Greetings friends!
How’s the new year going 3 days in?
I have to keep reminding myself that it’s ’25 not ’24 any longer.
Probably gonna take a couple more days before it sinks all the way in.
Mine is going well — save the temps have sure done a fast, cold dive. ha
No surprise. It’s that time of year.
Not a chilly girl fan — although I do hail from Montana.
Proud? Yes.
Miss the frosty winters? Not for one second.
Lot’s of fun to share this 3rd day of 2025!
BEGINNING WITH
STACY’S WORLD
Once again, Stacy presents her cool, innovative ideas of best-of-the-best tips and finds!
Today — skin care!
I’ve already ordered both products she mentions in her column.
(disclosure – not an affiliation with Daymaker)
However, if Stacy says it’s tried and true – I’m a believer and I’m all in!
Stacy knows her stuff!
Thanks. Stac!
QUICK QUESTION
Do I tend to trust people easily?
Nope.
Did at one time.
As the years of been-there-done-that find me — I’m more discerning – and it’s a positive thing.
FIRST CHILI COOK- OFF RODEO
Visited with my friend, Carol, yesterday and she told me that she and Toby are entering their church chili cook-off competition on Saturday.
Toby’s making his Over the Top Chili recipe to enter in the competition.
What I know is (via Carol) Toby is smoking meat, and chili in the smoker.
Pump the brakes!
I’m thinking HOLY, SMOKES that’s gotta be the 1st prize, blue ribbon winner!
Knowing Toby and Carol — they’ll share the blue ribbon/winner’s trophy with all participants.
They’re those kind of beautiful people.
Carol and Toby – please let us know how the church chili cook-off goes and, Toby, might you share your recipe with us?
TRUCK STOP CHILI RECIPE
Carol and Toby’s entry at their church’s chili cook-off prompted me to post my humble recipe today.
It’s really, really good.
Served it at Hippie Cowboy and the customers were wild about it.
BRUCE CAMERON’S
Chili Judge column is a knee slapper!
And quite unforgettable.
And has made its way around the internet since 1997.
Once you read it – or re-visit it — will ride with you in your memory bank every time you enjoy a bowl of chili during the chilly days ahead.
AS ALWAYS
We are enormously grateful for your time in reading us + sharing + engaging.
Ready?
Set.
Here we go!
STACY’S WORLD
HEAD TO TOE HYDRATED SKIN
Hello 2025!
Here in Texas right now it is about to get really cold … brrrrrr …
It is most definitely time to crank up the heater in our homes.
So very grateful to have the heat, but manufactured heat sucks the moisture right out of my skin.
I used to literally slather on lotion — and 3 hours later — I was dry as a bone.
Until now.
I decided to try mixing other products with my lotion to add more long lasting moisture.
I tried a few different concoctions and the one that worked best when I mixed it with my daily body lotion was Bio-Oil.
SEE PIC #1
I just squeeze a 6 or 8 ounce portion of body lotion into a plastic tub with about a TBSP of Bio-Oil and stir it up with my finger. (( It does tend to separate after a few days so I just stir it again. ))
I also use the Perlier 3-in-1 cream on the crepey areas on my arms under the Bio-Oil mixture.
About this time last year, I wrote about the super trending Snail Mucin products — which I love and use.
This year the super trending products that contain Beef Tallow are very popular and for a very good reason.
Beef Tallow contains essential vitamins and fatty acids that promote hydration and suppleness.
A co-worker has been using Terra Lotus Tallow Honey balm.
SEE PICS 2 & 3
I definitely noticed how healthy and hydrated her skin looked so I decided to try it out for myself.
This product not only contains Beef Tallow — but on top of that — the balm is enriched with organic honey and beeswax which envelopes your skin in hydration and antioxidant protection.
As if that were not enough, this product also is blended with organic olive oil (known for its natural abilities to combat free radicals) leaving your skin super refreshed.
This product also contains essential oils — giving it a fabulous scent. Plus other benefits.
When I received my Tallow Honey balm I thought to myself, this is so thick. It is going to enlarge the pores on my face.
((When I use thick products like this, it usually does.))
However, it had the opposite effect.
My pores were smaller and my skin felt like silk.
I have used this product on my face about every other night for 2 weeks now and I really, really like it a lot!
I also understand this is also a fabulous balm to use if you have spots of psoriasis.
MEME
COFFEE IS VITAL FOR SURVIVAL.
DINOSAURS DIDN’T HAVE COFFEE AND LOOK HOW THAT TURNED OUT.
HAPPY NEW YEAR.
LOOKING FORWARD TO 2025!
~ Stacy’s World is exclusive to Daymaker Readable Art.
Questions or Comments?
Write them in today’s comments and Stacy will get back to you.
QUICK QUESTION
DO YOU TEND TO TRUST
PEOPLE EASILY?
TRUCK STOP CHILI
Take advantage of a free afternoon and make this chili, filling your home with the kind of aroma that drifts from the kitchen and throughout the house and greets everyone. So pleasing and ensures that life isn’t all that difficult. In Montana, we often serve it with a cinnamon roll and a big glass of cold milk.
Makes a lot. Refrigerate leftovers or it’s totally freezable for another chilly day.
HERE’S HOW WE MAKE IT
INGREDIENTS:
2 pounds ground beef
1 medium onion, diced
1/2 cup good quality ground chili powder
1 TBSP ground cumin
2 tsp garlic, minced
1 – 15 ounce can beef stock
2 TBSP Worcestershire sauce
1 TBSP dried basil
2 tsp crushed pepper flakes
2 TBSP canned chipotles, pureed
2 – 28 ounce cans crushed tomatoes
1 – 15 ounce can tomato sauce
1 cup favorite barbecue sauce
4 – 15 ounce cans ranch (pinto) beans
3 – 15 ounce cans chili seasoned beans
2 TBSP black pepper
2 tsp salt
NEXT
In a large soup pot over medium-high heat, brown beef, onion and garlic.
Drain off excess grease (should there be any)
Add remaining ingredients
Stir to combine
Bring to a boil, stirring frequently
After about 15 minutes, reduce heat to medium to medium-low and simmer for a couple hours. Stirring every now and then.
The longer the better
Add an additional cup or two of water if the chili becomes too thick and keep on cooking
CHILI JUDGE
BY W. BRUCE CAMERON
Recently I was honored to be selected as an Outstanding Famous Celebrity in my Community to be a judge at a chili cook-off because no one else wanted to do it.
Also the original person called in sick at the last moment and I happened to be standing there at the judge’s table asking directions to the beer wagon when the call came.
I was assured by the other two judges that the chili wouldn’t be all that spicy, and besides they told me I could have free beer during the tasting, so I accepted this as being one of those burdens you endure when you’re an Internet writer and therefore known and adored by all.
HERE ARE THE SCORECARDS FROM THE EVENT:
Chili #1
MIKE’S MANIAC MOBSTER MONSTER CHILI
JUDGE ONE: A little too heavy on tomato. Amusing kick.
JUDGE TWO: Nice, smooth tomato flavor. Very mild.
CAMERON: Holy smokes, what is this stuff? You could remove dried paint from your driveway with it. Took me two beers to put the flames out. Hope that’s the worst one. These people are crazy.
Chili #2
Arthur’s Afterburner Chili
JUDGE ONE: Smoky (barbecue?) with a hint of pork. Slight Jalapeno tang.
JUDGE TWO: Exciting BBQ flavor, needs more peppers to be taken seriously.
CAMERON: Keep this out of reach of children! I’m not sure what I am supposed to taste besides pain. I had to wave off two people who wanted to give me the Heimlich maneuver. Shoved my way to the front of the beer line. The barmaid looks like a professional wrestler after a bad night. She was so irritated by my gagging sounds that the snake tattoo under her eye started to twitch. She has arms like Popeye and a face like Winston Churchill. I will NOT pick a fight with her.
Chili #3
Fred’s Famous Burn Down the Barn Chili
JUDGE ONE: Excellent firehouse chili! Great kick. Needs more beans.
JUDGE TWO: A beanless chili, a bit salty, good use of red peppers.
CAMERON: This has got to be a joke. Call the EPA, I’ve located a uranium spill. My nose feels like I have been sneezing Drano. Everyone knows the routine by now and got out of my way so I could make it to the beer wagon. Barmaid pounded me on the back; now my backbone is in the front of my chest. She said her friends call her “Sally.” Probably behind her back they call her “Forklift.”
Chili #4
Bubba’s Black Magic
JUDGE ONE: Black bean chili with almost no spice. Disappointing.
JUDGE TWO: A hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish or other mild foods, not much of a chili.
