Hunter's Wild Rice Stew

I have been using this recipe for several years and it's always a wintertime favorite. When I served it last week, I used some of the venison from our freezer, but I've also tried it with beef stew meat and it is just as tasty.

Hunter's Wild Rice Stew

1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 pounds venison, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 3/4 cups water
1 can (14 1/2 ounces) beef broth
1 beef bouillon cube
2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 medium onion, cut into small wedges
2 medium carrots, cut into 3/4-inch pieces
1 box (6 ounces) long grain & wild rice mix

In a large, resealable plastic bag, combine flour and pepper. Add venison; shake to coat. In a Dutch oven, brown meat in oil. Add water, broth and bouillon; bring to a boil Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20 minutes.

While meat is cooking, prepare rice mix according to package directions; set aside.

Stir chopped vegetables into beef mixture; return to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Add prepared rice mixture to stew; combine thoroughly and heat through.

Find more recipes at Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Tasty Tuesday, Grocery Cart Challenge Recipe Swap and Foodie Friday.

Helpless in Hancock

It's not that I've ever wanted to know how a "fish out of water" feels, but that was the phrase that came to mind as I walked into Hancock Fabrics one day last week. I tend to stay out of such stores as they always make me feel woefully inadequate. However, searching for something we need for a Christmas project for our daughters drove me to throw my inferiority complex to the wind and enter unfamiliar territory.

All around me, smiling, creative-Cathy types strode confidently from department to department, carrying various tools of their trade, mostly mysterious objects to me. I was a wanderer, aimlessly searching the aisles for what I hoped to find. I was too intimidated to ask one of the cheerful, apron-clad workers for help. I could picture her look of disdain - or worse, pity - as she silently scoffed at my lack of expertise.

So before long, I headed for the exit empty-handed, briefly wondering why a fabric store carried giant bags of Tootsie Roll pops and Ghiradelli chocolate. I guess all that crafting can cause even the sanest person to need a chocolate fix.

Next stop? The Dollar Tree. Now that's right up my alley.

photo courtesy public domain pictures

Just Shopping the Deals

It's rare that my shopping trip to Publix involves only buying the best deals. I usually need at least a gallon of milk or a loaf of bread along with the sale items I'm purchasing. However, since my refrigerator and freezer are currently filled to capacity and the pantry is holding it's own, I decided to make a quick stop Wednesday afternoon just for the items that I knew would get me great savings.

My grand total? $2.41 for the eight items shown with a savings of $14.73 or 84%!


Both cans of Rotel were free due to them being on sale for $1 each and using my two $.50 off coupons that doubled. Both packages of Nestle Toll House cookie dough came to only $.10 each after the B1G1 free price of $3.19 matched with my two $1.50 off of one coupons. I squeezed those into the freezer for some day when I need a quick dessert.

The Betty Crocker cookie mix, at a sales price of $1.34, came down to only $.34 with another $.50 off coupon that doubled. The Scotch Magic Tape was $.39 each when I used two $1 off coupons and the Goldfish were only $.75 after sale price and $.75 off coupon.

Due to birthdays and other events, I've used a bit more of my grocery budget than usual at this point in the month, but I'm hoping to plan most of next week's meals based on what we already have in the house.

Others share how they saved money this week at Friday Finals, I Heart Publix, Super Savings Saturday, Super Savers and Grocery Cart Challenge.

Family Photo

Here's the family photo that I blogged about a couple of weeks ago. All I have to say is that a lot of work goes into getting that once-a-year pose!!

Spreading Christmas Throughout the House

I do not normally spend much time decorating my home for the seasons, but I do attempt to bring a bit of Christmas spirit to certain areas of the house.

There is the wreath on the front door that reappears every year.

We have the traditional "stockings....hung by the chimney with care...."

.... and a little arrangement on the piano.


My treasured nutcracker, brought to me from Germany by an old friend, livens up the mantel.


Our daughters enjoy counting down the days until Christmas with our Advent calendar.


This nativity set, which was also a gift from friends, is one that we've had for years and reminds us of the real reason that we celebrate Christmas.

I'm keeping an eye out for a good deal on a small tree that we could put up in the girls' room. Do you have Christmas decorations throughout your home? If you've written a post about them, please leave a link in the comments so that we can admire your handiwork!

