February 16, 2012 – Universal Studios Hollywood

Nikon D90 with 18-55mm Nikkor Lens

For more WW visit 5 Minutes for Mom and the WW Hub.

Our children grew up in the boonies. Four acres of dirt, trees and only one or two neighbors within hollering distance. It. Was. Fabulous! They played all day long from sun up to sun down, digging, climbing, swimming and living out adventures. We often wish that we still lived in the boonies, without any neighbors and with acres of land for the grands to run wild on. Not happening just yet but … the grands seem to run wild and have an adventurous carefree time in our small but gorgeous backyard.

I accomplished two things when I made a crock pot of beans yesterday. The first: not making too much, like enough to feed a small army. It’s been over ten years, but on occasion NY will sit down at the table while asking, “Who’s coming for dinner?”

The second: I remembered how to make the beans that I haven’t made since I was feeding a small army.

So, here are the ingredients, minus the tomatoes and … um, the beans. I didn’t plan on posting the recipe until after I started chopping and mixing everything up. Because the beans, onions and tomatoes smelled so good I decided to share! So, once again, pictured here are the ingredients, minus the tomatoes and beans.

Ingredients:

1 pound dried pinto beans

1 onion – quartered and sliced

2 cups vegetable broth (or liquid of choice)

2 tomatoes – diced

2 gloves crushed garlic

* seasonings of choice

I used approximatly:

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 package of Goya Sazon

Garnishes:

fresh cilantro

sour cream

grated cheese of choice

salsa

avocado

1. Soak 1 pound of pinto beans in 4 cups water overnight or for 8 hours.

2. Drain the soaked pinto beans and place them in the crock pot.

3. Add 1 onion quartered and sliced.

4. Add 2 diced tomatoes.

5. Add 2 cups vegetable broth (or liquid of choice)

6. Add seasoning of choice and stir it all up.

7. Cook on high for 4 – 5 hours.

Serve with grated cheese, sour cream, cilantro, avocado and anything else that your heart desires!

We like our beans on warm flour tortillas. We fold it like a soft taco or roll it up burrito style. Oh so good!!

There’s so much you can do with this simple recipe. Add cooked chicken, beef or pork to the beans while they’re cooking. Peppers can be added. Just go with what sounds good to you and your family. Then enjoy!!

Grandchildren are the dots that connect the lines from generation to generation.
- Lois Wyse

Welcome to Favorite Photo Saturday.

This is where we share our favorite photo of the week from our camera. We take a lot of photos every week. Sometimes hundreds! (Love digital photography!) So we decided to choose one favorite each week and post it on Saturday. We hope you’ll join us!! Just leave your link in the comments so we can drop by and see your favorite photo of the week.

This week we took our eldest grandson to Universal Studios Hollywood. It’s a trip we’ve been planning to do with him for some time. Within minutes of entering the front gate we just happened to spot the Lorax. As Austin and the Lorax were passing each other there was a totally spontaneous ”high five.”  Love it!

February 16, 2012 – Universal Studios Hollywood

Nikon D90 with 18-55mm Nikkor Lens

This is our take on the themes for week 7 of the Photo A Day project along with the 365 Project.

#febphotoaday – Day 12 – “in my closet” – Instagram Earlybird Filter

#febphotoaday – Day 13 – “blue” – Instagram walden filter

#febphotoaday - Day 14 – “hearts” – Instagram rise filter

#febphotoaday - Day 15 – “phone” - This red phone is our one land line that we can use when/if the electricity goes out. It has a distinct old fashioned ring that can be heard throughout the house – Instagram 1977 filter

#febphotoaday - Day 16 - ”something new” Our oldest grandson picked out a “new” shirt that lights up to sounds. It’s really quite awesome! – Instagram hefe filter

#febphotoaday - Day 17 – “time” to get out of bed! Instagram rise filter

#febphotoaday - Day 18 – “drink” – I have childhood memories of getting a drink from the hose on a warm summer day.  Instagram Lo-fi filter

From Kailani at An Island Life: In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So on Fridays let’s take it easy on posting, too. Ask a simple question … nothing that requires a lengthy response. It’s a great way to make new blogging friends!

One of our children has a tattoo … or two. I’m not crazy about the tattoos, but I am crazy about that child. Yesterday we took said child’s eldest child to Universal Studios Hollywood. While there our grandchild happened to spot a place that applied temporary tattoos. Mind you the faux tattoo will only last a week or so but, nonetheless, we did agree to let him be “tattooed.”

How about you? Are you tattoed?

Nikon D90 with 18-55mm Nikkor Lens

February 11, 2012

iPhone 4S

For more WW visit 5 Minutes for Mom and the WW Hub.

“It’s a shame to wait until tomorrow!”

Enjoy the precious little moments like playing a game with the kids and /or grands.

February 11, 2011  - Grandpa and Austin during a wicked game of Logo.

iPhone 4S