Beef, or should I say Deer meat stew

Well I went ahead and made this stew, hoping to have some left over to freeze. I have yet to try it, so hopefully it turns out well. I'm not the best cook, but I'm definitely improving.

Ingredients:
6 med Idaho Potatoes- chopped and peeled
1 lb baby carrots
med onion-chopped
Deer meat
14 oz dice tomato undrained
10 oz tomato and green chili undrained
1 cup beef broth (depending how soupy you like it)
t. ground mustard
t. salt and pepper
pinch of cayenne pepper

1. peel and chop potatoes, then put in slow cooker. 2. Top potatoes with the carrots, onion, and then meat. (I used frozen dear meat, but you can choose other meat to cook and throw in)

2. Mix the rest of the ingredients in a separate bowl, then pour over meat.

3. Cook on high for 1 1/2 hrs, then turn to low for another 6-7 hrs.

Since I went to the store I decided to buy some red and green peppers. So I went ahead and chopped them up, then put them in freezer for 3-5 min before putting in a freezer bag. Now I have peppers ready for an afternoon snack, or future fajitas!

What's cooking?

Travis and I have been trying, and actually doing pretty well at making freezer friendly foods to help ease the cooking burden. So in hopes to continue to do so, I plan on making a big batch of the same food at least once a week so that I can freeze all the extra. To start, I will give you a peek at what I have in my freezer now... much of which I have on hand every month. After giving you a lil peek, I'm gonna start another post of the beef stew I plan to make today. FYI... My family consist of only my husband, 8 month old son Skyler, and I so it doesn't take much to get leftovers. But feel free to change the recipe size to match your own family needs! Here we go.... my freezer contains the following

Store bought

Several pkg of butter

Tortillas

Juice concentrate

bagels

hashbrowns

sweet potato fries

frozen vegetables

burritos

cool whip

Meats

smoked sausage

ham and turkey luncheon meat

Ham

Ground turkey

Chicken

Deer meat

sausages

fish

shrimp

pork chops

Homemade

Cookie dough

rolls

italian meatballs

lemon pepper chicken

breakfast burritos

shredded cheese

taco meat

chili

santa fe chicken

BBQ chicken

A thousand dollar wish

If you were granted $1000 to spend on whatever you wanted, what would it be? This is assuming you can spend it on wants, and not needs. Well, I have been giving this a lot of thought. We are blessed to have a good savings, as well as food storage, and money set aside for more necessities. After much dedication, we have become debt free, and have a savings to help us live for 6 months without problem if Travis were to lose his job. So... to celebrate our accomplishments, we are going to take some of our extra money to splurge on the things we want. What will I do with my share? Well I might get a few lil things for myself here and there, but I've decided to see how much I can transform my home with 1000 to spend. So I will be keeping a list of what I buy, and what I do with it. Hopefully, there will be a positive transformation in the Plott home. I spend all day, everyday, here in this home. So the chance to make it mine is going to be such a fun task. I've already dipped into the budget, and bought a qrt. of brown paint to re-finish my cabinets in the main bath. Unfortunately for now, the major changes ie. new toilet, shower, etc. will be a long time wait. But making do with what we have, and a small budget, large transformations can still be possible. I hope....The doors are down, the cabinets are halfway sanded, and I'm excited to show you the $15 difference paint will make while I finish transforming the bathroom.

Skyler meets his family

Skyler's first weeks/bath

One Month Old

I am continually gaining weight successfully. A glance in the mirror has revealed the beginning of an adorable double chin. Finally out of my newborn clothes, I am looking older each day and resemble my daddy even more. I love to smile and am learning so much as I view the world around me.

February 29, 2010

 I had dropped to 6 lbs on his 2 day check-up. But after successful feeding from momma I am now up to 6.95 lbs! My neck is strong and I can successfully roll unto my side from my back!

