Can you tell who LOVES his Grandpa??

We Are Having Another Grandbaby!!!!

Lauren & Jason are having a baby!!! Lauren is due September 4th!!!!!

Family Birthday Fun!!!

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Corbin Is One!!!!

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Jesse's White Coat Ceremony

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MORE NEW RECIPES I HAVE TRIED AND LIKED

Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe courtesy Rachael Ray
Show: 30 Minute Meals
Episode: Instant Babysitter
I CHEATED ON THIS ONE!!I WAS IN A HURRY SO I MADE THE MEATBALLS, WHICH ARE FANTASTIC AND EASY!!! ADDED A JAR OF PREGO AND ITALIAN SAUSAGE. I HAD SOME PEOPLE DROP IN AND HAD DINNER WITH US AND WE ALL LOVED IT!!! I KNOW THEY READ THE BLOG, SO NOW YOU KNOW I CHEATED!! RACHELS SAUCE IS PROBALY GOOD, BUT SO IS PREGO!

1 pound spaghetti
Salt, for pasta water
Meatballs:
1 1/4 pounds ground sirloin
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, eyeball it
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs, a couple of handfuls
1/4 cup grated Parmesan, Parmigiano-Reggiano or Romano cheese
2 cloves garlic, chopped
Salt and pepper

Sauce:
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 2 turns of the pan
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
4 cloves garlic, crushed or chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 cup beef stock, available on soup aisle in market in small paper boxes
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
A handful chopped flat-leaf parsley
10 leaves fresh basil leaves, torn or thinly sliced
Grated cheese, such as Parmigiano-Reggiano or Romano, for passing at table
Crusty bread or garlic bread, for passing at the table


Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
Place a large pot of water on to boil for spaghetti. When it boils, add salt and pasta and cook to al dente.

Mix beef and Worcestershire, egg, bread crumbs, cheese, garlic, salt and pepper. Roll meat into 1 1/2 inch medium-sized meatballs and place on nonstick cookie sheet or a cookie sheet greased with extra-virgin olive oil. Bake balls 10 to 12 minutes, until no longer pink.

Heat a deep skillet or medium pot over moderate heat. Add oil, crushed pepper, garlic and finely chopped onion. Saute 5 to 7 minutes, until onion bits are soft. Add beef stock, crushed tomatoes, and herbs. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes.

Toss hot, drained pasta with a few ladles of the sauce and grated cheese. Turn meatballs in remaining sauce. Place pasta on dinner plates and top with meatballs and sauce and extra grated cheese. Serve with bread or garlic bread (and some good chianti!)

MORE NEW RECIPES I HAVE TRIED AND LIKED

BBQ Pork Sandwich Recipe courtesy Paula Deen
Show: Paula's Home Cooking
Episode: Southern Favorites
Dry rub:
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons black pepper
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons paprika
1/2 tablespoon cayenne
4 pound shoulder pork roast
2 cup apple juice
1 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire
1/2 tablespoon liquid smoke
1/2 tablespoon garlic powder

6 soft hamburger buns with seeds
Bbq sauce
Cole slaw


Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
Mix the dry rub ingredients in small bowl. Sprinkle dry rub all over the pork roast, pressing into the pork. Cover with plastic and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Combine liquid ingredients and the garlic powder in a medium bowl and pour into a large Dutch oven. Place pork in the oven and tightly cover with aluminum foil then lid. Roast for 4 hours or until fork tender and shreds easily. Brush the roast with cooking liquid every hour.

Remove from oven and let stand until cool enough to handle. Shred the pork with a fork or tongs into bite size pieces.

Serve on hamburger buns topped with BBQ sauce and cole slaw.

New Recipe

Italian Chicken and Vegetable Soup Recipe courtesy Paula Deen
Show: Paula's Home Cooking
Episode: Souper Delicious

2 tablespoons olive oil
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces (about 1 3/4 pounds)
1 small onion, chopped
1 cup sliced carrots (about 3 small)
2 1/2 cups sliced zucchini (about 2 medium)
2 (14.5-ounce) cans diced tomatoes with basil, garlic, and oregano
2 (14.5-ounce) cans chicken broth
Grated Parmesan, optional

In a large Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken, and cook for 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Add onion and carrot, and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in zucchini, diced tomatoes, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Top each serving with grated Parmesan, if desired.
THIS WAS EASY AND GOOD!!

Happy Valentines Day

We celebrated Valentines Day tonight! It was wonderful, Bob surprised me with a dozen red roses and we went to dinner at Maggianos( one of our families favorite resturant),they had a strolling guitarist who came by and sang to us. If you have never been there my favorite is the Rigatoni D'. Afterwards we shopped since we were at the fashion show mall. I bought some Mac makeup and I got some great deals at dillards for my grandbabies. Then we went out to the car thinking my evening was fabulous.Bob had one more surprise a gift certificate to Aquae Sulis Spa. This spa is in the J.W. Marriott, if you need a little pampering this is the place.I have been going there for several years.The first time I went my preschoolers had gotten me a gift card. The funny part was one of my old preschoolers worked there( that gives you a clue how long I have taught). I asked him to set up a great day for me. That is when I was introduced to "LOST IN PARADISE"!!!!! This is the best!!! I have introduced several family and friends to this and everybody loves it!!!!.I am so excited to go and spend the day at the spa!!! Bob is so good to me!!! I love him alot! we have been married for 27 years. I believe you always need to work at a marriage. Some great advice I heard which came from a marriage councilor. Do one nice thing for your spouse each day. This does not mean clean the house or laundry.
This means a back rub or sit down and hold hands. It should be somthing you have to put some thought into. I have taken my husband for granted lately so I am trying to be more thoughtful. Dr. Laura said that alot of marriage problems is caused by selfishness. I am trying to be a kinder and more thoughtful person to the people who I love and who love me!!! Have a great Valentines Day

The joys of having a Grandma who teaches preschool!

I love being a GRANDMA & I love being a PRESCHOOL TEACHER!! When the girls drop by with my grandbabies during my preschool time, we all have a great time!!! My preschoolers love when the kids come by, they are so sweet to the babies, and they love Bob. Somedays Bob works at home in the office,he will come down and visit. He tells them he is the principal! They love it. Last week one of my preschoolers brought Bob & Emily snacks. I guess it really is a family affair!

National Pancake Day

Tuesday February 12th is National Pancake Day. IHOP is offering a free short stack on this special day to all of its costumers from 7:00 a.m.-10:00p.m. Hope to see you there!!!!

The Difference Between Boys & Girls

I gave Corbin a sugar cookie he squished it and smeared it all over! His first birthday is going to be great!!! I gave Grace a sugar cookie she took small little bites,everything went in her mouth. Is it age or gender?