A week of above ninety degree temperature can certainly played havoc with a much needed shower last Monday evening. The only lasting benefit I have noticed is the perky stature of the weeds that have survived in the cracks in my driveway. It is beginning to show the ravages of time like we humans do. What I cannot understand is how weeds that were not planted nor cultivated can survive better in those cracks than my tenderly cared for vegetables in my garden.
We were more than blessed with rainfall without wind damage. My daughter and son-in-law lost 10 trees in their small acreage surrounding their home. One landed on their pole barn and one was on the garage. The rest were where they did no damage other than the loss of the trees. They live north of Waterloo near where the semis were toppled on Interstate 69. On Tuesday, I knew that I could be no help with cleaning up the mess by ranking wood and sawing tree limbs. In a case like that, you just offer what you can do. I baked two batches of cookies and made a pan of scalloped potatoes and ham. My sister went with me and we got there after 4 o’clock and seven of their Amish friends had been there, also a cousin, brother and neighbor. They had all of the trees cut up, a lot of the wood ranked, a pile of tree tops and branches as large as my living room a short distance down a small hill behind the house. Three men were using a log splitter to cut the pieces of tree trunks into slabs. My sister and I sat on chairs beside the garage in the shade where there was a lovely breeze and just marveled at the ingenuity and the lack of wasted movements of the men who were working. At times like this the response of family and friends make devastation bearable.
Since today was a warm, lazy day I chose easy to prepare recipes using ground beef and potatoes that are already prepared into hash browns. Both are easy solutions for a quick meal and a change in your menu.
EASY SALISBURY STEAK
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 pounds ground beef
1 cup quick oats
1 can (10 ¾ oz.) mushroom soup, undiluted
½ cup each diced,celery, onions, peppers
¾ cup water
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
Combine eggs, oats, green peppers, celery, onions and salt. Crumble meat over the mixture and blend well. Shape into eight patties. Brown patties on both sides in a skillet. Place patties in a 9 x 13 inch baking dish.. Combine soup, water and pepper. Pour over patties. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for30 to 35 minutes.
CREAM CHEESE POTATO SOUP
6 cups water
1 ½ cups fully cooked, chopped ham
6 tsps. chicken bouillon granules
½ cup chopped onion
2 pkgs. (8 oz.each) cream cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 pkg. (30 oz.) cubed hash browns
1 teaspoon dill weed
Combine water and bouillon granules. Add cream cheese, Cook and stir until cheese melts. Stir in remaining ingredients. Simmer for 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Hope your home is air conditioned. If not, go visit a friend or two because the projected heat index is mighty cruel for the coming week.
