Keeping Warm & Turkey Chili

It has been cold here in Northern California.  I laugh as I type this, knowing very well that cold for us is a high of 58 during the day and low 40's at night, but still, for us, it's down right chilly.  For many of you across the country, temps are below freezing!  I have really never experienced this type of weather, but I imagine a nice warm meal must be something you crave when the weather is like this. So, today I'm sharing an oldie, but goodie here on the blog.  My Turkey Chili recipe. 









Ingredients:
1 lb of lean ground turkey
1 can of black beans drained and rinsed
1 can of kidney beans drained and rinsed
2 cans of fire roasted diced tomatoes
1 onion diced
2 cloves minced garlic
1 pkg of taco seasoning (I like Trader Joe's brand)
1 pkg of ranch seasoning mix
olive oil
salt & pepper to taste

Suggested garnish toppings:
sour cream
cilantro
tortilla chips
cheddar cheese

Directions:

You can make this chili two ways, throw all the ingredients into a slow cooker and let it cook on medium all day, or if you get home from work and need to make something relatively quickly, the directions below will work just as well.

Brown turkey in a heavy bottom pot (such as a dutch oven) over medium heat with a little olive oil in the pan. Once the turkey begins to brown add the onions and garlic. Cook until the turkey is nearly cooked though, then add the taco seasoning and mix well. Add the tomatoes, beans and ranch seasoning. Simmer on medium heat for about 30 minutes to allow all the flavors to meld together. Serve in large bowls and garnish with your choice of suggested toppings.

Whether you choose the slow cooker method or the stove top method, I promise this will warm you right up and is the perfect comfort food for a cold winter day!

Side of Brussels? Yes, Please!

Did I lose you already?  I hope not.  It's true, I'm one of those people who loves brussels sprouts.  But, only when they are cooked right.  Do not boil or steam them, friends!  They stick and are watery and mushy and just gross!

Here's how to cook them so they are delicious!

Did ya get all that?  No, well let me summarize it really quick.  Cut your clean brussels in half length wise.  Add a few tablespoons of olive oil to a cast iron pan and place the cut side down until the entire pan is covered.  Sprinkle with a little more olive oil, a little granulated garlic and some salt and pepper.  Heat the pan on medium high heat until they begin to brown, then transfer to a 425 degree oven for about 15 minutes.  When you pull them out drizzle a little balsamic glaze or reduction over them and enjoy!

I promise, you'll never be disappointed in your brussels again!

Letter From A Stay At Home Mom

It's been a while since I've published a new blog post.  Between mommin' three kids, serving on the PTC board, running a house hold and occasionally showering (that's a joke!) I've barely had time to sit, let alone write.  These days I find the quick snap of a picture and a small caption on Instagram (@lilyseclaires) to be much more doable than a full blog post, but I really had something to say today, and I didn't want to edit it down to four lines...

So, here goes-

Dear Working Mom,

I do not judge you for working and being a mother.  I support your choice.  Actually, you may not even have a choice, it may just be a necessity.  But, I support you.  I'm happy for you.  But, when you think of me, and what I do, can I just say a few little things?

Please, don't assume that me staying home means that I sit on my sofa all day and watch HGTV and Food Network.  I would love to do that, really, but in actuality, I haven't turned on the tv during the day one time this entire school year for myself.  The only daytime tv that happens here is Daniel Tiger. 

I may not get a paycheck, but my job is still important.  In fact, the things I am able to do by not working outside the home actually help your child quite a bit.  The choir classes that your kids attends twice a week happen because I'm able to help with the fundraising.  The Fall Family Festival, that you all attended in October that was so fun?  That happened because several stay at home moms worked their rear ends off to make it happen.  The book fair that you shopped at?  The field trip that was so fun?  The dance a thon?  None of that would be possible without people like us.

Remember that day grandma forgot to pick your son up from school?  I was there and texted you that he was with me and everything was fine.  When you had to go in early and needed some helping getting him to school on time?  Yep, I got this, no problem!

In actuality, my day is spent cleaning, prepping food for my little people, doing laundry, volunteering my time at school...  Twice a week my daughter has in home therapy for developmental delays.  With three kids there is hardly a week that goes by that we don't have a visit to the pediatrician's office. 

I'm not asking for a thank you or even any recognition.  But please, may I just ask, could you not say "I'd kill myself if I had to be a stay at home mom."  or "I could never do that, I'd be so bored."

I assure you, I am in no way bored. 

Again, I don't judge you.  All I'm asking is that you show me the same kindness.


Signed,

A Stay At Home Mom

Living Room Updates

My home is always a work in progress. Sound familiar? My to do list is never done, I’ve always got “one more” project I’m adding, and I have “that room” too. You know what I mean, right? The guest room that ends up being the room you stick everything you’re not sure where to put but can’t toss?

Life, right? So big changes have happened in here since I last did a home decor update on the blog, and I thought I’d take a second to share them with you today! Do you see that gorgeous fireplace mantel? A good friend from our neighborhood was moving recently and didn’t need it in her new house so she gave it to me! Best part? Her husband came and installed it also!! I can’t tell you how excited I am about this mantle. I’m already shopping for stockings and picturing Christmas decor. For now she’s all prettied up for fall.

Next update?? New area rug! I loved the cream one we had before, but with pets and 3 little kids, I just couldn’t seem to keep it clean. Even after vacuuming I’d find bits of goldfish crackers lingering in the deep shag. So, I finally bit the bullet and bought a new rug.

