Julie Lence's Blog, page 8
June 6, 2018
Mules Working in the Coal Mines
In the summer of 2016, the Pastor of our church retired and our other priest was transferred to a different parish. We welcomed a new Pastor and another priest and looked forward to getting to know them. During their sermons, each priest will sometimes mention something from their childhood or personal experience to tie into the day’s Gospel. One such Sunday, one of them began talking about mules living in coal mines. My first thought was comical, and my second thought was this would make for a great blog. I’ve never heard of a mule living in a coal mine and wrote a quick note to research.
Throughout civilization horses and mules have been used to help man with lifting or hauling something heavy. This practice was carried over in Montana when it came to working in a coal mine. Pulling carts laden with ore was hard labor for man, so mules were brought down into the mines to help. Horses couldn’t be used, as the cages used to get to the bottom of the mine were small. A typical cage proved difficult trying to cram in six men, but could hold one mule. To get the mule onto the cage and to the bottom required a few days planning. The initial step involved not feeding the mule or giving him water for three days because there was a risk the mule would succumb to a ruptured bladder or suffocation while being lowered. Before being led into the cage, the mule was blindfolded so he wouldn’t spook and his legs were bound in a leather truss to keep him still. The mule was placed inside the cage on his rear and lowered to the bottom. Sometimes, he tried to kick, but usually he settled down to the quiet of the mine and rode the cage just fine.
Once down at the bottom, mules were put to work pulling the ore carts. They worked their eight-hour shift and then were taken to a lit stable inside the mine for food and rest. Muleskinners cared for the animals, and along with their food, made sure the mule had a tub of ice water to drink each night. The muleskinner also scrubbed the mule’s hooves with soap and water to rid him of the deadly copper water he plodded through during the day. The copper was capable of eating away at the hoof and if this happened, the mule would end up useless.
Mules adjusted well to the mines, with many knowing the mine better than the minors. Tales abound of many a mule saving miners from fires and other dangers. One such tale involved a miner who made a hole through a wall the size of his head to see what was on the other side. He discovered a lake but thought nothing of it until the next day. His mule began acting strange, and cutting him free from his job, the mule took off for higher ground. Knowing a mule’s instinct was good, the minor and his coworkers were able to escape quickly when, at the same moment the mule dashed off, the hole the miner had made crashed open, with water gushing toward them from the lake.
Though a mule labored beneath the ground, he wasn’t left there his entire life. If a mule was injured or sick, he was brought above ground immediately. The same applied to the duration of the mine shutting down for vacation or the miners going on strike. And mules weren’t treated cruelly. Miners and mule skinners learned early on to care for the mule. If treated poorly, the mule usually got even with either kicking a man in the ribs or head, or squeezing him against the wall. Trained mules were valuable, worth as much as $200, and always received medical treatment and rubdowns when needed.
The use of mules in mines pulling ore carts came to an end in December of 1965. An Act of Legislature outlawed the underground stable, making it illegal to house animals in mines.
Throughout civilization horses and mules have been used to help man with lifting or hauling something heavy. This practice was carried over in Montana when it came to working in a coal mine. Pulling carts laden with ore was hard labor for man, so mules were brought down into the mines to help. Horses couldn’t be used, as the cages used to get to the bottom of the mine were small. A typical cage proved difficult trying to cram in six men, but could hold one mule. To get the mule onto the cage and to the bottom required a few days planning. The initial step involved not feeding the mule or giving him water for three days because there was a risk the mule would succumb to a ruptured bladder or suffocation while being lowered. Before being led into the cage, the mule was blindfolded so he wouldn’t spook and his legs were bound in a leather truss to keep him still. The mule was placed inside the cage on his rear and lowered to the bottom. Sometimes, he tried to kick, but usually he settled down to the quiet of the mine and rode the cage just fine.
Once down at the bottom, mules were put to work pulling the ore carts. They worked their eight-hour shift and then were taken to a lit stable inside the mine for food and rest. Muleskinners cared for the animals, and along with their food, made sure the mule had a tub of ice water to drink each night. The muleskinner also scrubbed the mule’s hooves with soap and water to rid him of the deadly copper water he plodded through during the day. The copper was capable of eating away at the hoof and if this happened, the mule would end up useless.
Mules adjusted well to the mines, with many knowing the mine better than the minors. Tales abound of many a mule saving miners from fires and other dangers. One such tale involved a miner who made a hole through a wall the size of his head to see what was on the other side. He discovered a lake but thought nothing of it until the next day. His mule began acting strange, and cutting him free from his job, the mule took off for higher ground. Knowing a mule’s instinct was good, the minor and his coworkers were able to escape quickly when, at the same moment the mule dashed off, the hole the miner had made crashed open, with water gushing toward them from the lake.
Though a mule labored beneath the ground, he wasn’t left there his entire life. If a mule was injured or sick, he was brought above ground immediately. The same applied to the duration of the mine shutting down for vacation or the miners going on strike. And mules weren’t treated cruelly. Miners and mule skinners learned early on to care for the mule. If treated poorly, the mule usually got even with either kicking a man in the ribs or head, or squeezing him against the wall. Trained mules were valuable, worth as much as $200, and always received medical treatment and rubdowns when needed.
The use of mules in mines pulling ore carts came to an end in December of 1965. An Act of Legislature outlawed the underground stable, making it illegal to house animals in mines.
May 2, 2018
Boreas Pass, Colorado
Spring is ushering out winter’s cold and snow. Buds are sprouting on trees. Flowers are peeking up from the ground and people are itching to step outside to enjoy summer’s warmth. For those wanting more than a backyard barbeque, Colorado’s Rocky Mountains are an outdoor enthusiast’s play land. Fishing, hiking, camping, and horseback riding are in abundance, but nestled between crevices, streams, and mountain valleys is a land rich in history, with several historic sites still somewhat intact to explore by foot or car, affording breathtaking views of mountain peaks and Aspens. Boreas Pass linking South Park to Breckenridge is no exception.
Formerly known as Breckinridge Pass, Boreas Pass came into existence during the Colorado Gold Rush. The pass was originally a foot route prospectors used to get from South Park to Blue River Valley near Breckenridge where they panned for gold. In 1866, the foot path was widened to a wagon road for stagecoaches. In 1882, Sidney Dillon of Union Pacific Railroad joined forces with the Denver, South Park and Pacific Railroad and began laying narrow gauge tracks up the pass. During this time, Dillion renamed the route to Boreas Pass after the Ancient Greek God, North of the Wind.
