YUMMY MUMMY RECIPE
posted by guest blogger Jacqueline Schwenke
Door County, Wisconsin 4 kids (3 girls 1 boy)
Penny Savvy Dollar Wise on Facebook
In 1982, we moved to the country. I had the pleasure and privilege to meet and become good friends with a lady named Jeannie, whose quick wit constantly kept me in stitches. One day we were visiting in her home, she telling me a story about how her youngest (2 yr old) daughter suddenly ran from the yard and rushed down toward the creek. She was talking her usual mile-a-minute and asked me to follow her to the kitchen- she didn't want to interrupt her own chatter, but needed to tend to something on the stove.
The minute I stepped into the kitchen I could see (and smell) the serious cooking going on. She had many prepared vegetables sitting on the counter, and something simmering in a skillet on the stove. She took the lid off and I could see the concoction was chopped green pepper and onion plus rope sausage that had been sliced into what she called 'pennies'. The aroma was heavenly! I stood and watched as she began to layer the prepared veggies into the pan, on top of the sausage mixture. When she was finished she set the lid on top and said, 'There!'. I looked at the lid, which was sitting on top of a mountain of veggies, about two inches higher than the top of the pan. I gave out a short laugh, and Jeannie being 'Jeannie' grinned at me showing the deep dimples in her cheeks, then flew off into an explanation about how as the veggies simmer they shrink, and the moisture from the veggies will keep the bottom of the pan moist so that the sausage mixture does not stick- and how the weight of the lid would help to compact the whole thing.
After further discussion she told me she came up with this recipe (which I found out later was a variation of another one floating around the USA at the time) because she always had 'a mess of veggies' from their large garden to use and she did not want them to spoil. So for her, the idea was to throw in anything from the garden- as long as it was a veggie. That day, she had put in a layer of potatoes, then yellow squash, white squash, zucchini, and more onion. Later that evening she brought some over for us to taste. She had added fresh tomatoes on top with a thin layer of melted cheese, so it was not only absolutely delicious but colorful as well. The recipe became a standard in our home, and affectionately known as "Jeannie's Mess".
Over the years I have had to adjust the recipe for different brands of sausage, types of potatoes, etc. My advice is to start with the veggies you and your family love the best. Don't be discouraged if it doesn't turn out perfectly the first time you make it. I haven't met a kid yet who doesn't love this recipe and I think a lot of it has to do with being able to smell it while it's cooking. The heavenly aroma gets the taste buds dancing!
Ingredients
(I am not giving amounts here- make as little or much as you wish)
Good quality rope sausage, such as Hillshire Farm
At least 4 different vegetables (our favorite is: Onion, potato, yellow and green squash)
Shredded Cheddar cheese (not the fine shred)
Tomato (can be omitted)
Cooking Oil or Butter (which burns easily)
Directions
Chop onion (green pepper, hot peppers- anything in that 'family') to small pieces. Place in hot skillet to which enough butter or oil has been added so that the bottom is covered completely. Let simmer while you cut the sausage.
Cut rope sausage into 1/2 inch thick 'pennies', and add to skillet. Lower the heat to a slow simmer (low) and cover.
Starting with the potatoes, prepare remaining vegetables by washing and slicing into round pieces. You can use small chunks, but they do not layer as well. Stir skillet mixture often and lower heat if it seems to be cooking too quickly or the mixture begins to stick. You want to soften the onion and any peppers while giving the sausage a nice glaze.
After potatoes are sliced, add them to the skillet in layers and put the lid back on. (This is a good time to sprinkle in black pepper, a bit of garlic powder, or any other spice you'd like. I have used Morton Nature Seasoning as well.) Continue preparing the other vegetables. Each time you finish slicing one type of vegetable, add it to the pan, lid on. Don't be alarmed if your stack of veggies is not taller than the pan.
Working quickly to slice is a good idea, once the potatoes are in the pan. If your pan seems to be cooking dry, add a little beef broth- just enough to cover the bottom of the pan. If you are not an experienced cook, you can prepare the vegetables ahead of time.
