Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Of trees and waiting....

 

I've had plenty of time today to walk around outside and take pix.  I've been waiting and waiting for a service man to show up.  They said he would be here sometime between 8 and 5.   Finally, he has showed up at 2 pm!!  I should have known it would be closer to 5 than 8!  Guess, I'm not very good at waiting.  

The trees are just about bare around here.  It's been so very windy lately that I feel that I'm in Kansas!  The above tree is one of the maples in my yard.  The following pictures are of my neighbors trees.  They have a different maple than ours, I guess.  



Next is the big oak in our back 40 6 that was just beautiful last week with deep red leaves.  I love the big, majestic oaks and also you'll see to the left of the photo is a sycamore tree.  I really like the white bark on these trees.  We didn't get very far from home this fall, so I don't know what the fall foliage in other parts of the state looked like.  We've spent every weekend at the farm working.   And, I haven't looked at the Farmer's Almanac to see the winter forecast, yet.   I can't say that I want it to be too snowy or cold.  Snow is beautiful to look at and covers up some of the barren landscape of winter, but I don't like for my loved ones to have to drive in it.  Too many people don't know how to drive in good weather!


It's going to be a busy week here with something going on nearly every day.   I'll probably be making a big pot of chili this weekend.  I have a recipe for chili from a former co-worker that she had brought in to work for our group to share that was very good.  I'm thinking of trying it out on my family. 

Darcy's Chili

1  1/2 pounds ground sirloin, cooked and drained
2 cloves of garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon oregano
1 can pearl onions (or use onion powder..I use dried onion flakes)
1 Tablespoon chili powder (add more later if desired)
1-15 ounce can of pinto beans
1-15 ounce can of  black beans
1-15 ounce can of red kidney beans
2-15 ounce cans of diced tomatoes
1-15 ounce can of corn, drained
1 small can of button mushrooms 

Place in pot and cook until done.  If the consistency needs thinning, add
1 small can of tomato sauce.  
 Salt and Pepper to taste

Note:  I did try it out and it turned out delicious!

Until next time....

6 comments:

  1. We had a beautiful day here in Indiana also! I was able to get some perennial beds cleaned out, empty pots & patio furniture put away for the winter, etc. One more good day & I'll be ready for Ole Man Winter! I enjoy the first snow or two & then am ready for it to quit! My hubby clears Menards parking lot so he always wants it to snow over 2 inches!

    Hmmmm..I've never heard of putting mushrooms, corn, etc. in chili. I may have to try it! I'm still trying to get used to the Hoosier way of adding macaroni or pasta! Mom's was always spicy with kidney beans.

    Enjoy your pretty days!

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  2. The drought conditions in our area have left us with very little tree color this fall and we are just now getting some cooler weather. Your chili recipe sounds wonderful, just the thing for those hunters after a long day in the woods!
    Carolyn

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  3. Hi Cheryl, My hubby tells me that I wouldn't love SNOW so much if I had to scrape the driveway and drive in it.... I'm sure he is right!!!!!! ha

    Most of our leaves are down here also... We have the yard clean --as of today. BUT--I'm sure more leaves will come down and we'll blow and rake it all again next week...

    Your chili sounds delicious. I love chili in the winter.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  4. Good Morning Cheryl! Our trees are mostly naked here. And they were various shades of brown, probably from having no rain since the 23rd of Sept. Our burning bushes are brilliant though. Rain is coming soon, maybe as early as tomorrow and then some temps that are more November-like. I am looking forward to that! I have never heard of shrooms in chili before either, but I love them so I am going to give this recipe a whirl over the weekend. I love to call our west field the Back Forty, but it's only about 6 too :)

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  5. I'm going to try hunting this year as well. Last year I got sick and didn't go again until the last day. Keep your fingers crossed I get one!

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  6. I'm a bit of a chili recipe collector; the canned pearl onions is a new one for me! Can't wait to try it!

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