The railroad tracks connected to Breckenridge and later on to Leadville. This line was deemed a ‘major engineering feat’ because of the deep winter snow at high altitude. Completion of the line not only included the tracks, but dozen of snow sheds along the route and the birth of the town Boreas. Built at the top of the summit, the town’s primary objective was to house workers to clear snow from the tracks during the winter.
In its prime, Boreas was home to a 57 x 155ft stone Engine House, equipped with an engine turn table, water tank and coal bin. The town also housed a 600ft snow shed that was later extended to over 900 feet, with doors on the Breckenridge side to block out drifting snow. A depot was built in 1898 to provide comfort for train passengers, but the harsh winter winds and deep mounds of snow often buried the tracks. Clearing them proved costly and time consuming. During the winter of 1898-99, no trains ran from February thru April. By 1905 Boreas was pretty much deserted. Only the Post Office remained. The station itself burned down in 1934. After the fire, train service was discontinued and the line completely abandoned in 1937.
Today, there isn’t much left at the summit; a few out buildings, a train car and a sign. But the drive up and over the pass into Breckenridge is a great way to spend a Saturday morning.
Formerly known as Breckinridge Pass, Boreas Pass came into existence during the Colorado Gold Rush. The pass was originally a foot route prospectors used to get from South Park to Blue River Valley near Breckenridge where they panned for gold. In 1866, the foot path was widened to a wagon road for stagecoaches. In 1882, Sidney Dillon of Union Pacific Railroad joined forces with the Denver, South Park and Pacific Railroad and began laying narrow gauge tracks up the pass. During this time, Dillion renamed the route to Boreas Pass after the Ancient Greek God, North of the Wind.
The railroad tracks connected to Breckenridge and later on to Leadville. This line was deemed a ‘major engineering feat’ because of the deep winter snow at high altitude. Completion of the line not only included the tracks, but dozen of snow sheds along the route and the birth of the town Boreas. Built at the top of the summit, the town’s primary objective was to house workers to clear snow from the tracks during the winter.
In its prime, Boreas was home to a 57 x 155ft stone Engine House, equipped with an engine turn table, water tank and coal bin. The town also housed a 600ft snow shed that was later extended to over 900 feet, with doors on the Breckenridge side to block out drifting snow. A depot was built in 1898 to provide comfort for train passengers, but the harsh winter winds and deep mounds of snow often buried the tracks. Clearing them proved costly and time consuming. During the winter of 1898-99, no trains ran from February thru April. By 1905 Boreas was pretty much deserted. Only the Post Office remained. The station itself burned down in 1934. After the fire, train service was discontinued and the line completely abandoned in 1937.
Today, there isn’t much left at the summit; a few out buildings, a train car and a sign. But the drive up and over the pass into Breckenridge is a great way to spend a Saturday morning.
April 4, 2018
San Francisco de Assisi Mission, New Mexico
It’s been several years since I visited Taos, New Mexico, but when I do, one place in particular draws my attention, the San Francisco de Assisi Mission. Situated south of Taos and a few feet back from the curb, the mission is a small, adobe building rich with history. Built between 1772 and 1816, every time I enter, I feel at peace.
During the 18th century, Spanish and Mexican civilian families moved from Taos Pueblo to Ranchos de Taos to farm. To protect themselves from Comanche raids, they built their homes and work buildings out of adobe and situated them close together in a U-shape around a plaza, which became known as San Francisco Plaza. Steadfast in their Catholic religion, they founded the San Francisco de Assisi Mission, with the Franciscans overseeing the building of the church inside the u shape. Construction of the mission was completed in 1816, featuring two front facing bell towers with three white crosses adorning the towers and entryway. Four beehive shaped buttresses support the back of the church and two buttresses in front of each bell tower support the front of the church. Thick adobe walls surround the church, the cemetery, and the forecourt.
San Francisco de Assisi Mission is the only original church to remain intact in the Taos area, and has been photographed, drawn, and painted by several well-known artists, including Georgia O’Keefe and Ansel Adams. Through the years, the mission has undergone several restorations, most notably in 1967 when all of the ceiling vigas and doors were replaced with reproductions. Every June, parishioners and the community re-plaster the adobe in a project titled The Enjarre, or mudding of the church.
The interior artwork of the church is breathtaking, with the altar decorated in original Spanish woodwork and the wall behind the altar having been repainted in 1981. The paintings behind the altar are believed to be oil paintings brought to the mission from the Archdiocese of Mexico by way of Spain some 200 years ago. Depictions of the 14 Stations of the Cross adorn the side walls of the chapel. There is a balcony at the back of the church, but is roped off to visitors. Research led me to discover the Santa Fe Desert Chorale has held concerts in the church, but the author of the article does not know if the choir sang from the balcony, as he had never attended one of their concerts.
Whether you’re a history buff or a tourist, of religious beliefs or not, if your travels take you to Taos, the San Francisco de Assisi Mission is one place you don’t want to miss.
During the 18th century, Spanish and Mexican civilian families moved from Taos Pueblo to Ranchos de Taos to farm. To protect themselves from Comanche raids, they built their homes and work buildings out of adobe and situated them close together in a U-shape around a plaza, which became known as San Francisco Plaza. Steadfast in their Catholic religion, they founded the San Francisco de Assisi Mission, with the Franciscans overseeing the building of the church inside the u shape. Construction of the mission was completed in 1816, featuring two front facing bell towers with three white crosses adorning the towers and entryway. Four beehive shaped buttresses support the back of the church and two buttresses in front of each bell tower support the front of the church. Thick adobe walls surround the church, the cemetery, and the forecourt.
San Francisco de Assisi Mission is the only original church to remain intact in the Taos area, and has been photographed, drawn, and painted by several well-known artists, including Georgia O’Keefe and Ansel Adams. Through the years, the mission has undergone several restorations, most notably in 1967 when all of the ceiling vigas and doors were replaced with reproductions. Every June, parishioners and the community re-plaster the adobe in a project titled The Enjarre, or mudding of the church.
The interior artwork of the church is breathtaking, with the altar decorated in original Spanish woodwork and the wall behind the altar having been repainted in 1981. The paintings behind the altar are believed to be oil paintings brought to the mission from the Archdiocese of Mexico by way of Spain some 200 years ago. Depictions of the 14 Stations of the Cross adorn the side walls of the chapel. There is a balcony at the back of the church, but is roped off to visitors. Research led me to discover the Santa Fe Desert Chorale has held concerts in the church, but the author of the article does not know if the choir sang from the balcony, as he had never attended one of their concerts.
