Operation Triple R

So, my weekend started off with a stake out. Not a fun boy-stalking stake out as I had hoped nor was it filled with coffee, cigarettes and discussion about life however it was my friends stake out and I just was there as the getaway car. She had a psycho woman follow her into the YMCA parking lot last weekend after a little traffic dispute then the woman blocked in her car, harassed and I believe threatened her. She wanted to get the womans license plate number just in case anything further happened. My friend asked if I wanted to tag along and of course I said yes!  The fact that she had an awesome name for the stakeout-Operation Triple R (Redneck Road Rage) may have swayed my vote a little as well. I wake up early on the weekend so I don’t mess up my sleep schedule too much and am always looking for something to do when nothing seems to be going on. We went to Dunkin Donuts, got some coffee and three munchkins for me (which the boy gave me for free–thanks DD boy!) and went to the YMCA to stake out. Originally, I had the idea of getting out of the car and hanging out in disguises in front of the Y. I wanted to dress up as a homeless person sitting outside the Y with a change jar and hidden walkie talkie. But she shot that idea down and said it wasn’t necessary-boo. So, we waited….and waited…..and waited.

We even had a canine friend in attendance

Yes, that would be Lincoln in my friends purse. Fear not, he wasn’t in there the entire time. I was in awe with the size of her purse since I believe in the mantra-bigger is better-and was joking around that Lincoln could fit in there so we packed him in. And you know what? He loved it! He was absolutely calm, appeared to be comfortable and am 99% sure he don’t go potty in there. It turned out to be a waste of time since No 1980’s something brown pickup truck was in sight. Oh well. At least I had a morning of good conversation and coffee right?

Saturday afternoon consisted of a lot of this:

While I updated my resume and searched for jobs, Lincoln napped and eventually I did as well. It snowed for about 10 minutes in Charlotte and I went out a walk but the afternoon mainly consisted of job searching. I got four inquiries about my resume between Saturday and Sunday so hopefully I am on the right track!

Saturday night I made tuna casserole. It’s been foreeeeever since I’ve made it and it’s a fantastic meal for when it’s chilly out. Nothing says comfort like noodles, fish and cheese. Ok, put like that it doesn’t sound good but combined together and baked, it’s super!

I took three cans of tuna fish and drained

Along with that ingredients were

 Half a package of No Yolk Egg Noodles (that I cooked earlier in the day)

 One can Cream of Mushroom soup

 1/2 shredded Monterrey Jack Cheese

 Chopped onion

Chopped mushrooms

 One cup frozen peas

1 tbsp chili powder

1 tbsp black pepper 

1/2 tbsp garlic

Then mixed together in a large mixing bowl.

Then transferred to a casserole dish, topped with 1/3 of shredded Monterrey Jack cheese (if you are not a huge cheese fan, you can use breadcrumbs instead) and let it bake for 35 minutes

Delicious! Plus it gives me a couple of meals to bring to work for lunch this week (yes, I am the annoying co-worker who heats fish in the break room) and it’s perfect for freezing as well.

I may have watched this movie one two three times afterwards.

What can I say, when I like a movie, I really really like a movie.

On Sunday morning, I woke up had some breakfast and went for a 45 minute walk. It was just cold enough that I felt comfortable all bundled up but not sweating and I felt terrific afterwards.

I put some ingredients in the crock pot to make chili and then headed out to go to see Black Swan and shopping at Costco. Black Swan was absolutely fantastic, it was very theatrical and thought-provoking, a nice change from what I usually dig. My friend has a Costco membership so I wanted to tag along with her so I could get some goodies. I also wanted to try one of their churros since I hear good things about them and it was out of this world!

I was expecting it to be absolute madness on a Sunday afternoon but it was pretty tame for Costco. I will have to hit her up to see when she is going again since I found some great deals but didn’t get too much stuff since I’ll be going out of town for Christmas. For $44 I got  all of this and a bottle of wine:

Holla, I heart Costco!

When I got home, my house has the spicy aroma of chili in the air and I was ready to chow down! I don’t have a set chili recipe but mixed it up a little this time.

Ingredients:

One can diced tomatoes

One can tomato paste

One can dark kidney beans

One can navy beans

One cup Morningstar Veggie Crumbles (browned with tabasco sauce)

1 tbsp Chili powder

1 tbsp Cumin

1 tbsp Garlic

2 tbsp Black Pepper

1 onion chopped

3 Hungarian Wav peppers, chopped

It turned out great. However, the Hungarian Wax peppers made a world of difference! They were spicier than expected and that along with the tabasco Veggie Crumbles made my eyes water. Luckily, I like chili that hot but I think I will stick jalapenos in the future.

