"Come, little leaves," said the wind one day.

Chili, pumpkin style

Ingredients

2cups	Fresh or Canned Pumpkin
3 pounds	Lean Ground Beef
2cans	Red Kidney Beans
2	Medium Onions- chopped
3 cans	Cut Tomatoes , 15 ounce
2 tablespoons	Chili Powder
1/4teaspoon	Red Pepper(Optional)
2 tablespoons	Sugar
1 teaspoon	Salt
2	Bay Leaves
1 cup	Mushrooms(optional)

Preparation Directions

1. Brown ground beef and drain off excess fat.
2. Put ground beef into a large pot.
3. Add each ingredient into the pot.
4. Cook on low for one to two hours.
5. Serve with crackers.

And to go with it~
Pumpkin Corn Bread

Ingredients

1 1/3 cups	flour
1 can	pumpkin puree (canned or fresh)
1 cup	ground cornmeal
1 cup	sugar
1/2 cup	milk
2	eggs
2 teaspoons	baking powder
1 teaspoon	cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon	salt
4 tablespoons	butter or margarine
3/4 cup	walnuts (optional)

Preparation Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine and mix flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder and spices into a bowl.
3. Whisk pumpkin puree, eggs, butter, and milk in a separate bowl.
4. Pour mixture into the first bowl, mixing well.
5. Blend in walnuts. (Skip walnuts, if anyone is allergic to nuts)
6. Grease a 9" X 5" pan.
7. Pour batter into the pan.
8. Bake for 50 - 60 minutes.
9. Test with a toothpick, to see if it is done.
10. Cook in additional 5 minute increments, if needed.
11. Remove from oven and let cool for 10-15 minutes in the pan.
12. Remove cornbread from the pan, and place on a wire rack to cool.
13. Serve warm or cool.

Over the weekend i made some spiced pumpkin fudge, I think after tonight, my pumpkin craving shall be tamed for a while. i always go pumpkin crazy every year, not just because i'm pregnant and already craving everything else!

Enjoy!