Whether you’re a history buff or a tourist, of religious beliefs or not, if your travels take you to Taos, the San Francisco de Assisi Mission is one place you don’t want to miss.
March 20, 2018
Fort Laramie (March 2018)
Fort Laramie was founded in June 1834 by William Sublette and Robert Campbell when buffalo robe trade with Native American tribes was fast replacing the beaver fur trade. Crafted of Cottonwood logs at the juncture of the Laramie and Platte Rivers and given the name Fort William, the small stockade played a key role in controlling supplies to the central Rocky Mountains and to the bison range in the Great Basin.
Sublette and Campbell sold the fort in 1835 to fur trading company Fontenelle, Fitzpatrick & Co, who in turn sold the company to Pierre Chouteau and the American Fur Trading Company in 1836. The American Fur Trading Company and its trapping brigade, the Rocky Mountain Outfit, operated the original trading post until 1841 when Lancaster Lupton built Fort Platte just north of Fort William and also began trading with the Native Americans. At this time, Fort William was deteriorating and didn’t provide much in the way of protection. In competition with Lupton, The American Fur Company invested $10,000 in the construction of a new stockade. Crafted of adobe walls, with a central courtyard, the new stockade opened in 1841 and was given the name Fort John, after business partner John Sarpy.
Fort John was an impressive structure, and what the travelers along the Oregon/California Trail associated as Fort Laramie. By 1849, the flood of emigrants to the west was motivation for the government to step in and assure their safety. The American Fur Company sold the fort to the U.S. Army and in April of that year, the Regiment of Mounted Rifles moved into the adobe fort, as the government thought to secure the area with a string of army forts along the trail, thus beginning Fort Laramie’s history as a military outpost.
The army didn’t waste time building up the fort and adding to it with stables for horses, officer and soldier quarters, a bakery, guardhouse, and a powdered magazine house. As the flood of emigrants continued, Fort Laramie grew in size and importance. Several trail routes passed through the fort, including the Mormon Trail, the Bozeman Trail, the Pony Express Route, and the Transcontinental Telegraph. Fort Laramie became the main military fort in the Northern Plains and saw its first battle with Native tribes in 1854 in what is known as the Grattan fight; an incident near the fort involving a wagon train.
Fort Laramie is also famous for hosting several Indian councils wanting to bring peace to the area. These campaigns failed, with the Army eventually subduing the several of the tribes.
Battles with the Plains tribes wasn’t the only thing the fort played a role in. The army also saw the development of the open range cattle industry and the settlement of the plains. With that settlement, the dangers of living on the plains ceased and the army abandoned the fort in 1890. Most of the buildings and the land were auctioned off, with some of the buildings either being relocated or demolished. The fort fell prey to time and weather until 1938 when it was inducted into the National Park System and preservation of the site was secured. Today folks can tour the fort year round and view 12 restored buildings.
Sublette and Campbell sold the fort in 1835 to fur trading company Fontenelle, Fitzpatrick & Co, who in turn sold the company to Pierre Chouteau and the American Fur Trading Company in 1836. The American Fur Trading Company and its trapping brigade, the Rocky Mountain Outfit, operated the original trading post until 1841 when Lancaster Lupton built Fort Platte just north of Fort William and also began trading with the Native Americans. At this time, Fort William was deteriorating and didn’t provide much in the way of protection. In competition with Lupton, The American Fur Company invested $10,000 in the construction of a new stockade. Crafted of adobe walls, with a central courtyard, the new stockade opened in 1841 and was given the name Fort John, after business partner John Sarpy.
Fort John was an impressive structure, and what the travelers along the Oregon/California Trail associated as Fort Laramie. By 1849, the flood of emigrants to the west was motivation for the government to step in and assure their safety. The American Fur Company sold the fort to the U.S. Army and in April of that year, the Regiment of Mounted Rifles moved into the adobe fort, as the government thought to secure the area with a string of army forts along the trail, thus beginning Fort Laramie’s history as a military outpost.
The army didn’t waste time building up the fort and adding to it with stables for horses, officer and soldier quarters, a bakery, guardhouse, and a powdered magazine house. As the flood of emigrants continued, Fort Laramie grew in size and importance. Several trail routes passed through the fort, including the Mormon Trail, the Bozeman Trail, the Pony Express Route, and the Transcontinental Telegraph. Fort Laramie became the main military fort in the Northern Plains and saw its first battle with Native tribes in 1854 in what is known as the Grattan fight; an incident near the fort involving a wagon train.
Fort Laramie is also famous for hosting several Indian councils wanting to bring peace to the area. These campaigns failed, with the Army eventually subduing the several of the tribes.
Battles with the Plains tribes wasn’t the only thing the fort played a role in. The army also saw the development of the open range cattle industry and the settlement of the plains. With that settlement, the dangers of living on the plains ceased and the army abandoned the fort in 1890. Most of the buildings and the land were auctioned off, with some of the buildings either being relocated or demolished. The fort fell prey to time and weather until 1938 when it was inducted into the National Park System and preservation of the site was secured. Today folks can tour the fort year round and view 12 restored buildings.
February 7, 2018
Russell & Clara Stover
Valentine’s Day is one week away. Romance is in the air… and has littered store shelves for weeks. Cards, jewelry, and stuffed animals catch the shopper’s eyes, as do dozens of heart-shaped candy boxes; delectable chocolates in various sizes, some with nuts, some without and others with fruity fillings. While choosing a sentiment for your sweetie, odds are good you’ll gift him or her with a box of Russell Stover Candies, the largest producer of boxed chocolates in the United States.
Russell Stover was born May 6, 1888 in Alton, Kansas. His parents had moved to Alton from Iowa to Kansas to seek a fortune, but returned to Iowa to farm after a Kansas drought. As a young man, Stover attended Iowa City Academy. From there he went to the University of Iowa to study chemistry. He left the university after one year and moved to Chicago to earn a living as a salesman. His first endeavor was with a candy company. His second job was with the American Tobacco Company. It was right before he made his move to Chicago that he met Clara Lewis at a sweet shop.
Clara was born in 1882 and grew up on a farm near Oxford. As a young woman, she borrowed money from a neighbor to study music at Iowa City Academy. She had seen Russell around campus, noting he was tall, with blue eyes and a winsome smile, and thought he was an industrious student.
