Silent Auction! (Please read!)

Hi, Everybody!

I am putting together a silent auction to raise money for my volunteer trip to Russia this fall.  I am going to be teaching English to children through a program called ILP!  The date of the auction is still to be determined, because I want to make sure I can get enough donations before I set a date.  I already have 5 people who have donated, and I am hoping to get the word out!  Whether it's an actual item, a gift card, a craft from an etsy shop, or a free consultation of some sort, I'd really appreciate any donation of any kind! I currently have an hour photography session, a couple of items from friends etsy shops, a sample of a nutritional system, a vinyl gift, a box of Mary Kay goodies, and some hair services! It's really just a hodge-podge of things, so don't feel like you need to have an expensive or remarkable item to donate.  Any little bit helps! Please contact me if you want to donate, know someone who might want to donate, or have any questions: 720-224-4720. Email: keeleybee18@gmail.com       Thank you!  I really appreciate it!

-Keeley Farrell

Recipe: Easy Mexican Casserole

For dinner tonight, we had this super easy casserole!  If your family likes tacos, they'll love this!  Give it a try! (I actually got a picture of this one before we ate it!)

Easy Mexican Casserole:

-1 pound ground beef
-3/4 cup of salsa
-1 (16 oz) can of chili beans (drained)
-3 cups of tortilla chips (crushed)
-1 cup of sour cream
-1 (2 oz) can of sliced olives (optional)
-1/2 cup of chopped green onion (optional)
-1/2 cup of chopped fresh tomato
-2 cups of shredded cheese (cheddar)

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2) In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until no longer pink.  Stir in salsa, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.  Stir in beans, and heat through.

3) Spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray.  Spread crushed tortilla chips in dish, and then spoon beef mixture over chips.  Spread sour cream over beef, and sprinkle olives, green onion, and tomato over the sour cream.  Top with cheddar cheese.

4) Bake in oven for 20-30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Recipe: Meatballs and Tomato Sauce

I don't know what kind of magic is in the air, but lately it's been easy to cook for Kian and Ella.  Whenever I make dinner they actually eat without throwing fits about the food.  And tonight, Kian even said, "This smells good, and tastes good!"  And he ate ALL of it!  Maybe I should cook dinner every night?  Maybe...

 I wanted to share the recipe because we all really enjoyed it!  And it's pretty darn easy!

Meatballs and Tomato Sauce:

-1 pound of ground beef
- 1/3 cup of milk
- 2 slices of bread
- 1 tbs. of minced garlic
- 2 1/2 tbs. of minced onion
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tbs. of parsley
- 1 tbs. of Italian Seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon of pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 3 tbs. of olive oil
- 1/4 cup of fresh tomato (diced)
- 2 tbs. of butter
- 1/4 of 28 oz. can of tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup of sour cream

1) In a small sauce pan, heat the milk.  Soak the bread in the milk, turning the slices over to absorb the milk.  Place the bread in a large bowl.  Add the meat, garlic, onion, eggs, parsley, Italian seasoning, pepper, and salt.  Using your hands, mix together the ingredients for about a minute. 

2) Using the sauce pan with the remaining milk, add the tomato sauce, tomatoes, butter, and sour cream.  If desired, add garlic and onion.  Let the sauce heat on low and stir occasionally.

3) Roll the meat mixture from the bowl into 1 1/2 in. balls.  In a large skillet, heat the olive oil on medium heat.  Once the pan is warm enough, add the meatballs.  Cook the meatballs on each side until you get your desired color. If you want them to be cooked through without any pink, it should take about 8-10 minutes. 

4) Once the meatballs are cooked to your liking, add the sauce and let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for a couple of minutes.  Stir occasionally to mix the meatballs and sauce properly.

5) Serve the meatballs over spaghetti or just by themselves.  Enjoy!