feeling inspired...

...and a little jealous. ahahah. 

I want a book like pioneer woman.  I want my blog to become famous like hers.  I am the most transparent person you will most likely ever meet.  Just being honest.  

A couple of weeks ago, my very best friends from college and I had a reunion and I was introduced to "the" pioneer woman and I have been addicted ever since.  Like bought her cookbook the next day addicted and I don't even cook.  I read the cookbook in it's entirety.  Then decided to brave a recipe.  I am TERRIBLE in the kitchen (below you will see the proof - I couldn't make this stuff up if I wanted to).  Actually, I told babe he could pick out a recipe or two (no more) that he wanted me to give a whirl. 

I am not married to Marlboro Man, as she refers to husband, but I am married to a good ole' country boy so to speak.  You know what he picked?!  COUNTRY FRIED STEAK WITH HOMEMADE GRAVY.  What?!

Here goes.  

I was just getting started in the kitchen and here comes the little pitter patter of tiny feet.  "Can I help?"  I love that little girl more than a kid loves being in a candy store, but at that point in time with this recipe when everyone's hungry for dinner...not exactly what I wanted to hear.  And then I remembered just a couple days ago, she was here....having cat scans from falling off daddy's shoulders. 

And feeling blessed that she was not hurt at all and is as healthy and happy as she has ever been (and still quite the daredevil), remembering that these are the moments to cherish...I said, "hop on up here punkins - just dig right into this raw egg mix" :)  And daddy did what he does best - starting capturing the moments with the good ole' cell phone camera. 

It's starting to get messy here people and I'm getting a little stressed out...time to break out the matching aprons.  Daddy!  Help us!  (please)

 

The whole process was going pretty smooth until it came time to 'fry' the steak.  The pan was too hot, the oil was the wrong kind, the meat wasn't cooking all the way through - just burning on the outside (way embarrassed to admit I had to stick it in the microwave to cook - oh well, I NEVER claimed to be perfect OR healthy).  I don't have pictures of this process, but I do have one of babe waving a towel in front of the smoke alarm that went off after a paper towel went up in flames. 

*You can't tell it in this picture, but I just know he is thinking, "I'm so proud of my wife..."  (or maybe the exact opposite - whatever that may be)

Then I was supposed to make gravy out of the leftover little bits in the pan.  Wellllllllllll, mine looked like this (which for those of you who have not read the cookbook is a far cry, a FAR cry from what they are supposed to resemble).

I did end up adding lots of milk and whatever else the recipe called for (like I know how to make gravy off the top of my head - this was 2 weeks ago).  And apparently too much salt, according to Travis.  But, he ate it anyway.  And so did Briley and I.  She thought it was the most delicious meal.  Seriously, she really did.  She melts my heart.  She helped me clean up for a bit and then I found her in the living room.  Do we have a future blogger on our hands?

I will have everyone know that I have since redeemed myself by making The Pioneer Woman's lasagna which was the very, very best lasagna babe and I have ever tasted.  He commented for the first time that I should have made extra of this and froze it.  He commented that he couldn't wait to take some to the guys at work tomorrow.  WOW!  And since I didn't want to disappoint after that, I haven't cooked a meal since.  He is so proud.  <3