Cowboy Stew on a Beautiful Monday

They say that opposites attract. This must be true. Hubby and I love each other to the moon and back, and we knew that the first moment we met. Yet in many ways we are opposites.

If I rise with the first rays of the sun, I have slept in. Hubby wakes with the sound of the alarm on work days, and the bark of the neighbor’s dog on the weekend. He feels sleep is important and would rather wake “naturally” than to a schedule. I think sleeping is a waste of time.

When Hubby leaves for work in the morning, I walk through the house opening all the blinds to flood every room with sunlight. Then I drop the thermostat to a comfortable 69 degrees (in winter). When Hubby comes home in the evening, he closes the blinds. It’s not that he doesn’t like sunlight. I just think it’s his way of shutting out the world. He then gets comfortable in front of the TV and watches an old show like Star Trek. (Another reason to close the blinds – the TV is best watched in a darkened room – like a theater).

As for the thermostat, the timer is set to heat the house to 72 at 4 o’clock. He’s home by 4:30, so to him the house feels fine. When I get cold, I wrap up in my favorite cardigan sweater or Brother Dear’s Sweatshirt and make a cup of tea. When Hubby gets cold, he’ll put on sweats and bump the heater up a degree or two. He adores warm weather, soaking in the sun and the sea. I like foggy days. And yet there is no one else I want beside me on this journey home. No one else I want to kneel with in church, pray with each day and share forever with.

So what does all that have to do with Cowboy Stew? Nothing. It’s just that sometimes I fall in love with Hubby all over again, and it just comes gushing out. And I thank God for blessing us both with one another in faith. Have a beautiful Monday everyone!

For those of you who are sticklers when it comes to what to call a recipe, while five of the ingredients do come in a can, there are 2 cans of potatoes, making it a Six-Can Stew. Enjoy!

Six-Can Simple Cowboy Stew
1 can Whole Pinto Beans
2 cans Whole Potatoes
1 can Corn
1 can Cut Green Beans
1 Yellow Onion
1-1/2 lbs Ground Beef
1 teaspoon Chili Powder
Pinch Kosher Salt
Black Pepper to taste
1 can Stewed Tomatoes
3 cups Beef Stock

Place the beans, potatoes, corn and green beans in a colander to drain. Once drained, place in the bowl of a slow cooker and set aside.

Peel and chop the onion. In a skillet, brown ground beef with the chopped onion. Drain well of excess grease.

Once the meat is drained, place in the bowl of a slow-cooker or Dutch Oven. Season well with Chili Powder, salt and pepper. Stir to mix. Add the tomatoes along with their juices and the beef stock.

Simmer on LOW heat for about 3 hours. Ladle into bowls. Serve with slices soft bread and sweet butter for an old fashion supper.

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It is good for me that I have been afflicted,
that I may learn Your statutes.