After all layers are in the pan, put the lid on top and keep simmering on low, checking often to make sure it's not too dry. Do not stir or toss. At this point, when it's done is up to you. Some people like their veggies a little crisp, some like them cooked completely limp. When yours are done to your liking, remove the lid and simmer out any extra liquid at the bottom of the pan. Extra means you don't want soup. One way to do this is to increase the heat until the liquid is at a fast simmer. Add 1 TBL butter, (real butter), and it will help disperse the liquid. Don't panic if you have too much liquid, even after simmering. You can always use a slotted spoon to serve.
At this point you can throw some diced tomato on top, and add the cheese, allowing it to melt before you serve. You don't need any other vegetables with this meal- in fact we've never even served it with rolls, but I guess you could. My choice would be a whole grain roll.
P.S. The ending to that story about her daughter was that she went running after her, catching her by the seat of her overalls just before she stepped into the creek- and all that was to say how fast her daughter could run, plus explain why I had to go through a chain-linked fence before getting to the front door. :)
Friday, January 15, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
Living a legacy
The word "legacy" means something handed down from an ancestor or a predecessor or from the past: My husband's Grandma and Grandpa DeSpain were the best at passing on the stories of faith. They would tell stories of great grandparents and their love of the Lord. His grandma would say to us every time we left their home with our children, "Be careful. You have a million dollars worth of livestock in there." Just recently when we were leaving she stumbled over the words. She had a hard time remembering what she had always said. My husband filled in the words for her, " We have a million dollars worth of livestock grandma. We are going to be very careful." Although this wasn't one of the stories that she would tell that was steeped in the passion she had for the Lord it was a way for her to communicate her love for us over and over again so that all of us, even our children, were able to repeat it back to her.
In Deuteronomy 11:18-21
Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them to your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land...
Voddie Baucham Jr said in his book Family Driven Faith
"You and I are living in an age and in a culture that is tearing at the very fabric of Christian community. How many of us look at our teenaged sons and daughters and know they are not with us? How many if us lay our heads on the pillow at night and know that as soon as our kids leave te house they are probably going to leave the faith as well? All of the statistics point to children leaving when they go to college, but my experience and my conversations with Christian parents leads me to believe that the problem manifest itself much earlier."
"There are many worthwhile pursuites in this world, but few of them rise to the level of training our children to follow the Lord and keep His commandments. I desperately want my sons and daughters to walk with God, and I am willing to do whatever it takes, whatever the Bible says I must do in order to be used by God as a means to that end."
Living and leaving a legacy for our kids, I am convinced, has slipped as our priority, but never the less is our duty. So, what is a "legacy"? In short, it is taking on the responsibility to live out and pass on the Christan faith in such a way that it would be engraved onto our children's hearts and minds in hopes that they would stand steadfast against this world and pass on to the next generations a love for Jesus Christ and his statutes.
I'm excited about this topic and I am going to continue this topic in my next blog, hope you’ll join me.
Friday, January 8, 2010
SUPER BOWL SLOSH
YUMMY MUMMY RECIPE
posted by guest blogger Jacqueline Schwenke
Door County, Wisconsin 4 kids (3 girls 1 boy)
Penny Savvy Dollar Wise on Facebook
This recipe comes from my own kitchen, but my husband is the one who is the brains behind it. He has some sort of weird, secret talent for putting meat dishes together that are outstanding. Here's a bonus- if your kids are picky eaters, they may clamor for second helpings.