Russell and Clara hit it off from the beginning. Each were big dreamers, and after a courtship, they married June of 1911. One of their wedding gifts was a farm in Canada, but growing wheat in Saskatchewan didn’t pan out for them, so they moved to Winnepeg and began a candy-making business in their apartment. They moved back to the states in 1915 when rumors of an impending war reached them.
Russell Stover turned to selling candy throughout the Midwest to earn a living. In 1920, he and Clara moved to Des Moines where he took a job as superintendent of Irwin Candy Co. The company failed and the court appointed Stover to run the company. He sold the assets to Graham Ice Cream Co in Omaha. He and Clara moved there, with Russell going to work for Graham Ice Cream.
In 1921, Stover met Christian Nelson, a school teacher and soda jerk who had the idea for a chocolate covered ice cream bar. Russell and Clara partnered with Nelson and eventually the Eskimo Pie was born. During this time, Clara continued experimenting with chocolate and sweet treats in her kitchen, perfecting her skills and recipes. Later, she and Russell sold their share in Eskimo Pie and started Mrs. Stover’s Bungalow Candies in Denver, with Clara as the president and secretary and Russell as vice-president and treasurer. They were a hit with the public and hired workers to help in their home before opening their first factory in Denver in 1925. A second factory opened in Kansas City in 1931, with Russell and Clara now making their home in Kansas City. The company struggled through the Depression and World War I. Russell and Clara lost much of their wealth, and in 1943, determined to rebuild and succeed again, they restructured the company to form a partnership with faithful employees. The company was renamed Russell Stover Candy, with Clara’s name being removed.
During their long marriage, Russell and Clara had one daughter, Gloria. Russell died May 11, 1954 in Miami at the couple’s home. Clara died June 9, 1975 in Mission Hills, Kansas. She was 93. After Russell’s death, Clara managed the company until 1960, when Russell Stover Candies was sold to Louis Ward. In July of 2014, Swiss-chocolate maker Lindt bought Russell Stover Candies and remains the owner.
Russell Stover was born May 6, 1888 in Alton, Kansas. His parents had moved to Alton from Iowa to Kansas to seek a fortune, but returned to Iowa to farm after a Kansas drought. As a young man, Stover attended Iowa City Academy. From there he went to the University of Iowa to study chemistry. He left the university after one year and moved to Chicago to earn a living as a salesman. His first endeavor was with a candy company. His second job was with the American Tobacco Company. It was right before he made his move to Chicago that he met Clara Lewis at a sweet shop.
Clara was born in 1882 and grew up on a farm near Oxford. As a young woman, she borrowed money from a neighbor to study music at Iowa City Academy. She had seen Russell around campus, noting he was tall, with blue eyes and a winsome smile, and thought he was an industrious student.
Russell and Clara hit it off from the beginning. Each were big dreamers, and after a courtship, they married June of 1911. One of their wedding gifts was a farm in Canada, but growing wheat in Saskatchewan didn’t pan out for them, so they moved to Winnepeg and began a candy-making business in their apartment. They moved back to the states in 1915 when rumors of an impending war reached them.
Russell Stover turned to selling candy throughout the Midwest to earn a living. In 1920, he and Clara moved to Des Moines where he took a job as superintendent of Irwin Candy Co. The company failed and the court appointed Stover to run the company. He sold the assets to Graham Ice Cream Co in Omaha. He and Clara moved there, with Russell going to work for Graham Ice Cream.
In 1921, Stover met Christian Nelson, a school teacher and soda jerk who had the idea for a chocolate covered ice cream bar. Russell and Clara partnered with Nelson and eventually the Eskimo Pie was born. During this time, Clara continued experimenting with chocolate and sweet treats in her kitchen, perfecting her skills and recipes. Later, she and Russell sold their share in Eskimo Pie and started Mrs. Stover’s Bungalow Candies in Denver, with Clara as the president and secretary and Russell as vice-president and treasurer. They were a hit with the public and hired workers to help in their home before opening their first factory in Denver in 1925. A second factory opened in Kansas City in 1931, with Russell and Clara now making their home in Kansas City. The company struggled through the Depression and World War I. Russell and Clara lost much of their wealth, and in 1943, determined to rebuild and succeed again, they restructured the company to form a partnership with faithful employees. The company was renamed Russell Stover Candy, with Clara’s name being removed.
During their long marriage, Russell and Clara had one daughter, Gloria. Russell died May 11, 1954 in Miami at the couple’s home. Clara died June 9, 1975 in Mission Hills, Kansas. She was 93. After Russell’s death, Clara managed the company until 1960, when Russell Stover Candies was sold to Louis Ward. In July of 2014, Swiss-chocolate maker Lindt bought Russell Stover Candies and remains the owner.
January 3, 2018
Happy New Year
Hello and Welcome to Cowboy Kisses 2018! As we say goodbye to 2017, we sadly say goodbye to some of our authors. Agnes Alexander, Krista Ames, Barbara Caitlin, and Hildie McQueen have departed from the blog, but all is not lost. They can still be found on the Cowboy Kisses Facebook Group page chatting with everyone and keeping us informed of new releases.
It is with great pleasure we announce new authors to the blog. Please give a warm welcome to Stephanie Berget, Shirleen Davies, Juliette Douglas, and Kim Turner. Each of these ladies write western romance and will begin blogging this month. Be sure to check the sidebar for their respective dates. To get to know more about them, don’t forget to stop by their author pages and their websites. Stephanie, Shirleen, Juliette, and Kim are also on the Facebook Group page. Pop over to Facebook to chat with them.
I extend my sincerest Thank You to all the authors on the blog. Without them, I couldn’t keep Cowboy Kisses alive and thriving. Their dedication to the group shines not only on this page but behind the scenes, as well. I am humbled and blessed to not only be in the company of such great talent, but to call these ladies Friends.
This year we will host our annual Cowboy Kisses party, either late October or early November on the Facebook Group page. Details will be posted late summer. When you see them, mark your calendars. This is a party you don’t want to miss. We had so much fun last year and hope you’ll join us this year.
I leave you with some writing humor and my warmest Thank You’s to you, our readers, for helping us keep the blog going. Without you, Cowboy Kisses wouldn’t be possible. Hugs and all the best to you in 2018.
