{slowing down.}

I've got a little garden growing...reminding me that good things will come to those who wait.

I've got a jar of sourdough starter growing and thriving on our kitchen counter...reminding me that waiting for treasure is way better than instant gratification.

...and both are reminding me....

{8 years.}

That's how long I've been his wife.
That's when we said "I do."
He was 21, I was 22.

It's been beautiful. It's been real.
It's been everything.

It's not always a fairytale.
We almost lost the happily ever after once.

But you gotta fight like hell,
and if it's worth saving,
you will save it.

Thank you Lord,
for the boy that walked into my heart
on that random summer night.

via etsy

{me. in a nutshell.}

I found this on pinterest, but it led me to this lovely blog.

{recipe: rainy day chili}

 {It was a kinda-cold, stormy day...and that makes me want some chili.}

ingredients:

• 2 lbs. ground chuck
• 1 red onion, roughly chopped
• 1 can tomato sauce
• 1 can fire roasted (diced) tomatoes w/ green chilies
• 1 can pinto beans
• 1 can dark red kidney beans
• 2 tbsp. chili powder (or more if that's how you like it!)
• 1.5-2 tbsp. mexican spice blend
• 1 cup hot water 

how to:

• (in dutch oven) toss chopped onions and cook over med-high heat until soft.
• remove most of the onions (set aside, leaving a few to add flavor to the beef) and put beef in the pot.
• brown the beef. using a mesh strainer, drain off fat, then return to pot.
• toss cooked onions back into the pot
• drain and rinse both beans and add to pot
• add tomato sauce and diced tomatoes (do not drain)
• add all spices and hot water
• stir together, reduce heat to medium-low, cover and let simmer for at least an hour, stirring occasionally.

{...didn't get any photos, but will add a few next time I make it!}