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 :(

Motivational Meltdown

Well it has been almost 4 weeks since I started walking on the treadmill and the only thing that I have lost is my motivation.  I've walked one mile for at least 6 out of the 7 days and I don't notice any change in my size.  The scale is my worst enemy right now, because it doesn't believe in change, just can't deal with that. 
On a lighter side, no pun intended, this has been a week of early spring cleaning.  I have to start early because it takes me so long.   Working on the little things like ceiling fans and chandeliers and WOW it's so much brighter in here!  It has been quite awhile since I cleaned some of them. 
Had a great night out with 4 other couples last evening.  Such a laid back time with lots of laughs.  We really don't do that often enough.  I should add that to my resolutions, I think I can get motivated to go out to eat :)

Walking and Winning

Been busy listing some of the DD's name brand clothing on Ebay.  Specifically the ones that still have tags, because there is no way I'm going to be able to get much money for them at my garage sale.   The kicker is the shipping though.  Asking a starting bid of $2.50 for an American Eagle top still might not sell because shipping will be $5.00.  But dang they cost enough at the store! 
Started walking one mile on the treadmill daily (at least 6 days a week).  I hope to start increasing every 2 weeks.  I am being realistic in knowing that I won't lose my tummy before vacation, but I'll feel better about myself.  Even my husband has been walking daily since it has arrived.  (you remember, the one that I won at a tweet party!).

Won some great products this week on twitter and facebook.  Tubes of cream from Udderly Smooth http://www.uddercream.com/   and a sampler box of hot chocolate for the Keurig from Green Mountain Coffee https://www.facebook.com/?sk=nf#!/GreenMountainCoffee

Time to get back to the housework, the dryer just called me ;)

It's Winter, It's Normal

Yay, TGIF! Although the weather reports a snowstorm coming in around 3:00 this afternoon and accumulating snow overnight of 3-6". The temperature when I got up this morning was 1 degree, brrrr! I have to keep reminding myself that I do live in northern Ohio and this is normal, but I don't have to like it.
On the up side, I am farther along with my year-end reports for both the township and our farm business, than I have ever been this time of year. Ready to get back into a normal daily routine, and also get started on some clearing out and de-cluttering. That was one of my resolutions this year.
I need to get started on an exercise routine also (another one of those resolutions)and I am eagerly waiting on a treadmill that I won from Sam's Club (http://www.samsclub.com) during a twitter party. UPS freight called just yesterday and will be delivering next week!
Well, time to go get some more work done so that I can make time to get back on twitter and win some more great prizes!!

Too Busy to Blog

Well, it's that time of year again. Being a fiscal officer and married to a farmer, January is a very busy month for me. There are many year-end reports to get filed and get things set up for the new year. My husband's partnership with his cousin brought more acreage and landlords into the picture, which entails many 1099's to get sent out. This family business is no Mom and Pop operation! Thankfully a lot of my work I do at home, so when a winter weather advisory is in effect, I can still get things done and not have to go outside in the yucky weather. (Well, until I have to go out to mail those 1099's).

Christmas Cheers and Movie Tears

Well, here's finding that everyone had a wonderful Christmas.  With the hustle and bustle of the holidays it's hard to be able to make the time to spend just enjoying your festively decorated home or sitting quietly listening to a 'silent night'.   I love the quiet nights where I sit with just the Christmas lights on and maybe a couple of candles lit, with holiday songs playing in the background and a cup of good cheer in my hands.   Bliss!
My DH & DD got me the Keurig that I asked for and a whole lot more!  Besides our normal family meals, my DD and I also went to Cincinnati, Ohio to visit relatives and enjoy some of the city.  We played nutsy (card game), ate, checked out the Newport Aquarium in Newport, KY, ate and did some site seeing from above the Ohio River, and oh yeah, ATE!

Watched a couple of good movies too.

The Fifth Quarter
Starring: Andie MacDowell and Aidan Quinn

My brother-in-law, who is a football nut and now has a son that plays little league football told me about this movie and suggested I watch it.  He failed to tell me that I would probably CRY during the whole thing! It is based on a true story about Jon Abbate who helps lead the Wake Forest Demon Deacons to the most successful season in school history after losing his younger brother, Luke in a fatal car accident.  Jon wears Luke's #5 jersey in his honor.  Keep the tissues handy.

The Last Godfather
Starring: Harvey Keitel and Hyung-rae Sim

Okay there isn't a whole lot to write home about this one, but I thought it was hilarious!  It was like watching some of the good old Abbot and Costello acts.  You just might need to keep the tissues handy on this one too, and maybe even a pantyliner