Not Your Momma's Roast Beef Sandwiches

     As promised here is the recipe for what we had for dinner last night that I keep thinking about this morning. Yumm. We had French Dip Sandwiches, but not just any old French Dip will do in this house. These are special. Here's the ingredients. You will have to adjust the amounts for your family since I'm pretty sure most of you don't cook for between 14 to 25 people every night, so you're on your own in adjusting.
      1 bag of rolls. I bought steak rolls from Walmart.
      2lbs of roast beef I had sliced at the deli counter.
      butter
      Au jus the little packet that you mix with water. Usually found on the gravy aisle if you've never bought it before.
     Sliced cheese. I had cheddar and provalone on hand.
     And the secret ingredient. Ranch Dip made with sour cream. The kind you use on football day.

     Slice the rolls in half and butter them. Put them in the oven on broil until the butter is melted. Don't let them over cook. Just a tiny bit golden is what you are going for.
     Slice the roast beef into about 1/2 to 1 inch slices. This makes it almost like using shaved meat without the extra cost of having them shave it. I'm cheap like that.
     When the rolls are golden take a tablespoon of ranch and put it on one side of the roll, pile meat on top, add a slice of cheese and back into the oven until cheese starts to melt. Again don't over do it. They cook fast.
     Take out and dip in the Au Jus and eat. I put my rolls in on a cookie sheet.
   
     Let me know if you try these. I would love to know what you think of them. 
    


    

It's the Little Things

     They say in marriage it's the little things. It's true, it's the little things that drive you crazy. My husband has had the same cell phone forever. He needs a new one desperately. I keep trying to get him to dive in and do it, but he puts it off.
     With that being said, I have one question. How on earth do you miss calls when you have had a cell phone for so long that you need to replace it, because you wait too long to answer. His phone will ring and he will look to see who's calling. I will say, "Are you going to answer that?" I hate his ring tone. It's the one the phone came with and he's never changed it, ever.
     He'll say, "Yes, I'm going to answer," and then he waits and misses the call. It makes me insane.
    I change my ring tone every so often and after two or three calls I know just how much time I have to answer before the call is missed, so why doesn't he?
    I'll even tell him, "You're going to miss the call." He says, "No I won't," and then he misses it. Sometimes you have to wonder if husbands do these things on purpose just to make you crazy.
    Ring, ring, ring, ring, ring, ring, ring, ring, ring, ring, ANSWER YOUR PHONE!!!! 

Gimee, Gimee, Gimee!

     Today's blog is sort of a continuation of yesterdays complaining about McDonald's money grubbing ways.
     What is up with fast food restaurants putting out tip jars?! What the heck! Like they don't charge enough as it is. We went through a drive thru recently that had a number 10 can hanging by a string and someone had written the word TIPS on it. I made me really uncomfortable. I mean someone let me know if I am wrong, but isn't the whole idea of tips to reward a server for a job well done? Did that change and I not hear about it?
     And if that is still the point of tips, why would I tip someone who hands me my food from a window? There is no serving involved in that.
     Things are changing is this world and not for the better. It seems everyone wants something for nothing.

McDonalds and Their Penny Pinching Ways

     There is something that has been bugging me for a while now and I have to get it off my chest. It's McDonald's, they are not exactly my version of haute cuisine. They are more like fried pork rinds and store brand pop in front of the TV watching The Price is Right. (Shiver) So why do you have to fight them to get what you need to enjoy (gag down) your meal?
     Last week I went through the drive thru and ordered 3-20 piece chick Mcnuggets and I told them I need ranch, buffalo and bar-b-que sauce. I get to the window look in the bag and I have one of each. Really?! I have sixty nuggets and they give me three sauces? How is that supposed to work?
     Sixty nuggets is obviously going to feed more than one person. And I have this thing where I think everyone should have their own dipping sauces so they don't share germs. I mean, cold and flu season is coming and if your dipping your nuggets into someone else's sauce watch out.
     I hate having to say, "I need five more of each sauce," and having them act like they are sacrificing their first born. I understand that corporations are always looking for ways to raise the bottom line, but seriously? I resent having to beg for what should come with your nuggets in the first place.
     It's like dealing with the friend or relative who always disappears to the restroom at a restaurant when the bill shows up. Cheap, Cheap, Cheap. It's uncomfortable and embarrassing.
     Get with it McDonald's and don't make us beg for our sauce. That is all.

The Start of a New Season

    Today is a great day. Not only did school start but I lived through another long, HOT summer. I know, I know, September can still be hot, but it has the promise of cooler days. I always feel if I can make it to the ember months, I'm good to go until late next spring. I don't know why I have such an aversion to heat maybe it's that I love layering clothes, maybe it's because I was pregnant through so many LONG, HOT summers that I now can't enjoy them. Perhaps, I just love autumn so much more with its beautiful fall colors and the beginning of the holiday season.
     What ever it is I am hap, hap, happy today. I hope you are too.

60,000 words in three days. Oh boy!

     I am going away for a few days with some pretty big plans. My writing friends have taken on the challenge of writing a book in three days. That's 60,000 words in three days. It is a lofty goal, but I have spent time outlining and planning and I am going forth to accomplish.
     A hotel is the only place I would be able to even attempt such a feat. I'm stocking up on coke, 5 hour energy drinks and snacks that will keep me fueled for success. Wish me luck.
     Our motto for this little challenge is, Do or do not, there is no try.
    

It Ain't Over Til It's Over

     I have to confess to being a list maker. I have lists for so many things from groceries I need to buy, to projects I want to do, goals I want to accomplish and everything in between. Do I follow those lists? Not always... Well, most of the time no. Why?  Because I tend to shoot for the stars. Why not? I'm only setting these goals on paper and paper is cheap.
     I know deep down that I need to be a little bit more realistic when it comes to setting goals but let's face it if you don't shoot for the stars once in a while you won't know what you are capable of achieving. In the last year I have learned that I can make a menu for the entire month and follow it. I have written a whole book, I have exercised for thirty days in a row and lost a significant amount of weight all because I set goals.
     I feel pretty good about accomplishing these things and I choose to dwell on what I have done rather than what is still on the list. After all everyday is a new day and I can start again. I can make a new list or adjust an old one. That is the beauty of life, it ain't over til it's over.