Mangia!

Recently i have been asked by a LOT of people about my pasta!!



i grew up in an italian family where the sauce was made from scratch and sundays meant: going to church, going to grandma's with all my aunts, uncles and cousins, eating pasta and sausage, playing penny poker and having a lunch meat platter for dessert!



i loved those days. the food, the family and the fun - good memories! unfortunately, this tradition did not last for many reasons - family relocations, deaths and the busy schedules that we all have nowadays.



because of my busy schedule, i didn't always have time to make the sauce the way grandma did, so i took a shortcut. after may attempts i came up with a winner.



and to my delight, my pasta sauce is a big hit with everyone who tries it.



so i am ready to share my "cheatin" sauce recipe:

3 TBSP of EVOO

3 garlic cloves

2 lbs. ground chuck

1 large jar of Prego Traditional Sauce
(i get the super huge jars from costco)

1 15 oz. can tomato sauce

1/4 cup of sugar



In a large pot simmer EVVO and garlic. When just starting to brown (about 2 minutes) add the meat. Cook meat and drain. Return meat to pot, add Prego, tomato Sauce and sugar. Bring to a boil. And simmer, simmer, simmer - the longer the better.



that's it!!! easy and delicious.

~~~ lookie, i've got junk in my trunk ~~~

wanna take a peek into my trunk?

i love those pumpkins - creamy white and a grayish shade of black - perfect.

i spent some happy money today. at my favorite store. The Lamb's Tail. it is the most adorable antique shop. the shop is located inside of an historic rustic barn, complete with real goats and lamb's.

to me, it is heaven - i get lost inside this place. the word charming, isn't even sufficient enough to describe this shopping paradise.

Let's take a closer look at my new treasures.....

love this cake plate and dome - $10 ~ not too bad!
i am looking for just the right location in my house for it.

my sole intention for this trip was to find a fisherman's basket to hang on my front door - and yes, I sure did find one! now i have to figure out how to hang it.

i have this weird thing for wood boxes (however, i never want to be in a coffin - creeeepy)!
when i saw this box, it practically begged me to bring it home - how could i possibly decline?

this rickity tin basket now is home to many white tapers.

as i was putting away my new possesions - i realized that i have consumed quite a bit of merchandise from the lamb's tail..........for instance.

this

and this

oh, and this

table ~ i think i paid $20 for it, in the clearance room!

(my puppy also loved this table so much she tried to eat, see bottom left leg)

and last but certainly not least....

my very first purchase and my very favorite piece.

the lamb's tail is located in the cute little town of armada, michigan - if you are in the area, i would highly recommend a detour!