Monday Morning Motivation

I woke up in a bad mood today. Well, it is Monday after all, and I have to open at work and I am tired after a wonderful weekend with family.  Looking over quotes from my Pinterest trying to find the one I need to motivate me this Monday, I decided on this one...

Nothing motivates me like music....a song.  So on the way to work today I will be listening to Christian music to regain my focus.  Nothing speaks to me like music.
Happy Monday Everyone!
Enjoy Your World:-)

Stroll through Blowing Rock NC

Several weeks ago Joe and I were in Blowing Rock NC.  One of my favorite places.  Shops, restaurants, friendly people.  Small town feel.  Joe was out on run so I strolled through downtown Blowing Rock and took a few pictures of things that caught my eye....

 Used my zoom on my Nikon P510:-)

We do love Blowing Rock and can't wait to return.
Get out and travel!
Enjoy Your World:-)

McRitchie Winery and Ciderworks Thurmond NC

After eating lunch in Elkin NC several weeks ago we headed off to find McRitchie Winery and Ciderworks in Thurmond, NC.  We had tried to find it on our last visit to the mountains but had failed miserably. This time failure was not an option. Although we did miss the turn and the huge sign, due to the beauty of the landscape, we turned around and as luck would have it we finally made it...

Here is how they describe the winery on their website...
"Located on nearly thirty acres in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains — deep in the heart of the Yadkin Valley of North Carolina — lies McRitchie Winery & Ciderworks. 
We are a family owned and operated winery and vineyard specializing in small lots of award-winning artisan wines and hard ciders. 
Our dedication to sustainable growing and low intervention wine making has resulted in wines and hard ciders as expressive and distinct as the land whereupon the fruit grows."


Can't wait for the wine tasting:-)

 Award winning delicious wine and cider....Yum:-)

 Not sure about the history behind the sculpture but they are interesting!

I sampled many wines and ciders.  I always lean toward the whites and they were wonderful.  The cider was good as well.  I still have not developed a taste for red wine, I am told it is a process so I will keep trying.  After sipping a refreshing glass of wine on the patio overlooking a beautiful landscape we decided to explore the grounds a bit...

After a wonderful visit we headed to Blowing Rock.....Had to stop and take a picture of the cows up the street.  I don't think the bull liked us...

 I bought a bottle of Chardonnay.  I looked forward to a chilled glass sometime soon:-)

Get out and visit a winery.  I suggest McRitchie.
Enjoy Your World:-)
By the way here are the GPS Coordinates so you won't get lost like we did
 36º 22’ 02” N

080º 56’ 43.68” W

Monday Morning Motivation

"Christianity did not come in order to develop the heroic virtues in the individual, 

but rather to remove self-centeredness and establish love"

-Soren Kierkegaard-

Happy Monday Everyone!

Enjoy Your World:-)

Recipe Review...Sirloin Tips With Smoky Pepper Sauce from BHG Anyone Can Cook

It was Sunday.  This has become my cooking day.  I wanted to try something different so I decided to make Sirloin Tips I found in a magazine. I studied the recipe..

ingredients

• 1 1/2........
  pounds beef sirloin tip steak
• 1/2...........
  teaspoon smoked paprika or paprika
• 1...............
  tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1...............
  12 - 16 ounce jar roasted red and/or yellow sweet peppers
• 1/2...........
  cup hickory- or mesquite-flavored barbecue sauce

       1/4....

cup coarsely chopped fresh Italian (flat-leaf) parsley

directions

1.

Trim meat and cut into 1- to 1-1/2-inch chunks; sprinkle with paprika. In a 12-inch skillet heat oil over medium-high heat. Add meat; brown 5 minutes or to desired doneness. Remove from skillet; keep warm.

2.

Meanwhile, drain roasted peppers, reserving liquid. Cut up roasted peppers. Measure 1/2 cup of the reserved liquid (if needed, add enough water to equal 1/2 cup). Add peppers and the liquid to the skillet. Add barbecue sauce. Cook, uncovered, for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently until sauce is slightly thickened. Return meat to skillet; heat through.Sprinkle with parsley to serve.

              

For once I did not cheat on a recipe.  It was great, sweet, savory, and tangy.  I would give it a 9.5/10 on my cooking scale.  I think next time I will serve it with rice. I didn't  have any in the pantry so we made Bob Evans Mashed Potatoes, which I love for any occasion:-) The muffins on the left were good also, recipe to follow, although I did have to cheat on that one:-)

Happy Cooking Everyone!

Enjoy Your World:-)