Yes, they're mine

So what does your family do on a lazy night in? We like to play games, watch movies, or... ...go a little crazy!

Marinated Steaks

With turkey on Thanksgiving and ham on Christmas I have always struggled with what to do for Easter.

Several years ago when we started buying half a cow from a local rancher I suddenly had an over abundance of steaks. Four or five different types. I am not a steak fan. I have eaten it, on occasion, with a ton of ketchup. There's a rancher/farmer in Amarillo who doesn't remember my name but talks about that girl who needed ketchup to eat one of his steaks. I try not to run into him face to face.

A few years ago I decided it was time to venture into the steak recipes in my recipe box. Heaven forbid that I just grill them! I certainly can't leave well enough alone. I pulled out three marinated steak recipes and asked Shawn to pick one. He chose this one simply because it had hot sauce in it. No other reason. He just likes hot food. I thawed the steaks, poured the marinade over, stuck them in the fridge, started a massive home improvement project, and promptly forgot about them for four days.

When I luckily remembered they were there they passed the Shawn Sniff Test and he slapped them on the grill. I couldn't believe how good they were when I worked up the nerve to taste some! I am now a steak lover!

It takes a lot of ingredients...but they're so worth it! And, um...yea. See that Soy Sauce that I had to balance on top of the ketchup to make it fit in the pictures. Well, ignore it. This recipe doesn't have soy sauce in it. I apparently was looking a my Mushroom Pasta Pilaf recipe instead of the steak one.

And, um...ignore the pepper, too.

Sorry.

Since I really don't know all that much about steak, I just grab whatever type I find when I start digging in the deep freeze.

I ended up with four Rib Eyes and four Kansas City.

I melt my butter in this awesome little butter melter. I'm sure it has a real name. All you Pampered Chef fans are cringing right now. My mom had ordered it at a party right before her death. When friends from work came to pay their respects they gave me her order. I love and still use all of the items.

Try them and let me know what you think.

Marinated Steaks

1/2 c. butter, melted
1/4 c. lemon juice
1/4 c. ketchup
2 T. Worcestershire sauce
2 T. cider vinegar
2 T. olive or vegetable oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 t. salt
1 t. sugar
1/2 t. hot pepper sauce
Dash cayenne pepper
6 beef rib eye steaks (about 1 inch thick and 12 ounces each)

In a large resealable bag, combine the first 11 ingredients. Add the steaks. Seal bag and coat; refrigerate for 6 hours or overnight.

Drain and discard marinade. Grill steaks, uncovered, over medium-hot heat for 8-10 minutes or until the meat reaches desired doneness (for rare, a meat thermometer should read 140; medium, 160; well-done, 170).

New Love

So we've established by now that I have a deep love with all thing Photoshop. I can lose myself in it.

Thanks to The Pioneer Woman and her amazing tutorials I have been really enjoying myself.

This specific tutorial finally made it completely clear how to make the colorized photos happen. I love it how she explains everything so well. Like she's talking to me like I'm 6. Because that's the only way that I can honestly understand anything involving computers.

I still don't feel like I've found the perfect picture to use. Guess I'll have to set that up. Any volunteers??

But here are some of my early attempts.

Neighbors

We have been blessed with amazing neighbors! Some still live on our block that did when I was growing up across the street. That's what happens when you live on the same block for 23 1/2 years.

Luckily when we go out of town during the summer there are some neighbors that take care of our pool, and now our dog.

I've always wondered what happens when we're gone. I've heard they have parties. I've found a swimsuit that should have been worn home...and new pool toys from time to time. Since they usually entertain I have started hearing things from mutual friends.

Yesterday this found it's way to my inbox.That would be our white dog, Jackie 'O'. Our white dog who is litter box trained and never leaves the house...when we're in charge of her.

Looks like she had fun!

Stinking Technology

After Shawn's soccer game tonight he mentioned that he needed to stop by my aunt's house and look at her sink.

I was on my third Sonic drink for the day (don't ask) and was really only thinking of the nearest bathroom.

As we were standing on her front porch I was planning my route around her, my children, and to the nearest bathroom.

As I was waving and running I stopped. Wait, which sink was he going to be looking at? I certainly didn't want to keep him from his appointed task. After all, I had a hot date with my couch at home and I wanted to speed this along.

I quickly asked, "Which sink?"

I could hear Shawn and my aunt coming but they didn't say anything right away.

I again asked, "Which sink?" And then quickly explained that I didn't want to go into the guest bathroom if that was the one he needed to be in.

By then they were both standing in the hallway looking at me with confused expressions.

Slowly, (because of my full bladder) they started laughing. I was about to start hopping when they finally told me she was having trouble with her 'sync'.

Um, yeah. Syncing her iPhone to her computer.

Stinking technology.