Brisket: A New Way To Tenderize

She looks cute, sweet, cuddly, adorable and Innocent doesn't she?  But, in reality she is a thief and a glutton.

Here is her willing accomplice.

I got home this afternoon to find my brisket on the floor with bites out of it and the meat wrapper torn up and strewn about the kitchen floor.  The floor needed to be mopped anyway (what with all the rain we've been having and the muddy paw prints).  How did a small 30 pound dog get the meat off the counter with no chair or stool near by?  That's what I'd like to know.

I know you all want to know if I washed it off and cooked it to eat anyway.

Yes, I did.

Long Time - No Blogging

Time just flies by, doesn't it?  I have sewing projects to show and a garden planted.  It has finally warmed up here in CA.  This *global warming* crap isn't working for me.  It has been COLD.  Anyway, I have completed a maroon skirt and a plaid jumper.  I have a top and skirt outfit completed except for the hem and I am in the middle of a blouse to go with the maroon skirt.  There is progress but no pictures.  I have worn the outfits to church and it has been too cold and rainy to have a photo shoot. (I'm a wimp!)

Last Saturday I practically ruined myself digging weeds, turning in compost then planting all the veggies purchased the same day as the weeding (what was I thinking?)  DSH told his DSD to go get a pizza since it was past dinner time and I was still planting AND it started raining again while I was working.  No drought this year!  I planted onions, red potatoes, lots of tomatoes, squash, lettuce and green beans and one bell pepper.  DSSD started watermelon from seed and planted them too!  Oh, and we also have a gopher. :(

How does one get rid of a gopher?

He Is Risen!

Last weedend we attempted to tame what is

affectionaltely called "the jungle".

The truck was put to good use.Rope was tied to the back hitch.Then around the half dead and overgrown bushes.Then yank!  it was out!More bushes.Much better!  There are still lots of weed to get out and the fence needs to be replaced.  It is falling down. And, the dead tree that can't be seen from this angle still needs to be removed.  (I can't find the picture of it)  Sigh, will it ever end?  I am so thankful we have a house and we are still working to pay for it!

Happy Easter!

Spring Has Sprung

Our Japanese Maple is getting leaves!

Our apricot tree has been pruned and now it is budding. 

Bailey needs a window so she doesn't have to look under the gate!

Surprise Afternoon Off

All my patients cancelled for this afternoon.  This is the first time in seven years that has happened!  I am enjoying the time at home but it will hurt on the next paycheck!  I weeded the side yard.  It was a jungle from all the rain (thank you, Lord).  Now I will catch up on blogs and then I will sew.  Tonight is church.

More when I have another picture or two.

Date Night

Thursday nights are date night at our house.  I cook every night and work full time so by the time I get to Thursday I am pooped.  I am ready for a night off.  We usually go to very reasonably priced restaurants and we share.  It is an opportunity to just focus on each other and I really appreciate being waited on.  Tonight was Italian.  We tried a new place and it was very good.  We take turns picking the place.  We could never afford this when the kids lived at home.

Here is a picture of my dad and my sister and me.  I am on my dad's right.  I am 14 months older than my sister.  I think we are about 3 and 4 years old.

?Wearable Muslin?

I started sewing again about a year and a half ago.  I used to make all my dresses and my girls dresses for church.  The girls grew up, life changed, sewing fell by the wayside.  Many changes have occured during my sewing hiatus.  I've gained weight and body parts have moved (in the wrong direction).  Fabric stores have closed and the ones that have remained open tend to lean towards crafts and quilting.  Not much fashion fabric to choose from.  I feel like I am learning to sew all over again.  I definately am having to relearn how to fit my new (but not improved) body.  That being said, here is a picture of my second attempt at a dress for church.  The fabric is 100% polyester in "army blanket green".  The bodice is lined.  I made the bodice longer but wish I hadn't.  There is black gimp at the neckline and wrist.  I like the pleats in the front but I am seriously thinking I need breast reduction surgery!  It is soft and warm which is good because I am always cold in church.

I am working on another dress in 100% wool suiting.  It is a mauve and plum tiny check.  It is a jumper style that is probably to young for me (I keep forgetting I'm over 50!) but I liked the picture and the pattern was on sale.  I am fitting it to wear over a turtleneck for winter.  Of course, I don't own a turtleneck that matches and there are none in stores right now.  It won't be finished for a couple of weeks.  I still have to cut out the lining and contruct that part of it.  I didn't want to waste the lining fabric if the dress didn't fit.  I did not do a muslin.

More rain this weekend which is good because we need as much as we can get.

Have a great week!