A working Saturday

I woke up several times during the night, but finally got up at 7:00 AM. I forgot to put the timer on for the coffee pot, so I had to wait for that first cup.

Then I started making dinner. What?!? Wouldn't that be breakfast? No, not really, as I'm throwing a roast along with the usual veggies in the slow-cooker.

Nothing special here, although I think I make it just a little different every time. Blade roast has been out on a platter, getting to room temperature after being rubbed on both sides with Montreal steak seasoning. Today I put it together like this: bottom layer was four big carrots, peeled and cut on the bias, four smashed and peeled cloves of garlic and two small/medium yellow onions, peeled and put in whole. Next layer was all Russet potatoes, peeled and cut into big chunks. I added a quarter cup of beef broth and fresh ground pepper on top the potatoes.

Then came the roast. All around the edges of the roast, I put fresh, whole button mushrooms (so the steam can come up and cook them). On top the roast went a handful of fresh herbs: oregano, thyme, flat leaf parsely and one stem of rosemary (I've learned the hard way that too much rosemary and you can't taste anything else). Next were several splashes of Worcestershire sauce and a handful of sliced yellow onions. I usually like to put nice big onion rings on top if somebody's coming for dinner. It looks much better on the platter (its all about the presentation, man!) But, today nobody's scheduled and I have the sliced onion left over, so... Finally, two big pats of butter. They will melt down over the roast and eventually get to the au jus on the bottom and make the gravy that much better.

Turned that puppy on low and turned to face the day. So, at 9:00 AM, I shaved, showered, brushed my teeth ready for this morning's errands (did I mention its still raining/drizzling?) Stopped at the library, Westborn Market (to pick up a few things including two rutabagas and lard. I WILL get these pasties right!) and then to Gordon Foods. I got back home almost at noon, unpacked, changed clothes and started to clean.

I had a voicemail from Carla, saying they'd be over around 4:00 PM to visit Caley, so getting the place spiffed up is now a priority! So, first I washed the upstairs bathroom (so it could dry while I was working on other things). Then, I got the living room vacuumed, dusted and the floor mopped with Endust. Next came the office and then the bathroom was dry. So, next I swept the kitchen and the downstairs and then mopped them with Mr. Clean and a bucket of hot water. While that was drying I attacked my bedroom. I was half way done when Jake and Carla came in.

Aaauugghhh! It's not 4:00 PM, its 2:30!!! And, I am so NOT ready! My appetizers are not made up (I was going with bacon and cheese deviled eggs, little smoked sausages in barbeque sauce, large green olives stuffed with Jalapeno peppers, extra sharp Pinconning cheese and Triscuits). Oh well, it is what it is (and, I can eat all that sh*t myself, tomorrow, lol!) Jake had brought me a bottle each of two different beers to try: Newcastle Brown Ale (made in England) and Smithwick's an imported Irish ale.

So, we talked for a while, catching up. At one point, Caley scratched Carla with her back claws, so Jake cleaned the wounds with peroxide and smeared them with Neosporin (needless to say, Carla's p*ssed! There goes my "well, if it doesn't work out, I can always give Caley to Carla" theory.)

They eventually departed, not willing to wait for un-made appetizers or the roast beef dinner (oh, well, all the more for me!). I decided to put the dinner on "Warm" and take a well-deserved nap.

I woke up, disoriented. The alarm clock said 7:30, it was dark and I assumed it was Sunday morning. But, it turned out it was really just Saturday night (I was happy! I still got a lot of "weekend" left!) I got to work on the Blog, but once I was caught up, I went back to finish with cleaning my bedroom (dusting everything and then the mop, sprayed with Endust).

So, now its 9:00 PM and I am eating dinner. I didn't bother with making gravy (that can come tomorrow), but, after 12 hours in the slow cooker, the roast beef melts in your mouth! The potatoes, mushroom and carrots are perfectly seasoned (I am impressed with myself for not adding extra salt). The leftovers (a lot!) went into the fridge for Sunday dinner and I went off to watch TV.

I tried Jake's beer with the last hunter's sausage. I think I like the Newcastle better. The Smithwick's tasted a bit like Guinness Draught, but not enough. Because of my nap, I didn't get sleepy until after midnight.