Visit Celebrate the Holidays for more Christmas inspiration then go to Show and Tell Friday, Hooked on Houses, The Inspired Room, Home for the Holidays and Nesting Place to see how others are decorating their homes for the season.

A Sigh of Relief

That long, exhaling sigh of relief you just heard came from me.....the birthdays are over, everyone feels celebrated.....and I'm enjoying one quiet night before we move on to the next thing!!

photo courtesy public domain pictures

Love is a Doughnut

How does a daddy say he loves his little girl? By making a nighttime run to Dunkin Doughnuts in a torrential downpour and wind storm to pick up a chocolate-covered glazed doughnut with sprinkles because that's what the birthday girl had requested days earlier for her birthday breakfast the next morning!

How does a husband say he loves his wife? By not making her feel badly for totally forgetting to pick up the doughnuts herself earlier in the day!

The World's Your Stage

Surely William Shakespeare's line "All the world's a stage...." is a fitting tribute to you as you mark your seventh birthday today.

You bring smiles and laughter to all of us as you dance your way through life. Your world is one of constant imaginings and make-believe, your effervescent spirit always spilling over into the mundane activities of life.

As you told me the other day, you are so often "bubbling over" with things to say. You have quite a knack for taking phrases you read in books and fitting them perfectly into every day conversations.

You are easily touched by the emotions of others, your own feelings never far from the surface.

How interesting that you've recently developed a "mood" for going shopping, even willing to venture out on a grocery shopping trip to Publix if that is all that's in the works. With your fondness for fancy dresses and sparkly shoes, I foresee this becoming an ever-increasing activity in the future!

Enjoy this day, each moment, not as one of the fictional characters you love to portray, but as yourself, our loved and treasured youngest daughter.

Ice Cream Cake

Since both of our daughters have birthdays this first week of December, we usually end up with lots of cake in the house. In the past, I have often baked each of them their own cake, letting them choose the cake and icing flavors they prefer.

This year I decided that since our main celebration for both girls would be done the evening that my parents were visiting, then we could get by with just one cake. Wanting to make it a bit more special, and being inspired by a friend of mine who made one for her daughter's birthday in the spring, I decided to try my hand at a homemade ice cream cake. Only after it was done did I realize that I should have taken pictures of the process!

It was actually much simpler than I anticipated. I made a yellow cake mix following the directions on the box for a 9x13" pan. (I would have loved to make one from scratch, but time didn't allow for that). Once the cake had cooled, I turned it out upside down onto a piece of aluminum foil (wax paper would have worked, but I didn't have any in the house). I cut it in half horizontally and put the top half (the bottom of the cake) back into the pan. I spread that with a layer of hot fudge topping. I had slightly thawed a half gallon of cookies and cream ice cream (I made sure to buy it in the "box" as opposed to a "tub" so that I could easily tear the sides off). I cut the ice cream into thick slices and layered them on top of the hot fudge. I then placed the other half of the cake on top, covered it with foil and put it into the freezer for a while.

I took about half of another container of cookies and cream ice cream and softened it in a bowl for several minutes, then beat it with a hand mixer until it was whipped. I used that to "ice" the cake, then put the whole thing back into the freezer. Ideally, I would have made an icing out of heavy whipping cream, a bit of powdered sugar and some finely chopped chocolate sandwich cookies, but neither of my girls like whipped topping, so I stayed away from that. Another good addition might have been some sprinkling some crushed chocolate sandwich cookies on top of the hot fudge layer before adding the ice cream. All in all, though, it turned out well and the girls were quite pleased with it!


Making my own ice cream cake works for me! Visit We Are THAT Family for more great ideas!

Long Live Your Childhood

Can this be our oldest daughter? When did you get so tall ? What happened to those soft curves of babyhood that graced your face?

The carefree expressions of early childhood are now at times replaced by more thoughtful looks. To see you developing your own sense of humor, growing in knowledge and blossoming into your own person is amazing.

The textbook labor and delivery I enjoyed with you should have given me a hint of what was to come. Your love of routine and order are what make you comfortable and secure. You and I share many of those firstborn tendencies, expecting much of ourselves as we strive for perfection.

Every day in this adventure called parenting brings new joys and challenges. You are the oldest and therefore the first to cross each threshold, accepting new freedoms along with increasing responsibilities.

From time to time, I see glimpses of the young lady you're destined to be, but for now, let me hold you close to my heart as we savor the remaining years of your childhood.

Happy ninth birthday, my dear!