Cooking with Venison...

Works for Me Wednesday......

Cooking with Venison!
We are a deer hunting family! I had NEVER eaten deer or even really known anyone that hunted till I met my hubby..... wow, has my world changed! I have only gotten one deer (without my car), but hope to get another one this year. Our oldest two have completed their hunter safety course so they can go out next fall. Our daugter is excited!!!!

Anyway, cooking with venison is something that I struggled with at first..... I just couldn't get used to it and I thought it always tasted gamy..... well, not any more!!!! I learned the SECRET!

Secret to fantastic (you will never know it is venison) meat:
VINEGAR!!!!!!!!!! The acid totally takes away the game flavor! Period.... no more!
When I brown ground meat I simply add it while browning (I don't measure, but about 2 TBL per pound). When I make a roast I just always add vinegar to the cooking juices and I cook it in the crock pot.

I also Mass brown ground meat and then freeze it in meal size quantities... makes for a fast supper on the table. This principle is what I call "efficient" and "fast track" cooking. Saves me time and reduces stress! Simple Family Supper uses Efficient and Fast track cooking! Simplify supper time! www.simplefamilysupper.com

What works for me???
My FAVORITE, frugal, all purpose, home made cleaner!!! Now say that 10 times as fast as you can!!!

I have been using this recipe for about 2 years now and LOVE it!!! I have saved a ton and have been kinder to the environment at the same time. It also makes the house smell great!!!

Home Made All-Purpose Cleaner (it is a great glass cleaner... we have used it to clean every window in our house in addition to lots of other places)

1 spray bottle (I just use the bottle I had from the last time I purchased a windex)
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/2-2/3 cup scented rubbing alcohol (I use up to 2/3 cup if I am going to use it all for windows)
Fill the rest of the bottle up with water.

The rubbing alcohol comes in wintergreen and citrus... you will find it with the other rubbing alcohol in the pharmacy section of your favorite store. Our dollar store sells it. The alcohol really speeds up dry time... no more streaks! It also completely covers the vinegar smell and leaves a wonderful mint or citrus fragrance. (I am NOT a fan of the vinegar smell... it is what prevented me from using other home made recipes.) I use this to wipe down my bathroom EVERYDAY! I also use it anywhere I would use windex and on my kitchen counters (I alternate days with bleach water).
Anyway, save a ton and help the environment!

Have a great day!
Heather

Once that kitchen is clean, keep it that way by making SIMPLE suppers for your family!
www.simplefamilysupper.com

Works for me Wednesday

Lunch with friends!

When I was working I would have lunch with a friend at least once a week. I really missed this when I came home.

I really enjoy friendships.... I missed the connection I felt with others and longed for "lunches"! What works for me is the "mom's group" that meets in my house each Monday morning. The children have fun playing and us mom's get some wonderful "girl" time. We settle in my living room for a time of Bible study and prayer and then we have fellowship time around SNACK (the kids favorite time of the morning!). I look forward to this morning every week. On the first Monday of the month we take turns hosting group at different homes and we have a pitch in lunch. These Monday's are extra special because we get longer time to visit. The kids love it too, because they enjoy going to each other's homes.

If you are like me and enjoy visiting with friends.... take the plunge and invite some over. Keep it simple, have each one bring something. Enjoy your time together! Women need support and encouragement that we give and receive from fellow female friends. Remember, it isn't about your house being perfect, your kids being perfect, or even you being perfect... it is about friendship and the blessing that is in our life!

Have a great day!
Heather

Give one of the EASY meals on the sample menu a try....!
www.simplfamilysupper.com

Works for me Wednesday....Special Plate

*You are SPECIAL today*
As part of works for me wednesday!

I read about this in an Emily Barnes book about 6 years ago. I thought the idea of allowing the "special" person to use this plate on "special" days to be a wonderful family tradition. God is so good because not a couple of weeks later I found this plate at a YARD SALE!!! Yeah!

We have used it ever since to celebrate birthday's, big events, special days etc. If I ever forget my children remind me! It is a BIG deal to use the special plate. We keep it special... each member of the family gets to eat off of it about 3-4 times a year. We also will honor special quests by allowing them to eat off of the "special" plate.
Building memories and encouragement is what it is all about. For some reason, food just tastes better on the special plate!!
Have a great day!
Heather

Make every day special by serving simple, easy to prepare meals.
Visit me at www.simplefamilysupper.com

Works for me Wednesday, Chickens!

Chickens = Eggs.... most of the time!!!
My chickens went on "vacation" over the winter, but they have started laying again!!! YEAH, nothing beats fresh eggs! Today I gathered 7 eggs and with today's egg prices even paying feed for my girls doesn't seem so bad. Have you ever had a fresh farm egg?? They yokes are ORANGE, not yellow!!!

How to tell if eggs are "good": Ever wonder if the eggs in your fridge are still good? Put the egg in a large bowl of COLD water... if it floats, throw it out (carefully!) !! In 4+ years of raising chickens I have only had 1 egg float, but I check faithfully. The same will work for "store" eggs!


It is 5 o'clock.... What is for supper???
To end this daily stress join me at www.simplefamilysupper.com

Works for me Wednesday, SECRET WEAPON!

Choosing Simplicity is a HUGE ambition for me! It is sometimes hard to feel like life is SIMPLE when I have a thousand things to get done and it all seems to need doing NOW! In this time, more than ever I need to be focused and organized. This helps me choose simplicity because I know what to do in what order so I don't forget something important and go into panic mode. For me on crazy days it is a goal to NOT go into panic.... stay focused, one task at a time. I also try to practice the "What can I do now to help me later?"

Secret Weapon: CROCK POT!!!!
Today I am using it to make supper now, so that later I won't have to worry about supper as we get through homework/chores and prepare for AWANA's tonight. Simple food in my secret weapon:

BBQ Chicken in Crock Pot
6 Chicken breast halves in crock pot
Pour a bottle of BBQ sauce on top
Cook all day on low, serve with rice (or mac and cheese), steamed veggies (microwave) and salad (bagged).

I also use a planning sheet to organize my mornings/afternoons/evenings. I can designate things I need to do in different time periods.... It helps me stay focused and see that I CAN get it all done!!!

Choosing Simplicity also means that I need to RELY on CHRIST! He gives me the strength, wisdom and ability to get everything accomplished!!!!!!!

Visit Simple Family Supper to take the stress out of the dinner hour. Give the sample menu a try!
www.simplefamilysupper.com