I have to say I have been feeling a wee bit down and sorry for myself this week. I had all these plans for joining some fun blogger parties. But life has a way of interrupting the best of intentions.
You see I babysit my 2 year old grand-daughter Addison about 40 hours a week. And I love it and I am grateful to have such a special and amazing bond with her. But she is a very active 2 year old and she sometimes wears this Grandma out.
And then there is my Mom. She had a stroke in December right before Christmas. She is improving but she is unable to drive because of it affecting her eyesight. She also has limited energy. So I drive her to appointments, pick up meds, grocery shop, pick up all kinds of necessary things, help clean her home, and various other daughterly duties.
So with the 2 year old and the 77 year old I am finding myself a bit short of energy. I am a sandwich I guess.
( I think that is the term.)
So I had various projects started and none of them are quite completed (other than the dress)
But I do have something else to share.
A great Chili Recipe that I found a while back in Midwest Living.
I made it the other night and hubby loved it!
Three Bean Chili
Prep: 25 minutes
Cook: 45 minutes
1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
1 medium green sweet pepper, chopped (3/4 cup)
1/2 cup chopped onion
2-15 ounce cans tomato sauce
1 15 ounce can red kidney beans
1 15 ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 15 ounce can garbanzo beans rinsed and drained
1 to 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1 to 1.5 tablespoons chili powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. paprika
1 bay leaf
salt and ground black pepper
Tortilla chips, dairy sour creme and/or shredded cheddar cheese
In a 4-quart Dutch oven, cook ground beef, green pepper, and onion until meat is brown: drain. Stir in tomato sauce, kidney beans, black beans, garbanzo beans, brown sugar, chili powder., 1/2 tsp. salt, the paprika and the bay leaf.
Bring to a boiling, reduce heat. Simmer,covered for 45 minutes. Remove and discard bay leaf.Season to taste with salt and black pepper. If you like, serve the chili with tortilla chips, sour creme, and/or shredded cheese.
Makes 6 servings.
Enjoy!
Thanks for stopping by, I always appreciate your visits!
.jpg)
Thanks for the recipe, Cindy, it really looks good. And Addison cannot take a bad picture! :)
ReplyDeleteI hope your load lightens soon. It's hard to be a caregiver, I was lucky to have my sisters when my Mom and Dad were ill. And little kids can really wear you out fast. Hang in there, sweetie.
XO,
Jane
Hi Cindy, I'm sorry that life has been difficult and busy for you. Hang in there, and don't forget to take some time out for you and hubby. Addison's dress is adorable! The chili sounds very good. We love chili and we make it frequently in the winter time. I too like chili "condiments;" for us it's Fritos, sour cream, and cheese.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you and big hugs, Beth
You have had a lot going on. Take care of yourself with all this going on. Love the pic with her pointing her finger up in the air while dancing.
ReplyDeleteThe chili looks yummy - thanks for sharing the recipe.
Enjoy your weekend.
Your grandgirl is simply adorabe! You're a busy lady Cindy and yet you find time to sew that cute dress and to cook yummy food too, wow!! I had my two grandgirls every day for 3 years when they were small, now they're 8 and 6 and they left 4 years ago to another city, 3 hours away and I miss them soooo much!!! I know it's hard, cause I also have my 83 yr. old mom to look after, so t is hard. The baby will grow before you know it and you'll miss her. Thanks for the chilli recipe, I love it! Big hugs,
ReplyDeleteFABBY
I understand where your coming from...keeping an active 2 year old...running a office...kept up with my FIL till he passed...kept me super busy...you love every minute..but you are tired...that dress is precious...so is the sweet angel wearing it..
ReplyDeleteOh my, Cindy, you have your hands full. It's just that time in your life, isn't it? I've been there. Your granddaughter is adorable and the dress you made is very sweet. I think you snapped some very nice photos of her. The one with her hands held out is so dear. What a special grandmother she has. I've been looking for a good chili recipe like yours, so I am going to put it on my "soon to make" list. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteOh Cindy, you are the sweetest person and yes, you do have a bunch on your plate. It is so hard to take care of so many. Just remember to take care of yourself. Love you tons, so wish you could come out here for a little rest. God Bless. Hugs, marty
ReplyDeleteCOURAGE to you! You are certainly in the Sandwich Generation. Having to both help out with a grand, and with your not-well mother. -sigh-
ReplyDeleteLove it that you can make dresses for your sweet little grand-girl. I loved keeping our first grand-girl, in dresses and hair-bows, while I did day-care for her, from 1 1/2 years on. Until, she no longer would go along with the hair bows of course. :-)))))
Lots of gentle hugs to you...
"Auntie"
I am a sandwich, too...I work full time, but help with grandkids and my mom is 87, so I help with her...life is so full! Thank you for the recipe and that little grand daughter in her sweet dress is adorable!
