Roast Beef – Size of roast you need for your family size to freeze at least 4 packages of shredded beef – I usually cook enough for dinner that night plus 6 additional nights (about 4-6 pounds – depending on how lean it is).

Cut off the excess fat and rinse in hot water.  Place in slow cooker that has been sprayed with Pam (preferably Olive Oil Pam) pour in one small can of Swanson’s reduced Sodium Vegetable Stock.  Slather ½ jar Extra Hot Horseradish Sauce over top of meat.  Cover and cook at low for 9-10 hours (depending on the amount of meat).

Drain.  Take off your dinner’s worth and put into container to stay warm.  Take the balance and shred with two forks.  Divide into packages for meals and freeze – be sure to get out as much air as you can.

Uses:

Tacos

On Chef Salads

In Casseroles with pasta and sauce.

Taco Salads

Stir-Fry Vegetables – add the meat the last 5 minutes before the sauce.

Any other recipe that calls for Hamburger.

One of my first efforts in making jewelry was using rectangle gemstone donuts and weaving a bail of beads.  I spent some time looking at the donut to decide what type of pattern and the colors.  If the stone has its own ornate patter, I needed to create a bail that would allow it to dominate – like Tiger Eye and Picture Jasper.  If I wanted a fancy bail patter, I used a plain donut – like Rose Quartz.  After the bail was zipped together on the donut, then it was time for the necklace.

I almost always use chips and small beads to match the donut.  Metal findings are usually determined by color, mood and tones – gold findings with Tiger Eye – Silver with Turquoise – and Copper with a wider range.  I use Tiger Tail .24 multi-strand for the necklace and rope centers because I like the soft drape.  I use Nymo thread, waxed, for all my bead-weaving – with pieces no longer than 2 yards to control twisting.

Here are some of the Donut Necklaces I’ve created since 2003. 

Multi-Color Gemstone

Click here to see more.  Your Like on myGoogle+ page would be very helpful.

Until next week –  seek shiny beads woven with strong fibers and wrapped in knitted bags.    Jana

In those days, names were based on need, and where you were in life.  The family oral history has been lost on what her Kaw name was, but she was Elizabeth on the Farm.

Changing your name for your time in life isn’t a bad idea, in my mind.  It helps focus you and others on who you are and where you are.  Thus the professional naming of Copper Raven.

The Raven is a master shape shifter.  Over my 60+ years I’ve been (in no special order) a pawn, a politician, a case work, grant writer, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, step-parent, business owner, artist and wife.  I can relate to the magic of the Raven and their spirits.  They mate for life, eat whatever shows up, and love to taunt Eagles.  Sounds like me.

Copper?  Copper is a metal that radiates healing properties.  And I’m at a point in my life where I truly enjoy helping heal others.  I certainly have been blessed with others healing me over the years.  Including my wonderful husband of 12+ years.

And the beadwork, basketry and knitting I’m doing is certainly healing.  I’ve maintained having classes over the years.  And what I learn from students is much more than I feel I give to them.  Listening to their stories is a blessing and reminds me that we’re all on this earth together.

So, if you could change your name – what would it be and why?

Until next week, seek shiny beads woven with strong fibers and wrapped in knitted fiber.    Jana

This is a cleverly written Young Adult story with many techniques of good storytelling.  The messages of values are clear and the standards of conduct are main-stream.  Yet, the fantasy of time travel is such that you wonder, right up to the last few pages, what will happen.

I’ve sent this on to my 17 yr old Granddaughter, knowing I’ll have to buy the other two books in the “Epic Trilogy”.

Full Disclosure – St. Martins’ Press provided an Advance Readers Edition of this book – with my thanks –  but my
reviews are not for sale. You can trust that what I wrote is how I feel about the book.

It was so nice to read about other folks that talk to themselves, their cars and the mirror.  Louise Hay shares many of her affirmations she uses in her life in order to show Cheryl how to get a hold on her life.  She is the perfect example of how affirmations change the tones you hear and speak by speaking positively of herself and her world.  As she stated, “if people get a hold of their day, they get a hold of their life”.  Wonderfully said.  And the unique way Cheryl tells their story gives the examples root to grow in your own garden of life.

This should be in your home and/or office library – available to remind you of how much you love yourself.  Read the book, practice self-care, and learn the joy of loving yourself.

