Josh and Sarah Hillyer have been married for almost 17 years and have two daughters, Harbor (13) and Zelda (10). Josh is the associate pastor at Embrace Church in Auburn and leads their church’s college campus ministry. Sarah is the librarian at Creekside Elementary and also a travel planner with Be Our Guest Vacations, specializing in trips to what is deemed the happiest place on earth – Disney.
“We stay pretty busy most of the time,” Sarah shared. “Both of my girls dance at Variations and are members of their ballet company as well as their competition team. With our busy schedules during the week, we are homebodies most of the time and enjoy watching movies together, as well as playing Mario Kart and Mario Party as a family. We also love Auburn football and tailgating with friends!”
During this time of year, the Hillyer family enjoys decorating their home. Halloween decorations go up right after Labor Day and then on to Thanksgiving and Christmas.
“I feel like we are in the thick of it with fall schedules and both of my girls rehearsing for ‘The Nutcracker’,” said Sarah. “Honestly, our biggest “tradition” for this time of year is just trying to be intentional about making time to spend together.”
One of the staple dishes on their kitchen table during the Fall and Winter months is a comfort dish — Baked Ziti. The recipe Sarah uses was passed down from Josh’s cousin, who is described as a wonderful cook.
“Both Josh and I are only children and she’s the closest thing to a sibling either of us has,” shared Sarah. “I make this recipe for my family all the time as it’s one of the few things that both of my girls enjoy. We love this ziti and salad recipe because it’s a warm, comfort food as the evenings are turning cooler. Plus, the salad is an easy way for me to get my girls to eat something green!”
Since the girls are in what Sarah calls the “mid-kid” stage, life is full of joy. Both Harbor and Zelda have reached the age where friendships start to take priority, which means extra kiddos around their kitchen table is becoming quite common.
“It’s so cool to have my “extra children” around and know that their moms love my girls like their own also. It truly takes a village and I’m seeing so much here recently how true that is,” Sarah exclaimed. “It’s such an honor to have other people in your life who aren’t family who love your kids and to be able to do that for theirs too.”
Baked Ziti
Ingredients:
- 1 lb dry ziti pasta
- 1 onion, chopped (can omit)
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 2 (26 oz) jars of your favorite spaghetti sauce
- 6 oz provolone cheese, sliced
- 1 1/2 cups sour cream
- 6 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 2 Tablespoons grated parmesan
Directions:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.
- Add ziti and cook about 8 minutes. Drain.
- In a large skillet, brown ground beef and onion over medium heat. Drain meat.
- Add sauce and simmer 15 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Spray a 9×13 dish (or two smaller dishes so you can freeze one for later).
- Layer the casserole: 1/2 ziti, provolone, sour cream (I add more mozzarella here), 1/2 sauce mixture, remaining ziti, mozzarella, remaining sauce, top with parmesan.
- Bake for 30 minutes.
Serve ziti with this Green Jacket Salad:
- 1/2 cup veg oil (or other oil of choice)
- 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 Roma tomato, diced
- 1 tsp Seasoned Salt (ex. Lawry’s)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 cup green onion
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 1 12-oz chopped lettuce (iceberg and romaine)
- parmesan cheese for garnish
- pita chips
Combine the first 7 ingredients and shake to combine. When ready to eat, pour over lettuce and top with crushed pita chips and grated cheese.
