Table Talk Tuesday- Italian

My goal for the year is to use my kitchen more. As January comes to an end I do have to say I was successful in that every week this month, I made at least 3 meals a week for us to enjoy. 

I have finally been looking through my cook books and finding some recipes I like, but noticed they weren't ones I was in love with. As a Family & Consumer Science teacher, my brain is always searching for recipes and creating recipes to my liking as well as Pats.

Last night I took a recipe from mix and match mama. I adore her meals and how she plans for the week. But I have noticed I like to make recipes my way and give them my own twist.

In need of some balance in the kitchen? Tired of wasting hours chopping and dicing? This recipe is for you :)
Here is my version of Pizza Meatballs.

~Side note this recipe took me around 40 min from the start to finish!

Shopping list:

1 pound ground beef

1/2 pound jimmy deans breakfast sausage (pork) -[ buy the 1 pound and freeze the other half for a relaxing Saturday breakfast.]

1/4 onion, chopped

2 eggs

2 T Italian seasoning

2-3 t minced garlic

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella

1 can pizza sauce (14 oz)

Shredded Parmesan for garnish

Whole grain pasta

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

In a large mixing bowl combine ground beef, pork sausage, onion, eggs, seasoning, garlic and mozzarella ( I also added a small handful of the shredded Parmesan for extra flavor)

Line a jelly roll baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray- This will prevent meat from sticking. Jelly roll is key so the grease doesn't drip everywhere.

Using your hands. Yes your hands! Mix together everything in your mixing bowl until all ingredients in the meat mixture are evenly distributed.

Roll your meatballs to about the size of a golf ball. I chose to make different sizes and all worked out well. Just don't roll them too small or else they will burn.

Meatballs should be about an inch apart.

Place the baking sheet in oven for about 16 min.

[ during the baking time I started the water for the pasta and prepped a simple green salad with tomatoes and cucumbers. ]

Cook pasta for about 8-10 min. I advise you to make enough pasta for whoever you are feeding. No need for the whole box if you are serving a small crowd.

Truly if you are making angle hair... This is how it should be done! DO NOT break it :)

Once the meatballs are done, start a small skillet on the stove with a tad bit of olive oil. Place about 5-6 meatballs at once in the skillet. On low heat, turn the meatballs in the skillet until the top and bottom have a slight brown to them.

Drain pasta.

Heat up the pizza sauce before topping the meatballs.

Serve meatballs over pasta. Top each meatball with a spoonful of sauce. Sprinkle with shredded Parmesan and serve!

#myboyfriendrocksasmyphotographer 

Thats all! Simple, delicious and definitely a keeper for us :)

Hope your day is filled with laughter, love and a tummy full of pizza meatballs.

Weekend recap- 3 day work week edition

Andddd we're back! Hello Monday. Yesterday I felt as if I need to accomplish a million things at ONCE!! The flew by once again but again in true balancing fashion I was able to handle it all! 

To sum it up.....

Friday 

I stayed after school because we had basketball games. I had two hours to get grading done and I have to say I was very successful! #win 

We then were having a pasta party for our varsity team because they had sectionals on Saturday. the IHSA state series is very competitive for any sport but EXTREMELY competitive for cheerleading. So we take preparing for sectionals very seriously :) 

I made my famous SMORES BARS and they were a hit! Basically they are s'mores in a dessert bar cookie form. AKA a desert that gives you summer all year round :)  Stay tuned this week as I will share the recipe with you! 

I was out of school by 7 so it wasn't a late night. Pat also had basketball games at his school so an early, relaxing  night at home was much needed! 

I made some homemade guacamole and we relaxed on the couch before heading to bed early. 

Saturday 

Morning came quick as I had to be up at 730 and on the road to Hampshire by 815. 

Picked up my favorite skinny caramel macchiato and banana bread from Starbucks and I was off!

We had a short drive to Belvedere for our competition. It was a short competition but felt like forever as we waited for results for our varsity team. The top 5 teams in each division go to state so it is quite stressful! The girls took 4th giving them a bid to state! We had an amazing fan section on Saturday that cheered us on to get our bid! 

Jill is our Head Coach/ Varsity and I am the JV :)

We will leave Thursday for the weekend event down at ISU! WOO alumni :) #rollbirds  aka meaning the 5 day week I thought I was going to have quickly turned into a short 3 day week. As great as this sounds and will be, it is WAY MORE STRESSFUL planning for a sub than actually creating weekly lesson plans. #teacherlife 

Me. It is WAY harder to plan when I need a sub 😬

We went to celebrate and eat as a team with our fans and I ate enjoyed myself then headed home. Pat and I stayed in and it was so nice. He had an early and long Sunday so we started the Netflix series The Crown and both like it. We have one episode down but I find the fashion and history fascinating. 

We dozed early at uhh 930 lol and it was delightful.

