Slow Cooking and Sleigh Riding

January 11, 2009

It has been an almost perfect weekend in my eyes.....

After all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, and a long, overwhelming, first week back to work, it was so nice to have a cold snowy blast whip through the area. We stayed at home the entire weekend in our cozy clothes and did not have one commitment....that never happens and let me tell you.....it felt great!!

Friday, they were calling for snow, so I did my grocery shopping over lunch to avoid the big rush after work. I am not much of a planner when it comes to our meals, it is usually a spur of the moment kind of thing, but with snow on the way, I decided it would be a great weekend to use the slow cooker or crock pot.....

The first thing I made was Turkey Chili......It was perfect for a cold winter day....despite it's name...Indian Summer Chili
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In addition to the ingredients in the recipe, I added 2 cans light red kidney beans(drained and rinsed)....chili is just not chili without them. I also threw in a couple shakes of red crushed pepper flakes, beacuse we like a little extra heat in our house.

Usually, I favor white chicken chili to the ground meat versions, but this recipe was really good. I cooked it on the stove top late morning and then put it in the crock pot on low so it was readily available throughout the day.....a great thing to serve if you are having a superbowl party:)

It snowed most of Saturday and Saturday night. When we woke up this morning, it surely looked like a winter wonderland out there, so everything needed to be cleaned off before we could do anything. While Pat was hard at work making sure our walkways were cleared, Sarah and I had a little fun in the snow......

sarsled
This is my favorite picture of the day........
Sarah and Rudy standing in front of our house with the sled. This particular sled brings back lots of memories for me........My Sister and I rode it when we were little......my parents recently gave it to me when they were cleaning out their basement. It still does not handle corners very well.....I dumped Sarah in the snow on more than a few occasions.....just like my Dad always did to us!!

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Holding on tight.....

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This is so much fun....WEEEEEE

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Taking a break from the sled and giving my Mommy a sassy look.

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Let me try to push........

Only one thing was missing this weekend....Nick.
He spent the weekend with his Dad after not seeing him for almost two weeks. Last night Nick and his Dad attended a big event.....we gave them this little treat as a Christmas gift. Since I was not able to be there....... Nick wanted to take our old camera along so he could take pictures. I will be blogging about Nick's big night and using the pictures he took.....I can't wait to see them!!!


Hope you all enjoyed your weekend!!

54 comments:

Suzie said...

Looks like it was a perfect weekend! I love the photo of Sarah and Rudy - so cute!

Lucy said...

Sounds like a wonderful weekend! We too had our slow cooker going. Your chili looks yummy and I love your sled!!!
Glad you got to catch up and get some R & R. Have a great week!

Missy said...

Beautiful pics, Lis! I love how your little snowbunny embraces the white stuff and looks so fashionable doing so :) I wish we'd get some snow down here.

I'll email you tomorrow!

The chili looks yummy!!!
Hugs!

Shari said...

Looks like a great weekend. Love the sleigh - so cute. What is even cuter were Sarah's rosie cheeks:)

Christy said...

With all the craziness of the holidays and the aftermath of the holidays, your weekend sounded perfect!! I dont think I have EVER stayed home all weekend. We dont get snow but i have had a few weekends where I only left a couple times-- I love those times. The turkey chili sounds amazing and I love how you could just jump up and get a bowl anytime. Love that idea. Contrary to your winter wonderdland we are experiencing a heat wave-- it is 85 degrees here today. I put on a beautiful coat to wear to church this morning and ended up having to take it off becuzse it was so crazy hot-- uggg!! I want my winter weather back-- but have you seen the new coastal line at baby Gap? It is so cute and I have already bought a few pieces-- love the aquas!!

Hope your week is great!!

Christy :)

Aspiemom said...

These pictures turned out absolutely wonderful, Lisa!!! What do you do with all of your pics? You have so many great ones, you need to look at them lots!

Love your sled! Enjoy that snow!

Jodee said...

I couldn't agree more! What a perfect weekend! It looks like Sarah had a blast in the snow. I wish Nick could have joined you!

That chili looks absolutely delicious! Will you please send the recipe my way? It would be perfect for Super Bowl Sunday!

Kate said...

Well yes...once again the promise of snow leaves us cold....I am glad you got to have a relaxing weekend...I need one of those!!!

I love your pictures!!! And your chili looks divine!!

Kate

Gail said...

Yummy looking chili. Don't you love weekends like you just had, especially after all the busyness of the prior week.

I love to take pics in the snow. Sarah is adorable and how fun that it was your sled!

Chasing Dreams Photography said...

We had a snowy cold weekend too..in fact it's snowing again. With more this week. I love the sled!!!!It's awesome!!!!! What a cherished gift. Sarah always looks so adorable!!!

Sylvia said...

Lisa, Your pictures are so beautiful!!

