Horseshoes and grenades

The alphabet song, Kiddo-style:

"...T-I-love-you-V. I know my letters anytime!"

Chili

I had a single steak defrosted that needed to get stretched into dinner for threeish people, so I made up this chili recipe, which I'm noting here for my own use.

Steak and bean chili

2 cups boiling water
4 dried red New Mexican chiles, stems and seeds removed
2 Tbsp oil
1 6-oz steak, cubed
1 medium onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
3 cloves of garlic
2 Tbsp chili powder
1 Tbsp cumin
1 tsp oregano
1 large can diced tomatoes
~3 cups fully cooked pinto beans, drained (that's about 1 cup dry beans, soaked and boiled; or 2 15-oz cans)
Salt

In a heat proof container, cover chiles with hot water to reconstitute; set aside.

Heat oil in a 4 quart pot. Fry steak cubes until nicely browned. Remove from pot and set aside. Saute onions, green pepper, and garlic over medium high heat until translucent. Add spices and continue cooking until fragrant.

Add canned tomatoes with their liquid. Using a stick blender, puree soaked chiles in their liquid; add to pot. Return steak cubes with any juices. Add beans, and salt to taste.

Bring to a simmer and hold until ready to eat. This had quite a bit of liquid on it, and I had it uncovered on very low heat for most of the afternoon.

Next time I might soak a couple more chiles and skip the chili powder.

Maybe

Me: Do you want ice in your water?
Her: Yuh-nuh.
Me: Is that yes or no?
Her: Yes, I don't want any.

Repeat ad lib.

I've run the bath too hot and it's causing problems.

Me: Don't get in yet, it's too hot.
Her: But I want to get in!
Me: No, it's too hot; you'll burn yourself.
Her: But I don't want to burn myself.
Me: Right, so don't get in.
Her: But I want to get in.
Me: No, you'll burn yourself.
Her: I don't want to burn myself.

Etc....

So big

Kiddo: Do you eat because it will help you grow?
Me, deciding I don't want to explain why children grow and adults don't: Yes
Kiddo: How big will you be? As big as DAD?

Tortoise

"Team" is a kiddo-ism for "person or group engaged in an athletic activity." She currently enjoys "being a team" by kicking a ball around outside. Tonight I was trying to participate, but, having broken my ankle about ten weeks ago, my "running" technique resembles a flamingo with a peg-leg.

I thought I was doing really well, keeping up with her.

"Mom, I'm the fastest team! You're the slowest team."

Desert-born

The kiddo is outside on the patio, and I come out to ask if she wants to come inside.

"Mom, don't leave me here in the cold wind!"

It's 75.