Eeenie Meenie Miney Moe

Or is it a flip of a coin?  What's the best way to make a decision on Christmas 2020?  I know that the right thing to do is hunker down, listen to science and limit interaction with anyone that doesn't live in my home.  Just because it's the right thing doesn't make it easier to accept or sting any less.  It doesn't.

The choice I'm facing now is, do I lean into this whole "Christmas is going to be super different this year" thing and embrace all that means or do I try really hard to maintain as much of the tradition as I can?  As I've done a zillion times since this pandemic began, I'm arguing with myself, convincing myself of one thing and then contradicting myself right into another point of view.  It's maddening, if I'm honest.

Just as maddening, the realization that this year, there will be no holiday concert for chorus, no Christmas program, no joining Alyssa as she writes her letter to Santa at school, no whirlwind trip to Chicago (requested after last year's Christmas adventure in NYC), no visit to see Santa and no Girls Day Out for a special Christmas treat.  So how to balance?

On one hand, I want to spend a whole weekend baking tons of cookies, old and new recipes, testing and tasting as we go.  The bigger the mess, the better.  The Christmas music blaring, silly Santa hats on our heads and counters being overrun with cooling racks and piles of sweet treats.  

I want to do that, but then I think about how there won't be a cookie exchange, there won't be a crowded dining room table vying for first crack at a beautiful serving tray filled with cookies.  There won't be rubbermaid containers filled with cookies secretly tucked into the backseat of my in-laws car for them to discover when they get home.  I'm not even sure the local ambulance station will take homemade goods this year.  So why bake so much?

On one hand, I want to make the dining room all fancy and pretty and special.  And believe me when I tell you, we eat in there pretty often, so it's not like it's an "only for special occasions" room.  But will it be too sad to eat Christmas dinner there when it's the four of us and no one else?  Again, believe me when I tell you that I am not minimizing my three heartbeats and the value in us being together.  I only wonder if the heaviness of who isn't there will be lightened somewhat if we eat in the family room instead.  On the floor.  While wearing our PJs.  And watching a Christmas movie.  But make no mistake--we'll still use our Christmas china!  

Maybe this is the year we do it all differently.  Embrace the "nothing's the same" vibe.  Maybe the girls stay up until midnight on Christmas Eve, search the skies for Santa and take turns reading 'Twas The Night Before Christmas out loud before opening just ONE present.  I don't know?!

Or maybe we keep it the same--sorta.  Maybe we have (via Zoom) our Christmas Eve Brunch with Mark's family in the morning, go to (via Zoom) Church services as the sun sets and light (our own) candles as we sing Silent Night.  Maybe we have dinner with my parents and sister (via FaceTime)while somehow (executing a virtual version of) breaking Oplatek (Christmas wafer), and tuck the girls in at a "normal" hour. 

Maybe this is the year Santa goes all out because the kiddos have had a rough, rough year.  Or maybe it's the year Santa scales back because we've all learned that often simplicity is where the richness really lives?

Will the trees stay up until mid-January or is this the year we unChristmas on December 26th, eager to be done with unconventional celebrations?

Eenie, Meenie, Miney Moe.  I can honestly make the case for each of the aforementioned "this or thats."  Just when I make a plan or come to a decision, I rethink it and then overthink it and come up with a different decision.  Tons of fun.

One decision I'm glad I don't have to make is to be JOYful!  My girls are awesome examples of that and I'm trying to soak it in, capture it all and save it in a jar if I can.  It's magical to watch them hunt for Ozzie (our Elf) every morning.  It's amazing to hear their conversations with him and with each other.  

It's incredible to think that Abby still believes (or is playing Chicken with me, almost daring me to level with her) and helps Alyssa embrace all that that means.  It's a delight to see the girls take turns ripping a link off of the paper countdown chain and shout out how many days are left until Santa comes.  

It's fun to see the lights, put up our own and say YES to some extra decorations this time around---three trees, swags on the windows and more garland?  Oh sure, why not?!  And while I may be on the "less is more" train, it was impossible to refuse the requests and even more impossible to not be moved by the girls' reactions to the finished product.

Whatever happens on December 24th and December 25th, I know this--Christmas is a season, a feeling--not just a day or two.  And this year, more than any other, it may require a conscious effort to pay attention to and embrace what is rather than what isn't.  To be very clear, I'm quite certain there will be more than one tearful breakdown when thinking about what we're missing.  But through those tears, I hope we'll see all that we can and do still have.

