Snow Day

Busy, busy, always busy here (for which we always welcome prayers) but at least today we're not going anywhere. Last night the snowfall, today the play. It started pretty early, since there is already a sign here and there of melting on the ground. Not that it's going anywhere with the temperature what it is, but the kids were anxious to be out there before breakfast. 

Right now everyone is back inside cozy and warm, although snowman-making is on the agenda for the afternoon. We might try our hand at some other fun stuff for indoors; I have always wanted a weather day to try these snow balls, and watching last night's snowfall inspired me to look up this pretty winter birch art project for the kids. 

This is actually last night's dinner, and I'll have to buy another slow cooker before I can make it again. Someone, ahem, left the insert on the stovetop last night, and someone, ahem, turned on the wrong burner this morning, and the result was a burning smell, then a crack and a pop, and a crock with the bottom broken right out. Fortunately we have leftovers. It's good for meatless Fridays, too.

Vegetarian Chili

One can black beans, rinsed and drained

One can of garbanzo beans or white navy beans, rinsed and drained

One can kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1 to 2 cans baked beans

One can of corn, rinsed and drained

One can of diced tomatoes

6 ounces of tomato sauce

2 ounces of tomato paste

Half cup diced green pepper

Half cup of diced onion

1 teaspoon (two cloves) minced garlic

1 tablespoon of chili powder

1 tablespoon oregano 

1 tablespoon basil

1 tablespoon parsley

Throw it all in the slow cooker and cook on high for two hours or so, and serve with crackers or cornbread. Add in cooked rice, cheese, or both, if you want. You can even throw in a cup of rice while it's cooking, which will thicken up the chili somewhat. 

What cold-weather comfort foods do you serve on snowy days?