SAS and A Letter to Mom. Taco Stuffed Shells, Lazy Cabbage Rolls.

Mexican Stuffed Shells

1lb ground beef
1 package taco seasoning
1 4 once package cream cheese
12 large pasta shells
1 cup salsa
1 cup taco sauce
1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
1 cup Monterey jack cheese (shredded)
1 ½ cups tortilla chips (crushed)
3 green onions (chopped)
1 cup sour cream

In a fry pan cook ground beef and add taco seasoning and prepare according to package directions. Add cream cheese cover and simmer until cheese is melted. Blend well. Set aside and allow to fully cool. While burger is cooking cook the pasta shells, drain and toss well with butter.

Pour salsa in the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch baking dish.

Stuff each shell with the meat mixture. Place the stuffed shells in the baking dish and cover the tops of the shells with taco sauce.

Cover and bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

After 30 minutes, uncover, and sprinkle crushed chips and shredded cheddar and Monterey jack cheeses on top. Cook for about 15 more minutes. Serve with sour cream, additional salsa, black olives, you know... all the "taco fixings!"

This next dish is something that my Mom, my sisters and I have made for as long as I can remember. I change it up a bit though. I think the tomato soup is a bit too sweet for my liking so I use half a can of the soup and a (small) can of tomato sauce. I also sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top! I didn't have any pics so I had to search Google for a couple. Mine is usually much more "tomato'y" (it IS a word damn it!) than this pic looks!

We call them "Lazy Cabbage Rolls!" This dish is super easy and yummy. Don doesn't eat cabbage, or I guess I should say didn't! Lol... He loved the HELL out of this dish!!! Yeah, seriously....he didn't eat cabbage before this!

Lazy Cabbage Rolls
1 lb ground beef
1 lb ground pork
2 large onions
1 1/2 cups uncooked rice
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 large head of cabbage (cut into bite size pieces)(I cut the cabbage into bigger chunks, it kind of falls apart so you don't want them too small!)
1 (10 oz can) can tomato soup
2 cups cheese (your choice, I use Italian blend.

Brown beef, pork and onions together until brown. Cover the rice with boiling water. Add salt and pepper, then boil until water is absorbed.

Fry cabbage until limp. Mix all ingredients together in a large casserole dish and cover with tomato soup and sprinkle with cheese.

Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Serves 6 to 8.


Every year I sit down and write my Mom a letter on the "anniversary" of her death, on her birthday and on Mother's day. Sometimes I just write one when I'm missing her. Today is the 12 year anniversary of her passing.

Dear Momma,

Wow! 12 years (today) have gone by since we lost you. It hasn't gotten easier, not that I really expected it to. I miss you just as much today as I did the day you left us.

Don and I are doing great. Yeah, we're going through some stressful times but it's only bringing us closer. He takes such good care of me Momma. I really wish you could have met him. I honestly think if you could have gone out and hand picked the man for me, it would be him. You'd love him.

His love is of the purest kind. He believes in me more than anyone I know, besides you. He treats me like the queen you always told me I am. Really Ma...you'd love him.

Rusty's doing amazing. I talked to him tonight an he was telling me about his job. He's been trying to get a promotion at work. He has more determination that I ever thought I had. His plan is to own a house by the time he's 25 and I swear Ma, I don't have a doubt that he'll do it.

I worry about him though Momma. Next week will be the 1 year "anniversary" of his Dad's suicide. I'd give anything to be there with him. Just to wrap my arms around him. I know he tries to act all "macho" and act like he doesn't need his Momma anymore, but in truth...he's just a kid trying to deal with the fact that his father committed suicide. He said he's ok. But the Mom in me....you know how it is.

Momma I swear, not a day goes by that I don't think about you, about how much I miss you. How much I wish you were still here. I love you Momma.

I'll probably do another entry today for my "30 Days of Truth." Just sayin'....