Seeking Contentment

I struggle with contentment. I've always had sort of a restlessness, looking for adventure in my life. Sometimes the mundane becomes more than I can bear. I can be very up one moment and down the next. However, sometimes I think I'd rather be this than be dull...
I don't want people around me to think that I am unhappy with them or my circumstances, example my marriage. But I do feel it in me to want to escape, to run away, to feel excitement.
I do get joy out of everyday things many, many times.  I enjoy being with my husband, my family, friends, my dog. I enjoy my church, being around children,  laughter, the outdoors, accomplishing things and creating things.
I have many things to look forward to right now, a new house, an upcoming wedding and graduation, my grandchildren and summer.
I do enjoy the summer.  It's my brightest time of the year. Winter weighs so heavily on me with its cold, dank, long days where I can't get outside and the house becomes a prison to me.
At times I feel like I'm drowning in such a pit of despair that I can't seem to find any joy in anything.
I have the craziest thoughts when I sink into this spirit of selfishness.  At these times I just pray God keeps me from acting on impulsiveness. 
I am trying to learn to ignore the voices in my head. The chatterbox that tells me my life is not good enough, I'm not good enough, that I need more excitement or I need something new.
I need to listen to the voice of God that is telling me I am someone special, I do have purpose, I am His child, that my life is good!
I have a plan to seek God with all my heart and not allow the enemy steal my joy.  Satan attacks me the most when he knows I'm trying to do what is right.  However I have the Holy Spirit who is my advocate and defends me.  John 14:26
There is only joy in pleasure for a season, I know. Seeking pleasure for contentment will never last.  Seeking the kingdom of Heaven is what will last! 
Ecclesiastics 2:1 Matthew 6:33

Does God Hear My Prayers?

I wasn't very close to my in-laws for many years.  Partially because we didn't understand one another.  I could elaborate on all the misunderstandings but instead I'd like to fast forward to where God changed that.
In the year 2007, my mother-in-law got cancer and we watched her go through many hard things.  I didn't understand why God didn't heal her?  It was during this time, our relationship changed.  I ended up caring for her in ways I never expected to.  We became close and  Roger grew closer to her too.  We also grew closer to my father-in-law and were able to share God's love to him.
After Beverly passed away (it was a painful and at the time seemed like a long process) we became dad's only family.  He needed us.

We were trying to sell our house to move to the farm.  It wouldn't sell and we questioned why God didn't answer our prayer?  Two years later, Dad had open heart surgery and we found out his heart was very weak and damaged.  We had several times we thought something was wrong because he didn't answer his phone and drove frantically over to the house to either find him sleeping or just getting back from a DQ run.  Then last spring, Roger made that trip to find him dead from a massive heart attack.  Dad went how he always said he wanted to go, on his feet.  However, it was traumatizing for us.
Suddenly we had two houses and quickly decided to live on the farm.  Instead of going in debt for a new house, we are able to add on to the farm house.  We were getting to keep the family home and have our dream house.  Who would of seen that?
Our other house still wouldn't sell.  I didn't understand why God didn't let it sell?  We had these great renters, whom i just thought were meant to live there.  I even prayed for them as we packed up the house.  I prayed they would be blessed in the home we'd raised our family in.  People would look at our house but not put in offers.  Our renters didn't have the credit for a loan.  Then when we'd given up hope almost, our Realtor helped them establish credit and buy the house.  I'm happy that a family I knew got our house!
These are just a few examples of prayers that didn't seem to be answered but brought about something good.
We miss our parents.  Roger and I now have no living parents.  And even though it's a natural part of life to lose your parents, we lost 3 parents in 5 years, including my mom who lived 14 years with Alzheimer.  And I have to say it wasn't easy and it's still sad.  I just dreamed the other night of my mom dying and relived being with her as she struggled to breath her last.  And I know people who lose children and spouses must suffer more.  I haven't been in their shoes and can't imagine that pain.  I just know through our circumstances, God did bring good out of the bad.  I hope this is encouragement to anyone going through difficult times right now.

Mexico Mission Trip~ December 2013

Muzquiz, Mexico

 Muzquiz, Mexico is in the Northeast part of Mexico.

