CHILI!

OK EVERYONE! CHILI  is the best comfort food around...and I think I have perfected mine to simple greatness!
Feel free to copy and adapt!

Next time I will post pics I promise...

Chili recipe:
TO A MEDIUM STOCK POT
MELT 1 TBS BUTTER 1 TBS OLIVE OIL
ADD
1 medium onion, chopped fine
1-3 cloves of garlic-chopped fine
if you like add:
1 bell pepper, chopped fine

1 jalepeno, chopped fine note for those who dont like heat DEFINITELY DONT ADD WONT CHANGE ANYTHING I PROMISE!
 I only addem when I gotem...
(I use my ninja or the vidalia chopper this make hard labor turn to literally seconds)


next saute the above til soft on med low heat- the onions are translucent
next ADD & BROWN
1-2 lbs of ground beef ,salt,  pepper and a sm palm of cumin
IS IT BROWN OR GREY?MAKE SURE ITS BROWN!
 THEN ADD THE FOLLOWING
1 can black beans- drained
2 cans of DARK red kidney beans,drain if you like a super thick chili
1 LG 28 OZ  can of diced tomatoes with juice

1 sm can of tomato paste 
1sm can of tomato sauce
1-2 palmfuls of chili powder- this is really to taste (I usually do 2)
more cumin if needed
3 shakes of worcester sauce (if you got it- not totally necessary-)
AND THE SECRET INGREDIENT:
1 PALMFUL OF BROWN SUGAR- DO NOT OMIT!
mix it up- taste- adjust the seasoning bring to a boil then simmer 1/2 hr
serve with hunks of warm sourdough bread- and toppings(I dont use"toppings" unless there be that there company!) or just some corn bread if you like to keep it southern ya'll!
happy eating!

Pieces of Perfectness

So a friend and I were chatting today and I told her that I wanted her long legs. I envy her. She has these long model legs that look great in those skinny jeans that only the perfect legged woman could wear. She said she would gladly give them up. I offered up one of my better assests ..my boobs. Thats right, girls, I said it. They're one of my assests..and don't think I dont know it! It may not be very Molly Mormon of me...but well my name is Ruth .
Anyways, as we were chatting I thought wouldn't it be great if we could "try on" our favorite parts of our favorite people...making  the perfect self? Then we could return it after a while- I could have one friend's legs, my old friend BK's time management skills, Jennifer Aniston's hair.No, wait- my daughter's! hair! ..my friend AHW teeth- she wouldn't admit it but she has great teeth...my sister CG's ability to draw...before I know it I would have nothing but perfect parts...I would be the best of everyone and myself....I would want to keep my strength of faith , ability to teach, my steadfastness,my eyes, my love for cooking and scrapbooking and writing.
And what would I find? That the long legs were not easy to get pants for?Fit in the front seat of small cars? That the hair  and teeth were hard to maintain, and that the artistic abilities, actually took years to perfect?
 I would like to think I would miss my flawed self ...with our pieces of perfectness shining through..we see our own godliness -to be more like our Heavenly Father we must strive to be perfect..if we are already perfect what do we have to strive for? What would our goals be?
Without our flaws...in essence where is our perfectness? Its in the pieces that we have perfected and thatpieces that are NOT PERFECT  we can chose to perfect that we become more like Him, and isnt that so much more satisfying?
I am just saying.....

OPINIONS I have plenty!

No one has ever accused me of being meek in my mouth. I have always been, well, SPIRITED.  I often speak before I think. I feel deeply the great joys and pains of the world. I cry often when told things of a spiritual nature...anything very dear and sweet to someone's heart. Thats is why I know I am both liked and disliked. OPINIONS...I  have plenty!
Those who know me know of my big heart. Yes my mouth runneth over and if you are my friend long enough..you will probably be offended by something I choose to put out there. No offense intended and I am quick to apologise, but well...my mouth runneth over.
I am both thankful for my mouth and sometimes a little saddened. I despise hurting others. And also, find that on occasion, I hurt myself .
However.
I am ALWAYS  true to myself.
I used to have a motto when I was single. Live your life with no regrets. I have always chosen to live as close to my Gospel's commandments so as to not hurt others and been true to myself so that I do not regret my choices.
And when we go to heaven and we meet our Maker and discuss what we have accomplished...what will we say? That we kept our mouths shut and avoided pain? Or that we stood up for what is right and accepted the consequences?
I know my choice. I will be both liked and disliked by my fellow brethern for it.

