Happy Easter!

This digital scrapbooking design personalized with Smilebox

Doughnuts and Dads

I'm such a slacker!  I haven't updated in weeks.  Here's the first new post in hopefully many to come.

  

 

William's school had an activity that celebrated Dads.  All the dads and grandpas were invited.  Luckily, William had both available to come.  Even Ryan got to come for a visit.  The class did a little song and dance with the alphabet and handed out homemade cards.  William's card read, "Daddy, I love you because. . . you build really cool stuff, like a bed."  Afterwards, we got to feast on mini doughnuts.

Recipe of the Month

 Best. Roast. Ever!!

I owe this favorite to that sassy Paula Deen.  I've tweaked it a bit and put it in a slow cooker.  I recommend this on Sundays because nothing is better than coming home from church to a house filled with the smell of roast-y goodness!

First prep the roast.  I use a 2-21/2 lb beef chuck roast.  Rub the meat with seasoning.  You can use garlic salt and pepper but I use this special blend I keep in its own shaker.

3/4 cup salt
1/4 cup garlic powder
1/4 cup black pepper
1/4 cup seasoned salt (like Lawry's)



Stir all together and fill a shaker to use for a rub.  Always good!


Okay, now that the roast is all spiced up, sear it in a large skillet with 2 Tbs. melted butter.  Brown it on each side and a little on the sides.


While this is going on, get the Crock Pot ready.  You'll need:


1 (10 3/4 oz.) can of Cream of Mushroom soup
1/4 cup red wine
2 Tbs. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 soup can of water


Blend all these wet ingredients together and set aside.  When the meat is seared, place it in the pot and pour the soup mixture on top.  Then sprinkle the following all over:



2 Tb beef bouillon or granules, or two beef bouillon cubes, crushed

1 medium onion sliced into wedges.
3 cloves of garlic, crushed
2 bay leaves

Cover and cook on low for  4-5 hours.  Take out the bay leaves and make a gravy with the juices.

Pour the juices into a sauce pan and bring to a boil.
Mix 2 Tbs. cornstarch in 1/4 cup cold water and slowly add to the gravy, stirring constantly. 

April

Happy April!

Likes

Spring Colors!  I can finally put those tired dark winter clothes away and bring on the bright colorful tops, skirts, and dresses.

April Fool's day.  Now that William is old enough to appreciate a good prank, it's been a lot of fun.  We can't wait until next year.

Pedicures!  Time to put on those flip flops and get my nails painted up nice.  My feet have been so neglected during the long dry winter.

Easter Activities.  Easter egg hunts, Easter Bunny visits, Easter egg decorating, I love it all!

I love tulips and daffodils in the early spring.  They're the first burst of color after a drab season.  I know they don't last very long, but they're very welcome while they're out.

Dislikes

Rain, rain, rain, rain!  Muddy shoes, bad hair, William fussing to hold the umbrella.

Earth Day propaganda.  I hate having the whole "Green Movement" shoved down my throat.  It's ruining our country's productivity and mostly based on false info.  Anyway, Boo Green Police!

April Fool's Day

This year we finally did something for April Fool's Day.  William was excited all week about telling jokes all day on April Fool's Day.  Little did he know what we had in store.  I first drew a mustache on him while he was asleep.  He didn't even notice it until about 10am when I got impatient and made him go look in the mirror.  At first he was a little confused.  He asked if I had drawn the mustache while he was watching TV.  Then he thought it was the funniest thing.  He couldn't wait to play a joke on Sean.  We hid all of the soda cans that were in the fridge except for one empty can.  Sean came home for lunch and reacted just like William imagined he would.  Then, after work, Sean fell asleep on the couch and William got some payback with the mustache pen.  He also added some pretty hair clips and bows to complete the look.  I'm ashamed I didn't take pictures of Sean when he woke up.  It was a great "jokey" day.