Dedicated to Greg

I have a few thoughts about President Elect Barack Obama.

Politics aside...

I think it is awesome to have a black President. I was very moved watching the emotions on the faces of the people in the crowd during his victory speech. What an incredibly huge day for blacks and all of America.

I think he is an exceptional speaker.

I am eager to learn more about how he became the man he is.

I think it is a heart wrenching twist that the grandmother who helped raise him passed away 48 hours prior to seeing him become president.

I will be praying for him.

Family

I have had occasion several times today to be so grateful for our family.  We are so lucky to belong to two great families.  You are all amazing examples to me.  Everyone has such unique talents and strengths, which bless me daily.  

Thank you for being the people you are and for raising children that I love so much. I love that Macy has such awesome cousins, aunts, uncles and especially such loving grandparents.

Election Day

I am so grateful that we live in a free country and that we have the opportunity to vote. But mostly I am just glad that the elections will be over. It has gotten ugly this year.

I appreciate the Pulsipher and Carr families standing up for what is right, however unpopular and scary it has been.

Internets

I am so thankful for the internet. I don't know what we did without it. I look something up everyday and I love reading everyone's blog. I also love e-mail.

Simple Pleasures

I am easily delighted. It has been four days since we visited the Costco in St. George and I spied the Method refill bottle for their handsoaps. I am still thinking about the design of the bottle.

I am thankful for pretty things and companies that spend a little extra time to make the packaging or product visually appealing. I am also thankful for Method because they have the greatest wood floor cleaning system and it makes my house smell of almondy goodness.

Deer Valley Turkey Chili Recipe

I forgot to post this last week. It is a favorite at our house.

Deer Valley Turkey Chili

• 2 cans black beans
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 2 medium Anaheim chilies, seeded, chopped
• 2/3 cup chopped red onion
• 2/3 cup chopped celery
• 2/3 cup chopped red bell pepper
• 1 Large Leek (white part only) ** I haven’t ever added the Leek
• 2 Garlic cloves, minced
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano, crumbled
• 1/4 cup corn flour
• 1 teaspoon cayenne
• 2 1/2 tablespoons ground cumin
• 2 tablespoons ground coriander
• 1 teaspoons salt
• 1/8 cup Sugar
• 4 1/2 cup chicken stock
• 2 1/4 cup frozen corn, thawed
• 4 cups diced cooked turkey (I cook boneless turkey breasts or a turkey roast in the crockpot)
• Toppings - grated cheddar cheese, red onion, sour cream, fresh cilantro, lime slices

Seed and chop the chilies, chop the onion, celery, red pepper and leek.
Mince the garlic and get the rest of the ingredients ready to cook.

Melt butter in pot; add chilies, onion, celery, bell peppers, leek, garlic and oregano. Cook until soft, about 10 minutes. Reduce heat to low.
Add the flour and spices, cook 5 minutes.
Add the sugar and 4 cups stock and bring to simmer.
Puree 1 1/4 cup of the corn with the remaining 1/2 cup of stock. Add this to chili.
Mix black beans, turkey and remaining cup of corn. Simmer all for 25 minutes.
Garnish with grated cheddar cheese, red onion, sour cream, & fresh cilantro.

Enjoy!

Gratitude

Reflect upon your present blessings,

of which every man has plenty;
not on your past misfortunes
of which all men have some.
--Charles Dickens

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. Continuing with the list, I am going to blog daily in November on things I am grateful for.

Today, I am grateful that I am blessed with joy and contentment. While it's true that I want to have another baby, I am fully content with my life. Every day I am overwhelmed with joy. My days are filled with love, laughter and fun. I have sad moments but these are few and far between. These moments also serve to remind me of just how blessed I am.