Eric & Jaime’s Blog

Prep Time: 15 Min Cook Time: 25 Min

Ingredients:

2 thick bacon slices, diced
5 tsp olive oil, devided
1 Medium butternut squash, seeded peeled and diced (3 1/4 cups)
3/4 cup chicken broth
2 large green onions, thinly sliced
1 (16-oz.) pkg. fettuccine  (other pasta types will work fine too)
4 oz. finely shredded parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add bacon; cook 2 to 3 minutes or until crisp and browned. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels. Reserve 1 tsp of the drippings in skillet.
2. Add 1 tablespoon of the oil to skillet and place over medium heat. Add squash; cook and stir 3 to 5 minutes or until golden brown. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in broth, green onions and reserved bacon. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook 12 to 15 minutes or until squash is just tender.
3. Meanwhile, cook pasta al dente according to package directions; drain. Place pasta in a large serving bowl. Add squash mixture, remaining 1/4 cup oil, and salt and pepper to taste; toss gently to coat. Serve immediately and top with Parmesan.

Serves 6

For the last 19th months (since we’ve been married) Eric and I have served as a Cares team here in the Tempe Grove Parkway area. What that means is we have planned and organizes MANY resident social activites and served our residents in times of need in an effort to improve the sense of community among our neighbors and creating a sense of family. This month (August) will be our last month as a Cares team here at Garden Grove Apartments. We are excited to move on with life and follow the many adventures God has put before us,,,, but it has also been a very sad process as well. Throughout the months we have been a team I never really new the impact we had made here until this last few weeks. I can’t even begin to tell you of all the affirmation we have received from the residents, office manager and office staff! Some of the residents even came to our door to make sure they read the calendar right and that we really were leaving.

Here is part of an e-mail from our office manager to the Cares area director:
“I am very sad to see them leave but wish them well. Jaime and Eric have some very big shoes to fill here at the community and I want to make sure another team does not get in over their heads. My long time residents can be very demanding and have been spoiled by my current team.”

Reading this e-mail made our day and was so encouraging! We are so happy God used our live to touch the people her at Garden Grove! The events and work was not always easy, it was very time consuming and stressful at times,,, but we know many seeds were planted and that our lives were used in a awesome way!

CARES WILL ALWAY BE A PART OF US,,, We will never forget the good friends we have made here,,, We can only hope that God continues to fill use with His love and touch the lives of those around us!

• Always give more than you take
• Always strive to be understanding
• Always keep it simple
• Always be ready for the worst but hopeing for the best.
• Always do on to others as you would have them done to you.
• take things slow and one at a time
• enjoy life and have fun. 
• don’t live to be safe and get out alive, because we all die
• try and see the good in all things
• be happy and overflowing with joy; others will follow
• a hot shower/bath will do wonders for your body and mind.
• be real, honest, truthfull but kindly and minding the feeling of others. 
• dare to “think outside the box”
• be prepared to lose it all

Can any one else help me add to this list? Please add your ideas in the comments.