Chili Champ

To my complete surprise, my chili was selected as the winning entry in our church's Chili Cook-off and Trivia Challenge this weekend. For those who asked, here's the recipe, with appreciation to former Dordt co-worker, Norlan De Groot, from whom I got the recipe.

Calico Chili
1# ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 celery stalk, chopped
1 green pepper, choppped
1 cup diced zucchini (optional)
1 T chili powder
1 T dried parsley flakes
1/4 tsp each dried oregano, thyme, and rosemary
salt & pepper to taste
1 (30 oz.) can kidney beans, drained
1 (15-16 oz) can whole kernel corn, drained
1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes with liquid  
1 c. cooked rice
1 c. water
2 T vinegar
1 T Worcestershire sauce

In a large kettle or Dutch oven, brown ground beef. Drain. Add onion, garlic, celery and green pepper. Also add zucchini, if desired. Cook until onion is transparent. Add spices. Stir in remaining ingredients; simmer, stirring occasionally until thickened and vegetables are heated through--about 20 minutes. Yield: 8-10 servings.

OK - that's the official recipe. Good cooks add their own "personal" touches. Those shall remain my secret. :-)

  

In Praise of the Little Things

It's common advice, if not a well-worn cliche, to value the little things in life. Advice that I've shrugged off for a good deal of my life--too busy with "important" things like raising kids and a full-time job to take much note or time to appreciate little blessings. That's beginning to change. The slower pace of empty nesting and un-/under-employment have a way of changing your perspective. I definitely have more time than money these days so I'm on the lookout for anything that delights without dipping into the wallet.
Two such events occured in the past week.
Out of the blue I got a Facebook message from a woman who members of my extended family had taken in and under their wing when her family life was less than stable. She had located me on a niece's FB page and wanted to let me know how much the party we had thrown for her on her 16th birthday had meant to her. She had recently had a Sweet Sixteen party for her daughter and was reminded of her own party many years ago. For the life of me I could not remember throwing a party for her! After some mental prodding I remembered that she had been part of our family's annual summer gathering and included in the celebration of that summer's birthdays. It hardly struck me as something a 16-year-old would consider a memorable party. But to her that simple act of inclusion was significant. Significant to me was the fact that she would take the time now - 20 years later - to tell me - one who was not all that close to her - how much it meant to her. It reminded me that the little things I do for someone may not mean much to me, but they may mean everything - or at least great deal - to the recipient of my kind gesture or warm smile.
Yesterday I was on the receiving end of just such a kindness. I am hoping to established myself as a freelance writer-editer,but as this period of un-/under-employment continues I find my confidence in myself waning. So yesterday's e-mail affirming the letters I'd drafted for an author I greatly admire and respect, was just the encouragement I needed to keep on keeping on this career track. "Great job, good choices," were small but oh-so-satisfying bits of praise from a successful author to an aspiring one.
They prompt me to keep looking for - and offering up "the little things." Now that I know they are much bigger than they seem.

Happy Birthday, Daughter

Twenty-three years ago after two weeks of Braxton Hicks contractions and seven hours of induced labor I gave birth to our third child, our only daughter, Allison. After grieving and doctoring through several years of secondary infertility earlier, having an 'unplanned' child and a daughter besides was a blessed delight, to be sure.
Delight turned to frustration and conflict in a few short years as Alli began to assert her independence--regarding the typical things--food--'Yes, I will have ketchup on my brownie'; clothes--'Yes, I will wear my swimming suit in January in Iowa'; and hair - 'Mother, why can't you do French braids!?' In retrospect those were minor skirmishes compared to the head-butting we engaged in through middle school and into high school. Aside from the typical adolescent self-centeredness, Alli's choice of friends was a point of much contention between us. We grudgingly allowed her to spend more time with one particularly toxic girl than we wanted, fearful that if we prohibited the relationship completely it would be that much more attractive and she would become even more defiant. Whenever possible we encouraged them to be at our home, so we would know where they were and have some idea of what they were up to.
To our relief, but to her great disappointment and pain, the 'friend's' true colors were finally uncovered only a few weeks into their freshman year of highschool. Cruelly betrayed by one she had considered to be a friend, Alli found herself sadly alone. A normally challenging transition time was even more so as she had to re-build friendships and figure out who she was without her friend's influence.

By the grace of God and lots of prayer and encouragement Alli emerged from highschool confident enough to venture off to a state university. Though she knew only a handful of students, and going to UNI meant leaving behind a 'serious' boyfriend, she persisted in her decision. One semester was enough to gain a new appreciation for the community she'd grown up in and transfer to the local college where most of her friends, including that increasingly serious boyfriend, were.

A year and a half ago that young man became her husband, our son-in-law; six months ago they graduated from college together and entered the working world. Our baby girl is a young woman--beautiful, competent, loving. It's been an exhausting, exhilirating, sometimes entertaining, always educational journey. I am immensely grateful for and proud of our daughter. Happy Birthday, Alli!