Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Sunday dinner part one

I love an early Sunday afternoon dinner. I wish my kids lived closer so that this would be a tradition. Maybe someday. I had a few good friends over on Sunday and I want to share my joy of cooking. I love to cook for company. I always cook for an army. I still have not learned to cook for just my husband and myself. There are always leftovers. I am not a big leftover fan.

I will show you how I make spaghetti sauce and meatballs. I am not an exact measurer so you may have to wing these recipes a little if you try them. I have been cooking these dishes for so long that it just comes naturally.

These are the basic spices you will need for both recipes. Garlic powder, garlic salt, onion powder, onion salt, minced garlic, parsley, mint, salt, pepper, sugar,grated cheese, bread crumbs and oregano.


I start by browning fresh garlic in olive oil. It doesn't have to be too fine because I will be putting it in the blender
Don't let it get too brown. just a nice light brown. You don't need a lot of olive oil. You will be adding the whole mixture to your blender.


I then start to open my cans of tomato's. It is very important to use Italian style tomato's. It does not matter the variation. You can use crushed or whatever kind you want. I happen to use Italian style peeled tomato's then blend them in the blender. I usually make a big batch of sauce and freeze some. I use at least 10 cans of tomato's and 2 or 3 of the bigger cans of tomato paste. You do not need to blend the paste.


I use Italian peeled tomato's and blend them up in the blender so they are not chunky.


I set aside about a half a cup of tomato's so that I can blend it in with the garlic and olive oil that I have been cooking. You have to let it cool for a bit when your garlic is done. I put the big pot on the stove with all of my blended cans of tomato's to get it to boil. Make sure your pot is big enough for the meatballs you will be adding. I add seasoning at this time too. Salt, pepper, garlic powder, garlic salt, onion powder, onion salt and oregano. Add a teaspoon of sugar to cut the acid in the tomato's. If you are making a big pot like I do, I would say a teaspoon of each of the seasoning to start. I add more as I am cooking. Once it starts to boil, I add the tomato paste. Add a can of water for each can of paste you add.

I start to heat my electric fry pan (always remember, hot pan - cold oil) always let your pans heat before adding oil.

I get my mixer ready to make my meatballs. I use about 3 pounds or a little more of ground beef. Add 1 egg per pound of beef you will be using. I will sometimes make even more beef and freeze containers of just meatballs to make meatball sliders or meatball calzones. My whole family loves when I make meatballs because I feed them meatballs for breakfast right out of the pan after I have fried them. If you have a kitchen aid mixer they are great for mixing your meatballs.

I use the flat beater bar to mix them.

Add beef and the eggs. Add minced garlic (be generous), salt (I would add 2 teaspoons), pepper, parsley, garlic powder, garlic salt, onion powder, onion salt, grated cheese, oregano and a pinch of mint. I would say a teaspoon of each but more minced garlic than a teaspoon. Once it is pretty well mixed, start adding bread crumbs gradually. You want a good consistency. You need to be able to roll them out without them sticking to your hands. I also add maybe a quarter of a cup of warm water so that the meatballs stay moist. Once you have all of your meatballs rolled, start to fry them. Be generous with the olive oil. It needs to come up over the sides of your meatballs. Make sure you turn your meatballs so that they have a nice crisp coating on them. Do not try to cheat by "baking" or cooking your meatballs in the sauce. It will not taste the same.



While your meatballs are cooking, blend the garlic and olive oil mixture and add it to your sauce.
Once your sauce is boiling put the flame on low. Add your meatballs when they are done. Let your sauce cook for 5 or 6 hours. Stir occasionally and taste it. See if you need to add more seasoning.
It may seem like a lot of work but you get so many meals out of it. You cannot compare a jarred sauce to your own home made. It really isn't that hard.


Try it! I am sure you will get rave reviews!

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Implant day

Today is the day of my implant. I know what you are thinking.  No, not those kind of an implants. I am talking a Dental implant and a bone graft. I am so nervous. I am not usually a big baby but hey its my front tooth!

And be honest how would you like this done to you? I wish I didn't google this picture because I am starting to sweat.