We have family, who, though separated, are healthy.  We have technology that will help bridge the gap between us.  We have a warm, safe home.  We have jobs.  We have food to eat and drinks to drink (Amen!).  We have go with the flow kiddos who will help shape Christmas 2020 and we've got just enough magic to make it still feel special.

Perhaps Christmas will be a hybrid of the options.  Maybe we bake--just not 89,348,347 kinds of cookies.  Maybe we eat in the dining room--just in our jammies!  Maybe we end up starting a whole new tradition that, years from now, we'll reflect on how it all began.

I guess, even if I Eenie, Meenie, Miney, Moe, I can only lose if I see it that way.  So here's to making the very best out of the choices you're presented with this year.  Whether they're choices you get to make or ones made for you by circumstances, put it all in perspective, cry if you must, then look for the magic.  It's there.  It really is.

xo,
Amy

 

Thanks*giving

Thanksgiving.  This year, I'm really wrestling with which part of that word should be emphasized.  Is it the THANKS or the GIVING?  I suppose a case could be made for each to have its moment in the sun, so to speak.

Let's talk about THANKS.  There are plenty of reasons to be thankful.  No, really.  In 2020.  I promise.  Maybe the idea is about finding the smaller, simpler things we're thankful for.  

The smell of freshly-cut grass, the idea that we're cutting grass in November in Pittsburgh.  And even the lawnmower--I mean, it's pretty great to have a self-propelled machine (and Mark!) that does the work, right?  Or the random warm days that meant extra time outside?  Or the window washers?  Or the washing machine and dryer?  

How about technology?  Sure, there are moments when it's maddening, but let's focus on the gift of being able to FaceTime a family member who isn't with you for Thanksgiving.  Or the phone that doubles as a camera, helping you capture soccer moments, jump-in-the-leaves moments and silly sister snuggle moments.  Even computers--for blogging, working, keeping in touch, shopping, streaming music or shows.

Can we pause to be grateful for the food we have?  I know we may not be sharing it with as many people as we might in a normal year.  But if you have food on your table, count yourself blessed.  If you have the means to prepare that food and the ability to eat and enjoy it, be glad.

And why not be thankful for the people God put in your life.  Family, friends, colleagues, partners, anyone who provides a service to you from mail delivery to garbage pick up and all the ones in between.  Imagine your life without them.  Tough, right?  So take a moment today to say THANK YOU to someone--someoneS--who makes your life better, richer, fuller.  

That brings me to the GIVING part.  What are you giving?  Are you giving yourself a break?  At least once a day, take a moment to close your eyes, put your hand on your heart and take a few deep breaths.  This time of year is hectic and exciting---and your body doesn't always know the difference.  It just knows it's in "Go Mode" a bit more than normal.  So pause and give yourself a second to breathe. 

Can you give someone a hand?  Yes, we're all busy.  But if you find yourself with a spare moment, an extra skill or something you can offer to help someone else, please do it.  It may make all the difference. 

Give to those who need.  If you have kiddos, involve them in a food drive or collecting items for those who are homeless. Check local nursing homes to see what their residents might need.  Think about your local police or ambulance services; what might they need?  Round up coats that you're no longer wearing and find a place to donate them.  In this crazy time, it may be wise to call places first to understand what parameters are in place.  

As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving later in the week, our Gratitude Tree* is nearly full, our This or That** menu is prepared, the food is all purchased and the table is ready to be set, I'm making a conscious effort to practice the THANKS and the GIVING, and hope you'll join me.

Wishing you more blessings than you can possibly count.

xo,
Amy

The start of one of our more creative Gratitude Trees

Who's around the table is better than what's on it.

*Each year, beginning on November 1, we fill a Gratitude Tree that we've drawn on poster board, with reasons we're grateful.  One reason, per person, per day.  And everyone who comes to our home during the month of November is invited to add to it.  This year, since visitors have been limited, we're inviting people to call or text if they'd like to add to it!  Running out of room is my favorite---well, that and watching my girls' writing evolve over the years!

**In an attempt to embrace the curveball that is 2020, our guests were presented with several This or That options for the Thanksgiving dinner menu.  Turkey, mashed potatoes with gravy and cranberry salad were non-negotiable.  The rest was chosen by the guests.  Green beans OR brussels sprouts.  Sweet potatoes OR butternut squash soup.  It was a fun twist and offered an opportunity to try some new dishes.

