Recipe #199 - Kitchen Sink Chili

I made this just before CHRISTmas and we just finished it last night...lots of veggies in this comfort food!

Ingredients:
1 and 1/2 turn of extra virgin olive oil
1 white onion diced
about one third of a green pepper diced
2 carrots sliced thin
4 oz mushrooms sliced thin
1 rib of celery diced into small pieces
3-4 cloves of garlic diced
1 pound ground beef
4-6 oz of pork loin sliced into bite-sized chunks
3 medium red potatos diced
2 cans Brooks chili mix with beans
3 cans seasoned diced tomatos
1 can 14 oz tomato sauce
1 can 6 oz tomato paste
12 oz beer
2 tbs Worcestershire sauce
tbs chili powder
tsp basil
tsp chives
tsp garlic powder
tsp onion powder
cumin to taste

Serve with:
shredded cheddar cheese
sour cream
corn chips


I like to start in my 4 quart Cook's Essentials non-stick pot on medium heat with the oil, garlic, and vegetables until they're soft, then add the beef. Add seasoning to beef while cooking and cook til almost entirely brown then drain excess grease.
Meanwhile in non-stick T-Fal fry pan, heat the pork and potatoes in oil until cooked through, about 15 minutes.You may season these also at this point...i like to use montreal chicken season on my fried potatoes!
In 6 quart stockpot, combine contents both cooked pans along with other ingredients and bring to boil for about 5 minutes. Reduce heat and simmer for as long as you need to. Lid if you don't want to lose moisture, keep uncovered if you want to reduce water content.
Serve over chips covered with a dollop of sour cream and some fresh shredded cheese...we enjoyed it for lunch and dinner for many days...

Merry Christmas, Mr. Scrooge, in keeping with the situation!!

The cheesecake is chilling, the meatballs are warming, the last batch of Magic Cookie Bars are in the oven, the cheese is cut, the spice coffee is warm, the fire is warmer, the dishes are done, A Christmas Story is ending (for the 14th time), Les Miserables opens at our local MJR theatre in two hours, the dog is lying at my feet, and kitty is watching it all unfold: It is a glorious Christmas morning on Lamb Street (and elsewhere I'm sure!)

Hark! The herald angels sing: Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth, and mercy mild; God and sinners reconciled.
Joyful all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies
With angelic host proclaim: CHRIST IS BORN in Bethlehem!
Hark! The herald angels sing: Glory to the newborn King!

Hail! The Heavenly Prince of Peace
Hail! The Son of Righteousness
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays his glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth!
Hark! the herald angels sing: Glory to the newborn King!

Sweetie and I took a quick trip to see little sister in Port Huron on Sunday. Yestreday she rang middle of the day and I worked a little Santa gig in Brighton. We got a few quick inches of snow that covered every little thing and caused havoc on the expressways. We spent a quiet Christmas Eve evening together amidst baking and packaging and I triple dog dare ya. Already out early for a Christmas cappuccino; the roads are still slick so be ye full of care.

 

MLIA

Saturday night in Whitmore Lake. It's cold and clear and the waxing gibbous moon is high in the sky. Miracle on 34th Street is on AMC yet again and my bride is on her way home from work. We are going out dancing tonight, because we feel like it. We have both worked long hard weeks and we will tonight enjoy each others company.
Tomorrow is Sunday and then Monday is Christmas Eve. Tuesday is Christmas Day and Les Miserables.

Our hearts are sad, blood has been shed...

Lord of Heaven and earth,

Great is Your Name and greatly to be praised; You are worthy of all praise. To You belong blessing, honour, power, and glory. Your righteousness shines like the sun, Your holiness like a thousand stars. You are before all and during all and after all...YOU ARE!
I confess my sin to you this hour LORD, and I confess the sin of the whole world. We are a selfish lot, we are short-sighted and unwise. 
Lord have mercy
Christ have mercy
Lord have mercy
Forgive us by the power of the blood that was shed for our good; forgive us, please forgive us.

You are all Good, all Mighty, all Wise; in You is our hope, our faith, our trust.

