Ok, so I made some delicious Italian Meatball soup yesterday & jarred most of it for sharing with friends, so bear in mind this photo is of the soup after it's been in my fridge overnight so the top layer is the fat layer from the beef stock but once cooked obviously looks much differently.
Now, with that said, this is NOT Italian Wedding Soup, the two are entirely different... I think this soup is much tastier & flavorful since I use fresh ingredients & lots of spices! =)
Now, on with the recipe:
Ingredients:
2 T. butter
1 medium red bell pepper (chopped)
1 large clove fresh garlic (minced)
1 large spanish onion (chopped)
1 package of frozen (fully cooked) small Italian style meatballs
8 cups beef broth
2 t. dried Italian seasoning
2 oz (1cup) ditalini pasta (uncooked) - can also use egg noodles or small variety pasta of your choice, I prefer ditalini's
Directions:
Melt butter in soup pot until slight sizzle.
Add red pepper, garlic & onions all at once.
Heat 2 -3 minutes until onions become slightly transparent.
Add frozen meatballs, broth, Italian seasoning, salt & fresh cracked pepper (to taste) & cook till comes to a boil. (10-15 minutes).
Add pasta & reduce heat. Cook for 5 minutes or until pasta is tender.
As Always, serve with freshly grated Imported Parmegiano Regianno cheese on top & ENJOY!
... cuz we're about to party ITALIAN STYLE courtesy of Miss. Ruby Cate, her fantastic Nonno and her beautiful Nanna. (musical ambiance provided by: Dean Martin with Luna Mezzo Mare)
I guess it just goes to show that the love of a good Bear can do wonders!
No wooden horses OR white onesies were harmed
during the making of this post.
This is the Wilton Cupcakes & More Dessert Stand that I simply FELL IN LOVE WITH this past sunday at a birthday party Ruby & I were invited to. Rather than the traditional cake, it was this GLORIOUS TOWER full of SCRUMPTIOUS CUPCAKES!!! They used a #3 for the top cupcake since the birthday girl was 3, and every cupcake was just beyond decorated with the most fun candies you've ever seen. This picture honestly doesn't do it justice, because it literally took my breath away! Upon completion of this party, Ruby and I headed straight for our local A.C. Moore. and scoffed one of these bad boys RIGHT UP! I plan on using this for Ruby's 2nd Birthday this coming Sept 7th! I think I'm going to make these amazing looking Vanilla Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting that I stumbled upon while checking in at every 'fat girls favorite blog' More Than 52 Cupcakes.
For those of you who LOVE to bake, this blog is a must see, as "The Cupcake Queen' is always sharing great ideas & recipes to keep your little cakes in the Here & Now! Also, while perusing her site, I got myself some of these adorable little Cup-a-Cake Holders in all 5 colors they offer! Adorable to say the least & if you're interested in getting some for the sweet little cupcake in your life, you can find them HERE.
HAPPY BAKING EVERYONE!
That piece was pretty decent...
Now let's pick another one!
Yeah, that's the stuff, now we're talking!
That's right, there is definitely something to celebrate here in the Ruby Cate household... Momma got herself a JOB!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, you heard me right, a JOB!!!!!!!! So, celebration is in order, yes? A very good friend of mine who was insistant upon me finally using a little $ to get something for MYSELF rather than always finding reasons to NOT treat myself & do for Ruby... ( who couldn't, after all... that FACE! those CHEEKS! that LAUGH! )
Anyway... I FINALLY gave in to her and treated myself to a pair of these beauty's. Now, I have always LOVED Birkenstocks, but NEVER OWNED A PAIR, EVER! My brother and I have the same size feet & he owned a pair & I was ALWAYS stealing them around the house. (sorry Adam...) I just couldnt' see the need to seriously spend that kind of $ on shoes that I'd probably end up kickin the CRAP out of... as I'm TOTALLY HARSH on footwear, always have been. (like trying to put fancy shoes on an elephant, just isn't done.) So, when my new boss finally signed our contract for the next year, I figured it was safe to be a little selfish for once and treat myself to my BEAUTIFUL NEW SANDALS THAT I CAN'T WAIT TO ARRIVE!!!!!
