Red Beans and Rice

Well, after the botched meal yesterday, I decided I needed to redeem myself today and since I had the day off, I made a huge crock-pot full of red beans for dinner tonight. I must compliment myself and say they turned out pretty yummy. I did not make them as spicy as last time (which was a bit sad for the hubby and me, but this meant the girls actually ate them up and we can always add a little hot sauce to spice it up!). This time I used some chicken andouille sausage, leftover ham, and some sweet Italian sausage. They simmered all day and made the house smell spicy and delicious. Tonight for dinner, all I had to do was steam up some rice for dinner. Well, I made some garlic bread with my leftover French bread too. I might post my recipe some time. Red Beans and Rice is one of my favorite Southern meals and something I miss about Mississippi.

The Power of Children to Motivate

Well, I spent the morning goofing off a bit at work trying to research tire chains! My daughter Emma and I are scheduled to go to Big Bear for a camping trip this weekend. We will stay in some cabins as part of this Adventure Guide activity. I have been pretty excited about playing in the snow with Emma. However, I also have been looking forward to carpooling with a friend and her daughter, partly because they are such fun to be with, and partly because she is a frequent visitor to Big Bear and agreed to drive.

I have a fairly big fear of driving in the snow. This stems from living in Northern Mississippi for several years and too many incidents of being in my car as it slid down a big hill into other cars and sliding on the ice patches on the roads with some spectacular near misses. I would be happy never to drive in snow or ice conditions ever again. Alas, my friend has been sick all week and still is not sure whether she will be going. So there is a good chance I will have to drive to Big Bear if I want to go this weekend with my daughter!

Now if this were just me, I am sure I would have cancelled in a heartbeat, even though I am cheap and I had to prepay!! However, as I research tire chains today, i know i just can not disappoint my daughter who is so very excited about camping with her friends and playing the the snow. Never underestimate the power of your love for your children to motivate you to do things you really would rather not do!