Gary's Halloween Eve Poker Party

When Gary found out Maggie was having (gasp!) teenagers over on Halloween Eve, he saw an opportunity and promptly invited his friends over for a poker party. I think it was to escape having chaperone duties, personally. But, I love his Friday night poker buddies so I didn't complain. They're a lot of fun, and I really can't blame him for wanting to do something else. (Note to self: Though, next time, I will be busy on teen party night and let Gary handle it all by himself.)

I made Gary (and Mags) go to Walmart with me to buy the supplies for the dualing Halloween parties on Thursday night. Then, Gary defrosted some venison (which he brought back from his pheasant hunting trip to SD) and cooked it with some sausage, chopped onions and garlic. Maggie worked on pumpkin cheesecake bars, and I made a soy milk banana cream pie for one of Maggie's vegan friends.

Friday morning, I threw the meat into the crockpot with some beans, tomatoes, green chilies and spices to make venison chili.

Gary threatened to add some Scottish Dorset Naga pepper into the crockpot, but I don't think he carried through with it. Ray Lane had grown these peppers and brought some to the hot pepper aficionados.

Below, Duke tries the chili. Mmmmm, mmmm...good!



Jack looks like he's up to something, doesn't he?



I think I caught Dennis in the act. You can tell by the look on his face, he's plotting.



You know George is up to no good...most of the time.



Allen is a good sport.



OK, it was really Gary who was into mischief. He tried to goad everyone into trying the Scottish peppers. He finally convinced Duke.



Poor Duke happened to wipe his eye after touching the pepper. You should have heard Gary and the boys cackle.

Gary is just mean...plain mean!