Pick-Up-That-Cookbook Cooking {Super Sub Balls}

Summer is my most challenging time for cooking everyday meals. I'm not sure why. I should be inspired by the fresh bounty of fruits and vegetables that are available during this season. Maybe it's the weather. (Summer is not my favorite.) Or maybe it's because I'm in summer vacation mode and that carries over into the kitchen. But whatever the reason, I have to try a little harder to be enthused about cooking in the summer. 

I have a bit of a plan to get me over the hump this summer. 

I don't know about you, but I have a whole array of cookbooks in my kitchen, filled with new ideas , recipes, and cooking inspiration. Some are old friends that contain some of my tried-and-true recipes. Some are just sitting there looking pretty. So I thought, why not be more purposeful and take advantage of all of that inspiration? And that is what I am going to do! 

Here's my plan:

Each week of this summer, I am going to choose a cookbook that is already in my kitchen and I am going to try a recipe that I have never made before. 

This week's recipe came from a cookbook that my daughter Kristin gave me several years ago: Classic Rachael Ray: 30-Minute Meals. As I perused it looking for a recipe, I wondered why I had not used this cookbook more. It is full of uncomplicated recipes made with fresh ingredients. I also like the way Rachael Ray approaches cooking in a non-rocket-science sort of way. (Like "a handful" of parsley and "a little" olive oil.)  

Super Sub Balls was a slightly different take on meatball subs. The meatballs are baked, not fried, and the cheese is inside the meatball. 

(Funny side story: I totally befuddled the deli lady by asking for 2/3 pound of unsliced provolone cheese. She literally did not know what to do. She kept holding up increasingly thicker slices, asking if that was good. "Is that 2/3 of a pound?" I would ask, knowing that it couldn't be. She finally asked a coworker for assistance. They conferred, cut a hunk, bagged it, weighed it, and handed it to me. But it was only 1/2 a pound, so I asked for another one just like it. I ended up with extra cheese, but it seemed like the quickest way to get out of the deli and move on with my day!) 

SUPER SUB BALLS

Ingredients for meatballs:

1 and 1/2 pounds lean ground beef

1 egg

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (a shake or two)

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 medium Spanish onion, minced

a handful chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1 cup Italian bread crumbs (a couple of good handfuls)

4 shakes Worcestershire sauce

2/3 pound provolone cheese, cut into 16 small cubes

olive oil, for baking sheet

Ingredients for marinara:

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 pinches crushed red pepper flakes

2 cans (28 ounces each) crushed tomatoes*

15 to 20 leaves fresh basil, roughly cut or torn** 

2 sprigs fresh oregano, leaves stripped from stem and chopped

a handful chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

4 sesame-seed sub rolls

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425ºF.

Combine meat, egg, red pepper flakes, garlic, onions, parsley, bread crumbs, and Worcestershire in a bowl. Pull a palmful of meat mixture into our had. Nest a piece of provolone in the middle of the meat and form a ball. Place on a nonstick cookie sheet brushed with a little olive oil. Repeat until mixture is gone, about 16 balls later. Place cookie sheet in oven and bake until cooked through, 12 to 15 minutes. 

  For marinara sauce, warm evoo in a deep frying pan or pot over medium heat; add garlic and red pepper flakes and cook until garlic sizzles. Add tomatoes and herbs. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer over low heat until ready to serve. 

Drop the stuffed sub balls into sauce. Scoop up sauced sub balls and place in rolls. 

Serve with Pigskin Potatoes and a simple salad.***  

*    I only had petite diced tomatoes, so my sauce was a little chunkier.

** My basil is still young; 15 leaves would have stripped it bare! I substituted about a tablespoon of dried basil.

*** I served raw veggies and dip instead for a lower carb alternative. Another way to reduce the carbs would be to serve the meatballs and sauce over spaghetti squash instead of on a sub roll. 

This recipe was deemed a success by my family! The meatballs were flavorful and delicious . . . and decidedly less greasy than the typical fried meatballs. The cheese inside was a fun twist. 

What about you? Do you use all of your cookbooks? Is inspiration hiding there in your cookbook collection? Do you have a specific season in which you're lacking kitchen inspiration?

Breaking Bread | Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad | Hospitality Habits

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Yesterday was the day for us to host our church fellowship. 

(I was even dressed before everyone arrived!) 

We had decided to have a salad lunch after our worship time. So easy!

On Sunday morning, we set out paper products and plastic utensils.

