Good Gravy and a Surprise Visit

Every time I watch The Pioneer Woman on TV, I get inspired to cook whatever she's cooking.   So, Saturday, when the rerun of her very first episode came on and she was making a meal "fit for Cowboys",  I knew it would be just a matter of time before this dish came to visit my kitchen.   And it did......last night!

The MENU:

Chicken Fried Steak
Mashed Potatoes
Cream Gravy
BBQ Beans
And for dessert:
Pound Cake topped with Strawberries and Cool Whip

I knew when David watched this episode with me, he would be asking for this meal, so I beat him to it and surprised him with it!    The best part was that we had a surprise visit, just as I was at the stove cooking.

David's Aunt Margie, who is in her 70's and lives 7 hours away, walked through the door, just as I was finishing up the last few pieces of steak.     Every so often, she makes the rounds in this part of the state; visiting her sons and daughter and grandkids in various cities.  She's always faithful to stop by our house, as her brother is David's dad (and they live right across the driveway from us). 

She came in the house, looking around and handing out compliments about what we've done with the place.   This was where she grew up as a teenager, so she has watched it evolve over the years.    Every time she comes, we get more history about events that took place here and what rooms served what purpose.   It's always good to hear the stories and visualize history here.

Of course, she had many pictures to share with us, as she always does, of her ranch in Junction.   The wildflowers are amazing in that area!   But, I had to stay by the stove, in order to finish up the steak, so when it came time to take the last few pieces out of the pan and start on the gravy, I invited her to do the honors.

You see, this woman can cook! She is also the hostess of all hostesses!  Her ranch, up in Junction, is like an unofficial Bed and Breakfast, with guests constantly arriving, spur of the moment, and staying, on their way to somewhere else.    She just has that welcoming personality that will whip up a pot of Chicken and Dumplings faster than I can call Dominoes!   She's the perfect host!

So, back to the gravy.......I invited her to show me how to make gravy, as I've only attempted it a few times without a mix.    Of course, she got right in there, spooning out some of the grease, adding the flour, and instructing me on how much milk to add.    And, let me say.......it was so good!   We all stood at the stove "taste testing" it with pieces of bread.   I think we could have made a meal out of just the gravy and bread, had I not already cooked the steak. 

This brought back memories of my dad, always finishing up any meal that had gravy, with a slice of bread on his plate, covered in gravy and black pepper.    Sweet.

And, after her impromptu cooking lesson, she was gone - off to visit the neighbors and head back to her son's house for the evening.


The dinner was amazing and we'll be eating it again tonight and when we dig in to that yummy gravy, we'll think again on our visitor.

Thanks Aunt Margie!   It was a great visit!