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!

Salad

Who doesn't like salad? Ok, a lot of people. I was looking through some blogs and came across a wonderful idea. (sorry, I can't remember where I saw this so I can't give credit where it is due. Bad blogger, very bad blogger.)

The idea is to make up a weeks worth of salads at the beginning of the week and have your ready made meals all week. The twist is that they are assembled in mason jars.

First you put your dressing in the bottom of jar. (I find it's hard to judge how much to put in. I put way too much in these jars. I plan to play around with it to get it right, or just keep the dressing on the side.). Then you place any of your veggies that will stand up to the dressing (carrots, pea pods etc.) then just keep layering you veggies, leaving the lettuce for the top.

This is a very healthy meal and is pretty too. Enjoy!

Weekend with Will

Last weekend I spent some wonderful time with Will last weekend and I'm hoping for another great weekend this week. Can we top last weekend though? We'll see.

Last week we made black bean brownies, homemade chex mix, an our own art. Plus a visit to the grandparents. (even Papa liked the brownies;) )

Spring

Spring is springing early here in Maine. Colder weather is supposed to return in the next few days but until then, I'm enjoying all the new life I'm seeing around me.

Todays arts and crafts