 Full Disclosure -  As a volunteer reviewer for Hay House, I was provided a copy at not cost, but my reviews are not for sale.  You can trust that what I wrote is how I feel about the book.

Occupy Wall Street might get fuel for their fire if they read “Confidence Men”.  Based on 746 hours of interviews with over 200 individuals (including President Obama) Ron Suskind has written a story of great interest.

And story-telling is the focus of the Obama campaign and White House, stories written and delivered describing the Obama who knew how to run for office, but not run his office.  Add the personal, long-term relationships between Obama staff and Wall Street, from Larry Summer To Secretary Geithner, and the links to Wall Street from the White House are way too chummy.  Mr. Suskind has done a good job of linking the past with the present.

It was “what did you know” and “when did you know it” all over again.  And its fairly clear candidate Obama knew enough that by 10/13/11 he could have and should have had rule changes and legislation to right the wrongs of the financial meltdowns of 2008.

The startling admission in the book by President Obama that he “needs a narrative in order to function” and without one he ends up in “relitigation” on every issue, was as disturbing as the information on the connections to Wall Street.

If you want a great education in the world of derivatives and “toxic assets” then “Confidence Men” is for you.  Just don’t be surprised at the President’s comments – “the reason I was in the office (of Pres.) is because I told a story to the American people”.  The next story he’ll need to tell is what his prescence in the White House has changed for the better.

Getting through the historical aspect of where CEO’s came from and what they have done might require pen and paper to draw your own map.  Do it!  It’s worth the time.  The Kindle formatting was excellent.

By Dick Cheney and Liz Cheney

Full of historical data fashioned as only the Chaney’s can.  From his beginnings with Don Rumsfield and President Ford to the final days of the George Bush Presidency, Mr. Chaney explains his outlook and position on the recent past.

The walk down memory lane is done with dignity and honors many.  Even his discontent with some Cabinet members is not based on petty politics.  It is shaped around values and a behavior system often not in sink with the younger generation.  You can hear the frustration in the tone of his writing.  You can also hear the love for his family, friends, members of the military and country.

A good read for those interested in politics and current affairs.  An educational experience everyone should read.  As an e-book, it had enough section stops to provide natural breaks.

It’s a keeper.

Now on to two days of Photography.  Aztec Ruins, Mesa Verde and Bluff.

Holbrook reflects the state of the economy.  Many commercial buildings are empty – some for sale and some not – but the empty parking lots and weed-filled back lots remind you of the loss of jobs and the loss of businesses.  Holbrook used to be a magical place in its time.  The generation that kept it alive is slowing leaving us – leaving it to generations that have no connection (except the Harley riders!).

We finished in Holbrook 4 hours earlier than we planned so it was on to Gallup, NM.  Shop, Shop, Shop. Things went pretty much as planned.  We finished a few hours early and ventured out to Window Rock.   The Purple Bee Flowers all along the highways were lovely.  The heavy rains have spurred a lot of greens and there is grass at the foot of the red rock monolithes.  The contrast is wonderful.

We lost another friend today.  Judge Al Barlow was a loyal Lion – and did his duty as such.  we’ll miss him.

Westopped at Red Canyonb Visitor Center and dropped off the new Hole In The Rock Maps.  The sweel smell of Sage is everywhere.

We’re got to Kanab  at 10:15 and stopped to buy a card for Lani Barlow and then a stop at the Camera store. They were closed and we’ll stop referring visitors to them because they don’t have regular house.r

1:00 found us leaving Page aftr a stop a Walmart for reading gasses because  Tracy left his at home.  Then Burger King for lunch and on to Flagstaff, AZ  – it’s 95 degrees.

Signs are always something I watch for as we travel. How about today’s -  Sign #1 – Welcome to the Navajo Nation

Sign #2 - All Credit Cards Accepted!

Highway paving, overlay, rebuilds everywhere.

We stopped at the Cameron Trading Post and Gallery.  It’s always an inspiration for my beadwork.  Then we went back 14 miles to Hiighway 264 to travel through the Hopi Nation  We left Moenkopi at 4 and got to First Mesa in time to drive through but not do the tour.  I was disappointed in the lack of respect for the unique historic factions of the mesa from their own tribal members.  We got to Holbrook, AZ about dinner time and went to our favorite restuarant – The Mesa.  Wonderful Italian , fine wines and Happy Birthday to me.