Showing posts with label skillet meals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label skillet meals. Show all posts

Wednesday, 1 February 2012

Wednesday Thoughts . . .

Source: imgfave.com via Marie on Pinterest



I cannot pretend to know a lot about American Politics. Having grown up in Canada and having experienced the Parliamentary System my whole life, it is somewhat of a mystery to me. What I have observed though is that it takes an awful long time to elect someone as President of the US of A. It seems to go on for several years before they actually are elected and it seems that almost as soon as one is elected, talk begins about the next one.

I do know as well, that although he is not a man I would have voted for, I was pleased a few years back when it became a reality that a black man became President of America. That showed the world that America had come a long way since it's earlier history. I didn't and don't agree with Obama on many levels, but that has nothing to do with the colour of his skin. I happen to have thought for a long time that Colin Powell would have made a great President. The colour of a man's skin should be irrelevant. Surely it should be "the best man for the job." End of.



I am watching with great interested this latest Presidential race, not the least because there is a Mormon man running for the head of the Republican Party, a man called Mitt Romney. Of course I am interested on a variety of levels, religion being only one of them. I am a Mormon, and of course this is a big thing to me.

What astounds me however is the number of people who are against this man, quite simply because he is a Mormon. Surely this shouldn't be an issue??? Surely it should not matter any more than it did that President Obama was black and had potential Islamic leanings??? (I know that this was proven not to be true, or at least I think it was.) Why should a man's religious background come in to it at all??? Why should it matter that he is a Mormon, any more than it should matter that he is Evangelical, Catholic, Muslim, Jewish, or an Agnostic or Athiest???? I would think that the most important things would be that he is honest, law abiding, upstanding, decent, a man of great integrity and character and that his policies and goals be what will be in the best interests for America and Americans???

Source: flickr.com via Marie on Pinterest



I know I am a Brit/Canuck, and I don't really get a say in any of this, but the election of the leader of one of the most powerful nations in the world is a matter of interest around the world and to all peoples . . . I am willing to concede even that I am a bit biased because he is a Mormon . . . but I will also say that in having looked at all the Candidates, surely it is evident that America could do a lot worse than to elect a law abiding, man of character, decency and integrity, with nothing but the best interests of America and it's people in his heart and motives. A man who has maintained honesty and truth in all of his dealings, with no hint of scandal attached. A man loyal to his wife and his family and his country. A man who wants nothing but the best for his country because he understands that in working hard and providing the best for his country, he does so for his family and all the other law abiding, decent, honest and hard working people of America.

I think it's really sad that a Nation can pat itself on the back for having evolved enough to be able to elect a black man as President and then turn around and be against another man simply because of his religious affiliation.

Just sayin' is all . . .



Here is a delicious family comfort meal that my children always loved me to make when I was growing up. I loved it too, mostly because it only involved getting one pan dirty. I didn't have to cook the macaroni first, or fry the meat in another pan or anything. It all happened right there in the one skillet. A bit of cheese melted on top is a wonderful addition.



*Chili-Roni*
Serves 6 to 8
Printable Recipe

This is a real family favourite. I haven't made it in years, but when I did make it my children were always very pleased!

1 pound extra lean ground beef
2 medium onions, peeled and chopped
1 cup chopped green pepper
1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
2 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1/8 tsp paprika
1 can (28 ounces) whole tomatoes, undrained
1 can (15 1/2 ounces) kidney beans, undrained
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce

Cook and stir the ground beef, onions and green pepper in a 12 inch skillet until the beef is brown and the onions are tender. Drain if necessary. Stir in the remaining ingredients, breaking up the tomatoes. Heat to the boil, then reduce heat to a simme Cover and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the macaroni is tender. Serve hot.

Note: You can omit the macaroni and just cook uncovered vur about 45 minutes or until desired consistency. Then you have chili. Serve with cooked rice.



Cooking over in The English Kitchen today, some delicious Maple & Mustard Glazed Chicken Thighs!



