Week 15 Sunday (4/20/14)

Recipe Review                

Today’s Recipe and Location:  Simple, Perfect Chili

         Found in: The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl

                           Pages  82-83     Copyright:  2009  Harper Collins

I figured out that there are 473 calories per serving, if 6 servings are made. (Please note that the calorie counts vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients that you choose to use.)

Use a frito and add a little sour cream for true yumminess!

         This is not the chili you think it is, but more of a chili dip. If you add the beans in the optional ingredient list then it is the original type of chili. I made the one without the beans that you eat with Fritos.

         It was filling but I needed to add more zip next time. I underestimated how much of the hotter spices to add because it was the first time. I would add double the cayenne because that is what I craved. It is pretty high in calories when you add in the Fritos but so are all hors de oeuvres.

Trivial Triffles              

         The house I shared last week that displayed the sleds also has another wonderful collection. I was so distracted by the sleds that I didn’t noticed the collection of wheels leaning up against a barn. They are all unique.  What a fun way to decorate the outside of your rural property.

Memory Musings

         I worked for the Capt. Anderson for a year and half when Pam and Ken asked me to move to St. Pete Beach with the ship. I broke my lease, and found a new apartment in St. Petersburg. Ken Anderson told me that I could put all of my personal belongings on the ship so I didn’t have to rent a U-Haul.

         It was such an exciting time for me. I loaded up the first floor with my stuff and drove down to St. Pete in my orange Volkswagen. I remember that Pam and I were a little worried because there was a pretty rough storm in the Gulf at the time. And then just when we were imagining the worst, the Capt. Anderson came into view. As she neared the dock we noticed that a few windows on the first deck were broken out, but other than that, she looked okay.

         When we went on board a lot of my stuff was drenched but nothing was too bad.  I could wring out my mattress, but the rest was not high quality materials and could be repurchased. Of course, as a kid, I had no insurance.

         I can’t say that I loved living in St. Pete, but it was another experience that I am glad I had in my life. I will always greatly admire and respect the Anderson family. They were true friends to me and I like to think they still are today.