Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Chili Recipe

I saw this recipe - a while back - in People Magazine and really wanted to try it.  I always look forward to the recipes they highlight every week.  The recipe actually comes from Leo Howard (A Disney star, but I am totally out of that realm anymore and don't know who he is).  The day finally arrived and I put it in the crock pot this morning.
Turned out, it was really good and extremely easy!  I served it with homemade biscuits.  I will most definitely use this chili recipe again.  If you are interested, here it is:
2 T. vegetable oil (I did not use)
1 lb. ground turkey (I used lean hamburger)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 15-oz. can black beans, undrained
1 15-oz. can pinto beans, undrained
1 15-oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 11-oz can whole kernel corn, undrained (I used shoe peg corn)
1 1-oz. package dry ranch dressing mix
1 1 1/4 oz. package taco seasoning
2 cloves garlic, crushed and minced (I added this to the recipe - you can't make chili without garlic, right?)

Directions:  Brown hamburger, onion, and garlic over medium heat.
Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to medium, stirring occasionally until liquid thickens, about 20 minutes.
Crock Pot:  Brown hamburger, onion, and garlic.  Mix ingredients in crock pot.
Cook on low for one-half day.

Hope you enjoy it!

jean



Thursday, January 17, 2013

Perfect Weather

We are having some really cold weather here in Phoenix, even colder than some east coast cities.  Earlier this week, at about 11:00 AM, I looked at the temperatures and it came up as...
(39 degrees, but notice it feels like 33!) which made for an absolute perfect day to stay in and...
make cards.

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Saturday consisted of basketball...

no, definitely not me.  I went to Kylee's basketball game in Phoenix.  Some shots from the sidelines...

 Sister, Myah, came to support her sister... and play a little between the quarters.

 Kylee is the blur in the picture below...
 and she has her back to us in the next picture - wearing dark socks and dark shoes.
 More of Myah taking a few shots...
One thing I noticed - and couldn't miss - is that Kylee is a really good dribbler, and I mean a really good dribbler!  You can tell she likes it and works on it.
And those girls were having a great time in that gym, playing basketball.

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Hmmmm....

 What the heck is that?
 Found in several places of the house...
Now I see what it is...
... and who did it.

Friday, January 4, 2013

Altered Starbucks Mini Book

I have seen several samples of altered mini books made from Starbucks coffee sleeves, and decided to try one on my own.  I have to say that I am pleased with the outcome.  I created a book for my friends, Nicole and Sam, of a day spent in the park with their two daughters, Myah and Kylee.  You've seen them before, but these are photos were taken when they were much younger.  I started with this (5 Starbucks sleeves):

and came up with this:
 The book is small and compact so it can easily stand on a table.
Can't wait to see their faces when they see this book.

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Kim's New Wheels...

I didn't share this with everyone, but a couple of weeks ago my daughter, Kimberly, was in what could have been a bad accident.  She was very fortunate.  When we went to clean out her car, I took a couple of pictures...
I didn't take photos of the back and sides, but the entire car has extremely damaged - the insurance company totaled it out.  Due to slick and wet roads, her car started hydroplaning on a freeway ramp and she bounced back and forth between the cement walls.  Luckily, there were no cars beside her or near her.  There is no doubt she had an angel on her shoulder looking out for her that night.

Today we went shopping for a new car and she thought she wanted a Nissan Versa, so that's where we started...
and ended.  It is so cute and she loves her new car!  The price was right and the dealership was very courteous.  Long day but somewhat painless.

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Cassandra's Thank You

Remember those cupcakes I made for Kate's first grade class?  
I had about 8 extra cupcakes so I took them to work and gave them to my co-workers who have children.  My friend, Vanessa, has two daughters and her oldest daughter, Cassandra, made me a handmade thank you card...
As you can see, Cassandra is quite the artist. 
She also gave me a gift - the onyx bear.  She is so very sweet and I put the bear on my shelf. 
Thank you, Cassandra, for such a heart-felt gift.

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Today's the Day... to at least think about your New Year's Resolutions

Does your list look like one of these?
THE EVER CHANGING PROCRASTINATOR'S LIST
 THE ETERNAL OPTIMIST'S LIST
 THE "CUTER, THE MOST SUCCESSFUL" LIST
 THE EVERYDAY POST IT LIST
I have a really hard time keeping any resolutions I make, so I decided several years back, to stop making them for starting January 1.  When I set goals, I do them in my own timing and definitely NOT January 1.  I find I am more successful if I do it that way - MY way.  Do you have anything you'd like to share?
Regardless of what you do, best of everything to you in the new year!
Jean