Amen

 

)-8

Our Aunt Sue, Susanne Marie Randall/Luckritz/Baldner, went home to be with the LORD at 11:16 this morning. I am sad...

God our Father,
Your power brings us to birth,
Your providence guides our lives,
and by Your command we return to dust.

Lord, those who die still live in Your presence,
their lives change but do not end.
I pray in hope for my family,
relatives and friends,
and for all the dead known to You alone.

In company with Christ,
Who died and now lives,
may they rejoice in Your kingdom,
where all our tears are wiped away.
Unite us together again in one family,
to sing Your praise forever and ever.

Amen

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon her.
May she rest in peace.

Amen

...and He shall reigh for ever and ever.

King of kings!
-forever and ever, hallelujah, hallelujah!
and Lord of lords!
-forever and ever, hallelujah, hallelujah!

Hal-le-lu-jah!!!

First Advent Post...

Bullets:

Rudolf on tonight
Chicken patty sandwiches and salad tonight, burgers last night
$2.99 lights on the deck from Target
Installed a valve for the outside water; still need to insulate and replace skirts
Server at the office just stopped working
Rooted for the Lions to lose on Sunday
Sister Nancy got her picture taken with Virginia Patton (Ruth Daiken Bailey from It's a Wonderful Life)
Saw A Christmas Carol - The Musical on Friday
Went to mass at Old St. Patrick in Ann Arbor on Sunday

I just don't like to make toys

A lament for Gandalf, ...I have not the heart to tell you, for me the grief is still too near

Let the night never cease to call you
Let the day nevermore be the same
Though you've gone where we cannot find you
In each heart you have set your name
Mithrandir far you wander
And long may your name be sung
Through kingdoms of starlight
And realms of the sun
Mithrandir though you're hidden
We're still guided by your light
You're walking beside us
A friend in the night We were lost when the dark descended
And the light gathered into a storm
You appeared like a sunlit morning
At the winds of a world at war Mithrandir far you wander
And long may your name be sung
Through kingdoms of starlight
And realms of the sun
Mithrandir though you're hidden
We're still guided by your light
You're walking beside us
A friend in the night Mithrandir rising through the shadow
Like a star shining deep in its home
You will dwell in our hearts forever
Nevermore will we stand alone

Important Dates

14 December 2012 The Hobbit opens

25 December 2012 Les Miserables opens

Nobody shouts or talks too loud, not in my castle on a cloud

My wife and I are finally (after 17 years) at the place where we are able to spend these wonderful HolyDay celebrations with our respective families without each other and be good with it. Yestreday Thanksgiving 2012 was a most wonderful day.
I got to sing most of Les Mis with niceces and nephews Ramon, Carlos, Isabelle, Alexander, and sister Nancy. I got to eat tons of food with my family. AND, I got to play football in the yard with neices and nephews and brother Gary and sister Nancy. What a wonderful day it was!?!?!?! More desserts than one get-together should be allowed, endless LOTR and The Hobbit conversations, football, Les Mis, warm hugs, and warm food. God be praised!!

Christ, the Life of all the living
Christ, the Death of death, our foe
Who, Thyself for me once giving
To the darkest depths of woe - 
Through thy suff'rings, death, and merit
I eternal live inherit.
Thousand, thousand thanks shall be,
Dearest Jesus unto Thee.

AMEN!

another day in the life...

Brought in dollar 'cookies' from cvs to dunk in my coffee this morning; the pot is a strong one and I am thankful: up at 4 am and wide awake but the 620 alarm was not very welcome i can tell you.
Made the coffee, lit the candles, checked email: nothing super-urgent, rebooted because it was slow...
Still slow and the server is beeping...WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?!?!
Checked on chumley appraisal and there's no word on the new comps supposed to be done...
Printed wife's supplement so only one condition left. LO (may he live forever) wants to close Friday.
Asked the closer at IMCO why when we agreed on a 2:00 closing for Needles the closing package didn't get to the title company until after 5:00...
Hannah is finally 'submitted' to IMCO and we await UW conditions.
Zilwaukee is closed and disbursed and (now that I've again driven to Land) we have our closing package for the file. For the file?
Now, to help organize old files...
Locked Zilwaukee after being unable to access the United online system for the better part of an hour.
Back to the organizing...

