Sunset

Another beautiful sunset in Maine. How can you not be inspired by something so magical?

Spring take two

It's starting to warm up again. It was 66 degrees here in Maine today (at least in South Portland) and I'm hopeful the trend will continue. I've been down with a nasty chest cold this week, but managed to get in a bit of raking in preparation of mowing.

This is such a beautiful time of year with signs of new life everywhere. Happy spring everyone! Let's hope it stays a while.

Here are some pictures of my daffodils, lilacs starting to bud, forsythia bushes, and even my roses starting to bud on the trellis (long shot with forsythia on left).

Pumpkin chili

I just tried an amazing new recipe. I wasn't sure if pumpkin and chili went together, or if I wanted to try a chili that also had cocoa powder in it.

Needless to say, I tried it and loved it!

Ingredients:

1lb extra lean ground beef (I used turkey this time)
1 large and 1 small can pinto beans (rinsed and drained)
1 15 oz can black beans (rinsed and drained)
1 15 oz can corn
1can pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
1 15 oz can rotel tomatoes
1 zucchini finely chopped
Onion and garlic to taste
1 jar of favorite salsa
2 Tbsp dark cocoa powder
Chili powder to taste

Cook burger, drain any fat, add onion and garlic to taste. Add other ingredients (can transfer to slow cooker) cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Enjoy!