The winter day

Today has been a great winter day. The boys woke up this morning around 7, Len took Ben downstairs for his milk and medicine, and I fed Izzy and got him ready for the day - new diaper, saline for his nose, lotion for his face. We ate breakfast. Len and Ben had granola, I had coffee and a banana, the former being an essential and lovely part of the morning. Len left for work around 830, and I decided I would attempt to make bread today, which I rarely if ever do. So I brought up a box of toys that Karissa gave me awhile ago for Ben, and he played and played, and I kneaded and kneaded (still don't have that kitchen aid - pout pout). I used this recipe from Joy the Baker. I'll let you know how they turn out - still waiting for them to cool at the moment. Right now both boys are sleeping (thank you Jesus!), and I am plotting about the rest of the afternoon and supper.
I'm planning to make Chili soup for supper. Probably I will regret it tonight, as Izzy's stomach is still sensitive to beans, but a winter's day calls for soup, and I have been wanting to try this recipe. One of my friends at the bank made it for a cookoff, and I thought possibly it was the best I had ever had! I'm hoping this will be my go-to recipe from now on.
I've also been thinking it would be nice to have all my g0-to recipes in one place, and what better place than here, where you can try them too? So I will start out with this chili recipe, and if I don't like it I will take it off. And if I have time between crying children, I will post a few more I've made in recent weeks that have been big hits.

All-American Chili

6 oz. hot Italian sausage 1/4 t. salt
2 c. onion, chopped 2 bay leaves
1 c. green pepper, chopped 1 1/4 c. merlot or other fruity red wine
8 cloves garlic 2 28oz. cans whole tomatoes, undrained and
1 lb. ground sirloin coarsely chopped
1 jalepeno, chopped 2 15 oz. cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
2 T. chili powder 1/2 c. sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
2 T. brown sugar
1 T. cumin
3 T. tomato paste
1 t. oregano
1/2 t. black pepper
Heat a large stock pot over medium heat. Remove casings from sausage. Add sausage, onion, green pepper, sirloin, jalapeno, and garlic to the pot. Cook 8 min. or until sausage and sirloin are browned, stirring to crumble. Add chili powder, brown sugar, cumin, tomato paste, oregano, black pepper, salt, and bay leaves and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in wine, tomatoes, and beans. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Uncover and cook 30 min., stirring occasionally. Discard bay leaves. Serve sprinkled with cheddar cheese.