Escape Adulthood with Kim & Jason

The Art of Living Unconventionally: Interview with Chris Guillebeau

Jason — Tue, 15 May 2012 18:23:17 +0000

A few years ago, Chris Guillebeau made it his goal to visit every country in the world before his 35th birthday. He’s already visited over 175 of them, and is on pace to complete the quest next year.

He is also a writer, entrepreneur, purveyor of the blog The Art of Non-Conformity, and author of the excellent book by the same name. His mission is to help people live unconventional lives, make their own choices, and change the world.

We had a chance to chat with Chris recently, and covered a wide range of topics. We asked him about his world travels, how his adventure has changed him, and what has rendered him awestruck along the way. Chris also shares his opinion on the most Adultitis-free culture in the world, his unconventional thoughts on life balance, and some tidbits from his childhood, including his favorite toy and the surprising thing he wanted to be when he grew up.

In this short but thought-provoking interview, you’ll learn a super tip on how to save money while traveling and hear some things that may inspire you reinvent the way you look at life.

Run Time: 22 minutes, 34 seconds
Download MP3 (21.7 MB)

P.S. Chris has a new book out called The $100 Startup, which can help you reinvent the way you make a living, do what you love, and create a new future. You should get it, especially if you are unemployed, underemployed, or like your job less than head cheese. (See our review here.)

[ Non-Conformity. Acrylic on paper. 19 x 25 inches. ]

Traveling Potato Head

Jason — Mon, 14 May 2012 16:31:04 +0000

Humans love surprises. Well, not the “thank you for your 30 years of service, but we have to let you go” or “Luke, I am your father” kinds of surprises, but the fun, magical kinds that make your soul smile.

The cracker jack prizes of life.

Some of my best scenes in my life have been surprises, from the surprise birthday party when I turned 30 to surprise tickets to a Switchfoot concert a few weeks ago. (Thanks, Kim!) We actually devote a lot of space on this site to creating surprises. See Hide Pokey, Leave George, Shamwow Your Neighbor, Pajama Run, and belated May baskets, to name a few.

Here’s another, shared with us by Betsy McCleary of Iowa:

I have attached a picture of my daughter, placing Mr. Potato Head at the door of a friend’s home, indicating that he was a “traveling Potato” for them to enjoy as long as they like and to keep or pass on if they wish. (It is sort of like “Hide Pokey” but on a grand scale. Our Pokey hid so well no one has found him in several weeks :)

Love it.

What fun totem from childhood could you turn into traveling anti-Adultitis ambassador and share with your neighbor?

How would your neighborhood change if you did?

Darth Vader Goes to Disneyland

Jason — Sun, 13 May 2012 16:24:33 +0000

Click here to view the embedded video.

You know a place is a legit Adultitis Hospital if even Darth Vader can have a good time there.

An Inconvenience is an Adventure Wrongly Considered

Jason — Sat, 12 May 2012 14:44:32 +0000

“An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered.” –G. K. Chesterton ...Continue Reading

The Top 5 Regrets of the Dying

Jason — Thu, 10 May 2012 16:04:35 +0000

Bronnie Ware worked in palliative care for many years. Her patients were those who had gone home to die. She wrote a fascinating post detailing the top 5 regrets of the dying. Here they are:

1) I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.

2) I wish I didn’t work so hard. (This came from every male patient that I nursed. They missed their children’s youth and their partner’s companionship.)

3) I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.

4) I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.

5) I wish that I had let myself be happier. (Deep within, they longed to laugh properly and have silliness in their life again.)

In life, we rarely regret the things we DID, even if they didn’t turn out as he’d hoped.

No, it’s the “I wish I woulda’s” that suck.

Ultimately (and perhaps selfishly), the reason Kim and I have committed our lives to doing what we do is to have as few “I wish I woulda’s” as possible. We champion this cause and write the books and give the speeches in order to keep ourselves from forgetting how easy it is to let Adultitis sidetrack you into a story that’s not your own.

