The Secret Is Out...

This one's been in the Patin family now for 4 years and it's now time to share it with the world! (well.... at least those who still visit our blog despite my absence for the past 5 months)
This has been our go-to meal whenever we need a quick meal. It's EASY, FAST, and LASTS for DAYS! (that's what sh....) Enjoy!

TACO BEAN SOUP

you will need: 1-2 lb ground beef (we like it chunky)
taco seasoning
1 packet of dry Hidden Valley Buttermilk Ranch dressing packet
16 oz can diced tomatoes
16 oz can black beans
1 can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chile's
1/2 of a 4 oz can of green chile's for additional spice (optional)
1 can kidney beans
1 can pinto beans
1 can great northern beans (white beans)
1 can garbanzo beans (drain these)
1 can white shoe peg corn

Brown ground beef, season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. For health reasons you should drain off the fat, but it adds yummy goodness so I don't.... and I'm still alive.
Add taco seasoning (add extra if you like it spicy), and dry Hidden Valley Buttermilk Ranch packet.

Throw everything in a large pot and simmer for 1 hour. Add white shoe peg corn to warm before serving.
You can't go wrong with this recipe feel free to add your own touch (Allen likes a little lime in his).

Serve with: Cheese, sour cream, and Frito's Scoops.
Serves: 8-10 people

While I'm spilling secrets.... if you don't already know, I'M PREGNANT! That is why I've neglected my blog so much. It's my new favorite excuse "I can't, I'm pregnant". Don't deny it mothers, you know you've done it too! So anyway, we found out after a snorkeling trip in Cambodia, I got seasick, or so I thought, but after repeated days and nights curled up on the bathroom floor or my other favorite, head buried in the toilet, we found a $1 dusty old pregnancy test in the back of a Cambodian pharmacy. It's a third world country people, they didn't even know what it was. Well, after delaying our flight until I was well enough to fly, after a 36 hour flight..... we made it back to Chicago where I could sit like a sick lump on the couch for the next month. I'm now doing much much better, I'm back to work watching a 6 week old baby girl Sierra. Just as cute and tiny as ever!
So, I had my 15 week check up and heard the little jelly bean's heartbeat. It was the most precious sound in the world! I'm due Sept 15th and have an ultrasound to find out the gender in 5 weeks, so for now we'll just call it Jelly Bean.

(my little jelly belly)

As for Allen, he's been extra busy with exams every week, trying to find an internship, starting a garage band with his buddies and taking care of his poor sick wife. Luckily this week is spring break so he's had some time to relax and hang out with me. Yesterday it was nice enough to get out for a walk around town, it was great to spend the time with Allen and not a care in the world.
Oh Yes, I almost forgot- Last week we ventured out to Chicago's St. Patricks Day parade in support of all the Irish people and their lucky charms, and discovered this fellow supporter.

Yes- I pretended to take a picture of Allen in order to snag this one, works everytime!