(Is it a valid excuse to buy a new camera if I can't find the charger for my old one? I know it's not, but for the record, that's also my excuse for not food-blogging properly most recently.)

I made a delightful chili today. Simple, ground beef and kidney beans. Sweet tomatoes. Started by browning some bacon, to impart my favorite chili flavor principle: smokiness. The onions, spices and the beef followed. Tomatoes. I threw in three dried chipotle chilis from a huge jar of them I bought at the farmer's market in West Virginia years ago. Again, smokiness.

Topped with cheese, cilantro sour cream and crisp bacon bits. Snuggled up to watch The Godfather for the umpteenth time on a windy day. A joyous little meal.