Julie
It is with great pleasure we announce new authors to the blog. Please give a warm welcome to Stephanie Berget, Shirleen Davies, Juliette Douglas, and Kim Turner. Each of these ladies write western romance and will begin blogging this month. Be sure to check the sidebar for their respective dates. To get to know more about them, don’t forget to stop by their author pages and their websites. Stephanie, Shirleen, Juliette, and Kim are also on the Facebook Group page. Pop over to Facebook to chat with them.
I extend my sincerest Thank You to all the authors on the blog. Without them, I couldn’t keep Cowboy Kisses alive and thriving. Their dedication to the group shines not only on this page but behind the scenes, as well. I am humbled and blessed to not only be in the company of such great talent, but to call these ladies Friends.
This year we will host our annual Cowboy Kisses party, either late October or early November on the Facebook Group page. Details will be posted late summer. When you see them, mark your calendars. This is a party you don’t want to miss. We had so much fun last year and hope you’ll join us this year.
I leave you with some writing humor and my warmest Thank You’s to you, our readers, for helping us keep the blog going. Without you, Cowboy Kisses wouldn’t be possible. Hugs and all the best to you in 2018.
Julie
December 6, 2017
Christmas Short Stories
The Christmas season is upon us. I love this time of year when the house is decorated and excitement fills the air. I can’t say I welcome snow on the ground, except for Christmas Day. Nor do I like the feeling of being rushed. I’m sure some of you feel the same, so I invite you to escape the mayhem and indulge in some “Me Time’. Curl up on the sofa and transport yourself into the old west with one of my short Christmas stories.
Christmas Miracles: With a winter storm threatening to blanket the land in snow, James Landry boards a train to Denver two days before his Christmas Eve wedding to Tess Weston, despite her misgivings that the storm will hinder his return trip home. But James has to go to the big city to replace the worthless ring he mistakenly bought for her with a band of real gold, and assures her nothing, not even snow, will keep him from arriving at the altar on time. But James doesn't count on finding himself stuck in knee-deep drifts, with a Colt .45 staring him in the face.
Tess has had an eerie feeling that something bad is going to happen to James since the moment he told her of his trip. With fat, flakes of snow falling steadily from the sky, images flicker in her mind of him stranded in a hotel room, or on a cold train car. But for some reason, the snow piling up outside her window doesn't lend weight to her fear that James is in grave danger. Determined to help him, Tess sets out on a course to find him, only to have one obstacle after another deter her from reaching him.
Christmas Hearts: After spending two years in Wyoming, Cade Weston is eager to return to his family’s ranch to celebrate the Christmas holiday. But fate intervenes in the form of a tortured soul—Nicole. Her guardian has abused her, leaving Cade with little choice but to pay for her freedom and take her with him. Holed up with her in a Denver hotel, a feeling hints he wants more from her than a thank you for having helped her. Problem is she doesn’t return the feeling.
Nicole Lamar has spent the past six months dreaming of freedom. Savannah, with its warmth and sunshine, beckons. Now that Cade has rescued her from an evil proprietor, that freedom is within reach. But when the handsome cowboy proves he’s the owner of a Christmas Heart, a life without him suddenly isn’t so desirable. Before she can approach him about the matter, he purchases a ticket for her on an eastbound train. And one for himself on a southbound train.
Christmas Wishes: U.S. Marshall Chance McBride has spent weeks tracking Steve ‘Smarty’ Jones. Ambushed and wounded by the outlaw, Chance is forced to seek help at a nearby school. But the teacher isn’t what he imagined. Instead of a male wearing trousers, a female takes charge of his care. Bright blue eyes and soft curves; Tabitha’s sassy nature awakens a deep-seated loneliness only she and a Christmas wish can soothe.
Tabitha Weston has never favored anything girlie. She’d rather saddle-break wild horses than bat her eyelashes and flirt with a man. But one glimpse into Chance’s molasses-colored eyes and Tabitha’s abhorrence to relationships is suddenly corralled by her need to win the lawman’s favor. Can a wish upon Christmas snow for him to trade the freedom of the trail for a home with her actually come true? She’s about to find out.
Each of these stories can be found at www.amazon.com/author/julie
Merry Christmas to you and your families and all the best to you in 2018! Julie
Christmas Miracles: With a winter storm threatening to blanket the land in snow, James Landry boards a train to Denver two days before his Christmas Eve wedding to Tess Weston, despite her misgivings that the storm will hinder his return trip home. But James has to go to the big city to replace the worthless ring he mistakenly bought for her with a band of real gold, and assures her nothing, not even snow, will keep him from arriving at the altar on time. But James doesn't count on finding himself stuck in knee-deep drifts, with a Colt .45 staring him in the face.
Tess has had an eerie feeling that something bad is going to happen to James since the moment he told her of his trip. With fat, flakes of snow falling steadily from the sky, images flicker in her mind of him stranded in a hotel room, or on a cold train car. But for some reason, the snow piling up outside her window doesn't lend weight to her fear that James is in grave danger. Determined to help him, Tess sets out on a course to find him, only to have one obstacle after another deter her from reaching him.
Christmas Hearts: After spending two years in Wyoming, Cade Weston is eager to return to his family’s ranch to celebrate the Christmas holiday. But fate intervenes in the form of a tortured soul—Nicole. Her guardian has abused her, leaving Cade with little choice but to pay for her freedom and take her with him. Holed up with her in a Denver hotel, a feeling hints he wants more from her than a thank you for having helped her. Problem is she doesn’t return the feeling.
Nicole Lamar has spent the past six months dreaming of freedom. Savannah, with its warmth and sunshine, beckons. Now that Cade has rescued her from an evil proprietor, that freedom is within reach. But when the handsome cowboy proves he’s the owner of a Christmas Heart, a life without him suddenly isn’t so desirable. Before she can approach him about the matter, he purchases a ticket for her on an eastbound train. And one for himself on a southbound train.
Christmas Wishes: U.S. Marshall Chance McBride has spent weeks tracking Steve ‘Smarty’ Jones. Ambushed and wounded by the outlaw, Chance is forced to seek help at a nearby school. But the teacher isn’t what he imagined. Instead of a male wearing trousers, a female takes charge of his care. Bright blue eyes and soft curves; Tabitha’s sassy nature awakens a deep-seated loneliness only she and a Christmas wish can soothe.
Tabitha Weston has never favored anything girlie. She’d rather saddle-break wild horses than bat her eyelashes and flirt with a man. But one glimpse into Chance’s molasses-colored eyes and Tabitha’s abhorrence to relationships is suddenly corralled by her need to win the lawman’s favor. Can a wish upon Christmas snow for him to trade the freedom of the trail for a home with her actually come true? She’s about to find out.