      Sometimes I think I took more away from the mission trip to Mexico than I left behind.  After all, I am filled with memories of new people I met, new things I got to experience, children's smiles, Pastor Juan's courage, etc.
     I was invited on this trip by Pam whose been my friend since the 5th grade. She and her husband, Dave are missionaries at a reservation in Haywood, WI.  They along with Christ the Rock (CTR) church from Appleton, WI had established a relationship with Pastor Juan Antonio in Muzquiz about 12 years ago.  The mission team from CTR has been returning there 1-2 times a year since then.
     We traveled to Muzquiz, Mexico by coach bus.  It was a total 32 hour trip.  There were 28 of us on this trip, which included; CTR mission team leader, Pastor Don Nickols, several youth from the mission house, two families, and my friend Nina (also a friend since 7th grade), Rita (Pam's friend from Reservation, our new friend) and I.

Myself, Pam and Nina 

Pam, Pastor Juan and wife Veronica holding a friend's baby and their daughter, Carla

     Pastor Juan, our contact there is battling the devastating effects of diabetes. In his sermon New Year's Eve he talked about how Satan had beat him up.  He showed his dialysis tube in his abdomen, pointed to his blind eyes, and showed his empty wallet.  Then he told how in Exodus 17:12, when Moses kept his hands up during battle they would win and when Moses' arms were tired he had his people hold them up.  Pastor Juan said he was continuing to raise his hands to worship God through his illness.  His family, his church, the mission team were helping him keep his hands raised.  I can't capture the emotion that went behind that sermon but it had me in tears.  Every time we were out ministering to the children in the districts, he would be there.  Even when you could see how tired he was from having dialysis through the night.  His wife, teenage son and daughter are by his side also struggling but still helping in the ministry.  They amazed me.  CTR raised some money to help him have a surgery that might help him regain some of his sight back.  Right now he only sees shadows.

     Everyday after breakfast and devotions we would go into two villages that are very poor and parents are often involved in drugs and prostitution. When went to a large playground area in each village.

District 28

Madeline, our Spanish interpreter, with Julie and Alex give a lesson

When we went to the villages for the first time and the children started coming out I was a little lost as to what to do? These children were eager for love, attention and to hear the word of God.  We started by playing with them, soccer, catch, jump rope, and hopscotch. The young people from Christ the Rock (CTR) mission house had a daily Vacation Bible Study (VBS) planned for them, which included a Bible lesson, songs and a craft to do and take home.

Lesson time, Alex mission student from Romania

     Since I couldn't speak but a few words of Spanish I just mostly watched that day.  As many as 150 children showed up at District 28 and about 75 at Infonevete.  Day two I found ways to contribute.  At first I just helped pick up garbage around the playground.  Then I got to do hair, crafts, jump rope and face painting.  I even got to do a mom's hair. They loved it when I'd take a picture with my cell phone and show them their picture.

little girl proud to have her hair done and picture taken

doing hair 

Nina and her new friend, Brandon

     Most kids showed up without parents.  Some of them carrying baby siblings on their hips or watching over a younger sibling.

Some of the first children to arrive

little shy boy who I almost made smile.

little boy holding the craft project (little lamb made of cotton balls)

Little girl of District 28 smiles for picture

     Since there was a prostitution compound a few blocks away, I wondered how many of these children where born from that. Or how many would be sucked into that life. But as a watched one little "tough" guy playing soccer, I thought, "this may be the kid God uses to do His work in this community.

This boy tried to act tough, but I know God can use him

     Because CTR has been coming there for 12 years, stories were told how kids grew up coming each year. One child saved all the crafts he ever made in a pile at home.  Another child singing a song he learned "I've got the peace of Jesus down in my heart" was overheard being told by another child "you don't have peace in your home, your parents are always fighting"  he replied "there is peace now, because my dad is gone"  Pastor Don and some of the other older men would reach out to the older boys that came and stood in the background.  Some of these boys as young as 14 were fathers already.
I watched the youth really care, love and reach out to these children.  The team boys and even Don would give piggy back rides until their backs hurt.  The team girls would bond with the little girls.

Pastor Don gives piggyback rides

Face painting and Allie with new friend

     I liked holding the babies or trying to make a shy child smile.  These young adults from the team even would reach out to us older ladies and ask how we were doing.  It was quite impressive how God's light shown through them.
Don brought as many children as would come to church services.  The youth put on skits that the children just loved!  And I enjoyed too!


