…to Karen’s house we go!
She didn’t want me to post photos because "it’s not ready yet" but her house décor is coming along very nicely! Whereas we were all settled in about 4 days, she’s still got paintings to hang and what not, but I think it looks great! Very cozy.
I brought over some Hungry Bars for Karen to taste and had a few nibblets myself. They are SO GOOD!
Karen also made me a mocktail. She puts bitters in hers (ahhh the juxtaposition of this morning’s post!) and it tinges them pink.
This was the BEST tonic + bitters + lime mocktail I have had! I think it was the martini class. It tasted better. Perhaps the fizz fizzled out some?
I have requested that Matt make a second stab at a pumpkin ale. This time one with more caramel, toffee and vanilla flavors. One more like the Schlafly! So the nerd brought his beer journal (which is actually written like a diary!) and we did a tasting to compare his pumpkin beer to Schlafly to note what we liked and disliked. I helped him out a little too much 
Karen made a wonderful Sunday dinner spread.
Her famous beef chili (made with local beef!)
With salad and all the chili the fixins
Topped with cheese + greek yogurt
The salad was dressed in Garlic Gold – I have Karen hooked too!
If that wasn’t enough food (I was STUFFED!) we had to fit in some Apple Brown Betty topped with Ben + Jerry’s Peanut Butter Brickle.
OMICECREAM it was good!
Too much though, because I had to lay on the couch and watch "The Invention Of Lying" for 2 hours before we had the room in our stomachs to bike home. 
The movie was pretty bad. And the bike ride home – even with all of our flashing lights – was pretty scary in the dark. Don’t think I want to do that one again.
So thirsty! Must chug water and prepare for bed!
Karen's Chili
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- one chopped onion if you like them! Use jalapeno instead if not
- one chopped green pepper
- 30 ounces canned tomato sauce
- 2 15 oz cans kidney beans
- 2 tbsp flour
- 2 tbsp canola oil
Instructions
- Brown ground beef. When almost done, add onion and peppers. Add canned tomato sauce.
- Mix flour and oil well, then stir in beans (undrained). Add to above.
- Flavor with cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper, splash of sugar, and chopped jalapeno.
- Simmer for 4 hours in crockpot.
- Serve with corn chips, sour cream, grated cheddar cheese, olives.
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
I had almost that exact meal at my mom’s house today! I was stuffed – but still am managing a nighttime snack of course… such great fall food!!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
That dessert looks delicious!
Abby says
How funny! I just tried that flavor of ice cream tonight and it was life changing! Sooo good especially if you like peanut butter!
Ashley says
Biking in the dark is scary!! Even with the lights. You’re right! I just don’t like that I can’t look for big rocks or pot holes, etc. Cannot find most of the pumpkin beers you like here…I found the Punk’n, which is tasty, but none taste the way you describe…gr! I want Schlafly!!
ilana says
Kath, On a cockail note, have you ever had Campari? I had some many moons ago in Italy and was none to o fond of it, but I was much younger and less sophisticated then. 🙂 Anyway, I think you may like it since you like bitters and fizz! (It is the most gorgeous color, too).
PS: I did not like that movie, either. 😉
Kath says
I don’t think so!?
Jean says
Campari and oj and tons of ice.
Jean says
Campari and oj with lots of ice. Yum.
Estela @ Weekly Bite says
That’s so cute that Matt keeps a ‘beer diary’ 🙂
Ice Cream always makes me thirsty too!
Nite 🙂
Krystina (Organically Me) says
What a perfect Sunday meal. 🙂
Mary (What's Cookin' with Mary) says
We had chili for dinner tonight too!! Seemed like the perfect weather and with my brother and his friend coming to join Brian and I, I knew it’d be a crowd pleaser. Must admit, local beef sounds pretty killer! Posted the new and improved pictures of my slow cooker chili (which actually was cooked on the stove this time around & served with corn bread)… If anyone wants, check ’em out 😉 -m
http://whatscookinwithmary.blogspot.com/2010/10/marys-slow-cooker-chili-re-made-on.html
Anna S @ History Running Girl says
I ate at the Schlafly brewery today! The Pumpkin Ale is so delicious fresh off the tap. Schlafly Bottleworks is really focused on local food and sustainability. It is awesome.
Anne says
You were a master to get all organized in 4 days. It takes even the best of us a bit longer. Usually I have to have a friend come over and help me sort through all the home accessories stuff — pictures, tchotkes, etc. to get everything in just the right spot.
Namaste Gurl says
HA– that happens to me all the time, where I’m so full I can’t even move 🙂 Most of the time it’s “good full” from grains and veggies, but still hard to handle at the time 🙂
Glad you made it home safe from your bike ride– I did the same thing in the dark coming home from work last night.
Natasha says
Bitters is alcohol, so I am not sure why your drink was a “mocktail”?! It typically has 45% ABV.
Kath says
Well we use literally 2 drops, so I doubt it affects anything
Natasha says
I was just curious 🙂
I have been trying to find some so that I can make an old fashioned (which look really yummy when you make them) however no luck yet in my town.
Matt says
I’m pretty sure you can buy it at the grocery store, in the aisle with maraschino cherries and other mixers.
claire says
Yeah, I was disappointed by that movie too actually! The dinner looks great….and I wanna try those hungry bars!
Heather says
I haven’t seen that movie – I haven’t seen a movie in a long time!
I need to make an apple crisp – I have so many apples yet not enough time to make one.
I hate running the dark – I can only imagine how scary it is to ride a bike. Enjoy the rest of the night!
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
i’m kinda hooked on “the gold” too now. it goes on everything!
Maddie says
Looks like a great dinner! I will need to try Garlic Gold some time.