Each of these stories can be found at www.amazon.com/author/julie
Merry Christmas to you and your families and all the best to you in 2018! Julie
November 1, 2017
Silver Heels
Back in the day, jobs were scarce for women. Positions that are mostly filled by a woman in modern times, such as a secretary or a school teacher, were usually filled by a man. Respectable positions for women included a seamstress, nanny, and maid, but most homes couldn’t afford to pay for even one of these positions. Single women who’d fallen on hard times and had no family to turn to for help were often forced into prostitution as a means of survival. While the profession is degrading to women by today’s standards, back in the day, prostitution served a role in the expansion of the west.
The Gold rush saw thousands of men pull up stakes and head west in the hopes of striking it rich. Some brought their families. Oftentimes, a man struck out on his own. Tent camps, small towns and cities sprang up throughout the west, and where men gathered, one need was shared by all; a woman. Females desperate for income or looking to escape a bad situation followed the men to provide a service. But whether working in a lavish parlor house, crib, or an in-between establishment, most didn’t get rich. And most never left the life of a soiled dove. A few women rose to wealth and fame, and some had a heart of gold. One such woman destined to help others now bears two legends—Silver Heels.
Silver Heels’ first legend states she was a parlor house girl and a dance hall girl at Buckskin Joe, a mining town north Fairplay, Colorado. Many claimed she had a beautiful face and could dance faster and more gracefully than the other girls. She also wore glittering silver slippers, hence her nickname. It was said children adored her because she sent to Denver for candy to give to them.
Legend has it Silver fell in love with one of the miners and was engaged to be married to him. Before the two wed, smallpox struck the Buckskin Joe area and the town closed. Women went back to Fairplay, except for Silver. She stayed to help her fiancée. Sadly, he was one of the first to die from the disease. Silver remained in Buckskin Joe and moved from cabin to cabin to help the other miners stricken with the disease. She kept their houses clean, cooked meals and washed clothes all the while tending their illness. Once the epidemic broke, the town returned to life. Those grateful to Silver collected money to give to her to thank her for her help, but she couldn’t be found. She had secretly left town. Still wanting to acknowledge her good deeds, the miners named the highest mountain in the area after her.
Some years later, a woman wearing heavy black veils visited the cemetery beneath Mt. Silver Heels. The miners believed the woman was Silver Heels, returning to pay respect to her fiancée’s grave.
Silver Heels’ second legend is more detailed and takes place in Dudley, which is stated to be near Fairplay and Buckskin Joe. A young woman of great beauty arrived in the mining camp, fresh off the stage from Denver. The crowd waiting for the mail noticed she seemed lost and confused. Jack Herndon, owner of Dudley’s main saloon and gambling hall, helped the woman. He took her to Mr. And Mrs. Mack’s home, where she could rest and gather her wits. It’s said during her stay with the Mack’s, the woman confided her past to Mrs. Mack, which Mrs. Mack kept secret. Later, Jack learned the woman’s name was Josie Dillon.
Josie stayed with the Macks and helped in their kitchen. She also sent to Denver for candy to give to the children, often inviting them to the Macks’ home where she told them stories. During this time, she took a liking to Jack and the two fell in love.
News of the great Chicago fire spread to the area. As a community, the townsfolk wanted to do something to raise money to help the people in Chicago. Several ideas were suggested, but it was Josie who came up with the idea she would sing and dance and if folks liked what they saw, they could leave a donation in a box. Jack closed his saloon for this meeting and for two-day event featuring Josie. She appeared on stage in a short, glittery dress most thought were diamonds outfitted around the neck and edge of the dress. But it was her slippers that earned her the nickname ‘Silver Heels’. Except for toes shining in gold, her slippers were all silver.
The citizens loved Josie’s singing and dancing so much that they donated over seventeen hundred dollars to give to the people of Chicago. After that, Jack sold his saloon and went into mining, and he and Josie continued to see each other. Then two sheepherders came to town. Two of them came down with smallpox and were the first to die. Josie, Jack and the Macks took care of those stricken with the disease. Jack fell ill but did not die. During the epidemic, it is said the miners remembered Josie’s performance and took to calling her Silver Heels. Jack didn’t care for the nickname, but Josie allowed it, and shortly after the crisis passed, Jack and Josie went to Denver, married and returned, only to leave for Kentucky after Jack’s father died and his mother needed help. After they left the area, legend states a survey crew came to the area. They needed a name for one of the larger mountains. The miners suggested Silver Heels and that’s how the mountain got its name.
Personally, I like the first version of Silver Heels the best, but then, a little bit of romance mixed with heartache and mystery is a fondness of mine.
The Gold rush saw thousands of men pull up stakes and head west in the hopes of striking it rich. Some brought their families. Oftentimes, a man struck out on his own. Tent camps, small towns and cities sprang up throughout the west, and where men gathered, one need was shared by all; a woman. Females desperate for income or looking to escape a bad situation followed the men to provide a service. But whether working in a lavish parlor house, crib, or an in-between establishment, most didn’t get rich. And most never left the life of a soiled dove. A few women rose to wealth and fame, and some had a heart of gold. One such woman destined to help others now bears two legends—Silver Heels.
Silver Heels’ first legend states she was a parlor house girl and a dance hall girl at Buckskin Joe, a mining town north Fairplay, Colorado. Many claimed she had a beautiful face and could dance faster and more gracefully than the other girls. She also wore glittering silver slippers, hence her nickname. It was said children adored her because she sent to Denver for candy to give to them.
Legend has it Silver fell in love with one of the miners and was engaged to be married to him. Before the two wed, smallpox struck the Buckskin Joe area and the town closed. Women went back to Fairplay, except for Silver. She stayed to help her fiancée. Sadly, he was one of the first to die from the disease. Silver remained in Buckskin Joe and moved from cabin to cabin to help the other miners stricken with the disease. She kept their houses clean, cooked meals and washed clothes all the while tending their illness. Once the epidemic broke, the town returned to life. Those grateful to Silver collected money to give to her to thank her for her help, but she couldn’t be found. She had secretly left town. Still wanting to acknowledge her good deeds, the miners named the highest mountain in the area after her.
Some years later, a woman wearing heavy black veils visited the cemetery beneath Mt. Silver Heels. The miners believed the woman was Silver Heels, returning to pay respect to her fiancée’s grave.
