Superbowl Sunday, Chili, Cornbread, and Beer

Oh what a fine Sunday it will be, nothing but the best! Bruce Springsteen at half time at the superbowl and I will be serving the best chili recipe I know. I serve it with homemade cornbread and beer - what more could you ask for!

Chili

2 pounds Ground Beef
2 tablespoons Shortening
2 cups chopped Onion
2 cloves crushed Garlic
3 tablespoons Chili Powder
1 teaspoon Oregano
1 teaspoon ground Cumin
1/2 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
1/2 cup Beef Stock
1 - 28 ounce can Tomatoes
1 teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Paprika
3 - 1 pound cans Red Kidney Beans

Heat shortening in skillet and brown beef, discarding most of the fat. Combine all ingredients in slow cooker, stirring well. Cook on low 8 - 10 hours or high for 5 hours.

Handsome Gentleman

Goodness me, I am having quite the time trying to upload my John Prine autograph. It keeps telling me I have to rename it; so I put in 'John Who'. It did not like that neither. I, then, decided I would take a new picture of it. Turns out the camera says - 'card filled'. I could not muck around any further without loosing something of value, so I am posting this mighty fine picture of Mr. Prine. Quite the handsome gentleman, don't ya think.

The Letter 'M'

Thank you, for coming to visit my site and being a follower. I never had followers in my life, I guess that is because I am on the short side and people, simply, cannot see me.

Today I awoke with the letter 'M' in mind. I dreamed of my Mom and opals, now that is a great way to start ones' day off. As if 'by magic or remote control' Milwaukee popped in. John Prine will be visiting Milwaukee on March 6th. He will probably play one of my favorite songs which was written in the midwest for the midwest - Storm Windows. I know of some folks going to see John Prine in Milwaukee. To me, to see John Prine in concert in Wisconsin or Kentucky - that is the ultimate John Prine concert. I would be so proud - well, I would be proud anytime I get to see John Prine in concert.

I met John Prine, once - yes - me! I did. August 5th, 2005. Vancouver, British Columbia. Oh, he was such a gentleman and I was so excited. I leaped at the poor man with arms open wide. All the while, I was thinking oh Johnny and I wanted to do my simple little wave. I could barely speak because I was being lured into 'god, is this happening to me'. However, I did not buckle, I babbled and we shook hands twice, hugged twice, and I got his autograph. He thanked me! I was so proud. I will post his autograph as being the fan I am, I took a picture of it.

For those who come to visit me, if you would like to know/learn/visit other Priners/Prinettes - where John Prine is playing - please visit here - http://www.jpshrine.org/.

Note to California - yes, Eboni - John Prine will be concerting in Southern California. I believe he has 4/5 concerts there - Beverly Hills is one. (Checking my calendar - San Diego, Bakersfield, Sacremento and San Fransico), in April - Bunny Time!

Today, we went to the village and I purchased a muffin tin - a special muffin tin. 1 1/4" size, you can bake special, decorative cupcakes and tarts that are bite size. I find out later, the grocery store does not carry the paper liners - like hello folks - you peddle the baking pan but do not carry the liners! Geez, it just makes you scratch your head. So, I call up to see the Manager and told him; 'if you are going to sell the pan - sell the liners! I was not irate with him, I just could not see the logic in all.

I must mention, Bruce Springsteen. The hunk has a new cd out - Working on A Dream. Geez, ain't we all working on something. Bruce is out there Working on a Dream, John is out there working on trying to get to Canada, and I am here working on how to get off the side of the mountain to see both. I do not believe any of us three will require a bail out, so the government of our lands need not reply.

Last but not least, when it comes to the 'M' word - it is memories. In 2003, my Dad died. I received a shirt which I had just purchased for him on Fathers' Day. I had been keeping that shirt forever and I decided the other day I should make something. I cut up some of my old denims, the shirt, and a blanket and made some memory coasters.