I banged my tooth as a kid when I had braces and the nerve died. I have done many things over the years to this tooth to try and fix it. I had to have a root canal because the nerve died. In the beginning all they had to do was drill a hole in the back and bleach it. It was a hollow tooth so I had to be careful.
Next came bonding. Let me just say UGH! I think they made it so it stuck out a mile. I looked like Bugs Bunny! When I didn't like the look of that, I got a post and crown. I have never liked the crown. The color has always been off. For the post they just shaved down my tooth. When I went to the dentist, She told me the post was fractured and my last option is an implant if I don't want a bridge. For the bridge I would have to shave down two perfectly healthy teeth, not happening, so implant it is.

I had to go pick up my flipper yesterday and some medication to get me through this appointment. I
have to take 3 lorazapams an hour and a half before my appointment so that I will be more relaxed and cooperative. I am getting anxiety just thinking about it so I hope this works.  My husband has to drive me there so I can only imagine how relaxed and cooperative I will be. I just hope I will be able to sit up in the chair.

Every time I go to the Dentist, which has been a LOT since December getting prepared for this procedure, she always seems to bring up other things like "fixing one of my crowns" or  "oh this is a potential problem". Yesterday she started talking about the crown again and I looked her dead in the eye and said "I don't want to hear another word about anything, let me get this done then we will talk".
I think she was stunned but I didn't hear another word. I also told her I was going to make a Christmas ornament out of my ridiculously priced flipper. It will be the most expensive ornament on my tree. She thinks I am a comedian. I am dead serious.

The thought of doing this crossed my mind because I am just so sick of the dentist


However, I don't think I am ready to soak my teeth at night.
I also want to add that I never even had a cavity in my mouth until I had kids. I am blaming my kids for all of my dental woes. I will not admit that it may have something to do with my sea hag status.

Hopefully I will be able to work on the post I really wanted to work on today when I get home. I just cant concentrate on anything right now. Writing it under the influence may be more fun anyway. Wish me luck! I am scared!

Saturday, February 25, 2012

On the mend

Today is the first day I have felt half decent since Tuesday. I am so behind! I have to shop ( I hate the grocery store on a Saturday), clean and entertain tomorrow. I am making a big Italian meal that will take hours to prepare. I also need my nails done but I don't think there is enough time in this day. I am behind in my blog reading. My DVR on the other hand, is almost empty. That doesn't generally happen!

I want to thank my daughter over at http://armywife-style.com for fixing up my blog for me. She knows I am not technical and she did a great job! She is still working on it. Good thing because I would probably have left it as it was. Thank you Kritta!

Anybody want to come over and help me today?

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Its ok Thursday 2/23

Its Ok Thursdays

I am linking up again with with Neely: A Complete Waste of Makeup and Amber: Brunch With Amber Click the button above to visit and link up too!


"Its ok"


-To not have a post ready because I have been sick on the couch since Tuesday

-To start to feel better then start having eye issues, meaning another day on the couch

-To be drinking sludge for coffee because you haven't made it to the grocery store for your Dunkin Donuts coffee

-To wonder why you haven't heard from any of your kids since
Monday (hint hint)

-To watch so many lifetime movies in the past few days that you think you could write them.


 
-To think I jinxed myself by saying I have not had a pajama day. I have now pretty much have had a pajama week.

-To have my husband ask me if I want to go out with the "kids" from work this past Saturday. The "kids" are all early to late twenties, since when did he stop considering me as one of the "kids"?

-To be ok that my husband now considers me an old sea hag apparently.

-To proceed to drink way too many cosmos when you go out with the "kids".

-To blame my husband because he considers me an old sea hag

-To be done with this post because I am talking too much about being old and I must be delirious or something. Time to get back on the couch!

Have a great Thursday and have happy hour for me! I miss it!




Monday, February 20, 2012

Purchases / reviews for the past week 2/19

I did a lot of shopping this past week. I was out pretty much every day. I keep telling myself to stop buying winter things and only buy spring, but I like the prices on winter things right now. I figure I wont have to buy things at the beginning of the season next year.

I got this at Zara for $14.99. It is so warm!

I got this ESPRIT sweater at bobs for $7.00. How do you pass that up?



A couple of sparkly things because I love my junkie jewels.


There are some great sales out there. I may do some more shopping this week. I usually hate going through sales racks, but if it is my mission to only shop sales, I usually don't mind. I don't like to shop in stores that are a mess either. It must be the whole OCD thing.

I went to the beauty supply for nail polish. I ended up with these three products.

This is a TIGI conditioner. I have used it before. I love it. It makes your hair very soft. I am dealing with winter hair dryness right now and this really helps. I have been putting my hair up in a ponytail and sleeping with this on the ends. A few days a week I will use it as a deep conditioner.

