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HELEN’s Award Winning Chili

HELEN’s Award Winning Chili

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons bacon fat
1 large red onion, diced
1 medium red bell pepper, diced
1 medium yellow bell pepper, diced

2 jalapenos
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 pound lean ground beef
8 ounces Italian sausage, casing removed
1/4 cup chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon dried oregano
One 6-ounce can tomato paste
One 12-ounce bottle beer (IPA – use good stuff)
Three 14-ounce can fire roasted diced tomatoes
One 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
One 15-ounce can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
One 15-ounce can pinto beans, drained and rinsed

Directions

Add the bacon fat to a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the onions and peppers and saute until soft, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and saute until just fragrant. Stir in the beef and sausage, breaking it up with the back of a wooden spoon, and cook until browned. Drain the beef mixture through a colander placed over a large bowl. Add the meat back to the Dutch oven and stir in the chili powder, cumin and oregano. Cook for about 2 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste into the beef; this will “toast” it and give the chili more flavor. Add the beer and stir up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Bring to a simmer, and then add the diced tomatoes and beans. Simmer on medium-low for 2 hours, stirring on occasion to keep the bottom from sticking.

Top with shredded cheese, sour cream and chopped green onions before serving.

mmmmmmm CHILI!!!!!

Snow Storm! Hot dog pizza, Making Chili for cook off

FRIDAY 3/8/13

We had an unexpected SNOW STORM overnight!!
As you can see, Chester was quite happy about it!
Stopped here to pick up pizza for dinner.http://www.auggiespizza.com/

I was making my Chili for tomorrow’s cook off
& needed something easy for dinner
(that would go with red wine too)
– so pizza it was!

The girls at the pizza shop were decorating cakes.
They were pretty cool – this girl was actually
painting a face on the cake.
Next time I go I’ll get the scoop on the fancy cakes.
I got this pizza called the Auggie Doggie –
comes with shaved Kobe beef hotdogs,
leek Dijon fondue, caramelized onions,
Mozzarella & Cheddar cheese.
Pretty tasty!
I opened this bottle of Pinot Noir & would
HIGHLY recommend it. This wine
DOES NOT disappoint!!
This Carmenere was pretty tasty & would
not be afraid to recommend it as well.
This wine WAS a disappointment.
Do not buy this one!
In fact – I ended up making Sangria with it…..
Another present for Danielle – I’ll let her open it
& we can see what surprises the box hold.
(thanks Jes!)
Prep for making Chili!!!I have all kinds of secrets – maybe I’ll share my recipe?
mmmmm Chili – hoping it wins the Cook Off.I never made Chili from this recipe & I made
some changes – I hope it all turns out GOOD!
Sara, friend Kate, Helen & MBA couple of the neighbors came over to “help”
make the chili… and drink red wine and Sangria
and Prosecco topped with St Germain Liqueur….

Neighbor Deb was over earlier & escaped
before we got a little (a lot) crazy.

GOD HAD TO BE FAIR!
friends often ask – what time did the party end?
What time did you get home??
I NEVER know – so THIS time I just took a picture.12:55 a.m. was when the pizza eating, wine, sangria, prosecco drinking and chili making ended…..
DO WHAT YOU CAN************************
“Some people want it to happen,
some wish it would happen,
others make it happen.”

– Michael Jordan

************************

 

remember you can ALWAYS see Picture of the Day here:
https://whatwouldhelendo.com/

feel free to Share 🙂

3/7/13 Wine, Beer, Babies, Concierge Service………..

Love the name iDiehl Wines!

On Mar 7, 2013, at 10:40 PM, helcha8 wrote:

3/7/13

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We started carrying this new wine today,
well, new to us.
I’ll let you know how it is when I try it.
I liked the YELLOW label!

Roman – need any??

<IMG_8162.JPG>
WHITE MONKEY by Victory

We also got this beer in our store today.
It is AWFUL. Don’t buy it, really.

Here is a review of it:

Finish is lightly to moderately sweet, lightly acidic, lightly to moderately bitter, unclean. Medium to full body, velvety/syrupy texture, lively carbonation,
moderately alcoholic. Wow…so, so bad.
Nose is an embarrassing mix of flaws.
A total drain pour.

<IMG_8163.JPG>
Presents for baby Danielle
have been arriving daily at our house .
<IMG_8163A.jpg>
Danny & Rachael’s pup IZZY watching over
her “sister” baby Danielle.
<IMG_8164.JPG>
we got a couple cards congratulating
us on our new grand baby
<IMG_8164A.JPG>
and a grandparent card too!
<IMG_8165.JPG>
Concierge Services at your call.

Let me know what you need.

How does iDiehl Wines sound for a business name?

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Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude
<IMG_8173.JPG>
Transportation = Leap of Faith!

*******************************

“If you are working on something exciting that you really care about, you don’t have to be pushed. The vision pulls you.“
Steve Jobs

************************************

vision
Vision is the ability to think ahead with imagination or wisdom.

3/7/13 Wine, Beer, Babies, Concierge Service………..

3/7/13

We started carrying this new wine today,
well, new to us.
I’ll let you know how it is when I try it.
I liked the YELLOW label!

Roman – need any??

WHITE MONKEY by Victory

We also got this beer in our store today.
It is AWFUL. Don’t buy it, really.

