Gone

I don't quite know what to do. Obviously my blogging has been paralyzed... see how all my photos have disappeared? It happened due to a misstep on my flickr settings and I don't know how to get them all back. I am completely un-motivated to write new posts due to this problem.

I have since corrected the setting but the path was not then found. Anyone know how to make this right without having to reload EVERY PHOTO?

help me internet people.

Beef Stew

For those of you in a slightly different climate you might think I was a bit nuts for making beef stew in May. But, last weekend here in Colorado we had rainy days in the 50's, which were just perfect for some beef stew. This is also the reason my photos are kind of yellow looking - no sunlight, boo.

I had pinned Pioneer Woman's Beef stew with Beer and Paprika and was itching to give it a try with some of David's home brewed Scottish Ale. I have to say the result was delicious! This recipe has a deep flavor and the larger cut veggies reminded me more of eating a Sunday roast with gravy. The end result doesn't have much broth/juice since it is a stew, but just enough to mash up your potatoes as you eat them.

Be sure to give yourself some time for this recipe because it does need to need to simmer for at least an hour and a half to two hours.

Beef Stew with Beer and Paprika

adapted from The Pioneer Woman Cooks

Ingredients

• 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 1 Tablespoon Butter
• 1 pounds Stew Meat
• 1 whole Medium Onion, Diced
• 3 cloves Garlic, Minced
• 1 can Beer, 12 Ounce Can
• 4 cups Beef Stock (or 4 Cups Water + 4 Beef Bouillon Cubes)
• additional water as needed
• 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
• 2 Tablespoons Tomato Paste
• 1/2 teaspoon Paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper
• 1-1/2 teaspoon Sugar
• 6 whole Carrots, Washed, Unpeeled, And Roughly Sliced
• 6 whole New Potatoes, Quartered

Preparation Instructions

Heat oil and butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Brown meat in batches if necessary, setting aside on a plate when brown. Cut larger pieces in half, down to bit size. Set aside.

Add diced onions to the pot. Stir and cook for two or three minutes until softened, then add garlic for another minute. Pour in beer and beef stock, then add Worcestershire, tomato paste, paprika, salt, pepper, and sugar. Add beef back into the pot. Stir to combine. Cover and simmer for 1 hour.


Add carrots and potatoes, then cover and cook for an additional 45 minutes or longer if your veggies are still crisp, but at least 45 minutes. (If stew gets dry, just add a cup of hot water at a time to replenish the liquid.) Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

My main adaptations from the original recipes were that I used less meat (1 pound instead of 2) and upped the veggie content a bit. Also I added the veggies part way through the simmering so I wouldn't have to wait an additional half hour - it was already 9pm and I was hungry! The photo above is a double recipe, most of it went to some friends so they could enjoy their new baby and leave the stove alone.

So give this recipe a try and let me know what you think or what changes you make.

Back to the Blogging World

Hey look! I still have a blog! Hi there folks.

I'm back at work which might mean I'm back to blogging for you all - with baby free lunches and break times there is a chance.

I have learned that time flies once babies enter the picture. The times are amazing, just fast. I started back to work the end of April and though the transition wasn't "fun" I think it has been good. Anna comes to the office with me twice a week for the time being - that is the plan for the month of May. But on the days she isn't with me I have to say, it is really nice to be so excited to see my baby girl at the end of the day when I get home from work.

Crafting, cooking, sewing, and knitting have been a lot slower to fruition these days, but they are all happening. Since SO MANY people I know are having babies (honestly, 5 born in the last 2.5 weeks!) there has been much baby knitting - including a couple things for Anna. I'll share just a few of the many items - Above: Daisy Stitch Leg Warmers, Below: Fiona, Victorian Lace Shrug, and Puerperium Cardigan)

Just this week I finished sewing up some birdies for a mobile that I hope to finish soon. Also, there are plans in the works to refinish some dresser handles and finally attach them to a dresser. And better yet, I have plans to cook up some beef stew this weekend and maybe bake some scones.

I'm hoping all these plans will make for some (at least semi) interesting blog posts and, of course, I will be sharing some fun finds from Pinterest.

So, please stick around. I can't guarantee a post everyday, but I'm shooting for at least once a week! I will confess, there will be some baby info/photo/update posts - hope that's ok with ya all. I mean, don't you wanna see this face around here?