It’s our hope that this work leaves you with as few “I wish I woulda’s” as possible, too.

Mom and Daughter Celebrate May Day a Little Late

Kim — Tue, 08 May 2012 16:39:59 +0000

I have fond memories from childhood of May Day. We’d cut some of our beautiful irises and gently put them in homemade construction paper cones along with some candy and run giddily over to our neighbor Lois’ house to surprise her. The best part was ringing the doorbell and running away. When else can you do this?!

Inevitably, she’d come by later that day with some sweets in hand to thank us for thinking of her. May Day always seemed to be a neat little “out of nowhere” holiday.

So, when May 1st came and went without any notice in our house last week, I felt bummed. The day had been busy, and although I had thought about the fun Lucy and I could have making and delivering May baskets, the timing just didn’t work out.

The next day, May 2nd, I felt disappointed and regretful — two emotions that Adultitis thrives on. Then, I remembered the concept of “rules that don’t exist.” Was this an opportunity to exercise this perspective? You bet! Who says you can ONLY deliver May baskets on May 1st?

Lucy and I set out making construction paper cones, picking flowers from our yard and counting candy pieces for each neighbor. I’m not sure who enjoyed the anticipation more. We included “Happy Belated May Day” notes in each one. I strapped Ben on my back, piled the goodies and Lucy into the wagon and off we went, spreading joy from one house to the next — nine in all. (We are blessed with wonderful neighbors!!)

To Lucy’s delight, one of the neighbors showed up just a few hours later with a bag of goodies as a thank you: a kite, sand toys, and some Hello Kitty chap stick that Lucy calls her lipstick. That was sure a neat surprise!

To my delight, I found this picture on Facebook the next day, along with a status update from our neighbor around the corner: “Woke up to find this beautiful little belated May Day bouquet hanging on our door. Thank you, Lucy!”

So, I learned a big lesson in all of this fun: never let a date on the calendar dictate that you missed out on a chance to make memories and spread a little joy.

Turns out, May 2nd is just as good as May 1st to share smiles and celebrate friendships.

How to Do What You Love and Create a New Future

Jason — Tue, 08 May 2012 13:50:31 +0000

Many people I talk to have an inkling of some kind of dream business they’d love to start. A cute yarn store. An interior design consultancy. A little coffee shop. It’s often deep in the back of their mind, buried by things like fear and doubt. Something’s holding them back: Lack of funds. Uncertainty about what steps to take. Or the comfort of a job that already pays the bills and provides benefits, even if it’s one they dislike so much that they’d rather punch kittens for a living.

I was talking to guy a few summers ago who was out of work and was looking for a job. He’d been looking for eight months. I remember thinking, “Jeez, if you’d started a business when you first got laid off, you’d probably have some pretty good momentum by now.” Instead, he was still waiting for someone else to give him any old job that he probably wouldn’t like any better than his previous one. To my knowledge, he’s still underemployed to this day.

One of the biggest excuses people have for not making the jump toward creating their own dream job is the fear of sacrificing a solid living for an uncertain one. But if you’re currently unemployed, that excuse flies out the window. Heck, even if you are employed, businesses can be started and nurtured during nights and weekends until they’re strong enough to support you on their own.

The truth is that now is probably the best time in the history of the world to start your own thing.

And finally, to my great delight, there is a resource to show you how. It’s called The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future. I got an advance copy from the author, Chris Guillebeau, and I can confirm that it delivers the goods.

As an entrepreneur myself, I’ve read a TON of business books. But none like this.

This one chronicles fifty case studies of people who’ve started a wide variety of successful businesses with very little capital. (Many began with under $100 in funding.) The stories deliver gobs of inspiration, but this book also gives you steps to take, and charts to follow, and solid real-world advice for making your little dream a big reality.

If you are unemployed, underemployed, or toiling in a job you like less than beets, you should check this book out.

Now is your time.

