home again, home again & a recipe

i realize i have been majorly slacking on posting and i apologize! by the time i get everything done, i am usually to tired to come up with something that won't bore y'all to tears so i just call it a night. i have also been quite busy with today being the last day of classes and the semester wrapping up.

i came home today (long time away i know) since i don't have an exam until the 9th. with no job up in knoxville, i feel like i would waste a lot of time this week if i stayed in knoxville and by coming up, i will be able to study during the day while my parents are at work, as well as get some things done around here.

i can't believe that today was the last day of classes for fall semester. i seriously remember thinking "this is going to be the longest semester of my life" when i first looked at all my syllabi and now i have checked off everything but the final exams. i actually am completely done with my retail class since she gave the final exam today. just four exams next week and i will be home free for christmas. they don't lie when they say that junior year is hard but it hasn't been totally awful. i have learned a lot and actually enjoyed most of my classes so i am looking forward to next semester. i also feel like i have grown closer to my friends and grown as an individual. i went on my first away game trip and had more fun this season at football games than i have ever before. nonetheless, i am grateful for christmas break at home and it couldn't have come at a better time.

i loved coming home to a decorated house today! daddy finished up the decorations while i was in knoxville and our house looks gorgeous, both inside and out! my pink tree is also up and decorated in my room! i honestly don't think there is a room in our house without a christmas decoration!

tonight for supper i made ratatouille and served it over polenta with a side salad! it was so good and filling even though it was meatless. the recipe is super easy, serves about 4 people, and i just kinda threw together some ingredients and it turned out to be quite tasty!

ratatouille over polenta

1 yellow squash, chopped

1 zucchini, chopped

1 eggplant, chopped

1 cup chopped onion

2 cloves garlic 

1 tbsp olive oil

1 28 oz can diced tomatoes

1 8 oz can tomato paste 

1 tbsp each thyme, oregano and basil 

ground pepper

italian seasoning, to taste

1 package instant polenta 

mozzarella or parmesan cheese, for serving

1. in a large skillet, heat olive oil. add in chopped onion and garlic and sauté until translucent. 
2. add the eggplant, zucchini, yellow squash and spices and cook until softened. 
3. add tomatoes and tomato paste, stirring to combine. season to taste.
4. meanwhile, cook polenta according to package instructions. 
5. serve ratatouille warm over polenta garnished with a sprinkle of cheese. 

i am trying out some new recipes this week as well as making some favorites so i will try my hardest  not go MIA on here and keep you all updated. there is so much i want to do this month but i have to make sure i study during this trip home so i can't get too caught up in accomplishing my to-do lists. i can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but the semester isn't quite over yet! have a wonderful wednesday! 

xoxo,

clp