Italian Chili Photo Tutorial and Recipe

Today I am making a recipe given to me by my aunt's partner. The first time it was described to me, it sounded awful and unappealing. I was 18 when I moved in with them and I was introduced to different, yet tasty dishes. 

I started making this recipe myself when I was 20 and living alone in Germany (that is where I was stationed in the Army upon moving out).

Italian chili... 

Let me give you a quick run down of some of the ingredients:

Ground beef

Kidney beans

Tomato paste

Potatoes

Broken spaghetti (or fideo - as shown below)

Cinnamon 

I know, those last three (especially the last one) might have thrown you for a loop. Stick with me, I was there too and figured cinnamon would destroy any hint of this dish being delicious. 

Included is a photo essay of each step and I will try to explain the best I can. I don't have this written down, it is all in my head and my heart (sometimes I add more of one thing or less of another). 

Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons solidified bacon grease (or oil if you are against bacon grease... I literally only save it for this recipe and it makes a huge taste difference in my opinion) 

• 1 onion small chop

• Kosher salt

• 1 - 1.5# ground beef

• 1 6oz can tomato paste

• 3 Tablespoons ground cinnamon

• 3 medium russet potatoes (peeled and cubed)

• 2 15oz can kidney beans (undrained)

• 1 half cup fideo (or broken spaghetti pieces into 1 inch length)

First, we are going to prep ingredients. Chop the onion, then peel and cube the potatoes (placing them into a bowl and covered with cold water).

Empty both undrained kidney bean cans into a sauce pan and bring to a gentle simmer. This helps to soften the skins for later use.

Next we are going to place the bacon grease (or oil if you prefer) into a large pot with heat set to medium. I prefer nonstick for this dish personally. Once the fat you are using is hot, add the chopped onions and gently fry until translucent (but not browning). 

Now add the ground beef and a pinch of kosher salt. 

Brown ground beef until nearly all pink is gone. I just break it up with my wooden spoon and stir. 

Then I added some kosher salt.

At this point, add the tomato paste and fry longer.

You want the paste to combine fully with the meat/onion mixture and start to get color as shown in following photograph.

Now the weird part…. Adding all that cinnamon. 

Stir and continue cooking. The cinnamon will release it’s fragrance and help dry out the mixture slightly.

I turned down the heat and added ¼ c water while I got out my small food processor (used for beans) you can also use a blender but I didn’t want to hand wash mine. 

Then we add the potatoes after draining most of the water out of the bowl. Stir in and now we turn toward the beans.

The beans will be very hot so be careful. I actually burned myself tonight cooking this meal.

I blend the beans to remove the skins (the recipe calls for mashing the warmed beans through a metal sieve but I don’t have that type of time anymore, so I blend and strain through the sieve) 

You may notice the bean skins make it difficult for the bean goo to move through, so take the back of a large soup spoon and work it back and forth. 

Add a little bit of water (tablespoons as a time) if necessary to help it work through. It will be a pinkish purple substance that helps become the broth of this dish.

Mix it together and repeat until all beans are strained. Now cover and continue to simmer and stir to keep from sticking. 

We want the potatoes to start getting soft NOT mushy. 

The next step is completely up to you. You can cook the pasta in the pot and baby sit it (I always have issues with it sticking together) or cook it in a separate pot. I use the same pot as the beans, not rinsed since it is all combining anyway.

Once water boils, add pasta and stir while cooking to keep from sticking.

Once to your desired doneness, drain enough off top to come right below pasta and pour into large pot.

Stir and serve.

Included here is the PDF of this recipe too. 

Trials lead to unrealized prayers

The ups and downs of life that bring us joy and sorrow often distract us from what we really want or need to do. Chores, crafts, college, business ventures, illnesses, loss, starting a family, changing careers, reconnecting with friends or family... there are so many missed opportunities because of life throwing curveballs. 

But, imagine if those curveballs were the planned path from a higher power that you unknowingly resisted because you didn't realize it was what you were meant to do. 

Challenges, hardaches, loss and despair are never something we ask for yet we are still 'gifted' these things. Gifted. Yes they are gifts to allow us to grow in our own personal strength as well as our faith in God (for those whom follow a religion/belief).

Even if you are someone without any form of belief, as I was years ago, those moments where we grow and learn are invalueable. I will admit, I have never in my life been grateful for the challenge I am facing, in the moment of challenges.

I have been angry, hurt, confused, depressed, lost and broken.

I have wanted to (and actually have) run away from problems to avoid the suffering.

Heavenly Father knew I needed those trials and kept placing them in my path until I finally faced them.

I stopped running and stood up strong (sometimes hanging my head down too because it is hard) and dealt with the situation. 

Not only am I rewarded with strength developed, but I am also rewarded with a sense of accomplishment in myself as well as a stronger appreciation for Heavenly Father. I am the type of person who has always preferred to isolate from people because being around others or in crowded areas is very draining and creates higher levels of anxiety for me.


We moved nearly as year ago from NW Tennessee to sunny, hot, humid, sticky southern Georgia near Savannah. We tend to mind our own business, leaving our neighbors alone and hope they do the same (at least I do). Not because they are rude, on the contrary both neighbors are very nice. 

