Izzy’s Beef Stew
You may or may not have noticed my absence from the blogosphere this week but I seem to have taken an unintended sabbatical from blogging. And I have to confess, it was kind of nice to just say “The blog will be fine. The blog will not die if you leave it alone for a few days. It’s not like one of those sad little goldfish that just keel over the second you turn your back on them.”
And I replied back “Self…you are right. You have been working very hard fulfilling your motherly duties and deflecting guilt from your eldest. You can regale your guests with the mundane details of your life later this week.”
Yep. It’s summer vacation. And those of you with children old enough to clearly articulate their feelings KNOW what this means and you KNOW what I’m dealing with here.
TQ starts day camp next week and we are ALL very excited about it. She has had two weeks off before camp starts and they happen to be the two weeks in which most everyone and their dog either goes away for their big family vacation, or to the ever-popular vacation Bible school.
This means I am scrambling to line up playdates (I know. It’s an icky yuppie-ish term but the days of sending your kid outside to play all day are long gone) and interesting baby-friendly, sun-free things for us to do. Otherwise, I will be tortured all day by her mewlings of boredom interspersed with pleas for friends, while the day goes slower than cold tar and she destroys acre upon acre of old growth forest with her paper-intensive artistic pursuits.
Complicating matters further is the fact that we are beholden to her brother’s nap schedule.
But the nap is SACRED, dammit! WE DO NOT MESS with the nap!
And her brother…another story altogether. I don’t know WHAT his deal is but this week he has been crowned “World’s Fussiest Baby.” I halfway wonder if that’s his way of complaining of boredom, too. Or maybe he’s just teething. Again.
So yes, I’ve been balls-to-the-wall momming all week and trying to get TQ ready for camp. We went shopping the other day and I got her all kinds of new stuff. She’s had a growth spurt and though she never gets any wider, everything is suddenly too short. We were in JC Penneys getting her some new bathing suits and there was this mother there with her 12-ish yr old daughter, who looked like a nun-in-training in a modest tweed skirt, white button down blouse, flesh-toned hose and low heeled mary janes.
The mom says to the girl “Don’t you LIKE short-shorts?” while holding up a tiny pair of stretchy shorts with something sassy printed across the butt.
WTF??? Since when do moms encourage their seemingly chaste daughters to buy cheesy Lolita shorts? Is it just me or is that an episode straight from the Montel Williams Show?
(Speaking of cheesiness, did anyone catch that those hated Pussycat Dolls have been canned by Hasbro? Oh, yes they have!)
Since I have been SUCH a domestic and motherly goddess this week, I thought I might share a recipe with you all for the easiest beef stew ever. I’m typically not one to enjoy cooking or share recipes but my husband and daughter really liked this. I made it up when I realized I was out of a few of the ingredients I would normally use (like those fricken missing potatoes that I never found)
WARNING: This is for the lazy or time-crunched person or anyone who is not bothered by cooking shortcuts via convenience foods. All gourmands and foodies stop reading right now. Do NOT read this recipe. I’m afraid you lose all respect for me!
Izzy’s Beef Stew
1 can of Franco-American beef gravy (I know. But it’s actually not bad)
1 sm can of tomato paste
1/2 bag of peeled mini-carrots (use whole bag if you really like carrots)
1/2 bag of frozen french fries (I used the crinkly, seasoned kind)
1.5 to 1.75 lbs of cubed beef (I used round, already cut)
1 onion cut up however you like. (I cut it into big chunks)
2 tbs olive oil
1 teaspoon of garlic powder
Add salt to taste
- Put the gravy and tomato past in a crock pot set to 275, add meat (I skipped browning it first)
- Add onion
- Stir and cover meat with gravy.
- Add garlic powder, olive oil and salt
- Cook for one hour and then add carrots
- Cook for 3 more hours, add french fries
- Increase heat to 350, cook for one more hour or until meat is desired tenderness.
I promise I will not become a blog of recipes. There are others that do it much, much better than I ever could. I do, however, reserve the right to one day post photos of some of my infrequent crafty endeavors…you know like festive crocheted poodles that disguise a spare roll of toilet paper, macrame owls and other things like that.
ADDENDUM: My daughter left the bathroom door open a little while ago and Peebs got in there. I was 10 steps behind him and when I got in the bathroom, he was already playing in the toilet. It was clean (as in unsoiled by a recent deposit) but he had water all over his hands and just as I was about to scoop him up, he put his fingers in his mouth. A classic Peebs move, to be sure. My daughter was angelic compared to him. The worst thing she ever did in the bathroom was unspool a little toilet paper. He’s a cute little devil that’s into everything.
Of course I washed his hands but that fingers in the mouth business…ugh.
He’ll be okay, right?
I am totally trying that stew for Sunday dinner. Thanks!
My kids aren’t out until the 20th,(zoinks!) but I think that might be because ski week in Feb. puts us back a bit…
You tell that baby to settle down… no room for fussiness & I’m glad you’re back. I’m off to buy my daughter some “sassy-ass” shorts ;-)
I’m definitely trying that recipe. I’ve never used frozen fries in a stew but it sounds like something my kids would eat..