"...memories they can't be boughten, can't be won at a carnival for free..." ~John Prine

Nanaimo Bars - A Favorite Recipe Of Mine

1/2 cup Butter (do not use margarine)

1/4 cup White Sugar

5 tablespoons Cocoa

1 teaspoon Vanilla

1 Egg

2 cups Graham Wafer Crumbs

1 cup Coconut

1/2 cup Chopped Nuts

Place soft butter, cocoa, sugar, vanilla and egg in double boiler. Stir well until it resembles custard. Combine wafer crumbs, nuts, and coconut. Blend well and pack in an 8" pan.

Part Two

1/2 cup butter, softened (again, do not use margarine)

3 tablespoons Milk

2 tablespoons Vanilla Instant Pudding Mix

2 cups Icing Sugar

Mix all ingredients and spread over part one. Let stand for 15 minutes.

Part Three

Melt 4 squares of semi sweet chocolate and 1 tablespoon of butter (do I have to write again, do not use margarine) and spread over part two. Set in bars. Refrigerate.

Nanaimo Bars, I make every christmas; they are always the first to go. They freeze well and are delish!

Recipe Of The Day With Kisses

I am still stuck on those Hershey Kisses - I would have made this recipe that was on the package of Kisses, however, I ate them all! Another time, for sure!

MINT CAPPED BROWNIE COOKIE CUPS

48 Hershey Kisses Brand Mint Truffles wrapped in Dark Chocolate
2/3 cup Butter or Margarine, softened
1 1/4 cups Granulated Sugar
1 tablespoon Water
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
2 Eggs
1 1/2 cups Flour (all purpose)
1/2 cup Hershey Special Dark Cocoa or Hershey Cocoa
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon Baking Soda
Powdered Sugar

Directions:
Heat oven to 350F. Line 48 small muffin cups (1 3/4 inches in diameter) with paper or foil baking cups. Remove wrappers from chocolates.
Beat butter, granulated sugar, water, and vanilla in large bowl on medium speed of mixer until well blended. Add eggs; beat well.
Stir together flour, cocoa, salt, and baking soda. Gradually add to sugar mixture, beating on low speed just until blended. If necessary, refrigerate dough until firm enough to handle. Shape dough into 1 inch balls; place in prepared muffin cups.
Bake 11 to 13 minutes or until cookie surface is set. Cookies will appear soft and moist. Do not overbake. Cool about 5 minutes on wire rack. Press chocolate piece into surface of each cookie cup. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Sprinkle each cookie with powdered sugar.

Makes 4 dozen - Enjoy!

Two Wishes

Many Curse Words - it is hard to be on dial up! You try to post and then your post is ripped off like some prom dress (Thank You, CreamPuff/Crusher) in the sixties. Yikes, do prom dresses still get ripped off?

Canada and United States are awaiting and all a buzz with the onset of Inauguration Day (geez, I have a hard time spelling that word). I would anticipate the world is awaiting. Did you see there Bruce Springsteen perform! Oh, eh on Bruce (the hunk).

The United States is in turmoil. I cannot understand why they took the name United States if they were not to be united.

Two wishes ~ I'd be pushing it if I asked for three...
1. I hope John Prine has not blown up his tv or threw away his papers
2. In the land to which we all live, may there be peace.

Wildlife and Topless Ladies

It amazes me how a person can survive here, it amazes me that I survive here. Here - is rural British Columbia - very rural British Columbia. We do have power and running water, we have a well. We have neighbors - nice neighbors down the road. The neighbor closest to us is wild like the wildlife that we see in our backyard. We have many wild animals that we live with - deer, eagles, moose, a variety of birds, foxes, and the occasional bear. Our dear human neighbor does not come close to the kindness I have seen in the wild animals' eyes. When you look into the eyes of an animal in the wild, it is peace. I do the best I can to share with them - they were here on this land - first - not me.

I talk to the animals, I make friends with them. My favorite is the fox - we chat all the time. The deer are next, I sing John Prine to them; all the animals know my voice. I have not been afraid of the animals while in nature, but animals, contained, yikes!

