POT ROAST RECIPE

While Erin was off on maternity leave a co-worker made a fabulous pot roast and brought it to the house. One day when I was there helping her with the kids she shared some with me and man was it good. I hounded Erin until she got the recipe from Amber and thought I would share it with you.

First I gathered all the ingredients together to cut down on the time.

Next I did all the chopping to get that out of the way. Much faster to do it all at once than a little at a time.

You will have to excuse the recipe because Amber said she just made it up as she went along and did not have precise measurements.

POT ROAST

1 beef chuck or rump round roast

olive oil

1-2 onions, some chopped finely, some left in big pieces

2-3 fresh garlic cloves, finely chopped

4-5 carrots, some sliced and some left in big pieces

3-4 stalks celery, some chopped and some left in big pieces

3-4 sweet potatoes, sliced thick

1-2 cans beef broth

1 can vegetable broth

1 can chicken broth

salt, pepper, garlic salt and garlic pepper, to taste

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

Chop carrots, onions, celery, sweet potatoes and garlic cloves (remember to do some of the onions, and carrots in larger chunks and all the sweet potatoes should be in larger slices).

Heat the olive oil in a large deep oven-proof pan over medium high heat. Sprinkle both sides of the roast with salt, pepper, garlic salt and garlic pepper, place in pan, browning the roast on all sides. Once the roast has browned, remove it from the pan and set aside.  

In the same pan, add just the chopped carrots, onions and celery (the chunky slices will be added later). Saute until the onions are caramelized. Be sure to scrape all the brown bits from the bottom of the pan; now add the garlic and a little bit more salt and pepper. Cook until everything is nice and caramelized and smelling yummy.

Put the meat back into the pot with the sauteed vegetables, then add the beef, chicken and vegetable broth to the pan. Next add the thick cut onions, carrots, and celery. Cover the pot and place in the oven, baking for about 45 minutes. Now add the sweet potatoes and continue baking for 3 hours.

Trust me when I say that this is some really wonderful pot roast and especially wonderful when you serve it with cornbread (I love it for sopping up the gravy).

TABLE ARRANGEMENT

Bless my mother's heart she and a friend of hers is hosting a luncheon for some of the single/widow ladies in their church and she needed a floral arrangement for their table.

She had found a cute iron basket at TJ Maxx and wanted to me put something together for her in my spare time. Last week, with the help of the big girlie, I was able to find some things at Hobby Lobby that I could use. So on Friday afternoon while Norman took a nap I decided to get started. I really enjoy doing things that are crafty and require a little bit of artistic ability.

As you can see I made a huge mess on my dining room table but that is the price you pay when you do floral arrangements.

I think it came out okay and hope that the ladies will enjoy it.

Now for an update on Norman. We went to his first chemo treatment today and was there from 8am to 2:15pm and then hurried over for his first radiation treatment. Chemo will take about 2-3 hours one day a week and radiation will take about 5-8 minutes five days a week. Both treatments will go for six weeks with time off around Thanksgiving so that he can (hopefully) enjoy the good food.

There are so many people around the country praying for Norman and calling to check on his progress. We are so blessed and know that no matter what God is in control of this situation.

HALLOWEEN

Every year the church where my daughter and son-in-law attend has a Trunk or Treat in the parking lot. Erin loves thinking of different costumes that the family can wear. This year, however, with the new baby girlie she hasn't had the time to spend on their costumes so we went to the thift stores last week to look around. 

The big girlie couldn't make up her mind as to what she wanted to be. One day it would be a fairy, the next day a princess, the next day Snow White, the next day something else so Erin just gave up and made the decision for her.

She is going as Strawberry Shortcake. She loved the outfit so much that she has wanted to wear it every day.

The little man doesn't have a clue as to what is happening so he is content to be . . .

our little Tigger. He is just a happy little man.

While the little baby girlie wasn't too happy with the costume mom found for her she still posed for a picture.

The lady bug costume is a little large for our little peanut (my son's name for her) but she still looks cute. Erin said she screamed the whole time it was on her. Poor thing.

Mom and Dad's costumes are still in the development stage and the grandparents will be content to just sit at home and pass out candy.

FRONT PORCH GHOSTS . . .

Last night we driving home from dinner and when I looked up at the night sky I saw that there was a full moon. I just couldn't resist taking a picture since it brought back memories of all the scary movies we used to watch. I can remember that everytime something bad was going to happen they would show a full moon. I don't know it just reminded me of those movies and since it is close to Halloween I thought how spooky it was.

Anyway, the other day I was at a doctor appointment and looking through a magazine called "family fun" when I came across a darling idea for a front porch decoration for Halloween. They are called Cagey Ghosts and are made from tomato cages. I think I will try to make them for the grandchildren to use next year.

Aren't they cute? I have also included the instructions on how to put them together. It looks really easy to do.

I think that kids would adore them and besides they would be really darling on a front porch.

Maybe next year, for sure!

Next week Norman starts chemo (one day a week) and radiation (five days a week) so we will be busy with that. Then the first of November my daughter is back to work so we will really have a lot going on with Papa and grandchildren.

Have a great weekend.

HAUNTED HOUSE . . .

My daughter is the most fabulous mother. She is always doing something fun with the kids and encouraging them to try new things. The other day I walked into their home and music was playing really loud. Mom, the little man and big girlie were dancing up a storm. It was fun to watch the kids try dance. The little man has the rhythm but the big girlie, not so much.

A couple of weeks ago Norman and I were in Costco and just happened to stumble upon a Haunted House kit so we decided this would be perfect for the grandchildren to put together. Last Friday they decided the time had come to get it done.

