Chili recipe

On a blustery, cold, rainy day this week I decided I wanted Chili. So I looked up recipes, but didn't have everything I needed. So I waited until the next day - when it was 70 degrees outside. Still blustery, though, so it worked out. I found this awesome recipe that doesn't have beans. The hubby isn't a beans kind of guy, so it worked for us! The only thing I'm going to change about it is that I will add Green Peppers and more onions in the last hour of cooking next time. The Hubby says this taste a lot like Chili Mac. (I served it over macaroni noodles). I think it has the perfect consistency and a wonderful blend of flavors.

Taken from this website: http://www.cookingcache.com/crockpot/gottahaveasecondbowlcrockpotchili.shtml?rdid=rc1

Crockpot Chili Recipe 3-1/2 lb coarsely ground beef
14.5 oz. beef broth
3 T finely chopped onion
1 tsp. garlic powder
3 tsp. instant beef bouillon granules, divided
8 oz tomato sauce
2 T paprika
1 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp black pepper
4 T chili powder
1 T cumin
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp garlic salt
1/4 tsp instant chicken bouillon granules
1/2 tsp. lime juice

Cook beef in large skillet over medium heat, stirring to crumble until beef is browned, drain. Place cooked beef, chopped onion, beef broth, tomato sauce, chili powder, paprika, cumin, 2 tsp beef bouillon, garlic powder, cayenne and pepper in crock pot. Cover and cook on low for 3 hours. Then, stir in remaining beef bouillon, onion powder, salt, sugar, garlic salt, chicken bouillon and lime juice. cover and cook one hour.

Your Word is "Love"

You see life as possibility to form deep connections with a few people. Relationships are the center of your world, and you always take time to bond with those you love. You are caring and giving. You enjoy helping those you love. And when it comes to romantic love, you feel passionately ... even in a very long term relationship.

What's Your Word?

You Are Copper

You are provocative and challenging. You help people realize who they really are. You live a very balanced life. You always take time for love and art. You are both a powerful and generous person. You always have time to give back. People find you to be incredibly ethical and loyal.

What Metal Are You?

What breed of horse are you? Find out!

Making some changes in the New Year

Life ebbs and flows along, constantly changing and morphing you and those around you. There is no exception for me. Our recent move has brought on some changes. Some are good, and some are more difficult but not necessarily "bad." This past year I have become run down and depressed over some of the ebbs and flows; so even though I usually resist change, it is welcome this time.

A few of the good and positive changes are that I don't spend as much time on the computer, I'm moving my body more, I eat home cooked meals at home at the kitchen table with the kids, and I get to see Hubby on an almost daily basis. I've also begun reading to the kids every night again and spend more time talking with them. A couple of the side notes occurring from these changes are that the kids are better behaved and I am losing weight and finding it easier to get around.

A few of the more difficult changes are moving from a great school to a not so great school, losing my support network, and finding a rhythm to family life with six again. I have talked about the school issue in my other blog, and I think losing my network speaks for itself. I miss them all terribly. One of my friends is very ill right now and I am praying daily for him! As for the family rhythm, that is a little more abstract and I don't know if I can explain it. The children were used to having me at their disposal, and now they have to share me with Daddy. This especially speaks for the youngest. The Hubby and I both had our daily/nightly routines that we did and they were obviously each our own routines that didn't involve the other. It's been a little bumpy readjusting back to a "couple" attitude. I'm sure the boisterousness of the household is a huge change for the Hubby from his quiet barracks room as well. Things get easier every day, but I'm sure it will take some time and some mourning, if you will, over our old habits.

I guess one of the biggest things I'm trying to say is that I'm bored. My schedule used to be so busy and involved that I had to create a Sabbath Day of our own to rest and connect with God. We can now do that every day because there is just nothing to do. I clean house, I play with the kids, I play with the Hubby, (get your mind out of the gutter! OK so maybe you are half right), and I take care of the kids (including the 29 year old). I don't get that much adult contact anymore and it is proving almost impossible for me to form coherent sentences when I do get around other people. The conversations stall and I get odd looks, and then any potential conversationalists wander off to find someone who can talk intelligently. I'm usually left stuttering to the wind looking like a complete lunatic. Well, OK, that isn't too difficult for me to look like. I am what I am. Deal with it and love me anyway.

Hopefully I will find an ebb and flow into something that will help me grow and flourish again. I know I need to give it time. Welcome 2009...there is much to reflect upon - and plenty of time to do it.

You Are Green Lights

Your holidays are a time of rest and solace. You take time to reflect on the year that's passed. You also enjoy connecting with friends and family you've lost touch with. The holidays are your opportunity to remember what's important in your life.

What Color Christmas Lights Are You?

Your result for What Planet are You From? Test...

You are from the Moon!

27% Moon

Okay, yes, I know the moon is not a planet.

The moon, is, however, the Earth’s only natural satellite and the fifth largest natural satellite in our solar system. For this reason alone it could be that it has life on it, right? Yes, there have been many explorations to prove otherwise, but for many years people on Earth believed that the moon was inhabited. It is also the only celestial body that man has stepped upon.

There are a dozen gods and goddesses associated with the moon. The word Lunar, which relates to the moon’s cycle, is from the Latin word Lunar. One of the reasons that people tend to associate a female deity with the moon might be related to the female menstrual cycle. With that said, it’s is definitely time to move along before I get myself in trouble.

What does this say about you?

You desire contact with the world around you. You have a loving and nurturing nature, but you can suffer from mood changes and go through cycles. You aren’t afraid to stand up for what you believe in or to even stand up for the little guy that tends to get beat up on or forgotten. You probably even tend to put other people before yourself.

As a child of the moon you have a cold and warm side. When someone wrongs you it better be something they never do again. You may forgive them once, but you will never forget and a second time can cut them totally out of your life. You can be the life of the party, but only if it suits you. You are just as happy finding a few people that you can talk to and more than likely there are very few people that you can’t talk to.

You probably usually have a smile on your face and make people feel comfortable with you. You are just one of those people that others open up to and then wonder why.

So, moon child, in a way you are just like the tide. You ebb and flow in life and you like it best when you are in control.

Take What Planet are You From? Test at HelloQuizzy