Everyone have a fun weekend? I hope more exciting with mine regarding the nightly activities, I am so lame some weekends.

If you haven’t entered yet–remember to enter my Chobani giveaway–it ends Monday night!

Cupcakes, Chili and Sanchez

Happy Monday (oxy moron if I’ve ever heard one). This is going to be a little weekend recap of a post. I feel like I was on the go all weekend and really didn’t get a chance to relax. I complain about that but I kinda like it that way because then I can relax on the week nights and don’t have to worry about getting anything done. Hope everyone had a great weekend and is staying warm! It’s supposed to be 17 tomorrow night and I am stoked. I am one of the weird ones who digs the cold weather since I can keep layering clothes on until I can’t put down my arms and have an excuse to hunker down on the couch. Before I forget— thanks for everyone for commenting on Lincoln’s post on Saturday. He had a super fabulous birthday and appreciates all the warm wishes!

I had a Groupon for The Blushing Bakeshop that I’ve been waiting to use. They are located on the side of town and never really make my way down there however when I took Lincoln to get groomed on Saturday, I thought, why not and stop by. I’ve read reviews about them on Yelp, both good and bad and wanted to chime in. And let’s be honest, I just wanted some  cupcakes. There I said it. 

They have little cutesie names for them which I found endearing but at the same time confusing. I like my cupcake names to be straight up: Carrot Cake, Red Velvet Cake, etc. Who knew that Dan meant Boston Crème? I know I didn’t. I got 4 (of course can’t remember the technical names) but they included: birthday cupcake, carrot cake, apple cake and boston crème.

 I tried the carrot cake one which was delectable and everything I hoped it would be along with the birthday one. Their buttercream frosting was out of this world and almost as big as the actual cupcake. I will be going back there for the frosting alone.

Their cupcakes were a bit pricey (I believe $2.75 a pop) but think this would be a special treat kind of place. The size of them reminded me of Georgetown Cupcake  , which is a top-notch cupcake place. I had to place the remaining two in the freezer before I demolished them but my tummy was definitely happy after trying The Blushing Bakeshop!

 Right before I picked up Lincoln, I passed by Lorenzo’s Pizzeria— Another spot I’ve been itching to go to. Any time I think of Lorenzo’s, my mind automatically flashes back to the Van Buren Boys episode on Seinfeld (one of my fave episodes!) Lorenzo’s is also on the other side of town and I knew I wouldn’t be in that area again for awhile. I’ve heard this place is out of this world and has authentic NY Pizza so I stopped in to see what it’s all about. Mind you I’m going to NY this wknd so I won’t need to wait long to have some NY style [pizza (since I didn’t get some this summer) but any excuse for pizza right? I got a slice of their pepperoni to enjoy later but I saw they offered slices of Sicilian pizza which made my heart jump. I never see any places with single slices of Sicilian pizza so this is a good thing this place is 25 mins from where I currently live because that would just be dangerous.

The pizza was terrific just as I expected. I don’t know if it was the cupcakes, the pizza or all the excitement of Lincoln’s birthday but soon after I was in a mini coma and I couldn’t stay awake for the WVU-Rutgers game. Big boooooo to that. It was WVU’s last regular scheduled game of the year and I tried desperately to stay awake but kept falling back into sleep.  But then a few hours later I awoke to the smell of chili. I was competing in a chili cookoff on Sunday and made me chili in the crock ahead of time on Saturday. It was just about finished cooking and I enjoyed a bowl topped with shredded cheese and sour cream.

 I try to go all out when I make my chili and don’t have a set recipe but this time, I just didn’t put any heart into it. I have just been exhausted this past week with doing stuff around the house and trying to get everything done before I leave next weekend, I didn’t plan out what I would put into it and just used the stuff I already had–Morningstar Veggie Crumbles, kidney beans, onions, jalapenos, Tabasco sauce, cumin, chili powder, garlic and black pepper. Next time I want to add more beans like cannellini or black beans instead of the standard kidney beans. I made it extra spicy this time around by adding slices of jalapenos and more Tabasco sauce than normal and you know what? I won 4^th place at the chili cookoff  went to on Sunday! Yeah, 4th is nice and everything but  I am making a vow right now that next year I will place higher.

