Mukkefuck Cafe

the bag thingy

I was tagged by my Good Friend Lisa to do this, but my Good Friends Catey and Heidi did it, too...and since they are the collective epitome of coolness, I wanted to do it, too:)

OK...so maybe that is a little bit over the top. The truth is, I spent SO many years carrying around a Land's End backpack/diaper bag that I have really enjoyed the opportunity to buy some cute and fun bags over the past year or two.

Here are the rules (which normally I boycott, but they seem a little necessary  this time):

A. Post a picture of whatever bag you are (using) today - not last weekend when you and your hubby went out to that fabulous restaurant. No cheating!!! AND it's contents!! EVERYTHING! Yes, even THAT!

B. Tell us how much it cost. This is a no-judgment zone -- there will be no ridiculing or eye rolling here. And, if there is a story to go along with how you obtained it, I'd love to hear it.

C. Now tag some fellow bloggers and link back to this post so people know why you are posting pictures of your bag. (it is OK to break this rule...I know I am;)

OK, exhibit A:

OK, I know that there are two bags in this photo. I have yet to use a bag, today so I decided to post the bag(s) I used last night. Here they are. Aren't they cute???

Contents of the Dick Bag:

 

1. Girl Scout Badge Book

2. composition book to track Abby's badge progress

3. G.S. Handbook

4. Life is Good hat

5. ink pen, black

6. disk with piratey Wife Swap episode

7. Juliette Lowe birthday patch

8. mitten/glove thingys

Contents of the Fossil Bag:

 

1. two tampons

2. generic Dramamine

3. two packs of gum

4. calculator

5. gel pen, purple

6. receipts for kids' lunch accounts

7. prescription for German pharmacy

8. letter from school nurse regarding Abby's vision and hearing screenings

9. USAA business card

10. MK lip gloss, Aveeno lip balm and some tropical fruity Blistex

11. cell phone

12. checkbook

13. wallet

14. USAA pocket calendar

15. ink pen, black and ink pen, patriotic (from the Fisher House)

16. change purse I carry all of my Euro in (US dollars go in my wallet)

17. my Zune...I love my Zune:)

Exhibit B:

I bought the dick and Jane bag from this chick. I can't remember what I paid for it. Maybe $40-ish, including shipping??? I really didn't care what it cost, I just had to have it. Wanna know what the biggest selling point of this bag was for me??? Two little words; Oh, Dick. When I carry this bag, it is like a little inside joke with myself:)

The other bag is a Fossil purse. It is the only purse I have ever bought from the BX. I think I paid $50-60 for it. I picked this bag up right before I took my trip to Poland in August because I needed a bag that has lots of pockets and that I could carry across my chest. It is hard to find purses that I can carry that way because I am tall and have ginormous boobs. Very annoying. But this purse fits and is actually my favorite every-day bag.

Exhibit C:

I am not specifically tagging anyone, but if you decide to do this leave me a comment to let me know! I am very nosy and love to see what everyone carries around in their purses:)

blogstyle iron chef chili challenge

 

Hi, faithful readers! I have missed all both of you SO much! A lot has happened since we last chatted, but I will have to fill you in on all of that stuff (Ethan ranked high enough in his Pinewood Derby to go on to the district derby & Abby is not deaf, she just can't hear well right now:) next time.

Today, I bring you a new blog thingy. My good friend Heidi over at Sacred and Profanejust came up with a cool way to find some new, delicious and cost effective recipes for her family. With winners! And prizes!!

My competitive nature compels me to participate in this contest because I fancy myself a fairly decent cook (I didn't get this fat eating Twinkies, I assure you). So anyway...pop on over to Heidi's blog if'n you want to play. Or to say hi or even get to know her. She's a pretty cool Momma. Don't take my word for it...just go.

But wait! Before you do, here is my submission for the chili recipe contest!

Sweet Potato & Veggie Chili

2 teaspoons olive oil
1 small to medium red onion,chopped
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 1/2 cup vegetable broth
1 10 oz. sweet potato, peeled and cut into 3/4" cubes
1 14 1/2 oz. can stewed tomatoes with juice, break up tomatoes in a bowl with your fingers
1 15 oz. can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
pinch of cayenne pepper
1 medium zucchini,
diced 2 tablespoons chopped parsley or cilantro
salt and pepper to taste

Directions: This is a very simple and hearty chili. The sweet potato adds a nice sweetness in contrast to the smoky and spicy flavors. You may add more cayenne pepper for a little extra heat! Heat olive oil in heavy medium sauce-pan over medium-high heat.

Add red onion and sauté until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add the chili powder and stir for about a minute. Add 1 cup of the veggie broth and potato.

Cover pan and reduce heat to medium and simmer until potato is almost tender, about 10 minutes. Add stewed tomatoes with their juices and pinto beans along with the garlic and spices.

Add zucchini and the rest of veggie broth (1/2 cup). Season to taste with salt and pepper. Simmer uncovered until chili thickens and potato is very tender, about 10 minutes. Mix in parsley or cilantro at the end.

 

Enjoy:)