3 Winks Design

2 Kinds of Stuffed French Bread Sandwiches

8/20/2018

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Do you have any of those types of cookbooks that were put together by organizations, like a church group or a club? I have a few from different places. Some of my old favorite recipes come from these cookbooks. I often look through them for inspiration, or just for fun! That is what I was doing the other day when I came across a Stuffed French Bread Sandwich contributed by my sister's friend, Cathy Campbell. It looked really tempting so I was excited to give it a try.

With a few variations, here is the original recipe.

Beef And Cheese Stuffed French Bread

My husband really liked this recipe. I thought it needed a little more zip. Not super spicy. just maybe some bell pepper or some sour cream to give it some tang. Try it and see what you think. But, my husband is a real meat and potatoes kind of guy, so he thought this was just great.

Well, I kept thinking about it and I thought about the fact that I usually eat French bread with Italian food and spread it with garlic butter. That is when I came up with the idea to make a Stuffed French Bread Spaghetti Sandwich! I did it, pasta and all! Guess What! It is super good. It is similar to a meatball sandwich, but even better! Here is how I did it.

I pulled out the soft center of the bread and added that to the meatballs and the sauce. Then, I buttered the inside of the bread and sprinkled on garlic powder.

I cooked some spaghetti and laid the pasta down in the bread as the next layer.

Spoon the sauce, bread and meatballs that have been mixed with about 1/2 c mozzarella over the top of the pasta.

I forgot to photograph the additional cheese, an Italian blend that I sprinkled on top of the sauce before putting the top back on.

Finally, wrap the loaf in foil and bake it for 20 min. like you did the first loaf.

Stuffed French Bread Spaghetti And Meatball Sandwich

These sandwiches are so good and easy to serve. I am now imagining other versions that would be delicious! What combinations are you thinking about? Let me know and we can try them together!

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Friday Faves-Thoughts on Friendship

8/16/2018

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**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. But, all opinions expressed are my own.

Sometimes I think about what kind of a friend I am. I have some very dear friends who mean the world to me and I know in my heart that throughout our relationships, they have been much better friends to me than I have been to them. I just can hardly believe how kind and thoughtful they are and I truly want to be more like them. When my sister passed away, our dear friends from the East Coast were traveling in the North West. But, when they heard about my sister, they went out of their way to come down to Arizona to see us, just for a few hours before we left for California for the funeral, to give us their love and comfort. That was such sweet, touching display of friendship.
The 3rd week of August is National Friendship Week and the 4th week is Be Kind and Thoughtful Week. With school starting and with all of the focus on treating one another better so kids don't end up broken, these two special weeks are a very timely reminder. So, for Friday Faves we are talking about what being a friend means to us.

"True friendship comes when the silence between two people is comfortable." ~David Tyson

Two of my dear friends live many states away from me now. But, when we get together, we can pick up talking as if we had been together the day before. We can be silent with each other and it is not uncomfortable. We can laugh with each other and be understanding of each other. I love that about our friendships.

"Sometimes, being with your best friend is all the therapy you need."

Lindsey and I both agreed that quote is so true! I especially feel that way about my husband, who is my ultimate best friend. When I've had a rough day, just being able to talk to him and know that he loves me in spite of my short comings or insecurities is great therapy. I hope I am that kind or support for him!
Whenever my friend from Michigan is in town for the winter months, we always meet at a favorite restaurant and sit and talk for hours. I know that it has been therapy for both of us as we chat about our struggles with life, worries about our children and all of the happy things as well. I cherish those moments with her.

Alicia mentioned her friends who are so loving and giving and never give a second thought to helping her out if she needs it. I know Alicia is not a very needy person, so that is really sweet to notice those people in her life.
I found a quote that I really love and turned it into a printable. You can frame it or make it into a card. But, I hope you like it. I am going to put it up to remind me of the qualities that I want to improve on when it comes to being a friend.

I love this saying: "A friend is one who overlooks your broken fence and admires the flowers in your garden. It has a very much deeper meaning than the obvious. You may want a frame a little larger than the one I used. Just print it off and cut it to size.

Or you can just make it into cards for your friends.

Owl on fence friendship print

Here are a couple of more quotes that I really liked. This next one reminds me so much of Madalynn and her best friend, Charley. I can't tell you how often Charley has come over and I have found these two girls asleep, one on the couch and one on the love seat.

"Real friendship is when your friend comes over to your house and then you both just take a nap."

And who hasn't had this "AHA!" moment?

"Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: 'What! You, too? I thought I was the only one." ~C.S. Lewis

I have friends of all ages and sizes that I have made long ago and very recently who fit in with that description. It is so much fun to find a "kindred Spirit" as Anne of Green Gables would put it. So, here is how I am going to strive to be a better friend:

Be more observant of the needs of my friends and listen without judgement.
Be willing to give of my time and talents without a second, selfish thought.
Reach out more often and don't let so much time go by without letting them know how much I love them! (Hey Kelly and Ruth! Hold me to it!)

So, what do you notice about friendship? Are you the friend you would want to have? Tell us your thoughts, and have a wonderful weekend!

Because I love Winnie the Pooh! You can click on this and order it on Etsy.

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Renny's Recipes: Chicken Fajita Bowls

8/16/2018

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A few weeks ago we had dinner at my parent's house and we decided to make beef fajitas. Well, I have been craving fajitas ever since! We didn't have any tortillas in the house though, so for almost a week I'd tell my husband, "I'm thinking about making chicken fajitas for dinner tonight..." then he'd remind me we did not have tortillas.

Finally I got the chicken out to defrost one day and just decided I'd make a chicken fajita bowl instead. All the flavor a good chicken fajita, without the tortilla!

On top of that I decided to put the fajitas on a bed of riced cauliflower, so, this is a wonderful, low carb, veggie packed meal.

It's quick and easy to make to boot! I topped it with sliced avocado, simply because I only had one avocado, which would not make enough guacamole for me. It was tasty! Now that I'm blogging about it, I want to make these chicken fajitas for dinner again tonight!

Chicken Fajita Bowl