Sunday, 18 September 2011

My happiness project . . .




I suppose we all have little habits that annoy us . . . things that we do that we'd like to stop doing . . . things like biting our fingernails, or hair twizzling . . . the predictable things that we do each day like having the same thing for breakfast every morning (cheerios), or going to bed at the exact same time each night.

Each year we all make promises to ourselves . . . little resolutions like not forgetting anyone's birthday, or learning a new skill. (I've been telling myself I am going to master Photoshop for several years now, but all to no avail . . . apparently I'm even dumber than a photoshop dummy, coz even photoshop for dummies did not help!) . . . each year I tell myself that this will be the year my artwork really takes off . . . and then each year I end up feeling a bit like a failure because . . . well, I didn't lose that ten pounds, or I didn't master that skill, or . . . I didn't become the successful artist that I wanted to be.



While we were on holidays I had a lot of time to think . . . that is one thing that rain on holidays is good for by the way . . . It gives you lots of thinking time. I came to the realization that I have been wasting my life in some ways . . . and life is just too short to waste it. The years keep slipping by, amazingly quickly . . . and I get no closer to fulfilling these invisible goals that I have set for myself. I find that I am not as happy as I would like to be . . . and goodness knows I have so very much in my life to be happy about! I have a wonderful husband that loves my cotton socks, a beautiful puppy dog that adores me (the feeling is quite mutual, in both cases I hasten to add!) I have a lovely warm, safe and cosy home. I really want for nothing. I have my health, my brains (as addled as it may seem at times!), etc. Life is very, very good. Why do I want to go about trying to make it better? Why do I want to keep pursuing that dangling carrot? Is it not enough to be able to have huge pockets of happiness right now, right here where I am, with the who that I am, and the why that I am . . . and the where that I am?????

And so that's what I'm going to do. Just be happy. With what . . . who . . . why . . . and where I am now.

Anything else shall be the icing on a quite delicious cake.



Just look at this stunning sunrise from my front window this morning! Isn't it gorgeous. I know . . . red sky at morning, sailor take warning . . . doesn't matter. I'll take the day I'm given and be glad for it, every single minute of every single hour.



Does this not make you smile?? It does me. That's our little Maryn. She's growing like a weed. Such a pretty wee thing she is. Granddaughters are wonderful . . .



So are Grandsons! (Jon, Josh and Jacob!)



At least I think they are! (Big Gabe and Lil Luke)



These are the things in life that make my heart go pitter pat. It's not money, or possessions, or even success. It's not being pretty or smart. It's not having a beautiful home or new car. It's not anything that we can touch with our hands. It's much deeper than any of that . . . it's the hearts that we make and keep . . .

That's happiness.




*Skillet Beef Burritos*
Serves 4
Printable Recipe

Quick and easy to make and quite delicious! I always have leftover tortillas needing to be used up and this is the perfect way to do just that! You can also use tortilla chips if you want something a bit crunchier.

1 lb. extra lean ground beef
1 medium onion, peeled and finely chopped
1 fat clove of garlic, peeled and minced
1 package of Taco Seasoning Mix
1 can (15.5 oz.) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup chunky Salsa
1 cup water
4 flour tortillas (6 inch), cut into 1-1/2-inch pieces
1 cup grated cheese (I use a mixture of strong cheddar and red leicester)
1/3 cup Sour Cream
1 large spring onion, chopped
salt and pepper to taste

Spray a nonstick pan with some cooking spray. Add the beef, onion and garlic. Season with some salt and pepper. Scramble fry until nicely browned. Add the Taco seasoning mix, beans, salsa and water. Bring to the boil, then reduce to a low simmer. Simmer for about 15 minutes.Stir in the tortilla bits, top with the cheese. Cover and remove from the heat. Allow the cheese to melt before topping with the sour cream and spring onions.



In The English Kitchen today, a delicious Raspberry Feather Bread and Butter Pudding.