Cooking in the West

I love blogs that are honest and authentic, so I was elated when I stumbled upon a really entertaining blog written by Lindsey Habets of Conrad, Montana. Lindsey wrote a series of blogs from both of her toddlers' points of view that are humorous universal experiences of ranching mothers. Lindsey and her husband Jeff raise cattle and hay and their two beautiful children, four year old Hayden and two year old Hadley. The following is an abridged version of her blog entitled "Hello World, I'm a Terrible Two."

Hello World, I’m a Terrible Two (Soon to Be Three)

by Lindsey Habets

My name is Hayden. My hobbies include arguing with everything my parents say, doing things I’m not supposed to, barking/growling like a bear at all random inappropriate times, and seeing just how far I can push it until Mom and Dad get REALLY mad.

For example, did you know that if you pull all the baby wipes out of the box, you can’t put them back in? Or that you can’t roll up toilet paper the same way it was, especially if you dunk most of it in the toilet? I know this now.

I’ve learned a lot of other things, but I will list just a few. Don't jump out of a moving Gator. The ground is harder than I thought. Did you know bruises change color? It is hard to get Mom's make-up out of my hair. Don't stand on your dump truck to reach things in the kitchen. Don't use your cattle pot to bring dirt in the house and dump it on your bed. You can't put spilled water back in the cup, and you can't lick it out of the carpet either.

I hate naps. Mom thinks I should lie down and go to sleep just when the day really gets going. What if I MISS something? I HAVE to stay awake! Sometimes Mom thinks she’s being tricky and tries to make deals, but I don’t care if she tries to entice me with juice. And pop. And fruit snacks. Or even Cheetos! I’m not taking a nap!

My mom asks a lot of rhetorical questions like, "Hayden, have you been playing in the toilet? What is this toothbrush doing here? Did you put this toothbrush in there?" (I think she already knows the answer, but she still asks!)

Hey, if anybody thinks I’m dumb, you've got another think coming. All my mischievous tactics and planned out antics can all be forgiven by bringing Mom a handful of dandelions, a hug, and a kiss.

I don’t sleep in a glorified 3 rail crib anymore. I have a big kid bed! But I also refuse to sleep in it. Why sleep there when everybody else is sleeping in Mom and Dad’s room? If Hadley gets to sleep in Mom and Dad’s room, I should too! Mom and Dad’s big bed is so fun. I can flip flop, jump up and down, roll over, back the other way, kick the pillows, swing my arms, wiggle wiggle wiggle. . . Oops, I guess that was the last straw tonight. I’m being told to go to my own bed. So instead I hop down and lie on the pillow/blanket bed that Dad made me, right next to him on the floor. I’m happy to sleep on the floor next to Mom and Dad. The next morning I woke up in the bed in MY room. How this happens, I don’t know, but I have a hunch that Mom has something to do with it.

I’m really good at driving a tractor. I’m only two years old, but I’ve spent countless hours bouncing around in those tractors. Gramps and I go everywhere together. We fed cows all winter, now we’re baling hay, driving trucks, and stacking bales. He helps me crawl in and out of the big rigs, and I help him eat cinnamon rolls. I give high-fives so good that you have to blow on your hand to cool it off afterward.

My favorite foods are Cheetos, chips and dip, Oreos, fruit snacks, chocolate, cheese, jello, hot dogs, cinnamon rolls, soup (only if I can suck it up with a straw), spaghetti O’s, chicken nuggets, milk, juice, pop, and mac and cheese. Foods I dislike are goulash, eggs, roast beef, vegetables, casseroles, sandwiches, anything with hamburger, anything warm. I think that just about covers it.

I got to ride in an elevator with Mom and Dad. It had really big windows we could see out of and we went way up high. I swam in a pool! I was scared at first, but then got brave and decided to try it. I would hold on to Mom and Dad and we jumped and swam all around. I don’t know though. . . that was kinda fun, but I still think playing in the irrigation ditch at home is the funnest.

