17 November, 2011

Cubed steak with potatoes and gravy.

Comfort food at its best.  Cubed steak and mashed potatoes.
This has always been a staple for fall and winter at our house.  It's super easy and really delicious. It's just got my midwestern roots written all over it.

4 cubed steaks
1 can cream of mushroom
1/2 soup can of water
4 russet potatoes
butter
whole milk
salt & pepper

Get your skillet (i like to use my iron skillet) nice and hot so when you throw the steaks in, they begin to brown, not boil in their juices.  Salt and pepper to taste as you brown both sides of steak well.  Remove the steaks from your skillet and put into a baking dish.  Add the can of cream of mushroom to the same skillet stirring to get up all the brown bits from the bottom.  Fill your soup can half full of water and add to the skillet.  Stir until smooth.  Pour soup over the steaks so they are completely covered (this keeps them from drying out)   Cover with foil and bake at 250 degrees for 3 1/2 hours.  
Boil your potatoes until fork tender and drain.  Add the butter, milk, salt and pepper to taste.  After the steaks have slow baked in the soup it makes a really good gravy.  Serve steak with mashed potatoes.

02 November, 2011

"expatriate" sounds so brave!

Expatriate= (in abbreviated form, expat) is a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country and culture other than that of the person's upbringing. 


 My husband has accepted an expatriate position with his company in Brazil.  Our family will be moving there soon.  Excitement and nervousness abound as we get ready to take on this huge adventure!  The Lord seems to be opening doors all over the place.  It is amazing to see Him work and know that as long as we are faithful, and walking in obedience, we are in His will.  That is comforting.


So..........................
                              
                                       What comes to mind when you hear "Brazil"?




Do you think of the Amazon?

Soccer maybe?

    
 (on the left is, Ronoldo, soccer super-star,) 



                                                                   RIO DE JANEIRO?  ALSO CALLED Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvelous City) is the major city in the southeastern of Brazil, once capital of the country, and also during the Portuguese empire, now is the capital of the state of the same name. It’s famous for its carnival, samba and spectacular natural settings; in addition Rio is home of 23 beaches such as Copacabana and Ipanema and more, an almost continuous 73 km ribbon of sand. 



I know a Brazilian blowout comes to my mind
(i may get one there at some point)


I've been trying my best to learn a bit of Portuguese before heading over there. I understand some, but when it comes to trying to have a conversation, well, let's just say I need a lot of instruction yet. :)

So, as we get closer to our departure, this blog will change a bit.  I hope to learn much about the people, the language, and the culture.  I will be sharing those experiences.  I know I'll miss the states, but time will fly as it always does.  I hope to have the opportunity to share the love of my Savior, Jesus, Christ with those who need to hear.  May He be glorified throughout this exciting, new time in our lives.

TCHAU!!!