Spicy Three Bean Chili

On a cold day like today, nothing is better than a big pot of chili! After searching long and hard for a good chili recipe I just decided to combine a bunch of different ones I found online to make my own and sure enough, this one is a winner!

This recipe calls for two different types of meat - ground beef and ground turkey breast. I tend to use both in every meat dish (like meatloaf, meat balls, etc.) just to keep it on the healthier side. But feel free to use just beef or even try something else. Chili is one of those dishes that you can really swing any which way you want. If this is too spicy for you, cut back on the heat and add more italian flavors like rosemary and oregano. You can even add more veges to it too. The options are endless. Oh how I love chili : )

And of course you have to have all the fixin's like sour cream and grated cheddar cheese. Some people like to add onions, but I prefer chopped chives or scallions. Not just for taste, but the green really stands out against the other colors - people do say you eat with your eyes first, right?

Ingredients: 

- 1 cup diced white or yellow onion

- 1 red bell pepper, diced

- 1 green bell pepper, diced

- 1 cup diced carrots (about 2 large)

- 1 tbs ground cumin

- 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies or jalapeno (or plain works too)

- 2 cups water

- 1 tbs chili powder

- 1 to 2 tsp cayenne

- 1 tsp dried oregano

- 1/2 lb lean ground beef

- 1/2 lb ground turkey breast

- 2 chipotle chilies in adobe sauce (you can leave out the seed if you like, though I add 'em in)

- 1 tbs adobe sauce from the can of chilies

- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

- 1 can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

- 1 can white beans, drained and rinsed

- 1-2 tbs olive oil

- Salt and pepper

- Sour cream  (optional garnish)

- Cheddar cheese, grated  (optional garnish)

- Chives, scallions, or red onion (optional garnish)

Directions: 

- Heat the olive oil in a large pot or dutch oven (I prefer dutch ovens for braising and stews as they help to keep the heat even throughout the cooking process; great for low and slow dishes)

- Add the onion, bell peppers, and carrots, cook until soft (~10 min)

- Add the cumin and cook, stirring for about a minute

- Add the ground beef and turkey, break up the meat and cook on high until no longer pink

- Add the other dry spices

- Add the can of diced tomatoes, water, chilies in adobo and the additional adobo sauce, salt and pepper

- Simmer, partial covered, for about 30 minutes stirring occasionally

- Add the beans, continue to simmer, partially covered, for another 20 minutes

- Season with salt and pepper to taste

- Garnish with sour cream, cheese, and chives - Enjoy!

This dish goes great with a side of corn bread or muffins too! Check back later for that recipe,.. I promise it's a good one : )

Happy Snow Day!

JP

Defining Your Decorating Style

Yea, that's a tough one. I still struggle with this because when it comes down to it, I just don't know. I know what I like and what I don't like, but I don't know what I'll love for years to come. So I registered for this free webinar over at Teal & Lime and after watching it I honestly think she had some great ideas on how to really define a person's style. The one thing I took home was to write down the things that I like and don't like so here goes:

Like:

• contemporary
• transitional (a mix between contemporary and traditional)
• tufted furniture
• clean lines
• industrial elements like nailhead trim or wrought iron
• a little bling
• neutral colors (grey) with a bold accent
• modern rustic pieces
• graphic prints

Dislike:

• anything country
• a too casual feeling
• too many bold colors
• floral prints
• anything too traditional

To be honest, it was harder to come up with things I dislike than like. I think that is because I really do like a number of different styles, making it difficult to bring them all together into one. Now, don't get me wrong, some of the things I dislike aren't that I don't like them in other people's homes, because I have seen plenty of photos and homes where they have some of these elements and it is gorgeous and really works! It is just not for me and my home is all. This is probably why I want to paint the entire house different shades of grey, slowing making my husband grey-zy (yea, I said it).