Thanksgiving Week!

I watched the Grinch last night on tv. Now, it must be said, that i've already watched Charlie Brown Christmas twice, It's a Wonderful Live thrice, Rudolf once, and I've listened to Handel's Messiah several times in the past month. It's all good. I love the season. My sweetie has already decorated the house and I made some simple meatloaf tonight.

Simple, yo, and the only thing i added not shown above was about a pound and a half of ground beef. The hour's almost up and the house smells pretty darn good.

Some fall feeder pictures:

 

fun...

At the end of the day you're another day older...

My wife rings a bell for the Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign. She started yestreday, Wednesday the 14th of November, and she will ring six days a week until CHRISTmas eve.She picks up her bucket and gets her assignment at 9 in the am, then drives to her destination, and starts ringing, ... and doesn't stop ringing until the driver picks up her bucket at around 8 in the pm. Other than quick bathroom breaks, she rings and greets and wishes God's blessing upon the shoppers in Livingston County for over ten hours a day in whatever kind of weather (frightful or not!) She got home last night with a red face just like Mrs. Claus, hungry and tired. We shared a quick supper and she told me she was ready to lay down. I kissed her good night and within about a minute i could hear the peaceful-slumber-breathing (not snoring!) from the bedroom and I was left to finish watching The Maltese Falcon on TCM by myself.
I am quite proud of her. I know I couldn't do it.
This is her third year and she often rings at the Wal-Mart that we love to shop at. It's the busiest door in the county and she gets to ring there because, for two years straight, she's rang in the most dollars. The Salvation Army has a nice banquet after CHRISTmas for all the ringers and then gives out a nice prize. She's humbled by the big hearts of the people of Livingston County
I'm so proud of her...

CHRISTmas carols on Pandora

To-day...

Woke up, got out of bed, dragged a comb across my head
Found my way downstairs and drank a cup
      and, looking up, I noticed I was late....

Actually it rarely happens that simply; to-day it certainly did not:
Woke up, got out of bed, dragged my fatass across the floor to let out the dog at 3 in the a.m. It was getting colder and I was so glad I was home with my snuggle sweetie. Ah another several hours of dreams...
The first alarm went off at 6:20 and this was much too early. Set the snooze for and hour and 7:20 inevitable came and I was still not ready to get up. My sweetie, on the other hand, was, and she went off to her favourite gas station to score a french vanilla cappuccino. I rested until i was rushed and shaved, showered, and dressed in record time. My darling made me a french bread sandwich, leftover meatloaf, and three little packets of m$ms lunch with a love note on the paper towel (-8 and I was off!
Expressway traffic is not bad at that hour and I found my favourite parking spot was waiting for my little white ranger.
Found my way upstairs and turned the lights, copier, computer, and coffee pot on, only to find that the server was not accessible. Did what I could but it turned out necessary to call the big techno dogs for a house call for the fix. An hour later I was golden and saw to the business of the day. Scheduled another closing for Wednesday and am very close to about three more done deals.
Left the office a little after six with the songs of Les Mis on my brain. So I got home, had my second dinner, and found the trailer to watch several times. Then Rufus doing Hallelujah and Schnappi by the little German girl, then Miss Saigon and Cats, just to feel well rounded.
Sweetie is embibing in DWTS as I finish this entry. (And, finally, Across the Universe by Rufus)

Found my way downstairs and had a smoke, and somebody spoke, and I went into to a dream...


Thank you, LORD, for a wonderful day
For the work I was able to do, and for the after-work time at home with Sierra the Malamute, Otis the Quat, and the Bride of my Youth.
And i love You, too.
Amen

At home...

Friday: after work to Walmart for insulin and pop, then KFC for a bucket o great chicken. Tough to drive all that way home without tearing into a breast or two...

Saturday: up real early to do laundry, have quick shared omelet, get some lumber from Lowes, and then home to build a wall in the back bedroom; also hung a door on the front bedroom.