When using disposables, I like to use sturdy paper plates (like Chinette) and the heavy duty plastic utensils. Of course, I always keep a stash of pretty paper napkins on hand. As I told my friend Deanna, my policy is "Buy the napkins. The occasion will come." This time, I chose the red stripe "feed sack" napkins that I had picked up at HomeGoods in February. (I bought three packages of them; there are plenty left for other summer gatherings.)

We set up the coffee station with some of my Warren Kimble mugs. (I bought a pair on eBay last week, one with a sheep, one with a horse, bringing my total to 16.) The WK creamer was a gift from a friend.

We set up a tray of sodas. Kati made pitchers of sweetened and unsweetened tea (not in the photo).

We moved the dining room chairs to the living room,

set the hymnals on the table,

and enjoyed a time of worship and fellowship.

I had made my salad the day before, using a new-to-me recipe found at Reluctant Entertainer. Here is the recipe with my adaptations. (Original ~ here ~ .) 

ASIAN CHICKEN CRANBERRY SALAD 

Ingredients: 

2 bags cole slaw mix

4 cups cooked chicken, chopped

1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted (I'd have used more, but that's what I had.)

1 1/2 dried cranberries

3/4 cup diced red onion

1 1/2 cups fresh cilantro, chopped

1/4 cup sesame seeds

1 cup extra-virgin olive oil

3/4 cup balsamic vinegar

4 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce

3-4 cloves garlic, chopped

4 tablespoons honey

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

2 teaspoons sesame oil

wonton strips (optional)

Directions: 

1) Layer cabbage, cooked chicken, toasted almonds, cranberries, onion, cilantro, and sesame seeds in large bowl.

2) In blender, combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, honey, ginger, and sesame oil. 

Add 3 tablespoons water and process until smooth.

3) Pour dressing over salad ingredients and toss lightly. 

Top each serving with wonton strips, if desired.

Hospitality habits go a long way towards making hospitality happen. 

Of course, we all know that hospitality doesn't just "happen." We have to make it happen. But it is easier if you develop some hospitality habits. Like some of these: 

Keeping paper supplies on hand. 

We buy Chinette plates and plastic cups in bulk from Sam's Club so we rarely run out. I pick up a box of plastic utensils as I do my weekly shopping. And my eyes are always open for pretty napkins. They often set the theme of the party. 

Keeping a variety of soft drinks stocked.

Again, I usually buy a pack of soft drinks with my weekly groceries, often calling Bekah at home for the "drink inventory." Family favorites are root beer and cream soda. 

Collecting serving dishes and platters.

You'll be surprised at what you'll find if you keep your eyes opened. Many of my serving pieces are bargains! You can be creative too, using baskets and boxes in unusual ways.

And the most important hospitality habit:

Reminding ourselves of the purpose of hospitality.

It is "Not to impress, but to bless!"

What are some of your hospitality habits? 

Tidsoptomist

I recently came across a word that (unfortunately) describes me pretty well. 

Tidsoptomist. 

Someone who is optimistic about how much time they have (to prepare for something), who is therefore often late. "Time optimist." A person who's habitually late because they think they have more time than they do.

Does this happen to anyone else? You get up early, allowing yourself plenty of time to get ready. Then (because you have plenty of time to get ready, of course) you check your Facebook and read a few blogs. You don't take time to comment because you're getting ready to get ready. Then you throw in a load of wash. You make your bed. You stop to chat with a daughter. You add something to the grocery list. You start to unload the dishwasher, but you realize that your time is getting away from you so you'd better put on your makeup and dry your hair. Now! There's not enough time to write out that birthday card either, or mend that tear in the blouse you were going to wear. You pull something else out of your closet and get dressed too quick to talk about. 

Oh no! You're going to be late. 

It is the bane of the tidsoptimist. 

Today, I have a long to-do list. I started out great guns. Up early, washing all of the dishes in my pie safe, a load of laundry started, tidying up the living room (which was left in disarray after I fell asleep on the sofa and woke up with everyone else gone to bed). Then I sit down with my coffee and check my Facebook and read a few blogs . . . and then decide to write a blog post . . . 

But I really need to move along with that to-do list. Tomorrow, company is coming whether I am ready or not. Maybe I'll even be dressed when they arrive. 

If tidsoptimism doesn't take over.

Are you a tidsoptimist? Or do tidsoptimists drive you nuts? (It's okay to say if they do! I've been driving people nuts for years . . . ) 

The Final Chapter in the Saga of the Purple Dress

When the purple dress did not arrive in time for the homeschool choir's spring concert, Bekah decided that she would instead wear it to her spring piano recital a few weeks later.

