A Whole Lot of Gravy Goin On

This was chicken fried steak (top) and vereneke (bottom) Friday evening. A rare, delicious, and not too healthy treat.
This morning I was awake at 4:30 and in the kitchen by 5:30. The crockpot is full of stew meat, carrots, potatoes, onions, celery, V-8 juice, beef bouillon, bay leaves, and some spices. Lunch is at 1:30. With the wind chill at -11, I don't expect any guests. The schools are all closed. We didn't get much snow after the small amount of ice yesterday. Serious beginning for February!