Pot Roast Leftovers Saved...

So, I made pot roast yesterday...it smalled wonderful all day in the crock pot.  However, it was dry and stringy...ugh!!! 

I was dreading it for tonights dinner, but I saved it - Yay!!!  It came out super yummy!!

I am fairly sure about the measurements, but I did kinda wing it.  I cut up the post roast against the grain (so it would be less stringy). 

Then, I saute`d - 1 tbsp of butter with one small onion for about 1min.
Added the meat and saute`d for 5min. (season with salt and pepper to taste)
Add 1 small can of sliced mushrroms -
Then I added about 1/2 cup of cooking sherry and one cup of sour cream
In a separate frying pan, I made a gravy base...(keep warm on low setting)
I shook 1/2 cup water with 1/4 cup flour
Melted 1 tbsp of butter in the pan and added the water/flour mixture
Stirring constantly (with a wire whisk) I stirred about 1 cup of water in and boiled for 1 min and smooth...
Then, I added the gravy base to the meat mixture and stirred until well mixed and served on egg noodles!! 

Yummy!!!

Ham Bone Soups!

Hey Ya'll wondering what to do with your holiday ham bones?  Here are some recipes:  http://www.ichef.com/news.cfm?itemid=342586 

I hate sawing on the ham bone, but refuse to let that last little bit go to waste : D...so here is the way to make a yummy meal with the meat on the ham bone.  I haven't tried the ones on the link above yet, but have another ham bone that I intend to do so with soon.  My recipe is:

1 pkg Hurst's 15 Bean Soup a.k.a.  HamBeens Brand  (I don't like the seasoning packet, but I use the rest of the recipe on the bag except I use paprika instead of chili powder - my 4yr old doesn't like it too spicy...I do sprinkle some chili powder on there too.)

This makes a yummy meal for those really cold winter nights.  Add some dinner rolls or soda bread to complete the meal.  If you feel like it you can throw some fresh/steamed veggies off in there to for some more nutrients, but the soup has lots of fiber, carbs and protein all by itself!

Enjoy!

OMG - I met the President last night!

YES, I did!!!  I met the President of the United States last night.  It was a reception at the White House for staff.  I shook hands with President and Michelle Obama and got my picture taken with them!!!  When I get it I will attempt to post it to -unless there is some reason not to (secrety, secrety stuff?)

If you have never me the President...not just this one, but any President (which I have not).  I was held up many times by President George W.'s motorcade in Waco, but never closer than that.  It is like meeting a celebrity, rock star etc.  I wanted to have some thing witty to say when I got up to him/her, but NOPE - deer in the headlights : D.  Four Star General Officers in the military have the same effect on my - I don't know if it is the power or what?  So I don't know why I thought I would be able to form words in this situation. 

I don't care about your political position, the Obama's are very nice and gracious hosts.  The White House (section that I was in) was absolutely fabulous!!!  It is decorated to the hilt and so ginormous!  I met lots of wonderful people and had great food!!!  I just had to share - it is a once in a life time experience for me!!! : D.

OMG - The Best Steak EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, so I refuse to go shopping on Black Friday...sort of, I ended up having to go to the grocery store on Black Friday and low and behold the beef was on BIG time sale!  I was just going to get some stew meat or fajita meat to make some sort of beef dinner, but the Beef Tenderloin was on sale, I got 3 steaks (about 2" thick each for 1.05lbs) for $12 - I know that is sooooo expensive, but it would have normally cost me $18, so it was a good deal. 

You really can't mess up tenderloins (unless you put them in a stew or something stupid like that... : D)  No, I didn't use it for stew : D. 

What I did...was heat up a grill pan on the stove (the ones with the lines on it, so it looks like you grilled it)...spray it with Pam, and heat it up on med on the stove for 4min.  Then, sprinkle the meat with McCormick Garlic Perfect Pinch on both sides.  Cook them on for 7-8 min. on one side then turn them and cook them on the other side for  7-8 min. to get them to mediumish.  If you like rare to med rare cook them for 5min on each side...for well, you need to cut them in half (longways to make them only 1" thick) and cook them 5 - 7 min on each side too.  This way you can cook them all together. 

The outside is seared and the inside is pinkish/ red, but not bloody - yay!!!  It was like Outback Steakhouse in my house tonight!  We also had steamed Normandy Blend veggies (califlour, broccali, squash, zuccini and carrots) with a side salad and yeast rolls (store bought, but still yummy!) 

Sorry didn't take any pics, didn't think it would come out this good - next time, definately pics! : D.

OMG - I Am Stumped Again!

Just when I think I got it - nope...not so much!  My son is almost 4yrs old and I thought we were doing so well.  He knows his shapes, his colors, how to count to 20, he can sing the alphabet song...he is learning to identify letters and numbers.  Then, we had a parent teacher conference at his "preschool" aka La Petite Daycare center...now it seems that he can no longer count to 20, he messes up the alphabet song and only will identify colors and shapes when he feels like it - WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Sorry to use strong language, but I am so upset about this...what are they doing at his school?  Granted I have been distracted lately.  I started my own business and sometimes I do work or blog etc. on his days at home with me.  We don't go over these things everyday, but I thought he was learning it at school or is it really a school?  I am beginning to think NOT.  So, what to do about it?

Today, I decided to make a schedule that includes very little TV and lots of alphabet, numbers, colors and shapes.  We did really well all morning, then we went to an activity to make a turkey plate at a local studio.   He had a complete meltdown...not sure why.  I was told by his "teachers" at school to play games with him to learn, but I HATE games - I blame my sister for that she always won and I just don't enjoy them at all!!!  However, I am trying to play with him, but his attention span is 0 and it is just plain maddening!!!! 

When I got up this morning I was so sure what we were going to do and now I have no idea what we are doing.  It has been exhausting with tons of tears, yelling, frustration (on both parts) and sending him to his room - was it worth it?  I jsut don't know...who said he even needs to know his alphabet/numbers right now?  We have lots more fun when we just hang out watch TV, do activities and play outside...is that what we should be doing - I have NO idea...duh I am stumped again!!!

My Son Took My New Profile Pic!

I LOVE this pic - mostly because my son took it (he is only 3 almost 4 yrs old).  Good job huh?

My Son the Artist : D.

So recently, I let my son go crazy with my camera...it was a wonderful distraction and he actually came up with some really good pics...some are cropped, but just to eliminate my messy house not to improve the pic...check it out!