I have one recipe I use that makes a lot and contains meatballs. But when I want to make a smaller amount (maybe about 4 servings), I make the following (very basic) sauce: saute chopped onion (maybe 1/2 cup) and 3 or 4 minced gloves of garlic in 2 Tablespoons of butter. As you saute this add a teaspoon each (I use generous teaspoons and don't measure) of dried oregano, dried rosemary, and dried thyme. Sprinkle salt and pepper in as desired. Let this cook until the onions are soft and the herbs are very fragrant. Add 16oz canned crushed tomatoes. I use RedPack or Cento, which I think are thicker than some other brands. Bring this to a simmer and let it simmer on low covered for a while...I'd say at least 10 or 15 minutes. You can eat it over pasta this way, which is delicious on its own, or add cooked sausage and simmer a little longer to let the meat further flavor the sauce. Another thing you can do with the basic meatless tomato sauce involves alcohol: After the tomato, onion, garlic, herb mixture simmers for about 5 minutes, add 1/2 cup of Absolut Pepper Vodka which you've already brought to a boil in a separate pot with a 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Let the sauce simmer maybe 10 minutes after adding the boiling vodka/pepper. Then add 3/4 cup half & half and 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese. Stir well and let simmer a little bit. I like to eat this with pasta that's been boiled with fresh spinach. Sprinkle more parm on top. This is a decadent treat. I love spicey food, and this sauce fits the bill. But even just the basic butter, onion, garlic, herb, tomato mixture is heavenly on its own. The rosemary really gives it a fantastic flavor. Hope this was all clear. - mando

Hubby's old family recipe has chili sauce spread on top. I think it would work very well inside the loaf as well. Here's his recipe in case you or anyone might want to try it. He makes it with 2 lbs. all ground beef instead of using pork and veal. Twin Meat Loaves * 1 lb. ground beef * 1/2 lb. ground pork (or ground beef) * 1/2 lb. ground veal (or ground beef) * 2 tbsp. finely chopped celery * 1/4 C. finely chopped onion * 2 tsp. salt * 1/4 tsp. pepper * 1/4 tsp. sage * 1/4 tsp. dry mustard * 1/4 tsp. poultry seasoning * 3 slices soft bread * 1 C. warm milk * 2 beaten eggs * 1 tbsp. Worchestershire Sauce * 1/2 C. dry bread crumbs (fine crumbs) * 1/2 C. chili sauce * 1/2 C. boiling water Thoroughly mix meats (unless you're using all ground beef). Add onion, celery, and seasonings. Cube bread, soak in milk, eggs and Worchestershire Sauce; beat with rotary beater. Combine meat and egg mixtures and form two loaves. Roll each loaf in bread crumbs and place in greased baking pan. Spread chili sauce on top of each loaf. Pour water around the base of the loaves in the pan. Bake uncovered at 350F for 60 minutes; baste occasionally with the liquid in the pan.

I bought a 24x24 sized standing stainless steel sink from Home Depot online. it was really expensive. I think it is about 12" deep, but not sure. It still needs to be installed, so I can't report on the product. I wanted stainless steel for my basement laundry area.

as a stay at home dad.. back in the day ... i think you are entirely missing the point ... spending time.. playing in the dirt with your kids is the only goal .. and you accomplished that ... and then.. presuming you were with them you taught them all kinds of things about ma nature .. including the evil vermin and bugs .. life .. especially in the garden... is not a disney movie ... that wascally wabbit.. and all ... frankly .. just do it again ... and enjoy it ... and i bet in 20 or 30 years.. the kids will surprise you.. by starting their own gardens ... now there is a worthwhile investment ... i gave up on growing food a long time ago ... i just couldnt generate enough in a small space to make it cost efficient ... im not going to spend 20 bucks growing 15 green beans.. when i can get a bushel basket of them in season on the roadside for the same 20 bucks ... if you want to do canning with the kids .. then just buy whatever is locally produced in bulk.. and do that ... but dont be the farm on producing it yourself .. on that small plot ... you might be better off just moving to flowers.. like most of us have ... ken ps: we grow in mother earth.. which is soil ... dirt is whatever is all over you ... when you work in soil .. BUT .... when you play in it.. its all dirt ... lol