One day last summer I was outside weeding ~ you know that feeling when something is staring at you - yep, it was staring at me. A huge Bull. I had heard that you must be careful around Bulls, do not yell too loud or they might charge, so I pasted myself up against the woodshed and slid myself over to the sundeck, then, I ran! Ran into the house and got Gary, my husband.

He saw the bull, tried to chase it, it did not move, it stared. We left and went inside and in time, the bull left peacefully. The cattle are 'free range' here, thus meaning in May the cattle ranchers let them out and at the end of September they bring them on home. I have had several occasions whereby the cattle come in and rove on our property. Their piles are somewhat to be desired, they will trample any garden/flower bed you have and have been noted to block traffic better than that of any topless ladies, you have ever seen.

Sunset - My Yard

3Cheers, I got a picture!

Big Flakes Flowing From The Sky

I do not think it is ever going to quit snowing. I have to go out tomorrow to a ladies auxiliary meeting, I am walking - I hope I do not drown in the white stuff. I shall place an orange flag on my head so as folks will see me! Oh, the ladies will be all in a-buzz, they always are. It is fun and more important it is nice to get out for awhile. The ladies got together at christmas time, oh what a time it was ~ we drank, sang carols, ate, played a few games, and had a gift exchange.

Thank you to the folks that have come to visit my blog, I appreciate it very much. I am trying to learn how to get a picture on here, however, my learning capabilities on this blog thing well, let's just say I bake better. I must post later a few of my favorites recipes.

Socks, Kisses, and John Prine

What a beautiful day it has been. We were actually able to drive today without any interference from our lunatic neighbor and it was very pleasant. We drove to the post office and I received three parcels.

I search for free coupons, etc., on the internet because I live on the side of a mountain and have much time on my hands. I found a wonderful site for ones that have just had a newborn baby. Heinz. Wow - they sent a beautiful backpack/12 tins of formula, a growth chart, a change pad, it was wonderful. Not that I am the new mother, but I am acquainted with a single Mom who works at the general store, she just had a newborn daughter, Peyton she named it. I gave all my free stuff to her. It was christmas for her!

There is no way I am driving and not opening parcels, I am opening en route! Oops, there I am not driving - I am opening parcels, flinging papers. The unit of spouse is driving.

Christmas for me, it was. I have a great John Prine friend who lives in Madison, Wisconsin. She sent me a very special Hatch Print of John Prine. She is such a good person. The parcel was that roll up kind so as you do not crease the print. In the roll up she places a pair of socks, in each sock she places Hersheys Kisses. No Hersheys Kisses I have seen before, Candy Cane and Mint Truffle.

And, in no way would anyone ever receive a parcel of Socks, Kisses, and John Prine!

Is It Dove Body Wash or Dove Lotion

The other day I popped into the shower and I had to be on the side of quick about it as my neighbor was about to make appearance at my door. I have very sensitive skin so I always slap on the lotion after I shower. Today was special, it was going to be a big slap of Dove Lotion, a new bottle of Dove Lotion. I did not have my glasses with me so I just took the bottle I assumed would be Dove Lotion. Oh my, I slapped it all over me and proceeded to dress and answer the door. I left the neighbor chatting with the unit of spouse and walked in to log in to the computer. Geez, my eyes started to water and burn. I thought to myself - god, these allergies - must be the neighbor. I went and got a kleenex because the tears were streaming down my face. I came back to the computer to which I could not see a word, I could not form a letter. hmmmm, I thought what the heck did I use. I retrieved my eyeglasses, wiped my eyes again, and read the bottle of lotion. For the love of god, I used Dove Body Wash not Dove Lotion!

How Did I Get The Name?

Paradise is a song written by John Prine and it is my favorite John Prine song. The 'bat' well, if you put a 'd' in front of it I would be a d.bat (as in ding bat). BAT is actually my intials and BC is where I reside. I reside on the side of a mountain in the interior of British Columbia.

There you have it - It is paradise by the bat in bc!

Greetings

Very new to the world of blogging, however, I am interested in learning something new everyday. In my realm of the world, it is peaceful. I hope the same for you.