And I hope that I have friends and family that will stand up and cheer me on. Today DH again cheered me on. Thanks Frank. Dang, hes gonna get a big head with all this blogging about him !

Follow your Passions...THANKS DH

Last week sucked at work. Now I love that I have a job that helps provide for my family and that I feel like I do good every day. I am grateful and blessed.

However. I am old school. If I did not HAVE to work outside of the home, I would be home being a mommy and a wifey full time. I have a job that allows me to work until 12 or12:30 pm and then I come home. I LOVE COMING home.
But office and government politics made last week stressful to say the least...starting Tuesday ...and I began to pray....
I started off feeling like I needed to go to the Church bookstore...and off I went, got the new Ensign and Friend...felt inspired...asked mom in law to go to Time out for Women with me in September....and prayed some more...
Put up a scripture that has a sweet little girl illustration at work on Wed.....got more bad news at work...
Went home and made zucchini bread....it was DELISH....felt better....
Took some delish bread in to work....decided to put on a happy face, and then asked for Friday OFF.... got Friday off!!!!!
Then..Dear Husband got sick on Friday...REALLY SICK....
Then he GOT BETTER on Saturday we took little E to gymnastics and he pushed me out the door to go scrapbooking.
...off I went to scrap w friends for a few hours....then
made it ON TIME TO Church on Sunday! and cooked a fabulous meal for in laws .....it was refreshing to be with the ones I loved for 3 whole days....NO STRESS
THENyesterday my DH tells me to go get my Kitchen Aid mixer that I have been wanting for years...he has been telling me to do it but I have been putting it off...but finally I listened to him!
I have to say in a week I have really put my stress relievers to the test!

I have done what I love and surrounded myself in a cocoon of peace in my faith, my family, my home, my crafts, my garden.
We don't always get what we want...we get what we need...its how we respond to what we get the causes the growth or stagnation.
Take my sweet DH. We are opposites. Many told me not to marry him. Friendships were broken because of my choice. He was inactive in my church, still is. I knew the struggles I would face spiritually. But I felt pulled to him. It was greater than me. There have been other men I have loved...and I always used to say that I could live with anyone as long as they were active in the Church because I thought I was easy going.....HAHA . My girlfriends who have lived with me know I am not so easygoing....anyways Noneof my other "loves" really seemed "real"though I learned something from them all.
. My DH and I don't like the same music or even movies sometimes. He was always REAL....ALMOST TOO REAL. Hes the cool guy to my geek girl. But he knows what I need before even I do....HE WAS MY SUPPORT last week. He listened, he cared and he made sure that when I was my most stressed..I did what I needed to do to renew. Isn't that true love? He JUST KNOWS AND DOES.
Among all his other wonderful traits, he is wonderful to me...
I wonder what it would be like to have an active spiritual priesthood leader in my home sometimes. I wonder why its so hard for some to build their faith when it is so easy for me....and I hope for the dream of being at least bound in heaven as we are on this earth someday. Until then, my dear sweetheart and I continue to forge down this path of ours heartbound, and holding hands..arguing about why that Zombie movie sucked so bad ! ha!
Follow your passions...and be true to your heart....

CHILI CHICKEN= COMFORT FOOD

What is your idea of comfort food? Is it the food that you eat when you are sad? Or happy? Or when you want to stir up happy memories of your childhood?

Or all of the above?

I love this recipe of Chlil Chicken...my Mom used to make it for us when I was a kid in the seventies. She could not cook! She was PROUD OF THAT! And I loved this recipe...

Here goes with the recipe...

