Comfort Food -- Blue Ribbon Chili

There is somthing about eating comfort food on chilly Sunday afternoons that soothes the soul (and your belly), I ran across a great recipe a year or so ago and it's a family favorite so I thought I would share it with you. It's super easy to make and it's ready within an hour....however, I let mine cook all day if I can.

INGREDIANTS
2 pounds of ground beef
1/2 chopped onion
1 teaspoon of black pepper
1/2 teaspoon of garlic salt
2.5 cups of tomato sauce
1 - 8 ounce jar of salsa (hot or mild)
4 tablespoons of chili seasoning
1 - 15 ounce can of light red kidney beans
1 - 15 ounce can of dark red kidney beans

DIRECTIONS
1. In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine the ground beef and onions. Cook until meat is browned. Drain grease and place contents in crock pot.

2. In the crock pot add the black pepper, garlic salt, tomato sauce, salsa, chili seasoning and kidney beans. Mix well and cook on low for at least an hour!

For a great topping to the chili; mix sour cream and shredded cheese in a bowl and put a tablespoon on top of your chili. Enjoy!

She did it again!!!

I got the text this morning that Victoria made the JV Girls Soccer Team at LCHS. I couldn't be more proud of her.

She has spent the last two weeks conditioning and preparing for this moment and it paid off!

She only started playing soccer a few short years ago and has became a really good player. She always doubts herself but as parents we see her potential...and she proves time and time again that she has great potential.

I can't believe she is even old enough to be on a JV team in HIGHSCHOOL! The time has flown by...it seems once they hit 13 everything starts to really go by so fast!  I seriously was just planning Strawberry Shortcake parties for her. Now we're attending highschool events for her. Wow.

I'm trying to take it all in because I know in a short 3 years she will be leaving our nest for college. She even knows where she wants to attend...isn't that crazy?!? We went from talking about what Bratz doll to buy to what college she hopes to get into.

All I can say is that I am one proud Momma of one very special girl!

Tryouts Take 2

Today is the day that all a parents (or at least me) dread....their child trying out for a school team. I turn into a ball of nerves and pace the floors all day hoping and praying for my child to come home with a huge smile saying she made the team.

Today while having coffee with Susie we agreed that it's harder on the parent than the child. Wonder why that is? I guess it's because you never want your child to fail and you never want to see a dream they have crushed. You want them to attain any goal they set for themselves.

Victoria has been conditioning at school for soccer for about 2.5 weeks and today is the start of try-outs for the JV squad at LCHS. My little girl is big enough to play a sport in highschool....say it ain't so! Wow. time. flies.

After saying a prayer and keeping my fingers crossed I hope I have good news to share very soon. They were not told how long tryouts would last so I am hoping it's a quick process and not one that will leave me with no finger nails left or a floor to pace on!

I'm the 1 in 3 Americans

Where have I been lately?!? Back in a black hole that is called depression and anxiety. It has taken several months away from me and I am ready to regain my life back again. I am putting my foot down this time because I am tired of depression taking time away from my life. I am not afraid or ashamed to admit that I suffer from anxiety and depression; it's something I deal with on a daily basis and I know there are millions of people out there that deal with it but may be too ashamed to admit it. I used to be ashamed to admit I had issues with depression and my anxiety some days was too much to deal with. It's a battle that I fight every day but with the help of my Doctor and medicine it can be controlled somewhat. I know that I will still have bad days here and there and on those days it's hard to even get out of the bed but I remind myself that I am blessed with a beautiful life and that helps ease my nerves.

So, the ones of you that have wondered why I dropped off the blog planet....I am still here...just taking some time to get back to me. Blogging is a form of therapy for me so they will continue...it's just taking longer than I expected! But posts will be back shortly, I am feeling a ton better and that's such a refreshing feeling.