Traditionally I love wool. But, this time I really wanted something super soft and cozy that doesn’t shed and had a flat pile. I looked online at lots of rugs, but I am a visual and sensory person and really wanted to feel my options. I ended up choosing this one from IKEA, which surprised me because I thought I’d go with the Pottery Barn option. But, when I felt this one I knew it would be the perfect rug for Camille to sit on during speech therapy, cozy enough for movie nights with pillows and blankets, and easy to clean.

That’s all for the big updates to this space, but be sure to stop by later in the week for a few updates I made in Camille’s bedroom!

Two Easy Kitchen Updates

Hey friends!  Today I'm sharing two of my favorite cheap design ideas that make a huge impact on kitchen spaces! 

I originally undertook this countertop makeover project in November of 2016.  At the time I was about 7 months pregnant with Camille and I was soooo tired of looking at the ugly blue formica counters we had been living with for years.  I found some cheap granite looking contact paper at Walmart on clearance for about $3 a roll and decided to cover my countertops with it.  The result was clearly soooo much better!  And, it lasted over a year, making that the best $10 I have ever spent!  But, the paper was not very thick, and with the every day use a kitchen gets, it started to peel and get a bit worn through in spots.  So, a few months ago I decided to redo the countertops in fresh contact paper.

The paper I chose this time was a little thicker and actually has a bit of texture to it.  I love the neutral color and it actually went on a little easier because the thicker paper didn't stretch as much.  I also found I didn't make as many mistakes this time. Not sure if that's because of the paper or if I just got better with practice.  Below are a few pictures of the first round with contact paper.

And here are the ugly counters with nothing on them...

So much better after, right??



Then, several months after the new contact paper went down, I started thinking about a back splash...

I found these peel and stick tiles on Amazon.  They were $42.97 cents for 10 tiles and they made a huge impact!  They are really easy to put up, but a little tricky around the outlets.  Make sure you have a very sharp utility knife if you give this a go!  Other than that, the directions were great, and this took about an hour to do.  I love the outcome and I feel so much happier spending time in this room now!



I hope these small changes inspire you to make a change if you are living in a space you don't love!

Meatballs & Creamy Curry Sauce

This is one of my favorite 30 minute meals.  Meatballs are so versatile and are one of my favorite comfort foods.  I cheat in order to make this a 30 minute meal and use the turkey meatballs from Trader Joe's.  They are really tasty, but by all means, if you have the time and patience, make your own! 

Curry Sauce (serves 6)
3/4 cup onion finely diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp Thai red curry paste (preferably Mae Ploy brand)

2 tbsp Thai yellow curry paste (Preferably Mae Ploy brand)
3 14 oz cans coconut cream (I use the Trader Joe's brand)
3 tbsp lime juice
1 tbsp fish sauce
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt (optional)

1 tbsp corn starch
1/2 cup fresh basil, thinly sliced (optional)
1/2 cup cilantro leaves, (optional)

To make the curry sauce start by adding a couple tables spoons of canola or coconut oil to the pan. Once the oil is hot (med-high heat) add the onions and sauté until soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and sauté 2 minutes longer. Add the curry paste and break it up as much as possible. Add the coconut cream (reserve about 1/4 of one can of the cream) and whisk until paste and cream are fully incorporated and sauce is smooth. When sauce is smooth, add the lime juice, fish sauce, sugar and salt if using.   Bring to a boil and add all the meatballs back into the curry sauce. Turn heat to a simmer, cover the pan with a lid. Simmer meatballs for 20 minutes.  If you find (like me) that the sauce is still a little thin at this point, mix the reserved coconut cream and the corn starch until has disolved.  Add to the sauce and stir until the sauce has thickened and the meatballs are cooked through the center.  Serve over jasmine rice or veggies and garnish with additional lime, basil and cilantro.

Summer Sweets ~ Peach Cobbler

I don't know about you all, but peaches are my absolute favorite fruit.  Now is the time to get them at the farmer's market or from your neighbor's backyard if you are lucky!  I'm not usually one to buy bulk fruit at Costco, but guys, I couldn't resist.  They smelled sooo good and looked beautiful and they made their way into my cart before I could blink.

Unfortunately, my husband stacked up some other goodies on top of them, and by the time we got out to the car three of my peaches had been smushed.  I knew that I'd have to make a cobbler and was excited to get started on it as soon as I got home.

This is no fancy dessert, just simple, delicious and easy to put together.

Ingredients:
4 large fresh peaches, peeled and sliced
1/4-1/2 cup of sugar
1 tsp of cinnamon
2 tbs flour
pinch of salt
2 cups of bisquick
3 tbs melted butter
2 cups bisquick baking mix
2/3 cup of milk

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. After all your peaches are sliced, taste one and see how sweet they are.  If they are super sweet, use less sugar, if they are tart, use a little more. Mix 1/4 cup (more if needed) of sugar with cinnamon, flour, and salt.  sprinkle over the peaches and toss gently.  
• Evenly layer the peaches in a greased baking dish.  In a mixing bowl combine the bisquick, melted butter and milk and combine.  Dough should be wet and sticky, not runny. (Add a little more bisquick if it is too lose.)
• Spoon dough over the top of the peaches until they are nearly all evenly coated with a little dough.  Sprinkle a little sugar 1-2 tsp over the top of the dough and bake in oven until dough is golden, about 20 minutes. Serve with fresh whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

I hope your family enjoys this cobbler as much as mine did!