Black Bean Chili-Stew

I realize that chili-eating season is almost over, and if you're like me, that makes you sad. One of my favorite things about winter is eating hearty soups and chili (especially with warm-from-the-oven bread!). But since those days are now numbered, I thought I should pull out a trusty ol' recipe that I hadn't had a chance to use yet this year.

I came up with this recipe a couple of years ago when I was scrounging through the pantry and fridge for something warm to cook up on a cold wintry night. Since I love black beans, I tried a new twist on and old fave...chili. It turns out pretty thick, so it's really more like a chili-stew. If you like your chili a bit more soupy, add more tomato sauce and adjust seasoning as needed.

Another reason I love it is because it is chocked full of veggies and my kiddos are non the wiser (but it does make the chili so pretty and colorful!). These are the veggies I typically use, but any veggies you have on hand would work. I hope you enjoy!

Hearty Black Bean Chili-Stew

2 cloves garlic

1 Tblsp olive oil

2 carrots, chopped

1 medium onion, chopped

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 medium zucchini, chopped

1 lb ground beef

1 can tomato sauce

1 can diced tomatoes

2 15 oz can black beans (drained and rinsed)

1 pkg chili seasoning

Grated cheese to garnish

Heat oil in skillet, add ground beef and all vegetables. Cook till beef is no longer pink. Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beans, and chili seasoning. Simmer 15-20 minutes. Serve with grated cheese and corn bread or over rice.

Serves 4-6



Happy Valentine's Day!!

40-B4-40: Fun Mommy

**40-B4-40 is my 8-month journey in bidding adieu to my youth and embracing

the next chapter (a.k.a. decade). Thanks for joining me!**

A couple of weeks ago, the ladies in our small group were sitting around discussing "mommyhood," as moms usually do. One commented that it's her husband who is typically the "fun" one.
As she put is, "When Daddy comes home, the circus has arrived." We could all relate. It seems that, in our homes anyway, Daddy provides the fun and laughter and Mommy provides the structure and organization.

Our so-thoughtful hubbies even try to help us out occasionally by leading with something like, "Look what Mommy thought of, isn't she so fun?!" Still, our children glance our way with knowing eyes as if to say, "I'm not buying it, Dad. We all know you're the fun one!"

So, we came up with a challenge for ourselves: Create one "Fun Mommy" moment each week. It could be as simple as eating dessert first before dinner or 30 minutes of playing "Tickle Monster" on the bed. (The last one probably works better with toddlers and preschoolers than teens...just sayin'.) It simply has to be fun.

Imagine my delight, then, when I was awakened this morning by a call from Little Miss's school saying school was cancelled due to inclement weather. I had my Fun Mommy moment handed to me in our first snow day this year. Here's just a glimpse...

There was sledding

And snow angels

Then of course hot cocoa when we came in

The best part? I let go of my to-do list, embraced my aging "Fun Mommy" side, and joined in with them. I'm pretty sure my almost-"ahem"-year-old body will feel it tomorrow, but I'm also sure my kids (and I) will remember it for much longer.

What Fun Mommy moment have you created lately?

1000 Gifts: Unwrapping My Gifts

"I begin the list. Not of gifts I want, but of gifts I already have...I don't even know they are gifts until I write them down. Gifts He bestows. This writing it down--it is sort of like...unwrapping love."  

--Ann Voskamp in 1000 Gifts.

(I apologize again for the length of this post...still catching up to my late start this year!)

0021. modern medical imaging that can see what our eyes can't

 

 

0022. the words of kind medical staff who help ease my edgy nerves

 

 

0023. a husband content to be there for me...for 2 hours in a waiting room

 

 

0024. a good report from the doctor

 

 

0025. words...written and spoken

 

 

 

0026.  e-mails from far-away family

 

 

0027. surprise encounters at the grocery store, and leaving encouraged

 

 

0028. prayer meetings

 

 

0029. being part of a community of believers

 

 

0030. coffee

 

 

0031. those who are willing to stand for truth

 

 

0032. the man at Little Miss's school who is there every day with a smile 

to help her out of the van and give Little Man a high-five

 

 

0033. books, lots and lots of books

 

 

0034. holding little hands while we walk

 

 

0035. friends with "kindred spirits"

 

 

 

0036. a napping child

 

 

0037. the imagination of my children

 

 

0038. the scent of a freshly-cleaned house

 

 

0039. Little Man's laughter

 

 

0040. watching my husband with our son

 

 

0041. seeing my husband in our son

 

 

0042. Sunday afternoon naps

 

 

0043. watching my son sing about God's love and dance with delight in children's church.

