Bucket

Here is a list of things I would like to do by the end of the year....a bucket list of sorts.

• Make this bread
• Finish folding chair re-do project
• Make Jam Butter
• Take Pickle to see Santa
• Finish reading this
• Get back into doing yoga at least 3 times a week
• Applesauce for the freezer
• 5 random acts of kindness

Only 8 things I should be able to cover that you would think....

Stay tuned....update in 2014

Dinnertime...

I'm in lacking in posting of the pickle's party (for which I was sicker than a dog) and our recent vacation because I do not have the pictures organized as of yet.   But in the meantime.....

This was a crowd pleaser for both of the boys.  Changes I made to the recipe are in green.

 

recipe here

1 pound ground beef or turkey

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 large yellow onion, diced

1 red or green bell pepper, diced

2-3 cloves garlic, minced

coarse salt and fresh black pepper

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon smoked paprika (used regular)

1 teaspoon oregano, preferably Mexican

1/4 teaspoon cayenne or red pepper flakes, optional

1 (10-ounce) can Ro-tel tomatoes and green chiles 

1 (14 ounce can fire roasted diced tomatoes with juices

1 (14 ounce) can petite diced tomatoes with juices 

1 can corn (could use fresh or frozen as well)

1 can mild green chilies (would use two next time) 

6 ounces elbow macaroni (any pasta will do)

1 + 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, plus more for garnish

coarse salt and fresh black pepper

1. Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned all the way through breaking it apart as it cooks. Remove the beef to a bowl and drain off the grease.
2. Heat the olive oil in the same pan and add the onion, pepper and garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until softened about 6 minutes stirring often. Stir in the spices and cook 1 - 2 minutes
3. Add the ground beef back in along with the Ro-tel and diced tomatoes. Season well with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook 25 minutes, stirring often. Taste and season as needed.
4. After 25 minutes cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and add to the beef mixture, stir to combine then mix in the cheese. Serve with more cheese on top

You could make this and freeze it before the pasta as well.   I might do that for the future.   Would also use a chicken sausage or different meat next time.   The ground beef was what I had on had and was fine but there was room for improvement there. I also might add some tomato sauce next time for a little more saucyness.  Especially if you make this ahead of time.

Needless to say this made enough for two meals plus some for the freezer.  

Bon Appetite!

Opposites

Yesterday my baby boy turned one - so hard to wrap my head around..

The year has been full of opposites.....

This past year as flown by yet some moments have gone on forever
          Hard to believe my baby is a toddler
          Sometimes I thought the crying would never stop

Times I have felt like a champion and yet others a failure
          J loving the pasta I made for him and getting excited when he sees it
          J not wanting anything I give him and instead is feeding it to the bubba

          Panicking during his first bath when I thought he was choking
          Getting a few more toys to play with in the bath and viola! no more screaming
         

Never have I had so much joy in my life and yet never have I been more exhausted

Never have I had more colds yet never have I had more energy

I wouldn't trade any moment for anything................