RUTH’S CHILI CHICKEN
4 CHICKEN BREASTS, BOILED THEN SHREDDED
1 CAN OF CHILI NO BEANS
2 CAN OF CREAM MUSHROOM SOUP
(OR YOU CAN USE 1 CAN OF CREAM OF CHICKEN W 1 CAN CREAM MUSHROOM)
1 SM CAN DICED JALAPENOS
1-2 CUPS OF CHEDDAR CHESSE SHREDDED
OPTIONAL: DICED ONIONS ( I DON’T LIKE THEM RAW AND THEY DON’T FULLY COOK IN THE CASSEROLE SO I LEAVE EM OUT!)
MIX ALL THE ABOVE TOGETHER
THEN YOU NEED:
ABOUT 6-8 FLOUR TORTILLAS
AND THEN
TAKE A CAKE PAN, CASSEROLE SIZE 13X 9
SPREAD SOME OF THE MIXTURE ON BOTTOM
LAYER WITH ABT 2 TORTILLAS- YOU HAVE TO HALF THE TORTILLAS SO THEY DON’T OVERLAP TOO MUCH,
LAYER W MIXTURE
LAYER TORTILLAS
UNTIL DONE – THIS IS USUALLY 3 LAYERS
ITS FUN TO PUSH DOWN THE TORTILLAS AND MIXTURE TO TRY AND GET THE MOST LAYERS BUT YOU NEED TO END UP WITH A LAYER OF CHICKEN MIXTURE THEN ADD
ABT 1 CUP CHEDDAR CHEESE ( I USUALLY ADD LIKE 2 CUPS)
AND IF YOU LIKE ‘EM
DICED BLK OLIVES
BAKE 350-375 UNTIL CHEESE IS BUBBLY AND SLIGHT BROWN
SERVE OVER STEAMED WHITE RICE-
YUMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!

so short today...but this one was worth at least a little post

Food and cooking

FOOD: Why must I love it so?

Ugh, I will always be the girl with the thought of my next meal....yummy concoctions of all types... I have always loved to cook- even as a child I remember being thrilled to watch others cook. I have taken classes and read cook books and since E was born, watched a LOT of food network!

Even as I write this I am thinking of my homemade coconut ice cream with toasted almonds and cocolate chips!

(I am short on time tonight, but will try to add pictures and recipes of these fabulous concoctions)

For now let me describe the experience behind the ice cream!. I used to eat a similiar ice cream from Ben and Jerry....and have been craving it...and can't find it in the store, so-I got a Rival Electric Ice cream maker for $20 at Walmart- I can hear ya'll groan...I know I really have sunk to new levels- but I was desperate for the above ice cream and we have been on a STATE Induced Pay Cut (Thanks Arnie- I liked you better in Conan- and that ain't saying so much!) and I took the chance.

I bought the heavy cream, the cream of coconut and almonds. That equaled about $9.50 I had the chocolate chips at home ( I used the minis but you could use regualar size too!)

(So far that almost $30 for 2 quarts of ice cream!)

I also bought a chocolate mix to test the machine.....

This ice cream maker does not make ice cream, it churns about and makes it shake consistency...the ice cream freezes in the frezer but then you have to WAIT! Um whatever happened to instant gratification, Rival? ever heard of THAT?

I was so bummed.

I could not be more foolish! I thought about returning the machine. But THE CALL of one of my favorite treats said try the machine (Plus I had bought the ingredients and knew if I returned the machine, I would not get a chance to have my ice cream- AGAIN) So I froze the element for 3 days and still....-MUSH! I put the coconut mush in the freezer and crossed my fingers and this afternoon-NIRVANA!

YUMMY ICE CREAM JUST LIKE B&J MAKE! My parent in laws said that I should market it it was gourmet and I told them I stole the concept from the two famous boys from up north!

It is good! mmmmm, rich creamy, I love it, I just ate a bowl as I typed this....

And I am proud that this is mine, I made it, I waited, and it has very few ingredients!
I am keeping the machine I found another ice cream recipe and I have decided putting it in the freezer overnight after it churns only makes the ice cream taste better! The joy of creating...food , yummy food. Whats your food nirvana? Aren't you proud of your ability to make something luscious and as it melts deliciously in your mouth, you realize, the simple things are the most joyous!