Know what attracts kids? Sugar..every time. Being the evil Mom that I am, I can add just a teaspoon of Molasses to just about any recipe and it won't end up making it sweet enough for a non-sweet eater to detect. Reason being: Molasses is a 'dark' sweetener. To some it tastes nearly burnt. Add it to recipes and you have not only a great seasoning, but it adds an attraction most people can't pinpoint, especially kids. Think it's terrible to add sweetener to dishes just so the kids will eat it? Check out the nutrient facts of molasses: It's a good source of B6, Potassium, Magnesium and Manganese. One tablespoon has 5% Iron and 4% Calcium. It's low in saturated fat, cholesterol and Sodium. You'll also find a little bit of Niacin and Selenium. There are 10.0 mg of Omega-6 fatty acid in one tablespoon as well. It gives pan browned (not fried) chicken strips a caramel flavor, puts a lovely browning on beef and is inexpensive. So, try Molasses next time you want to 'lure' your kids to eat well. I have mixed it with a little honey and real vanilla to make a delicious topping for carrots. When creating recipes of your own, or using recipes created by others, keep in mind that you can add or subtract as you wish. Just make sure you don't tamper with the integrity of the recipe (don't take out baking powder, etc)
Ingredients
2 pounds lean ground beef (such as ground sirloin- organic if possible)
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper (can be omitted)
1/2 teaspoon Morton Nature Seasoning (in spice area)
1/8 teaspoon red pepper (can be omitted)
1 carton Beef Broth (you can buy low sodium if you'd like but buy it in the carton..not can)
1 16 or 24 ounce stewed tomatoes (if you wish use the seasoned type)
OR
1 can of Manwich
• lb Velveeta loaf (use Pepper Jack, Mexican Mild or regular. If you use the flavored leave out the red pepper above)
• Tostitos Plain Chips
Directions
Brown ground beef in skillet, drain grease if necessary. Add spices and 1 cup of beef broth. Simmer for 7 minutes. While beef is simmering cut Velveeta into small cubes. Add the tomatoes or Manwich to the beef, bring to a simmer. Turn heat off and add cheese cubes, stirring well. If mixture seems too thick, add more beef broth. Stir until all of the cheese has mixed with the hamburger and liquid. If you prefer, you can heat the tomatoes or Manwich in a large measuring cup and then add the cheese to that to melt and mix it, then add it to the beef.
Serve with Tostitos Chips (we use no salt) or it may be poured on top of Fritos with a dollop of sour crème added on top. If you have kids who can't manage the chips, this can be thickened with more cheese and spread on tortillas.
Go to www.kraftfoods.com for possible coupons for the Velveeta. While you are there, sign up for the email newsletter they send out- it’s great! ConAgra Foods (Manwich) doesn’t share coupons as often as other food companies, but they usually do have some on their site. www.conagrafoods.com
posted by guest blogger Jacqueline Schwenke
Door County, Wisconsin 4 kids (3 girls 1 boy)
Penny Savvy Dollar Wise on Facebook
This recipe comes from my own kitchen, but my husband is the one who is the brains behind it. He has some sort of weird, secret talent for putting meat dishes together that are outstanding. Here's a bonus- if your kids are picky eaters, they may clamor for second helpings.
Know what attracts kids? Sugar..every time. Being the evil Mom that I am, I can add just a teaspoon of Molasses to just about any recipe and it won't end up making it sweet enough for a non-sweet eater to detect. Reason being: Molasses is a 'dark' sweetener. To some it tastes nearly burnt. Add it to recipes and you have not only a great seasoning, but it adds an attraction most people can't pinpoint, especially kids. Think it's terrible to add sweetener to dishes just so the kids will eat it? Check out the nutrient facts of molasses: It's a good source of B6, Potassium, Magnesium and Manganese. One tablespoon has 5% Iron and 4% Calcium. It's low in saturated fat, cholesterol and Sodium. You'll also find a little bit of Niacin and Selenium. There are 10.0 mg of Omega-6 fatty acid in one tablespoon as well. It gives pan browned (not fried) chicken strips a caramel flavor, puts a lovely browning on beef and is inexpensive. So, try Molasses next time you want to 'lure' your kids to eat well. I have mixed it with a little honey and real vanilla to make a delicious topping for carrots. When creating recipes of your own, or using recipes created by others, keep in mind that you can add or subtract as you wish. Just make sure you don't tamper with the integrity of the recipe (don't take out baking powder, etc)
Ingredients
2 pounds lean ground beef (such as ground sirloin- organic if possible)
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper (can be omitted)
1/2 teaspoon Morton Nature Seasoning (in spice area)
1/8 teaspoon red pepper (can be omitted)
1 carton Beef Broth (you can buy low sodium if you'd like but buy it in the carton..not can)
1 16 or 24 ounce stewed tomatoes (if you wish use the seasoned type)
OR
1 can of Manwich
• lb Velveeta loaf (use Pepper Jack, Mexican Mild or regular. If you use the flavored leave out the red pepper above)
• Tostitos Plain Chips
Directions
Brown ground beef in skillet, drain grease if necessary. Add spices and 1 cup of beef broth. Simmer for 7 minutes. While beef is simmering cut Velveeta into small cubes. Add the tomatoes or Manwich to the beef, bring to a simmer. Turn heat off and add cheese cubes, stirring well. If mixture seems too thick, add more beef broth. Stir until all of the cheese has mixed with the hamburger and liquid. If you prefer, you can heat the tomatoes or Manwich in a large measuring cup and then add the cheese to that to melt and mix it, then add it to the beef.