Bucket List, Summer Edition

Jason — Mon, 07 May 2012 17:54:17 +0000

A few months ago, I wrote about the idea of making a list of things you want to do this summer. A summer bucket list, if you will. This is mine.

Time flies, whether you’re having fun or not.

Creating a great life story requires living with intention. As the old saying goes, if you don’t know where you’re going, any road will get you there. But if you want to create a life filled with great scenes and happy memories, you need to do your part.

You need to invite those scenes and memories into your story.

One way to do that is with a bucket list. Write it out. Draw it, like I did. Or make a collage with pictures from the internet or magazines. Fill it with big things and little things. Maybe team up with your spouse or family to create one together. Then — and this is the important part — keep it somewhere you’ll see it often. This bad boy is going on my fridge.

Summers get busy and are gone before you know it. Let this become your ever-present reminder to fill it with adventure.

P.S. I’d LOVE to see your lists. Feel free to post them to our Facebook page or email me at jason@kimandjason.com

A Print Perfect for Mom

Jason — Fri, 04 May 2012 21:58:27 +0000

I drew this one long ago, and it’s still one of our best sellers.

Available at your friendly neighborhood Lemonade Stand.

Here’s to moms, the everyday superheroes.

My Greatest Day as a Dad (So Far)

Jason — Fri, 04 May 2012 15:12:41 +0000

My greatest day as a dad recently eclipsed my previous greatest day as a dad.

The first one was about a month ago. I was wearing a Stormtrooper t-shirt I had gotten for Christmas. Lucy was sitting across from me at the table, and said, “I like your shirt, Dad.”

I thanked her, thinking she liked the artsy design and bright colors.

Then she asked, “That’s from Star Wars, isn’t it?”

My ears perked up, because I hadn’t talked that much to her about my favorite movies in the history of the universe. Yet.

“Why yes, it is,” I responded.

The thing she said next solidified that day as my greatest as a Dad.

“I can’t wait to watch that movie. Can you tell me about it?”

She immediately had my undivided attention and I spent the next ten minutes regaling her with stories about a princess (the perfect in!), a bad guy named Darth Vader, and a hero who just so happened to have the same name as her brother (Ben).

Up until that point, I’d had an ongoing internal debate about the proper time to introduce my firstborn to Star Wars. Of course I’d start at Episode 4, but my sense was that I’d probably have to wait until she was four or five. But this unexpected early interest changed everything.

Kim suggested we start her off on some Star Wars children’s books, and wouldn’t you know it, the Easter Bunny just so happened to include a few used ones that he’d found online in her Easter basket. Lucy took to them like a Jawa to a junkyard. She even seemed to understand the overarching plot line, which is not always easy to follow. (Try explaining a “tractor beam” to a three-year-old sometime).

Then came the moment of truth. Kim thought she might be ready for the movie, and I agreed. Last weekend, after dinner, we all switched into our pajamas in settled into the living room for the first installment of Star Wars. (We divided the viewing into two nights.) I tried my best to keep Lucy abreast on what was happening, but she was already with me. Kim humorously observed that I was (allegedly) so enthralled with the movie myself that I didn’t even notice a few questions Lucy was asking me.

Lucy was hooked. In the days that have followed, she’s been playing Star Wars non-stop, running around looking for Ben and muttering about “using the Force.” She’s transformed into Luke Skywalker, Kim is Princess Leia, I am Han Solo (huzzah!) and her little brother morphs between R2-D2 and Chewie.

It was official. The day we watched Star Wars together for the first time became my new greatest day as a Dad.

And today may eclipse even that.

For today, my friend, is Star Wars Day (May the 4th be with you!). And this evening, I will be surprising Lucy by pulling out some of my old Star Wars toys for her to play with.

I predict that her mind will be blown.

And that I may have a new greatest day as a Dad.

