Beef Au Jus

Beef Au Jus (for sandwiches or potatoes)

This was served over the baked potato

For the beef
22 oz. sliced roast beef deli meat
2 cups beef broth
½ tsp. garlic powder
½ tsp. onion powder
2 Tbsp. worcestershire sauce
1 Au Jus sauce packet

For the toppings
your choice of peppers
onion
mushrooms
provolone cheese

Serve on hoagie bun or over baked potato.

Put all 'For the beef' ingredients in the Instant Pot inner pot.  Put on lid and set vent to Seal.  Cook on Manual High for 4 minutes.  When finished do a quick release of pressure.

In a skillet with a little butter, saute your choice of toppings.  I used red peppers, onions, and mushrooms.  When they are softened to your liking, remove from heat.

We ate this two ways... the first meal we piled it on a hoagie bun and topped with provolone cheese.  The second meal we used the leftovers to top a baked potato.  Both ways were very tasty.

Christmas in July

My friend, Susie, hosted a lovely get together in late July.  She is famous for her 'Christmas room' which is in her cool comfy basement and is decorated for Christmas all year long.  She and her Mom, who was in town for a visit, even made Christmas cookies and hot cider for all!  Several ladies enjoyed the evening visiting in the Christmas room, serenaded by Christmas music playing in the background.  What a fun evening with friends!

Dear Susie and Craig

Miss Susie with some Christmas cookies

I got tickled when I looked at these group photos once I got home...

watching Susie's expressions throughout...

this was to be the 'goofy' photo

and here we christened Susie 'the cheerleader' when
she threw up her hands and blocked Jenn...  :D 

Not sure she liked that!  :D  

clockwise from front... Stephanie, Chris, Lora, Laura, Jennifer, Karla, Kendra, Krystal, Susie's Mom, and Susie (Mrs Christmas!)

Random July

Here are snippets from the month of July that haven't yet found their way to the blog.   :)

I enjoyed a lovely afternoon visit with these fine folks shortly after I returned home from Scotland.

Susie, Rojina, James, Anna, Matthew, Adrian, Chris (you can't see the others...)

another viewpoint - Matthew, Adrian, Marvin, Jonathan, Jackson, Chris

Dear Rojina, James, Anna, and Matthew  

My friend, Susie, sent me this photo of her family sitting in 'Daddy's booth' at Coltons Steakhouse.  Quite awhile ago Coltons requested a signed hat of Daddy's to put up in the booth that he always sits in when he visits the restaurant.  Susie wasn't really aware which booth it was until she happened to look up and see his hat - then remembered about his booth.  :)  Loved that she thought to take this photo and send it to me!

Craig pointing to Daddy's hat at Coltons

We finally bought a new grill since our old grill has definitely seen better days.  I am excited about this one as it is larger than our old one.  Thanks to Marvin for putting it together!

Dear Jennifer sent this photo of Princes Street Gardens to show us the updated blooming.  So lovely!  Made me miss her even more!

Brianna was happy to find a cushy ball for her keychain, much like the one Aunt Jan had at the family reunion.  :)

I missed getting a photo with Eric and the kids while they were camping at our place during the county fair, but I was able to get a photo of Eric's parents picking up the camper to take it home.  So nice to be able to visit with them, even for just a little bit.  :)

Laura and Marilyn

Shonda spotted this turtle hanging out in our garage.  It was a hot day and I guess he just wanted a reprieve from the heat.  He was gone the next time we checked on him.

My beautiful daughter-in-law, Brianna!

Jackson and Brianna 

Preparing for Hay Day #2!  (but I didn't take any more photos than these this time around...)

Brianna's student had a recital where she performed on both the piano and the clarinet before an audience of friends and family.  Proud of Brianna who is building her student clientele and proud of her student for doing such a fantastic job in her recital!

Picture Day

It is hard to believe that Alaina is going to be a senior next year.  She and Jackson came out to Willis Creek Ranch to take the first round of her senior photos.  Shonda, Brianna, and I followed them around to watch the process.  Wow, I cannot wait to see Jackson's photos of Alaina and her horse, Gracie!  These are just my snapshots of the process... sort of a teaser before the real thing!  :)

(Update... before I got this posted here on the blog, Jackson uploaded the photos he took at his website.  You can see them all here!!
Willis Creek Ranch Photography - https://jtmann.smugmug.com/Alainas-Senior-Photos/)

Alaina in her prom dress riding Gracie.  :D 

Shonda, Brianna, and I were riding on the tailgate of the truck as Jackson drove to the back 40 to take photos.  Alaina and Gracie followed close behind so I was able to get a few (bouncy!) photos along the way.  :)

While I captured bouncy photos of Alaina, Shonda captured this gem of us!  ;)

Jackson made us stay far away... but I had a zoom lens to watch through!  ha!  :D

love that sky!

He was telling us to quit 'offering advice'.   :D  

I cannot wait to see his photos!!!!!

These photos are definitely 'Alaina'!  

following us back to the barn

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