2014 Top 10 Pictures

 We went to Florida in January for our friend's sons wedding.  If anyone would of told me in 2013 that I'd be doing all this flying with Joel,  well...... I guess I 'd be laughing at them.  I am still not a fan of it but nothing some good drugs won't fix.   

 It brought me such joy to watch Philip coach his own basketball team.  After being the player for so many years and trading spots as the coach I think he saw things in a whole different light.

 Whenever there is a birthday this nephew of mine can't wait for the cake.

  Joel's traveling quite a bit with his job. Because of that we got to see these two nephews (and his godsons) a little bit more.

 It was about the coke can for me.  I tried to find a Coke can with every one's name on it this summer.

Every airport or store I went into I spent time pulling each can out to find our names.    

(See last picture)

 My brother is the comedian in the family.  This was during the world cup, he took the flag and ran around the yard GOOOOOAAAAAALLLLL!!!!!!!!

 My mom got a new computer.  We showed her how to Skype her grand kids.

Philip's cousin from MI surprised him for his 21st birthday hiding in Grandpa and Grandma's van.

Love these two guys! Christmas card 2014

This is our annual timer picture at Christmas.  We always take it after dinner, we always try to stand in the same spot and this year we added our Coke cans to the scene.

What's for dinner

I have never followed a chili recipe before.  All I do is just dump and add spices.

Its never the same.   

I checked out Allrecipes.com and a recipe caught me eye called 

Award Winning Chili, printed it off, made it and we all loved it.

Here is the recipe below and you will find a few different ingredients in it that I

have I never dumped in chili before.

2 (14.5 oz) can stewed tomatoes

1 (6 oz) can tomato paste

1 onion chopped

4 stalks celery chopped

1/4 cup white wine

1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes

1 green pepper chopped

1 red pepper chopped 

1/3 cup steak sauce

5 slices of bacon fried and crumbled

1 tube pork sausge

1 1/2 pounds ground beef

1 pkg chili seasoning mix

1 teaspoon cumin

1 (15 oz) can of chili beans

1 tablespoon choppex cilantro

Brown meat and bacon.  Dump everything in a kettle simmer for about 3 hours.  

My boys like cheddar cheese and sour cream on top of their chili.

I made dilly bread to go with it.  

Enjoy!

November Currents

  Just got back from the local Lutheran high school where Joel did chapel.   Now I am sitting in a hotel in Benton Harbor Michigan.   Since I have been traveling with Joel this is my least favortie, the hotels.  We stay in nice Holiday Inn Express or Hamptons but I still get creeped out by them.  REALLY how many people have sat in this chair, I never go barefoot, I never sit on the outside of the bed, my wipes are my new best friend. 

So...... as I sit here I thought I would do so of my currents for you.

Current Read.  Do crochet patterns count?

Current Playlist.   I have been enjoying Brad Paisley and Blake Shelton.

Current Food.  I can't seem to get enough apples. 

Current Favorite.  Fires in our fireplace in the evening. 

Current Addiction.   I make seasoned pretzels with ranch, garlic salt, dill weed and olive oil.  Great snack for in the car.

Current Triumph.  Joel and I changed some things with our way of eating the beginning of August.  He has lost 27 lbs and I am stuck at 23lbs.  It can be frustrating but better that gaining that amount. 

Current Annoyance.   Grass in the bathroom.   WHAT??????   Yes with Philip's job in landscaping he comes home with grass all over.  He heads to the bathroom and the floor is covered.  I picked up the rug this summer and there was a small yard under that rug.  That was his way to fix it.  I have asked him to sweep it up by never seems to happen.  I am happy to report that he has sweeped a few times and now we have something new to deal with, leaves. 

Current Blessing.  There are so many blessings to choose from.   One that makes me smile is the way my mom continues to do so well with her healing and recovery.   When I left there a week ago she was using a walker.  We went there Sunday for her birthday and was great to see she moved to a cane.

Current Excitement.  When the three of us get to have a meal together. 

Current Project.  In my spare time I love to crochet.    Hats, mittens, scarves and dish clothes.  

LuAnn

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Friday night

  Joel has been living one crazy schedule these days.  It was nice to have him home to eat supper and sleep in his own bed this week.  Friday night was opened and we have really not spent any time with John and Diane.  Was happy their calendar was open too.

                                                 
                                                        Beef Vegetable Soup and Dilly Bread

Joel made me this tray out of an old pallet.

                                "NEW" dessert plates to me.  I got them at Good Will for.49 cents.

                               Those plates will be used for some Key Lime Pie.

                                               
                                                            Just a few munchies during cards.

WORDLESS Wednesday