Happy Monday!  I hope all of you had a wonderful weekend.  I happen to have had a most amazing weekend.  Saturday was my 5th anniversary.  Friday night Daniel and I sat and talked about what we were doing 5 years ago, the night before we were married.  We laughed about things that we did not find very funny at that time.  On Saturday, Daniel surprised me with a relaxing massage at a Spa in Old Town.   He got a pedicure which made his feet look amazing.  Besides all that,  I think that if a couple can make it through 5 years, 2 kids, and a job transfer, then that is the first step to making it through the next 5, 10, 15 years.  

Happy Thursday to all my friends.  I have been having a lonely week with Daniel being out of town with work.  I really do not know how my cousins handle it,  but now I have a greater understanding of those women who send there men off for days at a time.  The girls and I have been staying very busy.  McKenna made dinner last night.  We had spaghetti and bread.  She did a great job!  I think it is going to be a once a week routine for the girls to make dinner. 

With Halloween just two weeks away, we here at the Lewis house, have  also been busy putting together costumes. This year McKenna is going to be a princess and Bree will be a butterfly. Kenna has some great ideas.  She has been gathering items to accessorize her costume with.  She should be quite the glamorous little princess.  We have even made a couple of Thrift Store runs to see if there is anything “she just has to have”.  Daniel and I are going the Fabians for one of there infamous Halloween parties.  I am sure we will have a smashing good time.  lol  We are still trying to put together costumes.  And ideas? Let me know.  

Have a fabulous weekend! 

Last night was our 2^nd annual Chili Cook off.  We had some great entries this year. Our home was filled with the tantalizing smell of peppers, cumin, garlic… The winner was Kim, with her Pumpkin Black Bean Chili.  I hope to add some new twists to it next year and possibly gather recipes and create a chili cook off cookbook.  I think that would be lots of fun for the participants.  I created a Cheesy Potato Bacon chili.  I personally think that I cooked it too long and the horseradish became a strange flavor.   Here is the recipe for those who would like to try it.  

Cheesy Potato and Bacon Chili

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 pound potatoes, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 (28 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, broken up, undrained

1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce

1/2 cup water

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 small green bell pepper, diced

1/4 cup chopped parsley

1/4 cup prepared horseradish

6 strips crisp cooked bacon, crumbled

1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Heat the oil in a 2-quart pot. Add the potatoes, onion, and garlic.

Sauté 5 minutes.

Add the next 4 ingredients. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover,

and simmer 10 minutes. Uncover and stir in remaining ingredients

except cheese. Cook 5 minutes more or until desired consistency.

Garnish each serving with cheese.

Serves 4.--

Here I sit at 6:00 am, strong cup of coffee at my side. Brenna was up most of the night.  So I am a little sleep deprived this morning.  For all you moms out there with more than one child. You know that there is no chance that if Brenna goes down for a nap that I will be able to join her.  Let me repeat...I have a STRONG cup of coffee at my side.  I wonder if this lack of sleep is why women look as if the "age" faster?  Isn't that an interesting thought. 

Here is a random thought...there are 84 days until Christmas.  I have been slowly getting my gifts together.  I think that Daniel is going to string lights on our house this year.  That will be a lot of fun.  

So we are having our annual Chili Cookoff this weekend.  If anyone has a recipe that they would like to share with me, I would totally appreciate it.  

Enough of my ramblings.  Have a great day! 

   

 

Happy Monday to us all. Right now I am sitting at the table listening to McKenna explain to us that a "diddy" is a "very short simple song".  Where she picked up that little bit on knowledge, I don't know, but I am amazed.   

Visiting Angels

Today I started my new part-time job. I am now a Visiting Angel.  I must say that I was shaking in my crocs as I walked up the steps to my new clients home.  I have never done so much praying.  lol  All went well and I will be back tomorrow morning.    

My little Brenna is such a Dare Devil.  I am watching her climb up on the tile in front of the fire place.  Two days ago we caught her trying to wash her hand.  Yes, that is right she climbed up on the on the stool in front of the sink.  She has absolutely no fear.  

  

Chowder on a rainy day

A few months ago my mom blessed me with a couple dozen mini cookbooks.  I have sorted through them and have picked out a few to try.  I tried a new one last night.  It was Mushroom-Potato Chowder.  It was very good...Well at least Daniel, Brenna and I thought so.  McKenna had a rough time with it and after dinner asked me "why did I cook food that she doesn't like".  The recipe made just enough for the four of with no left overs.  I think I will double the recipe next time.  I hope that you will try it.  It you do please let me know what you think.  

MUSHROOM-POTATO CHOWDER

1 tablespoon margarine or butter

2 medium size potato- cubed

1 1/2 cups of sliced fresh mushrooms

1/4 cup chopped green onions

1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic

1 cup water

1 tablespoon chicken-flavor instant bouillon

3/4 cup instant mashed potato flakes ( any brand will do) 

1 1/2 cups milk

1/8 teaspoon dried thyme leaves 

Melt margarine in medium saucepan.  Add onions, garlic, potato and 1 cup water.  Slow cook until potatoes are just beginning to get tender (do not over cook or potato will be mush). Add bouillon and mushrooms. Bring to boil, stirring to dissolve bouillon.  

Reduce heat to low; stir in all remaining ingredients.  Cook until thoroughly heated, STIRRING FREQUENTLY ( so that potato flakes to not get lumpy).  Serve

I served the chowder with Garlic cheddar biscuit ( Bisquick recipe).  

Rainy Days

Today I woke up to sound of rain pitter patting on my window.  It made me think that even earth needs a good cry once in awhile to make itself feel refreshed and renewed.  I will be working on my blog today (thank you Deb) so hopefully it will be more interesting to look at.  

I have an amazing rainy day chili recipe to share with all of you.  It is super easy and so very yummy! 

 Blonde Chicken Chili

INGREDIENTS:

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

3 pounds skinless, boneless

chicken breast meat - cubed

1 cup chopped onion

2 cups chicken broth

2 (4 ounce) cans chopped

green chile peppers

5 (14.5 ounce) cans great

Northern beans, undrained

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon ground cumin

1 tablespoon dried oregano

2 teaspoons chopped fresh

cilantro

1 teaspoon crushed red pepper

DIRECTIONS:

1.         In a large skillet over medium-high heat, place the vegetable oil and chicken. Cook the chicken, stirring occasionally, until all pieces are evenly brown. Stir in the onions. Cook until translucent. Drain mixture and set aside.

2.         In a large saucepan over medium heat, bring the chicken broth and green chile peppers to a boil. Stir in 3 cans great northern beans, garlic powder, cumin, oregano, cilantro and crushed red pepper. Stir in the chicken and onion mixture, and reduce heat. Simmer 30 minutes or longer, adding additional beans from the remaining cans for a thicker consistency as desired.

Prep Time: 30 Minutes

Cook Time: 30 Minutes         

Ready In: 1 Hour

Yields: 10 servings