Crockpot Monday

White Chili Speciality by Barbara McGinnis

makes 8-10 servings

1 lb. large Great Northern beans, soaked overnight (do this on Sunday night)

2 lbs. boneless chicken breasts, cut up.

1 medium onion, chopped

green chilies

2 tsp. cumin

1/2 tsp. salt

14-1/2-oz. can chicken broth

1 cup water

1. Put soaked beans in medium-sized saucepan and cover with water. Bring to boil and simmer 20 minutes. discard water.

2. Brown chicken if desired, in 1-2 tbsp. oil in skillet.

3. Combine pre-cooked and drained beans, chicken, and all remaining ingredients in slow cooker.

4. Cover. Cook on low 10-12 hours, or high 5-6 hours.

Have You Booked Your Hotel for Graduation?

Seriously,you better start calling hotels , B&B's, campgrounds, RV's within 50miles of the campus. Many places hold lotteries, or if you have stayed as a guest before, you have first priority.Don't be surprised if they require 2-3 night minium stay.

I booked a B&B that we had stayed in for Parent's Weekend. Yes, and special event rates apply.

How many times have you asked your Senior, "Are you sure your going to graduate in May 2011?" I would like to take out an insurance policy on this.

Crock Pot Monday

This is one of my favorites:

Barbecue Brisket by Patricia Howard

makes 8-10 servings

4-5 lb beef brisket

1/8 tsp. celery salt

1/4 tsp. garlic salt

1/4 tsp. onion salt

1/4 tsp. salt

1.5 oz. bottle liquid smoke

1 1/2 cups barbecue sauce

1. Place brisket in slow cooker.

2. Sprinkle with celery salt, garlic salt onion salt, and salt.

3. pour liquid smoke over brisket. Refrigerator for 8 hours.

4. Cook on low 9-10 hours, or until tender. During the last hour pour barbecue sauce over brisket.

Serve with soft rolls and cole slaw.

College Care Package

Now is about the time to send a "care" package to your college student. A favorite of Photodaughter's is the Cinnamon-Apple Chex Mix. Makes 16 servings 1/2 cup each

http://www.chex.com/Recipes/RecipeView.aspx?RecipeId=6709

Ingredients
5 cups Wheat Chex cereal
1 cup lightly salted whole almonds
1/4 cup butter
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup chopped dried apples
1/2 cup vanilla yogurt-covered raisins

Directions
1. In a large microwavable bowl, mix cereal and almonds.
2. in a 2-cup microwavable measuring cup, microwave butter, brown sugar, corn syrup and cinnamon uncovered on High about 2 minutes, stirring after 1 minute, until mixture is boiling:stir. pour over cereal mixture, stirring until evenly coated. microwave uncovered on high 3 minutes, stirring and scraping bowl after every minute. Stir in apples: microwave uncovered on High about 2-3 minutes or until apples just begin to brown on edges.
3. spread on waxed paper or foil to cool, about 5 minutes. place in an airtight container.

Confirmation of Hotel for Graduation

I just received the confirming letter from the hotel for graduation weekend. Wow, they want cash or check no cc. I do have a canceling date of April for a full refund.
This is going to be an expensive weekend. I would love to hear from experience parents on how do you handle this event? I have family and friends who have expressed they would like to attend. They are spending big bucks on getting there etc. Do I comp the rooms? Any advince would be greatly appreciated.

Plans for Dinner

If you are lucky enough to have your college student close by, then take advantage of the invitation to visit. This will come in the form of "can you come for dinner?" You never know this could be an important opportunity/ rare moment to talk or just "Mom can you bring up...."
Honestly, I don't mind the 1 1/2 hour drive.
Part 2. Be prepared for "I'm dropping a class". Take a deep breath and carefully ask if they have discussed this with their advisor. Next, ask they are going to graduate on time. Remember the class ring you bought with 2011 on it? Josten's can change the date for a fee. Hopefully, you have already reserved your hotel rooms for graduation. If not immediately call all the hotels in the area. Some hotels actually hold lotteries.
It can get real ugly. Like $ 200.00 per for a Days Inn minimum 5 nights. I called exactly 1 year to the date of graduation 2011. I didn't get much for my money, I did snag 2 rooms.

Update on Moving in Day

Each year there is less and less "stuff" that gets hauled back to college. She moved in early to help freshman with moving in, a college tradition and well appreciated by newby college parents with cars packed with college "stuff'. Photodaughter is happy as can be with her new set of roomates. She has a single this year, two bathrooms, kitchen, living area and AC. Her room overlooks a pond and trees. Yes, she is a senior this year. Spring semester she studied aboard, Aix-en-Provence (you can read my blog 125 Days Away) A fantastic experience for her. I was blown away with her French. Honestly, I had never heard her speak it.

Yes, Crock-pot Monday will return next week.