Our Chili Weekend

We are all so happy to have Granny visiting us this weekend. It's been a long time coming... she hasn't been in Tennessee since September! That's a very long time for us. So our weekend was off to a good start right from the beginning.

Since she hasn't been here most fall, Granny was worried that her fall tradition of making a "leaf road" with the kids would be missed this year. Usually the leaves all fall off in October and then we have our grass mowed one last time for the year and the leaves are all gone. But this year has been strange and not only have the leaves not all fallen but half of them are still green on the branches! The problem this year seems to be not having enough leaves on the ground to start with. They made do and constructed some highways and byways using the few leaves out there. It was the perfect day for it... crisp and clear, bright blue sky and warm crinkly leaves.

So it's finally FALL or at least, for today it's fall. And what better meal is there for a cool fall day than a piping hot bowl of chili? I have to admit I am a little picky when it comes to chili. I love the recipe I have had since I started cooking on my own and have never tried another. It's a family favorite. Ben puts in his request for it like clockwork during the cold months. Holden downs two bowls easily. Even Emeline relishes doctoring up her kid-size dish with just the right amount of cheese, crackers and sour cream.

Cooking seems to be the theme of the weekend. In addition to chili, we've cooked and pureed two pie pumpkins (from Huber's) and roasted the seeds. Tomorrow we'll make the pie... yum! Tonight we assembled a French toast recipe that has to soak in the fridge overnight for an easy breakfast Sunday morning.

So much for my jeans finally being loose! I'll start my "diet" again on Monday...