     I was shocked when Pastor Don one morning after devotionals asked me to share my testimony that evening at Pastor Juan's church.  I said I'd do it even though I knew it was out of my comfort zone.  Then I asked why my testimony?  In short my testimony was that I served God from when I was a little girl but as a young adult when my life got hard (my divorce), I got mad at God, turned away from him and lived for pleasure.  Then one day God brought me back.  And He never gave up on me.  I guess the congregation there believe that if they mess up and are not perfect they are not Christians anymore. They leave the church discouraged. So I suppose the fact that I was and still am an imperfect Christian whom God loves is what my testimony offered.  Who would of thought I'd be giving my testimony in front of a Spanish speaking church in Mexico?  God can truly use anyone.  And as far as being nervous, God helped me with that too.  The girl interpreting for me was struggling a little and was more nervous than me.  And as I tried to simplify my testimony for her, I got less nervous and more concerned for her and making it simplistic (unlike my blogs that go on an on)!

With some of the team at Pastor Juan's church.  Christie, Rita, Pam, Angie, Savana, Nina and myself

     What else did I take away from this mission trip?  Well, I experienced the Mexican Culture and it was awesome. I got to celebrate New Years Eve there with food, bonfire, fireworks and a piñata for the kids!  My friends and I cooked over an outside stove with the sweetest Mexican lady,Pastor Juan's mother, whom I communicated fairly well with, using my few Spanish words and some hand gestures.  I experienced authentic Mexican food; tacos, pig stomach soup (bleh) and some amazing tamales.

sometimes we had to ride whatever way was available

The church bus that is suppose to hold 12 often held at least 28 of us

Pam with a plate of tacos from one of our taco runs

Pastor Juan's mother who made the pig stomach soup

Me and my friends made some chicken noodle soup for New Years Eve 

 
     We went into the city Morales to see a family there that Pastor Don and Pam knew and had ministered to before.  It was a long drive on some empty' bumpy dirt roads after dark.  Truthfully a little dangerous too. When we arrived at the home the family got up from eating dinner and insisted we all sit and gave us coffee and tamales.  The granddaughter from Texas did some interpreting for us and told how much the team had meant to their mother who had died.  They grieved her recent passing by telling of what a loving, kind Christian woman she was. But they also told about their 95 year old grandmother who had moved to Texas, had gotten an e-tablet and was looking for a boyfriend on Facebook.  It was a time of sharing both sadness and laughter.

Family in Morales we visited.

   
     Many people, including my husband had worried about the safety in Mexico.  And while we were there 2 policemen were shot only blocks from where we had ate tacos.  However, I didn't worry too much about these things.  I believed that God would take care of me and the team and He did.  We had many prayers too. I feel bad about the violence and murder, the prostitution and drugs.  It's all very sad.  They need hope that exceeds this world and they need forgiveness.  The children need to know someone cares.
What can we say, what can we do...just plant a seed and allow God to do with it what He will. 

Mission Trips~ What are they good for?

