Champions and popsicle sticks.

Image 7Billy and Miriam Rose hosted their 2nd Annual Chili and Cornbread cook off.  Brian makes a kick@$$ cornbread, so we were excited to go dominate.  A few hours before it was time to go, he wondered why I hadn’t started making chili.  Well, I thought we were showcasing his talent, so I had intended to take a backseat.  Thinking on my feet, I quickly whipped up a dynamite chili, using venison to give it an edge.  For not having given it a thought until the day of, I feel pretty pleased for earning 2nd place in a chili competition that hosted ten entries!

ImageImage 5Bennett enjoyed some grandpa and cousin time while we were a few miles away, sampling and criticizing.  It turned out that everyone else brought their kiddos, many Bennett’s age(ish).  Perhaps we’ll bring him next year!  As it was, one boy (whom Bennett would have been ALL OVER) ended up getting VERY sick that night (like, hospital), so I’m a little relieved that he wasn’t exposed this time.

And Brian’s cornbread?  Well, let’s just say that when we got home last night, he looked at me and asked, “How does it feel to know you’re coming home with a champion?”

Yes, Brian clinched first place (out of five entries).  No surprise.  His cornbread is a beast.  Not an original recipe, but we don’t know anyone else who uses two sticks of butter and bakes it in a cast iron skillet.  (I got a trophy and he got a medal.)Image 4

This afternoon, I jotted down the chili recipe before I forgot it.  I’m pretty sure that this is how I made it.  I can’t recall any further details.

venison, white bean and portabello chili

Oh, and I’ve been toying around on Pinterest, looking for inspiration for toddler activities.  Bennett appreciated my forethought in taping a cardboard roll to the wall and providing some popsicle sticks to plop through them.  It’s the simple things.

Toddler entertainment.

5 Comments

  1. January 12, 2014
    Joan

    Sounds like it was and exciting evening and with you both bringing home awards…way to go!! Love the popsicle stick activity!

  2. January 12, 2014
    Momma

    Congrats! to both of you. 🙂

    Clever way to cover the outlet in his play area! 🙂

  3. January 14, 2014
    Memaw & Grandaddy

    GOOD job Brian I always make cornbread in an iron skillet. Bennett is growing so much & getting more handsome every day.

  4. February 22, 2014
    Aunt Manny

    Good job, Brian and you too, Sue. I guess what they say is true, everything tastes better with butter. 🙂 Great idea for Benny Boo with the popsicle sticks. Cute. 🙂

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