P.S. I realized that Star Wars has been a pretty regular topic in the 10 years we’ve been doing this blog. Here are a few for your enjoyment:

Cookie Sale

Jason — Thu, 03 May 2012 15:32:23 +0000

We live in a culture that worships the new. I think it’s worth keeping in mind that just because something isn’t “new” doesn’t mean it’s without value.

This is true with things other than just cookies, too.

[ Cookie Sale. Acrylic on newspaper. 9 x 12 inches. ]

Almost Guilt-Free Banana Split Bites

Jason — Tue, 01 May 2012 16:50:21 +0000

One of the greatest inventions of the past few years is the Dairy Queen Mini Blizzard. I love Blizzards, and am rarely able to contain myself if I spot a Dairy Queen logo while driving home from a speaking gig. (My favorites are the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup ones.) I love that the mini size allows me to assuage the craving while staving off the shame spiral that comes from inhaling a bigger size.

The point of this post is to praise tiny portions of dessert. I have found that it doesn’t take a lot to satisfy my sweet tooth. If have have a taste for some chocolate, peanut butter, and ice cream, I don’t need it served up in a ten-gallon bucket.

Seriously, who ever buys the large? If that isn’t a cry for help, I don’t know what is.

In the ice cream treat world, banana splits are notorious for being belt-busting behemoths. But these little gems from Bakers Royale are a great way to get your fix without feeling *too* guilty. There’s even some ice cream tucked inside the little bananas! Here are some notes for making your own:

• Use firm bananas and cut into 1-inch sections. Leave the peel on for easy handling, and with a melon baller, dig a well in the middle of each banana section.

• Melt chocolate in the microwave and dip the bottom portion of the banana in chocolate and then dip it once again in either non-pareils or chopped peanuts. To quickly harden the chocolate, place dipped bananas in the freezer for five minutes.

• Fill each well with ice cream and top with whip cream and a maraschino cherry.

Banana split bites, Mini Blizzards, and desserts served in shot glasses are perfect Adultitis-fighting weapons for waistline-minded warriors!

Cheap Family Fun Name Your Price Offer

Jason — Tue, 01 May 2012 16:23:08 +0000

Life often moves so fast that it can feel like you’re in constant survival mode, barely keeping your head above water in a sea of endless obligations and to-dos. Summer’s almost here, but it will be gone before you know it. When the dust settles and summer is over, how many memorable scenes will you have created with the people you love?

If you’re like most people, your summer will be filled with a lot of should do’s and not nearly enough want to’s.

Would you like to look back on summer and wonder where it went, or smile as you think about how filled it was with fun, silliness, and happy memories?

The Kim & Jason Guide to Cheap Family Fun is just what you need. With it, you’ll get an email a week for a year. Each email includes a short video in which we share something fun to do with your family that’s cheap and easy to insert into an already busy schedule. It’s 52 weeks of our best, memory-making material.

And now for the crazy part.

For this week only, YOU GET TO NAME THE PRICE.

Here’s how it works:

Send an email to myoffer@kimandjason.com with the price you’re willing to pay for 52 weeks of fun.
We’ll send you a Paypal invoice for that amount. (You don’t need a Paypal account to pay.)
Once you complete the payment, we’ll send you a link and a code to sign up and start the fun.

Fine print:

- You will NOT be able to offend us with your offer. Just go with what you can afford.
- In case you were wondering, we’ve been selling this online for $39. On a related note, it costs about $200 to take a family of four to a major league baseball game.
- Although we do have a 2-DVD set, this special offer is for the digital subscription only.
- This offer ends on Tuesday, May 8, 2012.

You can watch a few sample videos and learn more about Cheap Family Fun here.

Oh, and here’s what a few people have had to say about it:

“Thanks for being my motivation for doing something like this with my family and friends. I can’t say thank you enough for the impact you’ve had on the way I’m trying to live my life. I feel that my kids are getting much more enjoyment out of the parent I’ve become since making a defined effort NOT to be too grown up all the time.” –Shelley Storhoff, Wisconsin

“We have to schedule everything in our lives anymore and this email arriving once a week helps us schedule fun, too!” –Patti Kamper, Virginia

I hope you decide to take advantage of this crazy offer before my accountant finds out about it. (Feel free to share it with friends.)

