Supper in the Crockpot - Meatballs

I got this recipe off of the yahoo crockpot group, and made it and liked the concept, but didn't like the result too much. I now have adapted it until it is in my opinion an A+ meatball recipe. I used to make good meatballs from my MIL's recipe, but because they were browned (fried) first, they always seemed to end up triangular instead of round, which wasn't that visually appealing. This recipe produces nice round meatballs and I don't have to do any frying, so the mess and the fat is lots less. I use a cookie scoop, and so they are uniform in size. I like mine small, so I use the 1" size, but you could make them whatever size you prefer. After I descoop them, I round them up a bit with my hands, and I spray the scoop and my hands with cooking spray first. I didn't bother to take a picture, as now all you can see is spaghetti sauce.

CROCKPOT MEATBALLS

1 1/4 pounds low fat ground beef

1 cup seasoned Italian bread crumbs

1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated

1 Tbsp. minced parsley (fresh or dried)

1-3 cloves minced garlic, or garlic powder

3/4 cup milk

2 or 3 eggs

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper, scant

Mix ingredients and form into balls. Any size is ok. Put in crockpot with a couple of jars of sauce, one on the bottom and one on top.

We prefer Bartolli's or Barilla's Basil and Tomatoes Sauce. Cook about 4-6 hours on high or 7-8 hours on low. Can be frozen and reheated from the freezer in the crockpot. Makes about 28 1 inch meatballs.

I hope that if you try it you like it.

Giveaway Drawing and Prize

I waited until this morning for the giveaway drawing, just to allow for all the different time zones. Then I had to wait for DH to get up, as he sometimes sleeps in, and then even before he was showered and dressed we did it, that is why all that is showing is his hand, he was a little uncomfortable about being on the internet in his jammies. He picked number 23 Carol VR, who's from Canada, and whose blog is a new one to me. That was one of the nice things about having the giveaway, discovering new to me bloggers. Her blog is No Reason Needed, if you'd like to have a look.

I didn't make anything, but I hope she likes her gifts. There are several fat quarters and some thread from Connecting Threads, a charm pack in a tin from Hancock's of Padukah from a few years ago, I had bought several. All the things needed to wear scissors around your neck so that they don't get lost, the necklace the retracto reel and the scissors which are also seam rippers. I have some and like them a lot, as they are snips and also ready in case there was a boo-boo (not the ouch kind the rip-it kind). And last but not least, a little wooden birdhouse (I had gotten 4 of them and am down to 1, which I think will be for me), and a tiny bone china bowl from Old Country Roses, which would be great as a little pin dish, or even for holding jewelry that you take off in the evening.
Thank you to everyone who left a comment and also to those who put the link on their blogs. You are all wonderful, and I wish I could give everyone a prize.

And Another Two.......

Isn't this adorable! Go sign up on Applique Today, Joanna is having a 100th post giveaway.

Also, Cheryl at Polka Dots & Rick Rack is having her one year blogiversary and is giving away one of Nicole's Raggedy Old Annies.

I would be beyond happy to win either one.

Another Mystery Giveaway

Inger Lise of Lises Hobbyblogg is having a giveaway, too. She's celebrating her 100th post, and has a wonderful blog. You've got until the end of the week to leave a comment.

100th Post

Wow, I just realized that this is my 100th post. I guess that I had better have a giveaway. Not sure what I'm giving away yet, but if you leave a comment you will be in for one chance, and as per the usual rules, a link to my giveaway will get you another chance. I wish that I had thought ahead and had a pretty picture of the prize to display, but as usual I am not completely with it. Since I have to have time to think, I will have the drawing next Wednesday, August 13th, how's that. I can't promise handmade, but I do promise it will be something quilty and nice.

Giveaway

Marit is having a giveaway on her blog Marits Hobbyblogg for her 100th post. As you can see, it is for a beautiful set of potholders and napkin holder. Her blog is very charming and worth a visit just to look around.

Turning Twelve

I've been working on my Turning Twelve (Twenty), and figured since this is my first attempt at FMQ I'd better take a picture now, as this may be the best it ever looks (lol). The sock monkey is machine embroidery, and seemed to go along with the backing material since he's playing basketball. It's about 48 x 62 inches, and that is hopefully a good size for a 4 year old boy, and won't be outgrown for a couple of years. Now, next step is set up my machine for FMQ and practice, practice, practice. If my meandering is bad, I am thinking of doing circles all over using my quilt halo, and if my back stitching looks bad, I may get out the walking foot, and stitch in the ditch. I have plans A, B, and C depending on how my practice goes.

50th Post Giveaway

If you haven't been to Farmyard Crafts in a day or two it's definitely worth a visit. She's celebrating her 50th post, and had added a new wrinkle to the celebration. She has a winner, a runner up, and a surprise present. Hmmm.

Mail, Turning Twelve

Yesterday, I also got 2 other things in the mail, but didn't have the picture handy on the magazine, and just had a cardboard box on the desk. I got the magazine on Amy's recommendation, she made the cover quilt, and plus it has one of Bonnie Hunter's quilts included. I haven't read it yet, but may tonight while my husband watches his Red Sox. The little desk is a cheapie from Target for my Janome Jem. I wanted to keep it in the family room for when we have company using my sewing room to sleep in.

Also, I have picked out the fabrics for a Turning Twelve quilt that I'm making for my dentist's four year old son. I'm going to try to quilt this one myself, worse comes to worse, I guess I can tie it (lol).

Granddaughter, Gifts, Giveaways, and Mail

What a wonderful day today. At 9:00 AM this morning my granddaughter Tabitha came over and we tried to do some crochet. Since it has been years since I have done any serious crochet, and I'm right handed and she's left handed it was a struggle, but she is starting to catch on in spite of me, and I think will be adept soon. She stayed about 6 hours, and it was great to be able to visit with her and have lunch together. DH was here too, and he also enjoyed it, and checked her oil and did manly grandfather things. While she was here the mailman came, and I got to show off a bit. The top picture is a lovely gift from Amanda who has turned into a dear friend. We will probably never meet, as traveling doesn't look to be in the cards for either of us, but it sure is easy to feel like you know her. I'm borrowing the books to learn more about Bath, which she recently visited and the stitchery was a wonderful surprise. It was beautiful on her blog, but even more so in person. Another package was The Quilter's Homecoming and a really pretty fat quarter (I love butterflies) from Erin of Hannie's Annie's. Quilter's are the most generous people in the world. I had won a giveaway on Doni's blog for a fat quarter, and it came today, too. 'Life is good' Doni, and I love the fat quarter. It reminds me of ticking, which I love, and will add to any quilt. Not too many such good mail days around here.


I almost forgot my package that came from Connecting Threads. I got two fat quarter samplers, you can see a sample in the last picture, and also a little gadget to hold rulers steadier, and some Chaco Liner pens to try. Whew, you know it was a good mail day when I forget my Connecting Thread order.