My Husband Invited 20 People Over (and I just want to plant my damn pansies)

So I had my nice Saturday all planned out- workout, move some furniture, paint a hutch, and plant the pansies that have been sitting on my porch all week.  I awoke to a beautiful day, jazzercised away, and headed to my parents' where I energetically cleaned grime off four Adirondack chairs which were mine for the taking.  This is the point where my phone started ringing.  "Hey! Heard you're having people over to watch the game!  What should I bring?"

Now Hubs had mentioned a couple of guys might watch the game with him.  No prob- I'll continue my plan of listening on my radio while I play in the dirt.

Couple of guys- no bid deal.  15-20 people? Not gonna work.  I dashed to the grocery and loaded my buggy with emergency chili fixins, piled them on top of the chairs already filling my backseat, and got to work.

The newly cleaned chairs went into the carport, along with a TV for game viewing. 

There was a lot of intense orange faces during the heartbreak of a game. (I would really prefer not to talk about the actual game, but am proud of the baby Big Orange for their performance as a whole). 

Little Hayes was very intent on the game.

And knows better than to have thirteen players on the field.

Okay, so the chili recipe.  Formerly, I refused to give out this recipe.  I acted like thia was because it was my famous chili recipe and top secret.  That's true, but the reason why it's top secret is because it's embarrassing.  A can. a can, a can of. . . but it's good.  Don't judge- it's perfect in a pinch.

Twenty People are Coming Over and I Want to Plant my Damn Pansies Chili

• 2 packs of ground sirloin (just over a couple pounds)
• one package of bulk sausage
• 2 onions minced
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 4 cans of diced tomatoes (I like a mix of fire roasted, green pepper and onion, and green chili)
• 3 cans Bush's chili beans (mix of medium and hot sauce) (add an extra can if you like bean-y chili)
• 2 packages of McCormick's chili seasoning (one medium and one hot)

Brown your bulk sausage, and remove from the pan, leaving the drippings in the pan.  Sauté the onion and the garlic in the sausage drippings until golden, then add the ground beef.  Brown the ground beef and drain well.

While it's cooking, empty all of your cans into a big stew pot.  Drain the beans pretty well, and drain the maters just a touch.  Stir in your chili seasoning and let that cook on low.

Add the ground beef, and let it all meld together.  The longer it sits the better it tastes.  Serve with sour cream, grated cheese, and Frito's.  Mmm.  This makes enough to feed a crowd.  I think about 20 people ate, and I didn't have any leftovers.

Another delish variation is to sub chopped andouille sausage for the bulk sausage.  however, since the Vols were playing LSU, I did not think that was an appropriate addition.

As for my alma mater. . .  we'll just have to save that disappointment discussion for another day.