Simple Things

Today I'm joining my friend Heidi, over at 2 Thinks to Share.  She did a post this week talking about the simple things we enjoy and appreciate.  There are lots of things we take for granted, so I'm going to share a few of my favorite simple things.

• a sunny day
• a beautiful sunrise on my way to work
• a baby laughing
• hearing the garage door open, telling me my husband is home
• an evening spent at home
• a clean house!
  
• hot chocolate on as cold night
• hearing a favorite song on the radio
• the smell of burning leaves
• warm, cozy sweaters
• a good book
• Springtime
• taking pictures
• freshly washed sheets
• the smell of bread baking

That's a few of mine.  There's a lot more, when I stop and think.  What are some of your favorite simple things?

Slow Cooking Thursday

Here's some yummy sandwiches, made easy in the slow cooker!

Italian Beef Sandwiches

3 pounds beef roast

3 cups beef broth

1 envelope Italian salad dressing mix

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon dried parsley

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 teaspoon oregano

1 teaspoon black pepper

1 large onion, julienned

1 large green pepper, julienned

4 teaspoons olive oil

12 hamberger buns

12 slices provolone cheese

Cut roast in half, place in a 4 quart slow cooker.  Combine the broth, dressing mix and seasonings; pour over meat.  Cover and cook on low for 10 hours or until meat is falling apart.

Remove roast and cool slightly.  Skim fat from cooking juices.  Reserve 1 cup cooking juices.  Shred beef and return to slow cooker.  Stir in reserved juices and heat through.

Meanwhile in large skillet, saute onion and green pepper in oil until tender.

Using slotted spoon, place beef on buns, then layer with vegetables and cheese.  Enjoy!

For more slow cooking recipes, visit Sandra at Diary of a SAHM.

Works for me Wednesday

My tip for today is about the comments people leave at your blog.  Many of you probably already do this, but for those who didn't know I'm passing this on.

Did you know you can set up your blog so any comments you get will be sent to your e-mail?  It saves having to go back to your blog to see if anyone left a comment, but when it's really helpful is when someone leaves a comment on an older post you would never check.  The other benefit to this is that if you ask someone a question in their comments, they are able to respond directly to that comment with an e-mail back to you instead of leaving it on your blog.

To set your blog up this way, go to settings, then comments.  Scroll to the bottom of the page and put your e-mail address in the box at the bottom, that says "Comment notification e-mail".  Then click on save settings.

That's it!  Your comments will now come to your e-mail.
For more tips, visit Kristen at We are THAT Family.

Happy Birthday Laura!

 Tuesday is my daughter Laura's birthday.  She's my oldest child and she's turning 27 today.
This picture was taken at her wedding, a little over 3 years ago.  I'm having a hard time believing that she is this old; it seems just a few years ago she was that little baby with red hair sticking straight up!
God truly blessed us when he gave us this fun, caring, strong willed girl and we are so thankful for her.
Happy Birthday, Laura!  We love you lots!

Are you playing it safe?

This is a short video that will really make you think.  I believe it's a part of a longer message this man gave, but you will get the idea from the clip.  I have to admit to pleading guilty when I heard this.

Friday Funny

Slow Cooking Thursday

It's soup time!  Here's a good one for those cold nights!

Beef Barley Soup

1 tablespoon oil

1 pound lean boneless beef, cut into 1 inch cubes

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

3 ribs celery, chopped

1 onion, chopped

3/4 cup barley

1 teaspoon thyme

1 teaspoon oregano

64 ounces beef broth

1 can tomato soup

Heat oil in large pot over medium high heat.  Add beef and garlic and saute 5 minutes or until beef is browned.

Transfer to a 5 quart slow cooker.  Add remaining ingredients and stir to combine.

Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.

For more slow cooking recipes, visit Sandra at Diary of a SAHM.