Pumpkin, Popcorn and Chili – Oh My!

Though nearly every one (or every couple) brought a pumpkin to last night’s pumpkin carving hoopla, it seemed like food was even more prevalent than the lovely gourd!

A bunch of us gathered at our friends’ Pete and Merri’s apartment for their annual pumpkin carving party. Our fabulous hostess even cooked up a huge pot of homemade Cincinnati chili for the occasion.

Makin' the Chili

Apparently Cincinnati is quite famous for their chili! Wikipedia even has an entry for Cincinnati chili: Cincinnati chili is a regional style of chili characterized by the use of unusual ingredients such as cinnamon, cloves, or chocolate. Those Ohio folks know how to make a mean batch of chili!

Merri and Pete had a bunch of yummy toppings prepared to spruce up the already fantastic chili.

Toppings in Festive Bowls!

I was heavily addicted to the oyster crackers.

While we were waiting for my friend Laurel’s corn bread to heat up in the oven, we all snaked on copious amounts of chocolate-covered popcorn and candy corn.

Halloweenie Snacks

DANGER: This stuff is highly addicting and you will likely eat yourself sick once you start. Trust me. I know.

Notice how we've positioned ourselves right by the chocolate-covered popcorn...

Once the cornbread was nice and toasty, it was time to dig in!

Laurel's Fabulous Cornbread

I made myself a yummy bowl of chili, topped with cheese, oyster crackers and onion.

My Bowl

Delish! Great cookin’, Merri!

Enjoying the Chili

With full bellies, it was finally time to get carvin’ da pumpkins!

Me and My Friend Minda in the Pumpkin Patch

Everyone got down to business, cutting off the stems and removing lots of seeds!

Carvin' Away

My pumpkin didn’t turn out quite the way I’d hoped…

Poor Pumpkin

But I love him anyway!

In Love

Everyone’s pumpkins looked great, which made my poor guy (who we all named Grimace) look even more deformed. Don’t worry though, he’ll shine with a candle in his belly on our front porch for the world to enjoy!

The Pumpkin Carving Gang

I love fun nights with great friends and tasty food, even though I always seem to leave with that Thanksgiving-full feeling (i.e. sick!). Totally worth it! 🙂

Thanks again Merri & Pete for such a fun night!

Breakfast

This morning I woke up still slightly full from last night. That’s how you knoooow you ate too much! 🙂 Still, that didn’t stop me from makin’ a tasty breakfast.

Breakfast Ingredients

I topped a Chobani Greek yogurt cup with honey roasted sunflower seeds, an Almondina almond cookie and Brothers-All-Natural pear crisps.

Lots of Toppings

Friday Breakfast

It was a nice and simple breakfast and a great way to kick off a Friday. Happy weekend eve!