My grandpa's

You know I have always had a soft spot in my heart for my grandpa's.  Today I seen something that warmed, and saddened me all at the same time.  My mom & grandpa came up to visit. My mom was having to see a surgeon on a surgery she was to possibly be having.

He is extremely close to my mom.  My mom has a dear friend that has cancer.  She spoke with her on the phone today, and heard news that it wasn't good.  It was really upsetting to my mom because not to long ago we lossed a cousin that was very close to us to cancer.  My grandpa seen how upset my mom was, and that she was crying he got up to console her, and was crying also.

This is from a man that while I was growing up was so strong, and taught me to sing the "tomato song".  You know that song right?!?

Tomato's in the morning, Tomato's in the evening & Tomato's at suppertime.  :)

Anyway for me to see this it showed me that strong man, the kind and endearing grandpa showed me how much he loves his daughter.  And, for me I never got to feel those feelings from my dad.  So it just brings tears to my eyes; not only as a grand-daughter but as a daughter that didn't get to feel that kind of fatherly love.


So here's a picture of that great man his first visit to see the "Tulsa Driller"  it was taken yesterday.

I lost my other grandpa when I was a senior in high school.  He was another great man in my life that have taught me lessons, and showed me undying love.  I have 3 others.  My husband, and my brothers.  

So my thing to all you folks out there is this:  Tell someone you love them today.  

Happy St. Patty's Day with Corned Beef and Cabbage

Well it is St. Paddy's Day and what better than Corned Beef and Cabbage.  If your a fan of Food Network and Guy Fieri than you know how much he loves his corned beef, well I am the same I could eat this just about everyday.  Now there are many ways to make this and I have come to like this way.  I am not one that likes the little spice pack that comes with the corned beef, but for the ones that do add it in to your pot.  

Ingredients:

• 1 package of Corned Beef
• 6 red potatoes
• 1 head of green cabbage
• salt and pepper
• water

Directions:

Remove the beef from the package and rinse under cold water.(retain spice pack if using)

Place beef in large pot.(add spice pack over top if using)

Cut the potatoes into quarters.

Place the potatoes around the beef.

Put enough water in to just come over the top of the beef.

Quarter you cabbage and then cut into slices.

Place in pot over beef and potatoes.

Salt and Pepper to taste.

Cook on lowest heat for 2 hours, remove beef and slice, returning back to pot to heat back up.

You can either plate this on a flat plate like the beginning picture, or in a bowl like a soup.

I hope you enjoy.

Steak Tips with Peppered Mushroom Gravy

Ok, here it is awesome Beef Tips with Peppered Mushroom Gravy.  I received this recipe from Myrecipes.com in my email, but did some modification to suit my taste.  This turned out great, Gena is not much on brown gravy and mushrooms, but she loved it.  It comes together fairly fast and it doesn't cast to much, with having some of the items on hand the rest was about $15.00 and this will feed a family of 4.

Ingredients

• 3 cups uncooked egg noodles
• Cooking spray
• 1 pound top sirloin steak, cut into 3/4-inch pieces
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/4 cup finely chopped shallots
• 1 cup sliced button mushrooms
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 can beef broth
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoon fresh parsley leaves (optional)

Preparation

 

1. 1. Cook noodles according to package directions; drain.

 

1. 2. While noodles cook, heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add steak; sauté 5 minutes, browning on all sides. Remove from pan; cover.

 

 

1. 3. Melt butter in pan over medium-high heat. Add shallots and mushrooms; sauté 4 minutes. Add garlic; sauté 30 seconds. Stir in soy sauce. Sprinkle flour over mushroom mixture; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually add broth, stirring constantly. Add pepper, salt, and parsley leaves. Bring to a boil; cook 2 minutes or until thickened. Return beef to pan; cook 1 minute or until thoroughly heated.  Plate on top of noodles, garnish with parsley leaves, if desired.

"Saving Forever" by Jasinda Wilder Book Review

As I have mentioned this has got to be the hardest book series I have ever tried to write a review on.  Overall its full of tragedy, drama, sex, but its also full of love, and romance.  So why is it so dang hard for me to articulate what I want to say???

Saving Forever brings Caden, Ever, & Eden together by the end.  It also has a new set of characters that help so that there is family and fun for all.  Carter the new male counterpart brought into the series for Eden is dreamy as ever!!  He is fraught with his own tragedy, and issues.  But you will see that even those are not going to slow the story down!  So many things happen in this book that you will seriously not want to put the book down once you pick it up and start it!

