Easy and Delicious Chili Recipe That’s Quick to Make

Posted on April 27, 2017 by Kitty

This recipe for chili is simple, delicious, and healthy all in one. It requires only a few, affordable ingredients to make. In the past, I made it with canned tomatoes. Unfortunately, most of my experiences with different brands have been bad. Once I had a can that looked fine on the outside, but the tomatoes were coated in black mold. So now I buy tomatoes fresh because I can see what I am purchasing and because they taste so much better.

Fresh Tomatoes for Chili

Something that makes this chili unique is bison. About a year ago, I was looking at ground meats and noticed my local store started carrying bison. It’s a delicious lean meat that is just a little bit more expensive than ground white turkey. Sometimes I prefer it to turkey because it has more flavor and is more akin to beef in taste. Personally, I cannot handle any spiciness, so there is not any added in this recipe. If heat is desired, there are spicier seasoning packets available than original. Also, jalapenos can be added to the chili during simmering or when serving for extra heat.

Chili Recipe

2 Small Onions or 1 Large
4 or 5 Cloves of Garlic
3 Large, Ripe Tomatoes
1 lb. Ground Bison (or meat of choosing)
1 Chili Original Seasoning Packet
1 Can of Pinto Beans, Drained (optional)
Seasoning Salt, Oregano, Chili Powder, Fresh Peppercorns (optional)

Take the bison out of the refrigerator and put it in a skillet before starting preparation, so that it will cook more thoroughly. After doing that, take the onion and dice it into whatever size is desirable and add it to the pan with the meat. Then take the garlic and mince it and add it to the pan as well. Now, peel and dice the tomatoes and set them aside for later. Start browning the meat and vegetables on medium heat, stirring occasionally until the meat is thoroughly cooked. After the meat is done, add the seasoning packet and stir. Then take the tomatoes and incorporate them into the mix. At this point, beans or jalapenos could be combined with the chili. I usually add a little bit more seasoning than the packet because I enjoy lots of flavor. Seasoning salt, oregano, chili powder, and freshly cracked black pepper help stretch the seasoning packet and make the chili more delicious. Plus, these are nice seasonings to have on hand. After adding everything desired into the chili, let it simmer for at least 10 minutes before eating to allow the flavors to mingle. Serve with sour cream, Frito’s, jalapenos, cheese, or guacamole.

Update on Seeds Planted and Other Gardening Adventures

Posted on April 24, 2017May 19, 2017 by Kitty

Well, it’s been a little over a month since I planted lots of different seeds. Unfortunately, some never germinated, but the ones that did are doing well. The zinnias and two of the herbs are ready to transplant outdoors, since there is no more chance of frost. These plants have also acclimated to the outside environment for a couple of days, so they should be fine. Where they need to be planted must be weeded first. This is the not-so-fun part of gardening.

Seedlings Ready for Transplant

Today, I will also plant some hardy gladiolus corms I found a couple of weeks ago. These kind of gladiolus are safe to leave in the ground all winter in my zone. Luckily, most of my non-hardy gladiolus came up from last year. It’s because I planted them strategically on the south side of my house and by a wall. I also mulched them in the fall and winter. Hopefully, they will keep coming back this way.

Hardy Gladiolus

When I found the hardy gladiolus, I also found a lonely, little amaryllis bulb. A lady at the plant nursery told me I could take it for free because it didn’t have a price and looked poorly. After doing some research online, I found that the orange spots on the bulb were fungus. I took the outer layers off and cut out the rest of the affected parts. Then I thoroughly sprayed the bulb with copper fungicide. I even used the fungicide to water the bulb into its pot. It is looking quite nice now compared to what it did. Hopefully, it will bloom beautifully for me soon.

Amaryllis First Potted New Growth

My cilantro and dill managed to come up nicely. Those plants will be transplanted into my berry bed. After the parsley gets a little bigger, I will acclimate and transplant it to the same bed. Only one Danish Flag Poppy and one passion flower germinated. They need more time indoors to get bigger and stronger. All of the zinnias and lemon mint came up for me. None of the Feverfew or Ipomoea lobata seeds decided to grow. Kiss me over the garden gate remains to be planted, so it could possibly do well. I’m happy with the way things turned out, but I do wish that some of everything germinated. Next time, I will have to try different pots and methods for better results. It is possible that some of the seeds expired after a year because they were so moist. All in all, it was fun to do and gave me nice plants to enjoy.

Lemon Mint, Passion Flower, Poppy, and Parsley

Zinnias Transplanted More Zinnias

Dill Transplanted Cilantro Transplanted

Adventures!

A cute, little side note: When reaching for my shovel, I found this little critter. I let it sleep.

