My Favorite Recipes

Linda Marler | Jan 02, 20130

Meet Kris Kackman, Colfax

Kris and Jim Kackman feel blessed to live in the town where they grew up. Kris’ parents are Jim and Kathy Lemon, and Jim’s parents are Don and Chris Kackman. The two Mrs. Kackman’s try to keep the confusion down by making sure people notice how their names are spelled, and some of Chris’ friends call her Christine. When they married, they decided that they wanted to live in the Pacific Northwest.

Jim and Alex, Kylie and Kris

Kris graduated from Colfax High School in 1988 and Jim in 1989. They dated briefly, but didn’t see each other again until midway through college. Western Washington University was fun for Kris for two years, but she transferred to Washington State University to complete her degree in child, consumer and family studies. She liked WWU, but detested the weather and liked rural areas better. Jim graduated from Eastern Washington University in urban planning and has worked in his field in Airway Heights, Pullman and now for the Coeur d’Alene Tribe. In between he worked in farming with Roger and Dean Miller.

Right after college, Kris worked in therapeutic childcare at the YWCA, located near beautiful Riverfront Park (it has since moved and the building torn down). Since they have returned to Colfax, she has had several jobs and loved them all. Kris knew in high school that she wanted to be a mom, and she’s been fortunate to work part-time so that she can be more involved with her children, Alex, who is a sophomore, and Kylie, a sixth grader.

Kris has worked as a receptionist, secretary and treasurer in various combinations at the Colfax United Methodist Church, the Chamber of Commerce and for Dr. Becky Elfers at Colfax Cat Clinic. An aversion to cats abated during her contact with cats at Dr. Elfers’ clinic. Working for her mother-in-law, she served as an aide in the hospital therapy department and taught water aerobics and water babies classes.

Kris is presently the receptionist at Rockwood Inland Eye Center and has been there for the past eight years.

“All of my jobs have been good,” Kris said. Her current position requires assessing patients’ needs, prioritizing calls and appointments. It definitely demands a calm demeanor and the ability to think during busy times. Working at Inland Eye Center has also given Kris the opportunity to know many elderly people, and she realizes that she really likes spending time with them; though in her twenties, her focus was on children.

The Kackman’s bought their house in 1993, and they added a family room, office, patio and pergola in 2005. This last summer, Alex made another flat area to build a unique fire pit. The beautifully decorated interior shows her love for decorating, and Kylie had multiple projects on the table to complete for Christmas gifts.

Kris likes baking, but “joy of cooking” does not describe her. She’s an active person and prefers to be outside, so cooking is what you do to feed your family nutritious meals. Jim and Alex like simple foods that are not highly seasoned, so she cooks with those parameters in mind. Cooking has become more fun the last ten years, and Jim is good kitchen help. He does the grilling.

Canning was something other people did, until six years ago. Friends Tricia Harwood, Lori Brown and Heather Lustig decided they should can together and got Kris to join them. So canning became girlfriend time as well as productive food preservation. A few days of canning is better than shopping and personal counseling, as she spends a couple of days connecting with her friends.

The Kackman’s are involved in Colfax Baptist Church, and Kris helps with Awana and has been a church camp counselor. She enjoys participating in both women’s and couple’s Bible studies.

Almost four years ago, the Kackman’s got Hally Jo, a gentle and sweet Golden Retriever from Matt Cochran, Roy and Rebecca. Hally and Kris, and anyone else who wants to join them, walk one to four miles twice a day. Distance depends on how much time Kris has and the weather conditions. Walking Hally allows Kris time to wind down, and she has quiet time to think and pray while walking the dog. Bicycle riding is another outdoor favorite.

Kris’s primary love is Priest Lake. Some people love the ocean, but Kris is a lake girl. She spent summers and weekends there with her mother’s parents. With seven acres of property, there was always something to do—wood to cut, gardening, digging, building decks and docks.

When they weren’t working, there was volleyball, swimming, motorcycles in warm weather and snowmobiles in the winter. She picked huckleberries for school clothes money, and Monday night movies were shown on the beach. Her friends who vacation there are now bringing their children to the Monday night movies. It’s fun to share those experiences with another generation.

Recipes:

Five Hour Stew

Perfect for folks who love meat and potatoes

1 to 1 1/2 pounds stew meat

1 package frozen vegetables

dash of celery salt

1 can of golden mushroom or cream of chicken soup

1 soup can of water

2 Tablespoons tapioca or cornstarch

Potatoes, cut in chunks

Salt and pepper to taste

Assemble ingredients in crock pot, stirring to mix. Cook at 275 degrees F for 5 hours. Don’t look!