Early morning coffee and psalms

My alarm clock rang way too early this morning. It wasn't possible seven hours had passed but the evidence was there. My clock was not broken. I could not get to sleep last night but I was too tired to read so I turned on the TV and watched Fox Business Network until I felt sleepy. I've long passed the point where economic news would keep me up at night... which is dangerous when our present circumstances become "same old same old".

Back to this morning... I asked my husband if he'd push the button on the coffeepot so I had a few minutes to find my flannel housecoat (the temperature was in the 20's this morning!) and my Pooh mug, then immediately make my formula of "just the right amount of" Splenda and cream. Honestly, I think I was still asleep. It must have been the two Benadryl I'd taken before going to bed... a drug induced morning?

I almost turned the TV on to get the weather forecast but wisdom got the best of me and I headed for the sofa in the living room where my Bible awaited me. I decided I'd quickly read the 91st psalm as I'd been hearing more about it lately (with good reason). It is always comforting so I read through it quickly a couple of times before perusing through a few other psalms in the same area.

I landed on the 94th psalm which spoke to me from my thoughts and prayers of the night before. It was not Wall Street that caused me to cringe last night for I expect greed at that level (unfortunately). While they appear to have no common sense whatsoever (did they really think taxpayers wouldn't say anything about bonuses???), it was watching the members of Congress that made my stomach churn as I wondered how these nuts fell off the tree and got elected to represent parts of America (my only political commentary for today). :)

As I read the psalm this morning, I was so glad I'd taken just a little time to read before driving Christopher to work. Just listen...

Psalm 94

• vs. 2 Rise up, O Judge of the earth; pay back to the proud what they deserve.
• vs. 4 They pour out arrogant words; all the evildoers are full of boasting.
• vs. 19 When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.
• vs. 20 Can a corrupt throne be allied with you-- one that brings on misery by its decrees?
• vs. 21 They band together against the righteous to condemn the innocent to death.
• vs. 22 But the Lord has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.
• vs. 23 He will repay them for their sins and destroy them for their wickedness; the Lord our God will destroy them.

Now, I'm not praying the foolish in Washington be destroyed, I just want them replaced by men and women with wisdom for times such as these. Sheesh...

I did do some more baking today. Did you know you can bake a cheesecake in a 9 x 13 dish as long as there are at least three 8 oz. pkgs. of cream cheese in the recipe? I have an excellent recipe that uses four packages and it tastes like the finest of New York Style cheesecake. (I'll type it up later today or Saturday and add it to my recipe blog.)

I had purchased a lot of cream cheese during the Holidays when it went on sale for $1.00 each. As these were beginning to get close to their "use by" date, making the cheesecake was perfect. I will share some of it with my neighbors.

Last night we (finally) had the Crock Pot roast with mashed potatoes and canned green beans. The previous evening I'd planned to serve it but Christopher offered to take me out to dinner since his dad was out of town. It didn't take me but a second to say YES! :)

So, I unplugged the Crock Pot and let it cool while we were out for Chinese food close to campus. I let it continue slow cooking yesterday. We used half the roast last night and I pulled apart the rest of the beef, poured the leftover gravy in it, and placed it in a covered casserole dish. Tonight I'll just put together some instant potatoes to spoon on top of the casserole and wallah!!!... Shepherd's Pie. It's really just the meat and potatoes in a different form but who is telling?

To answer the comment, sometimes I cook a roast like I did this one and use it the next day in a planned leftover. Sometimes I do cut it in half if it is a big roast, cooking one half in the Crock Pot and cubing the other half to use for an oven stew or similar dish.

I like to purchase at least a bottom round for this when it is on sale instead of chuck roast as I find it is worth the slight amount more because it isn't fatty. I like the better cuts for roasts, too, if they are on a huge sale (I try to buy all meat on sale and freeze it). I still like chuck roasts for making veggie beef soup. I hope that answers the question! :)