Sweet & Savory ~~ Painted Desert Chili

Painted Desert Chili will not disappoint even if you don't live in the desert!  It makes enough to almost feed Coxey's Army, so this is the perfect recipe for Sunday Dinner or your upcoming Super Bowl Party. Serve it with green-chile cornbread and butter. Double yummy!


QUART JAR INGREDIENTS:

• 2 Tbsp. dried onion flakes
• 2 Tbsp. taco seasoning
• 2 Tbsp. cumin
• 2 Tbsp. paprika
• 2 Tbsp. yellow cornmeal
• 2 Tbsp. taco seasoning
• 2 Tbsp. garlic powder
• 2 Tbsp. chili powder
• 2 Tbsp. dried parsley
• 1 cup dried pinto beans
• 1/4 cup small dried white beans
• 1/2 cup small dried black beans
• 1 cup dried kidney beans

ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS:

• 16-20 cups water
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 4 - 14.5 oz. cans diced tomatoes
• 1 - 12 oz. can tomato paste
• 1/2 cup cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 48 oz. tomato juice or V-8
• 2  lbs. ground beef

DIRECTIONS:

• Brown ground beef with diced onion in skillet.  Drain and add to 12 quart stock pot along with all other ingredients.
• Bring to a boil; simmer for 3-5 hours or until beans are fully cooked.
• You may need to experiment with the total amount of water you add to the recipe.  Some folks prefer a chili that sticks to the wall while others desire it with much more broth.  I happen to fall into the second camp.  In addition, if you have extra liquid, the cornbread can be added to the bowl of chili.
• The beans do not need to be soaked prior to cooking; however, it's a good idea to rinse them in a colander before adding to your stock pot.

Happy Dining, stay warm, & enjoy your chili!

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Poetry & Prose ~~ 'Tis The Reason For The Season

In the hustle and bustle of the season,

             have you stopped to consider the reason?

Why do we toil so everything will be first rate,

             waiting until December 25^th just to celebrate?

Is your heart stirred by the good food,

             tree or gifts,

The music, cards, and parties,

             or the opening of ski-lifts?

Do you long to meet with family and friends

            that you all love so dearly,

To reminisce of times long ago

            that you still remember clearly?

Perhaps the passing of loved ones

             makes you feel lonely and sad,

It’s hard to get through this time

            because you’re just not very glad.

Millenniums ago, the prophet Isaiah foretold,

            that the virgin would bear a son,

Born in Bethlehem, and called Immanuel,

            His advent was a most humble one.

This baby boy, better known as Jesus,

            came to die on the cross for our sin.

Until we repent and accept Him as Savior,

            there’s no way we will ever win.

Is Jesus knocking on the door of your heart,

            or have you already let Him in?

Are you wearing your robe of righteousness,

            or are you still living in your sin?

So take a moment, amidst your frantic pace

            to commune with the King of Kings.

For no one else can deliver joy and peace;

            none other gives the life He brings!

This poem is featured along with twenty-nine others in Volume One of Poetry Time which is available on Amazon or in my Etsy shop, BooksbySheilaEismann.

Happy Reading in Poetry's Presence, & Merry Christmas to you and yours!

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Poetry & Prose ~~ "Let Us Not Forget"

Let us not forget what Memorial Day is all about,

            And remember the men and women, who without a doubt

Gave of themselves to serve, many giving up their lives

            To defend our God given freedoms by their sacrifice.

Freedom is not free, it comes with  a very great cost

            By the many battles won and by some that have been lost.

Freedom is worth defending, something we do not want to lose.     

            Peace is what we long for in our present and in our future too.

So as we celebrate this day with family and friends,

            Remember those who fought for our liberties to the end.

Let us give thanks for those who served and paid the price,

            That we may enjoy our freedoms everyday of our lives.

Happy Reading in Poetry's Presence.

Submitted by Lesta of Heartsong Treasures.

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Poetry & Prose ~~ "Heaven's Delight"

                                            

Sounds and sights of Christmas are everywhere,

          While an array of joyous songs fill the air.

There are decorated cookies and delicious candy canes,

          As Christmas lights twinkle in frosted window panes.

Artfully wrapped presents under the Christmas tree,

          Await Christmas morning for children filled with glee.

The aroma of Christmas dinner fills the air with the fixings to enjoy,

          Our grateful hearts overflow with many reasons to rejoice.

Family, friends and loved ones all gather around,

          Sharing smiles and laughter as love abounds.

Christmas carols and holy Nativity scenes,

          Cause us to remember a Baby born, a Humble King.

Angels gave Glory to God, announcing the Savior’s birth,

          And shepherds heard their joyful praises filling the earth.

Wise men searched for the King following Bethlehem’s Star,

          Bearing gifts, bowing down in worship with all their hearts.

We may not know the exact day that our Savior was born,

          But that does not diminish the truth that He is our Lord.

God's love for all of us was placed on display,

          The Glory of God revealed to us on the first Christmas Day.

Heaven's Gift of Love came to dwell in our midst,

          We open wide our hearts and receive His precious gift.

He fills our hearts with His presence, glory and light,

          Emmanuel, God with us, Heaven’s delight.

Contributed by Lesta of Heartsong Treasures.    

Happy Reading in Poetry's Presence.

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Poetry & Prose ~~ "In Memory of You"

    

I can close my eyes

        and vividly see you.

It’s as if you’re forever

        plainly in view.

Your smile never fades

        nor the look in your eye.

The words you so often spoke

        still make me cry.

Your favorite food, activity, and song

        I can readily recall.

When we celebrated those

        we really had a ball.

Framed photos speak volumes

        and bring a smile to my face.

The trips down memory lane

        are filled with such grace.

I’ve stopped counting the time

         since you left this earth.

That exercise is too painful

        so I choose to divert.

All of our days were fashioned

        before one of them dawned.

In a fleeting moment

        it seems as if they’re gone.

My love for you

        will always remain true.

So I’m penning these words

        in memory of you.

        

               

Happy Reading in Poetry's Presence.

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