The day after the concert (the last day of the delivery window), the estimated arrival date had unobtrusively changed. Hmmm. Then on the new estimated delivery date, I got an email saying that the package had arrived. (It had not.) I reported the missing package to Amazon and requested a refund. The three-month saga had ended. Good grief.

 But I do love the black dress that Bekah wore to her recital!

For your listening pleasure . . .

Also this week . . . 

We celebrated my aunt's birthday. (This is my parents' home.)

We had our final book club meeting for this school year.

I have also had computer issues. And I waited in line for 45 minutes to pay for my groceries at Walmart. But that's all I'll say about those things. 

Taking a Ride

When we drive out of town for Bekah's piano lessons, we have a plan. We listen to a history CD on our way. (This year we have listened to this set: What in the World? Volume 2 by Diana Waring. Fabulous!) After Bekah has her lesson, we grab lunch and, depending on our time limitations, we go shopping or antiquing. On our drive home, we talk. 

So on Friday morning when her teacher rescheduled due to sickness, I thought we'd be home for the day. But after we talked about it, we decided that we didn't want to miss our little road trip . . . and off we went as usual. We just omitted the piano lesson part.

I had a list of things I wanted to accomplish on Saturday: the usual weekly house cleaning, yes, but also some extra scrubbing, sewing a swag for the library window, and trying a new recipe.

But Kati needed to find some new shoes for work. Long story, short: She has a stress fracture and is being fitted for custom orthotics, but the doc recommends a certain kind of shoe for her foot problems. She had explored all of the stores in our town that carry that brand and did not find the right shoes. The other possibility was a shoe store over an hour away.

So on Saturday afternoon, Kati and I went on a little road trip . . . in search of those shoes and a few hours together. There may or may not have been a Starbucks stop.

As we drove home, Kati remarked about how nice the afternoon had been. Neither of us was thrilled about shopping for work shoes, but Kati said, "The best part is the ride and having time to talk." I agreed!

There is just something about spending time together in a car. Oh my goodness . . . the things we talk about! Work. School. Relationships. Nieces and nephews (my grands). Qualities to look for in a mate. Future plans. Wedding gowns. Funny stories. Favorite this and that. Failings. Music. Movies. Houses. Decorating. Parties to plan. Parenting. God's Word. His perspective.

Sometimes we take long-ish trips like the two I just told you about.

Sometimes we just meander around town, sipping coffee and looking at houses.

But we can even make the most of a short jaunt. If I am just running to the post office or driving to the library to return a book or picking up a few things at Target or making a coffee run, I'll ask if anyone wants to go with me. Often, someone does!

And, by the way, the trip isn't always over when we get back home. We have been known to sit in the driveway and talk for 20 or 30 minutes more! (I wonder what our neighbors are thinking.)

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Forging strong bonds of relationship with my children is something that is very important to me. Of course, being your child's friend does not supersede the proper place of authority, but I do want them on my team. And I want to be on theirs. I value their friendship!

"Taking a ride" is just one of the ways that we grow in relationship together.

And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk [ride?] by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. (Deuteronomy 6:6-9)

"Come, Ye Disconsolate"

Our dear friend Frances recently introduced us to this moving song, a beautiful invitation to bring our wounds and our neediness to the Lord. Are you disconsolate? Lonely? Comfortless? Discouraged? Wounded? Needy? Let the words of this song bring a balm to your weary heart. 

1. Come, ye disconsolate, where’er ye languish,
   Come to the mercy seat, fervently kneel.
   Here bring your wounded hearts, here tell your anguish;
   Earth has no sorrow that heav’n cannot heal.
2. Joy of the desolate, light of the straying,
   Hope of the penitent, fadeless and pure!
   Here speaks the Comforter, tenderly saying,
   “Earth has no sorrow that heav’n cannot cure.”
3. Here see the bread of life, see waters flowing
   Forth from the throne of God, pure from above.
   Come to the feast of love; come, ever knowing
   Earth has no sorrow but heav’n can remove.

Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, 

and you will find rest for your souls. 

For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.

Matthew 11: 28-30

Honoring Mothers

Amidst the challenges of living in a sad and broken world, Mother's Day is not always cotton candy sweet. There are women who have lost their mothers. Women whose relationships with their mothers are strained or broken. Women who do not have children or who have suffered the loss of a child. The year that we lost our Kara Joy, Mother's Day was a painful day.  

