Greetings wonderful readers! Happy Friday!
Only 4 days until the fun-magic-eve when kids dress up and do the trick or treat thing. Do you get trick-or-treaters? I don’t. But I always buy a bag of candy in case the doorbell rings and I won’t disappoint.
Great line-up today:
Beginning with Stephanie’s Chic on the Cheap ideas for pairing a flannel shirt with these super innovative fashion ideas!
Using a hair flat iron to quickly iron the button up part of a shirt? LOVE IT!
And, yes, I love a flannel shirt – and, yes, I am totally gonna do and wear all 3 of Steph’s ideas this fall and winter. Beginning with the leopard print under a flannel to bring out the “flanimal” in my day!
Thanks, Steph!
QUICK QUESTION answer for me — I know 4 by heart. My mom, my 2 sisters and my son.
Remember when we all knew many numbers by heart because we didn’t have a cell phone with “contacts” to reference at the tip of our fingertips? I’m gonna strive to memorize a few more – just because… You?
Bruce Cameron’s “Chili Judge” has been around the internet block a few hundred times. Brilliant writing!
Bruce Cameron and Dave Barry – 2 of my favorite, funniest columnists to read EVER.
*sigh* neither of them write columns now. Guess they retired and went on to their greener pastures leaving us with “Please come back” pleas.
(( I actually saw Dave Barry in Billings, Montana a long time ago at the Babcock Theatre. ))
I’ll never forget the side-splitting laughter and slice-of-life humor for 2 hours. Remains with me to this day.
I’ve not had the opportunity to see Bruce Cameron – have no doubt it would be equally memorable.
Bruce’s Chili Judge is a side-splitter read of laughter for sure!
Couldn’t help but put in my recipe for Truck Stop Chili!
In Montana our lunch ladies at school served chili (probably from big cans dumped in a big pot to heat up) with a fresh cinnamon roll and a little carton of milk. TDF delish!
Now — when it’s dinner time and I’m having a bowl of this homemade chili, I skip the little carton of milk and cinnamon roll and trade them in for a dark beer and a handful of saltines.
Thanks for hanging out with us today, giving us a piece of your day, caring and sharing.
Here we go!
STEPHANIE’S CHIC ON THE CHEAP
IT’S FLANNEL SEASON!
Hello Ladies –
Everybody loves a soft cozy flannel shirt and the easy casual unisex look of a flannel shirt with jeans and boots.
Me – being a “girly-girl” am going to “girl-up” my flannels by paring mine with pearls, lace, rhinestones and leopard skin.
SO HERE WE GO:
1st PHOTO
I put a leopard skin tank under my flannel and added a chunky red necklace.
This flannel is kind of loose so I wanted to tie it at the waist, but this shirt is pretty thick and the knot where I tied it together would have been too bulky.
I opted instead to take the shirt tails and criss-cross both under the side belt loop of my jeans (reference the pic).
(( If the shirt tails tend to want to slip out, simply pin them from behind the belt loop with a safety pin. Also – your shirt needs to be unbuttoned to do this. ))
This outfit/style look brings out the Flanimal in me! Haha.
2nd PHOTO
I added some bling by pairing my flannel with a rhinestone studded under-shirt, a blingy belt and matching beaded bracelet.
This flannel is very thin — and because of this — I think it looks best ironed or pressed. It needed a touch-up ironing in the strip where the button holes are which I easily and quickly ironed using my flat iron that I use on my hair.
EASY TRICK-TIP for a quick ironing touch up.
3rd PHOTO
Lions and Tigers and Bears OH NO!
Lace and flannel and pearls OH YES!
Enough said there!
Costco has a great selection of higher end flannels for women and men at great prices.
Have a fantastic weekend!
QUICK QUESTION
WHOSE PHONE NUMBER(S) DO YOU KNOW BY HEART?
CONFESSIONS OF A CHILI CONTEST 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 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 over my gagging sounds that the snake tattoo under her eye started to twitch. She has arms like Popeye with 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 part 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: Meaty, strong 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 reflills 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 and adding considerable kick. Very impressive.
JUDGE TWO: Chili using shredded beef; could use more tomato. Must admit the cayenne peppers made 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 other 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 wanted to go dancing later.
Chili #7: Susan’s Screaming Sensation Chili
JUDGE ONE: A mediocre chili with way 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 worried about Judge Number 3 – he appears 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 sight in one eye and the world sounds like rushing water. My clothes are covered with chili which slid unnoticed out of my mouth at some point. Good, at 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 go through the hole in my stomach. Call 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 a good, balanced chili, neither mild nor hot. Sorry to see most of it was lost when Judge Number 3 fell and pulled the 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?
~ COPYRIGHT 1997
W. BRUCE CAMERON
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 greets everyone. It’s a pleasing smell that ensures that … life isn’t all that difficult.
HERE’S HOW WE MAKE MAKE IT:
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 large onion, small chopped
- 3 Jalapenos, seeded and minced
- 1/2 cup good quality ground dark chili powder
- 3 TBSP smoked paprika
- 2 tsp garlic, minced
- 1 – 15 oz can beef broth
- 2 TBSP Worcestershire sauce
- 1 TBSP dried basil
- 2 tsp crushed pepper flakes
- 2 – 28 oz cans crushed tomatoes
- 1 – 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 1 cup of a favorite BBQ sauce
- 4 – 15 oz cans ranch beans
- 3 – 15 oz cans chili flavored beans
- 2 TBSP black pepper
- 2 tsp salt
IN A LARGE SOUP POT OVER MEDIUM-HIGH HEAT:
Brown beef, onions and garlic. Drain off any meat grease.
ADD ALL REMAINING INGREDIENTS
And bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
REDUCE HEAT TO MEDIUM AND SLOW SIMMER CHILI THE REST OF THE AFTERNOON. THE LONGER – THE BETTER.
** ADD ADDITIONAL CUP OR TWO OF WATER IF THE CHILI BECOMES TOO THICK, STIR IN AND CONTINUE COOKING.
LIKE IT A LITTLE SPICY?
ADD 3 TBSP OF CHIPOTLE PUREE!
~ Hippie Cowboy recipe box
Now I am in the mood for Chili!
Hey Stacy –
Tell ya what – it’s been raining and a little on the chilly side of the thermometer so I’m making chili today for dinner tonight.
So appreciate your support in reading and commenting! Meaningful.
Grand weekend wishes to you. see ya Monday!
This is really weird. Just yesterday a customer was telling us about a humorous dissertation by a chili cook-off judge. He didn’t mention Cameron by name but from his description this has to be what he was referring to. Hilarious!!! What a coincidence!
Love Stephanie’s flannel chic ideas, including what to do with bulky waist ties and the flat iron hack for the button hole strip of a shirt. So much easier than dragging out the iron, et al.
And Eleanor Wood’s Living is the art. . .statement. So true!
Fun reads. Thanks and Happy Weekend to all!
Hi Carol – totally weird coincidence! Such a hilarious, well written read that it travels with people to share. thumbs up Bruce Cameron – humor writer extraordinaire.
Love your thoughtful, happy comments and being such a giant part of Daymaker community.
Happy Weekend – see ya Monday!