Tennis and a little Italian Dinner...Yum!

Time to celebrate! High School tennis is in full-swing. No, school has not started for us, but activities have begun. 9 matches and 3 tournaments later, a nice medal is gracing our dinner table. I do like the design on this medal....oh, I think the ole medal looks distinguish and delightful, displayed sitting on the bottom of a fun glass, don't you?

My son playing through a lot of opponents and summer heat.

So, at the end of the day, it was time to celebrate a sweet victory and enjoy a family dinner. Truth be told, I bought an Italian cookbook and it arrived today. I read the recipes and family stories from cover to cover. This of course, inspired me to put on my apron and add something of the "Italian" nature to our dinner celebration menu.
Yum...I do love pork chops. So, I browned up the pork.....

....got into my pantry and pulled out a bottle of Italian, Sausage and Garlic Spaghetti Sauce. Hmmmm...seems like these two would combine and fit together well. So, when the pork chops were nearly done, in went the sauce. Boy oh boy, did it ever smell good.

And, one of my very most favorite pasta's....Angel Hair. It cooks in 3-5 minutes and is light as a feather. I do make noodles for chicken noodle soup, but, would love to learn how to make other types of noodles.

Lovely. Just pour the sauce and meat over the pasta.

Nice little dinner for the family.....crystal glasses filled with berry juice and our summer colorful plastic plates---ha! Love it.

And can't forget the dessert, no way! These are such pretty pears and oh so good.
They are ready to be sliced.

Well, this dinner was so fast and so easy....and tasted great. Give it a try, when you get the chance.

So, whats cooking at your house? xo

Food and Blooms

Prepare yourself! This is a healthy recipe. Shall we just say this mac and cheese takes on a modern tone and taste. All you need for this dish is seen below. Super easy...good hot or cold.

Cook your pasta and either microwave or stove prepare your light-cheese sauced broccoli. I have never used a vegetable that had a prepared sauce along with it. So, I was really curious about how this would all taste. Add together with 3 wedges of the Light, Laughing Cow cheese.
Warm until cheese is that gooey, yummy texture.

Add a little salt and pepper and their you have it. I really liked this dish. It was so quick, so easy, and low in calories. Really a great twist on an old standby. And, thinking of adding chicken to this dish, next time round.


And, please try this recipe. You won't be sorry. Thanks to my blogging friend, Julie (http://www.circlecliffviews.blogspot.com/), who has some of the best recipes ever! This is one of the really, really, really great one's. My family loved these. And, yes! Carrots. Carrot fries. Lot's and lots of carrots. I used about 6-7 large carrots and chopped them into french fry type pieces. Put them in a bowl and add in 1 tsp olive oil, 1 tsp cornstarch and a Ranch Dressing packet. Shake and mix until all carrots are coated. Bake at 400 degree's on a sprayed or parchment paper lined cookie sheet. Bake for 25-30 minutes. YUM!

And, we ate the carrot fries cold, along side our spring salad and slice of focaccia the next day. Carrots...still tasted great.

Now that we have had our fill of food, let's take a little walk in the yard and enjoy all the beauty of spring.

Glad to get my wind chimes hung for the season. Oh, and loved getting the humingbird feeders ready and cannot count how many times I am refilling bird feeders. All great fun and such beautiful birds fill our yard. Wish you could smell the fragrance of all these blossoms.

We gutted out our flower boxes in our backyard and have begun to refill them with wonderful perennial greenery and blooms. Wow do they ever smell so good.

I do love hostas and the baby blue forget-me nots! I love blue flowers.

So petite and so sweet.

The tree's off the front porch are all "popcorned" out! You can hear the bee's a buzzing, doing their work. And, you can spot a golden oriole or two, ever so often.

Love sitting on my front porch.

Preparing a new rose bed for new roses....we have a few Blue Girl Tea Roses, a few Sunny Delight (yellow) Tea Roses and a few Arizona Roses....which are yellow, orange, cream and pink.

And, we are revamping an area for raspberries and grapes. Much to do.

Ooh..heavenly!

Meadow view on a rainy day. Trying to be thankful for the bounteous rain we have had this spring. It has been more rain than I have ever seen in a single spring season. Loving all the greenery.

