Monday, November 12, 2012

Slow Cooker Beef Dip Sandwiches

Where do I begin to describe these amazingly tender and luscious sandwiches. You know, I think I'm gonna call them sexy. Yes, I said sexy. These are the sandwiches you make for your man if you are trying to get a ring on your finger or maybe just trying to get him to finish that honey-do list or heck, maybe you just want to sweeten him up a bit. These will do the trick, I'm tellin' ya.

Maybe this is a better way to describe them: my husband is quiet the entire time he is eating these sandwiches. Did you hear me? Quiet. Not that he's a big talker normally. But we all know what it means when folks are super quiet as they eat the
food you just prepared.

It means my man was really enjoying this meal and that is bigger praise than any spoken compliment. We eat these with some homemade french fries and boy, was this a fantastic meal! And it was made in my slow cooker - whoopee!

Ingredients:
3-4 lb. Beef Round Steak (or any type of beef roast)
1 packet Onion Soup Mix
1 packet Au Jus Seasoning
1 (15 oz) can of Beef Broth or Stock
½ cup water
4 slices mozzarella cheese
Sub rolls (I like Bolillo Rolls)
Directions:
Put beef roast in slow cooker. In a medium bowl, combine Beef broth, Onion soup mix, Au Jus seasoning and water and stir until combined. Pour mixture over beef, put cover on slow cooker and cook on low for
about 8 hours. An hour before serving, shred meat with two forks or take it out and slice thinly. Place meat back in the slow cooker for another hour.
When ready to serve, place several slices of beef on roll, add sliced mozzarella cheese and place under the broiler (or use broil option on toaster oven). Watch carefully, broil for just a couple of minutes until cheese is melted and roll is just slightly toasted.
Serve sandwich with a bit of Au Jus from the slow cooker (you may want to strain it first). Also, I added just a bit more beef broth to our Au Jus.

Cook's Note: Optional toppings include sauteed onions, green peppers and mushrooms.
Also, instead of the water, you can substitute with more beef stock if you like.
Here's another picture in case you need a little more convincing.
Enjoy!

Thursday, September 27, 2012

GOOD BYE,MY WAYNE

 
 
 
 
SAYING GOOD BYE TO THE LOVE OF MY LIFE
 
Wayne L. Gough Sr.
May 21, 1937- September 20, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


More than the greatest love the world has known
This is the love I give to you alone
More than the simple words I try to say
I only live to love you more each day

More than you'll ever know
My arms long to hold you so
My life will be in your keeping
Waking, sleeping, laughing, weeping
 
Longer than always is a long, long, time
But far beyond forever, you'll be mine
I know I never lived before
And my heart is very sure
No one else could love you more...
 
  (Norman Newell/Riz Ortolami & Nino Oliviero) ("Mondo Cane")

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Great Depression classic photograph


Great Depression classic photograph
 
 
For eight years dust blew on the southern plains. It came in a yellowish-brown haze from the South and in rolling walls of black from the North. The simplest acts of life — breathing, eating a meal, taking a walk — were no longer simple. Children wore dust masks to and from school, women hung wet sheets over windows in a futile attempt to stop the dirt, farmers watched helplessly as their crops blew away.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

A Message About Stress

A young lady confidently walked around the room while leading and explaining stress management to an audience; with a raised glass of water, and everyone knew she was going to ask the ultimate question, “half empty or half full?” She fooled them all. "How heavy is this glass of water?" she inquired with a smile.
Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.
She replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I’ll have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you’ll have to call an ambulance. In each case it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes."
She continued, "And that's the way it is with stress. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on."
"As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again. When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden - holding stress longer and better each time practiced.
So, as early in the evening as you can, put all your burdens down. Don't carry them through the evening and into the night. Pick them up tomorrow. Whatever burdens you're carrying now, let them down for a moment. Relax, pick them up later after you’ve rested. Life is short. Enjoy it and the now 'supposed' stress that you've conquered!"
1 Accept the fact that some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue!
2 Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.
3 Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.
4 Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be recalled by their Maker.
5 If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.
6 If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.
7 It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.
8 Never buy a car you can't push.
9 Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand on.
10 Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.
11 Since it's the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late.
12 The second mouse gets the cheese.
13 When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
14 Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.
15 You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.
16 Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once.
17 We could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the same box.
18 A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
19 Have an awesome day and know that someone thought about you today.
20 It was me, your friend!

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Einstein quote of day

Computers are incredibly fast, accurate and stupid. Human beings are incredibly slow, inaccurate and brilliant. Together they are powerful beyond imagination.

