September 2014 - That Sweet Affair

Trying to figure out something to eat in my family is always a hassle! We each have our own preferences and finding something to satisfy each person’s taste buds can be exhausting. My husband is a steak and potatoes type of guy. My son has four dishes in rotation (that he won’t put up a fight and eat) and I will pretty much eat anything. So even though I knew my son would not step foot near this dish, I just couldn’t pass up on this amazing recipe from The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond.

This sauce is not what you would expect from a jar. It is a very meaty sauce that is definitely restaurant quality! So here we go!

I started out by chopping up my onion and bell pepper. When I first saw that there was diced bell peppers, I honestly thought, “really, bell pepper in spaghetti sauce”? But I have to say I learned that I should take the advice I give to my son all the time and, just try it! Hahaha.

I then browned the meat. The only thing that I changed from the original recipe was I added sausage meat in addition to the ground beef.

After browning the meat, I removed the meat from my pot and started cooking the onion, bell pepper and garlic.

After a couple of minutes, I added beef broth. We don’t drink wine and I didn’t want to spend extra money on a bottle of wine to only toss it out eventually. Plus, I don’t think it would have made a huge difference. The sauce still ended up, delish!!!

After a couple of minutes, I added the rest of the ingredients minus the Parmesan cheese. Covered the pot and let it simmer for an hour.

After the hour, I added the Parmesan cheese and let it cook for another 45 minutes because the dang wedge of cheese just would not completely melt. Too much cheese, you think?

I cooked some noodles and it was all I thought it would be! Delicious! Thank you, Pioneer Woman!

Here’s the recipe!

I hope you try it and let me know what you thought of it also!

It’s Labor Day weekend and another summer has come to an end. Oh how time just passes by so quickly. I think it’s more of a realization that I am getting older as each minute passes me by that makes me so sad. I know, thinking too much won’t help. I think about how fast my son is growing. I think about what other people think of me….oh the list can go on and on! So, as I sit here writing this blog post while my son watches Indian Jones, I thought I would reflect on what we did this summer and share it with you.

My husband started a new job position right before the school year ended for Dylan, so going on a vacation of any sort was out of the question. New job means new probation time. Plus, a vacation was out of the budget so we had a stay-cation instead! We enjoyed each other’s company while we drove each other crazy. I love my boy but sometimes it would be nice to hear myself think! Lol!

We went on walks around town.

Had a lemonade stand with friends. I asked my husband to build this awesome lemonade stand and he happily obliged! I did help, of course! I painted each wood piece. The lemonade sign is on hooks so that I can interchange the signs and use it for different occasions. Very creative on the different signs, don’t you think? I was inspired by after seeing Lil’ Luna‘s vintage lemonade stand.

It was so hot that day that they became their own customers ;)!

Here is Dylan helping a customer out…not too sure what he’s looking at though.

They also had to work for their money! There are seriously some generous folks out there! We had a guy who paid $5 for a lemonade and gave a $20 tip!!

Went to Funderland with friends and cousin, Ivana. Oh, the pure joy of happiness on this handsome face!

Went swimming! He’s starting to venture out past the steps of the pool! Baby steps!

Went to the State Fair! We couldn’t resist being a farmer and a cow now, could we?

And we made sure this year to NOT go on Kids’s Day because it can very crowded and the lines very long! I’m not a fan of large crowds. One thing that I miss about Minnesota, is the state fair! I am sorry to say this but California State Fair just doesn’t compare. Sorry! Don’t hate me! Dylan has been counting down the days since last year so we had to take him. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have gone. The things we do for our kids :)!

And we went back to school! Well, Dylan went back to school. I was looking forward to this day all summer but when the day came, I was feeling quite sad. I was noticing this summer how much he has changed. His skin doesn’t have that soft baby feel anymore, he’s more than half my height (I’m 5’8″), and he’s getting smarter every day.

So even though we didn’t go anywhere far…we still made a lot of memories! That my friends is what’s important! I hope you also created special memories this summer.

Best Spaghetti Sauce, Ever!

Another Summer Comes To An End