Thanks for the early Christmas present, Retrograde Mercury!

[teenagebambam]

Grrrrr. Mister's student loan payment was auto-deducted from the account today, as usual. It was TWICE the normal amount, as not usual. I'll spare you the details, suffice to say it went from three to four digits. Technically our fault (missed a communique and misunderstood the terms of a repayment plan) and it's a financial hit we can survive, just barely.
Just came to vent for a minute. Everyone's presents are wrapped and under the tree and we are mightily blessed compared to many in our nation. But if anyone has any good bean-based Christmas dinner ideas....

[elleng]

1. Join the crowd, bam, and beans are GOOD!

Beans, Beans, Good for the Heart:

. . .

Tender Beans, Without Soaking

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/03/dining/03appe.html?ref=agoodappetite

[Callie McAllie]

2. Chickpeas and spinach

On NPR once I heard about this chickpea and spinach dish some spanish chef was making. It sounded awesome. I'm sure you could find a recipe on line.

[Kookaburra]

3. Red Beans & Rice

With jalapeno cornbread. Yum.

[Cleita]

4. Sorry about your problem and the economical hit you have to endure.

It seems electronics are being affected by this. I have had problems with my computer, my TV and now my cell phone. So far nothing that has cost me money though. I hope you get you get back to normal and that Mercury goes back to where it belongs.

:argh:

[Mnemosyne]

5. These things seem to always hit at the worst time. I accidentally threw a friend's hearing aid away...

She is lost with only one, heading toward complete deafness and has retinitus pigmentosa(sp) besides, poor lady. BF burned trash not 10 minutes later... :cry: I had $1100 in the bank at the time toward property taxes. The new hearing aids cost $890. It was a rough couple months trying to catch up, really haven't yet.

I felt like a complete moron. Really need to wear my glasses more!

I hear ya', :hug:

[LiberalEsto]

6. Hoppin' John

I don't have a recipe, but I generally make about 2 cups of rice, while stir-frying red pepper pieces and garlic in a bit of olive oil. I can't eat onions myself, but you can add chopped onion to the stir fry mix. Add a dash or two of crushed dried red pepper flakes. When the vegetables are cooked, open a can or two of blackeyed peas, rinse and drain them, and add to the peppers. When everything's hot, combine with the rice and season to taste with salt, black pepper and whatever else you like.

We usually eat it with Frank's Louisiana hot sauce on New Year's Day. It's traditionally supposed to bring good luck, so I hope it works magic for you!