Silver Heels’ second legend is more detailed and takes place in Dudley, which is stated to be near Fairplay and Buckskin Joe. A young woman of great beauty arrived in the mining camp, fresh off the stage from Denver. The crowd waiting for the mail noticed she seemed lost and confused. Jack Herndon, owner of Dudley’s main saloon and gambling hall, helped the woman. He took her to Mr. And Mrs. Mack’s home, where she could rest and gather her wits. It’s said during her stay with the Mack’s, the woman confided her past to Mrs. Mack, which Mrs. Mack kept secret. Later, Jack learned the woman’s name was Josie Dillon.
Josie stayed with the Macks and helped in their kitchen. She also sent to Denver for candy to give to the children, often inviting them to the Macks’ home where she told them stories. During this time, she took a liking to Jack and the two fell in love.
News of the great Chicago fire spread to the area. As a community, the townsfolk wanted to do something to raise money to help the people in Chicago. Several ideas were suggested, but it was Josie who came up with the idea she would sing and dance and if folks liked what they saw, they could leave a donation in a box. Jack closed his saloon for this meeting and for two-day event featuring Josie. She appeared on stage in a short, glittery dress most thought were diamonds outfitted around the neck and edge of the dress. But it was her slippers that earned her the nickname ‘Silver Heels’. Except for toes shining in gold, her slippers were all silver.
The citizens loved Josie’s singing and dancing so much that they donated over seventeen hundred dollars to give to the people of Chicago. After that, Jack sold his saloon and went into mining, and he and Josie continued to see each other. Then two sheepherders came to town. Two of them came down with smallpox and were the first to die. Josie, Jack and the Macks took care of those stricken with the disease. Jack fell ill but did not die. During the epidemic, it is said the miners remembered Josie’s performance and took to calling her Silver Heels. Jack didn’t care for the nickname, but Josie allowed it, and shortly after the crisis passed, Jack and Josie went to Denver, married and returned, only to leave for Kentucky after Jack’s father died and his mother needed help. After they left the area, legend states a survey crew came to the area. They needed a name for one of the larger mountains. The miners suggested Silver Heels and that’s how the mountain got its name.
Personally, I like the first version of Silver Heels the best, but then, a little bit of romance mixed with heartache and mystery is a fondness of mine.
October 8, 2017
Fred Harvey & The Harvey Girls
Born in England 1835, Fred Harvey immigrated to the United States in 1850 at the age of 15. His first job was washing dishes in New York City. Soon after he moved to New Orleans and again gained employment in a restaurant, learning the ins and outs of the restaurant business. In 1853 he moved to St. Louis and six years later, he and a business partner opened a restaurant at the start of the Civil War. Unfortunately, his partner joined the war and not too long after, Harvey was broke for lack of customers. Harvey gained employment working on a riverboat and as a mail clerk for the railroad. It was during this time that he noticed trains did not provide dining cars, especially on long journeys, and the few eateries along the train route were deplorable. He concocted an idea to build a chain of restaurants along the AT&SF train route, but his idea was denied by his supervisor. A spur-of-the-moment meeting the AT&SF owner and gourmet, Charles Morse changed that. Morse liked Harvey’s idea and the first Harvey House restaurant opened in Topeka, Kansas in 1876.
Harvey leased a lunch counter at the Santa Fe Topeka depot. His focal points for running the counter were cleanliness, good food and reasonable prices. He was an immediate success, catching the attention of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe line. They turned their food service over to Harvey and The Harvey Houses became the first chain of restaurants in the United States, with Harvey using the depot in Topeka as a training base. Harvey bought a hotel in Florence in 1877 and created an upscale establishment, featuring juicy steaks and crisp hash browns. Tables were set with imported linens, silver and china. He required male patrons to wear a jacket and always kept a supply of alpaca coats on hand for those who didn’t have one, ensuring no one was turned away. Eventually, Harvey extended his restaurants all the way to California.
Originally, Harvey hired males to work in his establishments. He soon found that many of them were as wild as the west and came up with another idea to hire women. He recruited women in newspaper ads, requiring them to have an 8th grade education, be of good manners and moral, and have a cleanly appearance. He paid them a good wage, with free room and board, and upon hiring a girl, he offered her the establishment of her choice along the train route. The girls were outfitted in black shirtwaist dresses, black bows and starched white aprons. In exchange for this, the girls had to agree to six months of employment, that they wouldn’t marry, and that they would obey company rules. With little opportunity for women in this era, the position as a Harvey Girl rose to popularity instantly.
Harvey’s success didn’t stop with his chain of restaurants. In the southwest, he hired architect Mary Colter to design hotels in Santa Fe (La Fonda) and Gallop New Mexico and in Winslow, Arizona, and at the south rim and at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. At the peak of the Harvey Houses, there were 84 restaurants in operation. Harvey continued to improve his businesses before he passed away in 1901. His sons and grandsons took over and kept the company profitable as long as possible. The inventions of cars and airplanes made that difficult, as most folks no longer traveled by train. The company was bought out by Hawaiian based Amfac in 1968. Amfac has hotels worldwide and adopted Harvey’s strategy for business and his standards.
Harvey leased a lunch counter at the Santa Fe Topeka depot. His focal points for running the counter were cleanliness, good food and reasonable prices. He was an immediate success, catching the attention of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe line. They turned their food service over to Harvey and The Harvey Houses became the first chain of restaurants in the United States, with Harvey using the depot in Topeka as a training base. Harvey bought a hotel in Florence in 1877 and created an upscale establishment, featuring juicy steaks and crisp hash browns. Tables were set with imported linens, silver and china. He required male patrons to wear a jacket and always kept a supply of alpaca coats on hand for those who didn’t have one, ensuring no one was turned away. Eventually, Harvey extended his restaurants all the way to California.
Originally, Harvey hired males to work in his establishments. He soon found that many of them were as wild as the west and came up with another idea to hire women. He recruited women in newspaper ads, requiring them to have an 8th grade education, be of good manners and moral, and have a cleanly appearance. He paid them a good wage, with free room and board, and upon hiring a girl, he offered her the establishment of her choice along the train route. The girls were outfitted in black shirtwaist dresses, black bows and starched white aprons. In exchange for this, the girls had to agree to six months of employment, that they wouldn’t marry, and that they would obey company rules. With little opportunity for women in this era, the position as a Harvey Girl rose to popularity instantly.
