Bear and Beans

Saturday afternoon the girls and I went to one of Steve's most favorite stores.  The girls and I enjoyed walking around looking at the wildlife displays.  This big bear greeted us at the door.  Sarah Kate refused to have her picture taken with the bear.  She did not want her back to the bear and she wanted to keep her distance.
I feel like that big bear sometimes.  Don't you?  When someone mistreats my children,  I feel the mama bear coming out.



Here is the recipe I made for us on Valentine's Day.  We enjoyed it.  I thought the girls would love it, but they ate like two beans and one bite of sausage.  This is one of those recipes that tasted better the next day.  I thought this recipe was a lot of fun to make!

Biloxi Red Beans and Rice

1lb. red beans
1 1/2 tsp. salt.  ( I used a LOT more)
1 lg onion, chopped
1/2 lg green pepper, chopped
2 slices of bacon
1 rib celery, chopped
1 lb country type sausage (cut in rounds 1/2 inch thick)

Place beans in a large bowl and add water until it is 4 inches above the beans.  They will double in size.
Place beans and soaking water in very large saucepan, add salt and bacon.  Cook until tender.  Add water if necessary; set aside.  Cook sausage in skillet until brown. Saute onion, celery and green pepper in sausage drippings until tender, but not brown.  Combine with beans and sausage and cook until thoroughly heated.  Serve over rice.