Lost mind...

Okay...
It's gone.  Wherever I have placed that receipt has sucked it away to nowhere land.  It is gone.  Just gone.  I am not letting go of it.  I can not be that disorganized! Really?  Am I that much of a control person to think that I can't make mistakes.
And this...
of course I read ahead...even in my daily devotionals...

"There is nothing covered that won't be uncovered, nothing hidden that won't be made known." Luke 12:2

Okay - Lord, I really don't want to wait until tomorrow....do I have to wait until tomorrow before it is made known.  Now I know that this verse doesn't actually apply to my craziness at this exact moment, but it does reassure me.

I am reassured.
"I call on YOU in the day of my distress, for YOU will answer me". Psalm 86:7
That is today's verse.  hmmmm

My mind might be lost...but I am reassured.
He is always found.
=)
Blessings.

Losing my mind.

I believe that I am an organized person, the majority of the time anyway.  I have been unable to find a receipt...a simple receipt.  I have two to three places for them.  I have searched, and searched.  Still nothing.  I have a terrible habit of placing something in a "special" place for safety!  Or have shredded it.  Ugh...I am to the point of tears...frustrated...old, feeling very old. 

I have lost my mind.  Let me know if you find it. 

Auburn War Eagle Day

Over our spring break, we decided to take Carmen to War Eagle Day at Auburn.  Classes were in session, and it is a good first look at Auburn University.  She has lots of choices.  Carmen is a good student, and will be able to choose where she wants to go.  Now if only she knew what she wanted to do.

Auburn is a smaller college, with on average 25,000 students. Everyone there was extremely friendly, and outgoing. Carmen was nervous, as were all of us. 

We stayed at the Auburn University Hotel and Conference Center.  Our view was at the library.  This is a perfect picture...wonder, curious, scared. 

Carmen has a lot to do before she graduates next year.  But, this is the beginning of a new chapter.  One that all of us are a little nervous about. 

My Mom's Goulash

Goulash...most people think of think of it as a German stew...I consider it a wonderful memory of not very rich times in my youth...but hindsight...how wonderful they were.

I have been wanting to make this for several years, and never really had the gumption.  I really didn't think I would be able to repeat what my Mom had done.  I didn't pay close attention to what she did, and she never wrote anything down.  But, I did the other day, and I must say, it was my Mothers, and I was delighted to have those memories brought current.

I started with a roast on sale (buy one get one at Winn-Dixie).  I cut it into chunks.

Season the meat with a season salt, and bring a heavy pan to medium high with vegetable oil. Brown one level of meat at a time, don't crowd the beef. This process will be a lengthy one, but well worth it.  Remove the cooked beef, and let stand while...

you chop celery, carrots, onion and garlic and add to the pan.

It is still not a a pretty sight, but continue to cook until the onions are translucent.

 Then add the beef, a large spoonful of paprika (I used a smoked one that is divine), a small amount of kosher salt, and a small can of tomato paste.  Mix together until well combined.

Add water to barely cover, and place into a hot (350 degrees) oven.  

Cook until beef is so tender it melts in your mouth (for me it was about 3 1/2 hours).  And, yes, it will. 

 I am blessed by my wonderful relatives in Germany.  They send me these blissful macaroni noodles.  This, to me, is the secret to the goulash! But, you may use any type of noodle.  Mom used to use egg noodles as well.  This type of macaroni noodle is about as long as a spaghetti noodle, but with a hole.  Slurping is desired.  ha.

I loved it.  The kids loved it, and so did David. 
Carmen's slurping was priceless! 
Mom would have been proud.

Enjoy!