Awesome Beef and Beer Stew

Made this Sunday and it was delicious! Great left-overs too.
6 T olive oil
4 slices bacon, diced
2 1/2 lbs stew meat (I got the pre-cut stew meat)
1/2 T kosher salt
1/4 t black pepper
4 med. yellow onions, thickly sliced
2 cloves of garlic, crushed
1 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes (I used fire roasted)
1 12 oz. bottles dark beer, such as brown ale (I used Sam Adams October)
2 T light br. sugar
1 T minced fresh thyme or 1 t. dried
1 T minced fresh rosemary or 1 t. dry
1 1/2 lbs yukon gold potatoes cut into 1 1/2 inche chunks

Place oil and bacon in dutch oven (if you have one) over med. heat. I used a big skillet for this part. fry bacon until crisp and transfer to paper towel. set aside. season beef with salt and pep. I would actually also coat lightly in flour like you would a roast. this will thicken everything up in the end. Brown beef just a bit. transfer to plate w bacon. drain pan if needed. add onions and garlic. cook till softened. I then transfered all to my crock pot. Wish I had a big dutch oven to cook in. put meat, bacon, onion garlic in crock pot. add tomatoes, beer, brown sugar, thyme, rosemary potatoes. stir. Oh, I actually squirted in some ketchup here and I think that really added to it.
cook on high for about 4 hours or low for 6-8. You want it to simmer really good and thicken. meat really tender. Actually I'm not sure how long you'll cook it. just watch it. I did it on low for 4 hours and then cranked it up to high for a couple more.

Made cornbread to go w.
So so good.
So good.

Road Trip

Punkin Day and Good Byes

Thursday was our last full day in Nebraska and we made the most of it.

The Mommies got to go to have a morning out alone while the Daddies and kids went pumpkin shopping...

Fun times picking out pumpkins...

And then it was pumpkin carving time... What a big event!
Troy and Audrey made a cat and Evan and Travis made a scarey face!
Friday was time for goodbyes...

What an amazing week with our friends. Thank you Mrs. Becca, Mr. Travis and Evan for opening your home to us, for sharing your family and favorite places with us, for laughing, for loving us.

You remain so dear to our hearts.

Until next time

The Lucas Farm

Yesterday Daddy and Mr. Travis got up early and went to the Lucas farm to hunt. The rest of us met them at the farm later and had a great time meeting Grandma Kate and Grandpa Ned.

The kids got to dig into a box of Grandma Kate's jewelry. They LOVED it!

Even Laina got in on the fun

we also got to meet some animals on the farm. Our girls loved that.

They could stay outside all day exploring.

And I think Grandpa Ned was happy to show us around.

Alaina especially liked Coco the dog.

Notice Laina's necklace. She did not want to part with it.

She is so happy just to sit in the grass and explore...or stand...

We also got to do some apple picking at the farm.

And apple eating

And checkin out some corn stalks

Sweet sisters. The sure do love eachother.

As soon as we pulled out of the driveway at the farm the girls were OUT.

Notice Laina got to leave with the necklace.

We also left the farm with apples, homemade pickles and seeds for our garden. How fun!

And when we got home Laina had a ball just playing around on the bed. She loves to throw herself around on a bed.

A little modeling in her necklace and socks...