Zensational Chili

Yes Virginia it is Christmas...oops, I mean "Yes Virginia there is a Santa Claus".  Well it most definitely is Christmas around our house.  I barely caught my breath last week from returning back home and in the thick of getting into work again...daughter no sooner in the blink of an eye had all the Thanksgiving garb down, packed and Christmas was up and running again in our living room.

Bless those girls' hearts, they are the epitome of the lyrics in "We Need A Little Christmas"...

Haul out the holly

Put up the tree before my spirit falls again
Fill up the stocking
I may be rushing things, but deck the halls again now

For we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute
Candles in the window
Carols at the spinet

Every year, the first decoration to come out is always one daughter's favorite ice skating rink.  I think we got this when the girls were 2 years old and she would turn it on and watch the little skaters for hours and hours.

My (used to be guest room) now looks like the gift wrapping room at Macy's...paper, boxes and ribbons and bows, oh my!!  I destroyed our little room by getting a head start on the first wave of Christmas present wrappings, so as to not be up until 3 am Christmas Eve doing all the last minute wrapping and also completing my husband's birthday presents which his special day is tomorrow.

In my ever sleepless in Longmont nights, I woke up again last night and realized that the Christmas cards we designed and ordered will be arriving today.  More disturbing though, this also reminded me that yet another year has gone by and I still haven't cleaned up and updated my address book.  I know what your're thinking....who still had address books...don't judge.  I still have the Daytimer organizer from many, many, many years ago that my husband gave me as a gift (even the chewed up corners that our black lab Nemo left me, after he was mad at me one day).  Nope, can't get rid of it, still love it after all these years (I'm afraid I am turning into my mother).

My cookbooks and internet recipes are strewn all over the place as I am trying to figure out which treats to put in my work's gift bags and husband's office platter.  My purse is overflowing with post-in notes and lists of what still needs to be done, purchased, wrapped and mailed.....we have packages going to Alaska, Oregon, Washington and California this year.  I'm sure that I will be making more than one trip to the post office this year.  (Good thing I have my handy address book for those box labels!!)

The Chili Masters

We did get an extra special treat early this year.  My husband's company held a chili pot luck for their company luncheon, which meant an extra bonus for me!!  He typically makes his famous chili on New Year's Day, just like the day he and his brother Rick created it, many years ago.  This chili is so hearty, but not heavy...with so many layers of great flavor, without being overly spicy.  Hands down, this chili has won many cook-off chili competitions.

The Zen Master Meat Lovers Chili

1 lb. Tri Tip
1 lb. Ground Beef
1 Green Pepper
1 Jalapeno Pepper
1/2 Red Onion
2 Fresh Tomatoes
(3) 14 ounce cans Stewed Tomatoes
(2) 14 ounce cans Chili Beans
(1 or 2) 14 ounce cans Pinto Beans
1 Fresh Zucchini
1 Packet, Six Gun Chili Mixins

Brown ground beef and season with salt, pepper and garlic salt.
BBQ/Grill the tri tip until cooked to medium.
Combine stewed tomatoes, all beans, cooked ground beef and vegetables into crock pot.
Grate zucchini, chopped peppers and tomatoes and put in crock pot.
Cut cooked tri tip into small cubes and mix in with other ingredients.
Stir in chili mix.

Let simmer in crock pot on low setting for 6 - 8 hours.

Serve with grated sharp cheddar cheese, sour cream, diced red onions.