Harvey’s success didn’t stop with his chain of restaurants. In the southwest, he hired architect Mary Colter to design hotels in Santa Fe (La Fonda) and Gallop New Mexico and in Winslow, Arizona, and at the south rim and at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. At the peak of the Harvey Houses, there were 84 restaurants in operation. Harvey continued to improve his businesses before he passed away in 1901. His sons and grandsons took over and kept the company profitable as long as possible. The inventions of cars and airplanes made that difficult, as most folks no longer traveled by train. The company was bought out by Hawaiian based Amfac in 1968. Amfac has hotels worldwide and adopted Harvey’s strategy for business and his standards.
September 6, 2017
Recipes from the "Old West"
We all love to eat. Some of us love to cook, and some of us only have a favorite dish or two we enjoying making. Two things I like to cook are lasagna and the Thanksgiving turkey. And I like to have the kitchen to myself when I’m cooking. Another thing I like to do is scour old west towns in search of old west cookbooks. One that I found years ago has become a favorite. Sections include Sauces and Gravies, Desserts, Breads and Biscuits, and Everyday Cooking. From the “Original Cowboy Cookbook” by “Wild Wes” Medley, Rodeo Champion, I have prepared a few of the everyday meals, more often than not incorporating my own spin on the dish. And met with excellent results. Below are a few of the one I like best, in their original format.
Rodeo Pork with Onions:
2 1 lb pork tenderloins cut into julienne strips
6 medium onions, chopped
½ cup cooking oil
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp paprika
¾ tsp pepper
¼ tsp crushed red chilies
1-2 sweet red peppers cut into long strips
Feta cheese (optional)
Sauté onions in ¼ cup oil in warm skillet, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in spices. Place on low heat to keep warm. In separate skillet, brown pork in remaining oil. Cover over medium heat and cook 15-20 minutes. Top with pepper strips. Cover and simmer 5 minutes. Stir onion mixture into poke. Garnish with Feta cheese and serve.
Julie’s version: (I’m not one for spicy food so I cut out the red chilies and I don’t add the peppers.)
Onions, cut lengthwise. Simmer in skillet and add paprika and chili powder to taste.
Coat pork strips in flour and cook in separate skillet, add more paprika to taste. Mix with onions and Serve.
Pot Roast & Sour Cream Gravy:
1 4 lb beef pot roast
3 Tbsp. cooking fat
1 beef bouillon cube
1 cup boiling water
4 Tbsp. catsup
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 Tbsp. onion, minced
½ clove garlic, minced
2 tsp salt
1 tsp celery seed
½ tsp black pepper
1 small can mushrooms
4 Tbsp. flour
1 cup dairy sour cream
Brown pot roast in fat in Dutch oven. Pour off drippings. Dissolve bouillon cube in 1 cup boiling water, add to roast. Add catsup, Worcestershire sauce, onion, garlic, celery seed and pepper. Cover and cook over low fire 2 ½- 3 hours, or until meat is tender. Remove meat from kettle. Blend in flour and mushroom liquid and stir into remaining beef liquid to make gravy. Add mushrooms. Remove kettle from heat and stir in sour cream. Serve slices of beef with gravy
*** I have made this (substituting cooking oil for fat) and it is yummy!
Station Pot Roast:
3 lb pot or rump roast
Salt and pepper to taste
¼ cup flour
1 tsp celery salt
1 tsp thyme
1 Tbsp. parsley
2 Tbsp. cooking oil
2 cups sliced onions
1 clove garlic, minced
2 cups hot beef broth
3 Tbsp. tomato paste
2 Tbsp. sugar
2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
Combine seasonings and flour. Rub roast with this mixture. Heat oil in ovenproof casserole pan. Brown beef. Add onions and garlic, stirring until soft. Add remaining ingredients and bake covered at 325 degrees until tender, about 3 hours (or on stope top over low heat).
*** I have also made this on the stove top. Very tasty.
The ‘Original Cowboy Cookbook is available on Amazon.
Happy eating!
Rodeo Pork with Onions:
2 1 lb pork tenderloins cut into julienne strips
6 medium onions, chopped
½ cup cooking oil
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp paprika
¾ tsp pepper
¼ tsp crushed red chilies
1-2 sweet red peppers cut into long strips
Feta cheese (optional)
Sauté onions in ¼ cup oil in warm skillet, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in spices. Place on low heat to keep warm. In separate skillet, brown pork in remaining oil. Cover over medium heat and cook 15-20 minutes. Top with pepper strips. Cover and simmer 5 minutes. Stir onion mixture into poke. Garnish with Feta cheese and serve.
Julie’s version: (I’m not one for spicy food so I cut out the red chilies and I don’t add the peppers.)
Onions, cut lengthwise. Simmer in skillet and add paprika and chili powder to taste.
Coat pork strips in flour and cook in separate skillet, add more paprika to taste. Mix with onions and Serve.
Pot Roast & Sour Cream Gravy:
1 4 lb beef pot roast
3 Tbsp. cooking fat
1 beef bouillon cube
1 cup boiling water
4 Tbsp. catsup
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 Tbsp. onion, minced
½ clove garlic, minced
2 tsp salt
1 tsp celery seed
½ tsp black pepper
1 small can mushrooms
4 Tbsp. flour
1 cup dairy sour cream
Brown pot roast in fat in Dutch oven. Pour off drippings. Dissolve bouillon cube in 1 cup boiling water, add to roast. Add catsup, Worcestershire sauce, onion, garlic, celery seed and pepper. Cover and cook over low fire 2 ½- 3 hours, or until meat is tender. Remove meat from kettle. Blend in flour and mushroom liquid and stir into remaining beef liquid to make gravy. Add mushrooms. Remove kettle from heat and stir in sour cream. Serve slices of beef with gravy
*** I have made this (substituting cooking oil for fat) and it is yummy!
Station Pot Roast:
3 lb pot or rump roast
Salt and pepper to taste
¼ cup flour
1 tsp celery salt
1 tsp thyme
1 Tbsp. parsley
2 Tbsp. cooking oil
2 cups sliced onions
1 clove garlic, minced
2 cups hot beef broth
3 Tbsp. tomato paste
2 Tbsp. sugar
2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
Combine seasonings and flour. Rub roast with this mixture. Heat oil in ovenproof casserole pan. Brown beef. Add onions and garlic, stirring until soft. Add remaining ingredients and bake covered at 325 degrees until tender, about 3 hours (or on stope top over low heat).
*** I have also made this on the stove top. Very tasty.
The ‘Original Cowboy Cookbook is available on Amazon.
Happy eating!