Chicken Cordon Bleu

Last year, for Christmas dinner, my Mom made chicken cordon bleu and both of my girls asked for seconds.  And that was with full knowledge of the cookies that were waiting for them.  Impressive!  Mom's was a lovely version, all rolled together and served with a fancy sauce---it was Christmas after all. 

A few weeks later, they asked if I would make it for dinner.  Blessedly, I found this simpler version on Pinterest (thanks, melskitchencafe.com) and immediately set to getting what we needed to throw this together.  Yeah, I said throw.  It's really easy, it takes mere minutes to assemble, and the reactions from my girls are the same as they were on Christmas!  Win!!  This has become a pretty regular menu item, and Abby swears she's going to make it for us next time--start to finish!

A couple notes on the recipe below.  We don't usually make the sauce.  No one was a huge fan, so we skip that element.  I've included the recipe, though, in case you're feeling saucy!  I usually have a dollop of Dijon with mine--a little goes a long way!!

We've also had great success using the thin sliced chicken breasts rather than cutting thicker ones.  If you do slice the thicker ones, you might consider pounding them out a bit even after you've sliced them. 

And finally, the original recipe didn't specify Panko breadcrumbs, but they really do hold up better than regular every day breadcrumbs.  So treat yo'self...get the Panko!

Add a veggie and a starch along side this chicken and you've got a yummy dinner.  This kind of got me thinking---could we do another version?  Maybe swap ham and swiss for pepperoni and mozzarella--kind of a quick and easy chicken parm?  Or maybe ham with a spicy cheese and add a little red pepper to the breadcrumbs?  Bleu cheese, no ham and hot sauce over the breadcrumbs.....okay, before I get too carried away, here's the scoop!

What You'll Need:

• 3 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut in half length-wise to form two thinner chicken breasts
• Salt & Pepper
• 12 slices deli ham
• 6-8 slices Swiss cheese
• 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons of butter melted

Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon chicken boullion granules (or one boullion cube crushed)
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

What You'll Do:

• Preheat your oven to 350* and lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish
• Lay the chicken breasts in a single layer in the dish
• Sprinkle both sides with salt & pepper
• Layer each chicken breast with 2 pieces of ham, then top with 2 slices of cheese on each
• Toss the breadcrumbs with the melted butter until golden brown
• Spread the breadcrumbs over each piece of chicken
• Bake for 30-35 minutes

While the chicken is baking, whip up the sauce!  Simply melt the butter and stir in the flour, cooking for 1-2 minutes.  Slowly pour in the milk while whisking continuously.  Stir in the boullion, and keep whisking, 3-5 minutes.  Once it's thickened and bubbling, stir in the remaining ingredients and stir until the cheese is melted.  Keep the sauce warm over low heat until the chicken is finished, adding salt & pepper as needed.

Serve by either adding a healthy spoonful of the sauce onto a plate and resting the chicken on top, or by spooning the sauce over top of the chicken.

Cheers and enjoy!  Let me know what you think!!

B is for...

B is for...

Borrowing--which is what I'm doing (sorta) with this concept.

Befriending--which is exactly what Jay did to me, introducing me to this version (again, sorta) of blogging that I think is pretty cool.  Then again, so is he...so that makes sense.

Blinders--sometimes you need to put on your blinders, put your head down and get to work.  Focus only on what you need to do.  Tune out the noises, the distractions, even the voices in your own head trying to steer you off course.  Don't think (or worry!) about what the Joneses are doing.  Don't waste energy trying to justify your choice or defend your heart.  Put your blinders on and go!

Blessings--I treated myself to a little fall décor a couple weeks ago.  A sign that says, "Don't just count your blessings, share them."  Amen, amen, amen.  Consider all the reasons you have to be grateful.  If you can, share.  Whether you actually share something (food, money, clothes etc.) or you share the idea of being blessed with someone who could use an uplifting word---share.  It's said that it's better to give than to receive.  And while there's a lot of truth to that, there's also a lot of truth in the idea that receiving a blessing is pretty great, too.  So share.  Come on, we all learned how to do that back in pre-school, right?!

Books--I love to read, and I can get on a roll where I'm reading books at a pretty good clip.  I can also get off track quickly if I don't have the next book to read lined up and ready to go.  I set a goal to read at least 10 pages a day---figure that in a year's time, that'll amount to 3,650 pages.  Figure if a book is about 350 pages, that's 10 books. Give or take.

