What Difference Does An Inch Make

For years I've thought I was 5'6". Some doctor somewhere along the way told me I was, and I believed it. I can't count the number of forms I filled out with that number identifying me. Weight goes up and down, your height doesn't.

Yesterday I went to see my gynecologist for my annual and the nurse measured my weight and height. I didn't take off my sneakers for the weighin as I am within the normal range for my height so no need to shave off a few ounces. Then she measured my height and told me I was 1-1/2 inches taller than I thought. I took my shoes off and asked her if she could measure me again. Without the sneaks 5'7" (an inch taller than I had thought).

Weird, but I still didn't believe it. Maybe their ruler was off? When my husband came home I handed him the tape measure, took off my shoes and had him
measure me. Sure enough, I am 5'7"ate I was slouching at the teenage measurement and have better posture now, but either way I am standing a little taller today.

Lia Sophia

Over the years I've been to 4 Lia Sophia parties and hosted one of my own. The new catalog came out the beginning of February and I quickly came up with $600 worth of stuff I wanted. Time to host another party. I know some people hate these parties but obviously I like the jewelry.

I contacted the rep from the last party I went to and have a Friday night party booked for May (a week before Mother's Day). I have over 40 women on my guest list. The rep suggested having a theme party. I hadn't thought of it but since I have over 2 months to plan it why not. Mexican or Cinco de Mayo would be logical but I don't really like Mexican food, and most of my friends prefer wine to beer. Any suggestions?

Chili

We make chili every year for our Super Bowl party and it has evolved quite a lot since the first year. My husband likes it spicy and this year by replacing some of the beef with chorizo and using tomatoes that already had habaneros mixed in, it definitely was hot. Too hot for me honestly, but he and all the chili lovers loved it.

Ingredients

2 pounds lean ground beef
1 pound chorizo sausage crumbled
6 slices of bacon crumbled
2 small chopped onions
12 cloves garlic, minced
3- 15 ounce can tomato sauce
3- 15 ounce can red kidney beans, drained
3- 14 1/2 ounce can diced tomatoes with Habaneros (Hot) undrained
3 tablepoons chili powder
1-1/2 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
2/3 tsp garlic powder
2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1-1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp Bobs Big Boy Seasoning Salt (optional)

Directions

1. In an 8-quart saucepan cook and stir ground beef, chorizo, chopped onion, and the garlic over medium heat until meat is brown and onion is tender. Drain off fat.

2. Stir in tomato sauce, drained beans, undrained tomatoes, bacon pieces, chili powder, basil, pepper, garlic powder, cinnamon, Tabasco sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and Bobs Big Boy Seasoning salt. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 20 minutes. To serve, ladle chili into bowls. If desired, top each serving with cheese, and/or sour cream.

This makes a lot of chili - probably about 6 quarts.  But the base is pretty easy to reduce, just adjust the spicing accordingly. Or make it all, it freezes well.

I made a mild version too, for the kids and the wimps like me.  Just to make sure people chose the right one for them, I put chalkboard labels on the pots.