Chocolate Chili

This stuff is GREAT! I never would have thought of mixing chocolate with beef, but isn't that what mole is, in a way? Here is the recipe, which I found in Favorite Brand Name Recipes Best of the Best One Dish cookbook. Trust me on this one...

Chocolate Chili

Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over medium heat until hot. Add 1 diced onion and 1 teaspoon chopped garlic. Cook and stir just until the onions are tender, about 3 minutes.

Add 2 pounds lean ground beef, 1 (4-oz) can of diced green chiles, and 1 packet of taco seasoning mix. Cook and stir about 5 minutes or until the meat is browned.

Stir in 1 (28-oz) can of diced tomatoes, 1 (16-oz) jar of thick and chunky salsa, 2 cups of water, 1/2 cup of semisweet chocolate chips, 1/2 cup of slivered almonds, and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Bring to a boil, and reduce heat to low.

Simmer for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Add 1 (15-oz) can pinto beans (drained) and heat 15 minutes longer or until the beans are heated through.

Makes 8 servings. Garnish with crumbled taco shells, shredded cheddar cheese, cilantro and diced tomatoes. Preparation time is 15 minutes, and from start to finish, this takes 1 1/2 hours. And it is SO worth it.

Spring Concert

Someday I'll figure out how to take a decent picture in a school auditorium. In the middle picture, Ian is front and center playing the cello. (I didn't really recognize any of the songs, but don't tell him.) :D In the third photo, he is standing on stage, singing "I Don't Want to Grow Up" from Peter Pan.

Welcome!

For those of you who are new here, welcome to my blog! My name is Serena, and I am Mom to Ian, working full-time in a law firm, and going to school full-time to obtain my Bachelors in Finance.

The newest entries to my blog are on top with older entries following. Conversations I found funny have my son's words in blue and mine in pink. See Growin’ Up and Advice to the Lovelorn. Pressing the 'ctrl' button while clicking on a link will cause the link to open in a new window. Clicking on the word "Serenity" in the upper left corner will take you back to my latest entries.

Comments are always welcome, and you don't have to have a blogspot account to do so. Just click on the "Comments" link at the bottom of each entry, make your comment, and choose your identity. "Anonymous" is one of the choices. I only ask that if you post anonymously, you put your name in the post so I know who it came from. Thank you!

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Memorial Day Parade

Thousands of men and women have died and continue to die for our Freedom, and although it is woefully inadequate, to them I say, Thank You. It has never made sense to me to say "Happy" Memorial Day. I am glad I have the freedom I have, but at the same time am horrified by the vast number of lives it has cost.

Today was the Memorial Day Parade, and not only did I remember my camera, I remembered to use it! (Ian was in the parade. That's probably why.) I got some wonderful pictures of a few young ones absolutely glued to the goings-on. This little one seemed to really enjoy the bands:

and this little one waved to the Fire Trucks:

and I don't think this little guy stopped clapping and jumping for the entire 2 hour parade!

Little kids are great. They soak up everything like little sponges. I remember when Ian was this age... {heavy sigh} Where does the time go? This year he hits 'double digits'!

I believe this band was from the Charter School of Applied Technologies. Cool-looking uniforms, but I bet they were unbearably hot:

The Pipes:

Kenilworth Fire truck:

McGruff, the Crime Dog. (I bet he was in shorts in the car.) :D

Irish dancers:

The Town:

I missed the name of this group, but I bet they were a tad bit warm, too!

Check out the baby buggy!

I have no idea what these bikes are called.
I got video of them showing how to get on them, which will follow in another post:

More Pipes:

The Ladies Auxillary:

A fire truck circa the time my Dad was born:

The Lions Club:

Memorial Day Parade, Continued

Gymnastics:

Highway Department:

Boy Scout Supertroop 104 (War of 1812 Reenactment uniforms):

Sheridan Park Fire Department:

Kenmore Village Improvement Society:

Oooold Fire Truck:

A Snow Scene. What Memorial Day Parade in Western New York would be complete without snow? :D

Ooold Car:

New Mustang:

The Keystone Cops:

And, at long last, Tiny Treasures Day Care ! That's my favorite Boy Child, helping hold the banner:

Of course, I tell him he's my favorite Boy Child, and he says,

Mom. I'm your ONLY Boy Child.

Memorial Day Bag Pipes

How they get on the Big Bikes

KenWest Band

At least I'm pretty sure it is KenWest. I didn't take any video of KenEast. :D