So Long Winter.

We went on our last ski trip of the year this past week. Its been a great way to actually enjoy winter and since learning how to ski last year, I haven't actually felt depressed at all when the snow hits & the flip flops migrate to unknown areas of the closet. I'm almost a little sad to see it go.....but then I think about summer & warm weather and going to Texas in a few weeks and I'm really not that sad haha! 

Anyway...I couldn't believe how beautiful the scenery was while we were on our trip. We got to see the last sunset before daylight savings & then the first sunrise after the change, so I feel like Spring is here. (I realise its not yet official, but the clocks changing totally makes it feel like its here)

Isn't God's creation beautiful? Hope your beginning to Spring has been awesome! 

Add some Spice.....Spicy Chili Recipe (Crockpot Style)

Well I am certainly not the greatest in the kitchen. I don't think I've ever made anything that A wasn't willing to eat, but there have been a couple of borderline meals when we first got married. Then about a year or two ago I tried out a crockpot. Several people had mentioned how easy they were to me when you are both out for the day and how they don't take a ton of prep time usually.

So I grabbed a little magazine style crockpot recipe book from the grocery store and threw the ingredients in to give it a try. You guys, I never looked back. 

In winter, I think I use that thing at least once a week if not more. And actually I just bought a 2nd one because I'm tired of waiting for us to transfer the contents and having to wash it thoroughly before I can use it again (Target has them for $20 + free shipping if you use your target redcard). I feel like I'm cheating every time I cook, which is awesome as I love having food that is made from scratch that tastes good. But I am not one of those types that finds cooking relaxing. I tend to spend a few hours on monday making meals for the entire week and then relaxing and enjoying them knowing I don't have to cook again for a whole week. 
(Yes, I am a meal planner complete with a little whiteboard)


So here's a little treat. I love this chili recipe in the winter. It is a little spicy, I adapted one of our other recipes & am not sure where I originally found it (oops!). 

1 lb ground beef
3 cans diced tomatoes (undrained) 
1 can Rotel
1 can pinto beans
1 can great northern beans
1 can black beans
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 tablespoons paprika
2 1/2 tablespoons chili powder

1. Brown beef in pan and drain off the grease. (You can add some onion in there too, I left it out as hubby isn't a huge fan)
2. Drain all the beans and add all ingredients to crock pot.
3. Cook high for 4 hours or on low for 6 hours.
4. Serve with cornbread or Ritz crackers, shredded sharp cheddar, or even sour cream if you like. 


Then enjoy an amazingly tasty meal & have your house smelling wonderful by the time 6pm rolls around. Win Win! 
What are your favorite crockpot meals???? I have SO many favorites! 

How our Christmas Week Started.

Merry Christmas Friends! 

Hope you had a great celebration and were able to take some time to step back and remember the hope we have in the birth of our Savior. 

We were blessed this year despite our change in plans which I shared about previously, just to spend time with our extended family and my sister & brother in law on Christmas day.

Today we also went with my hubby's cousins to watch the 2nd installment of the Hobbit.

God is good, even when plans change & things aren't as we thought they would be.

So.....in summary, we started Christmas week off with a ski trip. 

I can't believe this hottie chose me to spend winters with him for the rest of my life.

That Time I learned how to Ski.

Hey from the Winter Wonderland!

I wasn't planning on posting but my muscles are super sore from skiing today and my sweet hubby is still going cause he's just a superhero or something =)

So today I got on skis for the first time.

I've been snowboarding before, but never skiing.

Just so happens that the hubby's family all know how to ski as his dad was an instructor.

So A is really good not only at skiing/snowboarding but at teaching it to.

He stuck with me on the bunny hill as I warmed up and learned how to not cross my skis ;)

So I thought I would take a few moments on my wonderful trip away, to share with you the gorgeous views.

And share my thankfulness for some time to ourselves, enjoying being together, away from jobs and with limited distractions.

I realise this does mean I am using the WiFi. But since he is skiing, we felt it was ok.

The stunning hubby and I about to take my first ski down the real slope.

This was after practicing on the bunny hill for a while.

I did wipe out after this picture, but thankfully it wasn't terrible.

Well that's all from me for now.

Maybe some more updates on our amazing trip when I get home.

We have a Jacuzzi in our suite! Amazing for those sore muscles, I tell ya!

Much Love,

L