Heres my recipe :



RUTH'S COPYCAT COCONUT CHOCOLATE ALMOND CHUNK ICE CREAM


1 (14 ounce) can cream of coconut (FOUND IN ALCOHOL SECTION-NO COCONUT MILK!!!!)
3 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 cups sweetened flaked coconut (optional) OFF COURSE I ADDED

MIX AND ADD TO YOUR MACHINE GO BY THE MACHINE INSTRUCTION S ON HOW LONG TO FREEZE

THEN WHEN ALMOST DONE ABOUT 10 MINUTES BEFORE: ADD :

1 CUP TOASTED ALMOND SLICES AND

2 CUPS OF MINI CHOCOLATE CHIPS

STRESS AND YOUR INNER SELF

Its the new catch all phrase for doctors, "Have you been under any stress lately?"
I have been having health problems on and off for a few years now. If I have severe heartburn atacks, I am asked the question, if I have feminine problems I am asked the question. Others I know have also been asked when they also have physical problems. Before become a analyst for Social Security I knew a lot about my body, but I have learned so much more...and YES , stress can be manifest in physical problems.I am no longer angry every time adoctor asks that. They are probably seeing a lot more stress in the country lately. Yes sir, I have been under stress. But why...does my body react this way? Well, I guess its going into survival mode. Stress causes your body to do that-HORMONES ETC.. What to do how do I take my stress and turn it into peace? Heck, I thought I was peaceful. But my neck and shoulders are all kinked up. I am having physical probems ..again. Oh well... my DH says this weekend we will RELAX! I need to read more scriptures.
ON A SIDE NOTE...SOMEWHAT RANDOMLY:
My daughter likes Mulan. She sings a song that makes me tear up every time I hear it.Its by Christina Aguilera She sings...Look at me,You may think you seeWho I really am,But you'll never know me.Everyday, it's as if I playA part.Now I see,If I wear a mask,I can fool the world,but I cannot fool my heart.Chorus:Who is that girl I see?Staring straight,Back at me.When will my reflection showWho I am inside?I am now,In a worldWhere I have to hide in my heart,and what I believe in.But somehow,I will show the world what's inside my heart,And be loved for who I am.Who is that girl I see,staring straightback at me?Why is my reflection someone I don't know?Must I pretend that I'msomeone elsefor all time.When will my reflection show,who I am inside?There's a heart that must be freeto flyThat burns with a need to knowthe reason whyWhy must we all concealWhat we thinkHow we feel?Must there be a secret meI'm forced to hideI won't pretend that I'msomeone elsefor all time.When will my reflection showwho I am inside?When will my reflection showwho I am inside.
Its really a beautiful song. Sometimes I wonder why this world has become such that if you are conservative you must almost hide yourself from the liberal forces that feel it is ok to just be...with no standards, rules or commandments. I miss the days when I was a young mormon convert in Utah, we all were so innocent, everything made sense and we all worked towards the same goal. Young men gave me the shirts off their backs-literally. Our biggest worry was if so and so liked us and who was gonna show up to FHE . Now I am facing grown up worries and stresses. I think I am doing ok. I feel good about my direction. I feel proud of who I am and what I am teaching my little daughter. I am excited that I get to watch her grow up in a Church I love. And, my sweet DH always says, I worry too much. So for now I am going to try to reduce stress by bringing back my center-my peace read more scriptures,pray more, write more, spend time in my garden every day, play with my daughter more, exercise more and love the blessed health I have been given and a body that warns me- perhaps I need to be more centered!

Mom

Mom died 4 years ago this Thursday. My life was profoundly interrupted and changed forever with the loss of my mother.
We didn't always get along. We didn't always agree, but I still remember the last time she held me in her arms.
She was sick from the cervical cancer that was missed because she didn't believe in doctors. She could no longer walk- the cancer had caused her legs to swell, her abdomen to swell, and her bowels to be incontinent. I was in charge of cleaning out the cath bag...and I had researched everything there is to know about end stage cancer- I was a good little "nurse". I stayed strong and didn't cry in front of her. I gave her her meds, changed her G-Tube dressing, and wiped her brow.
But this one night- a few nights before she passed, I just broke. I couldn't bear it. She was leaving me...and I knew the time was nigh.
She said Ruth Ann come here, so I came to her hospital bed- and she took my hand, and said come here...I said no,
Mom, I don't want to ...she said, "Come here !"and pulled and I sat on her bed and she pulled me down on top of her. She stroked my head and told me it was ok, as I sobbed. We told eachother we loved each other. We said goodbye.
We spoke of things sweet to my memory and too special to be shared in this blog.
I have since become a mother to my own daughter. I stroke her hair just like my mother did mine. I see the beautiful cycle of life that Heavenly Father gives us.
If your mom is still alive...grab her- hug her -and tell her you love her.
And if you are a woman- please get yearly gyn exams...save your life and continue to live to love those around you.

