Relax & Rewind

Could NOT have been a more perfect weekend :) Don't you just need those sometimes?  The type of weekend where you REFUSE to make a plan with anyone.  You REFUSE to be held accountable to be anywhere at a specific time.  You just need to wake up when you wake up.  You just need to eat...when you're hungry :)   Most of my weekends used to be like that.  I miss the feeling of waking up and thinking "hmmm...what shall I do today??".  I'm trying to get back to that!

~~~ Friday ~~~

Friday TEN and I stayed in.  The TV never even came on!  All evening long we enjoyed wine, made a fire in the fireplace and talked.  It was bliss!

We tried to put Louis into his Halloween costume, and we came to a realization.  HE HATES IT :( 

Whatever are we going to do?  He cried, and struggled and just did not like this Yoda costume one bit.  After a few unsuccessful attempts at getting him into it, he threw himself down in front of the fire...and sighed deeply.

The good news is, that was the most excitement we had on Friday evening :)

~~~ Saturday ~~~

Saturday we woke up late and I made breakfast.  As simple as that sounds, it rarely happens at Seersucker Central.  There is never time.  We're always rushing off somewhere :(  Eggs, turkey bacon and Weight Watchers bagels were on the menu.  Mmmmm.....

We spent the day doing small chores (I have a new brass kick plate on my door - thank you TEN!!!), and then we ventured down to the corner wine shop for their open house.  They had chili in a crock pot, and a wine tasting that we eagerly participated in!

After that, it was back to the house to watch a bit of football. 

And then.....

It was time for the Smalltown, VA Ghost Tour!!

I learned quite a few things about Smalltown, VA on the tour...and most exciting was our visit to a little known cemetery.  Spoooooky!

Here are some of my favorite pictures...

(that little box is a bell box.  when the Spanish Influenza struck...people were often thought to be dead, and they were buried.  only to wake up in their grave!!  bell boxes were installed, with a string tied to the person's wrist, in case they awoke and needed to be rescued. YIKES)

After the tour we met up with a few friends downtown, and were in bed by 11pm :) 

~~~ Sunday ~~~

Sunday we ran a few more errands, and I made Gina's Crock Pot Chicken Taco Chili.  I HIGHLY recommend this recipe, as it was absolutely delish!  Daisy came over to join TEN and I for dinner, and we all scarfed down our meals :)

Here are the "stats" for the chili:

Servings: 10 • Size: 1 1/4 cups • Old Points: 3 pts • Points+: 5 pts

Calories: 203.7 • Fat: 1.4 g • Carb: 33.3 g • Fiber: 10.0 g • Protein: 16.9 g



It's funny how much my taste has changed, and how much I like spicy things now.  We ate those stuffed peppers the other night, and although they were good....they really could have used some SPICE!  I was sure to make this recipe as spicy as possible.  I've made a few notations on the recipe (in red) to tell you what I changed to make it a bit "hotter". 

• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 16-oz can black beans
• 1 16-oz can kidney beans
• 1 8-oz can tomato sauce
• 10 oz package frozen corn kernels
• 2 14.5-oz cans diced tomatoes w/chilies
• 1 packet taco seasoning  (I used the "hot and spicy" Old El Paso seasoning)
• 1 tbsp cumin
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 24 oz (3-4) boneless skinless chicken breasts
• chili peppers, chopped (optional)  (I used 3 cayenne peppers from my garden)
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Top with fresh cilantro. Also try it with low fat cheese and sour cream (extra points). 
 
We definitely loaded up on the cheese and sour cream, and I made long grained white rice to serve the chili on.  I don't think you need to serve it on the rice at all, and probably wouldn't the next time. 
 

I'm rested and ready to face the week, which is a good thing because It's a busy one.  AND...we're going to another wedding this weekend :)

Happy Monday!

T