*Recipe: Easy (and Delicious) Meatball Sandwiches

Tonight I wanted to try out these "All Natural Gourmet Chicken Meatballs" I purchased at Costco. I was craving a meatball sandwich, and I decided to go easy and use all store bought ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 10 meatballs (www.colemannatural.com) - warmed in oven for 10 minutes
• 2 french rolls
• two slices of provolone cheese
• Enrico's All Natural Garlic Marinara (www.enricos.com)

After warming the meatballs I added to the marinara sauce warming on the stove top.
I sliced each roll 2/3 of the way open and added 5 meatballs to each sandwich, added the cheese and put back in the oven for 10 more minutes. After taking out of the oven I cut each sandwich in half and served with organic carrots on the side. Yummy! This was a great easy meal for a hungry family.

*Recipe: Baked Potato Soup

Best Soup. "This recipe was originally for our Lighten Up column. Most everyone was happy with it the first time we tried it, but I knew the soup could be better. The soup originally used fat-free sour cream, which I felt gave it a too-tart taste. After tweaking a few ingredients, the recipe now calls for reduced-fat sour cream, and we all are much happier with the results." --Recipe by Ann Taylor Pittman (October 2002)

Yield 8 servings (serving size: about 1 1/2 cups soup, 1 1/2 teaspoons cheese, 1 1/2 teaspoons onions, and about 1 tablespoon bacon)

Ingredients

• 4 baking potatoes (about 2 1/2 pounds)
• 2/3 cup all-purpose flour (about 3 ounces)
• 6 cups 2% reduced-fat milk
• 1 cup (4 ounces) reduced-fat shredded extrasharp cheddar cheese, divided
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup reduced-fat sour cream
• 3/4 cup chopped green onions, divided
• 6 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled
• Cracked black pepper (optional)

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400°.

Pierce potatoes with a fork; bake at 400° for 1 hour or until tender. Cool. Peel potatoes; coarsely mash.

Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Place flour in a large Dutch oven; gradually add milk, stirring with a whisk until blended. Cook over medium heat until thick and bubbly (about 8 minutes). Add mashed potatoes, 3/4 cup cheese, salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, stirring until cheese melts. Remove from heat.

Stir in sour cream and 1/2 cup onions. Cook over low heat 10 minutes or until thoroughly heated (do not boil). Ladle 1 1/2 cups soup into each of 8 bowls. Sprinkle each serving with 1 1/2 teaspoons cheese, 1 1/2 teaspoons onions, and about 1 tablespoon bacon. Garnish with cracked pepper, if desired.

Nutritional Information

Calories:

329 (30% from fat)

Fat:

10.8g (sat 5.9g,mono 3.5g,poly 0.7g)

Protein:

13.6g

Carbohydrate:

44.5g

Fiber:

2.8g

Cholesterol:

38mg

Iron:

1.1mg

Sodium:

587mg

Calcium:

407mg

Ann Taylor Pittman, Cooking Light, SEPTEMBER 2007

Proverbs 12:4

Proverbs 12:4 (New King James Version)

4 An excellent^[a] wife is the crown of her husband,
But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.

Proverbs 12:4 (New International Version)

4 A wife of noble character is her husband's crown,
but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.

Did you happen to watch Miss America last night? Miss Indiana won and she was very deserving! She was one of my top picks from the beginning. In my younger days, I competed in beauty pageants. You might think oh boy, you were one of those girls?! To me, competing in pageants was more about the preparation of competing in the pageant and not so much about the actual pageant. Competing in pageants meant setting goals for myself, working hard to get good grades in school, staying active in school, church and my community and being a role model to younger children and my peers. It was a lot of hard work and I enjoyed every minute of it. I had even made a banner and crown out of paper and used to pretend that I was the queen. The first beauty pageant I won was when I was 15 years old. I won the title of Miss California American Teen 1996. I had competed in this pageant four years before winning the state title. It had been a lot of work and there had been tears in those years that I did not go home the winner. But what I learned is that it would not have meant as much to me to win if I had not lost those three years prior. Now that I am a wife and mother, I still like to watch Miss America. I still imagine myself on that stage. I love the glamour and sparkle. This will never change. This is who God created me to be. Now though, my priorities have changed. My goal is not to have the crown on my head, but to be my husband's crown. I just love the verse Proverbs 12:4. I like to think that each meal I make, every bed that is made, every shirt that is folded, every kiss goodnight are all a little bit of sparkles in my husband's crown. I may never love laundry, but I will always love my husband and son and the things that I do for them are out of love:)

Bialetti Hot Chocolate Pot

Today I received my Bialetti Hot Chocolate Pot that I ordered from Williams Sonoma. I just can't wait to give it a try. I would love to be able to give my family and guests the best hot chocolate they have ever had when they come to visit us. I will have to let you know how it turns out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbyxZP8jc8c

Note: I used this for the first time this morning (Sunday 01/25/09) and it was the easiest piece of equipment to use and it was the BEST cup of hot chocolate I have ever made. It was worth every cent!!

New Home Ideas...

So we are in the process of looking for and buying our "First Home". We have been looking forward to this day since we got married. Renting has been fine, but I have never really quite felt like I was "Home" in the two homes we have rented since getting married 6 years and 10 1/2 months ago. I really haven't cared about decorating or having nice furniture because we weren't living in our own place yet. Now that that day is getting closer I am loving getting ideas and looking at pictures of beautifully decorated rooms. I like the Traditional European and Modern Cottage feel rooms. Here are a few pictures of some of my favorites....for now. *smile

*Recipe: Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Cookies

Being a mom to a one year old has proved to be much more work than being a mom to a newborn. Earlier this year, I had lovely dreams of making all kind of yummy treats this past Christmas for my friends and family. It ended up that I made a batch of See's Fudge and Magic Cookie Bars on Christmas Eve to take a family gathering on Christmas day. I didn't get to use those cute little packages that would be filled with treats from the Carney home this year. If I had, this cookie would have been included. Hope you enjoy!

Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Cookies

• 1 bag (11.5 oz) Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Chips (or 3 bars of 60% Cacao Bittersweet Baking Bar)
• 6 Tbsp. (3/4 stick) unsalted butter
• 3 Eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flower
• ½ tsp. baking powder
• 1 bag (12 oz.) Ghirardelli Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (or 3 bars of Semi-Sweet Chocolate Baking Bar)
• 1 cup (4 oz.) chopped walnuts

In double boiler, melt bittersweet chips and butter. In large bowl, beat eggs and sugar until thick; stir in chocolate mixture. In small bowl, stir together flower and baking powder; stir into chocolate mixture. Gently mix in semi-sweet chips and walnuts. On a sheet of plastic wrap, form dough into 2 logs, 2” in diameter and 8” long. Wrap tightly; refrigerate at least 1 hour or until firm. (Dough can also be frozen; thaw in refrigerator before proceeding with recipe.) Heat over to 375 degrees F. Unwrap dough, cut into ¾” slices. Place slices on greased or parchment-lined cookie sheet. Bake 12-14 minutes or until shiny crust forms on top but interior is still soft. Cook on baking sheet; store in airtight tin up to 1 week.

Her Excellence as a Person

30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,
But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
God-fearing
31 Give her the product of her hands,
And let her works praise her in the gates.
honored

Her Effectiveness as a Mother

27 She looks well to the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
manages her home
28 Her children rise up and bless her;
Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:
praiseworthy
29 "Many daughters have done nobly,
But you excel them all."
distinguished

Her Influence as a Teacher

25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,
And she smiles at the future.
poised
26 She opens her mouth in wisdom,
And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
wise

Her Devotion as a Homemaker

21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household,
For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
provident
22 She makes coverings for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
elegant
23 Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.
influential
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies belts to the tradesmen.
industrious

Her Generosity as a Neighbor

20 She extends her hand to the poor,
And she stretches out her hands to the needy.
compassionate, generous

Her Devotion as a Homemaker

13 She looks for wool and flax
And works with her hands in delight.
works joyfully
14 She is like merchant ships;
She brings her food from afar.
goes extra mile to get choicest goods
15 She rises also while it is still night
And gives food to her household
And portions to her maidens.
disciplined
16 She considers a field and buys it;
From her earnings she plants a vineyard.
enterprising, prudent with money
17 She girds herself with strength
And makes her arms strong.
energetic
18 She senses that her gain is good;
Her lamp does not go out at night.
good steward
19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hands grasp the spindle.
diligent

Her Character as a Wife

10 An excellent wife, who can find?
For her worth is far above jewels.
rare, precious
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
And he will have no lack of gain.
trustworthy
12 She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
kind

http://www.proverbs31woman.com/

*Recipe: Linguine with Shrimp Scampi

I was inspired by my husband's cousin's wife Kelli (got that?) to try a new recipe a week. I will post my favorites as they come. For now, here is an oldie but goodie in our family.

Verse 15 "She rises also while it is still night and gives food to her household and portions to her maidens."


Linguine with Shrimp Scampi

Ingredients

* Vegetable oil
* 1 tablespoon kosher salt plus 1 1/2 teaspoons
* 3/4 pound linguine
* 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
* 2 1/2 tablespoons good olive oil
* 1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic (4 cloves)
* 1 pound large shrimp (about 16 shrimp), peeled and deveined
* 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
* 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
* 1/2 lemon, zest grated
* 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
* 1/4 lemon, thinly sliced in half-rounds
* 1/8 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes

Directions

Drizzle some oil in a large pot of boiling salted water, add 1 tablespoon of salt and the linguine, and cook for 7 to 10 minutes, or according to the directions on the package.

Meanwhile, in another large (12-inch), heavy-bottomed pan, melt the butter and olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the garlic. Saute for 1 minute. Be careful, the garlic burns easily! Add the shrimp, 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt, and the pepper and saute until the shrimp have just turned pink, about 5 minutes, stirring often. Remove from the heat, add the parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, lemon slices, and red pepper flakes. Toss to combine.

When the pasta is done, drain the cooked linguine and then put it back in the pot. Immediately add the shrimp and sauce, toss well, and serve.

Yield 3 servings (2 in our family)

Cost of meal (Trader Joe's):
26-30 Jumbo Shrimp: $8.49
Organic Parsley: $1.69
Bag of 4 Lemons: $1.49
Whole Wheat Organic Linguine: $1.29
Unsalted Butter: $2.79
2 Large Garlic Cloves: $1.69
(I had salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, oil, & olive oil)
Total: $17.44

I will be able to make the meal one more time when I buy another bag of Linguine. That is two meals for two at $9.37 each.

Who is the Proverbs 31 Woman?

The Virtuous Wife
10 Who[b] can find a virtuous[c] wife?
For her worth is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
So he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax,
And willingly works with her hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
She brings her food from afar.
15 She also rises while it is yet night,
And provides food for her household,
And a portion for her maidservants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
From her profits she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds herself with strength,
And strengthens her arms.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is good,
And her lamp does not go out by night.
19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hand holds the spindle.
20 She extends her hand to the poor,
Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
For all her household is clothed with scarlet.
22 She makes tapestry for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies sashes for the merchants.
25 Strength and honor are her clothing;
She shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She watches over the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “ Many daughters have done well,
But you excel them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates.