I'm Grateful: Free Speech

I don't really know what to write about today. I've spent more time in bed with my case of strep throat than I ever did in the past. Then William, my poor Boo, got it and I had to doctor him while trying to recover myself. I got out of the house today, but now am dizzy with a bit of a headache to show for it. But I got out and am no longer buggy with cabin fever.

Today I am thankful for the ability to write in a public forum about whatever comes to mind. For free speech and the opportunity to share faith and happy times with those that choose to read my words. And I am grateful for those that do read, who make me feel that my words have worth and weight, and for letting me know that my experiences can help others get through their days.

Necklace Giveaway

Jessica of That's What She Said is generously hosting a giveaway for JacDesigns. Go to her blog for a chance to win a beautiful necklace (up to $18 value). Contest runs through May 8 and there are a zillion different ways to enter, so go check it out!

Swiss Steak Deliciousness

According to my grandfather, Swiss Steak is one of those old-timey recipes that just aren't made correctly anymore. I have been surprised at the number of people who have never heard of it (except that I wasn't surprised when Swiss people didn't know about it, or Scandinavian people in general, as it is an American name for a dish that is actually more Italian in flavor). As I've said before, it's a tradition in my family; almost everyone requested it for their birthday dinner, which was why I was so thrilled to serve it on Will's birthday.

In reading about Swiss Steak on the good old Internet, I found this vintage advertisement eschewing the virtues of meat with this to say about said dish:

"Swiss Steak . . . put it in the pan . . . turn on the heat and sniff its steaming fragrance as it simmers, bubbles, and browns . . . smothered in its own gravy . . . That's hearty flavor for you."

So here's to an old-fashioned dish that's high in flavor, full of good-for-you ingredients, and that the kids will actually eat. It does take a bit of prep work and more time that your average weeknight meal, but the efforts are well worth it. Enjoy!

Swiss Steak

Prep time: 45 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes
Cooking time: 45 minutes for pressure cooker, 5 - 6 hours for crock pot or slow cooker

You will need:

At least two pounds of higher quality beef steak or roast, at least 1 inch thick, cut into thick strips

vegetable oil*
1 tbsp salt
approximately 1 cup flour
4 carrots
2 green peppers
1 onion
3 or 4 ribs celery
4 small (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes
a lot of oregano
1 tsp pepper
4 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
4 tbsp soy sauce
4 tbsp Steak Sauce

* Note: This recipe cooks up best in a pressure cooker. If you don't have one, though, you can use a slow cooker or crock pot (I'll give directions for both).

1. As noted above, cut beef into thick strips. Place into a bowl, and add 1 TBSP salt, coating beef thoroughly.

2. Flour beef lightly and brown on all sides.

3. To the pan containing the beef and the drippings, add all vegetables, peeled and coarsely chopped. Mix well.

4. Add all sauces, pepper, and a very liberal sprinkling of oregano.

5. Place all ingredients in the pressure cooker. Bring cooker up to cooking stage and let cook for 45 minutes. (If using a slow cooker or crock pot, you will need to cook on High for at least 5 - 6 hours. When the meat easily falls apart, the dish is done.)

6. This dinner is traditionally served over mashed potatoes, although my mom says that it's also good over a baked potatoe.

*The vegetable oil is for browning the meat. Add it to your already hot pressure cooker and this will keep the swiss steak from sticking to the pan at clean-up.

I hope you love it as much as I do!

Super Yarn Give Away Winner!!!

Well, kids, I never thought I would have such a huge response to the yarn give away. But it's hard to pass up silk and cashmere, isn't it! So, Without Further Ado, the winner of the fantastic yarn is:

Mary LeMaster!!

Mary is a beginning knitter and really didn't specify what she would do with the yarn (just that I am her hero -awwww!). But a lot of people were looking forward to making shawls, scarves, and drapey sweaters. My favorite idea was from Pam who is getting married in May and would make delicate flower broaches for her bridesmaids with the yarn. Candi wanted to make matching clutches for a friend who is moving far away from her - that way they would always have that bond. Many people wanted to make something for the person who taught them to knit, which I think is so cool.



To pick the winner, I used the random number generator found on Andrew Hedges website. I don't have any cool pictures of me drawing names out of pretty straw hats. Although I could put some sort of pretty picture here, I suppose.


xxx_crash_xxx, photobucket

So Mary, I'll contact you to get you the yarn so you can get your knit on!

Hundreth Post Yarn Giveaway!!

For my hundreth post, I'm excited to offer a yarn giveaway. This yarn is from my inventory of recycled yarns that I sell on etsy at Howard Knits. I recycle only top quality sweaters with luxury yarns. The only disadvantage that I have found about recycled yarn is that manufacturers use knots to do joins, so they are occassionally encountered in the yarn. But I would never offer up yarn that I wouldn't knit with myself, and this yarn is AMAZING!



Should you win, the yarn you will receive is a dove grey 70% silk/15% cotton/15% cashmere blend. You will get a total of 810 yards (divided into two skeins). At 15 wpi, it is appropriate for any project that calls for a sport/DK weight yarn.



The yarn is dry clean only.

If you tried to buy similar yarn at yarnmarket.com, you'd spend at least $80 for this much yardage. You'll get this for free! All you have to do to enter is leave a comment below about what you would like to make with this yarn. I always love to see what other people are thinking about knitting!



On Thursday, I will use a random number generator to determine the winner. So let the commenting begin! Good luck! And thanks for sharing my hundreth post with me!


LisaWynnMist, photobucket

Faith Stone

My husband, who is well versed in my current faith dilemmas, gave me this stone. The picture shows it placed on my bed stand (it has a new place, though, since Will likes to take it and hide it. It's his thing. My phone is currently missing. And he turned off the sound.) Anyhow, I put it in my pocket every day and when I put my hand in my pocket, which I do a lot, I'm supposed to think about what faith means. I understand that it's "giving it all to God," "letting God be in the driver's seat," and all that, but I am so darn independent and bull-headed. Stubborn is another word that comes to mind. I want to be in control.

Oswald Chambers said, "I have to learn that the aim in life is God's, not mine. God is using me from his greatest personal standpoint, all he asks of me is that I trust Him, and never say - - Lord, this gives me such heart-ache . . . He simply asks me to have implicit faith in Himself and His goodness." Implicit faith. Get over the stubborn need for control. Easy enough, right?

So that's really it. Snuggled in after our huge snowstorm, keeping dry and warm (though the kids are not - they are getting as cold and wet as possible!).

And as a final note, this is my 99th post. For my hundredth, I'm going to give away some SUPER YUMMY yarn. Tell your friends! Let the yarnies know. To tempt you, I will tell you that silk and cashmere are involved. MMMmmmm!