The next step was to pick out the key words, name it, and use the rest of the words to then describe it further. Easier said than done. Here's what I came up with:

Transitional with Industrial and Rustic elements - Including neutral clean lines, graphic prints, and a touch of color

Does that even make sense?? Ugh, I don't know. Well, that's my style and I'm sticking to it, for now : )

We will see how it all turns out I guess. I do think that by writing everything down has helped me to focus in on the things I do like, and hopefully next time I am walking aimlessly around HomeGoods I can spend a little less time debating if an item will work in our home. Speaking of HomeGoods, did I ever tell you about the first time I stepped foot in one of those stores? haha, well, I walked in, and walked right back out! I was SO overwhelmed. Literally walked in, walked around the first table (didn't even make it to an aisle) and peaced out. Now, I have to have a purpose for going in that store, and still, I walk up and down every aisle until I have looked at everything. Maybe now I can be a bit more decisive.

After Holiday Furniture Shopping

H and I have been looking for a sectional for our family room, but unfortunately, they can be crazy expensive. We saw this one a while back, but the $3000+ price tag was no bueno. Plus, it was stuffed with feathers so that wouldn't be good for me. We looked at a few more, but they were either too expensive or just not right for the look I was going for.

Since we already had two couches, one from our old apartment and one as a hand me down, we weren't really in dire need of getting a brand new sectional. I just figured that eventually we would find something that fits our style and our budget and until then we would make due with what we had.

Then came this brilliant idea I had to search at Macy's where we purchased our first couch that we fell in love with years ago {imagine the light bulb going off} and sure enough they had a great sectional, still a little pricey, but boy was it pretty. I know Macy's always has great sales so I just decided I would keep an eye on it and see if the price comes down before I get my heart set on anything.

Fast forward a few months, add one hefty after holiday sale, and BAM,... we have a new sectional! : )

ours will be a slightly darker grey

Of course before we bought the couch we moved our current furniture out of the room and put down some tape to outline the dimensions of the sectional just to make sure it would fit comfortably in the space. Sure enough it was a winner. We also got an amazing deal, like half price amazing, putting it well into our 'we can afford this' range. One down fall, it's on back order. Womp womp. 

So we have to wait to get our new couch until the end of the month or even possibly in February some time. But that's ok, what's another month or so at this point?

One step closer to finishing another space in this never ending project of a house! Cue fist pump.

Happy after holiday shopping!

JP

A New Year Means a New List...

Ok so here goes nothing... I am attempting to make a list (or series of lists) for the entire house. Yup, one big "To Do" list. I saw this on Young House Love and I think it's a great way to see the big picture. Then, even if you are all over the place with projects (yea, that's me) or just doing a few Phase One updates that should translate down the road to a final product, at least you can see where all your free time (and money) is going. Hopefully this will give us a better idea of what needs to get done first, and where, so we can focus our energy on the tasks that are most important.

Disclaimer: I am going to list things as if we haven't done anything in the house. As of now we have done a good amount of work but I want to see where we started, and besides it will make me feel better that some things will get crossed off the list immediately : )

Outside Back: 15% complete

- Get the back and side yards regraded

- Put in a fence or something to contain Pepper

- Plant some trees for privacy along the property line

- Deck or patio?

- Covered porch?
- Fire pit or fireplace?

- Install some brighter lights for the back yard

- Build a shed

- Build a container to store the garbage/recycle cans

Outside Front/Porch: 2% complete

- Get some landscaping in those planter beds

- Add stone or pavers to edge the beds nicely

- Install spot lights for the house facade

- Change out the porch light fixtures

- Add seating and maybe a small table on the porch

- Maybe add some planters or planter boxes?

Foyer: 0% complete

- Paint!!

- Get an entry/console table and bench

- Add artwork/wall decor

- Maybe get some more indoor plants to make the space more inviting?

- Add trim/molding to the archways between the foyer and each room

- Change out the light fixture

- Purchase a rug and/or runner

Powder Room: 0% complete

- Paint

- Stencil the back wall?

- Add artwork/wall decor

- Change out the light fixture and maybe the mirror?

- Add some shelves

- Change out the toilet paper holder (long story)

Dining Room: 60% complete

- Paint

- Add molding/wainscoting to the bottom half of walls

- Get a table and chairs

- Add a large mirror to the far wall

- Add artwork/wall decor

- Purchase and install window treatments and hardware

- Purchase and install blinds

- Add a console table

- Get a large rug?