Sunday

Early bedtime meant I was wide awake at 740. Pat got up and headed to his water polo tournament and I fell back asleep until 830. 

I got up made breakfast, answered emails, and binge watched Grey's Anatomy and planned my day. I was on a mission to accomplish 1 million things. 

I did laundry, ran the dishwasher, set the crock pot for dinner and picked up the house before heading out. 

I then conquered Target, Mariano's for groceries, the cleaners, and Comcast. 

My mom is my go to fashion guru and I was in need of some purple clothes for state this weekend, so she  joined me for shopping. 

We conquered Nordstrom Rack, Old Navy and Marshalls. And oh boy did we hit EVERY LINE POSSIBLE. I had little patience and I just wanted to run errands and get in and out. 

This is no 56 degrees like last weekend!! #smh #Chicago 

The crockpot was ready when I got home. I shredded the pork and gave it a good mix. 

Pat and I had been talking recently about Brussel sprouts so I decided to roast some as a veggie side with the pulled pork sandwiches. 

Simple Picture- kind of forgot to snap as I cooked!!

The sprouts were to die for!! So simple and delicious that I had two servings! I will share that recipe on Talk talk Tuesday.

We spent the night preparing for another busy week. Laundry, lunches and prepping meals. 

We watched the Tom Brokaw special on NBC and enjoyed the simplicity of being home together after balancing a busy weekend. 

That's a wrap for me! Tomorrow is Table talk Tuesday! Don't forget to stop by for a simple go to meal :) 

"I can do all this through him who gives me strength" - Philippians 4:13

Friday Favorites

Today is the day!!! ITS FRIDAY!

I am linking up with Momfessionals, Grace& Love and TabandErika to share our Friday Favorites!

I recently started following Fancy Ashley over on her blog. Last week she posted a video about how to get those PERFECT and I mean PERFECT beach waves. So of course I watched it about a bazillion times. Because I need #allthewaves. She posted her favorite products and I splurged and bought them as well! I do have to say all 3 products do NOT disappoint and I wonder every day how I got through without them..

Moroccan Oil Hairspray                      Drybar Triple Sec                                  Drybar Mai Tai Spritzer





This week I have had NO and I repeat NO cheerleading practice. It has been wonderful because I have been able to drive home when it is still light out and I got to see a whole lot of this face :) We even got to cook together three nights this week in OUR kitchen! yay!

~sidenote- older picture but I LOVE this one :)

In my  WUW post  this week I mentioned a book I am reading. I am loving it. Due to our very low key week, we have spent time reading in bed instead of TV and I have loved every minute of it. This book is such an easy read. Its hilarious but also a little on the WILD side! 

I have been in search of these bins for WEEKS! My co-worker at school told all us newbies to invest in some and I did and now I need them for all my classes #typeA #organizationfreak. Target sells the PERFECT size ones. Trust me there are different sizes. They have been out of them since before the holidays and when we went to Target on Monday I was STOKED because they had them in stock. 

I admit.... I do have all three colors. BUT all three colors go perfectly with my room decor. #winforall

I recently let (and by recently mean 1st semester) over come my life. I put working out on the FARTHEST back burner and have not been in months. Pat is so dedicated to staying fit and I want to kick it in to high gear so I am back to my original weight PRE fall. Yesterday I took the long 5 minute drive down the road to our community center and joined their gym. It truly is JUST what I need and I am pumped to get myself in shape for #marco2017 

And lastly...... I know I mentioned this a little bit above, but truly a favorite this week has been spending time with Pat. He normally takes a quick snooze after school so it has been SO nice coming home and relaxing after work with him. He is my rock. Supporter. Financial Guru. And my go to for a good laugh. He has been so supportive with all my new changes this year. He puts up with my attitude and keeps me in check. He has listened to COUNTLESS stories about crazy high schoolers and never once has let me down. He starts his coaching season soon so I am savoring our sweet time together😘

Well that's a wrap for the first FULL week of Balancing in Slippers :) THANK YOU to all who read and follow. I promise this journey I am on with my blog will not let you down. 

We have a busy Saturday and low-key Sunday ahead and I cannot wait for that!

Here is one of my TOP finds this week. I hope it brings a smile to your face. All you busy people out there---- YOU GOT THIS.

Warm & Cozy

Oh Thursday... You sly dog😜   Anyone else think of this when they hear that phrase? 

 #mychildhood

What a week it has been! I promised you a bachelor recap, so I am going to give you my insight on all these shenanigans before I start my post today. First off, I just don't know what to think of this season so far.... We know there always has to be a crazy girl #corinne. Then the sweetheart #daniellem. A sharkfin? #alexis a Russian Spy #kristina and of course the lady I PERSONALLY think will win :) #vanessa. SO much to recap and this episode took place in the city of.... wait for it.....

Milwaukee.