Yet, I was heartbroken leaving Tennessee because I had actually formed bonds with so many ladies in our ward at church. I knew I would never find friends to replace those wonderful friends that I had trusted and allowed into my life. They knew struggles I went through others would not know about or understand the suffering through those times.

Our first day at our new ward we were greetly by many friendly faces that were eager to know us. I was informed that one family was our neighbor (literally 2 doors away) and the wife was the Relief Society President. She was nice but obviously busy/rushed with something so we didn't chat much.

I honestly can't remember when it happened but our being acquaintances moved onto friendly neighbors... then we just became friends. I know my daughter (12) and her oldest (6) have bonded quickly and her son (4) adores my son (14). Her baby is almost 2 and just an adorable joy to be around for everyone. Eventually our interaction went from over the fence to into each others homes. I believe that in combination with serving each other and then serving others together helped our bond. Yet, when Covid forced churches to close and we were given authorization to have sacrament together and that really pushed our families to grow closer. (My husband was often away from home for work.)

Now we text daily, my daughter is their 'adopted' child and we often play board and card games together. We share meals, baked goods, recipes and now homeschooling information. We help with any other issues we feel the need to reach out to each other to discuss. I have not felt this kind of comfort and judgement free friendship from a friend for a very long time.

Being able to hear her say that I was an answer to her prayers for a friend made me feel as though I really was appreciated and loved. I have been her friend such a short time but it feels much longer. Both couples get along well. the kids all play together well  (even my angsty teenager) and I enjoying witnessing the friendship growing between the husbands since my husband keeps to himself often.

So after all the heartache, stress, trials and disappointments in life... you have to remember this one thing: they are leading you to and preparing you to recognize and appreciate blessings. For me, it is this friendship. 

Fish Lips Kisses

Among one of the most difficult knitting tasks I have attempted to undertake is the heel. I dabble with different heels from time to time but I still tend to gravitate toward the familiar, simple or tried and true patterns. That is why the afterthought heel has always been my go-to heel for the majority of my knitting years. Yet there was always a problem I dealt with using the afterthought heel – the same problem I ran into knitting socks cuff down…. the Kitchener stitch. I have tried sewn Kitchener stitch and knit Kitchener stitch, I have even attempted to go at it with a tiny steel crochet hook! Nothing gets the results I want!

Let us travel back a couple of years to December 2015. I had knit 22 complete pairs of socks that year, with pair 23 on the needles at the end of December. I was a sock knitting machine with a desperate need to find a new, easy heel that fit well and did not require me to carry around a pattern that I needed to constantly refer back to. I was introduced to the FLK heel, otherwise known as the Fish Lips Kiss heel (by Patty Joy aka the Sox Therapist) by a follower on Instagram but could not follow the instructions properly. The pattern is not difficult, I just did not understand the directions so I gave up on it.

Fast forward through a few failed attempts since that time – to last week. I decided to try it again and I figured it out successfully on the first try… WITHOUT a life line! (A life line is a strand of thinner yarn or thread you use to keep the row in tact that you started your heel at – or any other tricky technique- so you do not lose stitches when you have to rip it out – or unravel said stitches) Here is a video example of how to use a life line when knitting lace, a notoriously tricky technique to master.

I must share this completed heel and sock with you now because I am so thrilled and proud of overcoming this struggle over the past few years.

First completed FLK heel

Side view of completed heel

Opposite side of heel

Completed sock with FLK heel

Overdue Update

Hello readers!

It has been quite the gap between posts, with June 2016 being my last update. Before I update you with all of the happenings since that time, I must extend my appreciation to those who have continued to visit my blog (I love looking at the site statistics)

I went through a move from Wyoming to Tennessee, a divorce, a marriage and some inner reflection and self improvement. Please, do not worry about the divorce, it was a long time in the making and I was already through the stages mentally that a divorce can put us through.

I met my current husband through a mutual friend who I served in the Army with years ago. Her brother served with is friends with my husband. Through some online conversations, video chats and phone calls – we both fell for each other hard. I relocated to Tennessee (where he was living at the time) in the early summer of 2017 and this is where we still are – setting down our roots. I do miss Wyoming (it’s beauty, weather and people) but I am coming to peace with that loss.

Wyoming Sunset

Tennessee/Kentucky Sunset

In the late fall of 2017, we were married at my husband’s church. A couple of days later I was also baptized with my daughter into the church. (My son decided to be baptized a month before us, which was great because I felt he was able to make that decision without feeling like he was pressured to do it because mom was.) We are now members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints – more commonly known as Mormons – though we do not necessarily call ourselves that anymore. (That explanation can be written in a separate post all it’s own.)

February of last year, I decided to inquire if I still possessed educational benefits from my military service. Imagine my surprise and excitement when I received an envelope that informed me that I had enough time left to earn my associate’s degree with complete coverage from what I paid into the fund! I contacted a few colleges as well as the educational adviser on the local military base before coming to the decision to attend online college courses through Kaplan University – which was acquired by Purdue University and became Purdue University Global.

