Spaghetti Squash Pizza Pie

Spaghetti Squash Pizza Pie

Cut spaghetti squash in half lengthwise. I find it is easier to cut if you start in the center cutting outward to one side and then the other side.

Scoop out the seed and pulp. Set aside for now.

Turn squash rind side up to baked at 425 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes, depending on size of squash. Touch the rind if palpable to touch, remove from oven. It will be a golden brown color when you turn it over.  If under done but can be removed from rind, that is okay. It will give you a crustier "crust."

Use a fork to scrap membrane from the rind.

It should be easy to remove and look like fluffy spaghetti.

In a bowl combine 1 egg, 1/4 cup milk and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Add the spaghetti squash. mix well.

Spread mixture evenly onto a pizza pan, 9 x 13 pan or in my case a iron skillet. Baked at 25 degrees for 15 minutes. Remove from oven turn temperature  to 350 degrees.

Spread your favorite pizza sauce over the "crust," add you favorite grated cheese mix (1 1/2 cups) and toppings. Sprinkle with a little Italian spices. (My sauce is pumpkin puree, instead of tomato sauce.)

Bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 30 minutes or until cheese has melted to a golden brown color. Let cool five minutes before cutting. Enjoy. 

Don't worry if the crust is soft, it will still taste good. 

Recipe created by June Stearns Butka

Welcome our new family member, Ninja Buddy

Ninja Buddy

We adopted Ninja Buddy on 7 Dec 2013 from the Salem Animal Rescue League, Salem, New Hampshire. He was found on the streets of Methuen, Massachusetts. He spent the past two years in two separate shelters. He had two previous failed adoptions.

He is an Italian Greyhound Terrier mix. His personality is well divided between the two breeds. He has the shyness of an Italian Greyhound with a great need of alone time. Let him come to you and you will not see the growling Terrier side of his personality. 

We named him Ninja Buddy as a way of keeping his name given by the shelter because he was all black and my husband that kept calling him Buddy. I think of it as very appropriate name for a dog who needs to walk the entire perimeter of our house every morning and night; comes inside after the walks and cuddles up next to you. 

In the past eight weeks we have enjoyed his little nuances of adapting to his new home. This first night he joined us under the covers. Yet for the first week every little noise he heard he would wake up. Very little sleep was had by us during that time. It was like having a new baby in the house all over again. He sleeps through the night now.

My husband teases he is in the witness protection program because he doesn't like his picture taken. every time he see a camera or cell phone he runs away to the other room. The photograph above was taken at the shelter before adoption. This photograph was taken on the first snow since we adopted him. He just stopped and waited about a minute. Then went behind the shovel and did his business. The next time out her decided he would venture a little further. Now he want to go out in the snow and chase snowballs. He will capture one and carry around during his walk. He will then eat it.

Ninja Buddy has settled in very nicely to our family giving many loving tongue kisses, singing to the music, and talking up a storm when he wants something. 

We had not planned on getting any new pets after our two most recent ones died in 2013. We miss Yoda and Tess very much and think of them often. Ninja Buddy has filled a void we didn't realize was even there. When we first adopted him we were concerned that he had health issues. He was displaying similar behavior like our Yoda did, who died of a fast growing brain stem tumor this past fall. Our daughter stated it well; "You are giving a dog a loving home, even if he is with you a short while. Would you want to spend your last days in a shelter, no matter how loving the shelter volunteers maybe?" Ninja Buddy has a clean bill of health. the symptoms he was showing turned out to be an every day common cold.

If you get a chance to adopt a pet, please do. They bring comfort and joy into the household, along with plenty of laughter.

We warmly welcome Ninja Buddy to the family, who by the way is sitting in my lap as I type this. Stay tuned for updates on his progress. I hope to get a video of him singing to the music. When I do you can be sure it will be posted.

The Art of Manliness: How to fold a Flag

The Art of Manliness: Is it gone?

Do you know how to fold a Flag?

June 14th Flag Day

I’m writing this post today in regards to how to fold a flag to commemorate the adoption of the United States Flag by the Second Continental Congress in 1777. I hadn't folded a fly in awhile and decided to look up how to fold it. The Art of Manliness website was one that offered entertaining instructions on this and other bygone year’s daily routines; like how to tie a bow tie, give a manly handshake, and other manly skills.