Serve with Tostitos Chips (we use no salt) or it may be poured on top of Fritos with a dollop of sour crème added on top. If you have kids who can't manage the chips, this can be thickened with more cheese and spread on tortillas.
Go to www.kraftfoods.com for possible coupons for the Velveeta. While you are there, sign up for the email newsletter they send out- it’s great! ConAgra Foods (Manwich) doesn’t share coupons as often as other food companies, but they usually do have some on their site. www.conagrafoods.com
Monday, January 4, 2010
A New Decade
Wow, 2010 I cannot believe it. I feel so.....dare I say it....old.
I've been a little weepy and tired lately...okay, a lot tired lately. We welcomed our 5th child into our family recently. He is a treasure to us all. He does, however, bring a lack of sleep. I was holding him in my arms on New Years Eve and watching all the coverage about the last decade. It has been a rough patch for the United States. We had our feeling of security torn from us when the Two Tours fell, a bad economy, and the business world as a whole disgraced in so many ways I couldn't even write it all down here. I saw all this play over and over again to usher in our new year and new decade.
Although it could have been somewhat depressing, I couldn't help but to think about my family's life in the last decade. We brought in New Year's 2000 with our first brand new baby. What a different feeling that was. I had no idea what to do with this little baby God had given us and one year later we had another baby. That's right, two in one year. Along the way each day the Lord showed us what do to with these kids and continued to give us a heart for "Just one more."
I reminisced about the vacations we had taken, the holidays and birthdays we had had, and all the spontaneous days of joy that came without any planning. I also thought about the bumps, bruises, stitches, and hospital stays we had accumulated along the way. It brought joy to my heart and a little tear in my eye...okay, okay, multiple tears to both eyes.
Then I looked forward and I saw 2020, the beginning of the next decade. At that point my nest will be beginning to empty. I will have two adult children and one teenager with a license. Will I be able to stand proud of what we will release into the world? Will I even be able to release them into the world? Again, I am looking forward feeling as if I have no idea how this will all be accomplished in this next decade to come. I have, however, grown more confident in the Lord's ability to guide and show us his path as parents. In that there is peace, excitement; and yes, lots of tears in both eyes in anticipation of what the Lord can accomplish.
Happy New Year to all the new and old mommies. How are you anticipating the Lord's hand in your life this year?
I've been a little weepy and tired lately...okay, a lot tired lately. We welcomed our 5th child into our family recently. He is a treasure to us all. He does, however, bring a lack of sleep. I was holding him in my arms on New Years Eve and watching all the coverage about the last decade. It has been a rough patch for the United States. We had our feeling of security torn from us when the Two Tours fell, a bad economy, and the business world as a whole disgraced in so many ways I couldn't even write it all down here. I saw all this play over and over again to usher in our new year and new decade.
Although it could have been somewhat depressing, I couldn't help but to think about my family's life in the last decade. We brought in New Year's 2000 with our first brand new baby. What a different feeling that was. I had no idea what to do with this little baby God had given us and one year later we had another baby. That's right, two in one year. Along the way each day the Lord showed us what do to with these kids and continued to give us a heart for "Just one more."
I reminisced about the vacations we had taken, the holidays and birthdays we had had, and all the spontaneous days of joy that came without any planning. I also thought about the bumps, bruises, stitches, and hospital stays we had accumulated along the way. It brought joy to my heart and a little tear in my eye...okay, okay, multiple tears to both eyes.