Creole Queen

Creole Queen at the Riverwalk/Canal Street Dock

Forget dining al fresco. This is dining al fiume (river). As the sun sets over New Orleans, take in sweeping views of the Crescent City and her unmistakable skyline on the one and only Paddlewheeler Creole Queen. The Mississippi River Dinner Jazz Cruise buffet covers Creole cuisine’s greatest hits, including seafood gumbo, jambalaya and bread pudding, but this is one meal in New Orleans where the food is trumped by the scenery. Three well-appointed dining rooms are surrounded by windows that surrender romantic, moonlit views of the river and Port of New Orleans. Pre- and post-dinner ambling along the outer decks with a cocktail in hand is an absolute must.


The next time I am in New Orleans, I plan to cruise down the Mississippi on the Creole Queen.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Colleen's Reading Corner

 
 
 
Overview of

Julia Hamilton's intent on building a life with Evan, looking forward instead of back. But then, Evan dies. A despondent Julia questions her ability to start over. Again. When she encounters Jake Winston, it leads to a connection neither one seems prepared for. Now, Julia battles grief, guilt, and heartbreak from her past--pain she thought she'd dealt with long ago. Her best friend insists this thing with Jake is a new beginning, but Julia remains uncertain. She questions the direction her life should take and fears the loss of so many may still define her.
 Faced with financial ruin, Julia turns to Jake for help, but soon discovers he has complications of his own. Then, she learns of a betrayal by the one person she thought she knew. A betrayal that leaves Julia questioning everything and everyone, herself, most of all.
This is contemporary fiction that explores one woman's journey, from the abyss that is grief, where she learns to start over to the discovery of who she is and who she loves in the process. Seeing Julia is an emotional read that will captivate readers with the novel's twists and turns in story line.

Something to Savor



GOOD MORNING


God designed you specially, so you could fulfill a specific purpose. God placed you in the family in which you were born for a specific reason. You encountered that unfortunate circumstance in your life for a reason. Every day of your life was written before you were formed, nothing happened to you by chance. You were born for a purpose.

From Hers to Treasure

Take today and put some of that purpose to good use.

Monday, July 9, 2012

Job hunting

 If Things Drag Out, Check in (Periodically)

This is the job search technique people tend to stink at the most—the periodic check-in. But it’s so important, and it should be used throughout your career to keep your network fresh and engaged.
Now, this is not about harassment: “Did I get the job?” “Do you have a job for me?” “Did you make a decision?” Not at all. It’s about offering something of value to your contact. And in doing so, you will also (by default) remind her that you’re still out there.
This could mean forwarding an article that you think she’ll find interesting, or congratulating her if you notice she’s been promoted or earned some sort of recognition. Maybe thanking her for a bit of advice that you employed. Keep it simple and brief, and don’t ask for anything back. If that person hears from you and has an update? She’ll absolutely be in touch. Try:
“Hi Sue, We spoke last month about the product manager position at XYZ Industries. In our conversation, you highlighted some emerging trends in food packaging. I noticed this attached article about the same topic and thought of you. No response necessary. I hope you find the information useful!”
Nothing elaborate, and once a month is probably about right if you don’t get much response. But you can be assured that Sue will remember you, and in a good way if you’re helpful and non-pesky in the follow-up.
The bottom line is: Stay top of mind. It’s half the battle.

This article was originally published on The Daily Muse. For more ways to wow and interviewer, check out:

Jenny Foss operates a Portland, OR based recruiting firm, Ladder Recruiting Group, and is creator of the blog JobJenny.Your job search BFF and tough love expert on finding career passion, Jenny recently wrote her first ebook, To Whom It May Concern: Or, How to Stop Sucking at Your Job Search. You may also find Jenny on Twitter @JobJenny.

Einstein Quote of the Day

 
Great spirits have always encountered
 violent opposition from mediocre minds.

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Ernest Borgnine: Unlikely superstar

 
 
