2011 NYS Chili Cookoff

Today was the annual New York State Chili Cookoff, held in the parking lot of the Events Center at Binghamton University. Sponsored by CHOW, our local foodbank, and Sodexho, the food service on campus, the goal is to raise as much money as possible for supporting CHOW and its programs. This year there were about 15 different individuals, groups and pairs that entered into the competition. Everyone must enter a Texas red chili, which can only be sauce and meat, no identifiable veggies like onions or peppers, and no beans of any sort. There is the freestyle chili that can basically be more like the traditional chili that everyone knows and loves. Let me just say that some 'chilis' were almost inedible, and did NOT resemble anything remotely like any chili I have ever consumed. As I type, I am waiting to hear from Dave in the next 30-45 minutes to see who won. Last year, team Cellar Dwellers came in 6th and actually received a plaque. Here's to hoping that they moved up in the standings this year!!!

Potter took charge of making this sign for display in front of the Cellar Dwellers canopy. I helped with the placement of everything, but Potter really did the rest. It is awesome!!

We made badges this year that we handed out with sticky tape for everyone to wear and promote our team. Yes, it is shameless, but they were popular!!!

The sign I made on a piece of plywood. Pat (one of Dave's colleagues and fellow chili affecionado) zipped to his house before the chili cookoff began, drilled holes in the top, then they hung the sign to the canopy. Sweet!!!

This year they had a dunk tank. Some poor undergrad sat, waiting to get pummeled. Molly and Potter both took shots at him and Potter actually hit the target dead on!!

Potter with his victim!!

The Blue Knight, of Blue Knight Chili. Ours was so much better than theirs!! Who puts apple in chili anyway?????

The Cheesehead Chili team had football bowling. Cool concept, kids loved it!!

Ben getting interviewed by the DJ. When asked when he knew he was destined to cook chili, Ben responded 'when I was 2 or 3 weeks old, I just knew.' Classic!! A born natural!!

Sibling love after sampling chili, salsa, and having hot dogs for lunch!

Part of team Cellar Dweller

Caleb getting swung about like a carnival ride
Apparently, he couldn't get enough!

In their glory!!!

Dave, Greg, Katja, Ben and Pat. They all make FABULOUS chili!!!

Count them - TWO CITIZENS OF THE MONTH!!!

Molly and Potter were both awarded Citizen of the Month by their respective teachers for this month. A mama couldn't be more proud!!!

Molly's kindergarten field trip to Nanticoke Gardens

This past Monday, Molly's class took a field trip to Nanticoke Gardens, a local nursery that has gorgeous flowers, herbs, vegetables, and small plants. The children learned the anatomy of a plant, had a tour of the greenhouses, planted flowers, and found out how a nursery works in the winter. The employees at Nanticoke Gardens deserve high praise, they did a super job with these kids!!

Starting off, walking down an aisle of rainbow pansies

At the work table, ready to learn the parts of a plant

Inside one of the greenhouses, eye candy for us winter weary New Yorkers!!

Watching the huge dirt machine fill about 50 little pots with dirt in about 5 seconds!!

Ready to plant marigolds!!

Molly is a professional gardener.....

Her plants are ready to packing up to take back to school

Caleb's UPK field trip to Finch Hollow Nature Center

In the rain and mud, UPK forged on for a trip to Finch Hollow yesterday!! The kids were treated to a lesson on the difference between birds and mammals, then allowed to touch some stuffed animals that had once been alive. We went outside for the hiking portion of the show, and slogged through puddles and mud. The main trail that leads to the pond was totally underwater, so we had to look at the pond from a berm on the opposite side. We ended by climbing up a hill and tried not to slide down. It was a fun trip and I am grateful that the state of NY found money to keep this park open to the public and for field trips.

Mr. Tasber gives a lesson between birds and mammals

Caleb strokes the stuffed duck

Caleb got to touch a coyote fur

Snacktime!

Outside at the start of our hike, looking for birds, listening for bird calls, and checking out bird nests

Our new fence

Our new privacy fence. Glad that we finally did this in the backyard!