How are things cooking and whats blooming/growing in your yard? We are still waiting for our garden spot to dry out enough to rototill and plant. My seedlings are bursting at the seams to get out in the garden. Yipes. xo

Twas A Lovely Weekend!

The weekend started like this......brrrrrrrr!

My passenger window in the car! Cold, but somewhat beautiful! We headed to our high school where our boys percussion trio qualified (last February) for State Solo and Ensemble Competition. Here the boys are listening to the judge who said he was... "totally blown away and did not know what to say". Yep, a proud moment for us parents. The boys took "blue" and best trio in our region of State competition. They now have been asked to record their drumming piece to be sent for an overall State-wide competition. Very exciting!

Then, our friends came for a visit. Divine! I cannot say enough about this family. They are the dearest of friends. We met at our favorite Chinese Restaurant, as they pulled into town from Indiana.

Look at this little beauty! She is a marvel and makes being 6 magical. Never a dull moment. Loving her snuggie! I think that is what it is called.

And, man oh man! The piano got a good workout. Reminded me of when Jenna would play and play and play, when she lived at home. He is quite good and just made me smile hearing him play.

My hubby was heading to the garage to cut basement ceiling tiles. But, stopped to play a few games before heading to the workshop.

A few hours later....ha! Still playing and having a blast! Work can wait! Time to play and enjoy being together.

Loved cooking bigger meals for us all. I loved the Fajitas on Saturday. My friend, Suzy, tipped me off to a fast and easy way to make Fajitas. Bought baked chickens from the store, shredded the meat into my big pan, and added a McCormick Chicken Fajita Seasoning packet. Easy-pie!

It was good to sit down and eat together. Even made some jello which I have most likely not made in a few years. Made for fun. No picture, but, it was delightful to sit and have a nice crowd for an after church Sunday meal. We ate lasagna. Hit the spot. So fun to eat and visit.

Love this family. Aren't they fantastic? Hated to see them go, but, they will be back in May. What a treat. Made saying good-bye not so sad this time round. And, if you ever need a true-blue friend, Kareena is it! Not only did she visit, stay with us and bright up our weekend, she took time to go to her old neighborhood and visit, care for, help and listen to her neighbor who was in a terrible accident this past Thanksgiving and is still in recovery mode. Talk about bringing joy and happiness and a little boost to a friend in need. She did not go just once, or twice, but three times to support and cheer this friend. Now, that is amazing and just how Kareena is!

So, see ya in May. And, thanks for such a great visit. It was a lovely weekend!

What did all of you like best about your weekend? Do tell!

p.s. Genevieve...missed you this weekend. Let's look forward to a time we can all get together. Would love it!

Lovely February!

There is just something magical about icicles. And, the cold really makes me want to eat yummy soup and garlic bread. So delicious and done in a snap.....I just added some cooked hamburger, and fresh chopped potatoes, carrots and onions, to my cooking pot. Then, I added a little salt and pepper and a can of beef broth and water to cover everything. Cook until veg's are done. If you care to thicken your soup, just take a cup of your hot beef broth out of your pot. Add a tablespoon or two of flour to the hot broth. Mix well and add back into your soup pot and stir. That should do it!

I have loved going for winter walks. Here's a picture as I head back into our driveway and towards our garage. Our house actually sits on the hill to the left. I just love the blue, blue, blue sky! And, we have had another snowstorm since I took this picture, so, add in another 4 or so inches of white fluff.

BINGO! I saw these little neon delights in our market and knew they belonged to me...ha! They have added a very bright touch to our home. Makes me think about looking through seed catalog's and dreaming of all that I would like to grow in our garden and in the flower beds in our yard. But, truthfully, for the moment, I am enjoying the quiet hush of "all things growing" as the earth rests under our blanket of snow.

Loving my new Valentine dish towels. I kept thinking I would cut them up and make sweet hot pads. Then, I thought about making them into aprons. Finally, I decided to just let them be....at least for now. They are just so beautiful. And, I made some oatmeal, dark chocolate chip, dried cranberry cookies this morning. Just followed the recipe off the oatmeal container. This recipe has never failed me. Give it a try for a quick and delicious little cookie. Makes a good breakfast cookie, as well.