Mom had to put the house together while the big girlie decorated it with candy and the little man tried and tried to just take some of that candy off the house.

As you can see he finally succeeded in getting a mouthfull.



Both kids were so anxious to tear up help they could hardly keep their hands off the house candy.

Almost finished. Just a little bit more to do and then . . .

Finally, the time has come to pose with the finished product. I think that everyone had a great time - what fun!

PUMPKIN PATCH . . .

Last week my daughter and the children went down to my mother's house to spend the afternoon. Every year at this time there is a pumpkin patch in the town next to where my mom lives and the children love to go visit. So off they all go - great grandmother, mother, and 3 little ones to have some fun.

The kidos love all the pumpkins and scarecrows. There is even a huge slide that they enjoy going down time and again.


Our little man is always smiling and loves having his picture taken -- that is if you can keep him still long enough.

While big girlie just likes being a little lady.

And then there is the little girlie that just sleeps away.

Looks like my mother was having a hard time steering the wagon while the little ones are just happy to be pulled around.

My daughter said that she thinks the owners felt sorry for her with all the kids so they gave her 3 pumpkins to take home. Maybe it does pay to have several little ones.

Don't you just love fall??

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION . . .

My mother's 84th birthday was Friday and, since most of us work, we celebrated with a family birthday party on Saturday. Everyone was there with the exception of Nicole, Devon's wife, who was home with their 11 day old baby girl, Casey.

It is hard to believe that Mother is 84 because she sure doesn't act like it. She not only takes care of my brother (he lives with her) who is confined to a wheelchair due to a massive stroke but also has a very active social life with all her "single/widow" ladies in her church. They are always going someplace for lunch or shopping.

The great grandchildren love going to her house because they get to play in the big yard, play with all the pretty things she has and get to eat all the yummy food.

Of course, our big girlie had to rearrange Beejee's pumpkins and . . .

the little man and his cousin just had to run in and out the front door.

The two cousins had to share hugs (several times). They don't get to see each other very often since Devon and his family live about an hour away but when they do they have such fun together.

My nephew, Devon, is on the left and my son, Eric, and his girl friend, Amy, enjoyed watching the kids run, hug, scream and just have a fun time being outdoors and together.

Later the two performed a duet to a Journey song while the adults tried hard to keep from laughing.

Grace, my nephew Ryan's fiancee, had a close-up view of the performing duo.

While my niece, Lynley, and her mom (my sister) and brother, Ryan, tired to keep from laughing.

While everyone was watching the kids play, Lynley and Blake were busy in the kitchen getting drinks and food set up. Someone had to do the work.

By the way, look at the big girlie's put together look.

With all the noise and excitement going on our little girlie just took it all in resting in her cousin, Lynley's lap.

HAPPY FRIDAY. . .

Today is my mother's 84th birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOTHER.

The weekend is almost here and boy am I glad. We have rushed from doctor appointment to doctor appointment and now have a plan. Norman will start chemo a week from Tuesday and then the next week he will start radiation treatments. Chemo will be once a week for 6 weeks and radiation will be 5 days a week for 6 weeks. We are praying for success with this plan.

Tonight is a big night for Texas Ranger fans. They play their first playoff game against the NY Yankees so, of course, Norman will be glued to the television hoping for a win. Tomorrow afternoon TCU plays a home game against BYU so that will be his next viewing. As always, we proudly fly the TCU flag outside our home.

For her birthday Kylie received some of the cutest paper dolls and she just loves playing with them. She will sit at the dining room table and play for hours. She tries different clothes on each doll and loves all the sparkly gems that came with them.

Luke on the other hand just loves sitting at the table being cute.

Papa and I were at Sam's one day this week and saw an adorable "Haunted House" kit so, of course, we had to get one so that the grandkids could have fun putting it together. I can hardly wait to see what they do with it.

Once they have it put together I will share their artistic work with you.

By the way, I just finished reading a really wonderful book that was highly recommended by one of our pastors. I will share that with you next week.

Have a great weekend.

FALL, SCARECROWS AND PUMPKINS

Yesterday I was able to do my fall decorating out in the front yard, thanks to Norman's nephew by marriage. We always get two bales of straw and then I add the pumpkins and scarecrows. This always delights the little ones and I didn't want this year to go by without doing it again.

I saw a little poem about scarecrows and thought it was so cute.

I'm a little scarecrow,
Raggedy and worn
I wear a hat,
And a shirt that's torn
When the crows come,
I wave and shout,
"Away from my garden-get on out!"

Don't you just love their little faces??

And speaking of little faces . . .

She is getting so big - almost two months old.

What fun it is to watch the little man, big girlie and little girlie grow up. What a gift we have been given.

VIEW OF OUR CITY . . .

No matter what time of the day or night (unless it is really, really late in the evening) it is really hard to find a parking spot in the hospital parking garage. One day I had to leave to run a few errands and, of course, I lost my wonderful spot right by the elevator. Upon my return I had to park on the 10th floor - actually on the top floor of the garage and just above me was where CareFlight lands bringing patients to the hospital.

I had never had to park that high up but once there I discovered the most wonderful view of downtown Fort Worth and vowed that the next time Norman was in the hospital I would take my camera, drive to the 10th floor and make some pictures. So I did just that this last time he was there.

I used the lens that could capture most of downtown but then I decided to change to the lens that would bring the buildings much closer.

As I stood there looking at downtown I couldn't help but think about my grandparents who died years ago and wondered what they would think of all the changes that have been made to our hometown.