 Getting pinned with my 4th place chili  boutonniere.

Why do I look like a coffee toting mannequin?

There was a pup that’s smaller than Lincoln! Percy was absolutely adorable.

Source

 Sunday night  I went over to my friend’s place so Lincoln and I could get our Christmas pictures taken. We had a mini photo shoot and decided on three pictures for our Christmas cards. Lincoln was loving his Santa Paws shirt and even wore it to bed! It’s so sad though because when I bought the shirt it looked small for him but it ended up being too big. Poor little petite doggie. Here’s a few good photos we had.

 Every year I order them on Walgreens.com and they are ready the next day and can pick up there instead of having to worry about shipping +delivery. If you go to Walgreens.com and enter in the code CREATIVE you can get $10 off any $20 photo gift order through December 11! I picked them up tonight and am super excited—you gotta love a place that can make holiday cards in less than 24 hours!

I know many people out there are talking about the big Jets-Patriots game tonight. I love me some football but really don’t care about either team so when people have asked me who I want to win my response has been “Well, I am going with who I think the hotter quarterback is”

Or

 Verdict? Sanchez all the way baby.

 Go Jets.

PS–Win some VS snazzy PINK gear at Fashion Meets Food!

I Feel Like Chicken Tonight

The rest of my day off was enjoyable. Why can’t every day be a day off? I feel so much more productive getting stuff done around the house than when at work. That being said, operation win the lottery or find a sugar daddy is in full effect. I could really get used to not doing the 40 hours of work thing but wouldn’t mind it if I could do something I loved and didn’t have to worry about money. Sigh, let’s see this operation takes me…….

After Panera yesterday,  I had to pick up a few things at Wal Mart and found some Halloween items on 90% off clearance!

I have no clue what I am going to make with black frosting but for $.17 I will try it out! Then the sprinkles were only $.30, I should have stocked up some more. Thankfully they didn’t have any Halloween candy because that is the last thing I need. Want? Hell to the yes. But need, not so much.

I had leftover chili that I made on Friday for lunch with Food Should Taste Good Olive Chips.

These babies have been sitting in my cupboard for a couple of months but to be honest, I was kinda scared to open them up. I figured they would either be really good or really bad. The verdict? I think these may be my new favorite flavor. I love all things olive but recently started liking black olives but I would say I tasted kalamata more than anything.

Since the chili was more thick than anything (that’s what she said), I used the chips to scoop. I originally thought the chili was a fail but it was more of a thick, hot dip this time around. I made it with fresh peppers, onions, corn, cannellini beans and Morningstar Veggie Crumbles but not enough stock or diced tomatoes. I wish I would’ve saved more instead of throwing out some of the remains since I thought it would taste horrible.

Inspired by Devon’s Buffalo Chicken Tacos, I put some chicken in the crockpot with hot sauce and water and set on high.

 I didn’t have any of the ingredients for tacos but by making them in the crock, I could have chicken on hand to make a few versatile dishes this week. I will be feeling like chicken each night

Does anyone else remember that commercial or once again, am I aging myself?

The first thing on the list was a simple dinner of pulled chicken, green beans and brown rice sprinkled with chile powder. I’ve been craving canned french cut green beans this past week. I can’t do frozen green beans for some reason, only fresh or canned.I’m a condiment girl so the honey mustard on the side was essential.

A couple of hours later, I was craving something warm and sweet. I had phyllo dough defrosting in the fridge with an apple that only had a few more days left to enjoy so I decided to make  a few apple tarts. I cut up an apple, sprinkled cinnamon and agave nectar on it then microwaved for two minutes then scooped into the phyllo in a muffin tin

Covered with the remainder of the phyllo, sprinkled with more cinnamon and agave nectar then baked at 400 degrees for 17 minutes

These were absolutely delicious and hit the spot! They were so easy to make along with a quick fix when something sweet was needed. The only thing that would have made it better was some Cool Whip (said the same way Stewie says it of course)

Contemplating what I could make with the crockpot buffalo chicken, my mind naturally wondered to quesadillas. I’ve made the traditional quesadillas and even pizza quesadillas but I never thought to make buffalo chicken quesadillas. Once I thought of that while entering DOS codes into our with the times computer program at work, it was so on.

I took the shredded chicken and added chopped onions, fotina and shredded mozzarella cheese

Then I remembered I had an unopened bottle of this stuff in the cupboard, if you haven’t tried it—go out and buy some, it’s fabulous!

