Beefy Mushroom Meatballs

2 slices bread, torn
2 T. milk
1 egg, beaten
3 T. finely chopped onion
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
1-1/2 lbs. ground beef
1 T. butter or margarine
2 T. flour
1 can (10-12 oz.) beef consomme
2 cans (4 oz. each) mushroom stems and pieces, drained
1 T. dried parsley flakes
1 T. Worcestershire sauce
1 t. beef bouillon granules
1/2 C. sour cream
Hot cooked noodles, optional
Minced fresh parsley

In a bowl, combine bread and milk. Add the egg, onion, salt and pepper; mix well. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Shape into 1-in. balls. In a large skillet, brown meatballs in small batches over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain on paper towels.
In a large saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour until smooth. Gradually add consomme; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; add the mushrooms, parsley, Worcestershire sauce and bouillon. Add meatballs; simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat; stir in sour cream. Serve over noodles (or rice, in our case:) if desired. Garnish with parsley.
Yield: 6-8 servings

We (Joanna and I) made this several weeks ago. It was very well received, much to our relief.
In other news, I have been reading a very non-interesting book. The House of the Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne is (so far at least) as dry at paste. I've been dubbed in our house as the person that loves slow books. I'm not sure I can handle this one. It doesn't seem to have something I can take away from it and apply to my personal life. I mean, I don't live in a creepy house, and really, my name isn't Hephziba or Phoebe! If you want a good book to read, try these out. I just finished reading most of these in the last couple of weeks.
William Wilberforce: Hero for Humanity by Kevin Belmonte-probably my favorite read thus far in this year. Wilberforce has really inspired me.
The Dogs May Bark, but the Caravan Moves On by Helen Morse-an excellent read about a family dedicated to missionary service over in Asia.
Statesmen and Saint by David Vaughn-another book about William Wilberforce. Please, don't ask me which one I liked better because they're both running neck and neck with each other!
Ishmael Worth by Eden Southworth-this book is one of the best I have ever read on what it means to really be a Christian. No matter how low you are, you never compromise your beliefs. The character Ishmael is the essence of Christian manhood. Don't get me wrong, he's very human. But the book shows his struggles and how he overcomes them-by prayer and the study of Scripture. A truly inspirational book.
The Eyes of the World by Harold Bell Wright-I'm currently reading this one. So far it's very good. HBW is one of my favorites.
So, I can't wait until I am done with Hawthorne's book. Another book you don't want to read is this: The Crucible by Arthur Miller. I wanted to cry at the end because these people have no hope. The Crucible takes place around the Salem Witch Trials. I had to read it for school. This book is worse than The House of the Seven Gables or the Scarlet Letter. It also probably ranks as "most depressing book of the year for Jane Cole."
I'm off to practice music. I'll probably play Tarantella by W.H. Squire, or Impromptu in Ab major by Schubert, or mom might ask me to play the Swan by that French composer. Oh joy!

BTW, thanks for commenting Kathy! You should do that more often. *wink wink* Soli Deo Gloria!

One of My Signatures....

I recently made this for an office potluck.....and as usual, they got rave reviews. We even had two guys litterally fighting over the last few....pushing, shoving, pulling on each other's clothes....for a minute there I thought I was going to be wearing the meatball. I only wish I could take the credit for inventing the recipe....but I just clipped it from a magazine a few years back. So here you have it......

Barbecued Meatballs
Combine:

3 lb. ground beef
1 ½ c. milk
1 c. quick oatmeal
1 c. cracker crumbs
2 eggs
½ c. chopped onion
½ t. garlic powder
2 t. salt
½ t. ground black pepper
2 t. chili powder

Form into walnut-size balls. Freeze on cookie sheets lined with wax paper. When frozen, transfer to ziplock bags and keep in freezer until ready to use.

Sauce:

2 c. ketchup
1 c. brown sugar
½ t. liquid smoke
½ t. garlic powder
¼ c. chopped onion

Combine sauce and pour over frozen meatballs in baking dish. Bake at 350 for one hour. (Note: You can cook these without freezing them first, but the texture seems to be best if they're baked from the frozen state.)