ÎÞëÊÓƵ

Dec 5, 2018 By Jennifer Garofalo jgarofalo@heraldstandard.Com 3 min read

Some weeks, IÎÞëÊÓƵ™m on top of my game.

I keep schedules straight. I get hot meals on the table. I wash and fold the laundry. Even dishes donÎÞëÊÓƵ™t feel like such a chore.

It feels effortless, inasmuch as that stuff can be. I kick butt and take names, keeping my mental checklist straight and making sure that everyone else is on track with whatever they need.

Those weeks leave me feeling good. I look back, I reflect on all that IÎÞëÊÓƵ™ve done, and I feel good that IÎÞëÊÓƵ™d had a week unpunctuated by a cluster of rushing and craziness (or at least punctuated with rushing and craziness that IÎÞëÊÓƵ™d planned for).

Then there are the other times. Parents, I know you know what I mean: the times when we try our darnedest to keep everything straight, and we just fail.

We forget that little Johnny needs a specifically hued shirt for the school holiday concert, or that Jane has to pack her lunch for the field trip.

If youÎÞëÊÓƵ™re me, you put everything into the slow cooker, knowing that youÎÞëÊÓƵ™ve made your evening easier because youÎÞëÊÓƵ™ll come home to a hot meal ÎÞëÊÓƵ¦ only to find that you failed to push start and there is no dinner.

We kick ourselves. We shouldnÎÞëÊÓƵ™t.

The flaws and the failures (big or little) are worthwhile. They produce lessons, make us stronger and offer all of us a chance to grow and do better. Heck, if we choose it, they offer us a chance to laugh.

No matter what happens and no matter how badly we feel about it, we all could do with a little more perspective. There is a lot to be thankful for, even on the bad days. Sometimes, we just need to look for it.

And if all else fails, tomorrow can truly be another day ÎÞëÊÓƵ¦. another day to better, to try again, to get it right (or to turn on the slow cooker).

Slow Cooker Chili (just remember to turn it on!)

1 pound ground beef, chicken or turkey

1 medium onion, minced

3-4 cloves garlic, minced

1 can each: black beans, kidney beans and pinto beans, drained and rinsed

1 cup stock or water

28 oz. crushed tomatoes

2 tablespoons tomato paste

2 teaspoons chili powder

2 teaspoons cumin

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon oregano

Salt and pepper to taste

Sautee the meat with the minced onion and garlic. Add the meat/onions/garlic, along with the rest of the ingredients to the slow cooker. Stir to combine and cook on low for at least 6 hours. Top the chili with whatever youÎÞëÊÓƵ™d like (our favorites are crushed tortilla chips, sour cream and scallions).