Succotash Chili

I know it sounds really weird but don’t say yuck till you have tried it.

1 pound of stew meat

1 large can of stewed tomatoes, do not drain, pour the juice in the pan as your cooking liquid.

1 can of black olives, drained

1 pound frozen white corn

10 ounces frozen Lima Beans

1 Tablespoon chili powder

¼ teaspoon of salt and pepper

¼ cup chopped onion

Brown the stew meat, with the salt and pepper. Add the onions when meat is almost browned. Cook the onions until translucent. Add the rest of the ingredients and bring to a boil. Turn down the temperature and simmer on low for 3 hours. Adjust the seasoning to your preferances. Serve with corn bread.

Sheri's Chicken Salad

Ok it is time for another recipe this has been a summer time favorite for years. I know it seems like an odd combo of ingredients but please trust me on this one. This is also a good recipe to get the kids in the kitchen with.


Sheri’s Chicken Salad

3 cups of chicken diced.

3 stalks of celery diced

1 large tart apple diced (think granny smith or pippin)

½ cup raw pecans chopped coarsely

½ cup of dried cherries sliced in half

Mayonnaise to just hold salad together or slightly more if you want to make sandwiches

Salt and white pepper to taste

Place first 5 ingredients in a large bowl and toss. Add ¼ cup of mayonnaise and toss, you can always add more mayonnaise if you would like but once it is in the bowl you can’t undo it so add the mayonnaise slowly. When you have the constancy of the salad right it is time to take a taste and see if you need the salt and pepper. I usually start off with the pepper and end up skipping the salt. Remember to use a clean spoon for each taste test.

Cover and place in the fridge to chill well. We like to server this on a bed of romaine hearts for a salad. This is one of those nice hot weather meals that can be made the day before for a party or in the morning so dinner is ready when you come home.

For a faster clean up I use 2 dinner plates to do the chopping. One plate for the meat and one plate for everything else. I also use a separate knife for the meat and non meat items. When done just throw or gently place all the chopping items in the dishwasher.

For a milder flavor I use white pepper and it tastes much better when it is freshly ground.

I have not made this as a vegetarian dish but you may be able to replace the chicken with baked tofu.

Sewing for Eric

Today was a day of sewing things for Eric’s room. I made 3 sets of bumper pads and up-cycled a set of curtains that we had decided not to use on the windows to make some pillows that would be used daily instead. I used the surger for all the projects even the pillows. For the pillows I made a pocket pillow that Eric could not get into but would allow me to change in core pillow when necessary without ripping out a seam in the pillow.

With all that I made Eric today he was busy signing more and picking up his bib to show me what he wanted. He must think that he has a personal seamstress at his beck and call. Oh that right he does, it’s me.

I will show you and out of focus pillow and then head off to sleep. With the grace of G’D I will not be up until 4am again tonight.

So have a great evening and enjoy your families.

These are the fabric colors of the bumper pads. Nice bright and cheery.

Just a Short Post

Our holiday company is all safely back at home. They even manage to get through last Sunday’s earthquake on the drive home with only a few bumps along the way. The house is back to clean. Knitting has commenced again. Sewing is soon to follow. I think the washing machine and dryer are talking to me again after running them for almost 24 hours straight after company left.


I would like to wish my Mom a Happy Anniversary of her 39th Birthday; she is ageless just like the great Jack Benny who never got older than 39; himself. Just like when I was a kid I sent her a handmade gift this year. I really hope that she likes it.

This post won’t be long today, Eric had his 4th bad night in a row and my hands took the brunt of his not feeling good last night.

Have a great day and enjoy your families.

My First Sale of the Year

I am a little over the rainbow today. I had my first ArtFire sale of the year. I have also added 4 new pieces that would be great for birthdays or mothers day..don't worry all I listed today was jewelry. Yarn shop owners can contact me. I will give a bulk discount for 12 or more sets of stitch markers.

Have a great day and enjoy your families

Spring in the Desert

This is one of the first signs of spring in the desert. I just love cactus flowers.

Please enjoy this 1st sign of spring with me.

Have a great day and enjoy your families

A Day With My Niece and Nephew

Well today we had a full day with my little sisters kids ages 6 and 8, I don’t remember clearly when my kids were that small, but certainly they did not run around like this. I tried to teach the 8 year old how to knit; with time I think she is going to be a good knitter. The 6 year old I tried on the knitting spool, which did not go as well.


After an all too brief rest we headed to Build A Bear workshop and Eric and his cousins all made new friends and got to pick out new clothes for them a good time was had by all. It is almost bed time and I hope for a good night’s sleep tonight.

More adventures with the kids tomorrow. Have a great evening and enjoy your families.