In the l970's, I got a call from my family who were descending on me en mass (4 immediate & l dear aunt). They were about an hour away and it was 4:30 p.m. I got my 2 youngsters (7 and 9 years old) busy with the clean-up, vacuuming and making everything totally presentable while I considered what I could make in an hour for 8 people and have time to visit and enjoy their company.

Of course! Chili. I raced to the store, got the ingredients (but canned beans) and went to it when I got home. Now, I had just moved into a new home and decided to alphabeitze my spices for easy retrieval. When the company arrived, they were most impressed at my ability to throw a meal together so quickly. As I put the finishing touches on the salad, I suggested that they begin. So they did.

I came into the dining room just in time to see several of them with the weirdest looks on their faces and then they FORCED themselves to swallow. I said "what?" My sister replied : " You put in cloves instead of chili powder! " Being good sports, and much to my horror, they would not hear of me ordering in. They all insisted that after the first bite your mouth and throat were numb so it really didn't matter.. It filled the void. I wanted the floor to open up. Nealy 40 years later, my face is red as I write this.