My First Chili

I've never made chili before and figured I needed to add it to my recipes. I searched the internet for quite some time looking at all the different recipes. I settled on one that looked decent and then found another just as tempting to try...so i took a big risk and made up my own recipe. I am so happy about the the way it turned out, but I was even more happy that Mike really liked it. So, here is my chili recipe as best as I can recall from memory of what I did.

My First Chili

1 lbs ground beef
1 can diced tomatoes (slightly pureed)
2 cans kidney beans (drained)

1 can black beans (drained)
1 green pepper (chopped)
1/2 onion (chopped)

2 garlic cloves (finely chopped)
1 stalks celery (chopped)
1 Tbs jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
1 1/2 Tbs chili powder
1 Tbs Argentine steak rub
1 Tbs Italian seasoning

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 chicken bouillon cube

1 cup water

1 tsp sugar
salt & pepper
hot sauce
oil (for frying) 

 

Toppings:

sour cream (optional)
shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
chopped raw onion (optional)

Sautee garlic, onions, green peppers in oil. Brown ground beef. All all other ingredients and simmer for 1-2 hours. Serve with sour cream, shredded cheese and onions.

The chili freezes well, is great for cold days and yummy served with a baked potato. This recipe is really not hard...just a lot of chopping to do. I hope ya'll enjoy!

November Happy Boy

Benjamin has outgrown his baby bath and had his first big bath. He loves kicking the water around as much as before.

 He also likes to try to feed himself. He's usually unsuccessful at getting the food into his mouth.

 Love, love, love his little face on Thanksgiving day!

Here is the happy boy playing with his pillow pets. His daddy and I are very happy for the blessing he is in our lives. We hope everyone had a great November.

Computer Time

I am on my computer quite a bit for work. Sometimes Benjamin is content playing with his own toys, is thoughtfully watching me type away, or is grabbing at my computer excited to slap the keys or get his mouth on the screen to leave a slobbery mess. The same thing happens with my phone. Well, we solved the problem with the phone by getting him his own toy phone to play with. Last weekend, we received a package from Nonna and Abuelo and found a toy laptop inside for Benjamin. He now enjoys slapping at his own keys, chewing the screen and is amused by opening and closing his toy. Thanks Nonna and Abuelo!!!

First Halloween

I had so much fun planning out our Halloween costumes. I dressed as Abby from NCIS with her hippopotamus, and since Mike didn't want to dress up, I think he fit the part of McGee pretty well.

I've got to take advantage of dressing up Benjamin how I like before he starts making his own choices.

October-rest

 Where did October go? I think I slept the second half of the month away, I've been so exhausted. I'm not the only one that has been tired. Above is a rare chance that Mike has to hold Benjamin as he falls asleep. It's very sweet!

 I started to feel teeth trying to come out on baby's lower jaw. They haven't cut through, yet. One day it was bothering him quite a bit, so he had the best time gnawing on an apple chunk. It was a sticky mess, but so fun to watch him go at the apple.

 I love his little froggy outfits!

 He's cute in his monkey outfits too! He was content to swing around (like a monkey).

Benjamin has reached 6 months old and I decided to let him experience a ride in the shopping cart. The first time he reached his arms from one side of the cart to the other to hold on. It was so fun to see him wide-eyed as we sped through the aisles.