ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE

 

We're approaching my favorite time of the year.  Of course all of the retailers are already selling Christmas trees and holiday décor, but let's not forget Thanksgiving.  This is the one time out of the year where families and friends get together and purposely give thanks.  

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln declared the last Thursday of November would be a national day of giving thanks to God for the many blessings He has given us.  Many of us go about our lives everyday and focus on the struggles and obstacles in our way.  We take for granted the positives in our lives and often times find it hard to even point them out.  President Lincoln got it right.  Even in the midst of a civil war, he understood the need to find the good and give thanks.  

You may be going through something right now that feels like your own personal war.  Give thanks.  You feel like you are on the front lines and hundreds of flaming arrows are headed your way.  Praise God.  You don't know how you're going to win this fight and the end seems so far away.  Have an attitude of gratitude.     

     

During the month of November, let's focus on the "wins" in our lives; the victories.   Every day, let's think of one thing to be thankful for and write it down.  It is said that if you do something for 21 days straight, it becomes a habit.  I think having an attitude of gratitude is a pretty good habit to have, don’t you?  

Starting November 1, 2016, send out a tweet of what you are thankful for @mendingmaria using #thankfulNovember.  I want to celebrate the victories with you!  

Mending Maria

Copyright: <a href='http://www.123rf.com/profile_artulina'>artulina / 123RF Stock Photo</a>

CHILI COOK-OFF WINNER!

I had so much fun with this online Chili Cook-off!  Thank you to all of you that submitted delicious recipes, but this one stood above the rest.  Without further ado….

The winner of the best chili recipe is:

ERIC SULLIVAN from Granbury, Texas

Congratulations!  You’ve won a $25 gift certificate to Chili’s Grill & Bar.

What I loved about this recipe is that it is made with venison but is also delicious with other meats.  Also, this recipe gives away a little seasoning secret that can only be found in a shop in Texas!  (Thank Goodness for online shopping).  

Here is the award winning recipe:

Ingredients:

1 onion

1 green pepper

3 cloves of garlic

Rustlin' Rob's Dynamite Chili Stick  (Order online at www.rustlinrobs.com)

Ground venison and ground venison sausage (or any meat)

2 cans diced tomatoes

1 can tomato sauce

1 can tomato paste

1 can Ro*tel  Hot diced Tomatoes

1 can kidney beans

1 can pinto beans

First, sweat the veggies and garlic for about 5 minutes then add in the meat and brown.  The venison has little to no fat so there is nothing to drain.  (If you use another meat, be sure to drain!)  Add in the Rustlin' Rob's Dynamite Chili Stick to season.

Then add in the cans of diced tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce and Ro*tel.

Simmer for about 30 minutes.  Add all into a stock pot and add the pinto and kidney beans one can each. You can serve after 20 minutes but the longer you let sit, the better it is!

I hope you enjoy this chili as much as I did.  I think I’ll try it with beef this weekend…Yum!

Mending Maria