Added some to the chicken mix and spread on a whole wheat tortilla then topped with another and let cook for about 10 minutes

I mixed a couple of teaspoons of the wing sauce with a spoonful of ranch to make a zesty dipping sauce. The day I get sick of condiments is the day I die.

If you like buffalo chicken and like quesadillas–make these, like now. They turned out wonderful and I was a bit skeptical about using fontina but it melted beautifully with the mozzarella. I can’t wait to make these again!!

In other big news, my bestie just created a blog! She is writing about her training for her first half marathon in January, PF Changs Half Marathon no less so it will be rocking time (pun intended). She’s ran a few races in her day but never attempted a half and I am so happy for her! If I train, maybe I will meet her in Phoenix for it, you never know! I can’t wait to read about her progress and other fun, random happenings! Anywho, check it out—Thirteen.Point.One

Today, I took a beating mentally. It was my first day back at work after a three-day wknd (and that means I have a three-day workweek with Veterans Day on Thursday!) plus we got our credits assigned to us yesterday so jumping into that was interesting. The first part of the day, I was overloaded but soon found my groove into how much workflow would go. I also spoke with HR and my paycheck will be coming to me on Friday (grrrr) but it is more than I expected plus I will get my normal paycheck the following Monday. I can hold out until then and budget money, bring leftovers for lunch, etc. AND, I spoke with my mom today and she found a job! She worked at a newspaper in South Florida for 10 years then due to lack of sales, they laid her off last year. She has been depressed about not being able to find anything and been looking anywhere she can. Not only did she get a job, she got a sweet ass job at William Sonoma as a gift wrapper so let’s hope they hire her full-time or keep her on part-time. And let’s hope she takes that 40% discount and buys me a useful gift for Christmas and birthday!

With that, I plan on snuggling with this little man tonight. We got some Netflix to catch up 🙂

***Giveaway Action***

-Win some coupons for Terra Chips over at Eating Chalk!!

-Win Two Moms In The Raw products at Clean Eating Chelsey!

Fun

So….it’s been an interesting week. The “fun” started on Wednesday when I got a flat tire on the way home from work….in the rain….with no AAA…..with barely any battery left on my cell phone. I frantically called one of my friends who lives near the gas station I was stuck at  and she came right over and dialed AAA for me. While waiting on them, we went to The Melting Pot to get a glass on wine so that made the whole ordeal go a little smoother but in the back on my head I was thinking about the extra expenses such as a new tire or two that I would soon be dealing with. Oh. I didn’t mention how work screwed up my paycheck last week due to me changing jobs did I? Yeah, my official start date was 10/18 but human resources didn’t have it until 11/1 so the check I received on 11/1 was still my old rate and I have to wait for a separate check to come with the difference plus a few days missed pay.That’s supposed to be in my checking account on Monday. We can view our paychecks three days in advance online and it’s not showing up right now so I’m a bit skeptical about it being in there. All I know is I can’ really roll with less than $90 in my checking account for over a week. That being said, I will be living ghetto this next week. I am using any Groupon I have to get some free meals, coupons and will be cooking a bunch. I think I may have a free sub at Harris Teeter as well so that will be two free meals for me. It just sucks feeling like I can’t due anything due to lack of money, I hate that feeling so much. If only I didn’t have the little thing called rent or mortgage getting in my way each month. I would love to be able to live free from that for a year and save it so I can feel like I have a solid savings.

When I got home after the flat tire situation, I wanted pizza. And not homemade or Papa Johns, I wanted the authentic stuff. I’ve heard great things about Luigi’s Pizza, a NY style pizza joint throughout Charlotte. When I was in NYC this summer, I never got a slice of pizza so the time was finally right to try NY style pizza….even if I am in Charlotte. This place is right near me but I’ve never stopped there because any time I drive by it, I can’t see inside and that kinda skeeves me out. Feeling great from the wine, I went over to Luigi’s and ordered a small pepperoni pizza to go.

That is what I’m talking about!! When I opened the box I couldn’t believe that was a small pizza but I was loving what was in front of me. It was huge for just one person so there was guaranteed to last me throughout the week! My only gripe was that it was *eek* $14. I never pay that much for a pizza and don’t remember pizza being that much but I kept repeating to myself that I was supporting a local business and it would last more than one meal so that made me feel better. The pizza was absolutely wonderful cheesy yummy deliciousness. When I took a bite, it melted right in my mouth and the sauce was traditional but with more oregano than anything. It was just the right amount of grease but not swimming it in but visible and I had to fold it in half to eat most of it and that’s exactly what I was looking for. I added some grated parm onto my slices and kept singing “Me So Parmy” to “Me So Horny”. That was Wednesday and that’s still in my head.

