Cider Mill Stew + Keeping Your Child's Activities Organized

Oy. I have been a little unfocused the past couple of days.  It is 8:22 and my goal is to wrap this up on 10 minutes or less.  Let's see how I do.

Work, home, school work, clean up.  Took something out of freezer for dinner tomorrow because I think my time is better spent resting tonight instead of cooking.

Remember this picture from Sunday?

It's Cider Mill Stew.  Every one of us loved it.  The cider and vinegar gave it a great tang.  It took some cooking time which is why I made it Sunday, but once everything was chopped it came together quickly. Heated up in no time Monday and we had a great dinner.

Cider Mill Stew

Gooseberry Patch - Farmhouse Kitchen

3 T all-purpose flour

1 t. salt (I never use salt so left it out)

1/2 t. pepper
1 lb. beef stew, cubed

2 T. oil

1 cup apple cider

1 cup water (I used beef broth)

1 cup beef broth

1 T. cider vinegar

1/2 t. dried thyme

2 carrots, peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces (I threw in way more to fill little bellies)

1 stalk celery (I used 2)

1 potato (I used 2)

1 onion 

Combine flour, salt and pepper in a large plastic zipping bag.

Add beef, a few pieces at a time; shake to coat.

In Dutch oven, brown beef in oil; drain.

Stir in cider, water, broth, vinegar and thyme; bring to boil over medium heat.

Reduce heat; cover and simmer for one hour and 45 minutes., or until meat is tender.

Add vegetables; return to boil.

Reduce heat; cover and simmer 30 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

Not a drop was left!

There is zero transition to the second part of this post due to my self-imposed race against the clock to see if I can finish this in 10 minutes.  I need to get a life, I know.  

Anyway, here we go!

Get It Done Tip: I have my middle son's school calendar for the year and have their schedules for extra curricular activities.  Absolutely every single item has been plugged into my calendar and an invite sent to my husband for his calendar.  We have had this system for a few years now and it works like a charm.  

There is no confusion about who needs to be where at what time.  We have the calendar for the entire year - including calendar notations for when there is no school, half days of school, every Sunday at 9:15 is marked for piano and the one weird weekend where there is no piano it is marked too.  

Once I finally get my big boy's school calendar we'll be locked and loaded for the school year.  It takes a little bit of time to organize it all, but once it is down double check it and you can breathe easy knowing where/when everyone needs to be so you can organize your day appropriately and hopefully have a little less stress.

It's 8:36 (pre-spellcheck). I hate to lose - darn! ;)