He was the Oscar-winning Everyman.
Ernest Borgnine, who died Sunday at 95, had the resume of a Hollywood star, but not the distance usually associated with one.
Maybe it was the famous gap-toothed smile. Maybe it was the deep, hearty laugh that punctuated a conversation. Maybe it was that, despite numerous roles in film and theater, generations welcomed him into their living rooms as the feisty skipper of TV's McHale's Navy.
During an acting career of more than 60 years, the Connecticut native worked with Helen Hayes on Broadway, with Gary Cooper and Spencer Tracy in film, and, for a much younger generation, as a voice actor in SpongeBob SquarePants on television. He and Frank Sinatra signed their Christmas cards "Fatso" and "Maggio," their respective characters in 1953's From Here to Eternity, a breakout role for Borgnine.
Borgnine's secret for long-term success was to not be another Hollywood pretty face.
"I was a character actor. Do I look like a good-looking man? No," he said in a 2011 interview timed to his acceptance of the Screen Actors Guild's Life Achievement Award. "But, see, I keep working when the rest of the boys are retired."
The beefy actor wasn't too finicky about scripts, either. "I read it. If I don't fall asleep, it's pretty good."
Borgnine won the 1955 Academy Award for best actor, beating out Jimmy Cagney, among others, for playing one of those unglamorous roles, the lonely butcher Marty Pilletti in the film Marty.
"Jerry Lewis had bet me a buck ninety-eight that I'd win. I'd gone home and taken 198 pennies and put them in a red sock, and as I went up there, they all wondered what I passed to Jerry Lewis," said the actor, who had been married nearly 40 years to his fifth wife, Tova.
Borgnine's 200-plus credits include Bad Day at Black Rock, Barabbas, The Dirty Dozen, The Wild Bunch and The Poseidon Adventure. Perhaps at odds with his friendly, grandfatherly demeanor, he played a heavy in some of his early film roles.
Borgnine initially resisted series TV, which was anathema to most film actors in the early 1960s. However, when a kid selling candy couldn't identify him but was familiar with Gunsmoke's James Arness, it persuaded him to enlist for four seasons in McHale's Navy.
Borgnine was a regular in later TV series, such as Airwolf in the 1980s and The Single Guy in the 1990s. He was still acting in his final years, appearing in 2010's RED.
Borgnine credited his mother for suggesting that he try acting when he went looking for work after 10 years in the Navy. "She said, 'Have you ever thought of becoming an actor? You always like to make a damn fool of yourself in front of people. Why don't you give it a try?' "
Fortunately for millions of film and TV fans, he did.
As far as the laws of mathematics refer to reality, they are not certain; and as far as they are certain, they do not refer to reality.

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Evening Prayer

 

 

 We come before You Lord, with a grateful heart, thanking You for this day......thanking You for being ever present in our lives. Help us to stay closely by You.... You are our strongtower, our shield, our strength, our mighty King.. We praise You Lord.
We come Lord boldly to Your throne of grace, asking for just that...grace....we ask for Your grace....let it fall gently to all t...hose places where grace is needed. We ask Lord for mercy, and forgiveness...for those hard things we are dealing with... Let Your love pour out upon us...and by Your Spirit, Lord...as You show us and direct our paths , help us to see... and by Your Spirit Lord...help us to listen for You...in those quiet moments. Remind us Lord God...that You so love the time we set apart for quiet time with You... Bless our families, our friends, our co-workers... help us to shine Jesus each day...for Your glory...Water the salvation seeds we plant...Help us to speak of Your love freely...help us to love like Jesus... Giving You glory, honor, praise... with our whole hearts ! Grant us sweet sleep this night...waking refreshed and ready for the plans You have for us... In Jesus Name we pray...amen....♥

From HERS TO TREASURE

 

 

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

FINDING KYLIE

October 17, 2008

What if... after laying your mother to rest, the mother who has been the only real family you ve ever known, you discover her secretive past in a set of hidden journals? What would you do if she was the only link to the father you never knew? A father you'd been told was dead, but was indeed very much alive... Twenty-five year old Chastity searches through her mother's belongings in hopes of finding any shred of evidence that leads to her father. A man, she'd always felt was out there...somewhere. Any glimmer of hope is dashed when she reads one tiny line scrawled across the back page of her mother's notebook. One traumatic sentence is all it takes to unravel her life long desire in a matter of seconds. Chastity uncovers the sordid truth, a truth that her mom, Kylie, tried to hide at all costs. This newfound information plunges Chastity into a new world of control, power, and hurt. With the help of her mother s best friend, Cheryl, and Timothy, a handsome attorney hired before her mother's death, Chastity sorts her way through her new found family ties and the costs that come with it.