Sunday slept in a bit and then worked outside: put in some perennials, got stuff put away in the shed, blew some leaves, ... it's about 70 and real windy. Kitty just got up from his fifth nap and is watching leaves blow by outside. The sun is low in the southwest and it seems like it's like 6 or 7 pm- it's not even 4 yet and i'm ready for my first nap.

Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth, peace, goodwill to men.

At work...

Parked in my favourite spot, unlocked door and came upstairs. Turned on the lights, made the coffee, turned on the copier and radio, unlocked dual screen Dell desktop. No email. Never seen that, not even a fax notification telling me i could get a cheap Bahama cruise.
Checked United pipeline: no lock status on Zilwaukee, no news from the underwriters on Hannah, no status changes on any loans at all. Checked IMCO pipeline: status update on Jarjar and Needle. Needles appraisal was yestreday so we should be hearing from the AMC soon. Met Mr. and Mrs. Jarjar yestreday also. Nice people to be sure. Wishing nothing but the best for them.
First phone call was from Drogo Zarubabbel, the Senior Underwriter from United. He told me that EVEN THOUGH we went through a costly and time-consuming credit rescore on the Harper loan, the case was still not approve/eligible because of the ratios. AE T-Roui recommended going to a 20 year loan as hes' seen AE-I ineligible go to approve/eligible by switching to 20 year. I presented this to the loan officer (may he live forever) and am waiting for his direction. Boss called and is involved in some sort of court drama or other and won't be in until late morning.
10:25 and i grabbed my first cup of coffee. started typing up some notes for the Boss also, 'cuz you're a good typer'. He's a nice guy - i like helping him during this stressful time in his life.

The next sequence of events is hard to summarize without the help of Steven Spielberg...
Loan officer (may he live forever) sends an email to me showing what he had just sent to his 'assistant' who is finding him loans regarding a client of theirs.

2:30 now, and the last four hours have been hectic....let's see...the loan officer (may he live forever) showed up in the office to sign some documents which had not arrived yet so his visit was in vain. Subsequently, we began discussing the Harper deal and the car allowance that is figured into his six-figure salary but which had not specifically been counted as income. So I collected appropriate documentation and provided it to the underwriter (as well as our loan officer ((may he live forever)), the Boss, and the AE), and I am eagerly awaiting a positive reply. Spent almost an hour trying to get an approve/eligible in FNMA's Desktop Originator for the Harper deal going with 20 years in stead of 30. But this would require a Change of Circumstance with United and all the associated

Typed some more for the Boss, checked on our facsimile server which is not apparently working to-day... and we can send faxes (we never need to do that, we scan and email everything) but not receive them...Submitted a bunch of stuff yestreday on the JarJar loan and the bank is acting like they never got anything...the lock on Zilwaukee is confirmed but we forgot to request the escrow waiver...called the AE on that one and left a message...
Checked IMCO pipeline again and nothing i am going to do with those to-day. I'm going to check into licensing with NMLS...

Got a list of conditions from the Lender for the Chumley deal so I am all over this before quitting time!!!

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow!

Recipe # 18: Lasagna

We had this ton of shredded mozzarella cheese we got from my mom and i had been thinking about a frozen pizza just to use it up but my beautiful bride had a better idea...

Set cheeses out so as to assemble at room temperature.

2# mozzarella cheese

2.5 # ground beef

1 white onion diced

1 red onion diced

Several dried basil leaves crumbled up

3 cloves garlic minced

1 tbsp fresh Italian parsley

1 tsp fresh ground black pepper

Add 45 ounces of Ragu Old World Style Smooth Pasta Sauce Flavored with Meat

3 cans of diced tomatoes (one of which is Meijer Italian Style Diced Tomatoes with Oregano and Basil)

1 little can of tomato paste

2 cans of sliced mushrooms and bring to boil.

Reduce heat and start cheese sauce.

  

For the tomato sauce, preheat your big pot and give the bottom two turns of EVOO. Add onion, garlic, parsley, basil, pepper and meat; cook meat until almost done. Add tomatoes and mushrooms and bring to a boil then simmer while you build the cheese sauce.