So far this year, I've read 18 books--18!!  I've kept a list on my phone, and added #18 to it over the weekend.  One silver lining of quarantine has been extra time to slow down and read.  Reading, to me, feels like the ultimate indulgence.  Just sitting on the deck, lounging in the hammock or snuggled up by the fireplace with a book when there are so many other things I could be--should be--doing.  It's bliss, frankly.  And I love being transported back to grade school days of "SSR" and transported anywhere the story on the pages will take me.  And when I come back, the "could be/should be" stuff is still there, waiting for me!

Beginnings--we all know the quote---all beginnings come from some other beginning's end, right?  So I suppose that in order to fully appreciate the beginning, we should give a nod to the ending.  Both girls wrapped up milestone school years---in strange circumstances, for sure--this past spring.  Alyssa completed Kindergarten and Abby flashed a peace sign to her elementary school years.  Fast forward to August and, amidst lots of uncertainty, they both celebrated beginnings.  Abby entering middle school and Alyssa taking her place in elementary school.  To watch their confidence carry them into the unknown--what a feeling!  

Beside me--that's where Mark is.  Not behind, not in front...beside.  Earlier this month, we celebrated our 17th anniversary.  Seventeen years sounds wild to say out loud.  And it feels really wild to look at the pictures from that day.  There were some very special people beside us that day---some of whom are no longer here.  A poignant reminder to be grateful for who's beside me today and make sure he knows how much I love him.  Mark has been beside me for 20 years, offering comfort, encouragement, tough love (hey, sometimes!!) and a steadying presence in those moments when I'm spinning out a little.  He was beside me as we welcomed Abby and Alyssa into the world and has been beside me as we've prayed over those who've left this life.  Through jobs, moves, fights and make-ups--he's there.  Having Mark beside me is one of my greatest blessings.  

Big Bed--I know there will come a day when our girls don't request family movie nights in "Da Bi' Bed" and there will be nights of silence, uninterrupted by the bad dream or the request for middle of the night snuggles.  But until that day comes, I will grant every request and indulge every cuddly whim.  Piling in, the four of us, too many blankets and more than enough stuffed animals, is when peace and contentment catches my breath and reminds me of my purpose.  In those moments, I'm comfort, I'm safety, I'm love and I'm home.

Being--do, do, do....then do more.  Run here, get the girls to this, quick trip to the grocery store, another stop here, games, practice, activities....So.  Much.  Doing.  It's easy to get sucked into the chaotic pace and smacked with a feeling of (gasp) resentment.  Suddenly the obligations--that are only obligations because we said YES to them--are met with sighs, clenched jaws and muttered curse words.  Even the stuff we love, the stuff we want to do becomes "have to do" stuff---because our minds and bodies are tired.  So we decide we "just don't wanna" anymore.  Too.  Much.  Doing.  And we're all guilty of it to some extent.  

My hat's off to those who are experts at setting (and maintaining!) boundaries and tossing out the confident, guilt-free NO when necessary.  I'm learning---and another silver lining of quarantine has been the process of evaluating what we really missed when it was all taken away.  We worked to consciously only add in those things as the world started to open up.  Worked to spend more time BEING rather than DOING.  We're still working on it, honestly.  And I suspect we always will be working to strike that balance.    

I'll wrap up with a just couple more!  B is for baby steps, back at it, blogging again and beneficial.  My goal is to share 1-2 posts a week and hopefully some content that makes you smile, brings a little joy or a tiny takeaway.  That way, we both win!

xo,

Amy    

My Kinda Pad Thai

A while back, I shared a post about being intimidated by a vegetable.  I know--ridiculous.  But silly me, I wasn't convinced (at all) that spaghetti squash would actually "shred" like it's supposed to.  Then one day, I got brave and tried it.  And you know what?  It worked---gasp!  

So I became like Bubba from Forrest Gump--but instead of a zillion recipes for shrimp, I started stockpiling recipes for spaghetti squash.  And this gem is a favorite!  Found it on Pinterest (duh!) and it immediately earned a spot in the "Make Again" pile!

