And the winner is.....

Dawn! Greg pulled the name for my drawing so things would be completely impartial. Dawn, please email me the address where I should send your prize. Yay! Big thanks to all who commented. Keep it up, I have another little random giveaway in mind and you never know when I might be looking for a winner!

Yesterday we hung out at home again. It's cold and we're trying to save money, so this will be a recurrent theme. Carson has decided that the best place to watch is a movie is snuggled in our bed under the electric blanket with a bowl of snacks. Life is good.

Last night we went to my parents' house to celebrate my brother, Jeremy's, 28th birthday. Mom made lasagna, salad, garlic bread, salsa, guacamole, brownies, and pineapple upside down cake. It was a multicultural meal and very yummy.

I got so much done today. I would have rather taken it easy for the sake of Dr. King, but I had a lot to do. We did school work this morning while laundry was in the works. Greg came home to join us for lunch, then headed back to work. This afternoon I ironed Carson's outgrown clothes for a consignment sale. I gave up about halfway through. Tonight I created a PowerPoint presentation for my class tomorrow night, typed a report on a child, and worked on Carson's lesson plans. It will be a break to go back to work tomorrow.

I tried a new recipe tonight that was delicious and easy. Greg and Carson agreed. Here it is:

Beef Tips
INGREDIENTS
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped
2 pounds cubed beef stew meat
2 cups water
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
2(.75 ounce) packages dry brown gravy mix

DIRECTIONS
In a large skillet heat oil over high heat. Saute the onion until almost translucent.
Add the stew meat and cook on high heat until meat is browned on all sides; about 3 to 5 minutes.
Pour 2 cups water, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce into the skillet. Stir in garlic powder, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
Stir gravy mix into beef. Bring to a boil stirring frequently until slightly thickened. Serve over rice, egg noodles, or mashed potatoes.

You could also throw it all in the slow cooker on low all day, or just brown the meat and bake it at 350 for 1-1 1/2 hours.

That's it for tonight!