mi casa and chili

Our church is probably 85% college students, which since Adam and I love college students we think that's pretty cool. There are enough young families w/ kiddos that we really feel like we have the best of both worlds. There are small groups that take place at houses throughout the week and these little groups are called mi casas. Adam and I have been going to a mi casa all last semester at our neighbor's house and have enjoyed getting to know some folks better, eating good food, and building community here in Waco. Adam and I have really felt like we were needing to start our own mi casa, we have the space, there is a need for new ones as the other ones are getting too big, etc.. So, last night we hosted our first mi casa! It was kinda nerve wracking, you wonder if anyone is going to show up, if folks will have a good time or think you're lame, if you'll have enough/too much food, if you'll run out of silverware, etc... Well, all that to say, it was super fun! We had 10 college students and 1 non-college student show up and 2 more called and said they are coming next week but just couldn't make it last night! For a mi casa that is a great size and I think everyone really had a good time (I guess the real test will be next week if they come back?) :) Anyway, Adam and I are excited to open up our home and look forward to getting to know these guys better as the semester progresses (and B loves all the attention and sat on one gal's lap most of the night).
And we had enough food! One of my "new years goals" is to make a new meal every week (I've actually been rocking this goal...some of the others, not so much) and last night I tried this recipe. SOOOO good. It says it makes a lot and it does! We did have some leftovers but not many and everyone said they really liked it. One of the students came up to me and said "we're trying to figure out an ingredient, it tastes kind of sweet but we don't know what it is." The secret ingredient is chocolate chips, only 1/4 of a cup in this huge dish so you can't really taste it but it does add a little something. So, if you need a good hearty chili recipe and you have a crowd to feed, I'd highly recommend! (of course you can half it too). :) Enjoy and mi casa es su casa! xo

**addendum**
as far as the recipe, I wasn't able to find cardamom seeds so I just left that out (I did just pick up some ground cardamom at the store for next time though). I also left out the long red chile b/c I didn't want it to be too hot. AND, I ran out of cumin so my recipe only got 1T versus the 2T that were indicated. With all of these snafus it was still delish. :)