Aug 7, 2009 | Main Dishes, Recipes, Uncategorized
(I really need to find my camera! My cell phone doesn’t take the best pics.)
ground turkey 1 1/2 lbs or so (you could use another meat or sub more beans for this if you wanted)
1 onion (chopped finely)
3 or 4 cloves of garlic (chopped)
Olive Oil
Chili powder (I used Penzey’s Chili 3000) add as much as you’d like
1 can of Bush’s Chili Starter
1 can of Bush’s Chili Beans (or any beans)
1 bottle of Corona beer
1 28 oz can of Muir Glen diced tomatoes
about 1/2 cup of Herdez Salsa Taquera
Brown onions in olive oil in large pot. Add garlic and meat and brown with spices.
Add chili beans, starter, tomatoes, beer, salsa, and cook til it’s done!
Best served with homemade cornbread, hot from the oven! (Fritos will do in a pinch though!)
I like mine with cheese and a dollop of sour cream on top.
Aug 7, 2009 | Uncategorized
Okay, I’ll admit. I am totally obsessing over this purge and cleaning of the boy’s closet/room. Today was spent making labels for things and finishing up the room clean.
I found a neat idea on this cute site for making labels for the Closetmaid canvas bins. I ended up using some scrapbook tin label thingys attached with little brads. I think they look nice and I can change them if needed.
Bins all labeled!
I have the boys undies, socks, pjs, and swimsuits in these. Their t-shirts are in the cabinet, their shorts and jeans in drawers. The rest of the clothes hang up. (I got rid of SO MANY clothes- trying to make my life easier.) The “too big” clothes are in large tubs on the top shelves.
Pirates and aliens that invaded the shelves when I wasn’t looking!
My oldest son was so adorable. He came in and said, “Wow, mom. This is so awesome!” The coolest part is the light that my honey installed. It’s motion activated so it turns on when you go in and turns off after a minute or two! (Wish I had them in every room!)
Now I’m anxiously awaiting the donation truck to come on Monday. I have about a whole bedroom full of stuff to give away! Two dressers, three car seats, about four boxes of clothes and two of toys! Maybe I’ll find more before Monday…
Sick Kid Update: We found out that the flu that the kids had was Type A. Even though the kids are better the school told me to keep them home the rest of the week. They are scouring the school this weekend because they’ve had so many cases already.
Makes me a bit angry that:
a) the school didn’t inform parents that the flu was running rampant (or shut it down)
b) The doc didn’t tell me that it was the flu until we went back a second time. They just assumed it was strep only. I kept them home until they were 24 hrs fever-free, but who knows?
Aug 6, 2009 | Uncategorized
Here is the boy’s closet before (be prepared, it is BAD…)
And here is AFTER!
The shelves on top aren’t attached yet so not everything is where it will be, but so much better!
I am giving away so much it’s unbelievable.
Aug 4, 2009 | Uncategorized
We are still housebound. Flu and strep running rampant. That’s what going back to school gets you!
Being stuck in the house is hard for me. The kids have been managing by making forts from all the pillows and blankets in the house. I’m not even trying to pick those up yet! We had pirates in the kitchen and living room yesterday, complete with the music and costumes!
I decided (why?) that it was a great time to redo the boy’s walk-in closet. They share a bedroom and it was a true mess. Stay tuned for before and after photos (hopefully today!)
I’ve been watching the crazy animals in my backyard. The birds and squirrels actually beg now if I let them run out of food. I have one squirrel that will walk up to the window or back door and peer in with little doe eyes to beg! I have lots of hummingbirds already, and scarlet tanagers (which I haven’t had before here.) The hummers aren’t as plentiful as last year yet, but they are steadily increasing. Here’s a clip of last year’s crazy birds.
Aug 2, 2009 | Uncategorized
Today I celebrate 17 years of marriage to my best friend. Love you, honey!
We went to Ashley’s in the Capital Hotel last night to celebrate. I’d heard a lot about the chef and see his sous chef in the market regularly so know they use fresh, organic veggies.
The atmosphere is lovely. They have a gorgeous dining room, very cozy and elegant.
OK, I have to tell you I am that difficult guest…
almost like Sally in “When Harry Met Sally” (a movie that was out when Scott and I started dating!) One reason I love him so much is that he KNOWS all these little quirks and can order for me if I wanted him to! Another is that he can sing like Harry Connick Junior (who did the soundtrack to the movie.)
- I’m allergic to apples, pears, grapes, carrots and celery.
- I don’t eat mammals
- I like my coffee fresh (half a cup) with cold milk (real milk, not fake junk or cream) and don’t want it heated, just cold milk please.
- I only eat real butter on bread (and wherever else I can get it.) What the heck is margarine anyway?
So, with that in mind…
- For the 1st course they brought us was a slice of celery with a dill coulis and a grape sliced in half. (They did bring me something else but it had RAISINS.)
- I called the waiter over because I looked at my fish and noticed that one of the “sauces” on the plate was bacon drippings with fried BACON. Wouldn’t have been a major issue if we weren’t paying what we were or hadn’t mentioned the pork thing first. He apologized, but think he should have noticed that…
- My coffee had HOT milk…
Now, the fish was alright. The pairings of pesto and candied peppers on the veggies was interesting and tasty. I think the candied peppers on a blackened fish would be fantastic.
Dessert was strange. Nothing chocolate on the menu!
It was fun to try it. And being with my gorgeous husband anywhere is fun!
Next time though we’ll try somewhere else.
(I really need to find my camera! My cell phone doesn’t take the best pics.)