Then I looked forward and I saw 2020, the beginning of the next decade. At that point my nest will be beginning to empty. I will have two adult children and one teenager with a license. Will I be able to stand proud of what we will release into the world? Will I even be able to release them into the world? Again, I am looking forward feeling as if I have no idea how this will all be accomplished in this next decade to come. I have, however, grown more confident in the Lord's ability to guide and show us his path as parents. In that there is peace, excitement; and yes, lots of tears in both eyes in anticipation of what the Lord can accomplish.
Happy New Year to all the new and old mommies. How are you anticipating the Lord's hand in your life this year?
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Stick With Me
I think about my blog these days like an extra bedroom that needs tending to, but somehow I never get to. I can just close the door and walk away and it feels like it will go unnoticed. I have had a few complications with this pregnancy and the wait for this new arrival is feels like I'm standing over cold ice water waiting for it to boil. Other things go unattended as well for example, laundry. I just know after I have this baby and get everything caught up I'm going to pull that perfect maternity shirt out of a pile of fresh warm laundry and think,"Oh, yeah there's that shirt. Where has this been?" Which isn't too big of a problem because I'm not going anywhere anyway. Needless to say some of the usual essentials are going by the wayside.
Don't worry about us. People have been so good to bless us. I am seeing God's goodness in different little ways. God's timing is funny though. Shortly before everything got harry around here I made the commitment to be less negative. You know....half glass full and all that. Trusting in God's goodness. It seems we have been tested to the limits on this in so many different ways. During this time the school our kids go to twice a week has not been as easy as we hoped, a family member has had to deal with some health issues, and then there is just day to day life. Which can be rather messy at times, can't it?
The awesome thing about God is, he is sufficient. Life is messy and sometimes challenging at best. A relationship with the Lord does not guarantee a problem free life. Having a attitude were I am more trusting of God says," Okay, your God and I'm not in this situation. Show me how this is going to work out for my good and ultimately your glory." I haven't exactly nailed this attitude, but I continue to renew my commitment daily.
During this time of far and few between post, please know I have not lost my heart for moms and encouraging them. I am working on ideas for more interviews and I am looking forward to posting them in the new year. Even though the body is week right now there is more to come for Crazy Days of Mommyhood so please, please, please stick with me. With my commitment to see his active hand in my life I have been convicted that right now more than ever moms need to be encouraged that what their doing is so worth there investment for today and eternity.
copyright 2009
Don't worry about us. People have been so good to bless us. I am seeing God's goodness in different little ways. God's timing is funny though. Shortly before everything got harry around here I made the commitment to be less negative. You know....half glass full and all that. Trusting in God's goodness. It seems we have been tested to the limits on this in so many different ways. During this time the school our kids go to twice a week has not been as easy as we hoped, a family member has had to deal with some health issues, and then there is just day to day life. Which can be rather messy at times, can't it?
The awesome thing about God is, he is sufficient. Life is messy and sometimes challenging at best. A relationship with the Lord does not guarantee a problem free life. Having a attitude were I am more trusting of God says," Okay, your God and I'm not in this situation. Show me how this is going to work out for my good and ultimately your glory." I haven't exactly nailed this attitude, but I continue to renew my commitment daily.
During this time of far and few between post, please know I have not lost my heart for moms and encouraging them. I am working on ideas for more interviews and I am looking forward to posting them in the new year. Even though the body is week right now there is more to come for Crazy Days of Mommyhood so please, please, please stick with me. With my commitment to see his active hand in my life I have been convicted that right now more than ever moms need to be encouraged that what their doing is so worth there investment for today and eternity.
copyright 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Leaving the Library
It's 3 o'clock in the morning and I just noticed my pants are on inside out and yet I sit here determined to write a blog. Pray for me ladies.
Being a very noticeably pregnant mother of four we get some attention when we are out and about. Getting comments here and there. Children are not the favored fashion accessory these days. More people aren't having them and many do not like to see them out in public. Especially when the family begins to resemble some type of field trip or daycare.
I was in our local library with my four kids and my youngest decides to act out. I pick her up and hold her as opposed to having her climb the shelves. Upon picking her up a fit broke out. At this point I'm thinking, wow, I better get out of here.