I was searching today, "What to take on a mission trip for poor children"  Hoping to find small items I could pack that would spark the eye of a child when I go to Mexico on a mission trip in December.  What I found was a blog about how some of the world might see missions.  While I certainly don't advocate the blog, I did recognize what the world sometimes sees when Christians go on mission trips.  It does appear sometimes that people will go on a week mission trip to "experience another culture"  They will immerse themselves and take pictures, then come back home and post those pictures on their Facebook page or do a slide show presentation at church.  "Selfies" with arms around people of darker skin with big smiles on their face, might make us feel good about ourselves.   
Most Christians going on mission trips really do have good intentions.  And most Christians do a lot of local charities too.  Those willing to go on a mission trip most likely already have a heart for people and their souls.  Not everyone I'm sure, but most.
I have had different reactions than I expected from people when I did share with them about this mission trip.  Some seemed standoffish while others are concerned that I must be putting myself in danger.  While I wanted encouragement and offers of prayers, I also realized I wanted confirmation.  I wanted to feel I was doing the right thing.  I wanted to feel it was important.  This I realized defeats the purpose in going.  I must go because I feel God put this together.  He opened the door, he provided the people, the opportunity.  My confirmation needs to come from God.
It was interesting how it all fell together.  Our pastor was preaching on missions.  This made me think of my Christian friend, Pam who has spent most of her adult life in missions.  She lives on a mission base among
people who have many problems. She and her husband establish relationships and they share Christ's love. I wrote her a long email about how I didn't feel very purposeful in my life.  To this she asked if I'd be interested in a mission trip.  This very thing had been going through my mind (or God had put on my heart) before she even asked.  I took some time to discuss and pray with my husband.  Then I thought of another friend who might benefit from going.  She was all on board.  I also had several scriptures pop out of the Bible at me that seemed to be telling me to go.  That is how God talks to us, through the Bible, after all.  So I made the commitment to go.
Some non-Christians, like in the aforementioned blog, take the approach that this is a selfish act, bringing attention to oneself.  Or they might think that you should be helping people in your own country.  They may even think that this is a big waste of money that could be given to help local charity.  They don't get the bigger picture.  Its about reaching one soul for Christ.  One soul who might win another, who might win another, etc.  It's about eternal perspective.  This is something a lot of people don't want to think of because they want to seek pleasure, comfort, prosperity in the here and now.
I'm sure that going for one week isn't going to change the water conditions, poverty, sickness as much as it is going to bring hope.  Hope that comes in Jesus Christ.  When other country's gods don't offer them hope.  With Christ they can find hope for a better life in their eternal life.  And with that hope comes purpose in this life.  So their situation may remain somewhat the same.  Maybe a new church is established where they can go to worship and feel relieved of the oppression that had overtaken them, because of drugs, prostitution, loneliness, etc.  Maybe a playground is built for the children to play at and escape their dreary lives for awhile.  Maybe an orphanage is built to help house some of the homeless children abandoned by their drug fueled parents.  These are all good things along with reaching hearts for Christ.
Time will tell what comes of this mission trip.  I am hoping there will be things God does even after we leave because of us being there.  I am praying God changes my heart so that I have less focus on myself.  I'm sure I will return to life as usual but hopefully with a lot more appreciation and a little more faith that my life here is for the purpose of sharing Christ with others, in whatever way He opens up. 

Empty Nest~ One More to Go

Some say that you naturally become ready for your children to leave.  I don't think it ever was natural for me.  I have struggled each time.  When Kevin left I still had Erik, age 11. see http://lojdandelion.blogspot.com/2007/08/emptying-nest.html  It was hard but I didn't go through what I'm going through now, feeling a lack of purpose.  My job is about done.
Not everyone parents the same.  I can not say I have the corner on how it's done.  But for some, 
being a mom may seem like it's a lifelong job but for me it really hasn't been.  Under our roof we provided and tried to protect them.  One day we had to stop providing and protecting them and let them learn from their mistakes.  Wow what a scary concept!  But what if I hadn't learned from mine?  What if my mother, a widow, clung to me to feel her own purpose?  No, she let me go. She let me struggle some.  She was there for love, encouragement, prayers.  She didn't kick me out saying, don't come back.  But I didn't want to come back.  I wanted to move on.  Like the mother eagle who slowly takes the cushion from the nest so that it is no longer comfortable, but kind of pokey.  Life is hard, they have to get use to it.
We were out of milk today.  Since last night was rather quarrelsome with my younger son, I decided to run up town while it was still very early and get milk and some donuts. I'm still providing that comfort.  I still am trying to protect and impact while I can.  Because despite what he says, he is not raised yet!  Not until he can provide a roof over his own head.  And if he doesn't do that, I suppose we will have to remove the comforts.  I haven't had to do that because each of my kids were more than ready to leave the nest!
He has very slowly started implementing his independence.  He wasn't like his sister who rebelled, or his brother who withdrew.  He still communicates with us and spends time with us.  But he is argumentative.  Come to politics, education, and even spiritual issues he has his own, very strong opinion.  And he wants it to be very different from ours.  Every other opinion is better than his parents.  Yes it bothers us sometimes.  But we know he is asserting his independence.  I didn't want to be like my mom.  Funny though, Now I do!  I admire her.  I aspire to be like her.
One more to go.  Then what?  My husband says I will still have him to take care of.  I smile and know this is true!  I should look forward to the carefree days of not caring for a child?  Not I!  I love taking care of my children.  It has been my life. 
I always want to be here for them but...I have learned to listen sometimes and not give advice.  I have learned to let them struggle a little and just pray for them.  I have learned that I can't not make them believe the way I do.  But I don't stop praying and trying to share my faith because this is the most important life decision they will have, where they will spend eternity.  And Oh how I hope it is in Heaven with me someday!  I have accepted each one of them for who they are, uniquely and individually made. 
I have been blessed.  Every day I have with one of my children is a blessing and I grieve for the parents who have lost children.   I am thankful for my children's health and I grieve for the parents who have sick children. 
One thing I'm certain of is that God loves them as much as I do.  He knit them together in my womb and He cares for them!  God is a father and He also has let His children go out on their own.  He doesn't force Himself on us but he gently reminds us that He is here.  He waits for us to be in communion with Him through prayer and reading our Bibles. 
One more to go.  Of course there is going to be purpose in my life after I have raised my children.  God is not done with me yet.  I'm waiting to see what the purpose might be.  I am after all still a wife.  The world minimizes that, but that's another blog!
 