This is a leave in conditioner. I have used Schwarzkopf Q10 products before, but not this one. So far I really like it. Like I said, I am battling dryness right now and it is definitely helping. See how it says Time Restore? I wonder if I spray it on my whole body if it will make me look 21 again.


This is more of a reconstructer. It is supposed to reverse years of damage. We will see. I will let you know on this one, it is the first time I bought this.


I was at the mall and of course could not resist the makeup counter. I did want a new lipstick (like I really need another one). I always go to the Chanel counter to check out the new nail colors. OPI and Chanel are my favorite nail polishes. They last the longest and have the best colors.



I ended up with Hydrating Sheer Lip shine in color #52 Fetiche. Love it! I can use it like a gloss or fill in lips with a lip liner to make it a deeper color. It is very moisturizing. The color is beautiful. I have gotten so many complements on it already.



  Soap and Glory makes this gloss. I bought it once at Target and couldn't find it again. While I was in Sephora the other day I found it. I was very excited. It is that tingly kind of gloss and lasts a long time. I don't know what I like better, the actual product or the name. Sexy mother pucker.



I have had myself and my husband on a diet since November. I am missing my night time snack. I found this at the grocery store.

I found this. Zero fat and 110 calories. You make them with yogurt. No eggs or oil involved. I have to say i was skeptical, but they are pretty good!


Last but not least, if you read my blog you know I love plants. Every winter I lose at least one good plant. I lost one of my orchids last week. I had to replace it.





So that is pretty much a recap of my finds this past week. I did not even have one pajama day last week. I am hoping this week will be the same. There are some great sales out there. Get shopping!

Friday, February 17, 2012

The Nail Files 2/17

I am linking up with Tara and Vicki for the Nail Files


The Nail Files


Join the fun!


Today's color is from the new OPI Holland collection. It is called "I have a herring problem"
It is a grayish bluish color. It looks different in the light. I took a few pictures of it so you can see the difference.





I am really liking this color. It is totally different for me.

Happy polishing!

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Its ok Thursday 2-16


Its Ok Thursdays

Yeah it's Thursday!
 Of course that means I'm linking up again with with Neely: A Complete Waste of Makeup and Amber: Brunch With Amber Click the button above to visit and link up too! Thanks Neely and Amber for making Thursdays as good as Fridays. I enjoy reading what everyone posts as much as I enjoy posting myself!

"Its ok"

- To still fall for my daughters prank call just about every Monday at work. She gets me for at least a few seconds EVERY time.

-To hit the firewood rack my husband placed at the top of my garage bay just about every day.


-To be wistful that my passport is just sitting in the drawer. There are so many things to do and see.



-To still be your sons Valentine.


He made this for me at work.

-To turn to my husband every time Chris Harrison from The Bachelor says "If you know a bachelor in your area" and I say, "Do you want me to sign you up?" You can only do this if you are joking of course.



 -To be in a dead sleep and get woken up by the men on the show Gold Rush talking about "the glory hole". I told my husband the next time it happens, I am going to clock him.



-To have quite the holiday sock collection


-To have a drawer full of hair accessories and keep adding to it even though you rarely wear them.


-To forget where you parked even if its only been a few minutes



-To love to "cave" it by closing all of the drapes in your family room so you can nap and watch tv
(my husband always asks me if I am trying to grow mold)



-To want to take home that cute, polite little old man with the oxygen tank at the grocery store.


-To stay in bed even though the husband is snoring like a buzz saw because you just had a bad dream that a demon bit you and you are to afraid to go downstairs and sleep on the couch.

-To be excited your daughter and favorite grand baby may be moving in for six months to a year while her husband deploys

-To not be excited that her dogs will have to move in too.



-To be excited when your husband has an evening work function so that you can eat whatever and whenever you want for dinner.

-To have your own opinion and views and to respect others opinions and views.

-To still love Forever 21 for junkie jewelry even if you are far from 21.


-To be thankful that your husband still thinks of you on Valentine's day with beautiful flowers, but hope that doesn't mean you will not be seeing the UPS man soon with the DVF you have been pining for.




-To not have had a pajama day in almost two weeks.


-To wish my daughter didn't wear what I consider a shirt, as a dress

My daughter is on the right. She probably considers this a maxi dress


-To secretly want your own reality show.




Happy Thursday all!