What You'll Need:

• 1/2 spaghetti squash--roughly 2 cups
• 1 cup chopped rotisserie chicken (we use ground chicken)
• 1 onion sliced
• 4 eggs
• 1/3 cup pad thai sauce*
• 1/3 cup cashews chopped
• 1/4 cup green onion chopped

What You'll Do:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Cut spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and remove seeds. Place facedown on a silicone baking mat and bake for 45 minutes.
2. Once spaghetti squash is cool enough to handle, use a fork to remove from shell.
3. In a medium frying pan, brown onion. (Use your choice of cooking oil; we love coconut oil). Once onion slices are caramelized, add 4 eggs to pan and scramble. Remove eggs and onion from pan and set aside.
4. To the same pan you used to cook eggs and onion, add chopped chicken and stir to heat. This also allows the chicken to absorb some of the juices left in the pan.
5. Add spaghetti squash, Pad Thai sauce, 
   eggs, onions and toss to coat evenly. Remove from heat and garnish with green onion and chopped cashews.

Now, you could make your own Pad Thai sauce, but we found Sky Valley Thai Peanut Sauce and it works just fine.  Sometimes when we reheat leftovers, we drizzle a little more of the sauce on top.  

We keep saying we're going to try this with shrimp or even grilled chicken, but we seem to always go back to the "standard."  

One other note, sometimes halving the squash is a risky pain in the butt.  I found that if I pierce the skin a few times with a fork and pop the squash into the microwave for a couple minutes, it softens up enough to make cutting it a bit easier.  

Give it a whirl and let me know what you think!  I'll be glad to share more ways we add this yummy veggie into our menu.

Cheers,

A

Lost & Found

 Each May, at my daughter's school, there's a six-foot table outside the office, covered with items that have been left behind.  Jackets, water bottles, notebooks and shoes--all hoping to be reunited with their owners before the year comes to a close.  Lost & Found.  

The past six--almost seven--months have been a different kind of Lost & Found.  The pandemic has caused a lot of loss.  And the pandemic has helped us find things, too.  Contradictory indeed; a hallmark of these recent times.  

Since March, I've felt--like I'm sure many of you have, too--a constant push and pull of my emotions.  On more than  one occasion, I've argued with myself and changed my opinion on a topic in the middle of a sentence!  It's enough to give me whiplash.  That's an apt description, don't you think?  The emotional whiplash that comes from making, unmaking and remaking decisions in a 15 minute span.  Or the emotional whiplash that comes from knowing you're doing the right thing, doubting you're doing the right thing and not even being sure what the right thing is.  It's exhausting.

The list of things lost is long.  I recently challenged myself to make a list of things found--and have it be every bit as long!  In fairness, it took a bit of effort to reframe my perspective and write that second list.  But once I started thinking about it, I found myself adding quite a bit to that list.  And focusing more on it, too.  

Of course, there are the obvious things we found like bonus time with family.  Sure.  That's a given.  We've had a whole lot of togetherness--mostly welcome.  Come on, you know what I mean! 

We've had time together in simple but impactful ways.  Dinners as a family--at the table!  Walks through the neighborhood and on the local trails--all four of us.  Plenty of hands of Harry Potter Uno, rounds of Scrabble and imaginative play that we suddenly had time for because we weren't rushing off to a practice, game or lesson.  At one point this spring, my Mom asked my older daughter what her favorite part of quarantine was.  Abby barely let my Mom finish the question before she enthusiastically responded, "Family dinners!"  Proof that sometimes it's the smallest thing that can have the biggest impact.

We found a renewed appreciation for our home.  The comfort and familiarity of it, the warmth, safety and security.  Cozy nights snuggled in the Big Bed or in front of the fireplace proved to be a welcome remedy for the sadness over missing school, friends and activities that crept in.

Then came warmer months when the deck, yard and pool earned their time at the top of the Things I Love About Home list!  Our quiet cul-de-sac became a race track, a shopping center, a water park and more as our girls played for hours with the neighbors. Again, imaginations went into overdrive, providing countless adventures for all of them.  My younger daughter mastered her bicycle, the extra time dedicated to riding helping her to ditch the training wheels once and for all.  Popsicles were served at all hours, shade from trees offered a perfect picnic spot and the amount of chalk art that festooned our driveway was incredible!

     

Plain driveways are so boring!

The pool!  Oh the pool!  The very same pool that I wasn't sure I even wanted way back when we first got it proved to be a sanctuary.  And while that word may seem a bit strong, or a bit of an overstatement, I can assure you that it's accurate.  After a stressful day "at" work (the dining room table for me), an hour or so splashing around before dinner was the perfect way to switch gears and be present for my family.  That pool was a welcome distraction from events and celebrations we were missing.  It was relaxation, fun and a slice of normal when we all needed those three things in large amounts! 