 

 

0044. waking to freshly fallen snow

 

 

0045. a snow day at home (a.k.a. PJs and no-makeup day)

 

 

0046. hot cocoa in cold cheeks

 

 

0047. encouragement from a friend

 

 

0048. a date with my love

 

 

0049. snow angels

 

 

0050. warming by the fire

 

 

0051. "fresh" blueberries frozen from last summer's outing

 

 

0052. footprints in clean snow

 

 

0053. warm bread and soup on a chilly day

 

 

0054. big dreams

 

 

0055. not-so-tiny hands that still need help.

 

 

0056. the beauty of imagination + art supplies

 

 

0057. learning to "let go."

 

 

0058. squeals of children playing outside

 

 

0059. simple ideas that turn out so well

 

 

0060. a good night's sleep

Last-minute Valentine's Day Cards and Giveaways!

As someone who recently had a panic attack at the realization that Valentine's Day is only a week away, I'm so thankful for someone like my friend Kelly over at live.laugh.rowe. With amazing creativity and mad Photo Shop skills, she has come up with some adorable and oh-so-easy Valentine's Day card fun for the artistically-challenged rest of us.

Honestly, what says "Love" more than 1 Corinthians 13:4-8? That's what makes this printable perfect for a last-minute Valentine's Day card (just in case there's anyone besides me who hasn't thought about them before now!)...Simply print it (here) on card stock, how cute!

And don't forget to spread the love with your own family this Valentine's Day! This quote from Anthony Brandt would make great card, or framed as a gift, for a family member. Print it here. So easy!

I've known Kelly for more than 10 years, and she is as fun as she is creative. She never ceases to amaze me with her talent for the crafty, like these fun and funky Valentine card ideas! PLUS, she's got a full week of giveaways this week. Who doesn't LOVE a great giveaway!

So, head on over to live.laugh.rowe and take a look around. Tell her Nancy sent you! :)

1000 Gifts: My List

It was several months ago, that my friend Lora@MyBlessedLife introduced me to Ann Voskamp. Not in person, mind you, but in the blogosphere.

I'm always intrigued by what Lora is reading. One of my lifetime friends, she is also a fellow book-junkie. So when she first posted about the book, I was interested.

I quickly realized this was one I needed to not just read...I needed to devour it. I needed to read, put it down, step away, and truly meditate on what was being said. It challenged me like no book has in quite some time.

Ann is an exceptional writer, but it was more than that.

Her message...of giving thanks in everything, for everything...is what I needed to hear at the time.

Having experienced the pain of personal tragedy at an early age, Ann learned to do what we all do so well...busying ourselves with the day-to-day to the neglect of what is truly important, what is truly life-giving.

While I cannot relate to the deep pain Ann and her family experienced or the "soul-hole" as she calls it that it left, I can relate to her longing for something more, for a deeper purpose, a higher calling. Who hasn't wondered if there's really more to life (especially a mom's life) than folding laundry, wiping noses, and cleaning messes. Sure, we all know on some level that motherhood is "the highest calling." Let us not forget we are molding and shaping the minds and spirits of the future...yeah, that's the pressure I need on 4 hours of sleep!

Ann discovered it...the "it" we all search for, she and revealed it in her book. Thanksgiving. Not once-a-year-family-gathered-to-eat-turkey-type Thanksgiving. No, daily....truly...thanking God in everything, for everything. In her own words,

"Thanksgiving is the evidence of our acceptance of whatever He gives. Thanksgiving is the manifestation of our Yes! to His grace...thanksgiving is necessary to live the well, whole, fullest life."

And isn't that what God wants for us...life to the fullest? (See John 10:10). So, won't you join me this year in taking The Joy Dare? It's simple, really. Find 3 things every day to be thankful for. Three things. That can't be too difficult, too time-consuming, right? If you need a little help getting started, check this out.

Here we go!

0001.  a surprise lunch with my husband

0002.  sunshine in February

0003.  God's amazing grace

0004.  snuggling with my boy

0005. kisses from my girl

0006. amazing friends with whom to "do life"

0007. worship music

0008. a home to share with friends

0009. lazy weekends with family

0010. birthday celebrations

0011. food made with love

0012. kind words

0013. inspiring conversations with friends

0014. homemade valentine's from my daughter

0015. a healing God

0016. watching the "light bulb" moment when my kids are learning

0017. listening to my daughter practice piano

0018. watching my kids tackle their dad when he comes in the door

0019. chocolate

0020. bike rides and neighborhood walks

If you'd like to join me in The Joy Dare, leave a comment and link directly to your list! You can also link up at A Holy Experience (but at least leave me a comment and let me know you're in it with me!)

Happy Birthday, My Love

You are patient, you are kind.

You do not envy, you do not boast, 

You are not proud. 

You do not dishonor others, 

You are not self-seeking, 

You are not easily angered, 

You keep no record of wrongs.

You do not delight in evil but rejoice with the truth.

You always protect, always trust,

always hope, always persevere.

Thank you for sharing the last 12 years with me.

I'm looking forward to many, many more!

Happy Birthday, My Love!