Spaghetti and Italian Meatballs

Spaghetti and Italian Meatballs

4 servings

1/2 pound ground beef
1 egg
3 tablespoons bread crumbs
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon oregano

1/4 teaspoon basil

1/4 teaspoon marjoram

1/4 teaspoon thyme

1/4 teaspoon dried onion

1/4 teaspoon parsley

1/8 teaspoon sage

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 jar (14 ounces) spaghetti sauce
hot cooked spaghetti
additional parmesan cheese

Combine ground beef, egg, bread crumbs, parmesan cheese and spices; mix well. Shape into 2 in. meatballs; brown in a skillet over medium heat. Drain. Stir in spaghetti sauce. Simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes or until meatballs are done. Serve over spaghetti; sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Enjoy!

Blueberry Banana Bread

Blueberry Banana Bread
8 mini loaves

1/2 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 ripe bananas, mashed
1 cup fresh blueberries

Cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture, beating just until combined. Stir in bananas. Fold in blueberries. Pour into greased mini loaf pan. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. Enjoy!

It's so dark outside this afternoon and we might have rain for the first time in weeks...I just had to bake something! :-)

Summer Veggie Salad

Summer Veggie Salad

8 servings

1 carrot, thinly sliced
1 cup fresh green beans, cut into 2-inch pieces
1 cup fresh sugar snap peas
1 zucchini, thinly sliced
1 yellow squash, thinly sliced
1 green onion, thinly sliced
1 sweet red pepper, diced
for dressing -
6 tablespoons olive oil
4 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1/8 teaspoon garlic
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper

In a large saucepan, bring 4 in. of water to a boil. Add carrots, beans, peas, zucchini and squash; cook for 4 minutes. Drain and rinse in cold water. Place in a bowl; add onions and red pepper. Combine oil, lemon juice, vinegar, parsley, sugar, garlic, salt and pepper; mix well. Pour over vegetable mixture and toss to coat. Enjoy!

I didn't get to this recipe last week so I made it for lunch today and served it with a little pasta. Very tasty and so good for you!

Linked to Gooseberry Patch Recipe Roundup.

~ for today ~
Monday July 13, 2008

Outside my window...it's raining!

I am thinking...about how much we need rain.

I am thankful for...the rain. :-)

From the kitchen...heritage schoolhouse supper menus.

I am creating...a knitted poncho.

I am going...to run some errands soon.

I am wearing...a pink t-shirt, black capris, and black flip flops.

I am reading...homeschool curriculum catalogs.
I am hoping...to make some curriculum decisions soon.

I am hearing...the dishwasher and my husband's ham radio.

Around the house...I'm doing laundry and paperwork.

One of my favorite things...Bath and Body Works honeysuckle lotion.
A few plans for the rest of the week...cousins spending the night, planning next year's homeschool, maybe some thrift shopping?

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...daisies on the back window.

Please visit The Simple Woman to read more daybooks.

Have a Happy Monday!

"Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you."

~Nathaniel Hawthorne

"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have."

~Frederick Keonig

illustration courtesy of www.allposters.com

"Botanical Butterflies" by Katie Pertiet

A Month Of Proverbs

Proverbs Chapter 14

1 The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.
2 He whose walk is upright fears the LORD, but he whose ways are devious despises him.
3 A fool's talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.
4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest.
5 A truthful witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies.
6 The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.
7 Stay away from a foolish man, for you will not find knowledge on his lips.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.
9 Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright.
10 Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy.
11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.
12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
13 Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in grief.
14 The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good man rewarded for his.
15 A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.
16 A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless.
17 A quick-tempered man does foolish things, and a crafty man is hated.
18 The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 Evil men will bow down in the presence of the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20 The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends.
21 He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy.
22 Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness.
23 All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
24 The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields folly.
25 A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful.
26 He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.
27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.
28 A large population is a king's glory, but without subjects a prince is ruined.
29 A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.
30 A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
31 He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous have a refuge.
33 Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools she lets herself be known.
34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
35 A king delights in a wise servant, but a shameful servant incurs his wrath.