I am currently finishing my last week of the current term and I have maintained a 4.0 GPA from day one. I am scheduled to graduate in 13 months with a degree in Information Technology – Networking concentration. While it has been a challenge to maintain all of the aspects of my life now that it is much busier than when I lived in Wyoming, it is a testimony to myself what I am capable of under pressure.

Life doesn’t get in the way, the challenges that life throws up at us in what we perceive as inopportune times are just chances for us to grow and become stronger. Try not to look at those moments as a curse but rather a blessing for personal growth. I can do it, you can do it – we can all do it!

♦Nay-Nay♦

P.S. Here is a photo of our family this past holiday season during a casual photo-shoot opportunity at one of our church’s meetinghouses.

June already?!

Where has the year been going?  I swear it was just January, and now it’s already the 4th of June and summer break is underway!

My daughter’s recovery from her tonsil and adenoid removal surgery went well, aside from some severe pain a few days post op (we got her what she needed to be comfortable) everything else went perfect. She’s sleeping better and hasn’t been sick since *knock on wood*

February – May were pretty uneventful – just the normal routine. (I know, so boring!)

I have been busy with that little mitered square blanket, and I even took the task of changing the blanket from being a zigzagged edge to a straight edge in the middle of the project. It seems crazy, but it’s working out pretty well. I’m making a piece, which is quite large, to sew into the bottom of the blanket to even it out. I’ll post photos of the progress, but for now, it just looks like another blanket has been started.

It is making good progress, isn’t it?

I’ve finally finished two pairs of socks this year – I had a few pairs that were ruined by the cat (long story short, she used them to potty on)

I have been bitten by the spinning bug as well…. sort of! I made my own little drop spindle (thank you to Nancy’s blog here) for the super easy tutorial – and I ordered some roving this week from Knit Picks (some Stroll roving! — as well as some Bare Hare fingering because…. BUNNIES! I must make bunny yarn socks!)  I’ll also share that process on here.

Another blog that I love to follow is Chaos in the Country because her blog covers many topics of interest to me (knitting, cooking, parents, life in Alaska, etc) One day, I want to move to Alaska. I know that may sound crazy, but I’ve wanted that life for more years than I can count. It WILL happen… one day. Until that happens, I’ll live through interesting posts from others’ blogs.

Oh, and not to forget…
Planning (yup, with a paper planner and more stickers than I’d like to admit) is my less known obsession/hobby – and I’ve been using paper planners since around 1995, but I fell out of using them about 10 years ago because I couldn’t find one that I liked – in walked Erin Condren– I haven’t looked back since. It is great quality, colorful, fun, and sturdy. I love that you can choose from three layouts (vertical, horizontal and hourly) as well as the new option of a colorful or neutral inner page scheme…. plus endless cover and accessory options. It really has become an addiction! I did choose the vertical with the colorful layout with a platinum coil. If you are in the market for a paper planner, I would highly suggest using a Life Planner – they are my favorite and so beautiful (did I mention they are made to order as well?!)  There are too many features to show on this entry but I will share my planner in a separate post when it comes in the mail and compare it to the last version. If you click on the link above, you just need to sign up and you will be sent a code to save $10 off of your first purchase – even if you don’t purchase a planner, but something else on the site. It’s worth a look around for other items too (notebooks, pens, acrylic containers or trays, stationary, etc and it’s nearly all customizable!) Below you see the current cover I’m using (unfortunately it is no longer offered) where I added all my favorite memories from Doctor Who.

Now that school is out for summer (and the kids are starting summer school) I have much more time to post, as I’ll be writing drafts on my phone as well   I miss blogging and the connection with my followers from my old blog.

Mitered Square Blanket

Knitting a blanket?! I swore I’d never attempt this feat because, well, I’m lazy when it comes to knitting. I rather NOT have many ends to darn and I want a quick project to finish for that wonderful feeling of instant gratification.

Yet, I find myself becoming more obsessed with this project. Allowing myself time to commit to a few other projects and working on this one between was difficult but now it’s working out pretty well (honestly, it’s only because I’m scheduling it in my planner – yes, I’m one of those people)

I don’t have many photos to share so far, but I have over 60 squares completed and attached! Here is what I last photographed (there are currently more squares though) I won’t pull this out again until Friday because I have other projects scheduled each day these week.

Here is a close up as I worked on it:

I’ve agreed to take part in a little yarn swap designed particularly for these types of blankets: Mini Skein Swap. I’m only going to this with individuals instead of the more organized/large group swaps. I’ve done a crocheted square swap in the past (a few years ago) and I was disappointed to see some women who didn’t send anything out and didn’t answer emails but they would still update their social media accounts and list on Etsy.

I do plan on sharing the gorgeous swaps I receive because you never know if there is an undiscovered yarn that other people haven’t heard of or seen before. I am also interested in the yarn other people use. I plan on sending a variety of my scraps as well.

I will be posting later this week (Friday) photos of all of my current projects. I felt a quick update was necessary since I didn’t get to post in over a week (my daughter had her tonsils and adenoids removed, so I’ve been busy taking care of her)