Here is a review of it:

Finish is lightly to moderately sweet, lightly acidic, lightly to moderately bitter, unclean. Medium to full body, velvety/syrupy texture, lively carbonation,
moderately alcoholic. Wow…so, so bad.
Nose is an embarrassing mix of flaws.
A total drain pour.

Presents for baby Danielle
have been arriving daily at our house .

Danny & Rachael’s pup IZZY watching over
her “sister” baby Danielle.

we got a couple cards congratulating
us on our new grand baby

and a grandparent card too!

Concierge Services at your call.

Let me know what you need.

How does iDiehl Wines sound for a business name?

Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude

Transportation = Leap of Faith!

*******************************

“If you are working on something exciting that you really care about, you don’t have to be pushed. The vision pulls you.“
Steve Jobs

************************************

vision
Vision is the ability to think ahead with imagination or wisdom.

Wednesday March 6th 2013 Philadelphia Flower Show & Wine Event

Wednesday March 6th 2013

Happy Birthday to
friend Shannon who lives in Arizona!

Today I was working a wine event at the
Philadelphia Flower show.
I got to look around a little before starting work.

http://theflowershow.com/

The 2013 Flower Show glows with the majestic beauty and creative genius of Great Britain, and is inspired by centuries of British culture, culminating in the urbane design of modern-day London.

Of course, I take pictures of ANIMALS
while at the Flower Show!

Puffin Picture (for Deb)

Buddha Garden Monkeys (for Michael!)

I love this sitting area – need one like this!

A garden gate which reminded me of brother Raymond’s artwork. For all I know he may have made this!
I heard he had some pieces in the show.

The Power of Poop was an interesting exhibit.

I particularly liked this seminar –
it was about Backyard Birding.

I won this bird at the seminar – a sap sucker.
Do you want it?

Now it was time to work!

The wine event was quite busy.
When wine is FREE people flock like bees to a hive.

My cute neighbor.
He was an importer with Fred Magnotta.

http://www.fredmagnotta.com/

He was pouring an EXCEPTIONAL wine.
If you can find it – buy it!!!

in the event you want to order it
form a PA Liquor store here are the details:

  • PLCB Code: 38292
  • Description:

Contratto For England Brut Rose 2007

The year of dreams coming true….

***********************************

“A garden isn’t meant to be useful.
It’s for joy.

Rumer Godden

3/5/13 Tuesday gym, truffles, baby Danielle, CHILI, Pliny the Younger

3/5/13 Tuesday

Waiting for class to get going –
it’s worth the wait, really.
ever make fried pasta with truffles?
I have……
had the chance to visit Baby Danielle today.
I’m working the next few days so I figured I better
go before she gets all grown up…
She was good then she cried & I gave her
back to Rachael… isn’t that what you’re
supposed to do??
Wonder what Danielle’s USERNAME will be??
brother Ray wrote this the other night when
we were up visiting. Good Job Rachael (& Danny!).
gathering ingredients to make CHILI for a
Chili cook off this weekend.
My recipe will win – no one else need
even to bother entering!!!
I have THIS — the “secret ingredients”
Raymond knows what they are – but if he
tells you I will have to kill him.There’s another secret ingredient besides this one,
not pictured.
There was a Special Event at the Iron Abbey.
They were taping the highly sought after &
limited Russian River Pliny the Younger IPA. 
I opted for this line up:Founder’s Breakfast Stout
Bell’s Two Hearted
Southern Tier IPA
Port Brewing Midnight Express
See the guy with the camera?
We were kidding he was from Google Earth!He was videotaping the “show” —
It was so very crowded & they only had 2 bartenders.
Such poor planning!
Lined up to get Pliny the Younger.You had to email them to get your name on the list.
There weren’t many winners for this one.
But friend Jim was one 🙂
Pliny the YoungerPub draft only, VERY limited distribution.

it is extremely difficult, time and space consuming, and very expensive to make. This beer is very full-bodied with tons of hop character in the nose and throughout. It is also deceptively well-balanced and smooth.

Jim – why don’t you make it???

Good til the last drop!!!
If you have a rescue dog here is a chance to tell their story!I signed up to tell Chester Rose ButtSniffer’s story!

http://maddieonthings.com/post/44707862507/www-whywerescue-com-hey-i-want-to-tell-your

*******************************

Your life is for spending.
Your life should not be reserved
for something great “one day”
in the distant future.
Your life should be spent today.

~Chris Guillebeau

Monday March 4th 2013 It’s a GIRL! Danielle Rae has arrived :)

A baby will make love stronger, days shorter,
nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier,
clothes shabbier, the past forgotten,
and the future worth living for.

*************************

Monday March 4th 2013

We have a new family member!!
Danielle Rae 🙂

Mom Rachael with Danielle – about 30 minutes old!

baby Danielle Rae 02

Aunt Aunt Pat

Daddy Danny Diehl

Mom Mom with Danielle 12

Baby Blog!

Gray Ray (uncle ray) visiting with Danielle

Later – Ray & I were celebrating our
new baby niece with a bottle of Sparkling Vouvray

Raymond with a cigar & sparkling wine

*******************************
CONGRATUALTIONS &
Good luck Danny & Rachael
AND baby Danielle!!