Okay, you don't REALLY have to beware of this week's Featured Friday blogger...unless you're afraid of yummy recipes and super-cute kiddos!
Leah Beyer refers to herself as a "mother running on empty" but we think she's pretty amazing. She a mom of two kids under 6, juggles a demanding full-time job outside the home, manages to whip up some amazing hunks of meat and blogs about it ALL at...
We asked Leah to give us a little behind-the-scenes info and to share some of her favorite recipes. Here's what she had to say...
Tell us a little about yourself, your family and where you live.
We live in the heart of the Hoosier state. My husband is a third generation dairy farmer. Or rather was a third generation dairy farmer.
We sold our dairy cows last fall and now just farm corn and soybeans. I grew up an Illini and am still one at heart. While my whole family still lives over in Illinois I have made new roots with my husband. Read about how I got here over on my blog.
We have two children. Our son is five and our daughter is three. I work full time helping to insure we have food to buy that was raised by the American Farmer.
What originally inspired you to start blogging?
Guilt. As a working mom, sometimes I felt like I was going crazy. I would hear about the perfect mothers out there and feel guilty. So, I started blogging to capture the moments of my kids lives, share my easy and yummy recipes, and connect with other moms who are experiencing the same joys and struggles I am. It was the need for self-therapy and memory retention. Read more about the start of my blogging over here.
As a busy mom who also works outside the home, how do you carve out the time to write?
I don't sleep. No, I think about my life in blog posts now. When my kids do something crazy or I am making a new or favorite recipe, I take pictures. Then, when the kids are in the bathtub, I take my laptop in with me and write my blogs. I also travel quite a bit for work. When I am on the road I can write several blog posts ahead. But, once you start blogging, you realize you have so much content that you find time. When you would be watching TV, sleeping, doing your dishes, folding your laundry, you are blogging instead.
Your recipes are some of the best family-favorite dishes we've seen. How did you get your start in the kitchen?
My parents both cook. I would say my dad enjoys it and my does it. I was in 4-H growing up and the foods project got me started in the kitchen. As I became an adult, I realized I loved making food. Getting together with friends and family around the dinner table is where most of your memories occur as well. Cooking is a part of my life that I love sharing with others.
Care to share a favorite recipe?
Since meat dishes are the center of our meals, we have several favorites. We love BBQ'd brisket and pork roasts, especially on the grill. A brine makes them killer.
Pork burgers are another grill favorite.
We are also a breakfast food family. The kids and I could eat breakfast foods for every meal. Our favorite egg casserole is the scrambled egg casserole.
This time a year is perfect for comfort food, and one of our favorites is Beef and Noodles!
Leah's Beef & Noodles
1 Beef Roast
1 beer-can or bottle
1 package dry onion soup
3 cloves of garlic
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
10 cups of water
1 pound of homemade (store-bought) noodles
Place roast in crock pot and pour beer, onion soup, and cloves over top. Cook on low overnight. In the morning, break meat apart. Add the mushroom soup and six cups of water. Add salt and pepper to your liking. Cook on low all day. An hour before you eat, add noodles as well as more water. Up to four cups depending on how moist you like it. Serve over mashed potatoes.
What's the best thing to happen as a result of starting Beyer Beware?
Reconnecting with friends from the past. I have gotten several emails, Facebook messages and comments from friends from college and childhood letting me know they are regular readers. The messages have allowed for me to reconnect with people I haven't talked to in a very long time. Reestablishing friendships is so rewarding.
Pie or cake? Cookies or fudge?
Fill in the blank: In my kitchen, we never run out of _____ !
BUTTER! And if we do, I send my husband to town to get more. I have finally stopped having to say not margarine, butter, REAL BUTTER. Nothing is better than butter.
Aside from family and friends, what are 5 things you just can't live without?
My computer and cell phone obviously. But then it would be my knife set, pots and pans, and my Kitchen Aid. Cooking and baking have become my therapy. Now, if I could just find someone to clean up my mess every night.
Tell us something that no one would guess about you.
I have never made a homemade pie crust without my mother in the room. Gasp. Pillsbury does such a great job making one that I can buy, I have just never tried to make my own.
Thanks so much for sharing with us today, Leah...and don't worry, your pie crust secret is safe with us!
Be sure to stop by Beyer Beware today to see what's cookin' in Leah's kitchen or just see what those cute kids are up to. We know you'll enjoy your stay and you'll definitely get a chuckle out of every visit!
Want to introduce one of YOUR friends to Leah?
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