So What Exactly are You Saying?

Tonight, I told my husband about Abraham Piper's blog (John Piper's son) called twenty two words and explained that all of his posts are 22 words or less (an experiment in getting to the point). He told me that I ought to follow that blog. Hm.

another bison recipe

Not sure what to call this recipe, but you can use round steak, sirloin, sirloin tip, or just about anything cut into chunks. Stew meat or "beef" tips work great too. Here goes:
2 lbs of chunked meat (see above!)
1/2 - 1 large onion - thinly sliced
fresh garlic - 2-4 cloves depending on your personal garlic meter!
olive oil
cumin - lots
garlic powder (not so much if you have used a lot of fresh!)
salt
pepper
steak seasoning - a few shakes
2 cans stewed tomatoes/diced tomatoes

Add some olive oil, the meat, and onion to a large skillet. Sprinkle meat with seasonings. I like to use a lot of cumin. When the meat is browned, add two cans (or equivalent) of stewed, sliced tomatoes (italian style is nice, but Mx. or any other will work). Mix everything up really well. Bring to a boil and let simmer for as long as it takes for the meat to be extremely tender
(45 minutes?), and the sauce cooks down and thickens into a gravy. The tomatoes will cook down so that they aren't big and chunky. You can break them up even more if you have picky eaters that don't like cooked tomatoes (like my kids!). Serve the meat and sauce over brown rice. For a different twist, you can leave out the tomatoes and just add broth or water instead and LOTS of cumin. Spoon the meat and sauce into flour tortillas and have your own version of Carne Guisada (that's a TX, wet version of Carne Asada). Both ways of serving are yummy! Enjoy!

Happy Birthday to me

My mom and dad sent me $50 for my birthday and this is what I bought!!! I know it isn't a Steinway (or even close), but we are thrilled. And we think it is really cute. Maybe we will paint it some funky color or distress it. So, happy birthday to me - thanks Mom and Dad!

I love Freecycle

Do you Freecycle? Last week, our espresso maker died.....after breaking down and having a good cry, we resigned oursleves to regular coffee (shocking). A few days later, I posted a "wanted" ad on Freecycle: "wanted: espresso maker with milk steamer". Later that night, I got a response from a local gal that had one she didn't use. Dear Bridget handed over her machine yesterday afternoon. This is what we ended up with:

It is in perfect shape and we can barely believe it. Also, last Christmas, my son wanted a capo for his guitar. My sister-in-law got a like-new one on freecycle in her area for him. It was one of the expensive kind. So, if you don't freecycle yet, you ought to go here and check out the group in your area.

Remedy Drive

When we heard that Remedy Drive - no, when we heard that A Christian band, any Christian band, was actually coming to Kalispell, we fell out of our seats. Then, we got up and bought tickets. I had never heard of Remedy Drive, but Josiah had read about them and by the time we went to the show at a local church, we had heard their newest album a few times. When the bass player started jumping off speakers and they all started head banging, I was okay, but when the lead singer started standing on his head/shoulders on top of his keyboard with his feet in the air, I started getting a little worried! It so happened that, other than the few strange antics, the concert was really good. The sound left a little to be desired, but I enjoyed their music. It was really fun and I felt really old. After the show, Josiah went up front to check out the guitarist's effects pedals. It struck me as funny that everyone was crowding around the door waiting for the band to come out and he was at the stage checking out their equipment. We hung out until things died down and talked to each of them. Since then, we have followed their website and Josiah keeps up with what they are doing. A couple of them mentioned really enjoying CS Lewis and Tim Keller on their blogs. I was impressed with the Tim Keller part - not your typical rock band. It was an exciting night for Josiah and I. I miss that part of my life - the music part. It is especially fun sharing it with my own kid who loves it too.

Goodbye San Diego, Goodbye Curles

Can you believe we all stay in one house for almost two weeks? There is much fun to be had! And oh-so-many messes to be made.
#1
the girlies The Goodbye Parade

I hate saying goodbye - the only consolation is that we go there twice a year on business, so I always know that we will be back. It isn't the place we miss, it is the people! We love those Curles. I think next time, McKenzie is going to stow away in my suitcase - or the trailer. Her mom wouldn't be so happy, but boy would we have fun until her dad came to get her!! ;)

Carlsbad Flower Fields

We went to watch the Curles' Girls play in a Sonata festival on Saturday. It was a great afternoon of music and just happened to be across the street from the Carlsbad flower fields.

Guitar Hero

Or so he wants to be.....I went outside the other day because I heard strange, outside noises. This is what I saw. HA! Amp and all. I thought it was pretty funny!! A trampoline makes jumping around on stage a bit easier, wouldn't you say?