Hamburgers and Gravy

One of Pierce's favorite foods is Hamburger.  I guess that just comes from being a 21 year old fella!  While he was home over Thanksgiving break I planned to make hamburgers for dinner one evening.  You know what they say about the best laid plans?  Yep, something came up and I had to leave the house knowing I wouldn't be back in time to get dinner on the table at a reasonable hour.

My solution was to patty out the hamburgers, sear them in a skillet and place them in the crockpot.  I then blended together one cup of cold water and 1/2 cup of  homemade "instant gravy mix" and poured it over the hamburgers.  Set the crockpot to low and left the house. 

The Photographer and Pierce opened a jar of home canned green beans and helped themselves to the last of the bread I made yesterday.  I do not have a photo to post because there were no leftovers for me when I got home.  Bad boys!  They say, in their defense, that they were the best "hamburgers" ever.

Homemade Instant Gravy Mix

1 1/3 cups instant nonfat milk powder
3/4 cup instant flour
3 tablespoons instant beef bouillon granules
1/8 teaspoon ground thyme
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/8 teaspoon ground sage
1/2 cup butter or margarine
3 teaspoons brown sauce for gravy 

Combine milk powder, instant flour, bouillon granules, thyme, onion powder and sage. Stir with a wire whisk to blend. Cut in butter or margarine until evenly distributed. Drizzle brown sauce for gravy over mixture. Stir with wire whisk until blended. Spoon into a 3-cup container with a tight-fitting lid. Label with date and contents; store in the refrigerator. Use with 4-6 weeks. -- Makes about 2 2/3 cups

To make Beef Gravy, combine 1 cup of cold water and 1/2 cup gravy mix in small saucepan.  Whisk constantly over medium heat until smooth and slightly thickened.  ** I didn't cook the gravy first, just mixed it up and dumped it in the crockpot.

Moving On

After much discussion, the Photographer and I have decided to list the farm for sale.  Although we love it here, the undeniable fact is that we are both getting older and 80 acres is getting to be a bit much for us to keep up with.

We contacted a realtor and have officially listed the farm!  I am not sure this is a *good* time to be trying to sell - with the holidays upon us and the state of the economy - but we have reached the point of "it is now or never".

The Photographer is considering an early retirement within the next few years and we are hoping to downsize to a smaller place.  This old stone house is quite large and a bear to keep clean! Truth be told, I am rather looking forward to being closer to the city.  It means that I will be closer to the grocery story, fabric store, church, etc. and not quite so isolated from civilization as I am now (especially when the Photographer is off on a shoot and I am home alone!)

Of course, there is absolutely no way that we will ever end up in a townhouse or a subdivision.  We are dreaming of a smaller sized home on 10-15 acres within 10 minutes of town.  I realize that this sounds impossible but we are keeping the faith! 

Off To University

Pierce left early yesterday morning for University.  He has been looking forward to it for weeks.  I have not.  Don't get me wrong - I realize that he needs to spread his wings and fly.  But my house is so quiet!

There was a mix-up with the housing and we were informed 2 weeks ago that the school had not reserved a room for him.  We were told that he, along with 5 other boys, would be sleeping in the lounge area until suitable housing could be located.  Momma was not pleased with this development at all.  Several phone calls later, my boy had a room.  But no roommate. 

So Pierce decided to not take much with him.  No refrigerator, no printer, no TV or microwave.  He said there was no reason to take anything until he and his roommate could discuss the situation.  His roommate arrived (from Korea!) bearing only his clothing and a coffeepot!

Thankfully, Pierce is only 3 hours away.  He is planning to come this weekend to get the necessities.  And he is bringing 3 new friends with him. A trip to the grocery store is in order.  I wonder how much food four 20 year olds can eat?

Memorial Day

A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself. 

~Joseph Campbell

We are off to visit family over the long holiday weekend.  Back on Tuesday!

The Battle of Scary Creek

Pierce praying a safe event

We took a day trip this past weekend to watch Pierce participate in The Battle of Scary Creek.  The event was a reenactment of a minor Civil War battle fought on July 17, 1861.

The battle occurred when Colonel John W. Lowe and several Union regiments advanced toward the Confederate camp. Captain George S. Patton, the grandfather of George S. Patton of World War II, commanded the Confederate line behind Scary Creek, several miles from the main Confederate camp.  After several Union attempts to charge across the bridge near the mouth of the creek were repulsed, the Federal forces withdrew and the Confederates claimed victory.

Readying the Gun Salute

 

After the Battle

The weather did not cooperate - the temperature hovered at right around 38 degrees and it  snowed!  We stayed for the battle and drove home, me worrying the entire time about Pierce freezing to death overnight.  This reenactment was a "campaigner" event, meaning the men did not sleep in tents but around the campfire.  In 30 degree weather.  Reenactors call it "authenticity".  I call it "madness".  Obviously, I was not cut out for reenacting.

Pierce arrived home Sunday evening - tired, wind burned, hungry and smelling of wood smoke.  And very thankful for a hot shower, a home cooked meal and a soft bed.

Road Trip

Courtesy of the Photographer

Pierce and I are off for a long weekend trip to see my Mother in Law.  As she lives 5 hours away, it is always a treat to spend time with her.  This will be our first visit since my father in law passed away.  Although she has a wonderful support system (her church family, friends, neighbors) I still worry and am glad for the opportunity to see for myself how she is getting on.

Back on Monday!

In Training

Saucony Trail Running Shoes

 Looking back, I realize that I was set up, tricked if you will.  Pierce came to me a few weeks ago concerned that his "freshman 15" didn't actually catch up with him until he was a sophomore.  His pants were starting to become uncomfortably tight around the waist.

We discussed his eating and exercise habits and I recommended that he think about participating in sports again.  Throughout his school years, he was active in sports and band.  Due to all the activity, he could eat as much as he wanted without gaining an ounce.  Now, however, he has elected to not participate in college sports and most of his time is spent studying.  While he continues to eat as much as he wants.  

His diet wasn't really an issue.  He has always been a healthy eater, feasting happily on salads, fruits and vegetables. (At the age of 7, he announced that broccoli and spinach were his two favorite foods!). His issue was definitely lack of exercise.  I offered to foot the bill for a gym membership and a session with a personal trainer to get him started.  I told him I would help him in any way I could.  

We returned to the subject last week when he informed me that he was going to start running.  That he intended to participate in a local 5K this upcoming autumn.  The rest of the conversation went something like this:

Pierce: I'll need a pair of running shoes

Me: OK

Pierce: And maybe a couple pair of shorts

Me: OK

Pierce: And a watch for distance and speed

Me:  (with a little exasperation) OK Pierce.  I will do anything to help you. 

Pierce:  Great.  Thanks Momma.  You're the best. Then calling out to the Photographer. "Hey Dad.  Mom's gonna start running with me. Wanna join us?"

Me:  Excuse me? I'm going to do what?

Pierce: (with that big grin I can't resist): Oh, come on Momma.  It'll be fun.  You'll get into better shape and we can spend some quality time together. Us against the elements.  Feet pounding the pavement.  Feeling that rush, the wind in our face . . . yada, yada, yada. You did say you would do anything to help me.

I sometimes wish I wasn't such a pushover when it comes to my child.  But he does have a few points: better fitness and quality time together.  So, starting today, we are in training for a 5K!  We plan to train on the trails in the back fields - a loop around the back 60 acres roughly equals 1.5 miles.

The 20 year old is excited.  The Photographer has announced that, in the spirit of family cooperation and participation, he will pace us with his 4-wheeler! I only hope I survive!