Motherhood is not something that is automatic. It is not a given, nor is it our right.

But, if you have been given this grace, the privilege and responsibility that is motherhood, then what you do with this gift is of eternal significance!


Mothering is hard and important work and is worthy of honor. 

On Sunday, we gathered together to celebrate and honor the mothers in our family.

This view from my kitchen window is a wonderful sight!

I think this was Paul's first time at the Big Kid table. His mommy noted that it was not a "baby" bite he was taking from his roll!

My darling great-nieces, Ivy and Isabel

We took a photo of each mother with her children . . .

Mom and her daughters

My sister Linda with two of her three children: Amy and Alec

My niece Amy with Isabel and Ivy

Our daughter Kristin with her children
(l to r) Maddie, Gavin, Alaine, Baby Macie, Ben, Owen

Our daughter-in-law Sarah with her children
(l to r) Nora, Paul, Peter, Eve

Ron's mom with one of her eight

Me with my children: Kristin, Kati, Ryan, Bekah

This was the very best of gifts: my grandchildren's sweet and beautiful voices blended to sing a prayer, "Teach Us to Love," accompanied by Bekah on the piano. It was so beautiful, and it fills my mama-heart (and my gran-heart) to know that their hearts and minds are being filled with spiritual truth. 

And, of course, the day would not have been complete without one of our favorite games: Wrapping Paper Antics. 😁

My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother;

For they will be a graceful ornament on your head, and chains about your neck.

Proverbs 1:8, 9

Pineapple House | Bekah's Room

It was last September when we painted the girls' rooms. Shortly after, I showed you Kati's room at Pineapple House. She had begun planning her new room weeks before we moved in and everything was already in place. The fresh paint simply completed it.

Bekah, on the other hand, works more like her mama. Slow and steady. 

Her room was a total change from her old room in style and color, and she was also working with some new (to her) furniture pieces, so it took a while to develop her plan. She slowly added and Pinned and tweaked and took away. Decorating is a process!

Over this year, she has learned what her style is. She is becoming more confident in her choices and more at home with what she really loves.

Here is Bekah's new room . . . 

Just to the left of her closet door, she created a small gallery wall. When we cleaned out the attic of The Farmhouse before we moved, Bekah claimed the antique mirror as well as the little demilune table.

On our last day at The Farmhouse, Bekah took snippets of several plants that she loved, brought them here, and pressed them. She later made this framed collage of Farmhouse specimens, remembrances from her childhood.

The Ikea chair that she has had since age 9 is still a cozy place to read. Some day, a new chair could replace it, but until then . . .

Bek found this pair of pillows that coordinated with her new color scheme for $3.00 each in a local antique store. She only bought one until she could see if it would hold up in the wash (must be washed!). It did, so we went back to get the other. 

Her second rug from Rugs USA. The first one went back. (Not the right color.)

I knew that Bekah had been looking for a piecrust table, so for Christmas Ron and I decided to give her money towards the purchase of one. Who knew that she already knew the one she wanted . . . and that the amount of money we gave her was the exact cost of that one? Not us! On December 26th, off we went to the antique store, hoping that "her" table was still there. It was! 

Do you remember my Aunt Lynn's highboy that I wasn't sure what to do with? (I even considered painting it, causing a collective cringe from many Thinking About Home readers. 😮)

Well, Bekah knew what to do with it.

This is Pinky's furniture. 🐈

This room is a bit like a bride: something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.

The "something borrowed" is her bed, a family piece that actually belongs to my sister who does not have a place to use it in her current home. It is one of a pair. I have known "the twin beds" all of my life, first in my great-aunt's house, then in my aunt's, and I have slept in one many times. Before that, they were at my great-grandparents' house (the ones who owned this house). My mom remembers sleeping in them as a child.

Ron made the night table for her room at The Farmhouse. It started out seafoam green, but Bekah painted it this shade of periwinkle for her new room. 

Bekah is still tweaking the art work in her room. She has framed a couple of old maps, but she would like to add more color, so she is planning to add some botanical prints to her walls.

Bekah's favorite piece in her bedroom is this family heirloom. It was my great-grandfather's (her great-great-grandfather's) desk and it too has been passed down through the generations. It is such a handsome, yet graceful, piece.

Although Bekah was sad to leave her room at The Farmhouse, I think she has done a beautiful job creating her own space here at Pineapple House!  

(A look through the years . . . Bekah's room at the Farmhouse . . . 2010, 2013, 2015.)