Overall, this whole series is pretty dang good.  I own it, and I will most likely read it again.  I know this isn’t the longest review, but you need to get the series and read it for yourself.  We all know I do not give spoilers, and I try not to delve to far into the books details.  I’m a firm believer that a person needs to read, and if I give you all the details it takes away from the fun of you finding the silver linings in the books.  So go grab it for yourself.  Grab them all!

Now, I need to jump into more of Jasinda’s books!!

Happy Readings to all—Pimpin’ Joy Week!!

Gena

You can get your copy by clicking the picture below:

Happy Reading to all--
Gena

Book 2 After Forever by Jasinda Wilder Book Review

I am having trouble writing a review for this series.  I don't know if its the sadness within it, the heartache, or the all out loss I feel while reading the books.  There are things within this series that I can relate to.  I have myself lost a parent when I was in my twenties who also drank.  And, like Caden in book two I have had a grandparent whom has had a stroke.  So yea this book of the series hit hard, and by the end I cried ALOT!

Book two brings in more of Ever's twin sister Eden.  You learn how Caden & Eden comfort each other to try and help each other heal; which may in the long run be a big problem.  I read reviews before starting this book of the series, and a lot of which mentioned cheating.  I half way for seen this just on the ending of book one.  I do not agree with the reviews or comments that I read concerning the thought or actions of cheating being wrong, and somewhat disrespectful.  I also don't agree with those commenters who said they "WOULD NEVER" because well none of us know what we are capable of when we have been strewn through so much loss, bad luck, and all out emotional warfare that Caden or Eden have gone through in such a young life.  That being said I can say that I wouldn't contemplate it, but I can't say that it "WOULD NEVER" happen because I can not for see the future.  HAHA!

Overall this series has definitely see a different side of Jasinda's writing style, and I like it.  You will not want a YA to read this series that is for sure.  You again will need tissues if you are easily known to cry or are a person that wears their emotions like me.  And, if you don't like controversial topics this may not be for you.

Forever & Always by Jasinda Wilder Book Review

Forever & Always is the type of book that will have you delving into it head first, and wanting more by the end.  However, do to some of the steamier content towards the end of the book it is not meant for everyone.  Also, it is not for the faint of heart due to some of the storyline.  I adore the author, and have since I came across another series she has written.  She is fairly known for the steaminess in her books. It doesn't bother me to read this as I am an adult, and know that some of that is pretty much part of adult life.  So this is not a young adult crowd read for sure.

The two main characters (Caden & Ever) within this series better known as "The Ever Trilogy" were brought together due to great loss at an early age of losing a parent.  It is written so that you can almost feel the same feelings the characters have or are going through due to this great loss.  They become pen-pals after meeting each other at an art camp.  Through out the storyline the author throws in the letters they write to each other so that you can almost feel yourself being behind the pen in some sort or fashion.

The love, loss, drama, and all other emotions you feel through this series will have you needing a box of tissues.  The ending will have you really wanting to go into the next book full force to find out what happens next.  I know this because I am already dying to jump into book two, but alas I work during the day, and only get to read books on break.  I took my break to write this review before I forgot what I wanted to say *Laughing*.

So please know :
#1-Grab that box of tissues
#2-Prepare for getting book two
#3-Know that you will truly know what loss is by the end of this series!


So if you want to grab this book while its "FREE" on Amazon click that picture below!! 

You can find more on Jasinda Wilder at the links below:

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Happy Readings-

Gena

"Retribution" Is Live !! Go get it y'all!

OH MY GOSH!! It's been released early y'all!  "Retribution" is live on Amazon!!  Yay!!  Okay I am so elated at this release.  I was mentioned on the authors blog!  You can see it by following this link: http://virginiabrasch.wordpress.com/2014/02/26/retribution-book-one-in-the-artemis-series-by-virginia-brasch/

I was the first review for the book.  I am also the first to put my review up on Amazon so happy!  This was an absolute awesome experience for me.  I thank the author Virginia Brasch for choosing me to do a review & allowing me use of an ARC copy to do so.

Good luck Viriginia on what is going to be an amazing series!!

Go and get your copy now!! Click the picture below!

Happy Reading-

Gena