I apologize for being tardy with my updates, but blogging just seems to be taking a back seat to sitting on the patio in the Arizona sunshine solving crossword puzzles, chatting with passers-by and just whiling away the afternoon.

Upon our return from the Barret Jackson Auto Auction an impromptu happy hour with RV neighbors took shape (imagine that!).  Walking around all those fine automobiles really worked up a thirst, so Corky whipped up a batch of LeRoy's Beer Margaritas for all to enjoy.

Turned out that this was the week for showing off fancy-schmancy cars.  Guys just LOVE this sort of thing.  Casa Grande held their annual street fair and car show the Saturday following the Wednesday when we went to the Barrett Jackson Show.  I was on chrome overload!

If you'd like to check them out, Corky uploaded a lot of shots of his favorites on his picasa site at https://plus.google.com/photos/107223039385021571393/albums/5700239884415081185?banner=pwa


The following day we drove to Phoenix to check out the wares at the Crossroads of the West Gun Show. It's another Guy Thing.  Lots and lots of guns, knives, and people. We managed to walk through two buildings and one outside tent before we called it a day and headed back to Palm Creek for an evening of football.

The Park held a little chili cookoff competition on Tuesday, Jan. 24.  We decided to pay tribute to Milly Schockman, a school cafeteria cook who served her tasty "Ranch-Style Stew" to more than 200 youngsters in Oakes, ND by entering it into the contest.  Some 40 years ago, at Corky's request, she reduced the recipe from 300 to 10 servings so he could make it for himself.  We were hopeful that the sweet flavor of this dish would be such a contrast to the  typical spices one normally associates with chili that the judges would award a prize.  Alas, the Ranch Style Stew didn't win, place or show.  But hey, it was fun.  Here are a few pics.

Chopping those onions

Just the right amount of chili pepper

Now the secret ingredient--brown sugar!

Mix all together and cook in crock pot

There were eleven entries

The judges are starting to taste test the chilis.  Each judge tastes a spoonful or so of each dish and rates the dish numerically according to appearance, aroma, taste, consistency and after taste.  Then all the figures are tabulated to determine a winner.  

This judge is test tasting last year's 3rd place winner's chili.  The contestant was hoping for 1st this year.  (didn't happen!)

This is the Ranch Style Stew--I wonder what he's thinking!

Ay Yi Yi Yiiiiii!

On the bright side, we have lots of Ranch Style Stew left over for lunch, supper, lunch, supper, lunch, supper and a midnight snack!

Later.