simple abundance

I am re-reading Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy by Sarah Ban Breathnach. Since its publication in 1995, I've read it several years as a devotion and very much enjoyed it. It's great to pick up every few years as it all reads anew once again. It rekindles inspiration, reflection and gratitude. Each day's entry begins with a quote by a literary type, a famous person, an anonymous soul, a proverb, etc. At the close of every month, it has a list of fantastic things you can do during that month to make it extra special in small ways. Today's entry was very deserving of the book's title, on simple abundance, and it reads:

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When money is plenty this is a man's world. When money is scarce it is a woman's world. When all else seems to have failed, the woman's instinct comes in. She gets the job. That is the reason why, in spite of all that happens, we continue to have a world. - Ladies Home Journal, Oct 1932.

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Basically, the passage today makes the reader ponder and rethink our days and make them simpler in order to live in the life we have, in our means, and enjoy it rather than worry over what we don't have. "The simpler we make our lives, the more abundant they become. There is no scarity except in our souls." {Breathnach} If you haven't picked up this devotional book, then I highly recommend it. It will spark your soul and inspire you, I guarantee it!

Still knitting away on that hat! I've received emails and comments about it -- wanting to see a picture of me wearing it. Well, I must be a slow knitter or the blasted thing is going to be too long and when put on my head, it will pouff down in the back too much and I'll look like one of those residents of Dr. Seuss' Whoville. Hope not! It's not just a basic round hat but lops (great word but you know what I mean) in the back a bit ... you'll see. I'll finish it, and soon. It's to get colder here and I'm the only lass in the house (except for the cat) without a hat ... ok, well, she has fur and stays indoors. All the guys have hats, whether they choose to wear them or not. Apparently when you're in middle school, wearing a wintry hat (especially knit by Mom) to school is lame and not cool but if you're almost 5 years old, you'll comply, most cold mornings. Of course, once the snow falls AND sticks then they'll be in full parka-wear - cool or lame looking.

I delight in your comments - the recent ones have been a real treat. Yes, I have been giving a few more free patterns as of late - why not?! Don't worry - I still have ones to purchase :) Been busy emailing PDF orders - thank you sweetly for your patronage through the years. I am giddy that my designs are being stitched all the world round - very exciting to have you share with me your pictures too. I love seeing your finished works.

Tonight's dinner was enjoyed by each starved soul at the table ~ something I strive for because I hate seeing a picky eater go to bed wailing about being famished, when's breakfast, why don't you make food I like, yada yada yada ... so we had Crockpot Meatball Subs. D-lish. Here's the simple recipe I concocted.

Crockpot Meatball Subs, my way
Feeds 2 hungry adults and 2 starving boys. Makes enough for leftovers too!

YOU WILL NEED
2 jars Classico Spicy Tomato & Basil Sauce (you can use any sauce you wish of course!)

2 lbs lean ground beef
1 1/2 cups Italian style breadcrumbs
2 eggs
1 Tablespoon roughly chopped fresh parsley
2 teaspoons dried minced onion
2 teaspoons Kosher salt
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 splash of milk (I know, never measure this!)

1 green pepper, seeded and chopped
1/2 onion, chopped
1 Tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon black pepper

shredded mozzarella cheese for topping
fresh sub rolls, toasted before serving

DIRECTIONS
In large bowl, mix (with your hands!) ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, parsley, minced onion, kosher salt, parmesan cheese, and milk together and form into 1-inch diameter size meatballs. Place on a large plate and frig for a few minutes to firm a bit.

Spray crockpot with Pam.
Pour in both jars of sauce. Add chopped onion and green pepper, garlic powder and black pepper. Stir to combine. Add meatballs one by one into the sauce and spoon the sauce over all of them so none are left sauce-less!

Cover crockpot and cook on LOW for 7 hours.
Serve on oven-toasted sub rolls; top with shredded mozzarella cheese and enjoy!