CHARITY, CHILI, AND FUN

Thursday, June 2 – Today was Marsha's birthday. Kelly called and invited us out to dinner. We met her and Carrie (both our daughters) at Pappadeaux Restaurant for dinner. It was a great time. They surprised Marsha with a birthday cake....the waiters and waitresses even sang to her.....LOL   An enjoyable evening......thanks girls!!!

Birthday girl.

Not much embarrassment here. Especially when the gal announced Marsha was 29.

Kelly, birthday girl, Carrie, birthday girl's date.

Friday, June 3 - We go from tornadoes to this…GEESH!

AIR QUALITY ALERT in effect until Friday, Jun 3, 8:00 PM

...OZONE WATCH FOR TODAY...

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT in effect until Saturday, Jun 4, 8:00 AM

...HOT WEEKEND ON TAP...

AFTERNOON HIGH TEMPERATURES NEAR THE CENTURY MARK ARE EXPECTED TO THIS WEEKEND ACROSS MANY PARTS OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS. RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURES ARE IN JEOPARDY.

DO NOT KEEP CHILDREN OR PETS IN CARS WITH WINDOWS ROLLED UP... EVEN PARTIALLY. TEMPERATURES INSIDE A CAR WITH THE WINDOWS UP CAN REACH OVER 150 DEGREES QUICKLY...WHICH WOULD RESULT IN HEAT STROKE…..NO KIDDING!

Saturday, June 4 - What a surprise we had when RV after RV began pulling into the Elks. Our quiet little hide-away, here on the fringe of Houston, is being turned into a street festival.

They're here for a Chili Cook-off. What fun! There are 67 entrants, and we're going to be one of the judges for the finals! Now how the heck did that happen?

Even though is was only 9:00 a.m., it is 5:00 p.m. some where!

Our daughter Kelly came over to spend the afternoon and her neighbor and best friend, Janelle, came along. They volunteered to be judges too.

The group doing the cook-off is the Chili Appreciation Society International (CASI). Their mission is to promote chili and raise money for charity. What a friendly bunch of people. They invited us to breakfast and all their activities. One of the rules is everyone must cook outside, on the premises where the cook-off will be held. They all decorate their cooking area.

There were cooks everywhere.

They started the day with a “bean cook-off”. We didn't judge this. Marsha didn't want to spend the night in the MH after Paul ate Chili, drank beer and ate beans. We'll see how she does with two out of three.....ha ha! They had 20 entries in the bean contest.

One event we did attend....no eating here, only laughs.....was the wienie decorating contest. We did judge this. They only had 6 entries....hilarious!

Barbie on the beach. She even has a bellybutton ring. We also remarked that that is a pretty hot dog!

The chili contest was between 67 chili cookers! This chili organization travels all over Texas and western Louisiana competing in chili preparation.

Judges, please take your seat.

You would think judging would be an easy task....NOT!   We had 26 samples we had to judge. That is after they had TWO semi-final eliminations. We had to take a sample of chili, eat crackers/cheese/grape/beer/pop/water to cleanse the pallet (oh.....and you're not permitted to go to bathroom).....repeat 26 times....UGH.....full, have to pee and tired of chili.

Paul enjoying the FIRST of 26.

Marsha closes her eye as thinks…only 25 more.

Kelly's friend Janelle doesn't eat beef…OH NO. She judged on looks, smell, and taste of the sauce. Of course, sometimes you have to look real close before tasting.

And then taste just a little.

And this was Kelly. All smiles and taking a huge spoonful at the beginning.

Now that we are at 18 or 26, she looks a bit different.

We completed our task, it was a fun experience, and we had all the chili and beer we cared to eat and drink! To think they do it all again tomorrow.....gag me!

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see ya'll back real soon. Have a great day!