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Sunday, November 6, 2011

Turkey Pumpkin and Some Belly Warmin' Chili

Happy Sunday everyone.  The weather here in Upstate NY is chilly but sunny.  I kind of like that Fall weather.  It starts to gently nudge us indoors for movies on a Sunday afternoon, cooking heartier meals, baking yummy desserts, and of course, crafting!  I wanted to share this easy and very Thanksgiving project.  We usually purchase a bunch of pumpkins in October to decorate with.  They replace my potted flowers that edge my front steps to my porch.  We usually make sure we have an extra one to turn into a turkey come November.  My husband just came up with a basic feather shape and cut six of them out of wood.  He drilled a hole in the bottom of them so he could glue in a dowel he had sharpened on one end like a pencil to stick into a pumpkin.  They are pretty secure too!  I painted them very simply, each a different color and the head brown.  I painted eyes and he cut out a beak/waddle piece I sketched for him.  I painted that as you see in the picture.  I glued that on and coated all my painted pieces with outdoor poly so it could withstand the cold and rain of November(sometimes snow!).  Now we use them every year.  I know I have seen inserts for pumpkins in catalogs but I think it has so much more character when you make it yourself. 

Speaking of heartier meals, I made some creamy chicken chili this past week.  It had some kick to it but I believe that is something you could adjust to suit your family's tastes.  I start with a good-size package of chicken tenderloins.  I chop them into bite-sized pieces.  I saute the chicken with a chopped onion and a teaspoon or so of garlic powder in a small amount of canola oil.  When the chicken is cooked, add two 15 1/2 oz. cans of rinsed and drained great northern white beans.  Also add one can of chicken broth and one can of chopped green chilies(the 4 oz. can).  Then add one teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper.  Bring to a boil and reduce the heat.  Simmer, uncovered, for half an hour.  Take off the heat and add one cup of sour cream and 1/2 cup whipping cream.  Serve with shredded cheese.  Normally I put sour cream on my chili but I felt that would be overkill with the sour cream already in the recipe but you do what you want-it's your chili!  I think I have mentioned that I am not a big fan of hamburger.  I fix it for my family because they all love meat loaf and meat balls, but this chili was something that I could enjoy too. 

    I just had to include a picture of my son in the Sasquatch costume he wore to school for Halloween.  He said it was a hit with everyone.  Now that you have seen it, can you picture it causing a stir in the hospital parking lot where my older son works? 

I have a favor to ask you.  My husband is asking for ideas for a gift for me for Christmas.  I am thinking about the Silhouette machine or the Cricut.  I think there may even be another one out there.  I love crafting and I do alot of wood crafts and I LOVE the vinyl lettering for signs.  I also sew alot and I love the shapes cut out so neatly and uniformly(is that a word?).  Please drop me a line and let me know if you think one is more user-friendly or versatile than the other.  I don't want to just get another piece of equipment that will collect dust.

I hope everyone has a great week and is enjoying the beautiful fall colors wherever you are.  Take care.        Nancy

13 comments:

  1. Your chili sounds quite yummy! Thanks for sharing.

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  2. Love the Halloween outfit, did he make a video and create a stir about a sighting. LOL
    Can't wait to try your recipe, I love anything spicy and it sounds great on a chilly evening.

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  3. What a cute turkey!! And chilli chicken? I've never heard of making that kind of chilli before - what a brilliant idea! This I have to try!

    And your son's halloween costume! Just fabulous!!

    Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
    Hope you have a great week!
    Jill @ Creating my way to Success
    http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

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  4. Your chili looks delicious!! I like the idea of making chili with chicken.

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  5. This is super cuute.. I would LOVE for you to share it at my Thanksgiving craft party starting today pweease.. LOVE this..: ))
    http://theartsygirlconnection.blogspot.com/2011/11/three-weeks-of-thanksthankful-for.html

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  6. So cute!!! Be sure to come link this up to my blog, CSI project on Thursday. It is all about Thanksgiving and Fall. SO this is perfect and you can enter to win the giveaway.
    www.thecsiproject.com

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  7. sounds yummy! thanks for linkin with Tell Me Tuesday!!
    xo
    ash

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  8. Very cute! Just shared this today on our Fun Finds Friday... http://kitchenfunwithmy3sons.blogspot.com/2011/11/fun-finds-friday_11.html

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  9. Thanks for linking up...I just have to say to get a cricut....I've had mine for 2 years and I was so intimated by it but now I have so much fun making things...say goodbye to your husband...you're life will change!

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  10. this is so cute,
    This is really kewl, Would luv for my readers to see this awesome idea, will you please join our weekly party at
    http://www.passionatelyartistic.com/2011/11/thanksgiving-showcase-tutorial-with.html
    have a great crafting weekend!
    Maggie
    http://passionatelyartistic.com

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  11. I love to cook something new. Thank you. Greetings from me and the Czech Republic.

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  12. Cute pumpkin - I'm going to try it on a smaller scale with paper and mini pumpkins. Thanks for sharing!

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