- Purchase/install a new light fixture

- Find some nice head chairs 
 {see it here}

Butler's Pantry: 95% complete
- Paint 

- Install cabinets we already have 

- Buy and install granite to match the kitchen

- Buy and install upper cabinets? <- naa, just shelves

- Purchase a wine frig

- Add artwork/wall decor  <- could use extra little details

- Add hardware to the cabinets

- Add track lighting
 {see it here and here}

Breakfast Nook: 15% complete

- Paint

- Buy a table and chairs

- Get a large rug

- Add window treatments of some sort (maybe shutters)

- Change out the light fixture

- Add a command center

- Maybe buy a bench?

- Create a little eating area for Pepper
 {see it here}

Kitchen: 75% complete

- Paint

- Purchase and install a refrigerator

- Add hardware to the cabinets

- Get some organization for the cabinets and drawers (including the pantry)

- Pick out tile and install a backsplash

Family Room: 20% complete

- Paint

- Purchase a sectional

- Get a TV console table

- Mount TV to wall above fireplace

- Add surround sound and buy a receiver

- Run wire behind walls (or) hide them in some other way <- with crown!

- Finish furnishing the room - accent chairs, side tables, ottoman, etc.

- Add artwork/wall decor

- Purchase and install window treatments and hardware

- Purchase and install blinds

- Hardwood (someday)
 {see it here}

Office/Den/Study/Front Room/Whatever we decide to call it that day: 2% complete

- Paint

- Add built-ins to the far wall

- Get a nice large desk

- Add some comfy reading chairs

- Add an overhead light

- Hardwood (someday)

- Add artwork/wall decor

- Purchase and install window treatments and hardware

- Purchase and install blinds

- Run cable wire to the room

Upstairs Hallway: 0% complete

- Paint

- Change out light fixtures

- Add photo wall with lots of frames

- Add artwork/wall decor

- Maybe get a small side table and mirror for the one corner?

Guest Bedroom: 40% complete

- Paint

- Install headboard on far wall
- Get a bed, dresser, and night stand

- Add artwork/wall decor

- Purchase and install window treatments and hardware

- Purchase and install blinds

- Run cable wire to the room

Guest Bathroom: 0% complete

- Paint

- Purchase all the fun things like a shower curtain, towels, etc.

- Add artwork/wall decor

- Paint/refinish the vanity

- Frame out the mirror

- Change out the light fixture?

Master Bedroom: 75% complete

- Paint

- Purchase a bedroom set

- Get nice bedding and pillows

- Get love seat refinished

- Buy accent furniture like a chair/small bench

- Add artwork/wall decor

- Purchase and install window treatments and hardware

- Purchase and install blinds

- Get a nice jewelry armoire

- Create a dream closet with shelves and built-in drawers

- Add a ceiling fan

{see it here}

Master Bath: 5% complete

- Paint

- Frame out the mirrors

- Add artwork/wall decor

- Purchase and install blinds

- Redo all the tile work to something more modern and spa-like (someday)

- Add heated floors (when we redo the tile)

- Paint and stencil the wash closet

- Add shelves to the wash closet

- Change out the light fixtures

Other Bedrooms: 3% complete

- Maybe paint?
- Get a bed and frame for extra guests to sleep

- Possibly create a man cave until the basement is finished?

- Add artwork/wall decor

- Purchase and install window treatments and hardware

- Purchase and install blinds

Laundry Room: 10% complete

- Paint

- Purchase and install a washer and dryer

- Purchase and install cabinets/organization

- Purchase and install a countertop?

- Add artwork/wall decor

Basement (a far off future project): 0% complete

- Finish the space entirely including floors, drywall, paint, electrical, the whole deal

- Possibly stain the concrete floors?

- Install a viewing/theater area

- Maybe add a gym room?

- Create a wet bar

- Add a bathroom?

- Get a pool table

Well, there you have it, the very long list of things that need to get done we would like to get done in this house over the next 30+ years. Hopefully it won't take us that long, but we are definitely going to take our time and do it right the first time (or so we hope). Buying a brand new home has its perks when it comes to warrantees and energy efficiency, but there are a few down sides. For example, no outdoor space, no blinds, no refrigerator or washer and dryer, no paint on the walls, and really, just no character. It takes a lot to make a new white-walled house your home, but we are certainly up for the challenge! This is just an overall list of the major things that I can think of, though I am sure it will grow over time. It will be fun to see how much gets done each year and how long it will take us to truly make this house our own.

Check back for more updates!

JP