Days 628, 629, & 630 and the security gland

Dave Ramsey talks about women having a security gland and how it makes them feel secure to know there is an emergency fund in case of emergencies (Tom says men have one too). Anyway, with our EF at 0 for a few weeks and now being rebuilt, I have to agree with Dave. Just knowing that money is there makes the idea of an emergency so much less scary. Now if we could ever get the EF built and be able to leave it there, that would be wonderful. But you know, let's not get ahead of ourselves here. LOL.

For those wondering, I did finish my homework and get it turned in yesterday. Now it's time to start on a new unit, it's the last unit for this class plus I HAVE to get started on my big final paper!

Days 626 & 627 and homework weekend

My weekend will be full of homework. I have a rough draft due on Sunday night, it's a final paper for my mediation class and has to be at least 10 pages long. I'm currently at about 3 1/2. Then if I can get that done, I really need to get a jump start on the last unit's homework because the class ends on a Friday which means I only have one weekend to work on it and I'll be gone to a child care class on Friday evening and Saturday daytime that weekend. The class is just in Enid so I can work when I get home Saturday evening. Anyway, hope everyone has a super weekend and I'll see you all on Monday!

Day 625 and brain fried

I am so brain fried tonight that I cannot think of anything to write. Except this. LOL. Seriously, it was an exhausting day with the kids and I had to really fight off the urge to eat out tonight. Tom's cooking supper. I'm so lucky to have a husband who will cook. I'm trying to write a paper. Hope everyone had a good day.

Days 622, 623, & 624 and some progress

You may have noticed that the car fund and baby EF have increased. I got a REWARD check (a program through DHS that pays child care providers for staying in child care, continuing their education, etc). Anyway, I put $200 of it into the EF and $200 into the car fund. I've also had some drop-in money the last couple of weeks that has gone in there, so it's growing. That feels good! Tom has some money that he's planning on giving me to add to it too.

Also, I wanted to say that I was sorry for the break in posting. I've been overwhelmed with things to do and feeling really negative and down so it's been hard to write. I've also not been feeling very well for what seems like forever. If things do not improve, then I am going to go to the doctor. I am tired of feeling so run-down and worn-out!

Days 620 & 621 and headed into the fog today

We are headed out into the fog soon to go to Norman. I have a meeting at the college there and we'll get to see Serenity when she gets off work. Hope everyone has a super weekend!

Chili Recipe #2 (the new one)

This is the recipe that Tom has used for the last couple of years at the chili cook-off. It's a little hotter than the other one, but apparently it's good. I'm a real wimp when it comes to hot foods so I can't say how hot this one is, I've not tried it.

Chili Boca Llameante

Ingredients:

2-1/2 lbs. Ground beef
1/2 lb. Sausage
2 tbsp. Oil
1 Med. onion, chopped
5 cloves Minced garlic
2 tsp. Onion salt
2 tsp. Black pepper, coarse grind
1/2 tsp. Crushed red pepper
1 Green bell pepper, chopped
1 Red bell pepper, chopped
3/4 cup Chili powder
3 tsp. Garlic powder
2 tsp. Picante sauce
2 cans Ranch style beans w/jalapeno, 15oz.
4 cans Tomato sauce, 8oz.
1 can Diced tomatoes, 14.5oz.
1 tsp. Hickory (or mesquite) liquid smoke
2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup Beef bouillon broth
1/2 pkg. Taco seasoning

Directions:

In lg. skillet, cook ground beef and sausage in oil with onion, minced garlic, and 1 tsp. each of onion salt and pepper.
Drain grease, then add bell peppers, 1/2 cup chili powder, garlic powder, and picante sauce.
Reduce heat to low and continue cooking for 3 minutes, stirring well.
After 3 minutes, boil 1/2 cup water with one beef bouillon cube and 1/2 pkg. taco seasoning, then add to skillet.
Add remaining ingredients, including remaining onion salt and pepper, and gently bring to a boil.
Allow to simmer for 15 minutes, then add remaining 1/4 cup chili powder and stir well.
Put in slow cooker and cook on med-hi heat for 3 hours.
Let cool, then refrigerate overnight in cooker.
Reheat well the next day when ready to eat, serve with grated cheese and chopped onions.
Makes approx. 1 gallon.
Enjoy!

Chili Recipe #1 (the classic)

This is Tom's original chili recipe that he won with for several years:

Chili
3 pounds ground beef (browned and drained)
32 oz. tomato sauce
2 cans Ranch Style beans (we sometimes use one can of the sweet onion beans and one can of the jalapeño beans).
1/3 cup chili powder
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke
2/3 teaspoon cumin
1/3 large onion, finely chopped and saute
2 green bell peppers, finely chopped and saute
salt and pepper
2/3 cup ketchup
1 cup water

Mix all ingredients together in a slow cooker and cook for at least 3 hours. I usually put it on high for about an hour to get it bubbling, then turn it down.

Now the thing you have to understand about Tom is that he never really follows a recipe so he tends to add stuff as it is cooking. However, this is about as close to his "recipe" as it gets. LOL.