Like of all places.... As a true green bay fan at heart I'm all like YES, but as a viewer I'm all like uhhh what about Fiji?

ANYWHO! On this episode Danielle L got a one on one that I absolutely know it was stagged.. Like really your ex in the bakery you just happen to be walking past? #smh #abcyoucandobetter 

Then the group date. To sum it up: Corinne likes naps. Just like MJ and Lincoln right?

And then of course Raven also got the one on one. AND if you ask me, I thought the whole soccer game was awkward and weird. I DO NOT like when the ladies meet the parents before the final few episodes.  I thought the museum part was adorable though. That part of Milwaukee IS actually one of my favorites. Especially The Harbor House. BUT when Raven got into her ex-bf story I was all like.....

YALL!! 

Ok so OF COURSE ABC is making us wait ONCE again for the rose ceremony until next Monday. #notafan.

SO HERE IT IS!!!!! My post about everything I love that is warm and cozy :) If anyone knows me, they know that my best hobby is #relaxing under a blanket. I know, I know.... I sound lazy. But when you are up at 530 am every morning and at times not home until 9 pm, relaxing is a MUST! Here is what my relaxing looks like....

Anytime we are relaxing on the couch you can find us under this! 

This is our FAVORITE blanket EVER. It is from Costco and Pat and I fight over all the time. It is out of stock but here are a few more of my favs! 

Vera Bradley Throw      Brookstone footed Blanket 

Pat always says my body temperature is way OFF. I am either too hot or too cold. There is no in between. 

I HATE when I can feel my dry feet on our wood floors in the winter so here are my go-tos for my feet :)

(side note-- I have very deep blue veins on my feet so you will only see them covered or feet that are not mine)

These are my Carol Hochman socks I got for Christmas and I am 

OBSESSED!!! They come in a variety of colors and where else

 did I get them other than....  COSTCO! 

I was beyond lucky to score these UGG Ansley Slippers this christmas and I am obsessed. They tell you to go a size up and I do agree because they are TIGHT at the beginning. I of course went to Nordstrom :)

So if you happened to catch any of my pictures or selfies after Christmas two items appeared in those

QUITE frequently!
 Pat's parents gave the hat and scarf for Christmas and I wore both NON STOP from then on. The hat goes well with my short hair and obviously the scarf is a keeper too!
#selfiegamestrong

As you can see..... #obsessed
Due to the fact it is almost February both are out of stock. But here are some others very similar!

Pom-Pom Hat             Slouchy Hat 

Everyone needs a good robe. And I mean Everyone. During the holidays at the Barber house you can find at least one of us in a robe all day. This year it was the Cali man Kev. Probably because his blood didn't have enough time to adjust ;)

Mine is from Soma. The great thing about Soma is that they have SO many comfy clothes and jammies to choose from. And you wonder why I like that place....😝  The one I am wearing is a few years old but here is another VERY similar one they have! ROBE 

Now on to my TWO favorite sweaters of the season. One is a little pricey but an absolute #must. Also a great gift. And the other is my go to every day, butt covering sweater :) 

To begin with, I am FINALLY starting to realize why growing up my mother was obsessed and to this day still is with Nordstrom. I have recently become addicted as well. Not sure if this is a good or bad thing? #sorrypat

When I teach, I am all about EVERYTHING being covered. I also love sweaters with curved edges. Which I just noticed tonight both of my favs have! 

First up my Target go to. And are you shocked I said Target? A little history here... Target and I.. well we have a very complicated relationship. JUST ONCE I want to go in and come out with ONLY the items I needed!!! 

THIS IS ME!!!!!!!!!

Huge shoutout to my friend Lauren who was able to go in for JUST what she needed LAST NIGHT! Bless you.😍

Sweater. 

PSSTTT MOM. I feel I look just like mom when she was my age here :) 

As you can see the sweater covers the butt. And I HAVE a butt. WIN.

I am just in love with the curved edges.. and of course it is from Target!

AND MY FINAL ITEM....

My Barefoot Dreams Circle Cardigan.

This is going to cost you. I say this because I love you all. I have this in graphite and stone. I swear and live my life by these sweaters. They are so soft, warm and versatile. Shay Shull refers to it as the 'Blardigan' and why you ask? Because it so DANG soft it feels like a blanket cardigan! SO let me tell you. Watch for those semi-annual sales and take advantage of Nordstrom's free shipping. These make GREAT gifts for any lady in your life. It is warm & comfy and that is what we all need. Warmth and comfort.

(For reference, I wear a large in both. I like the extra length since I am tall and they then cover everything ) 

That's a wrap for me! I hope you found something you can relate to or is on your need list now :) Don't hesitate to ask questions about any of my items. Like I said I am all about making life easy and simple.... and warm of course!

Tomorrow is FRIDAY and  I am linking up with a few blogs to share our favorites! 

Stay warm Chicago. Stay Sunny everywhere else (: