Monday, April 06, 2009

Home Work

Last week I made a pact not to get on the computer after Curt got home from work and it was really great. I went to bed much earlier every night. I took a break from that rule over the weekend but I think I'll pick it back up this week. It was good for us. Technically, I shouldn't be on here right now but Curt is out for a run.

The laundry dragon has been dying a slow death today. It's about to take its dying breath since my last load is currently in the dryer. I've lost count of how many I've done so far. The last load can make or break me. Instead of finishing strong, this is when I tend to give up and let that last one sit in there for several days. That's never good.

I made spaghetti and meatballs for dinner. When I told Jackson what I was cooking, he said, "Yeah! Spaghetti is my favorite!" That was fun to hear. I hate to brag, y'all, but it was dern good - even despite the fact that Curt managed to get dish soap in the spaghetti noodles.

I would feel like superwoman right now, having conquered my laundry problem and fixed a home run supper for the fam, but after I showered this afternoon I never bothered to dry my hair or put on makeup, much less a real outfit. I look homeless. And I skipped my step class tonight so I could cook. And eat lots of garlic bread. You just can't do it all.

Tomorrow while Jackson is at school, Annabeth and I are going shopping for her Easter dress. I cannot wait.


Moore Family Spaghetti and Meatballs

Sauce:
1 large onion, chopped
1 can sliced mushrooms, drained
2 cloves of garlic

Fry in 1/8 cup olive oil and brown (on medium low heat).
Add 2 small cans tomato paste, 7 cans water. Season with 1 Tbl. salt, 1 tsp. pepper, 2 tsp. sugar, 1 bay leaf, a pinch of thyme, a pinch of basil, and 1 Tbl. white vinegar. Cook on medium to low heat and stir often.

Now get your water boiling to cook the spaghetti.

Meatballs:
1 beaten egg
½ cup breadcrumbs
½ cup Parmesan cheese
Add a little water and mix with:
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 minced clove garlic
Dash of parsley
Season with salt and pepper and a dash of sugar.

Squish it all together with your hands and then form the meatballs. They should be about the size of donut holes. Drop in sauce, evenly distributing them throughout. Only stir very gently at this point or you will break up the meatballs.

Your water should be boiling by now, so add the spaghetti. By the time it's done, the meatballs should be cooked.

43 comments:

Lauren said...

Yay for you! You are doing great at home with two little ones.

By the way, I made spaghetti tonight, too, except I was already browning the meat by the time I realized I had no pasta sauce. So I improvised and used canned tomatoes and spices, and let me just say that it was NOT the same. My poor husband. And we have like 6 meals' worth of leftovers. Sheesh.

twinkle said...

and sweet little ruffled tights...

Have you made her first Easter basket?

Bobbie said...

Easter dresses are sooo much fun to shop for!! Is Bibby going too? Have a fun day--so glad to hear you slayed the laundry dragon and cooked some yummy spaghetti!

Now put your feet up and enjoy your evening.

Kelly said...

I feel like I look homeless most days. I'm trying to make a point of showering and putting on make-up and wearing normal clothes to feel better. It's not very convenient to walk around at home nursing every minute in a dress and heels but it sure makes me feel more like a human. :-)
Even if most days not a soul ever sees me. And the make-up makes me feel better about the extra 20 lbs I'm toting around. :-)

Keri said...

Ok, I was impressed with your ambition until I got to the recipe part and realized that is was NOT sauce out of a jar or frozen meatballs.

Both from scratch??? You are a rock star!

Kiki said...

Have fun shopping!

And no, you just can't do it all, the key is to feel good about what you did do. And forget the rest!

Holly said...

Mmmm, I love spaghetti and meatballs and garlic bread, too!!

I cannot wait to see the Easter dress on your princess.

Praying for you to have a wonderful time!!

Leslie said...

Shopping for girls is so much more fun than shopping for boys! (at least I think so!) If I hadn't already gotten my daughter's Easter dress, I would be getting her the adorable "Peaches & Cream" reversible dress. SO CUTE!!!

Angie @ Flibbertigibberish said...

Shopping for her Easter dress... I'm excited FOR you! So fun. And I can't wait to try that recipe. Where have I been that I didn't realize you could cook the meatballs IN the sauce? Doh!

Tara said...

Good for you! Laundry and a meal- You deserve an award! It seems like those two things never get done on the same day in my house!

And thank you for sharing your spaghetti recipe. From the looks of it, it does sound mighty good.

Sure love your family, even though we just "know" you via the internet. Have a great day shopping tomorrow! Can't wait to see the Easter dress!

Kelly @ Love Well said...

You just can't do it all.

That'll preach.

So many days, I fall into bed feeling triumphant that I cleaned the house and folded the laundry and made dinner and walked the dog. Then I remember that I didn't send that e-mail, I forgot to do my Bible study and I never did sit down and play Legos with my son.

I just can't do it ALL. I'm starting to think those commercials are lying to me.

creative gal said...

I love the spaghetti recipe! Can't wait to see the new Easter dress!!

Hillary @ The Other Mama said...

Love the recipe! We'll have to try it! And I have never been able to slay the laundry dragon. These people just keep putting on clothes OVER and OVER again.

Maggie said...

I can totally relate to the shower, but no make-up or hair done thing. That was me today and I didn't get that shower until this afternoon. This is life with little ones, but at least we're all in this together. :)

The recipe looks great; I'll have to give it a try.

Ashton said...

That recipe sounds delicious, I just copied it and will use it, thanks. Computers, cell phones, so connected but I think, so unconnected. What would it be like if for a week that a group made a pack to not use their cell phones unless it was business related and only used their land lines at home. Some don't have a land line and they use the cell for home and outside use. But had that thought one day.

Mindy said...

I need a girl to dress up. Andy claims that is what my dog is for, but it's just not the same.

JottinMama said...

I too have been known to let the last load of laundry stay in the dryer for days - glad I'm not the only one!

I'm gonna have to try that recipe - thanks girl!

Have a great week,
Kate :)

Kari said...

Wow - what a day of accomplishments... laundry, shower, cooking, and 2 kids which one eats quite regularly I am sure!!!

A Cup Bearer said...

I'm so proud of you! Especially about staying off the computer while your man is home. I will have been married 30 years next month, and that's one thing I've learned to be careful about. Even if he's just watching his shows on TV, I'm most of the time right there with him. For some reason those men just want us available. And, quite frankly, I've grown to love the Atlanta Braves and NCIS --and of course, the Weather Channel during each commercial break.

Keep loving that man of yours in such wonderful ways.

Megan said...

Good job on keeping the pact that you made. I have felt bad lately about the amount of time I spend on the comp in the evenings when I should be spending time with the hubby. I think I will follow your lead and make the same pact for this week!
Thanks for the recipe!

R said...

you can't do it all...you're absolutely right! and i hate that! :0) i want nothing more than TO DO it all!

Anonymous said...

Yum- I'm going to give it a shot. There are some REALLY cute things in her size at Gymboree....I'm just sayin! Fun to see you on Sunday- what a blessing you are to me- you keep me laughing and are a great cheerleader for my little ones. Love you friend! -Em

Suzi K said...

I'm always looking for new sauce recipes i'll have to try that this week, thanks!

Ok I have to tell you I just downloaded this program called read please so that I could "read" all my favorite blogs but still get things done around the house.
Your blog was the first one I tried and it made me crack up! Too funny, when it read the words y'all and dern! Ha!

Anyway, what a great mama you are getting all that laundry done and cooking a yummy meal!

Marilyn in Mississippi said...

Amanda,
Thank you so much for including the recipe! I have been looking for a good spaghetti sauce recipe. Although I used to make my own I have gotten into the habit...in my old age!....of just picking up a jar of sauce at the grocery store. But it's just NOT the same as homemade. I will try this soon. Maybe next week. We have already had spaghetti this week. :)

Marilyn

Missy said...

For someone who has a brand new baby, I am VERY impressed with your blogging skillz, sleeping all night or not!

Anonymous said...

Well said. And I am going to try your recipe...yum!
Amy

Sweet Pea Chef said...

I've been looking for a good meatball recipe! Would you mind if I posted yours on my blog, Sweet Peas and Pumpkins?

And by the way, if you figure out a way to juggle making homemade meals, laundry *And* working out all in the same day, please let me know.

AKat said...

Annabeth's latest pictures in the plaid, pink onesie are precious! (She seems to be taking to her big pink bear a lot better!!!)
I'll stash your recipe for when I get the next urge to cook.
It sounds good!

AKat said...

Oops! That was on the other blog!

Praise and Coffee said...

Sounds fabulous, thank you!

Have a blast shopping for that dress- that's the good stuff!!!
Sue

KirkKrew said...

Spaghetti and meatballs is one of our favorites too!! I so appreciate that you put sugar in your sauce. Everyone I know thinks I'm strange for doing it until they try it!

Dana said...

Thanks for sharing the spaghetti recipe! I'm looking forward to trying it out. The last recipe you shared was a big hit when I made it for the family. You got full credit!

Janelle and Ella said...

I am so proud of you! I should do the same thing. :-)

I can not wait to see what Easter dress you find for Annabeth. I know it will be precious. The Grandmas bought Ella's from Gymboree last week. I had another (less fru fru) one picked out, but I got out voted from the G-Force. :-)

Lindsey said...

That sounds fab! I think I will try it tomorrow!

Alyce said...

I think I really need to do the no computer after hubby gets home.. I spend way too much time online. Pray for me!!
It really is an addiction.. do they have facebook annonymous out there???

Alana said...

I always end up leaving that last load in the dryer...i'm glad I'm not the only one who gives up!
I'm going to my grandparents tomorrow so we can go and buy Mac a little Easter outfit...have fun!

Lauren said...

I give you props Amanda.. you're the woman of many talents, got the laundry tackled, cooked a meal, trying to cut back on computer time, and have a happy and full family!!! I'd call you super woman, haha :o) Love ya, friend!!! Hug on those sweet kids of yours for me!!!!

Finally an Abrigg..... said...

so, we're stsumped on names, and the ONLY name we agree on is Jackson Garrett. I showed him a picture of your little boy, and he said, yes, that's a beautiful Jackson. :) we're still not dead set, however, it's his first choice. :)

Cheryl said...

One day at a time, that's all you can do!!
Sounds like you accomplished alot for one day!

Lisa @ The Preacher's Wife said...

My kids love spaghetti and they will be ALL OVER this recipe..

Thanks!

Heather said...

That recipe sounds great!!! I can't wait to see pics of little Annabeth's Easter dress! I'm sure it is gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

yum. and congrats for getting to the last load of laundry. My problem is putting the folded laundry away. for some silly reason I love washing, drying and folding. But when it comes time to take the laundry up to the bedrooms and put it away... I just run out of motivation. Fortunately my man has a passion (God given I am certain) for putting things neatly away.

Angela said...

I made your meatball recipe tonight and it was amazing. Thanks for sharing.