Mmmmm...

Now that fall is officially here, I begin to cook more meals. I don't know what it is about this time of year (and it continues on til late spring), but I feel that I need to provide my family with complete hot, sit-down dinners at least 4-5 times a week. So, last weekend I made one of their favorites - crock-pot roast & veggies and spoonbread - and I thought that I'd share my recipe with you. It's really easy.

I use a 6-qt crockpot with low/high/warm settings. My crockpot has a knob that you switch between the heating temperatures. I found that the electronic ones either got too hot or not hot enough.

Crockpot Roast & Veggies
(courtesy of my mom)

4-5 pound sirloin-tip roast, frozen
1 can Campbell's French Onion
1 can Campbell's Beefy Mushroom Soup
1 large whole onion, skin removed
water (just put some water into each of the soup cans to get all of the good stuff)
4 cups potatoes, cut into bite-size chunks
4 cups carrots, cut into bite-size chunks

Early in the day (I put it on around 10am), put the 1st five ingredients into the crockpot, set on high. Let cook 5 hours and then add the potatoes & carrots. Cook for another 2-3 hours on high, or until the potatoes are done to your liking. Take some of the liquid from the crockpot to make gravy.

About an hour before the roast & veggies are done, make your spoonbread.

Southern Spoonbread
(courtesy of my mother-in-law)

3/4 cup cornmeal (I use self-rising cornmeal.)
1 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons oil
1 cup boiling water
2 eggs, well beaten
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup milk

Combine cornmeal, salt and oil. Stir in boiling water slowly and beat until smooth. Add baking powder to beaten eggs, and combine with milk; add to cornmeal mixture stirring well. It doesn't matter if the batter is lumpy. Turn into greased casserole dish (I use an 8x8 baking dish.) Bake at 350 for 40 to 50 minutes.

I hope that you and your family enjoy this recipe as much as my family does.

P.S. I had never heard of spoonbread until I got married and moved to the South. It's really good!

Settling in...

I've just completed my second week in my new job. So far, so good. I'm really enjoying it. Especially the MUCH lower stress level - not having to deal with parents will do that. I have had several parents come tell me that they miss having me at the front desk, but understand why I moved. I don't think that if my former position opens back up that I'll go back. I like the freedom my new position affords me.

I need to educate myself on SMARTboards. There is one in every classroom, except mine and I'm in charge of the computer lab. I've played with a couple of them and they're a great idea, but the kids seem to think that they're toys. I've had to reboot one because a couple of kids were messing with it and locked the thing up. 'When all else fails, cycle power.' It worked...whew!

I'm using my downtime to learn about creating webpages, but I think writing code is a little beyond my scope of experience (and mental capacity). I'd like to get one up and running for my lab.

Yeah...I'm a dork!

Hubby sent this to me this morning. It's a good thing I didn't have any classes going on because I couldn't contain myself.



comic courtesy of Darby Conley

Bwahahahaha!

You Would Be Voted Most Popular

When you were in school, you were a very popular person. And this means popular with every crowd, not just the cool kids. You were friendly, active, and outgoing. You knew almost everyone. In real life, you should be able to benefit from your great networking skills.

What Superlative Are You?

Ummmm...what?! Maybe now, but not in high school. I kept pretty much to myself. The only reason I know so many people is because of my previous position in the school system - elementary school receptionist. I've met EVERYONE in our community! I don't know if this is a good thing or not - but it may come in handy one day. ;)

I stole this one from saintseester.

Whine & cheese....

Y'all know that I started my new job this past Monday - I'm the new 3rd-5th grade computer teacher.

*snicker*

*snort*

Anyway, today I was working with my counterpart (the K-2nd computer teacher). She was showing me how to set up the testing we're to do next week. We were interrupted by a student, who was whining about something (not sure what).

Upon completion of the whine, my countepart replied:

"Would you like some cheese with that whine?"

I could barely contain myself. It was priceless - probably not appropriate, but priceless nonetheless.

Oh my!

It's been a week! I'm very tired - will blog more later.

Ciao

Home...

we're home after a whirlwind weekend trip to North Carolina for my BIL's wedding. Will post about that later - much to blog about there!

Tired right now...must sleep after driving 10 1/2 hours.

Night, ya'll!

Ick!

Hopefully this prediction is correct and Hanna gets the H*** out of dodge quickly!

Change is good...I hope?!

I will be starting a new position at the elementary school I work at. I will be the Computer Tech for grades 3-5. Bwahahaha!!! That's a laugh in itself. I am computer literate, but not always computer savvy. This will give me the opportunity to learn webpage design (among other things) and get PAID for it. Another plus is that I will be back to my regular work schedule, not a puny 3 hours/day, and get benefits, too.

Change is a good thing, I hope.

NOOOOO!!!!

Explain to me how this path works if Hanna is currently tracking to the SSW?! I'm sooooo not looking forward to this weekend. Hope they have a back up plan!