Rain and Wind ~ Dutch Oven Chili Adjusted ~

We are getting hit with a ton of rain and wind.  Flooding is happening in some areas.  The temperature has really dipped too.  We woke up to 48 degrees this morning.

I went scrambling for my chili recipe and could not find it.  I think I have too many tab options in my recipe box ha ha!

I found it in the "camping" recipes, but I adjust it to make on the stove and in the crock pot.

I basically cook the bacon and ground beef first on the stove top (or oven). Then put all remaining ingredients in the crock pot.  I add jalapeno for some heat too.

I'm putting the recipe here, but if you want to make it over a campfire, you'll need a dutch oven and hot coals.

Dutch Oven Chili

2 lbs. ground beef, organic
1/2 lb. bacon, organic

2 5.5 oz. cans tomato paste, organic

2 large yellow onions, diced

2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 Tbsp. chopped celery (optional)

2 tsp. cumin

2 - 28 oz cans of whole tomatoes (I use frozen garden tomatoes when I have them)

3 -  16 oz. cans red kidney beans, organic, drained

I also cook the ground beef with the onions and add garlic last.  I then just add everything to the crock pot, and heat it on low all day long, but it has better flavor the next day too.  I have never added the celery, but that is optional.

Pears ~ Cauliflower ~ Blueberry-Lemon Bundt Cake ~ Spooky Spider Ear Warmers

Pear picking has begun.  Deer have ripped down a branch, but the trees are loaded.  We carried back what we could, but need to go back out.  It may be the year to make pear wine.  We need more practice at it anyway.

I also picked another 6# of tomatoes.  Those went into the freezer with hopes for more.  Some plants are dying, while a few are thriving.

I was able to get 1 head of organic cauliflower in the freezer.  I snatched up one on clearance - $1.49.  I am hoping for more.

Here's what went with that leftover corn bread - dutch oven chili with bacon (but cooked in the crock pot this time).

Baked a blueberry-lemon bundt cake.  I felt bad when Hubby asked on Monday if I had baked anything "sweet."  Monday was a busy day.  It sort of stuck in the pan this time - added extra blueberries.  Lip smackin' good.

Got some more weeding done until I ran into this.....

I'm waiting on rain or Hubby to extract this, and then I'll continue weeding in that area.  No way am I even gonna try to remove it myself.

We'll be getting a dog soon.  Our oldest is moving and can't find a place that will allow dogs (that she can afford).  Mia will be getting "fostered" at our place for a while.  It will give us a chance to see if we want to get a puppy or not too.  She's well behaved, but doesn't like dogs she doesn't know.  We may get a puppy while we have her, so both can get used to other dogs.  Time will tell.

Believe it or not....got this out...

I actually took time to start reading it and love it.  I am shocked I put my crochet hook down too.  Boy it felt good to read a book again.  I also did some journaling.  It felt great to put a pen in my hand and get off the computer as well.  

Daughter came home from school, and saw what I was crocheting and gave me a suggestion.  Like I need a new project, but...

This is what was created.  

Wednesday I finally got to the library to return and pick up books.  My weeding was delayed and the weather really heated up fast.  I checked on my green bell peppers.  There are a handful, and they are still small (sad face).  I will need to buy more of those to put up for winter now too.