Tree Frog

I also found a baby snake by the water faucet. It got wet and angry with me, but it didn’t bite.

Doilies Crocheted Over the Last Few Years

Posted on April 20, 2017 by Kitty

Doilies
When I was a child, I saw my grandma making doilies, and it interested me greatly. Unfortunately, I was too clumsy for fine needlework then. I reacquainted myself with crochet in 2012 and set out to master the art of fine thread. After a year of crocheting snowflakes and other small things, I had enough confidence to begin more intricate patterns. The doilies pictured here are just a few of the many I have crocheted since 2013. Only one of them has been stiffened, but I plan on stiffening the rest.

Lace Wheat Doily

This is a cute Lace Wheat doily . It took some time finishing because of all the ripe wheat heads.

Cluster Stitch Doily

I found this Cluster Stitch doily incredibly challenging. The pattern used for this is free and was found at freevintagecrochet.com.

Grape Harvest Doilies

Small and cute, these are Grape Harvest doilies. Popcorn stitches make up the grapes.

Starched Snowflake Doily

Fabric Stiffener was diluted and applied to this Snowflake doily. The picots were trying on my fingers.

Sunflower Bloom Doily

Leisure Arts published a really wonderful doily pattern book called, Absolutely Gorgeous Doilies, designed by Patricia Kristoffersen. Every pattern in the book is described in detail, and there are pictures of each one. This is #3, Sunflower Bloom, from the book.

After working with so many doilies, I became interested in Irish crochet. Because of that, it’s been about a year since I finished my last doily. Maybe I should start another one soon. After all, they are very fun to work with and will last a long time. Some say crocheted doilies are old-fashioned and not relevant, but I think they still have a place in society. They provide relaxation while crocheting and decoration when finished. My grandma’s doilies are very special and are kept as heirlooms. Some women even use them to make their own wedding dress. So there is still relevancy to be found!

Essential Oils Provide Many Benefits at Reasonable Cost

Posted on April 17, 2017 by Kitty

Essential Oils

Whether essential oils are used medicinally or for fragrance, they provide a broad spectrum of benefits. However, they should be treated as anything else that goes in or on the body. It is always a good idea to test a small area of skin with diluted essential oil in a carrier/base oil before applying fully. Wait about 24 hours for any reaction that may occur. If nothing bad happens, then the oil should be safe to use. Everyone is different, so always test to be certain.

There are a myriad of curative oils in existence that I could go on forever, so I will limit descriptions to just four today. I have used essential oils for almost twenty years and can say that they work. In a world where antibiotics are becoming less effective against bacteria and more detrimental to health, I find it comforting to know that nature has its own way of defeating sickness. When I was a child, doctors prescribed me every kind of antibiotic there was at the time. I took all of them, and ended up being sicker for it. Antibiotics not only destroyed the bad bacteria in me, but they also destroyed all the good. Because of this, I no longer take any unless it’s absolutely necessary. This is where essential oils are helpful.

Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender essential oil is amazing when it comes to calming and healing. It can aid in more restful sleep when it is dropped onto a cotton ball and placed under a pillow. Muscle tension can be relieved by adding a few drops to a bath. Infuse Epsom salt with lavender oil for added benefit while soaking in the tub. There is even evidence that the oil can promote hair growth. Another great attribute of lavender oil is that it relieves inflammation, making it ideal for blemish control. If using it on the face, be especially sure to use it with a carrier oil and test first. There are many carrier oils to choose from, and they all interact differently with the skin.

Carrier Oils

Tea Tree

Tea tree oil is sort of an all-purpose essential oil. It is common and costs very little. Most people know it for its skin benefits, but it can be used to treat fungus, bacteria, and viruses. Anytime I squeeze pimples, I put some on the inflamed area to soothe and heal it. The best time to put it on the face is at night before bed since the eyes will be closed. Most oils can cause watery eyes if applied too close, and tea tree oil is one of them. Never apply an essential oil near the eyes, whether it’s on the eyelid or underneath.
Many different ailments can be treated at home using tea tree oil. Dandruff will lessen by adding a few drops to shampoo. Toenail fungus and ringworm die after contact with the oil. I use it “neat” (undiluted) when applying it to my nails. The best time to treat nails infected with fungus is after a shower or bath, making sure to cover underneath the nails as well.

Bergamot

Bergamot oil comes from the bergamot tree, which is a cross between an orange and lemon tree. It is mostly used for aromatherapy. The scent of the oil alleviates depression and energizes the body and mind. Bergamot essential oil can be used to help with anxiety as well. It has helped me with several panic attacks. Either sniff it from the bottle or add a few drops to a diffuser for relief. An interesting fact about the oil is that it is used to flavor Earl Grey tea. Always remember to keep it stored in a dark place because sunlight could cause toxicity.

