Blue Monday

A couple of weeks ago, on the road coming home from Smocking Arts Guild Convention in Atlanta, I had a few bucks still in my pocket, burning a hole, no child or husband in the car or expecting me home to cook supper and feed them... :-D I looked for a Antique Store/Flea Market. And I found one!

It was in Leeds, AL, really not far from where I live. About 30-45 minutes if I am not speeding and interstate all the way. I pulled over and stayed until they closed. And yes, my cell did go off while I was there, DH wondering when/if I was coming home... (I think they missed me. I have been gone for almost a whole week!)

I love blue, blue & white, blue & white & yellow. I saw this shelf and it was all I could do to resist! I wanted to buy everything on the shelf, but I didn't. I did however, take a photo for Sally's Blue Monday. Many pretties and though I had not yet participated I wanted to start collecting pictures.

I also found this pretty blue chandi. Fell in love with it and took a photo of it too!

This is my first time to participate in Blue Monday. To find out more about Blue Monday, go to Smiling Sally's Blog to read and participate. Happy Blue Monday and thank you Sally for hosting!

Sunday Video

Beautiful One by Jeremy Camp

Tea Swap Items

I recently participated in an online tea swap. It was an Autumn Tea Swap, but I used pink to wrap everything up in b/c I like pink!

Now that my swap partner has her package, I thought I would share was was in the wrapped packages. :-)

Oh yum!!! I shopped a little early for these. They were a little hard to find. I do not care what brand they are, they are always good. Don't eat too many at once!

I received a container of these in a swap one time and loved them! When I can find them, it is always the last box. I guess everyone else loves them too!

Of course, an assortment of bagged teas...

A pretty mug to drink tea, hot chocolate or coffee in.

A mouse pad calendar!

And assortment of flavored black lose teas!

A tin of Miss Rose Marie's Special Blend Teas from Miss Rose Marie's Tea Room.
She sells them under the label Mrs. Teas. This is a delicious tea served hot or cold.


A Tea Pot lid holder ....

...w/drip collector. I have one and love it.

This tea swap was much much fun to participate in and put together. :-D

A Wonderful GiveAWay

Linda at Blue Gate Blog is having a fabulous Thankful Giveaway! Go over to her site and look at the beautiful things that she makes. She has a store, she also takes commission orders. To register for her giveaway, click here and then come back to my site and tell me what you think of her Creations!

I've Been Boo'd!

I've been Boo'ed!!!! Sally over at Smiling Sally Boo'ed me. Now I am supposed to pass this along to others who have not yet been Boo'ed and display it in my side bar so y'all will know that I have been Boo'ed! Those who I have passed it along to link back to my blog, select to a few more friends to pass it along to and so on and so forth. :-)

Anni over at Hootin' Anni's gave me this nice sweet treat just to decorate my blog with. Thanks Anni!

Dinner Time!

Yum yum! Family favorite!

You will need a half a bag of Navy Beans (whole bag if you have a big pot and
like it heavy on the beans. ;-))

Some baking Soda. 2007! I hope this box still works!

A bowl of hot tap water.
Pour about 1/4 cup of the baking soda
into the bowl. Stir it around. Add the Navy Beans and let them soak 4-8 hours.

Beans will look plump and round. Pour them into a colander.

Rinse thoroughly.

Next you will need Apple Cider Vinegar.

I cook my beans in my grandma & grandpa's old 2 qt iron pot.
Beans taste so good when cooked in this pot. Yum!

Add about 2 tablespoons of the Apple Cider Vinegar to the Beans.
Between the Baking Soda Soak and the Apple Cider Vinegar, much of gas is removed from the beans. In other words, you will not have any indegistion and no
'Beano' needed after eating this chili.


I do like to add some chili powder to my beans. I cook them until they are tender.


Eeewwwuuuu! This photo is out of focus! This is a pot with about
5-6 chicken breasts. I add a few seasonings to them. Chilli powder, black pepper, garlic, dried minced onion. Little sea salt.


After the chicken is through cooking. Chop or shred the chicken and set aside. Strain the broth through a sieve and add back to the large pot. Discard sieve contents.


You will need a few more ingredients. I like Ro-Tel (and the really hot stuff, but my family likes the mild so I just add tobacco to my bowl...) cilantro (fresh, dried or in a tube), more garlic, I really love fresh bell or sweet pepper, or hot pepper, but my family does not, so I leave it out.


I also include a quart of tomatoes. I either used fresh or fresh frozen.
Can should be fine if that is what you have on hand.

Oh, and cannot forget! A blend of Cinnamon & Sugar! 1-2 Tablespoons. Sometimes I just add 1 tablespoon of Cinnimon. I do not want it all that sweet.

Add the Chicken back to the pot and cook for 2-4 hours.
(Chili can cook forever!) In a crock pot, it can cook all day.


And corn bread? Can't beat a box of Jiffy!


Garnish with cheese, onions, corn chips, whatever you like. Oh yum! This can last a few days. Great for a busy week. Always tastes better the next day.


And always great with a salad on the side.

Enjoy!

Sunday Video