Relaxing...Productive...Weekend? What is that???

The Holidays are here and there is something happening every weekend, almost every weekday, plus work, plus the everyday stuff, and it was beginning to be to much.  I needed a relaxing weekend to GET STUFF DONE and that is what I did.

I had the house to myself.  So it was pretty quiet, the TV was off most of the time, except for when I was watching Pretty Woman.

I achieved so much and now I can say I feel ready to take on all of our festivities.

Here are all of the items I checked off my To-Do List:

1. Went through my childhood boxes, consolidated 3 big tubs into one small shoe box of the best pictures. 

2. Dropped clothes, books, and toys off at the Good Will. 

3. Cleaned out my closet and rearranged my clothes in my drawer like they did here.

4. Made Home-Made Sausage and breakfast casserole for the week.

5. Ate Trade Joe's Joe-Joes and watched Pretty Woman.

6. Made Spaghetti Squash and Tomato sauce for the week. 

7. Cleaned my stove.  I placed the burners in ammonia.   I tried the all natural salt, vinegar, and baking soda for the stove top, but that didn't seem to work great, so I used 409 after.  It still isn't as clean as I would like on my main burner, but I will try again soon.  I need more vinegar and baking soda.

Ta da...

8. Cleaned my bath tub with Borax.  (The marks on the bottom are from a previous tenant and won't budge, any ideas?)

9. Made grain-free Pumpkin Pancakes and Apple Butter from Apple Hill.

Ready for Some FOOTBALL!

And to try some Pinterest recipes! I have been pining for the last few months saving recipes to make for  guests, but we have been so busy we haven't had anyone over for a few weeks.  Well the time has come that I get to try 2 pinned recipes.

First for an appetizer dip while watching the game I made The Food Gospel According to Ruth's, Caprese Dip!  I used Ruth's recipe for the most part but added ricotta to add more volume and a lighter consistency.  I think it worked while it was hot, but I hated the textured when it cooled.  I need to find something to keep my dips warm, I was thinking a crock pot, but that isn't cute on the coffee table!

I drizzled some of our amazing balsamic vinegar on top from the wine fest! 

This year I have had a serious thing for peaches, and reasonably so because they are sooooo good!  You can see on my Yummy board many peach recipes.  The one I pinned from Bakerella's blog is a Peach Cake Crumble.  In true Sarah fashion, I have to add my own adjustments.  Instead of canned peaches, I used fresh peaches sautéed in a stick of butter and sprinkled brown sugar and let them soften and get really juicy!

Finally I got to use my new plates!!! They are so small, but I love them! 

By the way, who won the game?  

What's for dinner?

Zucchini Spaghetti with Tomato Basil Ground Beef

Simple, tasty, delicious and REAL FOOD!