I seriously buy cheapie Adidas sandals every summer... why EVERY summer you ask? CUZ THEY NEVER SURVIVE MORE THAN ONE SEASON, PERIOD! Yes, it's true, my feet like to kill shoes... ESPECIALLY SANDALS!
First of all, for the RECORD, I prefer to be BAREFOOT- however, there are times that being barefoot isn't all that appropriate, so if I HAVE to wear something, it's sandals, slides to be exact, NO TOE VIOLATORS!!!!!! UGH THOSE DRIVE ME APESHIT! Always have...
So, about this job? Curious at all to hear all the details? Well, I'll be happy to divulge them just as soon as I know my new boss is comfortable knowing that her story is going to be shared in such a public venue, fair enough? Let's just say that it's twice the fun, twice the giggles, twice the work but definately twice the blessings. Oh, and did I mention that I get to work from the comfort of my OWN GLORIOUS APARTMENT? *grin*
More details when/if I get the green light to share them, but I just want to publicly thank EVERYONE who helped me out in my deepest darkest hour... without everyone's show of support, both monetary & through prayers, I would NOT have survived, WE would not have survived. Ruby and I will be FOREVER BLESSED to have friends here in Bloggerville... truly, beyond blessed that most of you, know me personally. Gifts that cannot be measured with any other tool, but the heart.
I thank you all... and now without further ado', let's GET RID OF THAT DAMN DONATE BUTTON!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
I'm sitting here enjoying a delicious mint chocolate patty frozen yogurt cone & thinking to myself " OMG is there anything better in the WORLD than Mint Chocolate ice cream/frozen yogurt?"
So it got me to thinking, I have alot of favorite yummies... & I know everyone else must TOO so I'm going to list a few of mine & please feel free to comment on yours cuz I'd love to see what everyone else just ADORES! And by the by... Islay, when you read this, email me privately ok? Link to the right of the blog to click on for that... thanks hon!
Ok, so here are a few of my things I simply ADORE:
1. Mint Chocolate ANYTHING! Ice cream, Frozen Yogurt, hot cocoa... you name it, if it comes in a chocolate mint form, SIGN MY ASS UP! (after all, that's where it ends up anyways, right?) LOL
2. Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese on a cold ickky rainy/snowy type day. NOTHING BETTER!
You can keep your mac & cheese, I'll take soup & a grilled anyday thanks!
3. Coconut & chocolate together in ANY FORM, milk chocolate, dark, white, you name it, forget the damn lime, put some CHOCOLATE IN MY COCONUT PLEASE & THEN SLOWLY BACK AWAY FROM THE SINFUL TREAT!
4. Tea Tea and more PG Tips Tea ! Drink it EVERY MORNING when I get up and it is the only way I can truly start my day... it's my own personal 'Amy fuel' and honestly, Ruby's as well as we share the mug religiously. Now, granted... it used to be black tea taken 'black' for me, but with little Miss Cheeks having it as well, it's slowly evolved into more of a milk with a splash of tea rather than the other way around but it's ok, small sacrafice to make for my girl.
5. Hot Buttered Popcorn from Salem Willows! Now, to those of you not from around here you won't truly have lived until you fly your toosh to Salem, Massachusetts & stopped in at E.W. Hobb's inc. at Salem Willows Park & enjoyed some of their AMAZING POPPED BUTTERY SALTY GOODNESS IN PERSON! OMG, you people think that that microwave crap you've been buying is good? MOVE OVER ORVILLE REDDENPOOPER, THIS STUFF TRUMPS YOUR CORN ANY DAY OF THE WEEK!
And after all, when your popcorn has been voted 'The Best Popcorn in New England!', how can you NOT make an effort to get here & try some? Who knows, give them a call, maybe you can order some to be shipped right to your door? Here's the 411 on Hobbs:
E.W. Hobbs, Inc.
(Seasonal) (978) 745-7691
Since 1897, four generations of the Hobbs family have served original salt water taffy, home-made ice cream, and "the best popcorn in New England". In 1906, Everett Hobbs & William Eaton offered the first ice-cream cone in America!