I actually think my son has the crown for fussiest baby or maybe toddler since he is 23 months. Hope your guy feels better soon.
Hey, you crochet poodles!? Hahaha.
I am SOOO glad those stupid assed dolls have been canned. You just made my day- really. And summer camp hmmm? You are lucky. I wish Aidan could go to summer camp. As much as I love being with him everyday, it gets a little exhausting.
Did you read the part in the Dyer book about bored kids? You might enjoy it. I forget what chapter it is on, but he basically suggests you say to your kids, “Bored? Exsqueese me? I don’t even know what that means I am so busy enjoying life” It’s kind of funny.
You are so right! The nap is sacred for me and my little ones. If my 10 or 12 year old tell me their bored I either tell them “If you’re bored then you’re boring”, which sounds like a total annoying mother thing to say, or I have them clean the basement or scoop poop in the backyard. Needless to say, I don’t hear it come out of their mouths too often anymore.
I love new recipes, I get really tired of making the same old things for dinner.
I’m a foodie, but I think your recipe sounds good!
Will the kids respond well if you shake things up a bit and do weird, fun stuff with them, like having breakfast foods for lunch or dinner, or spreading a napkin on the living room floor and having a “picnic”? If not, can you induce some guilt of your own?
My mom had the lovely tactic for never hearing the word “bored” - her response was always something like “Bored? Great, because the baseboards need vacuuming!” SHE NEVER FELT THE NEED TO AMUSE US AND WE DID OK. Kids are at heart creative. She did drive us to the library a lot but that was about it. No sports teams, no lessons, no videos - how did we grow up to be so bright? I have no idea.
Do you want my family recipe for tater tot casserole? It is always a big hit.
Thanks for the recipe, Izzy. Still seems like more than we’re capable of. Any way to do this in a microwave?
You crack me up.
We are still in school for two more weeks - which means field trips, picnics, dance recitals and every other thing that the universe can cram into 2 fucking weekends. Oh and packing.
And admit it bitch, you crochet those toilet paper southern belles for the bathroom. I know you do.
I remember actually sitting down and bawling when daughter’s naps ended. hehe…
Our summer vacation is still three weeks away. Thank goodness.
Domestic Goddess indeed. My son’s school is out in 4 more days and he’s already anticipating how bored he’ll be. Sigh.
YUM! I will use some grilled TOFU instead of the meat hehehe !
french fries huh? in-ter-est-ting.
French fries…..clever. We are in the “be-creative-throw-together-a-meal-with-what-you-have-in-the-pantry” mode, getting ready for our move in less than three weeks. I HATE it.
Ugh, last week was Fuss Week at our house too, and we’re not worried about things like Summer Vacation for another couple of years. My mom used to basically chuck me in the backyard and lock the door when I was a kid, in order to keep me from reading in bed all day. She got me things like a chemistry set and microscope so I could explore and indulge my curiosity outdoors, too. Smart lady.
And a big Yee-HAW! to those dolls being cancelled. I can’t believe they’d market that shit to little ones. Maybe older action figures for the adolescent, like some of the comic book figures, I could see.
And finally - those crochet poodles CRACK ME UP! My granny had one of those barbies with a crochet dress to cover the TP, but the poddles are extra camp.
she destroys acre upon acre of old growth forest with her paper-intensive artistic pursuits
Hear hear. Why do they insist upon having a virgin white sheet of paper? When all they will do is use a mere smidgen of it and then insist upon being handed yet another virgin white sheet? Whatever happened to using BOTH SIDES of the paper?
A stew with french fries? Sounds yummy to me. Anything that can incorporate french fries is okay in my book.
Ah, the sacred nap(s). One day we’ll have our lives back, but until then - Don’t mess with the naps!
This is why your absences are sorely missed (but understood). Thank you! For skank doll news, and yummy recipes involving fries!
And for just being your funny Izzy self. Needed to smile today. Thanks.
SO IT WAS YOU WHO BROKE BLOGGER!!!!! you leave, blogger breaks! you come back, blogger mysteriously starts working again! HMMMMMMMMMMMMM
Who knew there were SO MANY tater tot casseroles:
http://www.cooks.com/rec/search?q=tater+tot+casserole
Great recipe! Oh and thanks for quelling my fears that the world will not end if I cannot get a post together EVERY day!!!
Sheesh you cook too? Awesome. And I know all about living by the nap. Except I’m only dealing with one.
mmmmm… french fries. *droooooool*
p.s. my kid has survived the great toilet-tasting experiment of 2006 by a few weeks, now. so I’m thinking that your peebs is gonna make it. I’ll let you know about any late-breaking developments in the on-going action-packed tasting of all things potentially disease-ridden that exist in the universe that is our home, though. ‘Cause who the frick knows what might make his possibly iron-clad stomach crumble to bits. (this mom is holding out nothing being that destructive, btw. that, and I have my fingers crossed.)
Mmm, your beef stew sounds awesome.
Just you wait, in about four months I think I’ll be posting about Oliver drinking toilet water, too. ;)
He will, but it will be a while before you stop gagging at the sight of his hands. I find myself saying “his sisters never did anything like this!” with our son all the time.
