Monday, October 15, 2012

Fall Makes Me Crave Chili....

Fall Troop Camp, October 2012

Wow has it really been nearly a month since I've posted.  Things here were in high Girl Scout mode as I took my troop on their first camping adventure.  It was a success and a great time had by all!  Troop Leader Donna even survived the hike just 7 weeks after having knee surgery.  Here is my awesome crew at the Archery Range.  I am so proud of my girls jumping in and wanting to help and try new things. 


It was the perfect Fall Weekend!


Speaking of Fall....  One of my favorite meals is Crockpot Chili and have I got a recipe to share with you.  I orginally got this from Kraft Foods quarterly magazine and I've been making it for years.  I've adapted it a bit over time, as most of us do with a beloved recipe.  I even won 2nd place in a Chili Cookoff at church one year.  The great thing was, I was the only one with corn in my chili....well the following year at least five people added corn.  It really is the perfect complement.  You can link to the Kraft Foods recipe from here  http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/slow-cooker-hearty-beef-chili-111270.aspx for the original recipe.  Below is my adaptation.

Here are the ingredients...
1 lb.  lean ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
1 tbsp minced garlic

1 can (16 oz.)  dark red kidney beans, rinsed
1 can (16 oz.)  light red kidney beans, rinsed


1 can (16 oz.)  black beans, rinsed
2 cans  (15 oz.)  tomato sauce

1 can (14.5oz.) petite diced tomatoes or 1 jar (16 oz.) of Mild Salsa
1 cup  frozen corn
2 tbsp chili powder
Brown ground beef, sautee in onion and garlic, drain.  Add meat mixture to crockpot, add in canned indegrents.  Stir in chili powder and frozen corn.  Cook on high for 4 -5 hours or low for 5-6 hours.  Serve topped with mild cheddar shredded cheese and oyster crackers.  Enjoy!
Looking for a meatless alternative.  I have sauteed the onion and garlic with my diced tomatoes, then just follow the rest of the cooking directions.  Makes for a great vegetarian option.
I am so excited!  This what's cooking in my crockpot right now.  House smells YUMMY!  Can't wait for my dear hubby to get home so we can enjoy one of our all time fall favorites.
Have a blessed day!
Donna

Friday, September 14, 2012

Cold, Wet, Rainy, Craft......

Today in Ohio we are having a lovely Fall day with cooler weather (a welcome change from yesterday's 80's) and a light rain.  My first inclination is to take a nap.  And its no wonder, the kids haven't gotten home from school yet, my dear husband is still at the office and the house is quiet.  Too quiet....considering the dog and cats are sprawled out and sleeping here and there.  But as hard as I tried I just couldn't do it.  I have a to do list a mile long which I'm sure many of you can relate to but I keep thinking of pumpkins, leaves and fall.  Fall is my favorite season after all!

So what better way to spend a rainy fall afternoon than making a card or two.  So with tape runner in hand I looked about my craft room and got to work.  I am in this punch art phase as of late.  A great way to make quick cute cards.  Hope you enjoy today's creations.

Pumpkin Card
Pumpkins made from oval and circle punches, stamp used as background is Stampin' Up! Stampin' Wheel Acorns and phrase is from Stampin! Up! Loads of Love Accessories.











Fall Leaves Card
Leaves from Cricut Cartridge Doodlecharms, boarder is scallop punch.












Sunflower Card
Stamp used for sunflower is Stampin' Up! Give Thanks and phrase is from Inkadinkado.












Hope you enjoyed today's Fall Cards!

Donna

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Getting Started.....

As the seasons change our schedules and priorities do to.  The kids have gone back to school for many of us.  As Mom's we start to tackle some of those projects we've put on the back burner while we enjoyed those summer days watching our children play, grow and prepare for the new school year with anxious excitement.  And so Fall brings about this change for me as well.  A time to start my blog and share the things I love most.  For me those include crafting, decorating and family.  Life is short and we need to capture those "Hints of Happiness" that surround us.

On this blog I will share crafts, decorating and organizing ideas along with recipes and family stories, pictures and activities.  If someone would ask me to describe my style I would have to say a mix of Traditional, French Country and Cottage.  My goal is to bring a smile to the faces of those around me.  I love to make things for others and I always want our friends and family to feel welcome and comfortable.


I want to end today by sharing this plaque I picked up on our family vacation to Holland, Michigan a couple of years ago.  It is the last thing I see before I go to bed and the first thing I see when I wake up.  I hope you are encouraged by these words. 


I hope you'll stop by and join me as I journey through life capturing and sharing what I see, make and learn. Hopefully you'll find something useful or creative to make your life a little happier :)

Donna