Recipe Round-up

I used to work at a public library and had access to many cooking magazines and cookbooks.  Through the years I have acquired many copies of recipes to try.  Now that I am home more, I've started going through them and finally giving them a try.  Of course there are some that I wonder what I was hungry for when I copied them and I've thrown away, so my piles are dwindling down some.  As I try them I get a 'rating' from the DH and DD to decide whether to keep the recipe or not.  That rating is either an 'It's okay" or a crinkled up nose, which means 'don't fix that again'.

Last week I tried this slow cooker recipe and it turned out really well.  Expecially since the Nascar race was on and I didn't have to miss a whole lot of it when it came time for supper!

Slow-Cooker Steak

Appx. 3 potatoes, peeled & quartered
4-oz pkg. baby carrots
2 stalks diced celery
Chopped onion ( I only used about 1 Tbs., original called for 1 whole)
6 beef round steaks (I used really thin slices)
12-oz jar beef gravy
10-3/4 oz. can cream of mushroom soup
1/8 tsp. curry powder
1/8 tsp. garlic salt
1/8 tsp. pepper

Brown the round steaks in 1 Tbs. vegetable oil.  Meanwhile combine the vegetables and place in a slow cooker.  Arrange the steaks on top.  Mix the remaining ingredients together; pour over steaks, stirring to coat both the vegetables and the steaks.  Heat on low setting for 6-8 hours.   Serves 6.

Enjoy!

Paradise in the D.R.

That's the Dominican Republic, not at the Doctor's :)  My husband and I spent last week at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino near Punta Cana.  Lovely 80 degree weather, beautiful beach and all the food and drinks you want!  I am totally convinced that All-inclusive resorts are the way to enjoy a real vacation! 
This resort was HUGE with 9 pools and about 15 different places to eat. 

We got a daily walk in either just by walking the grounds of the resort or a long, leisurely stroll along the beach, which didn't feel like work at all :)  Great exercise with a wonderful view.  Now that I'm back on the treadmill, I close my eyes to picture the ocean, but I have to hold on to the bars or I'll start sliding off the treadmill.  Relaxation......
They put on a show one night called The Michael Jackson Show and the interpreter had the moves down and looked just like him, you would have sworn he was still alive.  We played putt-putt golf, hung out by the pools and drank many fruity concoctions. 
The airport in Punta Cana was a different experience.  All I can say is, it is a good thing it wasn't pouring down rain.  No jetways here.....

I was real disappointed in the casino though, it took my money :(