Wow You are having quite the week!!! Rest and maybe have some Mommy juice?!? hehe!
That recipe sounds good!
Girls are harder, I think, I don’t have one but have a temporary license to thinkg, in a drama kind of way, boys are harder in a tear your house down sort of way…my 18 month old regulary baths himself and his toys in the toilet and since my 3 year old is potty trained, it isn’t as easy to guarentee it is clean….but my 3 year old put 3 rolls of toilet paper in the toilet the other day….both of mine are boys so I just “hear” that girls are more dramatic!
Uh, I think he’ll be okay. My dog drinks from the toilet all the time and she’s fine. At least I think so. Come to think of it … no, just kidding. She’s fine.
You still get naps? I am jealous! My baby (age 2) just gave them up and I am not a happy mommy! I counted on those little breaks of peace and quiet to be able to play with my other kids. Now that the older 3 will be in school full day, of course the baby gave up napping. Free time for me, he could never let that happen!
Gross but … the famous “let’s-embarrass-IAI-story” is how when I was a toddler I was walking around eating raisins and apparently some shit nuggets escaped the diaper. Of course, not wanting to waste any food, I turned around, picked up the dropped raisins and ate them. After a chew, I spit it out and received parental assistance … after Joan Crawford told her friend on the phone that she “had to go b/c IAI just ate her own shit.”
And I’m OK … well, I’m not pyschotic.
I agree, life must revolve around the nap for as long as possible. Even if it involves bribing… er… creatively diverting the non-napping child.
Your Peebs sounds so much like my Rosie. I think there’s a different level of tolerance for what they do vs. what the firstborn children did. Hand in toilet water? Long as it was clean, that’s nothing. The potential there is much more horrifying.
I agree, naps are sacred. my 4 year old is wanting to give hers up, and I am forbidding it. I’ll let you know how that works out for me..
Since when do moms encourage their seemingly chaste daughters to buy cheesy Lolita shorts? This reminds me of the kiddie make-up place at the mall. Do you have one of these where you live? Parents take their pre-pubescent daughters there to get them all dolled up with glittery, porn-style make-up. It’s totally repulsive to me. (I hope I don’t offend anyone who has taken their daughter to one of these. It just doesn’t seem right somehow…for a lot of reasons.)
“So yes, I’ve been balls-to-the-wall momming all week”
Balls to the wall momming is the only way to Mommy, isn’t it?
1.) Your blog will be okay! I’ve checked in a few times, actually. And I’d keep checking (like a psychofan)!
2.)Mom’s who dress their daughter’s up in skimpy clothes? Sigh. Every time I pass by a Limited Too and glance in the window I feel sad that little girls are buying those clothes. Ewwwwwwwwww.
3) I am stealing it and making it ASAP.
That beef stew sounds great - I’m going to try to make it this week.
I think we all need a break from blogging once in a while. Your blog and your readers will still be there. I took a break due to life matters that I needed to take care of last week - but I find that when I take a break it takes a day or two for me to get back into it.
Any stew with fries in it sounds too good to be true.
As for the toilet fingers, I’m sure all will be well. Think of it as a vaccine against dirt. Imagine how sick your kid would always get if you made them live in a sterile enviroment. Now your kid will have Superman’s immune system.
I am sure that is totally medically inaccurate, but it is what I like to hang on to when I see my own children do such little things!
Welcome back - we missed you even if you were too busy to miss us.
This will be brief because I’m on vacation. Peebs will live. The stew sounds awesome. And next time you’ve got a bored TQ, give me a call. My bored Girlie will be quite pleased to entertain her and there will be two happier mommies in our town.
Yes I have noticed your absence and have missed you! I felt kind of guilty seeing your name on another blogs comments because I never commented on this one yet lol. I only write when I feel like it which is sporadic sometimes. You must be busy with your kids out of school. Jeremy finishes kindergarden on the 29th. I can’t believe how fast kids grow up. Sad and exciting at the same time. ttyl.
My kids no longer drink out of the toilet, but my dog does. For dessert, she eats dirty underwear from the hamper. Welcome back!
Izzy, I guess I’m somewhat of a foodie, but I use convenience foods frequently. A friend of mine, who is a chef and has worked in some big-name restaurants here in L.A., was once cooking dinner for a bunch of us and I opened up his cabinet to find several cans of Campbells Cream of Mushroom soup. I asked him if he actually used it in cooking (I grew up eating pork chops smothered in it - mmmmm) and he said, “Honey, don’t let any chef try and make you believe that they’re cooking seared ahi or blanched truffles for every meal at home. Frozen foods and canned soups are our dirty little secret.” So there. I’m off to buy some cubed beef and Franco American gravy.
P/S Frozen crinkly fries rule!
for dessert…rofl
That’s pretty goddamn funny :)
Iz-this is a great line: “I will be tortured all day by her mewlings of boredom interspersed with pleas for friends, while the day goes slower than cold tar and she destroys acre upon acre of old growth forest with her paper-intensive artistic pursuits. ” Love it.
Keep up the good work