Less of Me

I recently learned that one can be self-confident, self-centered and still insecure.
Being self-confident isn't necessarily a bad thing but being self-centered is.
I think I can be all three.
Sometimes I'm very self-confident. I feel like I am smart, hard working, and somewhat personable (in the right circumstances)   But still I am insecure. I will often doubt myself, those very things I am confident about.  I wonder if maybe I'm not as smart as I think I am or as others are?  Hey, how many mistakes can you find in this blog?  LOL  Grammar is not my strong suit.  Sometimes I will think that I don't work as hard as someone else.  Wow, some people can work circles around me.  And then other times, even though I can talk to people one on one, if I am in a crowd I want to be sick!
I also am often very self-centered as well.  I often make things about me.  I expect too much from people. 
So what do I do to change?  It's so hard to change how your mind works.  I don't think I can keep my expectations at bay.  But I can turn those expectations around and try to focus on what people have already done for me. Often spouses, family, and friends disappoint but if those people are really genuine then I will find things about them to reflect on where I've had good experiences with them.  So instead of thinking of what they aren't doing, I will try and focus on what they have done.  Because, honestly we are human and cannot be everything to everyone. Sometimes our lives get in the way of being there for others. 
Recently I've had to deal with some people who are disingenuous, selfish, unforgiving and gossipers.  Of those I say "I can be thankful for these difficult people in my life, for they have shown me how not to be!"  Those people often are so worried about talking behind your back they cant fix the faults in theirs.  So I've chosen to not give them too much thought, except what I don't want to be like!
Another way that I fit in the character of being self-centered is I worry too much about my looks, or how people perceive me, or if people like me.  Again, when I do this, I'm giving this too much thought!
I don't think I can keep doubt about myself from creeping in from time to time.  The solution is not to believe it.  I'm trying to figure out how to do that.
Just yesterday, I read in my devotion "Breakfast with Jesus" by Greg Laurie how John the Baptist prepared the way for Christ.  When Christ started His ministry John said about Christ "He must increase, but I must decrease"  He prepared the way for Christ by proclaiming His coming.  I think we too need to proclaim Jesus to people but I often let myself get in the way of that.  I think too much about me.  I need less of me and more of HIM.  I need to worry more of how things reflect on Christ than how they reflect on me. 
How can I do this?  I'm not sure.  I'm still pondering this.  Again it's a battle of the mind.  I want to not worry about what others think and be more humble.  I want to share God's word without worrying how people will take it.
Yesterday on Facebook I read where someone was really attacking people for praying to "a magical person in the sky".  One person stood up to him and proclaimed her faith.  He continued to belittle God and prayer and anyone who would believe such nonsense.  I realized one thing as I read his comments, this atheist was being inflated by the chance to attack God.  I didn't want to feed his ego.  But I thought, Saul of Tarsus was a great persecutor of Christians. But God (not man) chose to reach him.  God stopped him in his tracks and turned him into Paul, the man that wrote most of the New Testament.  Saul, renamed Paul, the persecutor of Christians, who went on to preach to many about Jesus Christ and even gave up his life for the gospel. 
So as I see it, no matter what I say or do, how people accept or don't accept what I stand for, ultimately it's in God's hands.  I should never give myself too much credit.  I think this is my answer.  If I think too much of what I say, I must realize that it's not about me.  Its about HIM.

My Mom's Busy-Day Meatloaf

This meatloaf has been my family's favorite, at least my husbands.  And it was a recipe I kept of my mom's that used Kellogg's Corn Flakes (however I've always used crackers instead) so substitute if you wish!

 

Ingred.:

1 egg

1 cup milk

1-2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

2 Tbsp catsup

1 1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp celery salt

1/4 cup finely chopped onions

2 cups crackers (1 pkg, crush before removing from pkg) or use 2 cups corn flakes

1 1/2 lbs gr beef

1/4 lb gr pork

 

1. Beat egg, milk, Worcestershire sauce, catsup, salt, celery salt and onions together; add crackers or corn flakes and mix well.

2. Add meat, mixing thoroughly.  Pack lightly into 9x5x3-inch loaf pan.

3.  Bake in moderate oven (350*) about 1 hour or until done.  Slice and serve hot.

 

Yield: 8 servings

 



Redo Ugly Door Mirrors

I had ugly mirrored closet doors that had a "brass" look.  If I replaced them with solid doors or screen panel doors it might of made my room seem smaller and would of cost a pretty penny too.  Also I have to admit, I like having such handy mirrors when I'm trying things on.  I was so tired though of the mirror doors and looked online for ways to transform them.  I could of took them down, taped off the mirrors and spray painted them.  However, I did this project when it was still too cold to spray paint outside.  

 

This is how they looked before



 

How I transformed them to this new modern white look~

 

1. I took and lightly sanded the door trim to "rough" the surface to hold paint. 

2. I taped off the mirror around the trim to keep paint off the mirror.

3.  I used some Kilz Semi-Gloss Interior/Exterior paint in white that I had left over from painting our son's room.  It said it was good on most surfaces including metal so I thought it'd stick well.

4.  I used a small sponge brush to paint it on and did at least two coats.  It does seem to be holding pretty good and I think they look much better!   I have to say my husband and I don't exactly abuse our closet doors.  We open and close them easily and no children use them.  I am not sure how well this paint would hold up to doors that have more wear and tear. 

 

 

 

I was ready to remove this fake wood framed mirror on our bathroom door.  Again I use the mirror and if I removed it I'd have to replace it as there would be screw holes in the door.  So I pondered on this a bit, not finding much online to help me transform it.  I finally decided to look at rick rack in the fabric section at Walmart to hide the wood frame.  I wasn't sure what would be available.  The rick rack was not wide enough.  So I then saw some reduced price wide ribbon (2.7 m) by the spool for a measly 50 cents.  I estimated that I needed about 10 feet of ribbon and since the spools had 3 yrds on them I was lucky to find 3 of the same cream colored, polyester textured.  (I did however, only used 2 rolls).  I also wanted an accent color.  Since my bathroom has blues and grays, I looked at those two color schemes.  And even though I had to pay full price I still got a spool of  18 ft for less than $2 in a steely gray.  This was slightly thinner at  7/8" 

First I measured and cut the wide ribbon.  Then using a hot glue gun I applied glue to the back of the ribbon and pressed onto the mirror.  This has to be done quickly as the glue dries quickly.  Just be sure to cover the mirror holders and try to lay ribbon evenly. 

I next cut the gray ribbon and hot glued it on top of cream colored ribbon carefully centering and running straight.  I did try and angle the corners to fit together which was kind of tricky to do by eye only.  It didn't match up exactly but was very close and I used hot glue to "seam" corners together.

This was the fun part.  I looked for things to hide my seams and found some buttons and jewelry pieces to hot glue on the corners then on the top of the mirror.  I think it turned out pretty shabby chic!

Wine Stew~ Beef Daube Provencal

This is a very yummy, sweet tasting stew that is very easy to prepare. 

 

Prep time: 10 mins

Cooking time: 2 hours

Ingred.:

2lbs. stew beef cut in 2 in. pieces (i use tenderized)

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 c. olive oil

1 bottle (750ml) red wine (i use Reunite Lambrusco)

3 Tbs. Dijon mustard

1 can (14.5 oz.) whole plum tomatoes in juice

1 bag (1 lb) peeled baby carrots

2 onions, chopped in lrg pcs

2-4 whole peeled garlic cloves

2 sprigs fresh thyme

 

 1. Sprinkle beef with salt.  In two batches, brown beef over high heat. 6-8 mins.

2. Add wine to stew pot; simmer over medium heat for 10 mins.  Whisk in mustard.

3.  Add beef to pot.  Add tomatoes, carrots, onions, celery, garlic and thyme.  Simmer, coverd 2 hours, until meat is tender.

Serve with fresh hard bread rolls for dipping.

 

Makes 6 servings; 8 cups per serving: 440 cal.  (43% from fat): 20 g. fat

ENJOY!