My reason for folding the flag came when the manager of our complex asked me do I know where to take flags that are tattered and needed to be retired. I answered in the affirmative. He then proceeded to give me five flags rolled up in a ball with disregards to the respect and honor they deserved. I did not refuse them because I felt I needed to provide tender loving care and return them to some semblance of glory before turning them over to the Catholic War Veterans for a proper disposal. There are other organizations that also provide this service; local Boy Scout Troops, American Legion and Camps of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.

In today’s busy world, so many forget how to provide the daily courtesies once thought of as common practice. Technology advances have isolated us as much as they have helped us in our genealogy research. Schools funding sometimes leads to eliminating what they consider fluff classes like sewing, cooking- the homemaking skills. 

My goal is to continue teaching those skills even if it is through the technology that isolates us. I know my family goes to their computer, smart phone, or I-Pad using Google, Bing or whatever search engine they have to find the information they need. I blog with compassion of saving all that is our heritage: daily skills, ancestors and their history.

The Art of Manliness is not gone just a little forgotten until we take a moment to remind our loved about those skills. I hope you enjoy reading the Flag Ceremony as presented in the following PDF link.

The Dignified Flag Disposal Ceremony - 

Where in the State is Mom?: Graduation Reflections

Where in the State is Mom?: Graduation Reflections: Pinkerton Academy original Buildings This time of year is when I reflect on my own graduations over the years from the differen...

Graduation Reflections

Pinkerton Academy original Buildings

This time of year is when I reflect on my own graduations over the years from the different schools I attended; Pembroke Academy, New Hampshire Technical Institute of Portsmouth and Springfield College now known as Southern New Hampshire University. My own children graduated Pinkerton Academy in Derry, New Hampshire one of the oldest continuing running schools in America.

Pinkerton Academy will be celebrating it's 200th anniversary in 2014. The Spring 2013 Pinkerton Alumnus  provides a brief history of Pinkerton Academy and information of the upcoming celebration. 

Robert Frost, the well known American poet, Pulitzer Prize, taught at Pinkerton from 1906-1911.

Notable alumni are numerous that include: first Astronaut in space, Alan Shepard; former president of Dartmouth College,Samuel Colcord Bartlett; American Olympic ice hockey player, Tricia Dunn; Civil War Brevet Brigadier General, Aaron Fletcher Stevens; among many others over the years.

I join in celebrating my brother's and niece's graduations. My brother will be ordained on 8 June 2013 as an interfaith minister. My niece will graduate from my Alma mater, Pembroke Academy on 16 June 2013. 

The list of those graduating is excellent informational source for genealogist and families looking for their ancestors. That possibly could include someone from Harvard as early as 1642. 

Harvard in Cambridge,  Massachusetts has a list of their graduates all the way back to 1642, when nine colonists graduated. In 1634, ground was broken for the "College at Newtowne", later to become known as Harvard,  just fours years after families from the Winthrop Fleet settle the Watertown, Massachusetts area. 

Dear Myrtle would say "Happy Family Tree Climbing."

Memorial Day Remembrance: Lost names but not forgotten

Nelson William Stearns

Nelson served in the Army during the Korean War. His grandson Michael Joseph Butka, currently serving his country since 1999, was stationed at the the same base  at Osan, South Korea during one of his deployments. These men are two of my family that gallantly fought for our  freedom. Nelson is my father and Michael is my son. In honor of them and all service men and women I salute you.

Thank you for your service and bravery.

Please help me identify these bunk mates of my Dad during his 1953 tour of Duty in Osan, South Korea.

Hugging our son goodbye as he left on his recent deployment. 

Photo courtesy of Fred Schottler

In remembrance of all that gave the ultimate sacrifice, I post this in your honor.

You are not forgotten.

From one loving Mom to all children, no matter what your age that are serving. 

I am sending Hugs to all of you protecting our basic right to Freedom. Thank you. Be Safe. Be Brave. Be Proud. 

Pictorial View of Goffstown, New Hampshire

Here is a few photographs from my trip to Goffstown, New Hampshire, including the Historical Marker for Parker Station. The Parker Station building houses the Goffstown Historical Society.

I notice at least two interesting gatherings for anyone interested in history.

May 20 Edie Clark: Baked Beans and Fried Clams - How Food Defines a Region
(Available through a grant from NH Humanities Council)

June 17 Dan LaRochelle: History of Pinardville



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