Faye (Stevens) Christofferson of the Kenilworth area recalls needing to do 5 different things at 10 different places at the same time while harvesting with her husband Orval in the mid 1960’s. She says she has no idea how she, “ever did that with a tiny baby and two toddlers!”
Faye and Orval often travelled to a place near Tiber Dam, where Orval’s brother farmed. They harvested there, as well as harvesting their own crop in Big Sandy. Over the years the Christoffersons piled up lots of beautiful wheat and many family milestones. Tammy was born October of 1957; she passed away in 2002. Clayton came along in March of 1959, and then Wendy arrived just in time for an early harvest in July of 1961. Colin was born September of 1970.
Faye remembers how the prairie women helped one another. When she got home from the hospital with Wendy, “the cupboard was bare,” Faye quipped, “not even any spuds!” Those were the days of the one-week hospital vacation, and the larder had suffered during her absence.
Neighbor, friend and relative, Mrs. Shirley (Johnson) Pearson came to the rescue, bringing groceries. Soon Faye was back at work, with a newborn baby in one arm, zucchini in the other, and two little ones underfoot! Here is one of the family favorites from Christofferson Farms.
Beef and Zucchini Casserole
1 lb. fresh summer squash, sliced
1 c. each chopped onion and green pepper
1 lb. lean ground beef
3 cups cooked rice
2 eggs, beaten
1 can cream of chicken soup
¼ teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon salt
½ c. sour cream
1 c. grated cheddar cheese
Cook squash and onion in salted water 5 minutes; drain well; set aside. Cook green pepper and burger until no longer pink, and stir in rice. Blend eggs, soup, cream and seasoning; stir into meat/rice. Fold in squash/onion. Place in greased shallow 2 quart casserole. Top with cheese. Paprika if desired. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes.
