Wednesday, January 12, 2011

January Recipe - Big Batch Veggie Chili


This is my New Favorite Recipe of 2011. I found it in Southern Living and adjusted it as I found fit. So here is my Updated Version and my Family Corn Bread Recipe. It is the Easiest and So Moist. Enjoy!

Big Batch Veggie Chili

Ingredients:
  • 1 bag Carrot Chips
  • 1  large sweet onion, diced
  • 1  tablespoon olive oil
  • 1  (3.625-oz.) package Wick Fowler's 2 Alarm chili (chicken) kit
  • 1  (8-oz.) can tomato sauce
  • 5  cups  tomato juice
  • 3  (14.5-oz.) cans diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 2  (15-oz.) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2  (15-oz.) cans great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1  large zucchini, chopped
  • 1  yellow squash, chopped
  • 1  cup  frozen whole kernel corn
  • Toppings: chopped fresh cilantro, sour cream, chopped green onions, shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, chopped tomatoes
Preparation: 
1. Sauté carrots and onion in hot oil in a 5- to 6-qt. Dutch oven over medium heat 7 minutes or until onions are translucent. Stir in red pepper packet from chili kit; stir in all of remaining packets. Sauté mixture 2 minutes. Stir in tomato sauce and next 7 ingredients.
2. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat to medium low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 30 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Serve with desired toppings.
Add salt and pepper to taste

Serve with Home Made Corn Bread.
Here is the Easy Smith Corn Bread Recipe:
Ingredients: 2 Cups Buttermilk, 2 Sticks Butter, 2 Cups Self Rising Corn Meal, & 2 Eggs. Bake at 375 Degrees for 20 Minutes in a 10 x 10 Iron Skillet or 2 - 8x8 Square Pyrex.

Happy New Year 2011!!!!

Celebrating New Year's in Austin, TX
Happy 2011! I can't believe that 2010 is already gone and that I am embracing  a New Year. Obviously, I am a little delayed on my New Year's Post. I finally visited Austin, TX and just didn't pass through. I love that City: beautiful scenery, laid back culture, delicious local food, and it's just cool. There were 15 friends from Dallas who ventured down I-35 to spend New Year's Eve together. We rang in the New Year over looking the City on the Slab (which is technically considered private property) and then spent all the New Year's Day at Zikel Park. And to keep to my German Roots, I did have some Black Eyed Peas. As a little girl, I have found memories of my Grandparents making Black Eyed Peas and hiding the Dime for Good Luck. I always hated the Menu but it makes me smile a little. 

Here are a few of my 2011 Goals:
Financial:
- Save More & Give More; Spend Less
- Keep to the Budget in order to Steward finances well
Spiritual:
- Read Through the Bible in a Year
Physical:
- Train & Run a Half Marathon with Kelly Summers
Creative:
- Make a Colorful Quilt 
- Start Painting Canvas's as Gifts Again 
- Finish Dress

Fa-La-La Christmas Cheer


Christmas in Kentucky was Wonderful!!!! It was such a gift from the Lord. It started with a Road Trip across the Southern States - 18 hours, 7 states, 1300 miles, 4 nights in 4 different cities, and lots of Loved ones. I really enjoyed the freedom and the peace in meandering on my way from Texas to Kentucky. The days at Home consisted of 6 Best Friends, 5 Babies, Smith Family, and a lot more. This year I got to spend time with some of the Best Girlfriends that God could of ever provided in my life. As well as a slight turn of events heading into 2011. 

Here are some highlights from 2010:
- Celebrated my 25th Birthday
- Rounded the 2 Year mark in Dallas
- My sister, Alyssa got Engaged to the Love of her Life
- Baby Fever among my Best Friends in KY: 5 Babies in a Year - Sawyer, Gabe, Howard 3
- Oh I can't forget Baby Maggie Trussell
- Celebrated 5 Weddings with Some Great Friend's: Lauren Bassler, Ashley Williams, Lydia, Lindsay Boss, and Kelly Rutherford
- Learned a Ton about God's Sovereignty, His Timing, and His Provision
- Traveled a Bunch: Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Georgia, Florida, New Mexico, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, and Texas of course
- Made the Decision is Sit Put in Dallas by derailing a few Job moves
- Applied to Graduate School at SMU
- Sold a Bunch of GE Appliances