Halloween 2012

Halloween is almost here. 

And here I am still deciding what to dress these little ones as.

I've gone back and forth trying to decide whether I dress them "match-y" or let them be separate.

Part of me thinks that I should take this opportunity to match them since it's likely that next year when my son is 3 he will have a mind of his own. I'm not sure which will be better, but I have to decide soon. It's only a couple weeks away now.

 Happy Halloween, readers :)

Recipe Time

I'd like to share one of our fall family favorites!

I love my slow cooker for fall,

it helps me save time cooking so I can spend it playing with the kids!

One of the favorites in my house is 

Chipotle Chili!

[Campbell's Chipotle Chili]

Makes: 8 servings

Prep: 15 minutes

Cook: 8 to 9 hours

1 Jar (16 ounces) Pace Chipotle or Regular Chunky Salsa

1 Cup Water

2 Tablespoons Chili Powder

1 large Onion, chopped (about 1 cup)

2 pounds beef for stew, cut into 1/2 inch pieces

1 can (about 19 ounces) red kidney beans, rinsed and drained

Shredded Cheddar cheese (optional)

Sour cream (optional)

1. Stir the salsa, water, chili powder, onion, beef and beans in a 3 1/2 quart slow cooker.

2. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 to 9 hours* or until the meat is fork tender. Serve with the cheese and sour cream, if desired.

*Or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours

Recipe courtesy of Campbell's Slow Cooker recipes cookbook 

As I began experimenting with my slow cooker, I omitted the onion, add 3 large russet (baker) potatoes (cut into bite size chunks), 1 can black beans (rinsed and drained) and 1 can pinto beans (rinsed and drained). It's so easy to customize recipes with a slow cooker, stay tuned, I'll be sharing more slow cooker recipes soon!

 

Welcome!

Welcome to Tales from the Trenches: The stay at home mom!

I'm glad you're here. 

I've designed this blog as a place to reflect on the journeys of being a stay at home parent. 

I got married in 2008. I became a stay at home mom in 2010 after I had my son. He's my little NICU baby.
 He was born with a broken humerus, so the beginning was rough. But that didn't matter because I was so in love! When he was 10 months old, I went back into the working world but soon realized my true calling, being a SAHM. I came back to the SAHM side and couldn't be happier! Since then, I have had my daughter as well. They are 22 months apart and couldn't be better friends :)
I love watching them grow and learn together. 
I'm so happy to share this journey with all of you, and hope you enjoy the journey with us as well.

If you've got questions or a topic you'd like featured, 

please feel free to email me!

 Enjoy!