After all, a summer is a terrible thing to waste.

Your friend,

Jason

When It Comes to Relationships, Our Days Are Numbered

Jason — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:27:13 +0000

4,363 days.

That’s how many days Kim and I have been married, as of this writing.

I was inspired to figure this number out after attending a breakout session by Steve Wilson at the AATH (Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor) Conference in Chicago last weekend. He explained that he and his wife Pam don’t count the years they’ve been married, but the days. And if you were to ask either of them on the spot what day they were on, they’d be able to tell you. (I want to say it was over 10,000.)

And here I thought I was lucky getting hitched in 2000 because I’d always be able to tell how long I’d been married as long as I knew what year it was.

My buddy Scott has kept a count of how many consecutive days he’s worn a name tag, but up until last weekend, I’d never heard of anyone keeping track of how many days they’d been married. (At least past the one month mark.) Steve said that he and his wife were well aware of the fact that you never know how many days you’ll be blessed with so you need to appreciate them all.

Indeed.

When I calculated the number of days Kim and I have been married (the leap years added a tricky wrinkle), I was amazed at the number. It seemed really high, and yet the years seem to have flown by. If we were to make it to a 50 year wedding anniversary, we will have spent well over 18,000 days together. I hope we do.

A woman named Vera was also at the conference, and she told me that she and her husband made fun a priority and went on a date every single Thursday since they’d been married, which also had been a number of years. I thought that was cool, too.

The marriage thing is hard work. It comes easy to no one, even though it may appear to be for some. This weekend, I was reminded of two things needed to keep your relationships strong:

1) Make fun a priority. The couple that plays together, stays together.

2) Appreciate every day, keeping in mind that they’re numbered.

Be a Froot Loop in a World Full of Cheerios

Jason — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 19:50:26 +0000

“Be a Froot Loop in a world full of Cheerios.”
Source: Rachel

Area Families Launch “Dirt League” to Battle Summer Busyness

Jason — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 19:59:18 +0000

We’re often told that the secret to happiness is to take the road less traveled. Oftentimes, it certainly seems like there must be a better way to do things than our current approach. But the problem is that the “beaten” path is so well-paved, well-marked and well-lit, that frankly, it can be hard to imagine that there could even be another way, let alone a better one.

One small example is the arena of organized sports. My kids are too young to be involved in things like baseball or soccer, but I hear stories of peers who are looking down the barrel of a summer in which the majority of weeknights and weekends will be spent at the ball field. For some families, this is a cause for joy, but for most, it brings a feeling of dread. Apparently, it’s a necessary evil required to make sure our children are well-adjusted, socially competent and attractive to institutions of higher learning.

And besides, everyone’s doing it.

I myself spent many summer nights of my youth at the ball diamond, as did my brothers and my parents. It was a good experience for me and I grew a lot through it. But I have to be honest: the idea of spending the bulk of my future summer nights at the sports field is as appealing as a Spam sandwich. Especially because in the years that have past since my ball playing days, the games and practices have gotten more competitive and more numerous, as if we are training children to become pros. I do want my kids to learn how to compete, get some exercise, and have fun, but the cost that comes with the “beaten path” seems too high. I fear the busyness will exhaust and strain our entire family. Is there another way?

It seems that there may be, thanks to an email I got last fall from a guy named Jay. He wrote to tell me about “Dirt League”:

It all started when Ted, the Dad of of three kids ages 9, 8 and 6 found it overwhelming — if not impossible — to keep up with all the scheduling of t-ball and the other programs the kids wanted to sign up for. He decided summer should be FUN, not scheduling. He rapidly found many like-minded parents and decided we should get together for some good old fashioned pick-up games just like when we were kids. We decided to get together at St. Dennis field in Madison every Thursday night. Everyone’s welcome: parents, grandparents, kids of all ages. The parents respect the kids’ size, the kids respect the parents age and slowness;) If someone drives by looking, we wave them in and invite them to play.