The next night I met up with some friends at Loco Lime. I say I could eat Mexican any day of the week but I really was feeling sushi that night so was in a bit of a toss-up. Once the chips and salsa came, everything was right in the world. The $2.50 Dos Equis didn’t hurt either (I didn’t know they had an Amber? I loved it!) One of my friends ordered the guacamole and said it was the best in Charlotte. It was good but not as good as Vida, which was smoother and creamier. Regardless, if it has avocado and sour cream in it, I’m going to eat it. I’m equal opportunity like that. I got the combination plate of barbaqoa tostada and flautas but by the time it rolled around, I was a bit full. I had the tostado and some of the rice and beans and got the rest to go. The tostado was interesting–it was served with a hard boiled egg on top along with avocado slices. It was good, I just wasn’t expecting to see a hard boiled egg. The barbaqoa was delicious and tender and when I tried the flautas they were crispy and tasty as well.

My friend ordered the Tres Leches Cake for dessert and I didn’t want to be rude and not have a bite. It was so cute and so tasty! We somehow got to eating it with our arms intertwined. I remember thinking of the idea but don’t know what brought it about and thought it was the funniest thing in the world….again $2.50 beers.

The leftovers were super the day after

I tried to make chili last night but it was a huge fail. Until this past year, I’ve only made chili in the crockpot but lately by the time I want it, it’s too late to put it in the crock so I’ve just been making on the stovetop. One of my co-workers had a surplus of peppers and gave me a huge bag to take home with me so figured I could use the variety of the peppers in the chili

I was getting excited about the chili with the scent of all the different peppers. But then the evil can opener made an appearance. I will buy a can opener and it’s fine but then it turns racist whenever I want to open a can of black beans and won’t open it. Then from there, it won’t open anything—wtf?? Seeing I wanted to add beans, tomato paste and diced tomatoes, this was no bueno. I kept getting a small opening in the can then repeat about 10 or 11 times then forced open the top with a knife. I was a bit frustrated. I wasn’t even going to eat the chili that night but wanted to use the peppers before they went bad. I bought a new can opener today so let’s cross our fingers and hope it’s all about the love.

I don’t know if I didn’t add enough stock or the setting was high but it was not looking good by the time it was done. I wouldn’t call it so much as chili but as chili dip. I put some of it into small containers for this week but think I will be scooping it up with pita chips or something instead of eating it soup like.

I was up at 6A to go get my tires checked out and was back by 9A. It was around 40 something and it felt super wonderful. I love this season so much but feel like we aren’t really going to get a fall and will have a few nice days then jump right into winter. It was sunny out though which with my Florida mentality, think that whenever it’s sunny, it’s warm which I really need to stop that school of thought. I headed to Freedom Park to go for a run/walk on the greenway. I usually go walk around the lake at Freedom Park but wanted to check out the greenway there. The greenway goes along a little stream next to the hospital and has a gorgeous view of the skyline. I walked but got some running in there also but the thing I loved the most was no one was out. I maybe passed by 5 or 6 people which was a breath of fresh air since the greenway by my old apartment consisted mostly of people with their out of control minions. I will definitely be going back for a run or a nice stroll soon.

Feeling good after my cookie success last week, I picked up a box of Sun Maid Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Mix at the supermarket this morning. It was only $1.50 and I had no plans tonight so why not?

 

Mmmmmmm….chewy and delicious.

Besides that, work has been a killer. And I’m still in training so wtf?? The last four years, I was in a set process with my job and sad to say, really didn’t use my brain too often. I had a set process every day and my work was very redundant so I’m not used to thinking anymore much less using analytical skills. The position I took it going to be a lot more work and they are changing their current process so current and new associates are all learning something new. I am just curious on how we are going to manag the amount of work we are getting. I’ve heard the current team is overwhelmed so we are there to take some of the work off of their hands but our group is supposed to get another 15,000 accounts within the next few months. Multi tasking is one of my biggest strengths so I should be fine with it but still, I get worried. Good news is that I got all the vacation I requested off. I am taking Monday off since I had an extra day to use then time off for my birthday in December (going to NYC!), time around Chrismtas (going to FL) and for New Years Eve.

