Meatball Sub Casserole

Good Tuesday morning!

RANDOMNESS #1 - Roxie received her volleyball Spirit Pack today. Fun fact for you... Trying on Spirit Pack clothes is just as fun as trying on any other kind of clothes at the mall.

No. I'm not kidding.

"I love my knee pads." Okay. I am convinced you have to be a volleyball player to truly love knee pads.

Personally, I love ice cream.

Since Roxie had just finished Boot Camp prior to receiving her Spirit Pack, she requested no pictures of her from the neck up be shown on the blog this morning. And I obliged. (Cute logo!)

There are more shirts, pants, socks, etc., but these were her three favorite. Plus, that gives you an idea of why she was excited.

Volleyball Camp begins next week, and then we will be camp-free for the rest of the summer. I'm just thankful she loves it!

RANDOMNESS #2 - I wanted to share a few more informative tidbits from the book The 10 Second Rule this Tuesday morning. Hang on for INSIGHT!

Just in case you didn't read the post where I first talked about The 10 Second Rule, here's a little refresher... "Just do the next thing you're reasonably certain Jesus wants you to do (and commit to it immediately -- in the next 10 seconds -- before you change your mind.)"

Sounds super easy, doesn't it?

In reality, not so much.

"Christian character is shaped less by our big, dramatic decisions than by the cumulative impact of thousands of small acts of obedience. Those small acts shape our character and prepare our hearts to accept more bold assignments from God. They are the building blocks for a life that God blesses.

"Godliness is what comes from a battle fought dozens of times a day, in dozens of mostly small decisions... ." "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4.

I especially love Clare De Graaf's Epilogue.

"Following Jesus is the only hope I have of living this life with purpose, energy and expectation. I hope to end my days doing what I'm doing now -- being the patriarch of my family and cheering them on to godliness, making sad people smile and the lonely laugh, giving the poor hope, meeting young men at Starbucks who have no interest in God, pointing wayward men back to their families, teaching the whole counsel of God -- and I hope to do it all while keeping God's reputation and mine intact.

"God help me."

God help us all.

RANDOMNESS #3 - In other news, Roxie and I are finished with the first season of Downton Abbey... and I am feverishly searching high and low for the second season today. (I wouldn't normally use the word "feverishly," but since I've seen the first season of Downton Abbey, my vocabulary has changed a wee bit. I wouldn't normally use the word "wee" either.)

RANDOMNESS #4 - It's Tuesday, and you know what that means. Dance Moms tonight!

Am I the only one who is thankful we live in the year 2012 where reality shows rule?! Am I? Survivor, Duck Dynasty, Dance Moms.

It's the little things, I tell you, that make me smile!

Meatball Sub Casserole

I've been on Pinterest again. This recipe caught my eye because of three specific things. Meatball... Sub... Casserole.

How can this possibly NOT be the best family casserole ever created?

You will need the following:

1 loaf Italian bread, cut into 1-inch thick slices
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1 pound package fully cooked frozen meatballs, thawed
1 (28 ounce) jar pasta sauce
1 cup water

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Arrange bread slices in a single layer in an ungreased 9" x 13" baking dish. Fill in any gaps with smaller bits of bread.

3. In a bowl, combine cream cheese, mayonnaise and seasonings. Spread mixture over bread slices.

4. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese.

5. Gently mix together spaghetti sauce, water and meatballs, spoon over cheese.

6. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.

7. Bake uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes.

8. Serve with a green salad. (DEFINITELY serve with a green salad. Especially if you want to alleviate some of the guilt associated with having more than one serving of this casserole!)

NOTE: For a firmer base layer, lightly toast bread slices before placing them in the bottom of your baking dish.

What do you think? Completely doable, right?

I'll be back tomorrow with Wednesday Wisdom, a Seasonal Tradition, Randomness and a little bit more.

Take care, and I'll talk to you in the morning.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda