Las Jaibas Chili Cook-Off 2014 for the Hogar De Los Nino’s La Mision Orphanage

This the longest blog in his-to-ree….finishing it all will be the death of me!!!!

Really bad poetry but I hope you’ll persevere….I tried to get it all in and the end is near!!!

……..onward.

The tables were all set by the road with great care…in hopes that the Chili tasters soon would be there.

Sandi & Kathy

Jeannette

This is Manny the electrical cord guy….without him we couldn’t get by.

Power for all of of our pots…no problem at all in the end we had lots.

Blake helped Manny with his clipboard and pen…figuring out what had to be where and then also when..

The tables were set out by our resident crew….Dennis, Fred, Ron, Rocky and Eric too.

Eric put the flags on the fence a day ahead …you can’t be too early is just what he said.

Frank was all ready with hints and direction….no fuss or bother and complete perfection. 

Helene & Laurie would soon be selling tickets at the gate…Hurry up girls you don’t want to be late.

Connie/ Betty- with Helen and Laurie / Al…..were stationed at the gate to take money from all.

The day was hot and incredibly sunny….ticket takers were in need a a great big umbrelly.

450 packets with a ballot a spoon, a napkin and cup ….were ready to go and already made up.     Thanks Betty!!!

They soon came in droves with a buzz and a clatter….ready to taste and there was quite a huge chatter.

50 pesos for a ticket to taste almost 20 different chilies….who can remember what they tasted it all seems quite silly.

It’s only 12 now so you’ll have to wait a short while…then at 1pm you can eat chili, there is a huge pile!

The chili is hot and the cookers are ready…it will happen soon so keep your spoons steady.

Please amuse yourselves with water, pop and some beer….the time to start tasting is now drawing near.

Time to get going we were off to the races…It wasn’t too long till everyone had chili on their faces.

View Full Album

This is the venue and it looks quite deserted…except over by the chili where everyone was diverted.

They tasted and they tasted and tasted some more….picking the winner was going to be a huge chore.

Ishmael and Brianna.

 

  

Please look for the sign to see where to cast your ballot….taste them all and see what tickles your palate.

They were voting in droves it only took a minute…soon we would know who really would win it.

Early in the day before chili was being tasted…. the rest of the staff’s time was not being wasted.

Our two John’s along with Dick…set up the beer sales and they were really quite quick.

The day started early and they were all on the ball….ready to set up for fun one and all.

Dick.

This is Dennis, Frank’s right hand man…if a job needed doing he was right on hand.

This is Ron also know as Jack….if Frank needed help he had his back.

 

 

 

 

Bill, Dick, Al and Dennis lugged the heavy cargo….it was really lucky there wasn’t far to go.

Dick & John K.

Big John and Dick, the servers of brew…John K. helped and with the tequila too.

Tequila for sale and we had quite a lot…you could buy one or two if you wanted a shot.

Bill and John K.were the servers of tequila…drink too many and the headache will killya! 

There are tickets to buy for quite a few things…50/50 draw, raffle tickets and who knows you might win.

Richard and Carol run the 50/50 and they are selling a ton… so pay for your ticket there is money to be won.

Carol and Richard did a great job selling….Carol badgered and hawked and it was all quite compelling.

In the end the draw turned out to be really huge….12,000 pesos now how could you lose. 

Rita gets half as she is the winner….that will buy more than a chicken dinner.

Rita bought the ticket and she wins with glee…oh drat everyone said I hoped it would be me.

Marion with Bev and Val B. run the raffle and it is really a winner…from everything you can imagine even a gift certificate for dinner.

The prizes were carried to be set up on the tables…good thing we have so many men who are so able. 

Dennis and Bill.

Bev and Val B. manned the table….selling the raffle tickets with Marion and they all were quite able.

Each prize has a jar to put your ticket in…that way you can pick what you’d really like to win.

Art work of iguanas and birds ….they’ll soon be buying tickets in great big herds. 

Look at the list of prizes to be won….selling tickets to win them soon would be done. 

Marion/Bev and Val B., manning the table….they organized it all and were really quite able.

Marion looks great in her beautiful hat….no one can argue at all about that.

The prizes were drawn and Marion called out….come and get yours if you are still about.

Laurie with Blake sold T-shirts and hats… a memento a souvenir …you just can’t beat that.

