Sunrise Contrail

Rain yesterday but pretty sure there was snow overnight.  When I went out to feed the birds, there were clumps of snowflakes here and there on the grass and some at the edges of the platform feeder.  However, I treat First Snow like Death.  In my mind, you haven't really died if there isn't an obit in the paper and we really haven't had a season's First Snow if I didn't see snowflakes in the air.

The temps are chilly again reminding me that it's a good time to make my first crockpot of chili for the season.  I wanted to see if I could improve on my standard recipe so asked my friends what they put in their chili.  We all do the same basics but they suggested trying a little oregano, a little tomato paste (to boost the tomato flavor), and I added a few pieces of pepperoni.  I have added chocolate in the past but didn't have any that wasn't flavored on-hand.  (Fairly sure even the dog might not eat mint-flavored chili.) This crockpot of chili will last me the rest of the week - first a bowl of chili w/ Fritos, cheese, and sour cream.  Following days will be chili w/ pasta, chili on a baked potato, open faced chili sandwich, chili on eggs.  Friend Nancy actually puts it on salads.  That might be a step too far for me.