We played baseball, soccer, gatorball (also called speedball, a combination of football, soccer, and basketball), and quidditch with the help of a hula hoop and some duct tape. We also played kickball in 90-degree weather, in which you had to go through the slip-n-slide from third to home. We make up a lot of little twists.

The rules are very loosely interpreted. We all bring something to pass to eat and drink or just order 10 pizzas. Everyone comes and goes in and out of the game as they please. Sometimes it ends up mostly parents out on the field and the kids watching us and laughing. The one major rule is: No electronic devices!

On any given night we had anywhere from 6 to 10 families. It just kept growing. All of us agree it was the awesomest part of our summer! The funniest thing is that now we tell people “Is that on a Thursday night? Can’t make it. Got Dirt League.” We also call ourselves The Dirtballs now ;)

Holy. Freaking. Cow.

Now THIS is how I’d like to spend my summers with my kids. It’s truly a small rebellion of epic proportions.

I love how all the ages are included, as normally, kids have their own leagues and adults have theirs. To me, this makes the experience much more rich. And I also love the little twists they add, which reminds me of Calvinball from the comic strip Calvin & Hobbes.

When my kids get a bit older, I’m going to look into joining this Dirt League or starting one of my own. Perhaps this is the summer for you to do the same.

It takes a brave person to break free from the interstate and head down a road less travelled.

But it’s often the roads less traveled that end up being way more fun.

The Perfect To-Do List

Jason — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 20:13:59 +0000

Too often, we judge the value or success of our day by the number of things we were able to cross off our to-do list. That’s sad, because life is more than crossing things off lists.

But I suppose that’s a short-sighted view. After all, it doesn’t take into account what’s actually ON said list.

This is the sort of list I can get behind.

I think we could all benefit from scheduling in a lot more singing and a bit more dizzy.

Source: stryker.tumblr.com

The Persistence of Peanut Butter

Jason — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 13:42:30 +0000

Peanut butter is very persistent. It will stick to the roof of your mouth for a long, long time.

When it comes to success, persistence is a secret weapon. Especially these days.

In this era of microwaves and text messages and 24-hour news stations, we expect immediate results. We worship the idea of overnight success and lament when it doesn’t come our way, overlooking the reality that the overnight successes we are trying to emulate are ten years (or more!) in the making.

When you begin any project, whether it is becoming a parent, writing a book, losing weight, training for a marathon, cleaning your garage, or starting a business, you have the advantage of enthusiasm on your side. You are excited to begin and the image of success is crystal clear. But when doing anything worthwhile, you will eventually encounter roadblocks. They will deflate you, discourage you, and disenfranchise you. You will doubt your original vision, your sanity, and whether you really even wanted it in the first place. These are facts.

When it gets hard is when most people give up.

If you want to be an overnight success, you’ve got to be persistent.

You’ve got to be like peanut butter.

[ The Persistence of Peanut Butter. Acrylic on newspaper. 8 x 10 inches. ]

Meet Jennifer Hartvickson

Jason — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 15:21:35 +0000

Kim & Jason Nation is a playful group of rebels who share a joyful, indomitable childlike spirit and are not afraid to let that spirit come out to play! They’re united by a common goal of fighting Adultitis and the doo-doo heads who embrace its ideals. Quite frankly, they’re pretty much the coolest people on the planet. Here’s one right now…

• My name is… Jennifer Hartvickson (a.k.a. Mister Lemur) – It’s really fun being Mister Lemur, and also being a GIRL!

• My hometown is… Angels Camp, CA, home of the Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County (thanks for passing through Mark Twain!)

• My biggest dream…To have a TV show that inspires kids to write and use their imaginations!

