What are the signs of autumn where you live?

In Austin, Texas, the temperature finally dips below triple-digits. The grocery stores put out their pumpkins. And on Saturdays, everywhere I look I see people walking around in UT orange. Football is king where I live, and even though I don’t consider myself a HUGE fan, it’s still fun to get into the spirit.

I like hearing the marching band practicing in the high school parking lot after school. I like seeing the glow of the stadium lights on Friday nights. I like lounging on the sofa on Saturday afternoons (usually reading a book) with the football game droning in the background.

Living in Austin makes me an automatic Longhorn fan, but my favorite team to watch is Notre Dame. I’ve loved the Fighting Irish ever since college, when I traveled with one of my roommates to South Bend, Indiana, to watch a game. Her grandfather welcomed us to town by playing the Notre Dame fight song on a trombone in his front yard as we pulled up. I’d seen football fans before, but nothing quite like these, and we had a blast at the game. Then I married a Notre Dame fan, and it was pretty much set in stone. We’ll be rooting for the Irish Saturday against Michigan.

When I lived in Chicago, I was surrounded by Bears and Packers fans who kindly introduced me to the Midwestern tradition of beer and brats. I tried to reciprocate by showing them how to make our favorite Texas football snack: chile con queso. It’s super easy to cook and very delicious, so I’ll include the recipe below.

Do you follow football? Tell us about your favorite team or game-day snack! 

Chile Con Queso

1 pkg. Velveeta cheese

1 can Rotel tomatoes

1/2 white onion, chopped and sauteed

1/2 green bell pepper, chopped and sauteed

1/2 lb. hamburger, browned

Directions: Cube the cheese so that it melts more easily. Pour in the tomatoes. Add the cooked meat and veges. Heat in the microwave until creamy. Mix. Serve with chips!