Can you feel it?

The warm humid air of summer is slowly becoming cooler and crisp.  The evenings that were once full of sunshine until well after the kid's bedtime are becoming darker earlier.  The bright green leaves that grace the neighborhood trees are showing hints of different shades of green, red, yellow, orange and brown. The official first day of fall has come....and gone.

While I love the warmth of summer and the long sunny days spent basking in the sun and playing in the water at the beach, pool or on the boat,  there is so much about fall that brings a smile to my face.

Here are a few of my favorite things about fall:

1.  Getting to celebrate another year of marriage to my honey.

2.  Cool mornings, crisp evenings and warm bonfires to take away the chill.

3.  Mother nature's air conditioning, open windows and fresh air.

4.  Cozy sweaters and tall boots

(pinned in on my "My Style" board on Pinterest, but I can't find the source via the website link)

5.  Lazy Sunday afternoons watching football (and maybe, just maybe the back of my eyelids ~ there is
     something to be said for a good Sunday nap)

(Source)

6.  The slow change into beautiful vibrant colors of reds, oranges, yellows, browns and greens.

7.  The lovely, warm, cozy scent of cinnamon in the form of candles, baked goodies and beverages.

8.  Speaking of beverages ~ spiked apple cider ~ mmmmmm
     Need a recipe for yourself ~ try this one (I don't put the ginger in, I keep it warm in a crock pot and
     yep, for the adults I serve it with a shot....or so of spiced rum)!

9.  Chili, soups, casseroles and other warm comfort foods

10.  Fall-ifying my home ~ switching out the seashell and driftwood decor of summer for rich colored
      leaves, pumpkins, candles, flowers and pictures.

11.  Getting to spend time with family during our annual hunting trip.

12.  While I don't like the early setting of the sun, there is something to be said for the beautiful morning
       sunrises that I am able to witness on a very consistent basis due to the darker mornings.

The seasons, they come and go and while there are definitely some I like more than the others, they are all beautiful and unique.  And fall is, hands down, one of my favorite!

What do you like about fall?

Chili

The other day I looked at our indoor/outdoor thermometer.

This is what I saw:

I knew what needed to be made. Chili!

Here's my version (using a slow cooker):

Ingredients:

1lb ground beef
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 jalapeno, chopped ~ optional
3 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
2  ~ 15 1/2 oz cans red kidney beans, drained
1 cup celery, diced
1 cup red onion, chopped
1/2 cup green pepper, diced
16 oz can mexican style diced tomatoes
2 ~ 10 oz cans tomatoes with green chili peppers
1 ~ 6 oz can tomato paste
1 cup ~ or more (depending on how soupy you prefer your chili) tomato or vegetable juice

Top with:  shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream and chips (we prefer fritos)

Directions:

1.  Brown ground beef with garlic and jalapeno.  Drain fat.  Mix in chili powder and cumin ~ cook 2-3 minutes more

2.  Combine meat mixture, beans, onion, green pepper, celery, undrained tomatoes (all), tomato paste and juice in a slow cooker.

3.  Cover and cook on high for about 4 hours.

4.  Serve with sour cream , shredded cheese and chips.

A little warm meal to take the chill off these cold days!
Enjoy!