Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Easy Crock Pot ~ Pot Roast Recipe

Thanks to my lovely daughter I am able to make this.  She surprised me with a crock pot on our last visit.

This is a very easy recipe that you can season to your own taste.

I started with a 2 1/2 to 3 pound pot roast and trimmed off the excess fat.

Before adding the roast to the crock pot I coated it with the flour mixture below and then brown it on all sides.


I seasoned the flour with one of the McCormick steak seasonings that I had on hand. The "Montreal Steak" Grill Mate is what I used but you can use any of your favorite seasonings. I also added coarse black pepper and garlic powder. I didn't add extra salt because the Grill Mate has coarse salt in it already.  

 While the roast is browning I sliced 1 large onion and lined the bottom of the crock pot with the slices.
 I added celery, potatoes, and carrots, but you can add your own combination.


After all of your veggies are in the crock pot add the roast on top of the them.  
You could cook the roast as it is at this point but I want it to make it's own gravy.

 


After everything is in the pot I add this mixture over the top to make gravy:
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
2 tablespoons of soy sauce, approx 
2 1/2 tablespoons of flour (the more flour that you add the thicker the gravy will be)
1/4 cup of water


Sometimes instead of the soy sauce I would use beef bouillon with the water.
Worcestershire sauce can be added if you like and mushrooms, and I would have added chopped green onions on top if I had some on hand. This is a very versatile recipe.  I love course black pepper so I added more as I went.
4-6 hours on high
8-10 hours on low

 Dinner is ready!


Enjoy...and happy cooking!







Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Sign of Spring

     It may be just a weed but it is the first sign of spring to me,


     ...and our apple tree is coming to life.


woohooo...we might make it into the 70's this weekend!

Monday, March 28, 2011

Think Geek

I came across this site today called ThinkGeek and it is the coolest online store that I have come across in a long time...probably the coolest ever.  In the market for a jelly fish mood lamp, or a cocktail set that looks like a chemistry set, or a zombie head cookie jar?  Where else can I find a one pop can size mini refrigerator for my desk or some Zombie Blood Caffeinated Energy Potion?

I don't get a commission or anything when you check the site out.  I just thought I'd share :)

ThinkGeek ~ Stuff For Smart Masses

Friday, March 25, 2011

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

This & That

It is a beautiful day outside today with not a cloud in the sky which is a big change from yesterday. There’s only traces of snow left. It would be a great day for a walk.

March 2011 005 March 2011 004 
No walks for me today but that is ok, I am leaving for Arizona tomorrow.  I miss my kids, my grand kids, and my friends, and I can’t wait to see them.  I have a lot to do today to get ready for my trip so I am going to have to make this short for now.

Have a great day everyone!

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

It Is Cold Outside

March 8, 2011
We woke up to snow this morning and this is a few pictures that I took around the house today  


 




    Our apple tree:










Sunday, March 6, 2011

Sandia Park Sunset Pic


I love sunrises and sunsets :)

Twilight at Sandia Park, NM


I took this picture last night and I can't believe that it came out as well as it did.  I love my new camera!  This picture would not have come out at all with my old one.

I Love Smilebox!

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Wintertime in Sandia Park, NM

This evening I thought that I would share some picture that I took around my house, and share a little bit more about me.

I love snow...at least I do right now, but I am sure that by the time spring is here that I will be ready for it. I moved here from the Arizona desert a place where it never snows. We would get snow on the mountains around us and maybe once in 10 years or so someone would report that they got a few sprinkles. I left Arizona in September when the temps were still in the triple digits and I haven't forgotten how hot it can get there. The winters here are cold but I can bundle up.











I am not very good at writing, especially when it comes to writing about myself. I love to take pictures so my blog is going to be sort of a picture story book.

Since you are reading this I hope that you will take the time to let me know what you think of my photos. I am going to have free wallpaper to download for personal use as soon as I get organized and get my photo albums together.

Until next time :)

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Our Family Pets

I really don't know how to start so I'm just going to jump right in.

I love taking pictures and I love to blog and interact with people so I'm going to start by sharing pictures of my pets. I have a lot of pictures to share but I have to start somewhere.

Our family has grown since we've moved to New Mexico.  We rescued two cats and a dog from a local animal shelter in Albuquerque. They are wonderful pets and we don't need a piece of paper to tell us that.   If you are looking for a pet please check out your local animal shelter first before looking to buy one.

This is Mari...short for Calamari he was the first new member of our family.


Mari Loves helping around the house as you can see.


...and right from the start he liked helping me play poker online.


Cassie our new dog has made herself right at home and is trying to make friends with Mari by sharing her toy.


It doesn't take them long for them to become friends :)


They are both quite at home now and spoiled rotten.






To be continued....