Monday, June 18, 2012

Thunder seek improvement, but not intimidated

    
By HOOPSWORLD
Basketball News & NBA Rumors
 
Oklahoma City had its chances in Game 3, taking as much as a 10-point lead in the third quarter Sunday. But turnovers, bad possessions and a Heat team determined to hold on to its home-court edge proved too much in the end.
Miami overcome a final Thunder charge in the closing minutes to win 91-85 and take a 2-1 lead in the NBA Finals. Sunday was the first of three straight games in Miami. Game 4 is Tuesday night back at AmericanAirlines Arena.
“I thought that was a very intense playoff game,” Thunder coach Scott Brooks said. “I thought we did some good things, corrected some things going into this game, and I thought we gave ourselves a chance to win. That’s what you want to do on the road.
“The game was basically anybody’s ballgame that fourth quarter. We did some things, we missed some free throws. Normally we led the league in free throw shooting percentage, but we missed some free throws tonight (they made only 15 of 24) and turned the ball over in the second half too many times.”
Brooks was asked if he had three keys for Oklahoma City regaining the control of the series his team had after Game 1.
“Just three? There’s many more,” he quipped. “Obviously, get back in transition. They’re a very explosive team. They have high level athletes that get out and run and score at the basket. Protect the paint, close out Shane Battier, rebound the basketball and get out in transition ourselves.
“I don’t know if that was more than three.”
If the Thunder don’t win the series, it won’t be because they’re intimidated by the stage they’re on. The butterflies were long gone before the team plane touched down in Miami.
“The first game I think there was a little bit of that,” Brooks said. “I think we were all like that because it was our first time in the NBA Finals. Anytime it’s your first time there’s not familiar surroundings or a setting.
“But I think after the second game we were fine. We just had a bad start. I don’t see our guys being in awe of the moment. I think we’re going to play our way that we play, aggressive, attack basketball, and hopefully we can make some shots along the way.”

Ore. woman trapped under dresser for nearly 4 days


(AP Graphics)

(AP) PORTLAND, Ore. - Authorities say an Oregon woman was trapped for nearly four days after a dresser fell on top of her.

KGW-TV reports that neighbors asked Washington County sheriff's deputies to check on Cedar Mill resident Virginia Cartier on Friday, after they realized they hadn't seen her in a while.

Deputies forced their way into the 67-year-old's home and found her pinned underneath the dresser. Cartier had been trying to move the dresser.

Deputies say the woman was in and out of consciousness after not having any food or water for days. She had injuries to both legs and was treated at a hospital.

Cartier has since been released and is recovering at the home of a friend.

Einstein Quote of the Day.

Computers are incredibly fast, accurate and stupid. Human beings are incredibly slow, inaccurate and brilliant. Together they are powerful beyond imagination.
Albert Einstein

Thursday, June 14, 2012

USADA Letter to Lance Armstrong

 

ArmstrongThe U.S. Anti-Doping Agency's letter to Lance Armstrong, obtained independently by ESPN's Bonnie Ford, alleges that the former Tour de France winner used testosterone and blood-doping products while a member of the U.S. Postal racing team. Read the letter here. PDF

PERSONAL COMMENT FROM THIS BLOGGER:
What a terrible way to end such a great career. Another person that our young people have used as an example, gets a FAIL if these allegations prove to be true.

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Francesca of Lost Nation

Francesca of Lost Nation
              Also available for KINDLE

This book reminds me so much of my own Grandma. She was Adventurous, Loving, Caring and quite DARNING. I wanted the book to go on and on. She is gone now, I miss her and wish my Children and Grandchild had had the HONOR of meeting her. Love you always, Grandma
I am looking forward to the next book by this author.
   
 
This book is about family relationships, friendship, adventure, romance and post World War II history. Especially appealing to those who love their grandmothers.

“Francesca of Lost Nation” is the story of a 59-year old woman and her granddaughter, Sarah, during the summer of 1947 in Lost Nation, Iowa. Together, these best friends beard an arsonist in his den, conquer the skies and demonstrate to one another the greatest truth about love.

Learn more about all these quirky characters of Lost Nation, Iowa and discover one terrific read!
Available from Amazon

Saturday, June 9, 2012

FROM HOMELESS TO HARVARD

Dawn Loggins
A once-homeless girl who worked as a janitor is heading to Harvard. The recent high school grad and North Carolina native Dawn Loggins has truly overcome the odds to achieve such a feat. Throughout childhood she endured evictions, a parent abusing drugs, and hunger. Loggins said while she was homeless she would seek shelter at friends’ houses.
The bright teen found solace when she was sent back to school her junior year, but returned to find herself without her parents. They had moved away, leaving her to fend for herself. It was a school employee who took Loggins in and she began working as a janitor to support herself.



Loggins knows she’s no ordinary statistic, as many in her situation may turn to crime or drugs. A degree from Harvard University will help give her something she never had growing up: stability. Loggins is determined, saying, “My future is going to be great and I know it is, and Harvard is going to make that happen; but also it’s stability — I’m not going to have to worry about where my meals are coming from or where I’m going to sleep at night.”

FROM FOX NEWS INSIDER