Simple and Frugal Chili

It is now comfort food season around here.  Chili is a go to meal for our family on a cold day.

When I make Chili I always do it in the crock pot.  It makes enough for about 3 or so meals for us.  I use a 6 quart crock pot.

Chili Recipe

3 15 oz. cans black beans
3 15 oz. cans kidney beans
2 15 oz. cans diced tomatoes
1 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
2 c. water
3 peppers, diced
1 onion, diced
2-4 Tbs. chili seasoning
1 lb. ground beef
1 lb. pork loin, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced

To start with, brown your ground beef, seasoning with 1 Tbs. chili seasoning mix.  Add to the crock pot.  Dice the pork, and add to the pot.  Dice the onion and peppers.  Add to the pot.  Add the garlic and 2 Tbs. chili seasoning.

Drain and rinse the beans.  Add to the pot.  Add the diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, and water.  Stir everything together until well mixed.  Put the lid on and turn on high.  Let cook for 4 or 5 hours.  Stir well.  Add more seasoning if desired.  Turn down to low and let cook for 2 more hours.  Serve.

Crochet Dishcloth

An easy crochet project for the home or to be used as a gift is the dishcloth or washcloth.  This is simple to make, even for the beginner, is inexpensive as well comes together quickly.  You can easily adjust it to the size you want without any issues.

To start with I am currently making a set of dishcloths for a family member.  They needed to be thin enough to be easily wrung out when wet.  For this I am using Lion Brand's Impeccable yarn with a size G hook.

Chain 41

Row 1:  sc in the 2nd chain from the hook, (ch 1, skip the next chain), sc in the next stitch.  Repeat this all the way to the end of your chain, ending in a sc.  Turn.

Row 2:  Chain 1.  Sc in the first sc, ch 1,  sc in the ch 1 space.  Continue across with a sc in a ch 1 space and a ch 1 over the sc of the previous row.

Row 3-36:  Ch 1 and sc in the first stitch of the row, sc in every ch 1 space, and ch 1 over every sc of the previous row.

To finish, evenly sc around the outside of the square, placing 3 sc in every corner.  Slip Stitch and weave in your ends.

This pattern can be done with any type of yarn.  Keep in mind that the thickness of the yarn may require a different size of hook.  A larger hook will yield a larger dishcloth with bigger holes.  A smaller hook will yield a smaller dishcloth with tighter holes.

Frugal Homemade Gift ideas

Gifting homemade items is a more personalized way to give gifts, at least in my eye.  It is also a way to save money during the holiday season.

Some homemade ideas to consider are:

Crochet or knit blankets, scarves, hats, mittens, slippers, sweaters, dish cloths, dish towels, pot holders, coasters, etc.

If you sew, make quilts, clothing items, bags, etc.

For those that can bake or enjoy making things in the kitchen, consider: Muffins, cookies, cake, bread, jams, applesauce, granola, etc.

If you enjoy making things but are short on time you may want to consider making nut clusters, sea foam, peanut brittle, cocoa mix, mug cake mixes, trail mix, mason jar mixes, etc

If you draw or paint:  Personally made cards, or a framed piece of artwork you have created.

Think about your skills and hobbies, the odds are pretty good there is something that you could utilize toward gift giving.

You could create a small cookbook for the budding cook in the family.  Pass on family favorite recipes this way.  There are so many ways you could do this.  You could type and print it all out, use a binder, notebook, index cards, photo copy your own recipes, etc.  

For the book worm in the family there is always the used bookstore.  Although this one should be done only if you know they wouldn't mind used books, and if you know what they read.