Sit back and breath-Finally!

     Finally, since the tenth of August of being involved in several 'Events' - life is back to normal.  No deadlines!
     I played golf yesterday(Sep 19th) and today (perfect golf weather!!) and actually got a decent score (for me) and I truly beleive it was because I didn't have so much on my mind.
     In June I was elected President of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers of the Benton Company for the next two years.    There were 'things to be done' to get the season started by the first of September. There are seven camps within the Company and over one hundred ten members. (Refereed  to as daughters.)  Benton Company DUP has never had a directory; listing of all the Camps with members and their addresses, phone numbers and e-mails.   A difficult task since DUP meetings are not held in June, July, and August.   Accomplished!  Next was a money maker project and the DUP Board Members voted on the idea of making 'Pioneer Stirring Sticks'.  Accomplished!!

This is what was made by a very willing kind man who does wood work with the help two men who sanded and did the finishing touches to create the 'Pioneer Stirring Stick.'  This is the handiest tool in my kitchen!  It is just the right size for; scraping out cans and jars - cooking - blending - tossing. (salads and such.)  Over two hundred were made and they are a big hit.  A great money maker to go towards helping to preserve and build Ancestral landmarks and supplies for the DUP Company.   A wonderful stew recipe is included.

Chuck Wagon Stew

2-1/2 lbs. beef                        28 oz.tomatoes, fresh or canned

2 Tbsp. flour                1 Tbsp. Cinnamon

1 Tbsp. paprika                        3 Tbsp. chili powder

1 tsp. chili powder       1 tsp. cloves, ground

2 tsp. salt                    ½   tsp. dry crushed red peppers

3 Tbsp. shortening      2 c. carrots, chopped

2 onions, sliced           2 c. potatoes, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

Cut beef into cubes to make about five cups.  Mix flour, paprika,

1 tsp. chili powder, and salt.  Roll beef mixture.  In a Dutch oven,

Brown the beef cubes in hot shortening.  Add onion and garlic

 and cook until soft.  Blend in tomatoes, 3 Tbsp. chili powder,

for two hours. Add carrots and potatoes and cook additional

45 minutes or until vegetables are done.

      I am also involved in our local Tri-City Genealogical Society which hosted the Washington State Genealogical Conference that was held this last weekend. (For me it started on Thursday evening)  I was glad to help out and was so impressed with the time and the enthusiastic attitudes of the Tri-City Genealogical Society board members who have put in hours and hours of planning throughout the year for a very successful conference attended by one hundred and fifty people.  About thirty more people than projected.
     On top of all this going on over the many weeks in August and September Earl and I took three road trips out of town, two to the West side of Washington and a trip to Pocatello, Idaho.
     It feels so good to have it all behind me until the next wave of events.   Now it's back to blogging about the Kidgell/Cashmore family.  Thanks for your patience and I will post about Ellen Maria Kidgell, who married into the Bithell family on Thursday pm.