I heard my first cricket chirping on Wednesday, Sept. 3 and the old saying is that the first frost will come six weeks after you hear the first cricket chirp, so pull out the long johns and get ready cause Jack Frost is on the way. Momma Said, “Get your wood chopped and the heavy blanket aired out.”
I saw a weather map last week that around Sept. 10 there will be a cold front coming from Canada and a warm front coming from the Gulf that will meet in a straight line across the U.S. The northern states will see a quick cool down and the southern states will see unusually warmer weather. The folks in the middle where they meet (West Virginia will be cut in half) will get slammed with crazy weather.
I don’t think I have witnessed anything like this before because the U.S. will be virtually cut in half from west to east and it is supposed to last for ten days to two weeks. I don’t know if I should break out the snow shoes or go south and take surfing lessons. Unfortunately, the separation goes right through where I live.
I might be here to write my column next time or I might be frozen in a block of ice. If you don’t hear from me again, send help my way. Momma Said, “If disaster strikes take care of each other and check on the elderly.” You have to look out for ones that can’t do for themselves.
Easy One-Pot Spaghetti
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 12 ounces uncooked spaghetti
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- In a large pot, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Break it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Drain the excess fat.
- Add the onion and garlic and cook until the onions are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the marinara, chicken broth, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Add the spaghetti. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cover the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the spaghetti is tender, about 10-15 minutes.
- Remove the pot from the heat.
- Garnish the spaghetti with parmesan, if desired.