NO SLEEP

This week E has been goint o sleep VERY LATE 10:30-11 PM AND waking up at 4:30- Not sleeping very well because of it. It is all momma , momma, and Dear Husband has tried to help but only wants me. And of course she sleeps for like three hourse after I go to work.

So my goals as of yet, have not been worked on.
Feel guilty enough to blog about sleep.
And tired or not I still have to cook....
So tired yesterday I put extra salt in cookies and let E destroy the train set-TRACKS ARE EVERYWHERE.
Tonight tried to make mac and cheese from scratch. Ya, I don't like mac and cheese, it was good I guess...did I mention I don't like mac and cheese?
I made perfect betchemel sauce though!
Sigh just wanna sleep...I am gonna believe E's serious and wants night night now
-----off to dream!

Happy New Year!

I love New Years...always have. My birthday is coming up in just a few days and I have always seen January as a fresh start...the beginning of hope, dreams and possibilities. Its like Heavenly Father gives me a fresh slate every year and says...this year, dear daughter, you can be different. Even if the previous year was fabulous...which there have been many, I still love the fresh start. New calendar, new plans, new resolutions. And yes, I loved the beginning of the School year for the same reason.

My motto for the last few months came from a lovely lady from a show I watched who lost her entire family -even her newborn baby....
She said in a public speaking arena ...when everything seems to be going wrong, just know you can "choose differently"live life to the fullest! I was getting down on myself and my circumstances and all I could think was ..if SHE can pull herself up by her bootstraps, why in the heck can't you. So I wrote down the phrase and started resolutions early. Began this blog. Realized I needed to write to beget writing.
This is my exercise for my brain, but also because I have so much I want to say!
I promise to ramble, I promise to jump off topic, I promise to write. I have a story to tell, and to tell it well, I need to WRITE.
So I love January.
Resolutions
I resolve to walk or hopefully run a 5k this year. I know its crazy. Um, yeah, 1 mile is my limit right now. Sadly I hurt my knee this week, and have to wait to start walking/running again. But I will do this !
I resolve to write and enter 1 writing competition.
I resolve to get my scrapbooking in order and organise my photos-
I want to build my garden more and work on my house more, but these are more goals and dreams, not something I need to "resolve to do" I did it last year. I will do it this year....just hopefully better!
Today we celebrated E's 2nd birthday....sigh.......
She is not a baby anymore. She talks in full sentences, wants to be left alone sometimes and definitely has her own thoughts . She is so amazing and such a gift. I still look at her in wonder and awe. How is it possible I get to raise her. I know that she is a gift.
I looked at her newborn pics today. Oh, I remember those days. I miss the mewling of the newborn Eva... would I rewind? NEVER! I would not want to give up what I have now. She and I are becoming more attached in different ways. Its so exciting to take her places and see her wonder and the light just shine out of her. She can tell others what just happened and isn't that fun! Being a mother has been my forever gift.
We had family day at our house and celebrated my bday as well. I am so impressed with my mother in law's stamina! Even just doing speghetti and salad and appetizers for 15 people is..well exhausting.
When I cook, I always feel like I didn't get to visit enough. Now don't get me wrong, cooking for me is an extention of my love to others. I cook and love to cook. I love having others eat my food! The nurturer in me wants to and needs to feed others. I have always said that. Even when I was single I would cook for others. Many a single neighbor boy came to eat my food! Haha...I knew my friends from the moochers- friends stayed and helped clean up! Then played games for hours.
However, with our families' busy lives, there were no games played, as there were many other previous commitments.So I missed a little of the chit chat whilst I played hostess....Now I know why my mom in law looks so sad when we leave her house on fam day!
PS~ my food WAS delectable and scrumptious...my hot artichoke dip wins every time.
Well... that will be all for tonight...I feel repetition coming on! Til the next time! Go forth and "choose differently"!