The snow looks lovely! I love the colors you put on Sarah. She could be in a fashion magazine.

Leslie said...

Now I'm hungry Lisa. Your food always looks like something out of a magazine. Yummy!!!!!

Love the sled, and Sarah is the cutest snow bunny around. She cracks me up with those looks she gives. So cute.

Pixel Fairy Princess said...

Great minds must think alike because we had turkey chili tonight too :D Love the pic's!

Ladybug hugs,
;D

Jennifer said...

Sounds like a perfect weekend. I LOVE when we have nothing to do all weekend. It rarely happens.

Dan ALWAYS makes chili when it snows. He called me on my way home on Friday from work to get the stuff to make it. It cooked all day Sat. It was so good. But we hardly got any snow. I was so disappointed. I like at least one good snowfall a year and we haven"t had any this year.

I LOVE the first picture of Sarah and Rudy.

Jen

Jeni said...

Winter Fun!!! Beautiful pics. Thanks for the warm recipe.

Sue said...

Loving the leg warmers..I must get some now!

Those pics are great in the snow, love the colors.

Ahhh,no commitments.....my dream weekend.

Sue : )

carolinagirl said...

I just love the snow! I really hope that we get one snow this year!!! Love the sledding photos!

kerri said...

I just love!! the picture of Sarah and Rudy!!
I am off to buy a crock pot tomorrow, mine gave out on Thursday. :(
Your chili looks so delicious!

Rhonda said...

What BEAUTIFUL photos!!!!! Wow, I wanna come to Winter Wonderland and have some of your yummy chili!!!

~Rhonda

Heather said...

Great weekend!! The chili looks delish:)

And we did not get that snow - I am bummed big time - the girls wanted snow time in the worst way!

Cannot wait to see Nick's pictures.

Have a super week.
Heather

Kim said...

YUMMY.. looks like a great recipe...
Love the photos..
The picture of Sarah and Rudy is sooooo adorable..
Have a great week..
Hugs..

ZONE F DG TEAM said...

It's always great to see pictures as taken through the eyes of children....can't wait.

Dawn said...

I love your snow bunny pics....I zeroed in on the pink legwarmers...I am going to get Lucy some....oh no the 80's are back :)

Can't wait to see where Nick got to go with his Dad!!

Jennifer said...

I wish we could get some snow to play in :( The boys are begging me.

I am so happy that you finally had a weekend free. I love those and I know they are rare.

Looking forward to your Nick story... Have a great week!

Jen

Ivy Shaffer said...

That dish looks healthy and delicious! And the Eagles won tonight!

Well your photos are delightful as usual. Love Sara pushing the sled and the one of her posing with the dog and sled. Too precious.

Hope you have a wonderful week.

Ivy

Lisa and Tate said...

I love me a weekend like that!!! SNOW. CHILI. FAMILY. LOVE IT!!!

What amazing pictures!!

Briana's Mom said...

Mmmmm - that chili looks so yummy.

I wish we had some snow here. It looks so pretty.

Anonymous said...

It was the perfect weekend to be snowed in~ we had the same kind of weekend! Jut love the pictures of Sarah, she is a doll!

Can't wait to see what Nick's plans were!!!

Have a good week~

Dawn

jenbusymom said...

Really great pics Lisa! How nice that Sarah gets to use your sleigh! Can't wait to hear about Nick's exciting night!

Have a great day!

Shell in your Pocket said...

You are very right..it was a perfect weekend!
-sandy toe

Amy said...

I wish that my family and I could have joined you this weekend. We would have enjoyed big bowls of chili and sledding in the snow.;)

Your pictures are SO beautiful!

I'm crossing my fingers that Crazyville will get one good snow this year for my boys to enjoy. It doesn't happen often here, but I do love to watch it fall when it does.

Have a great Monday!
God Bless,
Amy:)

M,R,J1,J2 said...

These are fun "snow" days. I miss them. Sarah looks cute all bundled up. I'll have to try your chilli turkey. Great idea for the superbowl party!
We went to WDW yesterday and ended up talking to a woman from PA. She retired to FL and works part-time at WDW. She told us about the bad weather ya'll having. We're talking about the cold and the snow while in shorts and t-shirts :-)
Best wishes,
Michaela
P.S.: Let's chat soon.

Jboo said...

Beautiful photos!! I love all of them -- you are rockin that camera, aren't you!! Looks like Sarah is having a blast!

Hope you have a great week!

Janet

Sherri said...

How cool for Sarah to be riding around in your ole sleigh. She looked like she was enjoying herself....even with her sassy face! LOL!

I'm looking forward to seeing Nick's pics.

Anonymous said...

Sounds delicious and I LOVE the first picture with Sarah and the dog. Looks like a card!

Kam said...

Lisa, I am so jealous! It used to snow in GA every year when I was little...not so much anymore. We did have a couple light snows last Jan/Feb but only a few inches. Love these pics of your girl in the snow! She is just beautiful!

