Brunswick Stew Day

When the weather turns cool in the fall, it is time to cook Brunswick stew.  My mother made the absolute best I have ever tasted.  She would make a big batch and freeze it so we could have it when we needed a fast meal.  

I found her long lost recipe last year and we made over 20 quarts in my grandmother's wash pot. That didn't last us very long. This year we doubled the recipe. I'm hoping to get 45 quarts. 

In the old days mother would can her vegetables and use them for the stew. Canning is not something we know or want to do. A quick trip to Sam's Club yesterday and we got everything we needed. Sure beats tending a garden and putting up all those vegetables. 

Grandmother's washpot cleaned and seasoned and ready to go. We also cheat here and use gas and not wood. 

Some of the items from Sam's ready for prep. 

 Beef ready for the pot, about 8 lbs. 

About 2 lbs of pork. 

4 large fryers. We cheated again and used boneless and skinless equivalent to save time. 

All the meat was added to the pot along with water and cooked. When done, the meat was removed from the liquid and the meat was allowed to cool. The vegetables were then added to the pot in the same hot stock. 

We prepped the carrots, onions, cabbage, potatoes and sweet pepper while the meat was cooking. This recipe also includes 4 gallons of crushed tomatoes, corn, butter beans and few secret ingredients. 

All of the meat was then shreded. We like it shreded rather than chopped. 

When the vegetables are partially done, the meat is added back to the pot along with salt and spices. Add the salt and spices in small amounts so as not to overdo it. 

Now sit back and relax. Let it simmer until you are satisfied with the taste. Total cook time is around 6 hours. The total time spent on the project was about 8 hours not counting putting it in the containers for freezing or the visit to Sam's. That seems like a lot of time, but that's enough stew for about 40 meals for the two of us.  I figure that this recipe costs $4.50 per quart. 

 

Look Who Turned 70 Today

This is the year that we start hitting the big "Seven Zero".  

Yearbook 1963. I think we all know who this is. 

51 years later at Tony's pig picking this spring. Not bad for a 70 year old. 

Why We Don't Have Babies When We Are Old

My 1 year old grandson and family are visiting this week from Tennessee. It so nice to have them here and it is especially nice to have a baby in the house again.

Is it me or are little ones more active than they used to be?  It may be that it is just a lot harder to chase these little tots around when you are approaching 70. Little Levi is not yet walking but he sure can move. If you don't watch him constantly, he will be into something he is not supposed to do. Unfortunately our house is not childproofed so we have to watch at all times. 

Playing in the park after voting last Tuesday. 

At our house in the basket of balls with Teddy. 

Making a fast break for the dog's dish. I caught him just in time. 

Levi loves his dog Gypsy.  Gypsy is about my age in human years. She too has slowed down, but she is very good around Levi. 

Another Item Off the Bucket List

The real reason we went to Pennsylvania was to visit Amish Country.  We were not disappointed. We booked a guide who gave us a personal tour of the area as well as a visit to one of the Amish homes.  As you probably know, the Amish do not allow photographs, so out of respect I did not take any. We were able to visit the farm and meet the wife in the home. 

It was an great education. There are Amish and Mennonites in the are area. There is a difference between the two. But to most of us, we would consider them small. Basically the Amish are more conservative.  

There is lot to be said about living a simple life, but I doubt that many of us could do it.  Could you go without electricity, television, automobiles, etc. I doubt it. I know I couldn't. 

The area is beautiful. Prettiest farms I have ever seen. These people know how to take care of the land. 

After the tour, we took an Amish buggy ride through the countryside where I did take a few pictures. 

You can tell the Mennonites because they have electricity running to their house. 

They had a good soy bean crop which was ready for harvest. 

If you have never been to Amish Country, give it a try.  I enjoyed it and I think you will too.

Can Tick Two Things Off the Bucket List

We went with friends to Pennsylvania this week for a little R and R. Monday included trips to Gettysburg and Hershey. 

We had never been to the battle ground and we weren't disappointed. 

They show a film in the visitor's center which also houses a cyclorama. Both were excellent. 

Photo of the part of the 360 degree cyclorama.  

One of the many monuments at the cemetery. 

The Gettysburg Address was made at the dedication of the cemetery. 

Becky and our friends from Garner friends. 

Me lighting off one of the cannons. 

Later in the day we drove to Hershey to visit Chocolate World. 

Got my chocolate fix and bought candy for the grand kids. 

Two down and many to go.