Adventures with Venison!

How appropriate that I'm watching the Top Chef finale as I get ready to put together this post.

So, Chris likes to hunt and has gotten a deer 3 of the 4 last hunting seasons.  Needless to say we have a ridiculous amount of venison in the freezer.  In an effort to start clearing freezer space, I embarked on a mission to figure out a way to prepare the venison steaks so they'd not only be edible, but something we could do again.  

We've mastered using ground venison and usually just sub it in for ground beef in things like tacos and sloppy joes....these round steaks, however, were intimidating.

Gross lookin, huh?

So following this recipe, which was incredibly simple, I embarked on my first ever venison steak cooking experiment...and lucky for you, I took lots of pictures along the way!

Clearly my plate, Chris wouldn't touch a salad!

Thumbs up for success!

Basically, it was just a slow braise of the venison in a gravy made from flour and the pan drippings (with a little butter to help it along the way, of course!), onions, and a dash of sour cream at the end.  We served it with some mashed Yukon golds, and overall I'd say it was a hit!  Chris enjoyed it, and I think we'd both agree it was even more satisfying to prepare a meal using meat that he provided vs. paying a ton for something from a meat market.

And I got to wear my super cute apron my mom got me :) 

 

I've got a few more recipes on the radar for the coming week, so be expecting more food posts soon :) 

Happy Wednesday!

Well what do ya know....2 days in a row!


As promised, here's a quick photo tour of the new place.  Please excuse the graininess of the pictures, I was using my cell phone because I have no idea where I put my camera when I unpacked. Oh the joys of moving....

First up is our living room.  The first picture is the China Cabinet we got from our future brother-in-law when he moved into his new home.  I can't wait to fill it up with my nice things :)  Obviously, the living room is a little empty. Eventually we will move Chris' couch and recliner over and get a new entertainment center.  I plan to use the stand the TV is on right now in the kitchen since it matches the cabinets and our dining table. 

I guess that's a good segue into the dining area/kitchen!

Look closely and you'll see my FAVORITE part.  THE DISHWASHER!!!! No more pruney hands and fingers from hand washing everything, hallelujah!

Here's a shot of me in action!  Venison soft tacos, yum!

Next is our guest bedroom.  Please don't judge the tigger sitting on the bed.  There were some things I just couldn't part with.  We're debating how to decorate the walls in here.  The deer heads have to go somewhere and this room may just be the compromise...

Finally, we have the master bedroom with our newly inherited furniture from Mama and Papa Thu.  Again, a little sparse in the decor area, but we're working on it.  I LOVE the closet space.  I was smart and closed the doors on my side because, well, it's kind of overflowing.  It would appear I have a little more downsizing to do.

Please note, the bed is made.  So far, I've made it every morning after getting up, a habit I'm sure my mother would've loved for me to have picked up years ago....

No shots of the bathroom, sorry.  It's kind of plain because I've got a bed and bath themed shower coming up and we're waiting to get accessories for it til after that.

I forgot to mention in my last post that we just celebrated Mardi Gras here in St. Louis.  It was a blast, as usual.  We managed to snag some pretty sweet VIP tickets that got us into an area with catered cajun food and an open bar of beer and hurricanes, no complaints here! 

I know, I know.  We are so cute :)

OMG. I'm the worst blogger in the history of blogging....

So now that Lent is upon us and Chris has ruled that I had to choose to give up one of  my two biggest distractions, Facebook and gossip websites, I'm betting I'll have more free time on my hands to blog. (BTW, I chose to give up gossip websites, it's a bigger vice and lets be real, me give up facebook? Inconceivable!)

So where to begin...I'm trying to think of what's happened in the 3 months since I've posted (again, I'm the worst blogger EVER) 

Chris' sister is engaged.  Woooohooo!  2012 is going to quite the year, as soon as my wedding is under wraps, Jenny's planning will be kicking into high gear.  I'm so excited we get to be newlyweds so close in proximity :)  Plus, her fiance is awesome and he makes her super happy.  I'm getting really lucky in the future in laws department.

Chris came home with me for Christmas and we had a blast.  My mom knit him the most amazing stocking.  I'll dig around for a picture of it to post later.  Seriously, my initial reaction when he opened it was jealousy.  Yep, I'm a gracious host...We did manage to snap a cute picture despite my grinchiness over the stocking.

I know, we're adorable :)

Lets see...I'm trying to catch up chronologically...New Years came and went, and Chris and I both really committed ourselves to eating better and getting into shape.  We've both lost considerable weight and feel better in our own skin.  I'm in a boot camp right now that I absolutely love and we now have access to a workout facility at our new apartment.  We are going to be super svelte for our honeymoon on the beach :)

As of February 1st I have been living in our new apartment.  He's starting to move stuff in and things are really coming together.  I'll snap a few pics this weekend to give you an idea of what it all looks like. 

My new job is great, I'm loving my boss and coworkers and I feel like I'm finally moving in the right direction professionally.  Unfortunately I've been using up a lot of my sick leave here lately because of a random flu bug and a particularly nasty head cold that I'm still battling. 

