It was a cold chilly day here in Utah today so I thought it would be fitting to make something hearty for din tonight. Something comforting. Like Chili. This is what you need to make Chunky Monkey Chili. Easy Peasy
You need a can of Kidney Beans, a can of diced tomatoes, a small can of tomato paste, ground turkey (1 pound)
Chop up whatever veggies you want. I did 1 yellow pepper, 1 white onion, and 1 green pepper
In a saucepan cook ground turkey in a little bit of water until pink is gone. Add chili seasoning, and a spoon full of tomato paste.
Add your favorite seasoning, I love Goya Adobo for just about everything, I also added a little bit of cumin and pepper. After veggies are soft add in a can of diced tomatoes, and can of kidney beans
Add in the ground turkey and cook on low for 30 minutes, stirring frequently
If you want it thicker add a teaspoon of flour, or if you like it soupier pour more water in it.
Serve with shredded cheese and a dollop of sour cream, Enjoy!
{p.s. The weather today was insane. Our streets and highways were covered in ice. It was literally a giant ice slide. The snow that was already on the ground was hardened like rocks because of todays weather. I watched rain droplets fall and turn to ice immediately. Apparently this hasn't happened here since like 1940. Thank you Utah for being so welcoming }
Life in Utah has been quite an adventure. Since I last wrote I had a birthday (woot) and started insanity (double woot with a womp). The mountain tops are powered white with delicate snow and our home is currently hoarding an insane amount of icicles. Our home looks like it has been hijacked and placed in a snow globe. It is lovely. I am learning to layer my clothing better (especially the day that I forgot to grab my coat in 5 degree weather, thank God for unshaven legs to keep me extra warm in emergency conditions, ha).
Our cross country move has taught me a lot. I have learned to really put all my trust and faith in the Lord. I have learned to be kinder with the great example of those who surround me. I have learned that despite the loneliness that hovers at times with the distance from family and friends and all familiar things, that I am really not alone, that this amazing adventure has brought me so much closer to the Lord and my amazing husband. I have learned to appreciate moments and the beauty that surrounds me. I have learned to be a little better. Just a little. I have learned that happiness comes from within, like really in there. I smile. I have learned that no matter how hard I pray each day, or for whatever amount of time, months, or years, the Lord answers on his own time, and when he does he serves it like a buffet of blessings. It happened. His timing is divine. I trust that. I have learned to challenge myself on things. Guard down and all.
I have applied this quote from President Gordon B. Hinckley as my New Years Resolution
Here is the obligatory blogger Christmas picture post
If I don't sound so chummy on this post today, it is because my husband and I have some sort of food poisoning. It all started with my over eagerness to make a Christmas feast for 5 and my intentions to make dinner special since it was our first Christmas away from family. Green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, dinner rolls, turkey and.....and...spinach artichoke dip...i can't even type that without gagging.
I'll spare the details, but we believe the spinach artichoke dip has had us all yuckified.
Other than THAT Christmas was wonderful. I had my first White Christmas. Tears of joy streamed down my face when I saw the snow falling on Christmas Eve. It was beautiful.
{Who cares that my scarf doesn't match IT'S SNOWING!}
these pictures were taken on my phone and they aren't the best because the snow flakes were making my phone all wet.
Our first Christmas in Utah was so beautiful. We are so grateful for all of the miracles we have been able to experience. We wish you a Merry Christmas filled with the joy and love that comes with the birth of Jesus Christ, the light of the world.
Swallowing tears we said goodbye to our friends and family in Florida. I grew up there. The Sunshine state (which should be totally re-coined as the rainy friggin humid state). I was approached by waves of sadness. My parents and in-laws remain there. But it was time. Hubs was offered an amazing opportunity. So we loaded up the Budget truck and drove 35 hours to our new home in Salt Lake City, Utah (after that long haul I believe I can survive any type of road trip). I proudly embraced my title as co-Pilot and we pulled out late Sunday afternoon and drooooooove. First I must say that it was scary, for my hubs mainly as he couragesly volunteered to drive the 20 ft truck. We climbed into the uncozy like rear-view mirror-less truck and prayed for safety.
We had a theme song. We played this song everytime we entered a new state. It was kinda perfect:
We kept checking the side-mirrors to make sure our vehicle was still in tow and not on the side of the road somewhere. We drove to Adairsville, GA that day and crashed at the Holiday Inn Express for about 4 hours.
Our bodies thanked us for that power rest. We woke up and left the hotel at about 6am and drove. And drove. And drove. And drove. Tennessee. Kentucky. Illinois. Missouri. Iowa. Nebraska.
