Saturday, December 12, 2020

Small Talk Saturday!

Every Christmas season Mr D and I look forward to our rides around local neighborhoods looking at Christmas lights.  In some neighborhoods there are many, some not so much.  

For the past several years we have stopped at a local store and bought hot chocolate for the ride, it's always been so good.  Imagine our disappointment this year when their chocolate was awful, watery and bland. Bah Humbug.

The other night we made our own hot chocolate to take with us, it was so much better!

When we were in Clear Lake earlier this week we stopped by the Honey Baked Ham store and got a small ham.  It's a good thing we love ham because that's what we've had for super for three days!  It was so good but I'm so glad it's gone.

Before the ham, Tammy brought us Taco Soup, something else that we love.  

Taco Soup Recipe:

INGREDIENTS

1 tbsp. canola oil
large onion, chopped
2 lb. ground beef
(15-oz.) can pinto beans
(15-oz.) can corn
(15-oz.) can rotel tomatoes
1 tbsp. taco seasoning
1 1/2 c. water

Sour cream, for garnish
Shredded cheese, for garnish
Sliced green onions, for garnish

DIRECTIONS
In a large Dutch oven or pot over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and cook onion until soft, 5 minutes, then add ground beef and cook until no longer pink.
Add beans, corn, rotel tomatoes, taco seasoning, and water.

Serve with tortilla chips or fritos!

We've had a few rainy days making it look much colder than it is.  We're having cool nights and mild days, good weather for sitting outside. The therapist told me to sit in the sun for a little while every day.  I try to go out and sit on the porch in the mornings when the sun is shining.

As I'm typing I'm seeing a squirrel eyeing the bird feeder!!  Do squirrels eat birdseed?  I might be finding out real soon.  :)

Until Next Time



19 comments:

  1. Squirrels eat everything/anything, lol. So many places here closed or are only serving take out, thanks to brand new mandates our governor put out...its just so sad. On a bright note, Santa (the police dept. puts it on-they pull him on a flatbed, wink) on every Saturday goes through each and every neighborhood, today he went through our Walmart/Wegmans Plaza spreading cheer. No Santa visits allowed this year...so sad...

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    1. Our fire department takes Santa around to all the neighborhoods. The kids (and big kids) love it!! Yes indeed, it's very sad how we have do things this year, just praying that next year will be better. Merry Christmas!

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  2. Squirrels will definitely steal from your birds! LOL We may have to ride out and about and try to see some lights. We haven't done that in a long time. Have a good weekend!

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  3. Oh yes, squirrels are total pigs in the bird feeders! That taco soup sounds so good. I copied it to try one of these days. We're going back to winter weather tonight and it will be welcome one night when Tim comes home from work chilled to the bone. Love those 2 little wooden mousies. I used to have one like that, but it was a pin. I don't know whatever became of it. Enjoy your weekend, Mary!

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  4. Squirrels are my worst enemy in summer and winter. They eat the seed in my bird feeders in winter, and in summer they climb the fence to eat my veggie garden. They climb our peach, nectarine, and apple trees to take a bite out of fruit. They are thoughtful and only take a bite or two of each piece of fruit. We've lived on our acreage since 1976 when the population was 1,400 in our town. We became a city 25 years ago and are now surrounded by big box stores and lots of homes. The population is about 125,000! Years ago we were never bothered by the squirrels but we must look like an oasis in the middle of pavement now. I grew mammoth sunflowers this year and picked the heads and left them to dry on a bench outside. I did cover them with wire but those smart varmints took the wire off and ate all the seeds. As you can read, squirrels and I have a history and it's not good. Patty McDonald

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    1. My brother in law has the same relationship with squirrels! I know they can be little stinkers, but being a city girl I enjoy them. Wish there was a way you could keep them from your garden, I know that must be so aggravating.

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  5. What a disappointment to have yucky hot chocolate when previous years it was good. I wonder if the management changed.
    Squirrels love black sunflower seeds and will try every trick to get at them.
    I might try that Taco soup recipe this week just leaving out the ground beef ( which I detest). I find if I add a bit of beef bouillon powder I can make a dish that my dear husband will find acceptable and I can also eat. Thanks for the recipe.

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  6. We usually go out to dinner and then ride around looking at Christmas lights on Christmas eve. We may make our own hot chocolate to take along. Sounds like a great idea.

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  7. Love the photos, Mary! Very Christmasy. 🎄

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  8. Hi Mary, I am finally feeling better. I guess I had a nasty virus, but not Covid. I enjoyed my visit. Thanks for sharing your recipe! Happy Sunday!

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  9. Our squirrels efforts to out-wit the 'squirrel-proof' bird feeders provide us so much entertainment. What clowns! Tom and I no longer buy for one another at Christmas, but your mention of Honey Baked Ham has me thinking....
    Unlike me, he enjoys ham so much. And food doesn't count as a gift. Right? :)

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  10. Yes, squirrels love and will eat birdseed.

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  11. Do squirrels like birdseed? Are their longhorn steer in Texas? LOL. Yes, squirrels will pig out on sunflower seed. If they become really pesky, I just put safflower seeds in my birdfeeder, and they won't eat those, but the birds still like it...just not as many little birds will eat them. I like ham at Christmas, but yes, we can get tired of it pretty quick, but not as quick as turkey. At least we can eat ham for breakfast, and use it to season beans, etc. , whereas turkey...well I can only stand so much. We haven't been out to see any lights yet. Waiting until a little closer to Christmas when there will be more of them to see I am thinking. Yes, sit in that sunshine as often as you can. It is very healthy!! So glad you are doing better. What a blessing. (and answer to prayer).

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  12. Oh I love taco soup too Miss Mary. It doesn't love me though. But, I still eat me a bowl. LOL! I always make hot chocolate at Christmas for the family. Just bought some marshmallows matter of fact. Hoping you and Mr. D are doing good. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  13. I love going out looking at Christmas lights. In fact, we're planning on going tonight. That soup sounds delicious. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

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  14. This year, I invested in a resident season pass for Dollywood and visited last week to see their lights. Oh my goodness! I was floored! And speaking of hot chocolate - my son and DIL and I got some hot chocolate while we were there. Best I've ever had! I've copied down the taco soup recipe. Sounds yummy! Have a blessed day.

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    1. I would love to visit Dollywood, I doubt I ever will though. The soup is so good, great for a cold winter night's supper. Merry Christmas!

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