Carolyn's Chili

When the Fall temperatures drop into the 30's there is nothing better than a good hearty Chili. I have used this recipe for many years and it is always a comforting dinner pared with a salad and a good bottle of wine, well it just doesn't get any better than that.

Carolyn's Chili

2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 pound ground round
1 large yellow onion, diced
1 green bell pepper
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1-2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 bay leaf
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 28-ounce crushed tomatoes
30-ounce can kidney beans, rinsed and drained

 In a 5-quart  dutch oven place olive oil and heat the oil. Place the ground round in the dutch oven and brown; pour off fat. Add onions and bell pepper and saute just until onions are clear. Add garlic and saute for 2 minutes, do not let garlic burn. Add chili powder, cumin, salt pepper and bay leaf. Add remaining ingredients, bring to a boil, lower heat to simmer and simmer for two hours.

Note: 2 tablespoons of chili powder will make the chili very hot. I most always only add one tablespoon.

To top the chili before serving I usually add some grated cheddar, a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of chopped scallions.

Sauteing the ground round and vegetables.

Simmering the chili after all the ingredients are added in.

Simmering away for two hours.

A wonderful hearty Chili and this is traditionally our Tanksgiving Eve dinner.

Today I am joining Kim at Quit Eating Out for Saturday Swap. A fun party sharing some of our favorite recipes.

Fall Dining Room

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and time to finesse my dining room for Fall. I chose to keep it simple using small pumpkins, gourds and squashes with some faux Fall berries added in. I placed them in an antique dough board with antique candle holders to each side.

Underneath the dough board I used a table runner that I've had for many years. It has the red in it to tie in the red of the walls. The faux berries tie in the color as well.

The sideboard also has small gourds and an off white pumpkin to add to the decor. The lamps are Waterford and I have used the same color candles in the sconces as I have on the table.

For Thanksgiving I will only add a Fall damask cream colored tablecloth under the runner.

Today I am joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Met Monday. To see other creative participants for this Monday's party click here.

In with the new, Thanksgiving/Out with the old, Halloween

With Halloween now past I spent most of Monday taking down Halloween decorations and putting out Thanksgiving decorations. Some have been there since early September since thats when I begin revamping vignettes for Fall. Most of my holiday decorations stir up a wealth of memories and some are newly added but I hope you enjoy them.

Part of a Lizzie High collection, my Pilgrims greet back door guests.

This lamp to the left is probably my most valuable lamp in our home and I have a lot of Waterford lamps. What makes this one so valuable? It was made in the 1920's, I bought it at an antique show many years ago but it's value is because the matching finial is in tact. I have had offers as high as $900.00. YIKES!!! However, I would never part with it because it is a reminder of a very special memory. That antique show where I bought it many years ago was an outing with my mother. Do you find that you have attachements to "things" because of a special memory?

Back to the Thanksgiving decorations, this turkey was made by my grandmother.

Of course, this old oak table is an antique as well.

There is so much pleasure thinking of those who have gone before us and some of those little momentos that are left behind.

This little turkey is a candle holder.

These are new and watching over me in my kitchen.

Meet Myles and Prudence

These Pilgrims are part of a Byers Choice collection and they greet my front door guests.

I have posted pics of my Fall mantle before but here it is again. I am crazy about this wreath.

I have another blogging friend who hosts Saturday Swap. It's a fun blogging party sharing recipes and there are always wonderful recipes shared. Saturday Swap is also a new blogging party so keep it in mind and you can click here to access.

Today is Tabletop Tuesday hosted by Marty at A Stroll Through Life and I am linking to this fun blogging party. To see other really interesting participants in this party click here.

Thank you for visiting my blog and enjoy your day.