Learn to make great chili…

As a rule, I always add a recipe to the blog on Wednesday’s, so I won’t make an exception here. I’m sure if you look you’ll find my chili recipes somewhere on my blog, I brought it up, because I was amused yesterday when my grandson Trey asked, “Grandma, I’m hungry… can you make chili for dinner?” Now when it’s 9:30 a.m. and having all day to shop, how can you turn down such a request? It’s really cold outside, and it sounded good to me as well. So chili w/ crackers and milk, it was with fudge-cycles for dessert. The fudge-cycles were for Anthony, he loves his ice cream, no matter the temp.

I do make two great chili’s, one using my mom’s recipe & the other using Anthony’s mom’s recipe. Now to be honest, I use Anthony’s mom’s the most, simply because, it’s the easiest. I can make it in 10 minutes. I always toss in some Tabasco sauce since, Steven lives for it. He wasn’t even home last night, but once you start adding things to a recipe, it becomes a habit just like anything else, good or bad, done in repetition, it later becomes a necessity.

We had a great time with our two oldest grandsons’ last night. It’s a treat for any grandparent when the grand’s want to spend the night. Even though we have 4 bedrooms they had to share Steven’s old room. Craigie slept on the roll-away bed. Trey didn’t trust it. I think it was so they could immediately wake the other in the morning, but I could be wrong.  I doubt it.

And mornings mean breakfast but when it comes to eating… Craigie isn’t much of an eater, Trey on the other hand, is. He loves to eat. They both wanted pancakes. I had everything out on the counter ready to start making them with the grill heating; I went to the pantry and discovered that I had no mix. Really? So pancakes were out… and it was doughnuts… all around!

It seems like with kids everything is measured by food, so next up… comes time for lunch and without fail, I asked them if they wanted a grilled cheese sandwich for lunch or something else. Trey immediately asked, “Is there tomato soup to go with that?” I had to laugh. He’s a card. That was a “yes” and it’s one of my favorites, I just have to add potato chips to my soup, but it’s all good.

Soup & Sandwich’s… you can’t go wrong with kids. Well except for Craigie… he hates everything. For now anyway. Trey packed a goodie-bag for himself and everyone in is family before he left. His momma didn’t raise no fool. He got the good stuff. They’ll be back and I’ll be here with a pot of soup, waiting. I love my Grands!

Home is a place where a pot of fresh soup simmers gently on the hob, filling the kitchen with soft aromas… and filling your heart, and later your tummy, with joy. ~ KEITH FLOYD

 

Never…

allow a friend to grieve alone.

I try to attend the funeral of all my friends and loved ones and/or their loved ones. It brings about finality, whenever you do.  If we don’t, it seems like we’re always looking for that particular someone around every corner, or expecting them to call, or maybe even stop by or some other kind of happenstance upon which we will run into that person. Even though we know in the back of our minds they’re deceased. This will bring about closure.  Being there for those we care about or share a kinship with, are just an added bonus. It lets them know that you care about them. Caring is the most important part of friendship we can offer.

If you can’t make the funeral, call and/or send flowers as an emotional gesture, until you can be there in person to put your arms around them and give them a hug.

Friendship improves happiness and misery by doubling our joy and dividing our grief. ~ JOSEPH ADDISON

 

There are 102 days left in the year

now what to do with them?

We’re finishing up our vacation, a day early due to Steven’s Convocation at UC. Trying to complete his move into his dorm and preparing for an empty nest.  A four bedroom house, probably will seem too big for two people, so I’ll need to make some major adjustments. In our home and our lives. Things in life we’re never really prepared for… How do we fill the void?

O tell her, Swallow that thy brood is flown: Say to her, I do but wanton in the South, But in the North long since my nest is made. ~ Tennyson

 

One Flaw In Women

One Flaw In Women

 Women have strengths that amaze men.
 They bear hardships and they carry burdens,
 but they hold happiness, love and joy.
 
 They smile when they want to scream.
 They sing when they want to cry.
 They cry when they are happy
 and laugh when they are nervous.
 They fight for what they believe in.
 They stand up to injustice.
 
 They don’t take “no” for an answer
 when they believe there is a better solution.
 
 They go without so their family can have.
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.
They love unconditionally.
 They cry when their children excel
 and cheer when their friends get awards.
 
 They are happy when they hear about
 a birth or a wedding.
 Their hearts break when a friend dies.
 They grieve at the loss of a family member,
 yet they are strong when they
 think there is no strength left.
 They know that a hug and a kiss
 can heal a broken heart.
 
 Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.
 
 They’ll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you
 to show how much they care about you.
 
 The heart of a woman is what
 makes the world keep turning.
 
 They bring joy, hope and love.
 They have compassion and ideas.
 They give moral support to their
 family and friends.
 
 Women have vital things to say
 and everything to give.
 
 HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,
 IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.