Showing posts with label photography. Show all posts
Showing posts with label photography. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

on the table....vegetable chili

When it is negative 25 degrees outside (with the wind chill) it's a good day for chili!  I learned how to make this chili from my older sister.  She came to my house when I was pregnant with bean number one and we made a giant pot.  This chili freezes fantastically so there is always some in the freezer.




Veggie Chili...
~2 cans of black beans
~2 cans of kidney beans
~1 bag of frozen corn
~2 red peppers
~2 green peppers
~3 green onions 
~1 small yellow onion
~2 jalapeƱos
~chili powder
~a pound and a half of ground turkey (or you can use beef)
~45 oz of caned diced tomatoes
~45 oz of canned tomato puree 

The first thing I do is pour all of the tomatoes in a big pot.  Next I slice up all the veggies (except the yellow onion) and heat the corn up in the microwave.  Make sure when you're chopping those jalapeƱos that you don't get any seeds in the mix!  Dump all the veggies in with your tomatoes and don't forget the beans.  Then slice up your yellow onion.  Add some olive oil to your pan and throw in your onions.  When the onions are looking a little colorful add your meat and season with chili powder.  Last pour your meat into the pot.  Cook your chili on low for 3-4 hours and there you have it!  


My sister, as some of you may know, is a photographer.  Her ability to capture the essence and beauty of the world around her is quite extraordinary.  








Can you tell I'm proud of her!?!  


And with the brutal cold outside today I reworked the mantle after taking all the Christmas decorations down.  I left the vintage candle sticks but added some jars of pinecones and some old books.



And then came a bit of lounging in the kitchen.  The beans love to cook with me so this a typical scene.




 End of the night fire with cookies and all is good. 


Stay warm friends and a happy week to you!  


Friday, February 1, 2013

a THANK YOU and a WINNER

THANK YOU!

I wanted to start off by saying that this ride has been awesome!  For everyone that pops by or follows me, thank you!  You are all top notch talents with amazing creative skills and I feel honored to be a part of this journey with you!  Your comments lift my day and push me to raise my own creative bar.  A final thank you goes out to Vicki from 2 Bags Full for organizing this amazing party! Vicki, you rock!  I'm so excited for what lies ahead!

Thanks for coming along for the ride!

 via-Gardening in Heels {original source unknown}


WINNER!
We have a winner in the Garden Diaries giveaway! {No joke that I wish I could send everyone a little something!  Think it's the teacher in me!} 



The person going home with this outstanding print from the talented Elizabeth Guzaldo is......







Sandy from French Laundry 132!

Congrats to you lady and thanks again to everyone who came by!  Maybe we will do one of these again so we can spread some more love!  Peace!








Friday, January 18, 2013

My Garden Diaries Giveaway!

Welcome to My Garden Diaries!  I'm glad you popped by! My name is Nicole and I am an artist with a love for the garden and design.

As I was thinking about how to describe my blog for the Grow Your Blog Party at 2 Bags Full, I got some insight from my 3 year old.  My daughter said to me today, "Mom, I like fancy things and not so fancy things."  I chuckled and proceeded to tell her how wonderful it is that she likes all kinds of different things!!

I like to think of my blog as a collection of all of the many passions that inspire me to create.  My Garden Diaries is a mix of gardening, design, art, dIY projects and the list goes on!  Though I started this blog journey in 2011, it wasn't until the summer of 2012 that I committed myself to the process.  Since then, I can honestly say that it has been a beautiful experience.  Being a part of the blogging community has fueled my creativity and inspired me to do more!  And I'm just getting started! 

 



So there you have it!

I want to thank Vicki at 2 Bags Full for hosting the party and for giving us all this opportunity.
 I'm excited to not just GROW my blog, but to make connections, learn, and get inspired!


The GiveAway
The giveaway is near and dear to my heart.  I couldn't think of anything better to giveaway than a  stunning print from my sister Elizabeth's collection. 


A word from the artist...
This print is part of a collection called Dormant.  While I appreciate the hope and renewal of the greens and blooms in spring and summer, I have found an understated silent beauty in these sleepy plants doing important work and I hope you will too.


This print has been professionally printed (12x12), is in a shadow-box frame (20 1/2x 20 1/2) and is the 3rd of 100 prints. 

To Enter
Anyone can enter! And that means ANYONE!

This is the easy part....Just leave a comment on this post and
 your name will be entered in the Giveaway. That's it!

The giveaway will close January 31st and the winner will be announced February 1st right here on my blog.  Your print will ship as soon as I receive your address.  

So get those comments rocking and I hope you'll come along for the ride! 












Thursday, September 20, 2012