I don’t like biking in the dark either. You never know if there’s a hole or something in front of you!
Have a good night 🙂
Jasmine @ Eat Move Write says
What is this PB Brickle you speak of? That is the last thing I need, but I am fairly certain I’ll need to buy it. Gah!
Sana says
🙂 I am glad you had a lovely weekend!
Allie says
Mmmm that chili looks amazing, and your friend’s house is adorable 🙂
Anne says
I really liked the concept for that movie… execution was pretty “iffy” but the idea was fun!
hippierunner says
Oh man, biking in the dark is spooky! But it is so exhilirating!
Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday says
I prefer a cocktail to a mocktail 😉
Camille says
I think the place looks great!
I liked The Invention of Lying! I didn’t think it was bad at all! It took an interesting, unexpected twist in the middle, but I still enjoyed it.
Caitlin (EatFeats) says
I LOVE THAT ICE CREAM! Ben and Jerrys has some great flavors that I’ve recently discovered. Their ice cream is so full of chunky goodness.
Mary @ Bites and Bliss says
You’re definitely making me want to try some of those Hungry Bars!!
Nicole says
I love the beer diary, so cute! That chili looks amazing!!!
Emmalinda says
Agreed. I did not enjoy The Invention of Lying at all. I had chili for dinner, too! And apple cake.
Cara Craves... says
I love how passionate you guys are about your pumpkin ales!
The dessert looks like it was worth the fullness…at least it would be for me 🙂
Lisa @bakebikeblog says
what a tasty dinner!
And i love those placemats + napkins!
holly @ couchpotatoathlete says
Karen’s house is so lovely — very homey and welcoming.
That dessert looks sooooo good 🙂 Sorry about the movie, I heard it was bad as well!
Heidi - apples under my bed says
The Apple Brown Betty looks delicious! I’ve never heard of that dessert before. Man, we need for PB flavoured things here in Aus – that icecream sounds so good!
Heidi xo
Jessica @ The Process of Healing says
That chili sounds sooo good.. Karen must be a fabulous cook!
Hannah says
I love Jennifer Garner, though, so I didn’t kind the movie. Benadn jerry’s has just opened in Australia (not in ym city though) but only ahve about five flavours for sale. BOO!
Mama Pea says
Now that’s my kind of homework…instead I got to help Gigi find four words that rhymed with “Mat.” And the answer is cat, bat, rat and hat.
Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run] says
What a fun salad bowl!
Grayson says
Why are you such a bitch towards your mother-in-law and so condescending towards your husband?
Jo says
Geez Grayson.
Kaci Higgins says
You might want to look in the mirror and ask the first part of that question again.
Matt says
Ha!
missy says
I don’t know where you got that impression about Kath. Her relationships with her husband and mother-in-law seem to be a great ones.
What is your problem, Grayson?
Amanda (Eating Up) says
That dessert looks incredible and definitely worthy of finding more room in your stomach for it!
Marina says
Karen’s house looks really nice and cozy!
There’s always room for Ben&Jerrys!
Healthy food says
There is nothing better then well deserved tasty dessert at the end 🙂
J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
Mmmm… chilli with lots of cheese sounds sooo good! Karen’s chili always looks so tasty!! 😀
Lauren says
Karen’s place looks great!!! And so does her dinner. But especially that brown betty. Yum!!!
I hated that movie. It was so awkward.
Glad you had a nice evening girl.
Simply Life says
oh that meal looks great and her house is gorgeous!
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
Karen’s place is adorable! Very cottage chic! The meal looks amazing! I made chili on Saturday for pumpkin carving festivities and it is gone! I need to make more because I was not done with it.
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
Sometimes desserts like that are worth feeling stuffed for. 😉
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) says
Kudos to you for being able to drive home in the dark on your bike! I have a hard enough time running in the dark, never mind biking. 😉
The chili looks fab! 😀
Sarah @ Sarah's Shaping Up says
Sounds like a fun day! 🙂
lisasfoods says
I saw Pumpking at one of our local wine shops, but didn’t buy any just yet. They were sold in a large size – do you know if they’re sold in six-packs too? Might pick some up this week, but they only sold singles.
Kath says
It only comes in the big bottles. But you’ll have no trouble finishing it!! 🙂
lisasfoods says
Haha! Good to know. Okay, putting it on my shopping list. They had lots of other pumpkin ales, but I’m going to take your advice and go with this one first.
Melissa @ HerGreenLife says
I actually really like biking in the dark. In addition to the lights, I highly recommend a reflective vest. Not exactly a fashion statement, but I’ve had lots of people tell me that it really makes me visible. I’ve looked at vests at numerous local bike shops, and my favorite is still the Nashbar brand vest I bought at Nashbar.com.
We’re going to a Green Drinks event at Schlafly Bottleworks on Wednesday, and I’m planning to try their pumpkin!
Sara says
WOW. That food spread looked so fancy and delish! Sure you didn’t go to a restaurant? 🙂
Kristen says
Can you post the chili recipe pretty please?!?!??!
Kath says
Karen’s Chili Recipe
2 pounds ground beef
one chopped onion
one chopped green pepper
30 ounces canned tomato sauce
2 15oz cans kidney beans
2 TBL. flour
2 TBL. canola oil
Brown ground beef. When almost done, add onion and peppers. Add canned tomato sauce.
Mix flour and oil well, then stir in beans (undrained). Add to above.
Flavor with cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper, splash of sugar, and chopped jalapeno.
Simmer for 4 hours in crockpot.
Serve with corn chips, sour cream, grated cheddar cheese, olives.
Kath says
(She leaves out the onion when I visit and uses double green pepper 🙂 )