First Bath
I wasn't a big fan of the bath. Mom didn't know really what she was doing and boy I could tell. I got cold, and to be honest, I don't even know if she got all the right places. Silly mom :)

One week Old

2 Months old!

4-13-12: I went to see my doctor today and am now weighing a whopping 10 lbs 14oz! I assume this is due to all the cookie dough my parents are eating. I'm starting to notice the world around me a lot more, and I like what I see. My smiles are there to prove it! I'm also finally getting the sleep I deserve. My bedtime is between7-9, and I'm sleeping a good 5-7 hours before I wake up, only to go back to sleep for another 2-4 hours. Mommy seems to be in a pretty good mood lately since I've made this sleeping pattern change. Everyone wins!

3 months old!

5-17-12: Well I don't have another appointment with the doctor until 4 months, but I'm pretty sure I put on a few lbs. That makes me what?...about 12 lbs now! I am noticing more and more around me and it is awesome! All the colors, shapes, and noises. I'm even learning to grasp items in my hand. I have been playing with grandma vaughn's morraca. Although I can't quite control the movement so I hit myself in the head sometimes. I am in a good mood almost all day long, and I contribute that to sleeping through the night!  Yay! I'm getting more consistent and if I do wake up, it's only once.

4 months old!

6-28-12: Today I went to my 4th month checkup with Dr. Michelle Lyman. It turns out that I am still as healthy as ever. I heard mom and her make comments on my funny shaped head though, I guess I need to sleep on the other side more. I'm still breastfeeding and weigh 13.4 lbs! That's not as impressive as how fast I'm growing though, I am almost 24.5 inches tall now. :) I actually quite like the doctor, that is until she sent her nurse friend in who stabbed me in the thigh 3 times! Grrr... I really don't like that, but mom thinks its necessary so I do it anyways. I'm almost rolling over too, I have got my legs swung over and halfway on my belly, but my arm and upper body are whats struggling. I don't think it'll take too much longer though. I also love grabbing for things, especially my feet. I can pull them up pretty darn high. Overall I am one happy baby boy. I get 3 naps a day, and sleep all night long. Life couldn't be better! At least that's what mom says.

5 months Old

7-12-2012: I rolled over from my tummy to my back! Then less than 3 hrs later I rolled from my back to my tummy in the crib!!! I'm growing so fast!

6 months old!

8-30-12: Today I went in for my 6 month check-up even though I am 6 1/2 months. I weigh 14lbs. 7.5 oz and am 25.4 inches long. I'm getting big so fast. I also had my shots, and I'm soooooo glad that I don't have to get anymore for another 6 months. Good news is, my head is big but healthy! Looks like the flat spot is going away and I'm growing into it just fine!

8-15-2012: I can't believe I've been in this world for half a year! My life is flying by as I learn new things everyday. To this day, I am rolling around the floor making it from one end to the other. I love feeling all materials and hearing the noises that they make. I'm beginning to sit up all on my own as well! I've gone swimming and loved it, and started eating solid foods. My favorites include applesauce, banana, rice cereal, and peaches. Sometimes I'll add an occasional foot to the menu, sock included.

Skyler is 8 months old!

10-24-12: I can't believe I am already 3/4 the way to one yr old! I am getting so big, mommy and daddy are amazed at all the changes I'm experiencing. I look much older. I can roll all over the place, and make a complete 360 on my tummy. I think I'll be crawling soon enough. I'm content with sitting and playing with the toys I have, and love to give everyone big smiles. I love to look out the window and watch all the cars go by too. I'm sleeping really well and through the night still. I even get 2-3 naps a day. My bedtime seems a little early to me though, I mean come on mom and dad.... 8? really? Ugh maybe when I'm older they'll let me stay up with them :) I am eating all sorts of food. Mommy and Daddy's dinner is the best. Sometimes I eat oatmeal and eggs, other times I eat potatoes, fries, rolls, and rice. There is no stopping this lil guys taste buds. They will soon have tried everything! Life is good...:)

Craft fair!

I'm attempting to make a little cash at the craft fairs this yr. Some of these aren't quite done, but needed to post them for momma to give me pricing ideas. Crossing my fingers!