  The Las Cougars (gals) and Los Coyotes (guys) from Mar Villa RV park….John K. asked them and they played until dark.

A huge donation from a really fine band…we appreciate it greatly let’s give them a hand.

Later in the day the toes would be tapping….the bums were wiggling and the fingers were snapping.

Back to the chili contest and we don’t who’s won yet….who will it be is anyone’s bet.

The tasters were allowed to cast only one vote….who would they pick, maybe me I did hope. 

The crowd was huge and the chili was going fast…I hoped that I had made enough to last. 

By 2pm the crowd was getting full…lots of cooks were looking at an empty bowl. 

 

A few bites were left in just a few pots….I had some left but there sure wasn’t lots.

Now it was time to tally the votes….Nancy and Rocky counted and we knew it would be close.

Frank introduced all of the cooks from Canada and the USA…now you could see who might win on this very special day.

We all held our numbers and hoped that we’d win….we could hardly wait till the votes were all in.

 

Frank

Third place was given to Al and Ken…lots of hard work so good job men.

 

Second place now to Phil and Mike….lots of people their chili did like.

You can imagine the look of surprise that was on my face….when Frank announced that I’d won first place!!! 

 

I looked at the apron it could hardly be… who could believe it …it really was me!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That was number that I was given….in the end it turned out to be a real premonition. 

The recipe was good, everyone liked it…who knew that in the end I really would win it.

 

Hal took the photos and passed them to me….without them all this blog would not be.

The money was counted by Marilyn and Sandi…their accounting skills are good which is really quite handy.

The total was in and it was a huge tally of pesos….we’ll pay power, water, propane, medicine and food for which the orphanage is grateful.

This is Connie who started the Chili Cook off 5 years ago….who knew now big it all would grow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Frank and Sandi.

Thanks to Frank for all his hard work and planning….he took the helm from Connie and it was quite outstanding.

Thanks to park owner Felipe for letting us take over for a day…he gave us free rein and let it all happen our way.

End of the silly rhyming…..

Thanks to everyone who helped, cooked, and set up etc. etc. etc.  Frank you did a stellar job and it all went smooth as silk. 

If I’ve left anyone out give yourself a pat on the back.  It is a hugely worthwhile cause and we’ll see you all next year…..2015!

Off to the Doctor and I’m feeling great and then the next day I’m sick!

The week in review due to health and busyness!

MONDAY…..Eric and I hopped the Green bus to go down to Centro to see Dr. Olalde.  We’ve been seeing him over the past couple of years and value his opinion.  I needed to have a routine blood test to monitor my C Reactive protein which is a marker for temporal arteritis and I wanted Eric to see him regarding his longstanding  (20year) stomach/intestinal woes.  I had a nice chat with Dr. Olalde about my general health which is good right now and we also discussed the Immunocal that I have been taking since last year.  It was upon his recommendation and he has been taking it himself and says that he is feeling much healthier and has much more energy than last year.  We are the same age…I will be 65 in June and he will be 65 in July.  I take a large number of vitamins that are targeted to inflammation as well but I think the Immunocal has made a difference.  I think Dr. Olalde’s genetics are better than mine as his father just passed away at age 100! 

So…. I trotted up the street to get a blood test and Eric stayed to talk.  I had done some research on a drug called Rifaximin which is called Flo Norm here in Mexico and used for travelers diarrhea but also used to treat long standing conditions such as IBS.  So…. long story short.  Dr. Olalde agreed it would be a good idea to try it and wrote a prescription for Rifaximin, and a couple of other prescription drugs as well.  We are hopeful it will help.  Dr. Olalde unlike a lot of North American Doctors is not offended if you have an opinion about your health and treatment. 

The square on the way to the Malecon to catch the bus home.  

Lovely old building no matter where you look. 

Waiting for the bus and there is a Mexican feeding the birds off a stick.  A tourist attraction.

Frigate birds swooping in to take the fish.

Frigate birds.  This is an unusual sight brought about by hand feeding.  Normally you only see them soaring lazily in the sky.  

Back on the bus and home. 

TUESDAY…..didn’t turn out to be a stellar day.  I woke up feeling nauseous and headachy.  Rats…I’ve been feeling so good.  I did my morning walk and when I came back I still wasn’t feeling well and diarrhea had entered into the equation.  I took a couple of Treda which includes neomycin and some anti-diarrhea drugs and we went shopping.  By the time we got home I was not better, but worse so no lunch and I laid down.  Leftovers for Eric for supper, nothing for me and now I was vomiting.  More Treda.

