Lucy ~ Primitive Valentine Doll

Stop by my eBay if you have a chance. I've just listed this sweet rag dolly with her wool hooked necklace there. I've started selling again last week and am really enjoying it. I think last year I was getting burned out but now it's fun again!

It's going to be unseasonably warm here this weekend. I'm sure I'll rooting around outside looking for any signs of Spring...forget that ground hog ~ I'm forever hopeful. I've got a touch of the fever already.

Have a good weekend everyone and thanks always for visiting me.

Jenn

Hearty Hearts and Pot Roast

I love to sit and hand stitch things at night. Makes me feel like I'm with the family but also keeps my hands busy....and you can watch American Idol too! These sweet little HEART pin keeps are made with old gray and red wools. Each comes with a little make-do wool covered hat pin. They are listed on my Ebay this week. To take a peak, click on the link to the left and down a little "Other Places You Can Find Me"

Now I know the next recipe is boring but I love good HEARTY meals in the winter that make your house smell yummy. We've got to be inside we may as well enjoy it. The key to this roast is cooking it slow at a low temperature.

....don't you like how I tied in the heart theme??? Does anyone get my sense of humor out there?? sorry...

BRAISED POT ROAST
2 TBSP Olive Oil
Flour/Salt and Pepper to coat roast
2 - 3 lbs Beef ~ I use Rump Roast or Chuck Roast
1/4 tsp dried thyme
1/4 tsp basil
2 leaves crumbled dried sage
1 Bay Leaf
1/2 tsp Salt and Pepper
1 Large Sweet Onion Chopped
1 tsp minced garlic...about 2 cloves
2 Cups Beef Broth or Boiling Water
1 Cup Chopped Carrots
2 Ribs of Chopped Celery
5 - 6 Small Potatoes Cubed

Preheat oven 250 degrees. In a roasting pan (or I like to use my cast iron skillet), heat the olive oil over medium heat. Flour the roast and place it in the dish. Brown thoroughly on all sides and remove from pan.

Pour beef broth in pan and scrap the bottom loosening up all the bits and pieces from browning.

Season the roast with dried herbs and gently place fat side up. Add the garlic and onion, salt and pepper and bay leaf. Add more broth or water if needed...I usually add about a 1/2 cup more water since there is so much sodium in broth. Cover tightly with lid or foil and roast. After 2 hours I turn it and then turn again in 2 more hours. During the first turn I add the carrots, celery and potatoes and let cook until soft.

Remove the roast and let stand at least 15 minutes. Thicken the juices up while waiting...Add about 3 tablespoons of flour and about 1/4 cup of the juice in glass jar or cup and blend. Whisk this back to the pot and let thicken.

Happy Groundhog's Day from Rabbit Hill Primitives

"The bright sky above me shows my shadow before me, and six more weeks of winter it will be.”

Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow this morning which means six more long weeks of winter. The legend of Groundhog Day is based on an old Scottish couplet: "If Candlemas Day is bright and clear, there'll be two winters in the year."

I guess we will have to dream about our gardens for just a few more weeks...

It's almost game time....Superbowl 43!

A teacher in Phoenix Arizona asked her class to raise their hands if they were a Cardinal's fan. Everyone raised their hands except one little girl Janie. The teacher said "Janie, maybe you didn't hear my question. I asked everyone to raise their hand who was a Cardinal's fan." Janie said "I'm not a Cardinal's fan, I'm a Steeler's fan" "My dad is from Pittsburgh and he is a Steeler's fan. My mom is from Pittsburgh and she is a Steeler's fan so that is why I'm a Steeler's fan." The teacher said "Just because your mom and dad are Steeler's fans doesn't mean you have to be also. What if your mom was a moran and your dad was an idiot?" Little Janie thought about this and replied "I guess I would be a Cardinal's fan."

Hee hee all in good fun! Born and raised in Pittsburgh I could be nothing else but a Steeler's Fan! Have a fun day. Go Steelers!