Stew For You

I have always enjoyed a good hearty stew.  I thought today would be the perfect opportunity to test out if my recipe would be as good as Mom's delicious recipe.  Here's hoping.

Elephant Stew
undisclosed author due to privacy

1 elephant, medium size
salt/pepper
2 rabbits (optional)
brown gravy to cover

Cut elephant into bite size pieces   This should take two months.  Add brown gravy and cook over kerosene fire about four weeks at 465*.  This should preserve the wild taste.  Serves 3801.  If more are expected, two rabbits may be added.  Do this only if necessary, as most people do not like to find  hare in their stew!

We Love Pizza

Around here we just love pizza (or just the toppings in BAP's case).  It is so dang delicious and easy.  Here are a few of our favorites.

Pizzas With Traditional Sauces

http://justasmidgenoflove.blogspot.com/2011/09/what-interesting-and-delicious.html

http://justasmidgenoflove.blogspot.com/2011/05/for-love-of-pizza.html

http://justasmidgenoflove.blogspot.com/2011/08/from-to-zucchini.html

Pizzas With White Sauce

http://justasmidgenoflove.blogspot.com/2011/09/mouthwatering.html

Awesome Crust Recipe
http://whatscookingamerica.net/Bread/PizzaDoughGar.htm

Red Sauce
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/exquisite-pizza-sauce/


This week I am going to try a new one I found with ham, pineapple and ketchup toppings.  A little odd but sounds kinda good (I hope).

Recipe For Fun Filled Adventures

Recently in the last few weeks we have traveled near and far from home.  It has been quite the adventure traveling with two on the go toddlers.  For the most part they are great travelers but occasionally there is that meltdown where we need to get out and stretch our legs or get that breath of fresh air.  Here are some glimpses of what our life has been like lately.

We LOVE Having Auntie Mary Visit

YEAH We Are Going To A Park

Beautiful

BAP In The Snow Field

BAP's Favorite FLOATING Rock In A Nearby Zoo

Hiking Near A Lake 

Hiking On The Same Trail

Suspension Bridge

BAP Catching Up

Night Stay

We Were Able To See Some Of Our Friends From Alaska

(The Boys)

It Was SO Much Fun

(The Girls)

SSP Playing In The Flowers

BAP Our Little Muscle Man

Visiting My Aunt On Our Way Through Town

Merry Christmas

Merry & Blessed Christmas

to All of You!

May The Light Of Christ Always Shine Out In You

Re-Organization of the Kitchen

Hide-n-Go Seek with BAP 3 yrs 4 1/2 months

Crazy Boys

SSP 11months

So Hot Outside...Time to Have Ice Cream

The other night it was about 90 or 95 degrees after dinner. I thought I would break out the ice cream cones. SSP just had to taste test BAP's cone...what great fun entertainment to see the two of them sharing. Here are some pictures that sum up the evening of sharing.

BAP 3yrs 4mo

SSP 10mo

Sharing the sticky-ness

Begging for another bite

Seasonings Simple and Cheap (vs Store Bought)

If you like experimenting in the kitchen like I do, you appreciate that you can 'try' a seasoning without getting a big jar (just to find out it is not one that you enjoy). I often try and buy my seasonings in the bulk and then come up with my own spice blend. In high school I made up my own recipe for Taco Seasoning (I like it A LOT better than the stuff in the little packets). However I found my favorite Italian Seasoning substitute online. Another awesome one. Plus with making up your own seasoning mix you can adjust your personal preferences rather than being laden with all the sodium and preservatives that are in the pre-packaged mixes.

Taco Seasoning (enough for 1/2 to 1 pound of meat)

1 T chili powder

2 t ground cumin

1 t ground coriander

1 t garlic powder

1 t onion powder

1/2 t dried oregano/Italian seasoning

1/4 - 1/2 t salt (if desired)

1 pinch cayenne pepper (if desired)

1 pinch chipolte powder (if desired)

Brown and drain meat. Return to pan. Add seasonings along with 2/3 cup water. Stir, bring to a boil and simmer until liquid is evaporated.

Italian Seasoning 1 t mix = 1 t from store-bought jar

http://www.food.com/recipe/italian-seasoning-82770

3 T dried basil

3 T dried oregano

3 T dried parsley (I use dried spinach)
1 T dried carrot

1 T garlic powder

1 t onion powder

1 t dried thyme

1 t dried rosemary (I omit OF COURSE)

1/4 t black pepper

1/4 t red pepper flakes

Mix together.

My New Favorite All-In-One Seasoning

The other day I found a new favorite Season All Spice (from Costco). If you don't have a Costco, you can buy it on Amazon too. (http://www.amazon.com/Kirkland-Signature-Organic-No-Salt-Seasoning/dp/B002W5SDEQ) I was addicted as soon as I had it. I love that it is salt-free; with my husband's blood pressure problem it was an easy substitute. Even though it has rosemary you can barely taste it...phew! I have put it on everything: from eggs to chicken to potatoes. Become addicted too...you know you want to...be brave try some today.

Here is the list of ingredients: organic onion, organic garlic, organic carrot, organic black pepper, organic red bell pepper, organic tomato granules, organic orange peel, organic parsley, organic bay leaves, organic thyme, organic basil, organic celery, organic lemon peel, organic oregano, organic savory, organic mustard seed, organic cumin, organic marjoram, organic coriander, organic cayenne pepper, citric acid and organic rosemary.