Computer Funk

Does anyone else ever get into a blogging funk? I seem to be in another one... lack of desire to post. This one is bad, I even have the lack of desire to read blogs! My reader has 382 unread posts. So sad isn't it?? The good news is I think it might be due to the fact that I have been spending my personal time doing other things & getting ready for a LONG drive to Utah! I'm wishing I had a wireless card for our laptop or even an iphone so I could do some reading & posting on the road. Perhaps my week away will change something. If not...
Happy Thanksgiving!!

The Truth about the Stew

I sure wish I could take all the compliments on the stew, but you see... Jeff made it! He had cooked a few times on Sunday & I LOVED it! So I suggested & suggested that he cook every Sunday!(okay, perhaps nagged) He has been kind enough to take my suggestion & run with it!

Sunday was one of my favorite days & it may now be THE favorite. He has been getting the big kids ready for church & the church bag packed. This has been the routine for about 2 years, it even started last year with the 8:30 block & I struggled to get everything & myself ready. So now all I have to do is get myself ready & have Viv fed. I get to go & enjoy church & still come home & enjoy a relaxing day that doesn't involve cooking dinner!

Aren't I lucky?!? I just needed to clear up the confusion on the stew & those who thought I had made it.

Homemade Stew

Last night we made this stew for dinner. I call it "Dutch Oven Stew with Meat." DELICIOUS!

Oh, and those are homemade, buttermilk biscuits, in case you're interested.

TOP THAT NIE NIE'S HUSBAND!

I adapted the recipe from Aida's Beef Stew.

Here's my fixes (which I think make it better):

Less cayenne (about 1/2 tsp)
Little more salt (to taste)
2.5 tblsp tomato paste
2 tblsp red wine vinegar  + 1/4 cup beef broth (substituted for wine)

We ditched Aida's biscuit recipe (I didn't like it) this time, and opted for the standard buttermilk biscuit recipe in Joy of Cooking, p. 790 (I think).

I adapt that too with a little more butter and always roll the dough 1 inch thick (makes only about 10 4-inch biscuits).

Also, you'll note I cooked the biscuits in the oven, rather than in the Dutch Oven on top of the stew. We tried this method the last time and found that the biscuits were too soggy, and the stew didn't cook up thick (personal preference).

Oops..

As I was organizing photos, I realized I never posted the fabulous pictures Kristen took of Viv as a newborn. They are to great to not post.

Where have the last 3 months gone?!?

Hey Mims...

Is this the hat?

Must Practice

My friend/photographer is moving away next summer, & there is no chance that she will stay. So I must practice taking pictures. I have no intentions of ever getting as great as some of you who have taken up your passion... I just long to take a decent picture of my kiddos.

(I love this picture, it was the first one I took... before I checked my meter!)

Poor Vivien is the only one who will sit for my pictures, and to be honest she even tries to slink down & out of the frame... But I just plop her back up & click away!

Sweet Cheeks

We played outside for most of the day, so I pulled out the camera for a little bit.

Aren't those the best cheeks?!

Bubbles