Monthly Musings - Winter Fun and Valentine's Day

Patty at Good Better Best hosts this monthly sharing of tips, tricks, and conversation starters. Here are this month's questions about winter fun and Valentine's Day. 

1. Describe your winter so far in one word.

It's very tempting to say "cold" but that would be more about the past week. Let's go with . . .

EVENTFUL

2. What winter activities have you never tried but want to?

I have never tried cross-country skiing but I wish I had done that when I was younger. I'd still like to try. Growing up in Calgary, with all those ski resorts in Banff nearby, it was kind of obligatory to ski, but the couple times I tried downhill skiing, I hated it. But cross-country always seemed like something I'd enjoy.

3. Favorite winter beverage

My favorite beverage any time of year is coffee! But in winter I like a good Irish coffee, or a really creamy hot mocha. Hot cocoa is the drink of choice when coming in from the cold.

4. Least favorite winter chore

I rarely have to shovel snow myself, and generally don't mind doing it, and that's the only chore that's specific to winter I can think of at the moment. I can think of a couple chores that I especially dislike doing during the winter or that I don't mind other times of the year but are a pain in winter. First is washing dishes. I don't care for that job, and thankfully my husband usually does the washing while I dry and handle the dishwasher which I don't mind. But in winter, I especially dislike washing dishes because my hands are even more susceptible to getting chapped and itchy, even when I wear gloves. Second is taking out the trash. I usually don't mind doing this job but when there is snow or ice to deal with I am always scared that I will slip and fall while handling trash bags or bins.

5. Soup or chili? Share a recipe if you would like

Yes to both soup and chili! I love soup, and wish I had time to make it from scratch more often. I also love chili, and do make a big pot of that a couple times during the winter. The most recent soup I made was Creamy Cubano soup (recipe from Ellen at The Happy Wanderer) - we love it because it's very simple and quick to make but a hearty comfort food for cold days. I'll share my chili recipe too.

Kym's Chorizo Chili

1 lb ground chorizo sausage

1 lb ground beef

1 sweet onion, diced

2-3 red or orange bell peppers, diced

28 oz canned diced tomatoes with chilis (Rotel or similar)

dark chili powder

oregano, basil, cumin, bay leaf

14 oz can black beans

14 oz can pinto or red beans with chili sauce

14 oz can great northern (or other white) beans

Tabasco or your favorite hot sauce

Fry up the chorizo and transfer to a dutch oven or crockpot, then do the same with the ground beef (I use a slotted spoon or spatula so I can leave the drippings in the frypan). Saute the onion and peppers in the drippings, drain and transfer to crockpot. Stir in the canned tomatoes and all the seasonings. I don't measure the seasonings but I estimate at least 6 tbsp chili powder, and a couple tbsp each of the others, and 2-4 bay leaves. Stir in the beans (drain and rinse beans that aren't in chili sauce). If cooking on the stovetop, bring it to a low boil, then cover and reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 45-60 minutes. If cooking in a crockpot, cook on high for 1-2 hours or on low for 4 hours. Stir and remove bay leaves before serving. Serve topped with shredded cheese and sour cream.

6. Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, both or neither?

Dark chocolate for me! Milk chocolate is fine, but if I have a choice, I will always go for dark chocolate.

7. Share your galentine's or Valentine's day plans

At the moment, we haven't made any plans specific to Valentine's Day. We have a couple of dinners out and a game night with friends planned over the next couple weeks, but haven't planned as far out as Valentine's. 

8. Do you dress festive for Valentine's day?

I don't really. I guess it depends what day of the week it falls on. When I was teaching or managing the coffee shop and worked on February 14th I would try to wear something Valentines-y. I've never had much pink in my wardrobe, so a lot of times, my nod to Valentine's Day would be the jewelry.

9. Do you make any sweet treats for Valentine's day?

I don't have any cookies or other treats that I make specifically for Valentine's, but usually wind up baking brownies or something fun. Just not a recipe that is traditional for Valentine's.

10.  What is your love language?

I'm a Quality Time gal! I consider spending a day doing something fun together a good date, and spending time with family or friends is the preferred way to celebrate any special occasion. It can be just hanging out and playing games, going for a walk or hike, exploring something touristy, or even a shopping trip.

 How would you answer any of these? Leave a comment and let me know!

I'm linking up with Monthly Musings hosted by Patty at Good Better Best.

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