Moving Along...

So my baby brother has joined up with the Army. Well, he's not a baby anymore, but he is still my baby brother. He is 23, married and has a baby girl of his own. I think it will be really good for him and his little family. It will give them stability. It will allow him to go to college and have it paid for! But it doesn't change the fact that he is still my baby brother. And it makes me a little sad to see him all grown up and doing this very grown up thing. And you know he will go to Iraq. For those of you who pray... please keep him in your prayers. His name is Ben, his wife is Annie, and their baby girl is Ava. I was 10 years old when Benji was born. Those of you who have ever seen a 10 year old girl around a baby knows that they just become a little mother to that baby. Especially if that girl is a sibling to the baby. That is how it was with me and little Benji. I say "little", but he was 10 lbs 5 oz at birth...not a little guy! My youngest son was just shy of that weight at 10 lbs 2 oz at birth. Me and Ben spent a lot of time together when he was just a wee tot. I got married when he was 10 and I moved away, it was heartbreaking for the both of us. And anytime I came back for a visit, the leaving again was just as hard. My oldest son and Ben are just 7 years apart. Just the thought of him being in any kind of danger makes me choke up, because he is my brother, yes, but almost like my own child. Go with God, Ben and BE SAFE!



This is Ben with his daughter Ava on his 1st Fathers Day this year!

Award Winning Chili - YUM!

It's raining today. It's cooled off. It's a good chili day. My chili is awesome. I don't say that loosely either, it has actually won an award! My chili was voted the sweetest chili in the 2007 Park District Chili Cook-off.
So here is my "recipe" and method of making chili...

Start with 3-4 pounds of ground meat. This time I used 2 pounds of ground beef and 1 pound of ground turkey. Brown the meat in a big pot... like a 5 quart size. You can add salt, pepper, garlic and/or onions to the meat as it is cooking. Drain the fat off when it is finished browning.

Next add a large can of crushed tomatoes, 2 cans of diced tomatoes (or use fresh if you're so inclined), a can of Ranch Style Beans, and a can of black beans.


Stir all of this in over medium-low heat.


When it is thoroughly combined you can add the spices:
garlic powder, ground cumin, chili powder, & ground cayenne pepper.


Stir them in...


Now its time for the sweet... brown sugar!


Stir it all together...


And add salt, pepper, & more spice when needed....just to suit your taste.


Continue heating over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.


Until it is hot & thick.


Serve with crackers and cornbread!

Here is the pretty picture:


Here is the southern method with cornbread:


Enjoy!