Well the other problem with all of this is that Saturday is the 5th Annual Las Jaibas Chili Cook Off and I am one of the cooks.  I had bought the ingredients and since I like to cook my chili a couple of days ahead it was time to get started. 

WEDNESDAY…. afternoon I was feeling slightly better so I put on my latex gloves and chopped the chilies, onions, celery and garlic and bagged them all up.  It is a huge job to make two very large pots of chili in an RV, not to mention cooling so that it can be reheated on Saturday.  This year there will be 20 cooks and the event is getting huge.  A far cry from year one when it was just a small social event.  There is a big raffle, fifty fifty draw, beer and water sales and even a band.  Big doings!  In the end it is a huge charity event for the small orphanage that we support. 

THURSDAY….. I was much improved and it was time to cook the chili.  Eric said it looked like a science experiment with all the recipe pages, internet and food strewn everywhere.  Again it’s a big deal to do this in an RV.  Those of you cooking who read this know what I am saying!  By 12:30 I had it bubbling on the stove and in the crock pot and I was mostly cleaned up.  This year I kept careful track of what I put in and wrote it all down so that it will be easier next year if I cook again.  I left Eric to stir the “witches brew” and was off to play cards.  No bingo that night as I was too tired and still not up to par. 

FRIDAY and I am feeling much better.  Turns out I am not the only one in the park who is under the weather.  Here it is hard to know what the problem is.  Food, water, virus….could be anything.  Dr. Olalde said it would take a gringo 12 years to develop proper immunity in Mexico.  We don’t have that long!!!

Today the tents, chairs and beer were delivered by Tecate.  The raffle items were put together and tomorrow it will all happen.

The beer awaits in the front office. 

The raffle items are put together.

The chairs are ready to be set out.

The tents that we will have our tables set up under to serve chili are ready…..and so are we…..I hope!  

Stay tuned!!!

Super bowl Sunday! ….and picking up the camera.

First off.  I did get my camera back on Saturday.  I had Felipe (park owner) call to check that it was ready and then I was off downtown to pick it up.  The word after cleaning was….muchos polvo (lots of dust inside.)  The dust apparently gets in around the lens when the camera is open and ready to shoot.  This of course would usually be when we are on the bike whistling along in the wind.  Just a cost of doing business I guess.  Cleaning the camera 250 pesos or about $20….small potatoes. 

Walking back down to the Mercado after picking up the camera to catch the bus home.    Picture looks good……no spots.

The church…a major downtown land mark. 

Home on the Toreo bus.   It takes the scenic route up by the Grand Mall, Mega, Soriano's and then home.  I usually take the Green Bus which goes along the malecon and the Gold Zone but I wanted to check this route out.  All good.

So….back to Super bowl Sunday.   Who was playing?  Well the Seattle Seahawks were playing the Denver Broncos.  Okay…so I didn’t actually know who was playing and I had to look it up on the net but since I’m not a football fan you can understand.  I have a been to Denver (on an orthodontic convention) and to Seattle as well but that’s all, and not to a football game in either city or for that matter…ever….anywhere!    I’d put money in the park football pool which of course requires no skill but I did want to know if I had won anything.  

Frank and Sandy had an appetizer party and some people just ate and some people ate and watched the game and some people did a bit of both.  Eric and I just ate and visited.  

The intent football game watchers. 

The non football watchers…..eating…having happy hour and socializing.

Another table full of delicious food.  Once again everyone brought something and there was a wide array of delicious appetizers.  Amazing how there are few doubles when no one knows who’s bringing what.  I brought phyllo appetizers filled with crab. 

Carol and Val have a chat.

Millie, Laurie and Blake.

That’s Eric asking Sandy if he could see her scar!!!  She just had her gall bladder removed on Thursday.  Big laugh…she declined!   

It’s dark now and the game is still on.  There wasn’t much cheering….maybe there weren’t any favorite teams still in the Super Bowl.  I don’t know.   The good news is…I won 300 peso’s which is 100 more that what I put into the pool.   Big winner….$8 !!!!

Final score….43 to 8 for Seattle.