6. Dill Dip!!!!! OMG some fresh cut up veggies & a batch of this dip & you've got yourself a party for ONE MY FRIEND! And since it's THAT GOOD, I'm going to share the recipe with everyone, trust me... if you like dill & you love to dip things, and not just veggies, I mean DIP ANYTHING (pretzels, chips, crackers, your finger... etc) you're gonna DIE OVER THIS STUFF:
1 16 oz container of Sour Cream
1 Cup mayo of your choice (I use Hellmanns)
1 T fresh lemon juice (or the juice of one lemon if you have them fresh)
3 T dill weed (but being that I'm Italian, I don't measure much, just a few good shakes & mix & then a few more. LOL when it's riddled with dill, you know you've done good...)
4T dried minced onion
2 t seasoned salt ( I use Lawry's Seasoned Salt)
Mix all ingredients together until well blended.
Put into fridge until time to serve, letting it chill overnight is best.
(Thanks to my Aunt Allegra/Ruby's Nanna T. for handing down this recipe to us!!)
7. Boston Beer Works own Sour Cream & Chive FRIES! *thud* sorry, that was my jaw dropping as I salivate just THINKING ABOUT THEM!
There is a more local Beer Works location in Salem & I go there every now & again for a treat, but man oh man, I honestly could just get those fries with a drink & call it a day, they're enough for a MEAL!
8. Grape Nuts Trail Mix Crunch Cereal... SO GOOD FOR YOU YET SO SINFULLY SWEET & DELICIOUS YOU'D SWEAR YOU WERE CHEATING, BUT REALLY YOU'RE NOT! I promise!!
9. Le Bastogne Cinnamon Sugar Biscuit's OH! MY! GOD! (do ya remember that tea I mentioned earlier that I have every morning? Well, get yourself a cup of that & an EMPTY cookie jar & FILL IT with these bad boys cuz you'll find that once you try ONE, you won't want to NOT have them in the house at ALL TIMES!!
And finally...
10. Werther's Original hard candies. No need to even explain why these wonderful little nuggets of HEAVEN made my list... only thing to ask yourself is, WHY ARE YOU NOT ENJOYING ONE RIGHT THIS VERY MINUTE??
Ok, so far so good, I'll add things as I think of them, but this should get you all thinking about some of the treats in your life that you just could not POSSIBLY live WITHOUT!
And remember, share the love, if you have something that you just know everyone is going to enjoy, POST A LINK TO IT OR SHARE A RECIPE OR TWO!
Sharing's fun... hell I learned that in kindergarten, didn't we all? LOL
UPDATE:
11. Nutella OH MY GOD SO GOOD! When I'm TOTALLY craving chocolate but there's none in the house, this is a FANTASTIC way to satisfy that craving without going nuts & devouring an entire chocolate bar. A little of this fabulous spread on some toast or with a few grahm crackers and voila, OMG SO GOOD! =)
12: Berkley & Jensen (otherwise known as BJ'S) Veggie Chips! OH MY GOD! You guys remember Muncho's yes? That deliciously yummy, sinfully crunchy, melt on your tongue potato chip from way back in the day? Well, picture the same texture & flavor, but in a healthier veggie version and YOU'VE GOT YOURSELF SOME BJ'S VEGGIE CHIPS! In Spinach, Tomato and Potato, these chips are going to be the HIT of ANY GATHERING! (pair them with the above 'Dill Dip' recipe (#6) & you're sure to have a crowd pleaser!
" Ok, let's see... how long would that be in Ebenezer years? "
As always... hit PLAY & then immediately hit PAUSE until the whole movie loads. Enjoy!!!
... has her VERY OWN BLOG!!!
Look to your right under "Waiting & Waiting & Waiting Some More..." & check out: Family Blend...
Her & her Mommy were the 'perfect family' that I really wanted to work for had they not been so far away. Sadly, they had to hire another nanny in the end, one who was closer & didn't mind driving in the snow. It was fantastic though to meet them & make some wonderful new friends!
Ruby & Joely had alot of fun together & Joely's Mom said that she STILL talks about her friend Ruby...
"Ruby have poopie diaper?",
"Ruby take Joely's sippy, Amy said no Ruby take Joely's sippy..."
"Ruby go tunnel?"
TOO CUTE! I look forward to making Family Blend... another of my daily reads & so should you.
ps. Check out Bear's cameo on their blog header... He certainly gets AROUND! hehehe
He's a Bear about TOWN! *grin* Maybe that's why Ruby loves him so much... hee hee
... and NO I'm NOT going to be the one adopting her-