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus oil has many healing qualities. It has antibacterial properties concerning upper respiratory infections and streptococcus. The oil also has antimicrobial properties, making it excellent for dental care. It has even been shown to be effective at repelling insects. One of my favorite uses for the oil is to add a few drops of it to a pot of boiling water for sinus relief. Anytime I get stopped up, I get a towel and make a tent over my head in order to breathe in the healing vapors. Nothing is more helpful for me than this. Eucalyptus oil can also be used as an analgesic and massaged onto problem areas.

All essential oils have healing properties in some form. Of the four mentioned above, bergamot is the most expensive, but it is cheaper than most anti-anxiety drugs. With just these four oils, one can do a lot.

Always be sure to read all the information about an oil before using it. Also check for any interactions with medicines prescribed by your doctor.

Beautiful Blooms in My Yard Merit Labor Involved

Posted on April 13, 2017 by Kitty

Last year, my husband and I decided to make our yard pretty by planting various flowers. We both really enjoy roses, so we went a little nuts and planted six plants in the front yard. These roses are special though because they are the Knock Out variety. All Knock Out Roses bloom from early spring to the first frost in zones 5-11 with little care. While the company states the roses do not need dead-heading, I still cut off the spent blooms to encourage more. After the roses are finished blooming their first time, I will prune and fertilize them.

Rose Blooms

While the roses look very nice, there are other flowers vying for attention. I planted four irises last spring, and only two survived. Luckily, the two that survived are different colors. Irises do very well if they like where they’re planted. Last year, the blue iris had only one flower while the pink had none at all. It’s amazing what a year can do! Look at all those blooms!

Blooms of Irises

My love of bulbs compelled me to plant tulips and daffodils in the fall. These early-blooming variety of tulips are gorgeous. Both daffodil varieties here are very fragrant, and their blooms last for about a week.

Tulip Blooms
Daffodil Bloom Pink Tulip Blooms of Big Daffodil

There are yet more blooms in the backyard with more to come in the summer. The lilac bush was planted last spring, and it has a bit of a flourish. It will take a couple more years before it truly shines. Fragrant buds have opened from the Dianthus plants, giving off a wonderful scent. A Salvia survived the winter to produce many flower heads this spring. All these blooms encourage hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies to come into the yard.

First Lilac Bloom Dianthus Blooms Blooming Salvia

Even my little crape myrtle survived after enduring quite a lot. My husband surprised me one day. He brought it home, dug a hole, and planted it. It was doing just fine until he mowed over it. That happened just before the weather turned cold. The little plant managed to grow some leaves only to have them chewed off and be pooped on by some animal. I thought it didn’t stand a chance through the winter. This picture is proof of how hardy the crape myrtle is.

Hardy Crape Myrtle

Last, but not least, are the blooming berries. My husband and I made an above-ground planter for them last spring. We planted two thornless blackberries, two raspberries, and two blueberries. They all survived the winter fairly well except for one raspberry plant. It is very tiny compared to its companion. Time and good pruning are needed to get a bountiful crop. In another year or so, they should greatly increase fruit yield.

Blooms of Blackberries Blooms of Raspberry Buds of Chandler Blueberry

First Time Painting Cardinal Couple in Acrylic

Posted on April 10, 2017 by Kitty

Last winter, I became interested in painting again. Nature has always inspired me to draw and paint, and acrylics make it easier for me than watercolors ever did. So, I decided to watch a few videos and tackle the subject of birds. This is my very first painting with acrylics:
Junco in Winter
I used a magazine cover as my subject and sketched by eye. It was a very rewarding experience, and I learned a lot.

Cardinal Couple

A family member of mine requested that I paint a cardinal. I decided to paint a couple in the spring since it’s that time of year. It took me quite a while to find just the right picture. It really helps to have a reference since I am a beginner. I found the perfect picture online from shutterstock.com. I took my time sketching on the canvas in order to achieve the right proportion, which is the most trying for me. This is just a rough drawing that will be a very useful guide.
Cardinal Couple
The canvas here is 8″ x 10″ and triple primed. The first canvas I used is of much cheaper quality than what I am using with the cardinals. Since the surface is primed, the paint will glide easier and coat more evenly.