And, what would February be with out some Sweethearts! These little candies have a significant meaning in my family. When I was 5 years old, my mom and dad brought home my brand new baby sister, Kelli. She came home on Valentines Day. My mom gave me and my other sister's Sweetheart candies....a little box for each of us. Every Valentines Day since, my mom and dad have given or sent Sweethearts....Conversation Hearts, to my sister's and our families. This is such a highlight each and every February.

Came across some little Valentines. I do love Valentines...homemade or store bought.
They are so cheerful and make me smile.

Hope you are enjoying this "lovely" month of February. Just heard on the radio that today and tonight will be good for cuddling.....we will reach a high of 15 this afternoon and a low of 1 tonight.

That's my kind of weather. xo

Start With Onions!!

Onions cooking on the stove....a prelude to something delicious! This is one small onion in about 2 tablespoons of olive oil.

Soon as the onions get that nice translucent look, add in about 16 ounces of fresh mushrooms, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. And, as you wait for the mushrooms to slowly cook and become a little brown....
...it might be time for a little pre-dinner "pick-me-up"! I do love fruit. Ever wonder why fruit tastes so much better and near festive when eaten out of a wonderful dish or glass? Love it!

Let onions and mushrooms cool. And while they are cooling, chop very finely, 3/4 cup walnuts and 1/2 cup parsley.

In a food processor or blender, blend one regular can of kidney beans with the parsley and walnuts. Then, add in the mushrooms and onions.
Honestly, my blender could not handle this...the thickness. So, a food processor would be best. But, truth be told, i do not have a food processor and so I resorted to my trusty hand held electric beaters. What's a girl to do? And, it did work out aok.

Sort of looks like the beginnings of meatloaf? Maybe? But, with beans. Well, it is NOT meatloaf.

Add in 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese and 1/2 cup whole wheat bread crumbs.

Well, here is what I made...a first for me...meatless meatballs. After mixing the above ingredients, put it into the fridge for about an hour. Roll into small balls and broil for 10 minutes, rotating balls once. They turned out nice and crusty on the outside and softer on the inside. Just right.

I looked back at the recipe to see if their was a sauce or how to serve, but, did not find anything.
Maybe over rice? Hubby and son loved these. I think kids might gobble these up if dipped in ketchup? We did try ketchup and it was good.

And, it was what was for school and work lunches the next day.

A few tips...I think this would make a wonderful spread on tortilla's, or on a sturdy whole wheat cracker. Just mix the ingredients and spread.

Have a great Friday. Maybe give this new recipe a try this weekend. It was fun to make and fun to eat! What's cooking at your house this weekend? xo

Lasagna Skillet

I know I commented a 'thank you' to everyone who commented on my last post but I wanted to be sure you were recognized. That is what I meant by good friends! Thank you one and all for the encouragement and upliftment. I hope I give you the same in return.

Perhaps a delicious meal will better convey my gratitude over written sentiments..!

Lasagna Skillet!

Mmmm?!

a delicious blend of noodles, meat, tomatoes, Italian spices and Parmesan cheese

We've posted previously on how much we detest Hamburger Helper (tastes like cardboard. Sorry Betty C.) and the inventive homemade hamburger helper using water, milk, noodles and spices. This is an advanced recipe of the same kind only TEN TIMES more delicious!! It's a new staple at my home. Trust me, it tastes like lasagna only you put in a fraction of the work. Et voila:

Ahh mm-hmm!

1 pound ground beef (I usually use a half pound b/c it overwhelms the dish and I like to use the other half pound for another meal)
1 small onion, chopped
1 clove minced garlic
1 1/2 cups diced tomatoes, undrained
1 1/4 cups water
1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
1 teaspoon dried basil leaves
1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups bow tie pasta, uncooked
1 cup cottage cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Dash basil, pepper

In large skillet, brown beef with onions and garlic; drain. Add tomatoes, water, tomato sauce, parsley, basil, oregano, and salt. Mix well. Stir in uncooked pasta. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat; cover, simmer for 20 minutes or until pasta is tender, stirring once. Stir in cottage cheese. Cover with and Parmesan cheese, and sprinkle in basil and pepper to taste if desired. Cover and cook for 5 minutes.

Pair this with our breadstick recipe here and add a crisp green salad. Yum!

Bon Appetit!

(recipe source and 1st photo from FabulesslyFrugal (dot) com. A good coupon site for you west coast couponers!)