Spaghetti Casserole

For those of you who know me, cooking isn't one of my strong points.  I just barely "get by" when it comes to cooking.  The recipes I post here on the blog are all easy, usually fast and pretty much fail proof.  This one is no exception.  My childhood friend, Nancy's mom always made Spaghetti Casserole when it was her turn to cook for youth supper (which he had every Sunday evening at church).  Everyone was always so glad when it was her turn because this was so good. 

Spaghetti Casserole

1 1/2 lb. ground beef

1 medium onion, chopped

1/4 cup bell pepper, chopped (optional)

1/2 tsp. garlic salt or powder

1 can Campbell's Golden Mushroom Soup

1 can Tomato Soup

1 package spaghetti

Cheddar Cheese, grated

Brown meat and onion and drain.  Add bell pepper and garlic salt.  Add mushroom soup and tomato soup.  Turn heat on low and let simmer for 5 to 10 minutes.  Cook spaghetti according to package directions and drain.  Add spaghetti to meat mixture.  In a large casserole dish, add half of the mixture.  Top with grated cheese, then add the remaining layer of mixture.  Add remaining cheese to top.  Bake at 300 degrees for 15 - 20 minutes.  

This can be prepared ahead of time and frozen.  When cooking from froze, cover with foil and bake for 30 - 45 minutes. 

Splash Pad

Sunday evening we celebrated Joey's birthday at Wentzel's in Montgomery.  Dinner was great and we had so much fun visiting with friends.  Before the birthday dinner we all met at the new Splash Pad so the kiddos could have a little fun.

Jack and Marshall

Virginia Kate

Mary Porter

Daniel and Jack had lots of fun running, laughing and.....

 ....well, doing what little boys do best.

There really are no words....

Lunchroom Mural

For the past two weeks I have been working on a mural at the lunchroom at Tallassee Elementary School.  Mrs. Williams, the assistant principal asked if I would be willing to add to the existing "food characters" that were already in the lunchroom.  I must admit I was a little intimidated because I have never painted a mural or anything this scale.  Once I got started it all fell into place and I am happy with the way it turned out. 

This was the way the wall looked when I started.  Mrs. Noble, a teacher (and former art teacher) at the school painted these cute little guys.

I gave each little fellow a few new friends and labeled each food group.

Georgie helped with the lettuce.  She helped paint his eyes!  She says she can't wait for school to start so she can tell her friends she helped with the mural.

Jack's Birthday Party

This sweet baby is not so much a baby anymore....boo hoo!  Jack turned 5 on July 17th and we celebrated with a Batman party at Pump It Up in Montgomery.  After attending MANY parties at Pump It Up, Jack was thrilled to have his very own party there.  He had a great time and enjoyed playing with his sweet little friends. 

Jack with his friends from school: Camden, Bry and Avery

My best attempt at a group picture. 

Jack and Laken

Avery and Jack

Avery, Daniel, Brooke, Georgia Anne and Jack

This was Banks first Pump It Up party and he had a blast!  He would come up to Michael and hold his arms up to him....meaning take me down that slide again!  So he would.... 

Banks looks scared, but believe me...that boy was anything but scared!



Memaw with sweet Mary Porter

Zadie and Daniel holding hands down the slide.

Nana, Tori, Banks and Papa

Cheese!!
Jack, William, Bry and Bruin

The Birthday Boy

Cake Time!

Banks sure did enjoy the party food!

Brooke and Georgia Anne

Opening presents is always fun!

Swim Lessons

Last summer Jack just barely missed the deadline to sign up for swim lessons due to having a summer birthday.  This summer he was very excited because he was finally old enough to take swim lessons at the city pool.  He did a great job and is a little more comfortable in the water.

Jack and his teacher, Mr. Joel 

 On the last day of lessons, they got to have a "fun day" filled with playing and popsicles. 

 I was so proud of Jack because the jumped off the diving board!! 

Jack really looked up to Joel and tried to do everything he did.  Joel was sitting on the side of the pool and Jack went and sat beside him.  So cute!

 Daniel talked a big game!  For two weeks while he played in the baby pool he kept saying he would not be scared to jump off the diving board.  He wasn't a baby.  Well, they gave him a chance to give it a try on the last day.

He was very confident as he climbed up and walked out....

until he got out over the water.  One look down and he chickened out!

Miss Hannah tried to get him to jump from the side....nope not doing that either!

Georgia Anne also took lessons.  She completed Level 3 and loved her teacher, Miss Hannah.

Choir Camp: Spend Awhile on the Nile

Last week Georgia Anne participated in Choir Camp at our church.  30 school age children put on a wonderful show directed by Leslye Ames (Elizabeth's mom).  It is truly amazing what they do in only five short days of camp.  On Thursday evening, they performed an entire musical, Spend Awhile on the Nile.   

Waiting to go on...



Kiley, Elizabeth, Georgia Anne, Caleb and Meg



The opening number

Elizabeth, Kiley, Georgie were the Pharaoh's Back-Up Band in Poor, Poor Pharaoh.

Georgia Anne was the burning bush...

Afterwards at the reception Kiley, Georgia Anne and Caleb were hamming it up!



Elizabeth, Hannah and Georgie



Jack, Daniel and Nana



I was in charge of the reception after the performance.  I thought I'd share the food table with you.