Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Fun in the Sun


Does he look happy or what?

I want to look like him (actually the round tummy and spreading hips are not too far off the mark....). I can smell the briny water and feel that powdery sand between my toes.

And I'd much rather look at him than look out my window at yet another gray, wet, snow's-almost-melted-away day. We are SO ready for spring around here!

Anyhoo, here's a quick little recipe to go with your beer and the cold snowy days left this winter. Put on some Jimmy Buffett and turn up the heat!

Taco Soup (very easy-- very, very, very easy....)

pound or so of hamburger
2 1/2 cups beef broth
one package taco seasonings
one can chili beans
1/2 cup corn, frozen or canned
a shake of Cajun or jerk seasoning
1/2 cup chunky salsa

Brown the hamburger, when done throw on the taco seasoning and Cajun or jerk spice. Mix, then pour the broth over the meat and stir. Mix in the can of beans, corn, salsa. Simmer five minutes. Serve with corn muffins, or over crushed taco chips, with cheese or sour cream on top.

Yummy! And the spice makes it easier to shed those winter pounds. I read it somewhere, so it must be true . . . :)

So what gets you through these last days of winter, with spring clothes filling the stores and messy, melting snow everywhere?

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

There comes an end to winter? Could have fooled me. We're getting inches and inches of snow this very moment.

Gillian Layne said...

Are you back east, by chance? Hubby tells me they've had over a foot of snow so far.

Might want to add an extra shake of spice!

Unknown said...

It has snowed every day this week in Maine, and we'll have more this weekend. I've been sliding all over, even if 4 wheel drive. I love that picture! My middle daughter just called me from Florida where she and her husband will spend the next 2 months (with a side trip to Jamaica). I hate her. Well, not really, but she could have thrown me in the wayback of the Suburban.

Gillian Layne said...

I am in the throes of a deep jealousy. Why Florida and Jamaica for two months?

I looked at the forecast for Hanover, where Jeff is, and it looked to forecast snow for the next 10 days or so. Isn't this a bit excessive, even for you New Englanders?

Terry Stone said...

I am going to have to try your recipe, Gillian. It sounds delicious (and quick-my favorite kind).

We've barely had snow here in WV. We usually get the big snowfalls in late Feb and early March. Much to my kids disappointment, they're ready for snowmen and sleigh rides.

Myself, I love my mountains, but could just as easily skip over winter. I keep reminding myself that spring is that much sweeter after the brutal cold. Someday, I might believe myself :0)

Gillian Layne said...

Terry Jo, we had one big fat nasty ice storm that shut down everything for a week, and for which they are still cleaning up fallen limbs and trees----but that's it.

A lot of little flurry storms, but no good sledding snow. Bummer!

I'm ready to start cleaning outside and planting something that isn't brown ;)

Lenora Bell said...

Mmmm...I love your recipes. This one looks delicious.

We're cold and dreary here in Portland. Although the sun did peep out for a few minutes today. I can't complain, though. My sister has 30 feet of snow in Alaska.

Gillian Layne said...

30 FEET? 30 feet...Nope, I cannot comprehend. 30 inches would us down for weeks. 14 inches shut the town down for three days.

30 feet....maybe she needs some of the soup. Although how she gets out and goes shopping is quite beyond me.

You have the adventure family, don't you, dear? I think that fabulous. Between you and your sister, the places you've lived are a book in itself.

Gillian Layne said...

Ok--- "would SHUT us down" and " that'S fabulous" .

Sheesh. I need more coffee!!

Anonymous said...

I'm in Montana. Sorry it took me so long to wander by here again. Most of our snow has melted already. We get quite a few feet in the moutnains often. I'm not sure as much as 30 feet, but a lot more than 30 inches

Gillian Layne said...

Montana! I bet it's gorgeous.

We've had ice again today (sigh). I'm ready for either snow, or spring.