Friday (finally)

So, I was getting ready for work Friday morning when I noticed an ominous sign - my watch had quit working! Now, granted it's just a piece of shit Timex watch that's at least 10 years old. But, I never was much into jewelry, watches or "Bling." All I demand is that it's big enough for me to read without squinting and all the numbers are present (no dots, dashes or even diamonds!) Just tell me the damn time!

Okay, the day is starting out as sucky as my night was!

So, at lunch time (in the rain), I picked up a new one at Walmarts. Gone are the days when, as a Vice President at DAS, I used to go to a watch shop and they would not only sell (at a stiff price) one, but also install it. Just another sign I guess at how far I've fallen...

Then I went home for lunch. Now, I'd taken all the remaining beef out of the garage chest freezer and transferred it to my refrigerator's freezer last night. It's about time to purchase that 1/4 of a butchered cow again and, as they say, you are not supposed to keep frozen beef for more than one year.

I wanted to make sure I used this stuff up before buying more. So, I had taken out a long, thick roast Friday morning to thaw. Therefore, I dug out the oval slow cooker at lunch.

I did my usual thing. I started out with a layer of carrots (peeled and sliced on the bias). To that I added three small yellow onions (peeled and halved) and then three garlic cloves (peeled and smashed). I roughed chopped all the remaining Yukon Gold potatoes (scrubbed, but not peeled) to make the next layer.

I patted the roast dry and heavily seasoned it with Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper (it's a thick cut of beef). I laid that on the potatoes and then added a whole small container of button mushrooms. I topped the roast with thick cut, yellow onions rings and then, after venturing outside in the rain, two big sprigs each of Rosemary and Thyme. I added about 1/4 cup of plain water and turned it on high at 12:00 noon. Needing some fuel, I spread some Townhouse crackers with peanut butter for lunch and watched the news.

Back at work, I got my watch going and spent the rest of the day writing a proposal, a Microsoft Project plan and a cost breakdown for my newest project.

When I got home at 5:10 PM, I could smell the roast out in the garage! I turned it down to "Low," changed clothes and went out to the garage to work on the south side (still trying to fit everything in and give me two car spaces).

I got a lot accomplished and came back in about 6:45 PM. I went out back to check on two things: my tomatoes and the rain gauge. We had about 1/2 inch of rain in the past 18 hours and I've got another good amount of ripe tomatoes but no time to process them tonight. So, that will be a weekend project.

At about 7:00 PM, I gave into my hunger pangs and started work on the last of my dinner. Using the Japanese spider, I pulled out the meat and veggies (after discarding the herb sprigs). It was at this point I wanted to kick my own ass, because I realized I'd forgotten to add a bay leaf or two (They really add a nice depth of flavor).

I got my 12-inch saut� pan and heated up two tablespoon of peanut oil (almost no taste, but the fat I needed) and then whisked in two tablespoons of flour. Yes, I am making a roux.

I added in all the slow cooker juices and whisked my ass off until the (now) gravy thickened. Then I plated my supper. I added butter and salt to the carrots and potatoes and topped the pot roast with the gravy.

I went in to watch TV and then went to bed early.