Project Complete and Two Recipes

This winter I chose a few projects that I wanted to complete, one being organizing our photos. I was almost a year behind, so needed to order the prints I wanted and get them all put in their albums for the kids. On Monday, I finished that project! Then today, I tackled AND finished another project. I LOVE cookbooks and recipes and so I tend to cut out a lot of recipes. I have a binder that I keep all those recipes organized. Well, I had piles of recipes waiting to be put into the binder. So, today I went through that pile, tossed a few and got them all placed into the binder. I came across quite a few that I want to try soon. I even came across one that I thought I had lost. So, tonight I made one for supper and one for dessert. Both are very easy and took no time at all. It feels so good to cross 2 big items off my project list. Only 2 left and 1 of them I can’t do until it is warmer out! The other I plan to complete this week. So, I am feeling pretty darn good! Does that mean I have more time for reading and knitting????? By the way, I’ve got 30 inches of a scarf completed! I may be wearing it before winter is over! Enjoy the recipes!

TACO SOUP
1 lb lean ground beef
1 32 oz container beef broth
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can whole kernal corn
Taco seasoning (2 TBS to the whole package depending on your tastes)
Tortilla chips, optional

In a large saucepan, brown the ground beef. Drain off fat. Stir in broth, beans, tomatoes, corn, and taco seasoning. Bring to a boil over high heat; reduce heat and let simmer, uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve with tortilla chips, if desired. Makes 6 servings.

PEANUT BUTTER JUMBOS
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 cups peanut butter
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
4 1/2 cups quick cooking oats
2 tsp baking soda
1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup M&M’s miniture baking bits

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter, sugars and peanut butter until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine oats and baking soda; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in chocolate chips and M&M’s. Drop by heaping tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350 for 12-14 minutes or until edges are browned. Remove to wire racks. This makes a lot of cookies. I didn’t count, but at least 6-7 dozen depending on the size of your cookies ( and, of course, how much dough you eat!)