My kids meet Cameron

Molly with Cameron - he is 4 days old

All the kids with Cameron
Potter and Cameron having some tummy time!

Caleb's tball team

Last week, Caleb's tball team had pictures. I shot this while the professional picture was being taken. Caleb is second from left in the front row. Sadly, the first game (today) was cancelled because the fields are still flooded from all of our rain. I am thankful that Potter has been playing ball with him in the backyard since he got home from school.

Baby Cameron

My best friend Wendy has a niece who is currently living with her in NY. Lindsey gave birth to her first child, Cameron, April 25th. I was fortunate enough to be there for the entire birth. What a truly amazing experience!!

Me and Cameron (he's about 30 minutes old in this picture!!)

Special visitors arrive Friday night!!!

Dave's cousin Holly, who lives in Atlanta, came up with her two boys on the last night we were in the mountains. Atlanta is only a 2.5 to 3 hour drive, so they easily arrived by dinner time. The goofiness of having 5 kids in the house quickly got underway and we had the best time hanging out with them!!

Cousins!! Christopher, Anderson, Potter, Molly, Caleb

Cousins: part two: Dave and Holly

Christopher was mesmerized by Potter playing the mandolin

Burgers and dogs for dinner at the big table.

This might be one of the most precious pictures ever!!

Day two - Tallulah Gorge

(Forgot these cute pics and now Blogger insists that I put them before all of my text. Grrrr)

Molly in front of the river, before our long trek down

At least they are all three in the picture!!

On Friday, we drove on down to Georgia and visited Tallulah Gorge State Park. Dave and I had been there about 15 years ago when we were both still teaching. It is a beautiful area, all the trees and flowers were in bloom, even more so than up higher in the mountains. It was an overcast day, but warm temps, which made the trek that we were about to do much easier than if we had gone in dead of July with 90 degree weather. You begin at the rim of the trail and then, to get to the suspension bridge and then down to a viewing deck at the bottom of the gorge, you must descend 310 steps. Yes, they let you know exactly what you are getting into before you begin. This is NOT for the faint of heart. The steps are steep and a little intimidating. But let me just say that going down was a piece of cake compared to coming back up. At least we were not the only people huffing and puffing our way to the top. Those 310 steps back up are not friendly. The trip down to the bottom of the gorge was definitely worth it, though. It was GORGEous!!!

Dave and Granddad on the suspension bridge. You must be very trusting when you walk out on that bridge!!

Looking down into the gorge from the suspension bridge

The falls going into the bottom of the gorge

Molly at the viewing deck at the very bottom

See? They are honest about what you can expect. We could have gone another 221 steps down to the Hurricane Falls platform, but that would have meant 531 steps back up!!!

Big hike day at Glens Falls

Our first full day in the mountains we decided to go visit Glens Falls, which is about a 20 minute drive away near Highlands. The kids got some goofing around in at the breakfast bar and then we set off. Upon our arrival, we found out that one of the main paths to the falls was closed for maintenance - they are basically putting in over 200 new stairs down to the falls. We took the other trail, unsure if we would still be able to view the falls. As it turned out, we had a really good 2 hour hike in the wooded area on that mountain. It was very cool and shady, so no one really minded. We meandered along a path that stayed on course with the stream that came from the falls, crossed over the stream several times (some easier than others), and ended up at the top of a mountain that was no where near the falls. It was a beautiful morning, though and everyone got their exercise in for the day. We went to town in Highlands and had lunch out, then headed back to our house for more fun in the creek out back!!

Monkey kids eating breakfast

At the beginning of the trail at Glens Falls, someone had made some Zen rock piles. I found them very soothing.

Dave and Granddad cross over the stream on a bridge, the easiest crossing we had the whole morning!

Bubbling, beautiful stream

Caleb on one of his crossovers, looks like he is hugging the tree for his life!

Kids cannot refuse climbing up on a huge fallen tree and being photographed

Another stream crossing

They are so photogenic!

Granddad, Dave and the kids, it was a very picturesque setting, despite the fact that Dave is getting choked