• My inspiration… My husband and co-author of Mister Lemur’s Train of Thought, Hans Hartvickson. Also, my two 90+ year old grandmothers who taught me to use my head, have a good heart, and enjoy good company!

• When I was a kid, I…Watched TV upside down. Handstands were great and so was sitting upside down in a chair. Imagine it…your feet go where your head should be and your head is near the floor. Super fun! (and it drove my parents nuts!)

• My favorite childhood toy was…A bow and arrow! I would spend hours outside in search of the perfect stick. Then I’d use some yarn, straws and masking tape to make my bow and arrows. After accidentally “trimming” a branch from one of our plants, I learned to use the tape to make my arrow heads. Once I think I even got to make a quiver from an old pair of jeans!

• One way I stay childlike is…Eating my favorite foods before they cool down and continually burning my tongue. I have no patience! :-) That and I spend my days doing author talks with groups of elementary school students. I LOVE engaging the kids and “playing” with them as part of the assembly.

• What I know so far…The things you always wanted to do but never thought you would actually DO happen! The trick is you have to be willing to give something up to make room for something new. It can be scary, but I’ve always found that what’s new is better than what I left behind. Don’t ask me why it’s true…but it is. Try it! :-)

• My favorite things about “Kim & Jason” is… Just like instruments require frequent tuning, Kim and Jason provide regular reminders to have fun and act like a kid … necessary to stay “in tune” as an adult! :-)

We saved a space just for YOU in Kim & Jason Nation — join the small rebellion and sign up to become a K&J Insider today!

Macaroni & Cheese Breakfast Casserole

Jason — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 15:09:37 +0000

If you’re like us, you’ve often thought, “Why can’t you have macaroni and cheese for breakfast?” This certainly qualifies as a rule that doesn’t exist, right? Well, I jumped up and down for joy when I saw this recipe on Grandparents.com, of which I am a frequent visitor (don’t ask).

Granted, it’s not as healthy as a bowl of strawberries, but hey, it’s got noodles and cheese and — wait for it — BACON!

It’s got bacon, people!

Plus it gives you a reason to break a stupid, stupid breakfast “rule.”

Ingredients:
1/2 pound elbow macaroni
1 tablespoon cold butter
4 slices of bacon, chopped
1/4 cup finely chopped red onions
1/4 cup chopped sweet red peppers
1/4 cup chopped mushrooms
12-16 ounces breakfast sausage
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
4 eggs
1/4 cup evaporated milk
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
2 tablespoons melted butter
1/4 cup panko or homemade bread crumbs

Directions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8×8 casserole dish with cooking spray.

2. Bring a pot of water to boil. Add 1 tablespoon of kosher salt and pasta. Let pasta boil for 6 minutes. (It will continue to cook in the oven.) Drain and place in bowl with 1 tablespoon of cold butter. Toss the pasta and butter until melted.

3. In a large skillet or pan, fry chopped bacon over medium-high heat until slightly crisp. Drain on paper towel. Pour out all but 2 tablespoons of bacon grease.

4. In the same pan, sauté chopped peppers, onions and mushrooms in remaining bacon grease until onions are softened. Remove sautéed vegetables with a slotted spoon.

5. In the same pan, brown sausage, making sure to crumble pieces. Drain on paper towel.

6. Combine cooked sausage and sauteed vegetables. Place half of the mixture on the bottom of prepared casserole pan. On top of that, add half of the cooked macaroni. Then, top that with half of the cheese. Repeat with sausage layer, then macaroni layer and then cheese layer.

7. In a small bowl, whisk eggs, milk, salt, and pepper until all combined. Pour egg mixture over the casserole.

8. In a small bowl or coffee cup, combine crumbled bacon, melted butter, and bread crumbs until thoroughly mixed. Add bacon/bread crumb topping as your last layer.

9. Bake for 35-40 minutes. Let sit for 15 minutes before serving.

Serves 4-6