Combine the following in a mixing bowl:

1 pint ricotta cheese

1 pint cottage cheese

½ cup Parmesan cheese

Several sprigs of rosemary

Several dashes of oregano

Several twists of fresh ground black pepper

Layer sauce, noodles, cheese and mozzarella until you run out of room. Cook for 45 minutes at 350 covered and then add some mozzarella to the top and cook another 15 uncovered.

 

This much actually made two pans three inches thick but I ran out of cheese sauce on the second one. I don't think you could use too much mozzarella. Make sure to leave room under the foil so that when you take the foil off, you can put tons of cheese on top.I would have added diced green/red/orange/yellow peppers to the sauce if we'd a had some. Fresh mushrooms are great also, we just happened to have the canned in the pantry. Also, you can add zucchini, carrots, or whatever the heck you want.

This turned out pretty darn good. My wife loved it and we made enough to share with family tomorrow.

Sola Deo Gloria

Stars

There, out in the darkness
A fugitive running
Fallen from God
Fallen from grace
God be my witness
I never shall yield
Till we come face to face
Till we come face to face

He knows his way in the dark
Mine is the way of the Lord
And those who follow the path of the righteous
Shall have their reward
And if they fall
As Lucifer fell
The flame
The sword!

Stars
In your multitudes
Scarce to be counted
Filling the darkness
With order and light
You are the sentinels
Silent and sure
Keeping watch in the night
Keeping watch in the night

You know your place in the sky
You hold your course and your aim
And each in your season
Returns and returns
And is always the same
And if you fall as Lucifer fell
You fall in flame!

And so it has been and so it is written
On the doorway to paradise
That those who falter and those who fall
Must pay the price!

Lord let me find him
That I may see him
Safe behind bars
I will never rest
Till then
This I swear
This I swear by the stars!

Thank You, Father in Heaven, for the food and water You provide for us. Thank You for a fire in the fireplace and shelter from the cold winds.

Game 4

Inning the First1
Pagan K
Scutaro FO
Pablo K

Jackson  some sort of out
Berry GO
Miggy BB
Fielder K

Inning the Second2
Posey K
Pence 2B
Belt 3B Pence scored
Blanco 4-3 Belt to third
Theriot FO9

Delmon Single up the middle
Andy FO8
Jhonny out
Omar groundout

Inning the Third3

Crawford I1B
Pagan FO9
Scutaro FO8
Pablo 1B, crawford to third
Posey FO8


G-Money some sort of out
Ajax BB
Berry sac bunt pablo great play to get the batter
Miggy "...and he's gonna run out of room!"
Fielder 6-3

Inning the Fourth4
Pence out
Belt four pitch walk
Blanco strike em out, throw em out double play

Delmon out
Andy out
Jhonny K

Inning the Fifth5
Therio out
Crawford out
Pagan 4-3 (thanks baby, for that one)

Omar bloop single
Gmoney bunt pop up
Ajax FO8
Berry 1-6-3 out with a head-first dive

Inning the Sixth6
Scutaro E-5
Pablo K
Posey 2 run homer 3-2 Giants
Pence K
Belt FO7

Miggy K
Fielder little fucking stupid ass popout
Delmon Homer to right
Dirks single
Jhonny long fly ball to left almost at the fence (3-3)

Inning the Seventh7
Blanco single to right
Therio ground out, Blanco to 2nd
pitching change: Smyly
Crawford FO8
pitching change: Dotel
Pagan 4-3 (3-3)

Omar 6-3
G-money Popped up to first
Ajax shitty atbat strike out

Inning the Eighth8
Dotel walks Scutaro on four straight pitches
Pablo 3 ua. Scutaro out 3-6-1. Two out.
Posey K!!

Pitcher for SanFran Jeremy Affeldt causing
pinch hitter Avisail Garcia: BB
Miggy K
Prince K
Delmon  K

Inning the ninth9
coke pitching...
pence CK
belt  K
blanco k

...breathe...
Dirks K
Jhonny FO8
new pitcher
Omar hit on the hand by Cassila asswipe; Worth takes first
G-Money ground out

Inning the tenth10
Theriot single to right
Crawford sac bunt, Theriot to second
Pagan K