Our drive through Nebraska was rough. It was pitch black, no lights on the freeway, if that's what it was, we couldn't really see, but we were so determined to drive for as long as our bodies and eyes allowed us to. That night as our headlights cut harshly through the dark and then our beams became fixed on a large, like LARGE object about 20 feet ahead of us and positioned dead center of our lane. As our 65mph truck approached we realized that this was no object. IT WAS A COW. A poor humongous mama of a cow with black and white spots stared back at us fear stricken, frozen in the night. The wide eyed cow opened its mouth as to yell out. Hubs swerved to miss the cow and a large semi barely clipped the cows head on the left lane. That was scary. For all parties involved. Except probably the semi, who probably was listening to smooth Jazz and stuffing his mouth with Cheetos, the driver, not the semi. I don't think he even saw. The worst kinda funny part was that hubs had just picked up a hamburger at the rest stop and refused to eat it after we almost hit the cow.
We drove for 24 hours that day. We stopped right when we entered Wyoming. After driving through all those states our eyes begged for mercy. The Hampton Inn greeted us with open arms at 3am. Sleep was our best friend for 4 hours. We actually stayed and had continental breakfast. So good. Thank God for biscuits and to-go cereal.
Wyoming. Oh Wyoming was probably the most treacherous state to drive through. Its mean curves and rolling hills had the Budget truck begging to slow down. But when you roll with us, the power team and me as your co-pilot, scream no more Budget truck we musta get on home to good ol' Utah. You see, it was already tuesday, we wanted to be home in time for Thanksgiving on thurs. So we had a goal in mind.
In Wyoming a semi truck hit a deer and the deer leg hit the grill of our truck and became road kill. Sorry Katniss.
When we entered Utah, I felt peace, we had made it. That night we arrived at 1am at my brother-in-laws, where we rested before we faced unloading the truck the next day.
Pulling up to our new neighborhood was a dream. Our neighbors trickled out one by one, children too, teenagers, and helped us unload the truck. Blessing right? Amazing.
We did it. We loaded up a uhaul and hauled it 36 hours cross country where we reside now in Salt Lake City, Utah. That is my excuse for not blogging. In the midst of trying to make our new place our own, I am trying to adjust to many different things. I feel totally discombobulated. I have so much to share about our road trip, like almost crashing into a cow. A COW! And the many creepy creepertons at the gas stations along the way. Hang tight, I should have my computer and office set up here soon. Can't wait to share the deets. Have a fabulous week.
1. What is your favorite book? My favorite book is a book I read every year for Christmas (don't laugh) it's called The Christmas Tree that ate my mother by Dean Marney
2. What is one thing you totally regret? I regret being a mean older sister growing up, my sister is 2 years younger and today we are the best of friends however, I look back and wish I was a better example to her in my early teens.
3. What is one thing you never want to forget? I never want to forget gazing into my husbands eyes on our wedding day...it was Magic!
4. Where would you be right now if you could? I am!!!! I am currently vacationing in Utah, it is beautiful here!! (Instagram: pinkbambina)
5. What is your happy place? Physically? Anywhere around mountains surrounded by green grass with my hubby, or wildly dancing around in the living room when I am home alone...seriously.
6. Have you ever cried over spilt milk? Or anything else that you later thought was silly? Yes. Hubby can probably tell you a zillion scenarios but I cannot think of any.
7. Favorite blog and why? Cheri at I am Momma Hear Me Roar. I read this blog daily because she is so sweet, down to earth, so creative and has a series called Wake up Wednesday, a challenge to motivate you to do something kind for others
8. What would you eat for your last meal? A typical Colombian dish: white rice with beans, sweet plantains, avocado , chicken and empanadas
9. Your stranded on an island. You can bring one celeb, one food item, one song to listen to,
And one other random item...go. Oh and why? Um....Martha Stewart, apples, Muse-Starlight and can my other random item be an airplane so we're not stranded anymore? Martha because she can make ANYTHING, apples because they can be sweet and filling.
10. How long did it take you to answer that last question? Like a minute... (Just in case I ever have to pick for real lol)
11. What movie are you most excited about seeing before the year is over ? Twilight Breaking Dawn part 2. I am soo serious.
Hope you enjoyed reading Oh and if you want to learn more abut me you can read here: 10 Random facts about Me
I know. I am horrible. I have been a horrible blogger this month. Honestly, I have been occupying my free time with eating clean, working out, and enjoying things in the moment. I absolutely love to blog...but sometimes I feel like I spend too much time on the Internet. I have been up to really awesome and exciting things...like...
Linking up to my gal Kaylee'sblog for a book swap. This was awesome. I was matched up with Aubrey Kinch from The Kinch Life and she sent me a great classic "The Scarlett Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne. This fictional historic love story takes place in Salem, Massachusetts in the 1600's. The protagonist in the book is Hester who has an adulterous love affair and conceives a daughter. I really loved reading this book again, it is very interesting. It is full of suspense filled with vengeance, pride, and sin.
