ll report on its reception shortly.

Here is the recipe for the cassoulet. While Betty suggests making this is the oven, I have also made it on the stovetop and in the crockpot.

Easy Cassoulet

1 lb cooked Polish or smoked sausage, cut diagonally into 1 inch pieces
1 can (15 oz) great northern beans, drained, rinsed
1 can (15 oz) dark red kidney beans, drained, rinsed
1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained, rinsed
1 can(15 oz) tomato sauce
3 medium carrots, thinly sliced (1 1/2 cups)
2 small onions, thinly slice, separated into rings
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 cup dry red wine or beef broth
2 TB packed brown sugar
2 TB of chopped fresh or 1 1/2 tsp dried thyme leaves

Heat oven to 375. Brown sausage in an ovenproof pot, add all other ingredients, gently stir (don’t make the beans mushy!). Cover, place in oven, and cook for about an hour, or until mixture is hot and bubbly and carrots are tender.

Today it will be baked zucchini boats from Cooks.com

We’ve had this meal before when a neighbor brought it to us after the birth of one of our children and we’re excited to give it a try!

I will be up in the mountains helping out with the girls camp for the young women of our church all evening and Heather is still recovering from the bug our family has had the past few days, so we’re taking the easy out and going to Noodles and Company a fast food chain specializing in, well you probably guessed it, noodles.  Everyone in our family loves this place and while it’s a little more pricey then your standard fast food, the food is much tastier and better for you.

You could really put just about any toppings you like on these, but here’s a recipe close to what our family uses.