Sunday Black Bean Chili

Today was an gray overcast day, perfect for staying indoors and setting up a crock pot of chili.

The recipe came from a coupon insert from our local Food Lion supermarket. I modified it by adding 2 cans of canned tomatoes plus a 1/2 can of tomato paste to thicken, also added a couple more spices: coriander and cilantro, which were not in the original recipe. WHOOPS, the extra can of tomatoes was an accident  since I misread the ingredients list, the tomato paste was added to thicken the sauce — and it worked great!

Not only was this recipe easy to set up, but after tasting it, Grenville declared it “a keeper”  and so did I. And, it made a full crockpot for LOTS of leftovers this week.

Black Bean Chili

Prep time: 15 minutes   Cook time: 7-8 hours on low heat

• 1-1/2 lbs. boneless pork, cut into ½ inch cubes
• (2) 15-1/2 oz. cans black beans, drained
• (12 15-1/2 oz. can diced tomatoes, do not drain
• 1/2 can tomato paste
• 1 C salsa, chunky
• 1 C yellow/green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 C onion, chopped
• 1 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp chili powder (more if you prefer)
• ½ tsp cumin
• ¼ tsp crushed red pepper (more if you prefer)
• 1 TBSP cilantro
• ¼ tsp coriander
• 1/2 can tomato
• Sour cream garnish
• Cheddar cheese, shredded, garnish

1. Combine all ingredients, except garnishes, in 3-1/2 quart crock pot in no special order.
2. Mix together, cover and cook on low heat for 7-8 hours.
3. Top individual bowls with sour cream and Cheddar cheese.

Splish-Splash

Grenville’s Grand Cherokee took a bath this week, because after  our road trip through PA and parts of New England (where it actually S-N-O-W-E-D) the white Jeep was looking gray.

The local car wash in neighboring Onancock, VA is a self-service operation. Just insert a credit card and push your selection button — choose from a basic wash to a wash with undercoat wash and application of clear-coat wax. Grenville sprang for all 3 this time — the works..

WOW, we didn’t think the car was THIS dirty as the water swirled and changed colors; the soap was especially colorful.We got to watch quite a water show from our front row seatsSoon, everything is starting to come clearer — and cleaner too.SORRY, forgot to take a before and after photo of the Jeep.   BOY, We know HOW to find excitement in a (very) small town.

Friday Funnies

NOT quite the same as an infectious laugh . . .

SO, we didn’t travel too closely behind.

HOME Again!!!!!!!

YES,,, we are home again. AND we were treated to a wonderful sunset tonight as we unpacked. Thanks again for all the great comments and well wishes you sent along the way. BUT thats not all….. Special thanks to Doris & Dale and JP & Joe whose hospitality (and goodies to eat) made the trip even more special. (Beatrice says that this is the third time we thanked you guys…… but i think you're worth it.)

Now you can all relax because there will be a break (a short one I'm sure) till the next bunch of pictures of the "most wonderful and cutest kids in the world." Does that sound a little biased?????? Nah!!!!! just grandparently.

Grenville (for once)

Last Day of Trip

End of day on the last stop of our post holiday road trip, taken in our native state of NJ . . .

Visible light streaks are from a window as the shot was taken from indoors . . .

NO special effects, just the window screen showing  . . .

Great trip  — it's GOOD to be home.
(Time to repack?)

Post-Holiday Travel

Of course, not really the last photos, but just the last ones taken on our post-Christmas road trip. It's been a great start to this new year, renewing family ties and visiting several states. And, we reconnected with our PA blogger friend (Doris) and met blogger friends in CT for the first time (JP and Joe).

Grandson is growing up and at 6 years old is a very inquisitive and fun-to-be with youngster.

His sister is approaching 18 months soon and is a real charmer — look at her curls!

We spent the last day of our visit hanging out with the grandkids and their mom at their home.

The grands played on LeapPad tablets and mom shared her tablet.

Being grandparents is really fun !

Our next visits will be at Easter time — we're hopping down the bunny trail on a road trip.

On the UP and UP

When we started our road trip on the last day of 2012, gas prices had jumped from a (recent) low of $3.25 to $3.35.

AND, our year-end road trip wouldn't be complete without a collage of gas costs along the route.That said, here's some ranges from Onley, VA to Warwick, RI at the end of 2012.  As always, the New England state we avoid buying gas is CT — $3.93/gal. 

Any big ups (or downs) where you are at the start of 2013?

Welcomes and Hospitality

Blogging is a form of social media that Grenville and I have enjoy a LOT (in case you hadn't noticed). And, luckily we have had the opportunities to meet other bloggers. Our fun adventures over the past 2 years have included trips to places new to us and family visits, but meeting fellow bloggers has been even more fun. We are currently on our post-Christmas road trip visiting family in PA, RI, CT, and NJ. This new year has gotten off to a great start as we have reconnected with a fellow blogger once again and met another for the first time.

This trip, we met JP of A Quiet Corner (and "The Pres") in CT. It was like meeting friends we already knew, although this was our first meeting. The time passed so quickly; JP and Joe were gracious hosts preparing a delicious breakfast brunch and as the day lingered, some great snacks. And, leaving empty-handed was NOT an option.

Earlier in the week, we visited with Doris and husband Dale in PA where we received gracious hospitality and also wonderful treats.

(These were gone before we reached New England.)

THANKS, Dois Dale, JP and Joe  — these visits made our road trip VERY special !

In the past year or so, we have had the pleasure of meeting: Lenora of A Journal of Days, Doris (and Dale) of Fun Fahn Times, Elaine (and Marty) of Artic View, Grace of Grammie's Ramblings, Grace (and Joe) of News From the Hill, Betty of My Day My Interests Photoblog, Possum of My Little Corner, Rebecca (and Lee) of Shenandoah Gateway Farm. 

Regretfully, there were also some missed opportunities to meet fellow bloggers when schedules did not work out; perhaps another time. We are looking forward to future road trip adventures and the possibility to meet more friends.

IF you are searching the blogosphere for new places to visit, feel free to visit the above blogs or those listed on our Blogger Friends sidebar  — they're all friendly places to drop in with photos, recipes and interesting posts. SORRY, but you will not get any goodies through your computer.

"Friends are the family that we choose for ourselves."

Post Holiday Visit

Our Christmas family visits typically come before or after the holiday mostly because of scheduling and distance. This first 2013 road trip has included stops in where the grandkids live. And, of course, our visit would not be complete without the delivery of holiday gifts from family members, aunt and uncle and grandma and grandpa. 

Our visit started with a full day of babysitting granddaughter, her brother was back in school on the day we visited. There was nap time with Grandpa . . .

Later in the day, we watched grandson at karate class. He's proud of his recently awarded white belt.

A pink and purple bicycle post found its way to the intended recipient, granddaughter, who hasn't quite yet mastered the concept of pushing pedals.

MORE gift opening came after dinner was done and jammies donned, like many kids, the grandkids are pros at this annual event.

Before bedtime, there was time for family photos with their parents and grandpa.

Somehow, I miss many "photo ops" (hazards of being the photographer). But, we still have a couple of visit days left in New England before heading to the next stop, NJ.

Friday Funnies

The first Funnies of this new year were spotted at a Hampton Inn we stayed at in PA — it was definitely for the birds . . .

This fellow was ducking in

Others had outdoor accommodations . . .