 Fall back!

Wet and Warm

Oh a dirty post perhaps? Fortunately for you, the title is regarding my meals today but it could be construed as something naughty. No Penthouse forum tonight though  (I love how I act like I normally have it??) so apologies.

Let’s just start with this morning. This morning started out bad. Maybe it was from the Entourage marathon that I watched for eight hours yesterday? I wish I was making that up but I’m not. The sad thing is that it was still playing when I dozed off on the couch, things like that make me miss my DVR. I really don’t know how I live without one sometimes.

Then this morning there was an “occurrence” at Starbucks. What it comes down to is that people who don’t have coffee etiquette piss me off. The offender this morning was some random dude who I’ve never seen at my Bucks. I go in at different times throughout the day and recognize a good number of people (which kinda pathetic seeing I don’t even work there). Offense #1—standing smack dab in the middle of the creamer/sugar station. The bar with the creamer, sugar, spices, etc. can easily fit three or four people in there. But when you go right for the middle spot and expect no one else to use it but you—oh hell no! Homey don’t play that. I scooted in there and started preparing my coffee. Offense #2 I reach for the half n half that he just put down and it’s empty-not one drip left. I give him the stink eye and bring it over to the cashier and let her know we need more over at that specific bar. I go back to my drink and see the dude is using yet another half and half and puts it down. I reach for it and what do you know? Nothing comes out. At this point, I am pissed off. It’s Monday morning, raining, my eye makeup is not hiding the circles and I have a zit on my cheek that takes me back to eighth grade. I would love to go back home, get into my fleece pants and snuggle with Lincoln and watch some “Who’s the baby daddy?” talk shows. Buy no, must go to work. Thinking three times the charm……well do I even have to say if there was any in the third vat? Again, I gave him the stink eye and *may* have called him something that rhymed with mocktucker.

When I got to work, I found out that I no longer have a portfolio—hooray! I will be acting as a consultant for the next two weeks and as support with any issues that come along. After dealing with 90+ clients for the past four years, this is a huge relief and welcome break. Now everyone else will get to take part in the mess of some of my work load and see I am really not being dramatic about some of the issues I have to deal with on a daily basis. On another note, I found out that my new position that I start in two weeks with be salaried and not over time eligible which will be a first for me. Let’s just hope I won’t be busting my hump too much compared to this place.

Having no real work to do this morning, it dragged on. I worked on a special project and even fit in two 15 minute walks in an attempt to wake up. And you know what? It didn’t work but it felt good to get out of the cube for a while.

Lunch was leftovers again of bacon and kale minestra and a chicken leg quarter with hot sauce.

What is it about soup that makes it even better the second time around? This was tasty and comforting however I got too excited about the soup and burned my tongue-thumbs down. I am loving soup with beans also which used to be a foreign idea for me. I never ate beans as a kid and when my mom would make chili, it would be bean less. Now with mine, I add beans and not only one kind-I like to mix it up with kidney and black beans with brings us to dinner.

Like many others out there, I don’t have a standard chili recipe. I am more of a free spirit and like toad stuff as I feel but it does always have the basics of onions, chili powder, beans and tomato paste. The rest is whatever I have on hand and feel like adding. I was going to make the chili yesterday but already made one soup recipe and didn’t want to overload myself. Also, I only make chili in my crockpot which takes five to six hours. I decided to take a leap of faith and make chili on the stovetop tonight when I got home from work. This time around I threw chopped onions in a large pot and let cook.  Then I cooked a couple hot sausage links without their casing on the stovetop for a few minutes and while that was cooking, drained the black and kidney beans and added tomato paste and diced tomatoes to the mix. I added chicken broth last along with chili powder, garlic, salt and pepper, brought to a boil then took it down to medium heat for 20 minutes.

Thoughts

*Once again, cheese makes everything better

*Ditto for sausage

* It tasted great but not as thick as when I make it in the crock. That being said, I would make again on the stovetop when I am looking for a quick/hearty meal on a cold night.

*Speaking of cold nights, it was 90 last week and it is going to be 44 tonight. Really?

*I think my can opener is racist. It only decided to stop working on me when opening up a can of black beans.

*Hmmmm, I think that’s it. I really don’t have much on my mind right now.

*Wow, nothing on mind? Kind of lame but it’s true, hope you all are having a beautiful night!