There are a few more videos on YouTube I need to finish before starting this painting. David Jansen is a very talented artist who has shown me many great techniques. He emphasizes changing tones frequently in the birds so that they appear more natural. Jansen also points out that by painting the sky/light in one direction opposite of the main action really makes a wow factor. Because I first learned to paint with watercolors, his methods make a lot of sense to me. It’s best to work a small painting like this all in one sitting because of the blending involved. Unfortunately, I don’t have enough time or technique to finish it today. At least the first step is done and the ball can start rolling.

Cinnamon Bun-Influenced Pie Recipe

Posted on April 6, 2017April 10, 2017 by Kitty

Today, I decided to make a cinnamon bun pie. When I was growing up, around Easter my family would make cinnamon buns. They were from the freezer section, but they were still good. So I thought it would be a fun idea to try to incorporate cinnamon bun taste into a pie. Since I have already shared my grandma’s pie crust recipe, I will just go over the filling and icing. This pie requires one nine-inch, pre-baked shell.

Cinnamon Bun Pie Filling Ingredients

Cinnamon Bun Pie Ingredients Combined

My Cinnamon Bun Pie Recipe

1 C. Sugar
1/3 C. + 1 Tbsp. Flour
2 tsp. Cinnamon
1/2 tsp. Nutmeg
Dash Salt
2 1/4 C. Milk
3 egg yolks
1 tsp. Vanilla
2 1/2 Tbsp. Butter
One Pre-Baked, Nine-inch Pie Shell

It’s important to have all ingredients needed already out before beginning. When making the filling, start heating the milk first over medium heat. After the milk is steaming but not scalding, add some of it to the two eggs. This allows the eggs to acclimate to the hot temperature of the milk so that they don’t cook immediately when added. Make sure to add enough milk to change the temperature and stir before adding the mixture to the rest of the milk. Now, add the dry ingredients: sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt. The vanilla and butter should be added at the very end after the mixture has thickened. The mixture must be constantly stirred at medium heat until thickened in order to keep it from sticking to the pan or scalding. When the filling is ready, just pour it into a pre-baked pie crust. There is no extra baking needed. All that’s left is the icing.

Icing Recipe

1 1/2 C, Confectioner’s Sugar
4 Tbsp. Butter (melted)
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 tsp. milk (or to desired consistency)

This icing recipe is simple and good tasting. If you prefer the taste of cream cheese, you may use that in your icing, too. These are just the ingredients I had on hand.

Cinnamon Bun Pie

Cinnamon Bun Pie with Icing

Postscript

This recipe was a test, and it almost passed with flying colors. To make it better in the future, I will use three egg yolks for the filling. The egg whites can be used as meringue topping, but the pie won’t taste very much like a cinnamon bun then. Adding only the egg yolks and an additional egg makes the pie thicker. Although the first recipe was good, the consistency wasn’t thick enough. Also there was not enough icing for the pie, so I have altered the measurements accordingly. Recipes always take trial and error before finding the right balance. I will try this new method in the future to see how it goes.

Hummingbirds Are Back for More Nectar

Posted on April 3, 2017 by Kitty

It’s that time of year when hummingbirds should be arriving from their migration. There are plenty of flowers and insects for them to find, but I like putting some homemade nectar out so I can watch them. Watching hummingbirds hovering over nectar is really rewarding. They make lots of chirping noises and fly quickly through the air. Truly they are one of the most fascinating creatures of this world.

Making nectar is not difficult. All it takes is one part sugar and four parts water. Filtered water is best to use. The hummingbird feeder I have holds two cups, so I use one-half cup of sugar for the right ratio. To make the nectar, take the water and pour it in a small saucepan. Heat on medium temperature until it starts simmering. At this point, add the sugar and stir until it is completely dissolved. After the water is clear, close the lid, keeping the temperature set to medium heat. Once the liquid starts simmering again, continue for five minutes. When the time is up, take the nectar off of the heat and allow it to cool completely before adding it to the feeder. This process kills any bacteria, making sure that the hummingbirds don’t get sick. No food coloring is needed to attract them.

Hummingbird Nectar Setup Simmering Water Sugar Added Hummingbird Sugar Dissolved

There are several choices of hummingbird feeders available. Whatever feeder is chosen, it must be thoroughly cleaned and dried before adding any nectar. This keeps bacteria and mold at bay. Mold will accumulate eventually no matter what is done to impede it. Sugar naturally feeds it, and warm weather encourages growth. So, it is imperative that all hummingbird feeders should be cleaned often. It is even more important in the summer months because that is when it gets hottest.

My backyard has fresh nectar waiting for visitors now. Hopefully it won’t be long until I find hummingbirds flitting around and drinking. Fairly soon, my salvia and bee balm will start blooming. These plants really attract hummingbirds, especially the red variety. So one way or another, I am certain to have some tiny, winged friends come visit.