We're down to 2 months to go! Wahoo!  I can't believe how quickly time is flying by.  Coming up for March,  I have a bridal shower, Chris' bachelor party is happening in Cincy, and I'm making a trip to see one of my BFFs get matched to a hospital for her residency.  It will be April before we know it!  AHHHHH!

Guess what I got today?

Chris and I now have 6 of the 8 place settings we wanted, a beautiful wood salad bowl that only I will eat from, and an awesome wine rack that I cannot wait to fill up....and then empty :)

Its all really happening isn't it?

Our Save the Dates finally went out last week and they were just adorable.  Next up is designing invitations.  EEP!

I had a wonderful shower in North Carolina over the Thanksgiving holiday and now have lots of recipes to try and kitchen gadgets to make them with!  I really have the best family in the world.  It was so nice to have a happy reason to be together after my grandaddy's passing.  And we even went dress shopping for my mom and grandma.  Mom got a super pretty dress and Grandma ended up deciding to get a dress she already owned altered.  They're going to be so pretty :)

Can you believe it's December?  I don't know where the time is going.  There is so much to do in the next 2 months, I don't know how I'll fit it all in!  Christmas, New Years, moving.  EEK!  Toss in work, working out, yoga, Chris, and trying to maintain a social life and I'm one busy lady.  So far the stress hasn't been bad, but I can feel it starting to creep up on me...I'm hoping that making lists and trying to stay organized and motivated will keep it at bay. 

Or maybe red wine will do the trick ;)

Hi there!

How appropriate is it that there is a "Say Yes to the Dress" marathon on tonight and I have my first dress fitting tomorrow?  I am soooooo excited!

I think this may be the thing that puts me over the edge into bridezilla territory.  I'll finally have my dress, which  makes it tangible that I'M GETTING MARRIED!

Okay, now for the serious/reflective portion of this post....

My grandfather passed away a little over a week ago now, so I've been a bit...emotional. That's probably putting it lightly, ask Chris and he'd probably say something worse.  I was asked by my grandmother to speak at the memorial mass, and though it may be one of the hardest things I've ever done, I'm glad I did. It's so hard saying goodbye, but there is so much beauty in reflecting on the life of someone who lived such a long, love filled life.

An overarching theme to the service and to my grandfather's life as a whole, was his love for my Grandma.  This Thanksgiving would mark their 56th wedding anniversary.  56 years.  I can't even imagine, and I'm so impressed and overwhelmed with what a love like there's conveys. My granddad would tease and tease my grandma in a way that only one who truly loves and cherishes someone could.  I can't even describe how my heart felt when I heard how he knew shortly after meeting my grandma that she was the girl he'd be with forever, because that's how I felt about Chris. My grandma is such an amazing lady and cared for and loved my grandfather with everything she had until his last day on earth, and continues to do so now that he's gone. I aspire to be like her in all that I do in life and love.

Chris and I are so lucky to have such great examples of marriages in our families.  It means so much to know we have such great legacies of love that have come before us to show us the right way.


As today is Veteran's day and my granddaddy was a WWII Veteran, I thought I'd share a picture of him, in all his sassy, handsome glory. :)

Dear Blog,

Though it may seem that I've forgotten you, I promise I haven't.  I just can't think of much to blog about these days (or you can blame my other new baby, Pinterest).

I've been under a lot of stress these past 2 months, between changing positions at work and the decline and eventual passing of my grandfather.  I'll be making a trip to North Carolina for his memorial mass this weekend, and then I promise, I'll get back into the swing of things and start more regular postings. 

Less than 6 months to go and today marks the 1 year anniversary of our engagement.  Sadness and tears have been unavoidable here lately, but life goes on, and soon there will be happy things to think of again.

Unable are the Loved to die,
For Love is Immortality.

Grandaddy, if they have the internet in heaven, I hope you can read this.  I love you.

Katie

     Gosh it's been forever.  I think I've slipped into a lull because I've gotten a giant portion of wedding stuff done and not really a whole lot is left, at least not until we get to early 2012.

     We've got a great month lined up and I'm super excited.  My parents were in town this past weekend and we had a great time catching up and I got to finally show my dad the church and the reception site.  He hasn't been to St. Louis in something like 2 years, and Chris hasn't seen him since before we got engaged.  Needless to say it was a much overdue visit.

     Somehow, Chris convinced my mom to cross over to the dark side...she borrowed one of his Reds Tshirts.  Having mom on his side must've been good luck, because the Reds won...unfortunately.

     I love this picture of me and my boo :) Our love transcends baseball affiliations.

     Next up is a visit from Chris' parents this weekend, which is always full of laughs and fun.  I have to work the weekend after that (ugh), but THEN!!! Chris and I are going to Chicago for a long weekend before my birthday.  I.cannot.wait.  I've been saving up all my vacation time so I'll have enough time off around the wedding and honeymoon,and I'm dyyying for some time off. A 3 day fall weekend in Chi Town is the perfect solution.

Happy birth month to me!