winter doldrums

I don’t know where you live, but around here It’s been a long winter and it’s not over yet! Snow days, ice storms, wind chill, ugh! I will start off by saying I am NOT a fan of winter! Even if its sunny and 50 degrees I still don’t like it. Everything is just shades of grays and browns. I miss the green leaves and grass, I miss flowers, I miss birds and most of all…I miss wearing flip-flops! I’m just not a winter kind of gal. Perhaps you too have a case of the winter doldrums?

*“A cold, gray, bucket of suck.” Truer words have never been spoken! LOL*

I do try and make the best of it though. After I bump up my anti-depressant meds (I’m only sort of kidding! haha!), I break out the crock-pot, the cozy throw blankets, and as much reading material as I can find. I love to read and, let’s face it, cozied up on the couch with a blanket and a book is never a bad place to be. 🙂 Of course, I could read so much more if I’d step away from Facebook! What a time-suck! Seriously, how many quizzes do I need to take to Know what kind of personality I have, What region I should live in (OBVIOUSLY not someplace cold!), and if I Know my 80’s music (100% thank you very much!). If I spent all that Facebook time reading books instead I could likely double my yearly reading goal…but I digress…

Ok, so it’s winter, it’s cold…you can’t swim or grill out but you can invite other fellow freezing friends over and trade soup recipes, debate the best place to buy a coat that actually keeps you warm and learn how to unthaw your frozen pipes (I have the answer for this! Call public works…they’ll bust out the blow torch and gets those pipes flowing lickety-split! By the way don’t try this on your own…really, for obvious reasons! Setting your home on fire is NOT a way to warm up in the winter!)

Gather the People!

Gathering your friends for winter fellowship isn’t a party that needs to be planned weeks in advance. When you find yourself with an open day, put out the calls (who am I kidding?! No one calls anyone anymore, so send out those texts!) and see who’s available to join you for an impromptu get together at your house. Here’s my favorite (and easy!) recipe that comes together quickly. I tend to keep these ingredients on hand for those spur of the moment get togethers (or when it’s reached 5:00 and I realize I have nothing planned for dinner!…please tell me I’m not the only one this happens to!)

Black Bean Chili with Corn

• 3 lbs ground beef (or ground turkey)-browned with fat drained off
• 2 cans black beans-drained and rinsed
• 1 small bag frozen corn
• 1 15 oz can beef broth
• 1 15 oz can tomato sauce (plus one tiny can tomato sauce if desired)
• 1-2 packets chili seasoning (I use regular but feel free to use mild or hot)

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Add all ingredients (except corn) to either large pot or crock pot. If using a crock pot cook on low for up to 8 hours. The longer it bubbles away the better the flavor! (if it starts to look dry, add a touch more broth or tomato sauce until it is the consistency you want). 20 minutes before you are ready to serve, add as much of the frozen corn as you’d like. Ladle into bowls adding any of the following garnishes…

• shredded cheddar cheese
• sliced green onions
• sour cream
• corn chips (like Fritos)
• diced tomatoes
• salsa
• serve with french bread or cornbread and a bottle of wine!

So if the weather is dreary and you are dragging through the rest of winter…invite some friends or neighbors over (bonus points if your neighbors ARE your friends!), put on a pot of soup, light some candles, open a bottle of wine and settle in for a cozy chat. The more spontaneous this is the better!

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Looking for more winter recipes? Check out my Pinterest Winter Recipe Board