Sunday: Potluck/Chili Cookoff

On Sunday, one of my colleagues (he is now one of my supervisors, as well) hosted his 15th annual chili cookoff (and potluck).  He invites colleagues past and present, their families and friends.  People enter their homemade chili (rules are: no cans, beans OK) which are assigned a number and are taste tested  by a panel of volunteer judges who take their role very seriously, and the dishes are rated from last to first place.  Every year, there are some 9 or 10 entries, and my colleague hands out prizes or gift cards to the winner and the runners up!  Once the entries have been judged, then, everyone gets to sample them.

Until then, there is a potluck lunch!  Usually, my colleague provides a huge tray of barbecued ribs and chicken.  One year, he and his late wife made several hundred tamales and he swore he'd never do that again!  Others contribute side dishes, desserts, and drinks.  I usually make a fruit platter, or a vegetarian side dish, or bake a dessert, but this year, I decided to take a 6-pack of soda as it was easier. 

At first, I wasn't even sure if I was going or not.  Part of me wanted to go for the socializing aspects of it.  Part of me just wanted to stay home and relax.  The party started at 1:00 p.m., but people arrive and leave throughout the afternoon.  I've gone at 1:00 p.m. some years and have been the first to arrive.  Yesterday, I decided to take my time and went at 2:30 p.m.  It was just right - the potluck lunch had started, but the chili hadn't been judged yet.  I chatted with some colleagues I hadn't seen in awhile as well as some who work with me currently, and enjoyed some of the potluck food.  Then, sampled a little of the chili (by that time, I was rather full!)  I left after about two hours, but the party was still going on and would have gone on for another couple of hours, or so.

I was chatting to one colleague who had left the company for awhile and has recently returned and we were catching up with each other.  She asked me what I did to fill my time now that daughter was living away from home and I said, I blogged!  LOL.  She asked me what I blog about and I said, "This and that; it's a bit like a journal, I write about what I did, about my garden, health issues, and so forth".   She gave me a bemused look, but that is what I blog about, isn't it?  (She's a writer, too, but she's a former teacher and is writing a book about our education system.)

I am glad I went to the potluck/chili cookoff, after all.  It gave me the opportunity to socialize a bit with colleagues and former colleagues.

When I called my daughter to let her know I had come home from the potluck, she told me all about her clothes shopping trip.  She sent me the pictures I posted yesterday and then, she said she wished she could show them to me in person, so we did the next best thing and video chatted, so she could model some of the garments for me.  :)

After that, I watered the back garden.

I also called jury service to see if I needed to report in person on Monday.  I was told I didn't need to report in person, but I should call in again on Monday evening to check about Tuesday.  I was pleased about that, although I was sort of expecting that, based on prior experiences - they seem to wait until Thursday and ask you to come in the following week - that way, they get to extend your service time!

On Sunday, I was grateful for:
- Being able to socialize with colleagues and former colleagues in a non-work environment
- Some good food that others had cooked and brought
- Daughter wanted to share her clothes shopping experiences with me
- I didn't have to report for jury duty
- My friend sent me links to some recipes she thought I might like

How was your Sunday?  Did you have a good day?