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.

Possibilities

After reading a post on another blog, I remembered taking a dutch oven cooking class with my oldest daughter and best friend from high school.  That was April of 2011.  I haven't really done anything that exciting since then either.

Fall Campout

My hubby and I took our two younger kids to a state park fall campout this weekend.  It was a load of fun - absolutely the best camping trip yet with the kids!

I had my doubts as it rained all day Friday.  I still packed up and away we went, and headed out about 6pm Friday night.

That night we decided to skip a fire and watch the campground moonlight movie.  They have an outdoor amphitheater, and the movie was Harry and the Henderson's.  They served ice cream, rootbeer floats, and popcorn.  After that we simply went to bed.

The next morning we had trouble getting our fire going - took forever to get breakfast made.  After that we drove down to the boat launch and they offered free canoe rentals for 2 hours.  Only 4 canoes went out that morning.

My 9 year-old was a bit hesitant, so I stayed with her while hubby and my 12 year-old went out.  She later regrets not going out.


When we returned, we participated in cookie decorating.  The cookies were in the shape of a Sasquatch and they provided brown frosting and mini-chocolate chips to decorate them with.

After that they painted small pie pumpkins with paint, and then we had a short break in the day.  

While we had our break in the day, we worked on our scarecrow.  They held a contest for this event, and provided supplies.  We are new to this, while other campers brought items to spruce up their scarecrow.  We dug into our tote and used an old curtain for an apron, a hankie with clothespins to look like a pocket, braided twine for hair, flowers for eyes, nose and even put flowers in the pocket.  We stuffed her with tall wild grass.  The is sporting my 9 year-old's bandanna. 

Hubby and I took turns cooking and adding items to the Dutch Oven Chili we were making.  Meanwhile, the girls took part in a Floating Donut contest.

The had one minute to eat an entire donut off of a string to win.  Two other girls won.

Then the campground offered archery as another activity.  My girls have never done this and were thrilled to participate.  They actually did extremely well, and were consistent with their arrows.  They both want to start participating in archery and archery contests now.

 Unfortunately, this activity was for kids only.  Bummer.

Then they judged the chili cookoff, and allowed us to eat, prior to announcing the winners.  Unfortunately, ours did not win.  There is always next year.

The chili cookoff, followed by the campground potluck, was followed by hay rides.  


It did not end there.  After we had a break to go back and wash up our dishes, they offered a campfire sing-along, at the horse campfire area.  A gentleman played a guitar, and we sang songs around the campfire, and made s'mores.  At that time, they announced the winners of the Scariest, Funniest, and Most Traditional Scarecrows.  Our "Harrietta" scarecrow, won first place (tied with another scarecrow).  


We brought her home to display on our porch.  Her head is a paper bag, so she can't get wet.


Overall, our campsite was a mushy mess, but we still had fun.  It rained while we cooked our last breakfast, but we still had fun.  In fact, the girls were begging us to get them out of school, for one more day of camping.  Sadly, there were no activities at the campground today.  


We may go again next fall.


While were were camping, my two older girls took their dogs to another town, for a  Humane Society "Mutt Strutt."  They raised money for the Humane Society and were able to walk their dogs, along with many more, for several hours.  Depending on the dates of next year's Fall Campout, I may be taking our 3rd dog to the "Mutt Strutt" next year.  

Making Liquid Hand Soap

We are another step towards complete self-sufficiency.  I made liquid hand soap for the first time.  It's not really a necessity, as we have the handmade goat's milk bar soap.  However, it is useful to have at all the sinks.

Happy Homemaker Monday

 

The last time I journaled (long time passion of mine), was Feb. of 2020.  I'm not kidding.  I guess I am not sure if that is good or bad, but I would have just repeated over and over about the pandemic, and doing that is depressing as it is.  Seeing our government ban a treatment for covid patients (one that my husband should have had), is unbelievable.  We have had friends receive the treatment and were better the next day.  

Anyway, the journal is back out, and the pen is going again.  It's my "main" journal.  I have many, many other ones, including a journaling Bible that I plan to get out this week.  I have lots of questions right now.