I keep forgetting to email you back and my mac grabbed your email so I can't respond at work! ha! So I'll just have to leave a long comment! Thank you for your kind words last week/weekend. I appreciate you more than you know!

My first cousin (my mom's sister's daughter) is married to Brandon Moss. They dated for forever and he went to our church. He played for the Red Sox for about 6 years in Pawtucket Maine in AAA. Then in '07 when they went to the World Series, he got called up to the bigs. It was so exciting! He was the one who hit the homerun in Japan on opening day last season. It was so fun to watch. I remember screaming at the tv when it was on ESPN at like 7a.m. that morning! He was traded to the Pirates near the end of the season last year. We were sad b/c we love the Sox but it was good in a way. He is playing more. Maybe Nick will remember him. He's such a great guy...just a regular joe. My mom coached him in T-Ball a million years ago. So funny to think about now!

Hope you are having a fantastic Monday! Can't wait to see where Nick has been!

paige said...

i love your fave picture of the day!!

elliotts said...

What a perfect weekend! LOVE the pictures...stay warm!!

Diane

Robin said...

Wonderful winter pictures!!!

The chili looks delicious, you must post the recipe.

Blessings,
Robin

Casey said...

Oh... how I MISS snow!! It looks like so much fun!! Love the close-up of Sarah on the sled... pure joy.

Can't wait to see Nick's blog!! Start 'em young!! :)

Kayce said...

Love a good weekend like that! That chili looks devine and I'm gonna have to make that! Love the pictures, as always they make me smile.

Buzzings of a Queen Bee! said...

Perfect!! The chili looks so yummy in the photo I am contemplating making some tonight...yum! And of course the snow just makes it all so picturesque! We had our big snowfall today (Monday) so I have been in my sweats all day today...just catching up! I even got to take a nap! What a perfect day! :)
Carrie

CC said...

Wow! That sleigh ride is like a princess ride! When do I get to go in the throne? ;)

I just love the look of your blog. It feels so perfect. Like I'm stepping into another world... :)

Aspiemom said...

Hi Lisa, I just read your comment and question. Couldn't remember if I had your email addy so thot I'd comment here.

I was on AZACTAM (aztreonam). Is that something you were on? I'm still on Tobramycin and now I'm starting to have side effects on that. The biggest thing that causes is hearing loss and I've had several friends go through that. Every time the nurse calls she asks "No ear ringing? No hearing loss or muffling? Are you drinking enough water for your kidneys?". This evening I've had loud ringing in my ears twice but it didn't last long. Startled me, tho. Lab results showed they needed to lower the dose just a tad so maybe that will help.

But I just remembered this evening that I can't get any prescriptions filled until the Cobra payment is rec'd and in the computer. We just went through that in Nov., so it's fresh in my mind. Unless I pay full amt. and submit for reimbursal, but I don't need to tell you what some of these cost.

How long have you been cancer free? I may have read it, but I don't remember.

Thanks for all of your comments. I always love reading them.

I wanted to say again how I love these pictures. Do you put them in a digital frame or something so you can enjoy them frequently?

Shelly and Family said...

What a fun way to spend a snow-covered day! So love the photos of Sara!

Shelly and Family said...

and I just love the rosy cheeks too!

Michelle R Photography said...

Great pictures of your winter wonderland! I like the old wooden sleds so much more than I like the new neon plastic ones. (what we have! lol) Sarah and Rudy look so cute. I bet you could lose Rudy out in the snow!

The Turkey Chili sounds like a recipe I'd like to try. I forgot to tell you, but the girls and I made your homemade O*reo recipe. They didn't look nearly as pretty as yours did, but boy, were they yummy!!

cherry said...

I just love your photos.....beautiful...as is your adorable little girl. I may have to try that chili. YUM> cherry

Jo said...

Our big storm was a little of a let down ~ only a few inches here on the east coast.

Love the shots of Sarah and her side kick. Those cold noses are always so sweet.

The chili looks yummy. I'll have to add that to our weekend menu.

Have a fabulous week!
Jo

Deb said...

Perfect indeed.
Your pics are incredible.
I can almost hear the crunching of the snow under the sleigh. We had one like this when we were young as well. Awwww sweet memories.

Colleen said...

Ohh Yum that chili looks good right now! I love using the crock pot and need to start using it more.
Gorgeous pictures!! Look forward to seeing Nicks too!

Terri said...

I have been a lurker for some time & I just had to comment on your beautiul family. Your photos are always so gorgeous, you really need to give me pointers!!!

Also, the chili looks fabulous!!!!

Susan said...

Gorgeous photos and a beautiful little girl!!!

usan mom to Georgiana dob 1/7/2008, ours forever 12/8/08

Melissa Stover said...

oh those are such beautiful pictures!!!