Saucy.

Happy Weekend!  I hope you have great plans for enjoying the beautiful weather!  We are playing catch up, getting some projects in the house, garden and garage done.  The garage will be the big challenge.  Working in the garage when it's blazing hot isn't my favorite, but we have so much stuff that needs to be organized, donated, thrown, etc...it will feel nice to have that done!

I spent last night making my delicious home grown tomatoes...

 

...into THIS delicious homemade spaghetti sauce.  

Everything but the spices are from our garden :)

I couldn't believe how easy it was to make!  

Clean, blanch and mash the tomatoes

Add seasonings (italian seasonings, garlic, basil, pepper, etc.)

Add green peppers, onions..basically whatever veggies you want

Let it cook down on low heat for a few hours, stirring occasionally

It tastes awesome!  Store bought sauce doesn't even compare!  I can't wait to make spaghetti tomorrow, YUM!  Do any of you cook for two, and always have too many leftovers?  Do you cook for a family and could always use a quick and easy meal?  Try spaghetti casserole.  

When you make spaghetti make plenty of extra (try to have the noodles al dente, so when you bake the casserole they don't turn to complete mush), grease an appropriately sized casserole, mix the sauce/meat and noodles all together, optional: beat an egg with a little milk and parmesan cheese and stir it into the sauce/noodle mix, dump the mix into the casserole dish and top it with mozzarella, parmesan, pepper, parsley or whatever you have (I like to do all four!), cover it with foil and throw it in the freezer.  It's best if you pull it out and let it thaw for a few hours before you bake it (@ 350 degrees for 40 minutes-1 hour), but seriously can dinner get any easier?  I usually pull it out of the freezer in the morning, and Aaron pops the casserole in when he gets home from work and we have supper waiting when I get home.  And who doesn't like spaghetti?

For the last day of summer, the kids wanted to go to a movie (Spy Kids-very cute!) and then go to garage sales.  They make me giggle!  My idea of a great last day of summer was swimming, sun, sprinklers and the like but this was their idea of an adventure, so I indulged them.  They were so well mannered at each stop and were very thoughtful about their purchases.  I wish I would have snapped some pictures, we found some very neat toys!  

The neatest was a soft fabric teapot and picnic basket filled with soft plastic cups, spoons, fake ants, etc.  I remember buying my little brother and sister a Noah's Ark toy that was made of all fabric and it was the perfect toy for when they needed a distraction at church because they're quiet-not like cars and things they can smash on the pews.  We also found some cute little Tupperware microwave casserole dishes (they were plastic) and brought them home to use in the Fischer Price kitchen.  The kids were excited to "make" me spaghetti in their new casserole pans!  Too cute! 

Deal of the day!

At one garage sale, this headboard caught my eye.  The sale had started at 4 pm and by 4:08 the street was lined for blocks and there was a line of 15 people waiting patiently to pay for their items.  It was crazy!  The sale had a lot of reasonably priced antique furniture, and I expected this headboard to have a $15 or $20 price tag.

It was priced $3.  Seriously!?  Does it get any better than that?!  I can already imagine the amazing bench this will make...maybe I will paint it glossy black and put on a stained wood seat, or keep it white...or paint it turquoise!  Ahhh, the possibilities are endless - stay tuned!  (side note-the garage sale was at Beth Reams...small world!)

On a random note, we have this chair I want to get rid of.  It was in our bedroom, but I replaced it with a bigger lounge chair for reading books.  Any takers?  Make me an offer  :)

I think the brand is Ashley.  We have had it for 2 years, and the cushions show no wear (it hasn't been sat in much).  It's in great shape!

I'm homeless.

Who wants to give this chair a nice home?  :)

Anyhoo, I suppose I better get my buns to bed so I am ready for the big day of projects and cleaning tomorrow.  Maybe I will snap some photos and do a tutorial.  What are your weekend plans?  Do you have any projects you keep putting off?

Noelle