My other children were sitting at tables and looking at books. Said toddler was the only one misbehaving. I had to find one more book for one of my sons to check out. Which wasn't too hard because I had just picked up a book to look over when the fit began. Then, a tap, tap, tap on my shoulder.
"Excuse me miss. You really need to take your child and go. This is a library and she is being too loud," says a man I've never seen in my life.
"What!? I'm doing the best I can. I have four children here. Can you just cut me a break?"
says me, almost on the verge of tears and holding it back with all my unhealthy pride.
"Well this is a library and...."
"Wait a minute." I interrupt. "Do you even work here?"
Needless to say, he didn't. That's right, some random stranger had taken it upon himself to ask me to leave when the librarian denied his request to do so.
It was a frustrating evening and I felt a little peeved after the whole episode . I mean, after all, who did that man think he was? Then I remembered my kids were seeing all this unfold. How should I continue to react?
I wasn't rude to the man. I was firm, telling him I would leave after I found my book. After all, I hadn't planned on staying much longer. I didn't want to deal with a crying toddler as much as he didn't want to listen to one. I was barely handling this all in front of the watchful eyes of my three older ones.
I decided that I wanted family, our family, to prevail. People can say what they choose, but how I deal with it affects how my children view people and our family as a whole. After leaving, I calmed down, and we talked about how we should probably have sympathy for a man that cannot have empathy for women and children. In the end my oldest suggested we say a little prayer for him.
The lesson learned for me: I cannot control what others say to me or about me in front of my children. I can however, control the kind of impact it has on us. Now, I just feel sorry for that man and the childless world he chooses to live in.
copyright 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Okay, Okay I've Been Away Awhile
Okay, okay so I've been away awhile. I honestly had contemplated not writing on my blog anymore. I mean, after all, isn't the world filled with enough talking heads, story tellers, and blog writers. Aren't I just flooded out by the crowd? "Go big or go home," is today's slogan. I'm pregnant, tired, and dealing with all of life's going ons. So, why even try?
And yet.......God persists on my heart.
I had ladies ask when I was going to post another blog or I would read an article about blogging and it's affect on others. Now I'm reading the book Twelve Extraordinary Women by John Mac Arthur.
I was reminded of this verse:
Hebrews 11:39-40
These were all commanded for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
Go big or go home, is not God's calling card. It's the world's. God's is faithfulness to the call. Faithfulness to the point that we believe in the vision God has given us more than seeing the results.
That in a nutshell is what Crazy Days of Mommyhood is about. Faithfulness to the roll of mommyhood and a celebration of the mommies that heed this roll and take it serious. Mommyhood is a thankless roll. The little people we love and care for are not going to produce anything big and grandiose today besides maybe messes. We care for them whatever the age because we keep the vision that God in his time will make perfect.
So...I will blog, not sure of what a little blog writing can do in the sight of eternity, but I enjoy it and the Lord has laid it on my heart to do it. I encourage the rest of you to be faithful at the little things as well as big and do what the Lord is nudging you to do.
copyright 2009
And yet.......God persists on my heart.
I had ladies ask when I was going to post another blog or I would read an article about blogging and it's affect on others. Now I'm reading the book Twelve Extraordinary Women by John Mac Arthur.
I was reminded of this verse:
Hebrews 11:39-40
These were all commanded for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
Go big or go home, is not God's calling card. It's the world's. God's is faithfulness to the call. Faithfulness to the point that we believe in the vision God has given us more than seeing the results.
That in a nutshell is what Crazy Days of Mommyhood is about. Faithfulness to the roll of mommyhood and a celebration of the mommies that heed this roll and take it serious. Mommyhood is a thankless roll. The little people we love and care for are not going to produce anything big and grandiose today besides maybe messes. We care for them whatever the age because we keep the vision that God in his time will make perfect.
So...I will blog, not sure of what a little blog writing can do in the sight of eternity, but I enjoy it and the Lord has laid it on my heart to do it. I encourage the rest of you to be faithful at the little things as well as big and do what the Lord is nudging you to do.
copyright 2009
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