before the sunrise this beautiful morning, i was a surly bundle of energy. i was eagerly engaged in searing a chuck roast, dicing onions, toasting spices, and .....utilizing a crock- pot for the first time in my life. now growing up in the midwest, i am more than familiar with the crock- pot. i have eaten multiple calico bean hot dishes, bbq meatballs, and pot roast served out of the crock -pot. still, i have always been one to stick to the old school methods of doing things. when i make a pot roast, i like to go through all of the steps of braising the meat. i like dwadling next to the oven, adding herbs and wine to the pan as the meat slowly roasts and becomes amazingly tender. i'm a hands on kinda gal. i like to be involved with my food. i like to mettle with my food. so the idea of throwing a few ingredients in a crock -pot, turning it on low, and not thinking about them again until i return home from work just seems wrong. i feel like a negligent food parent. what will happen today as i'm at work? will the meat become succulent and wonderful, or will it be chewy, or dry, or will it jump out and run away? no one knows. it's a mystery. i am left to worry the day away, until the moment when i enter my home. i have high hopes. i have doubts. the ultimate outcome with be tender, tasty meat which will be the base of a large vat of roasted butternut squash and braised beef chili. i plan on making a great salad and homemade toasted corn soda bread, so if i'm let down by the crock- pot, i have back- ups. anyway, thanks to the readers for letting me use this blog today as an outlet for my worry. i will keep you up to date with the outcome....