Happy Halloween Dinner!

Yes... it is here again!  And you may be thinking.... What am I going to have for dinner on Halloween because you are either trick or treating or answering the door!   THE best thing to do on a Halloween night is to do something easy like Chili!   You can also add that Chili to a hot dog for a little twist!  Here's a quick recipe that is YUMMY you may want to try!

Prep: 20 min.; Cook: 1 hr., 25 min.

Yield: Makes about 6 servings (serving size: 1 2/3 cups)

Chunky Beef and Tomato Chili(from Southern Living)

Ingredients

• 1  pound  ground round
• 1  (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green peppers and onions
• 1  (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes with zesty mild green chiles
• 1  (10-ounce) can condensed beef broth
• 2  garlic cloves, pressed
• 3  tablespoons  tomato paste
• 1  tablespoon  chili powder
• 1  teaspoon  ground cumin
• 1/2  teaspoon  black pepper
• 1/2  teaspoon  ground red pepper
• 1  (15-ounce) can light kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1  (15-ounce) can dark kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• Toppings: chipotle hot sauce, shredded Cheddar cheese, chopped green onions, Quick Creamy Vegetable Dip

Preparation

Cook beef in a Dutch oven over medium heat, stirring occasionally into large chunks, 10 minutes or until no longer pink. (Do not stir beef into crumbles.) Drain and return beef to Dutch oven.
Stir both cans of diced tomatoes and next 7 ingredients into browned beef; reduce heat to medium low, and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, 1 hour. Stir in beans, and simmer 15 minutes. Serve with desired toppings.

Do you have a blank wall?

Think of a wall that is "naked" in your home!    It could be a sliver of a wall.... or a huge open space!    Use multiples to create impact!

Three of these little Trilogy Mirrors arranged vertically create GREAT impact but imagine 12 of them in a large space like this photo!  Wow!!!!   This same concept works for table scapes!    We'll chat more about that tomorrow!!!

A Few Fall Leaves

How simple to add a touch of FALL to anything!  Remember how I said to pick up leaves and acorns out of the yard?   Just adding a few leaves to your plate of fruit, makes it FABULOUS!    I can't even tell you how simple this is and FREE!!  Enjoy the AMAZING fall foliage and add a touch of FALL to everything!  

1. Add leaves to centerpieces.
2. Get a GREAT platter or dish and add 1 or 3 pillar candles( things look better in odd numbers) ... tuck in leaves or acorns or even pinecones from the yard!  Instant fall Centerpiece!
3. Add some real leaves to your mantle or yes, HURRICANES! :)  I love them! 



Now that I have your attention! :) FOOD!    I have to share another AMAZING recipe I got from one of my amazing hostesses Kate!  

1. Pop 1/2 cup popcorn - or one bag of plain microwave popcorn
2. Melt one 8 oz bag of white chocolate chips with 3 TBS vegtable oil in microwave on 10 second intervals ( stirring in between) until melted.
3. Pour melted chocolate over popped popcorn and toss thoroughly
4. Spread on parchment paper or wax paper and let "dry"

"Crumble" and put and a bowl ready to eat! 

My kids and my Friends all LOVE this EASY recipe!   Package it in celophane bags tied with a pretty holiday ribbon and give as a gift to hosts, neighbors, teachers etc! EASY!!!!  

ENJOY!  



Save money!

Okay... I normally don't post til the morning but I had to share this today!    Did you know that you can take 1/4 cup of popcorn and put it in a brown paper bag, crimp the top and microwave on the popcorn setting or for 2-3 minutes depending on your microwave?

Wow!!  Seriously!  I tried it today, melted 1 tbs of butter and tossed the popcorn in a bowl with a little salt - so yummy!!!   A quick easy snack without the "process" and so easy!!

Belle Meade Canister

Cinnabar Canister

Store your popcorn kernels in a pretty canister and you are good to go!

Wow!

Organize Beautifully!! Here's another use for a hurricane!   I put Meredith's headbands in one... a GREAT storage piece when you are not using it as your Thanksgiving centerpiece!

Or... use it to organize your pretty scarves on your vanity!  It's your own little store to grab the accessory you want.... and it looks SO good! 

I used the Large Galveston Hurricane from my Willow House line for these photos!  Enjoy! 

Want to get more done today?

How do some people seem to get it all done when we all have 24 hours in a day?   Here's a tip to help you stay on top of your day today!  Decide this morning what your're going to do!   Sounds simple right?   Here's a tip for families to enjoy a nice dinner together when your schedules are hectic.   The busier we get we tend to forgo that meal at home, grab stuff on the go and waste money and calories on processed food.  Let's simplify this so we can save money and time and calories.

1. Decide what you'll have for dinner in the morning or the night before.
2. Thaw whatever needs to be thawed.
3. Prepare whatever needs to be prepared, chopping veggies or measuring ingredients.
4. If you have small kids at home, make their lunch at breakfast time and while they are eating lunch you can prep dinner.    You can even make YOUR lunch ahead too! Saves time in the kitchen!
5. Late afternoon/earlly evening your dinner is all but cooked... just cook when it is convenient and re-heat if necessary becuase of kids activities if they run late. 

You and your family can enjoy a home cooked meal without stress.   

Throw a load of laundry in the washer/dryer in the morning, and repeat process at breakfast, lunch and dinnertime and you'll mow through your laundry while allowing you to get OTHER major projects done in larger chunks of your day!  Who says you have to do your laundry all day :)

Just think, you now have large chunks of time to get other productive things done!  Yeah!