Yesterday we awaken to wispy dots of snowflakes swirling and blanketing the ground with whiteness. Scrooge would have been considered a saint to my children on any sort of rating scale if I would have failed to cancel school for the day!
A daily list of things to be accomplished was formulated in my mind as I scurried behind the children helping them to don snowsuits, toboggans, boots and waterproof mittens or gloves.
First I would bake a loaf of bread. Making bread has been playing peekaboo in my mind for some time now and something I have wanted to begin doing on a more regular basis. It just speaks to me of being home, because after you start the process you are not as free to wander far from the hearth. I decided on a baguette to go along with the chili I was planning on fixing since the ingredients for both bread and chili were purchased the day before in hopes that the forecast of snow would actually materialize.
Then, most important of all, I was determined to finish knitting a pair of lace-like blue socks I had been working on since before Christmas. I was so glad I did. These socks feel so heavenly on the feet. These are the first pair of solid patterned socks I have ever attempted and I found I truly enjoyed the challenge even though I could probably improve on my method of keeping up with what row I was on, especially since I seldom have uninterrupted knitting times.
Chili
2-3 lbs of hamburger
1 onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
3 gloves garlic, minced
2-3 tablespoons of chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon crushed hot pepper flakes
32 oz of beef broth
1 large can of diced tomatoes
2 cans of kidney beans with juice
Saute green peppers and onions in 2 tablespoons of oil until done; add garlic and a little broth.
Brown hamburger and drain any excess grease.
Add tomatoes, broth, and spices.
Simmer on low heat for several hours. the beans need to be added after about an hour of cooking.
In truth, my chili is never quite the same. I really tried to make a point of measuring my ingredients this go round in order to give a more accurate recipe to record. You may alter it and still come up with some very tasty chili. Last night I appreciated my son's compliment, "Mama, you make good chili." Some of the members of my family have a preference for more heat, so they add extra hot sauce at serving time.