CAMERON: I felt something scraping across my tongue but was unable to taste it. Sally was standing behind me with fresh refills so I wouldn’t have to dash over to see her. When she winked at me her snake sort of coiled and uncoiled — it’s kinda cute.
Chili #5
Linda’s Legal Lip Remover
JUDGE ONE: Meaty, strong chili. Cayenne peppers freshly ground adding considerable kick. Very impressive.
JUDGE TWO: Chili using shredded beef; could use more tomato. Most admit the cayenne peppers make a strong statement.
CAMERON: My ears are ringing and I can no longer focus my eyes. I belched and four people in front of me needed paramedics. The contestant seemed hurt when I told her that her chili had given me brain damage. Sally saved my tongue by pouring beer directly on it from a pitcher. Sort of irritates me that one of the judges asked me to stop screaming.
Chili #6
Vera’s Very Vegetarian Variety
JUDGE ONE: Thin yet bold vegetarian variety chili. Good balance of spice and peppers.
JUDGE TWO: The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions, and garlic. Superb.
CAMERON: My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous flames. No one seems inclined to stand behind me except Sally. I asked if she wants to go dancing later.
Chili #7
Susan’s Screaming Sensation Chili
JUDGE ONE: A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers.
JUDGE TWO: Ho Hum, tastes as if the chef threw in canned chili peppers at the last moment. I should note that I am a bit worried about Judge Number 3, he appear to be in a bit of distress.
CAMERON: You could put a hand grenade in my mouth and pull the pin and I wouldn’t feel it. I’ve lost the sight in one eye and the world sounds like it is made of rushing water. My clothes are covered with chili which slid unnoticed out of my mouth at some point. Good, at the autopsy they’ll know what killed me. Go Sally, save yourself before it’s too late. Tell our children I’m sorry I was not there to conceive them. I’ve decided to stop breathing, it’s too painful and I’m not getting any oxygen anyway. If I need air I’ll just let it in through the hole in my stomach. Call the X-Files? people and tell them I’ve found a super nova on my tongue.
Chili #8
Helen’s Mount Saint Chili
JUDGE ONE: This final entry is good, balanced chili, neither mild nor hot. Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge Number 3 fell and pulled the chili pot on top of himself.
JUDGE TWO: A perfect ending, this is a nice blend chili, safe for all, not too bold but spicy enough to declare its existence.
CAMERON: Momma?
~ W. Bruce Cameron
copyright 1997
SMILE —
IT INCREASES YOUR FACE VALUE.
~ DOLLY PARTON ~
HAPPY WEEKEND!
CATCH YA MONDAY
SAME TIME
SAME PLACE
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Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!
The chili judge made me laugh until I teared up! Never gets old! Thanks for making me laugh on this cold Friday morning!
Truck Stop Chili…yes please!
I have never put worcestershire or barbeque sauce in my chili…will definately give it a try. I don’t usually follow a chili recipe. I just throw in the pot whatever I have on hand and I will admit there have been a few pots of my chili that were well a little off…lol. I am going to make the Truck Stop Chili though…and follow the recipe!
I discovered Tallow for my skin care routine a year ago, Lady May Tallow is my go to brand. I’m able to purchase a tub of Tallow for cooking purposes & dyi skin tallow with adding jojoba oil + essential oil Frankincense.
Amazing stuff, happy to see this is on DayMaker…
Oh my goodness! Stacy has done it again! Last year, when she recommended snail mucin, SOLELY on her recommendation (I normally shy away from slimy little snails), I ordered the mucin and have not been disappointed. She also introduced us to Perlier which now is a twice-a-day slather for me. So OF COURSE at her suggestion I’m going to incorporate Bio Oil and Tallow Honey Balm into my routine. I can feel my skin softening already. Thanks, Stacy.
The cool weather is sending thoughts of a big bowl of steaming chili and Truck Stop Chili sounds too good not to try. Gathering the ingredients. . .
2025 is off and running! Thanks for the inspiration!!!
TRUCK STOP CHILI. Mmmmm sounds delicious.
Loved reading the ingredients however I was most surprised that it called for “1/2 cup chili powder”. Sounds like a whole bunch.
My daughter is coming in 2 weeks so I’m posting the recipe on the refrigerator door in hopes she will ASK to make it.
Thanks, too, Daymaker for the humorous lines from “the chili judges”.
A great day to you all.