ReplyDeleteLezlee
We love chili and I love garbanzo beans...I've never tried them in chili before. I'm saving this one. Sandwich is the term and they don't warn us nearly enough about this time of life! I don't get to see my grands often anymore (that is another story) but they wear me out so much that I don't know how I had children 2 years apart. Mine were easier...and I was less spoiled with having quiet/me time. I really can't imagine that I could babysit 40 hours a week for a little one...your daughter is so very lucky to have you. I have done the "taking care of a parent" thing. For me, because my mom was dying, it was a treasured time. However, I knew it wasn't for very long and it was exhausting. We also have the mental worry about our kids and our parents. My dad is still taking care of himself, but there are some stresses recently that take a toll. Make a little time for yourself sometimes, it is easy to forget about that when you are stretched in several directions. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteGreat minds! I made a crock pot full of chili this week. I didn't add brown sugar but I did use a smallish can of baked beans in addition to all the others. Yum. Chopped sweet red onions, grated cheddar ... I tasted onions for two days!
ReplyDeleteTake care of yourself, Sandwich Gal!
Hi again ... Two blogs were one too many to manage so I let go of Living Boldly last year. Thanks for the visit!!
DeleteI was thinking "sandwich" generation before I read your words. I have been there. It is so hard. Sometimes there just isn't any time for yourself. You do get very tired. I used to babysit for my granddaughters before they started school. I miss them so much now. It was a special time. My mom has had 12 surgeries in 7 years (86) and is very demanding. I live 2 hours away. Take time for yourself. Sometimes I feel the little ones are therapy.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteLove me some chili, but I never use a recipe - - - I'm a "dumper."
Addi's little dress is darlin'
See you one week from TODAY at 6 pm and you know where!!!
Happy Face
Did you EVER think we would be THIS busy at THIS age? I didn't! I hear you-Addison is a doll but it is tiring to do it all day-every day. I am so sorry about your Mom. I was full time care-taker for my own Mom for about 3 years- it was NOT easy- Blessings to you- xo Diana
ReplyDeleteI have been there Cindy,take time for yourself and just love them and enjoy the time with them it will not last forever and you will miss them when they are not there.Blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteWhat a darling dress and precious valentine sweetheart!
ReplyDeleteThat chili looks SO good!
You do have a busy life but it's good to have many people and things to do in your life, keeps you young or so I 'm told.
ReplyDeleteThe dress is lovely and your granddaughter looks sweet in it.
Not so sure about the chili l like the taste but my tummy and chili don't like each other.
Merle.......
It is exhausting always doing for others, even those we adore and would do anything for can just wear us out. Adorable little dress. I wish I could sew like that. That chili sounds delicious. I love chili. Steve hates it. It took him almost 20 years of marriage to finally tell me he didn't like chili. Every winter I would make big pots and every winter he would choke it down, just because he loved me and didn't want to hurt my feelings. Looks like I'm going to have to visit you to get to enjoy a pot of chili again :)
ReplyDeleteYour little granddaughter is a beauty. I tried a new chili recipe last month and my husband told me to just make it the same way I always did. Nothing new for him. It had a liitle oregano ans basil in it. We have so much snow here that my husband had to shovel off our roof yesterday. How about you in Wisconsin?
ReplyDeleteI totally understand how you feel. (I work with children.) Your little granddaughter is a beautiful child, especially in that pretty little dress you made for her.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful job you did with Addison's dress! I'm looking at getting a new sewing machine for my birthday and already have some projects in mind. The problem is finding the time! My blog has taken a backseat lately as I have other things that take precedence over it right now.
ReplyDeleteI love making chili in my slow cooker. I am going to copy this recipe and try it the next time I make chili.
Hang in there Cindy. I'm sure once your weather starts getting warmer and the days get longer, everything will start looking brighter.
Hugs my friend! Eileen
Yum! That chili looks perfect for the day we are having today. Thank you for sharing this recipe. Addison is just a little doll. I can't imagine having a 2 yr old around so mucho of the time. I have had my 6 & 9 yr old granddaughters staying with us a lot since their brother was born, and it is exhausting, but they are MUCH easier than an active 2 yr old. You do have a lot going on, Cindy, and real life has to come first. Addison is so lucky to be able to build a strong relationship with you, After all of the years of taking care of us, our mothers deserve to be taken care of by us. I know it means so much to your mother that she has your help. When you are able to post, we'll all come see what's happening in your life, but leave time to take care of you. laurie
ReplyDeleteShe is adorable and you are quite the talented seamstress. My grandson is 3 1/2 now and what a difference...Twos are exhausting ! :) You DO have a sandwich going on yes...God Bless You! Alot of work for you
ReplyDeleteHi Cindy,
ReplyDeleteHow adorable your little Addison is, and the dress you made her is so sweet. My grand-daughter is 14.5 now so I can't make her any cute little dresses any more, so now I make her blankets and hats. They grow so fast.
I love, love your fireplace, the river rock is lovely I have always wanted a river rock fireplace. My parents had one and ever since seeing it, I have wanted one. Your wreath turned out so great and I do love the red checked ribbon.
Have a sweet day, Elizabeth