Roadkill Chili Cookoff Prep

Wanna know what is cookin' in Poetry this weekend? Chili! Lots and lots of chili. I am hosting the 4th Annual Roadkill Chili Cookoff at my place. This cookoff has grown from about 8 chili's and 20 people the first year, to last year's total being 17 entries and about 60 people. So far this year, we have 13 chili's entered and 50 folks have RSVP'd. Looks like it's going to be a beautiful weekend for it, upper 70's-low 80's.

Who would not want to take this plaque home with them?

As you can imagine, my list is long as my time grows short. I am ironing my vintage tablecloths for the outdoor tables. The lawn chairs are being brushed off. The flower beds have been planted and mulched. They look nice. Of course, the inside of my house is getting a little makeover, as well.

As this event grows, I have higher expectations for myself. We'll see what I come up with. I use real dishes. Restaurant ware bowls and old coffee mugs, as well as finger bowls. Real, non-matching spoons. Mason jars for drinks. A garden cart with old refrigerator drawers for dirty dishes to be stacked in. The drawers are easy to pick up and take inside the house for cleaning.

What else? Come on, you creative folks. Do you have any ideas?

Happy Monday!
~Mindy