I like having a little sister. I’m not alone anymore. In fact, I think I forgot what it’s like to be the only one. Sometimes I just have to remind mom that I need attention too, and I’ll get it however I have to. I show Hadley how to do things. She watches, but I don’t think she gets it. Oh well. She’s got lots of cool stuff though. Stuff shows up that I haven’t seen in a long time. It used to be mine. I tell her that, and I explain this to mom too. “MY!” But I still have to share with Hadley. OK!

I love my family. I love getting to go with Dad and Grandpa everywhere running the big equipment and getting stuff done. Grandma Shirley makes the best green beans and mashed potatoes and corn on the cob. I actually eat those things sometimes, but don’t tell mom.

Can you count? I’ve been practicing. Holding up my finger and saying “one” can be the answer to pretty much any question. “Blue” is also a good answer sometimes. I’ve been working on my other numbers too. I can say “two” and hold up fingers. I say, “tee," and hold up a bunch more fingers. From my understanding, I need to learn how many fingers “tee” is, because that’s how old I’m going to be! My birthday is next month, and I’m good at unwrapping presents now!! I helped Grandpa unwrap all of his, on his birthday the other day.

Well, I’ll see you all later. Gotta run. Got things to do. If you see my mom, will you please explain to her that I don’t need a nap anymore? In fact, could you please tell her to go take one herself? Sometimes she gets tired and cranky. Tell her that if she goes and takes a nap right now, I’ll let her have some Cheetos and pop when she wakes up.

Lindsey, who is not only a ranch wife and mother, but also a web designer, also sent some family tested recipes featuring ground beef. Thanks, Lindsey!

Spicy Cheesy Goulash:

2 lbs ground beef

1/2 C. chopped onion

1/2 bag frozen corn

1 can Rotel (tomatoes/green chiles)

4 C. chicken broth (1 whole carton)

1-2 C. of your favorite spaghetti/marinara sauce (We love Raos Marinara)

3/4 package small shell pasta

Sprinkle of Alpine Touch, garlic powder, basil, parsley

2 - 3 C. shredded Cheddar Cheese

Cook hamburger and onions in a large, deep skillet. Add everything except the cheese and bring to a boil. Cover skillet and simmer for at least 20 minutes. The pasta will soak up most of the broth. Sometimes I also throw in some Raos Marinara Sauce after the pasta has cooked. Adds in even more flavor. Stir in cheese and add some to the top. Enjoy!

Tater Tot Casserole:

2 lbs. ground beef

1-2 C. chopped carrots

1 C. chopped onion

1 cup chicken broth

3 t. oregano

1 t. garlic powder

1 C. sour cream

2 - 3 C. Cheddar cheese

1 bag frozen tater tots

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Brown the ground beef. Saute chopped carrots and onion in oil or butter. Combine into one pan. Add the chicken broth, oregano, and garlic powder. Simmer. Add sour cream and 1 C. Cheddar cheese. Add more chicken broth if it seems too dry. Pour into a casserole dish and cover with a whole bag of tater tots. Spray some olive oil on the tots. Bake at 425 degrees (or according to the tater tot directions) for 30 minutes. Remove and cover with cheese. Put back in the oven for 5 minutes to melt the cheese.

Cheeseburger Soup:

2 lbs ground beef

1 cup chopped onion

1 diced orange bell pepper

1-2 cups diced celery

1 t. dried basil

1 t. dried parsley flakes

1 T. butter

6 C. chicken broth

1 frozen bag cauliflower florets

1-2 t. Glucomannan

2 C. shredded Cheddar cheese

1 1/2 C. heavy cream

1 T. Nutritional Yeast

salt and pepper and/or Alpine Touch to taste

In a large pot, add the chopped onion, orange pepper, and celery. Sprinkle on the basil and parsley, and saute in the butter until tender. Brown the ground beef in a separate frying pan. Cook the cauliflower in a saucepan. When done, finely chop it up in the pan using a spatula. Add the hamburger, cauliflower, and broth to the pot with the veggies and bring to a boil, let simmer. Add the glucomannan (thickener) and stir in well. (If you do not have glucomannan, thicken with cornstarch mixed with a small amount of water.) Stir in the cheese, heavy cream, and nutritional yeast.