The weather continues to be cold, my tabs are still up on the computer awaiting to place a yarn order (waiting for a good deal on shipping, because it's needed but not an emergency for any personal order either).

While out and about yesterday, we made a quick stop at a large grocery store.  Sheesh.  People have panic bought for sure.  Although the bread aisle was full (wasn't worried because I can bake my own bread), other aisles were almost empty.  Our favorite coffee was sold out, and the other "organic" brand was almost $12 for the same size.  Nope.  I'll have to check at another store.  The news is flashing updates constantly about the winter storm, so yeah, people will panic buy.  We just had a few items on our list, so I could make the breakfast casserole today (hopefully will last for the next 3-4 days for us).

Today, I am once again joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.  

I'll link up when she posts this morning.

The weather . . .

12°F out.  A storm is said to be headed into our area starting this Wednesday.  Friday, roads are said to be treacherous.  They are saying 10-16 inches of snow in our area, my hometown where Mom and my younger brother live....Daughter K and my husband may not make it out of the driveway if this really happens.  We own one hand shovel right now. 

How I am feeling this morning . . .

Tired.  We went and bought a load of split wood yesterday (gave up on our splitter) and I'm exhausted.  We also visited Mom, who at the time had a full house.  My younger brother was there with his 2 kids, we showed up, then Daughter K, and meanwhile the internet guy was busy upgrading Mom's network.  She was happy for the full house.  

I still have laryngitis.  Do any of you have any suggestions?  Herbal?  Over the counter?  Anything?  I've been sipping hot sage tea, but being out and about yesterday, I did not sip tea, and today feel rotten.

On the breakfast plate . . .

Cheddar and Chili  Egg Casserole (I'll be back with a photo), organic coffee

On the reading pile . . .

First, I have been reading letters we collected at my Dad's apartment, after he passed back in 2020.  There are many letters he saved.  Some have a Navy post mark and some have a $.03 stamp.  I would love to find a way to copy them all, print a booklet etc. for myself at least.  I know once I pass these on to the next sibling, I will probably never see them again.  I would have to copy the envelope to match each letter.  Not sure the easiest/cheapest way to do this yet, or if I really want to do it, but for now reading the letters.

What would you do?  Read them and pass them on? 

Second, I have been reading a series by one of my favorite authors.  Some libraries are removing it from their shelves and into book sales.  I've been reading the first of the series (dust cover missing)....

On my TV . . .

Football!!  The Bengals are going to the Super Bowl!!  My husband is elated about this.   I'm also watching CSI and other shows like that.  I will be checking Amazon later today for a show called Reaper.  I don't know yet if it's free on Prime or if they charge for this show.

On the menu this week . . .

-Homemade vegetable soup, bread of some kind

-Meatloaf, mashed tades, corn

-leftovers

From the camera . . .

I'm on the last row of pink, and then a small section of blue, then ends need sewn in and edging done.  I think I started this as a gift over 5 years (or more) ago, and realized it was more work than I expected.  Either way, it's getting finished this winter.  Each row of color is 7 rows, and it's the width of a crib blanket.

Looking around the house . . .

We as parents, are secretly hoping Daughter K's move is soon, and goes swiftly.  We have so many home repairs that would be much easier with no animals and less "stuff" around the house.  No word yet on that move.  We love her, but we are ready to have the house to ourselves.

To-do list . . .

-make breakfast

-make crock pot vegetable soup (or dutch oven)

-decided on a bread side or not (depends on energy level)

-get mail, put trash out and water/feed the hens

-unload dishwasher, load dishwasher

-wash any dishes if needed

-empty ash pail

-bake cookies 

(this is the list for the week for me, lol!)

Prayers . . .

For those dealing with covid and for quick recovery (when we all 3 got covid, only two people in our lives checked in on us - family friend and our Daughter E.  I am trying to make sure we check in on anyone that may need help.

Mom, she is back home, and needs assistance most days.  She also mentioned she wanted someone to stay with her (as in live with her).  She may very well end up living with my sister.  

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.