Pool Girls!

We found quiet moments to reflect on what truly matters.  Trite?  Perhaps.  True?  For sure.  Date night no longer meant dinner and drinks out at a restaurant, but instead it was a beer on the deck when the girls had gone to bed or binge watching a newfound favorite on Netflix.  Movie nights outside (thanks to neighbors with a cool set up) and bonfires slowed the pace down and helped let priorities bubble up.  And somehow, those moments seemed sweeter than any fancy dinner out and about.    

Who needs a theatre!?

We found ways to do more with less.  Less stuff, less activities, less spending, less chaos.  We took the time to sort and purge and eliminate files, clothes, just stuff---realizing that we have too much and need far less.  For the girls, it was a meaningful lesson in paying it forward and helping those in need by paying it forward.

We found that driveway visits and FaceTime aren't really adequate substitutes for time with family.  But we found that we were grateful to at least have that.  Whether it was BINGO via Zoom with family across 4 states, FaceTime story time before bed, Teams meetings with colleagues in other markets or online classes technology offered us opportunities to connect with people we were missing fiercely.  

Certainly I'm not advocating that we minimize or marginalize the LOST pieces.  They deserve our attention, too.  It's only fair to feel the feelings we have about those LOST things.  It stings.  And it's hard.  And it's sad, frustrating and unfair.  All of that is true.

It's also true that by giving our attention to what we've FOUND, it helps heal the wounds of the things LOST.  Each day, I try to add something to the FOUND section of the list.  I invite you to do the same.  

xo,

Amy

     

  

Spaghetti Squash with Spinach, Bacon and some other stuff

Oh my gosh, it's been ages since I've written here.  And oh my gosh, there are too many posts that begin with that sentence.  One of my goals for this year is to change that.

So why not start here.  As I sit at my desk, eating warmed up leftovers of this delicious spaghetti squash dish.  Remember when I posted about the first time I made anything with spaghetti squash?  Oh silly me.  I was intimidated by that veggie for a good long time.  Yes, intimidated.  By a vegetable.  What?  I was not convinced that it would, in fact, shred like the pictures/videos I watched.  But it does.  It really does.  And it's really good.

Okay, so onto the recipe.  Wait, nope.  Disclaimer first.  Depending on the size of the squash you get (who exactly determines what medium is?) you may get more than 3 servings from this.  Also, you may want to add a little more spinach or bacon so it's more balanced.

Okay, now onto the recipe.  And no, no picture this time...sorry.

What You'll Need

1 medium spaghetti squash
1 tablespoon olive oil
kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
6 slices bacon, cut in 1-inch pieces
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 5-ounce bag baby spinach
2 ounces soft goat cheese, crumbled
 

What You'll DoPreheat the oven to 400*
Cut the squash in half, lengthwise
Scoop out the seeds and drizzle both halves with olive oil and a little salt & pepper
Place the two halves, flesh-side down in a baking dish with about 1" of water
Roast in the oven for about 30 minutes until it's tender
Set it aside to cool; trust me--you don't want to try to shred it while it's hot!

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add bacon.  Cook over medium heat until the edges of the bacon brown (about 2 minutes, stirring often).
Turn the heat to low and cook until the bacon is crispy--about 5 more minutes
Turn the heat back up to medium and the vinegar, stirring to deglaze the pan; about 20 seconds
Turn the heat back to low, add the maple syrup (yes, maple syrup!)
Stir it all together to combine, then add the spinach, a handful at a time so it wilts
Once all the spinach is in and wilted, turn the burner off and get to the squash!

Drain the water from the baking dish, then using a fork, scrape the flesh of the squash into the dish
Once it's all shredded, add it to the skillet, add the goat cheese and toss it all together.

Serve, eat...add this to your "Make Again" pile.

As I'm writing this, I'm laughing to myself, since the movie, Elf, has been watched no less than 10 times in our home since Thanksgiving.  And, if you've seen it, you know of Buddy's love of syrup.  I promise you that this is not a "syrup on pasta" kind of dish.  There is such a scant amount, but it's enough that it really pulls the dish together.  But that's just my opinion.  Try it for yourself and let me know what you think.

Alright, back to work.  This was a lovely way to spend my lunch time.  Thanks for stopping by!