Mini-Meme...This Last Year, This Year To Come..

2008 was not the year I expected, but in retrospect- when was a year what you expected? I thought this to be a perfect time for me and all of you that visit, to reflect on our past year, but also discuss what you think the next year will hold for you... I wish I had a crystal ball- but I don't!
Questions for today- 1. The events worth remembering in your life about 2008
2. Your plans or hopes for 2009.
Here we go... 1. I lost a significant portion of my retirement funds, due to the downturn in stocks. My house went down in value, about the same percentage.. I still retired out of the metals business, because after 35+ years in it, I was burned out. I feel it was the right decision, even though it looked pretty stupid at the time.
2. I'd love to tell you this year looks bright for all, but I think the world will be a long time getting back to where it was. Personally, I hope to find a small niche business, either to start or buy, where I can enjoy my work once again..
I've focused on the smaller delights of life lately, and found a lot of stuff I either forgot, or overlooked... If you have food, shelter, clothing, and people who care about you- everything else tends to be something you want, but not necessarily need!
I wish you all a bright 2009- Happy New Year!
P.S. Tonight, my new deep fryer Christmas present will be broken in!(photos later!) Then I have to take a white chocolate cheesecake to a party, and play cards with friends.. Drive safely, everyone!

A Little Off Our Feed...

After a couple of big food days back to back, we tend to lose appetite.. Plus my wife and I have both been experiencing flu-like symptoms, which doesn't make food sound all that great! The weather has been conducive to just staying home and veggin' out. The wind was 40+ miles an hour and it rained for about two days.. The result of this was a large portion of snow disappeared, and I ended up with two house guests until Tuesday! My son's power was knocked out- no heat! He and his girlfriend moved in here for a couple of days, until power is restored!
The first photo of food you see was a Saturday night classic; tomato-basil soup, with an open face broiled cheese sandwich... The second photo is my attempt at shrimp spring rolls, with fried pork and shrimp rice... Spring rolls were tasty, but could have been prettier! The rice was good! It's going to be a strange place here for a couple of days....

Random Photos And Happenings At Christmas 2008..

First , my son that was in the accident is fine! Went back to K.C. next day, and spent Christmas with his girlfriends' family. Missed him, but we'll try to organize a trip out there in the spring..
The first photo was taken on the 23rd- ever see a bacon cheeseburger on a hoagie bun? You have now!
Christmas Eve was hectic- our driveway was blocked with snow, wife's car got stuck(about had a heart attack trying to get it out!) I got a hold of a plow service that actually would come out before we had to leave that night! That was our present to ourselves this year... a plow service! I cooked all day, and my son had the day off so he grocery shopped for me!
Christmas Eve was at my sister-in-laws... I forgot to take pictures of the BB-Q ribs(they were killer!) but did manage a photo of a piece of Key lime cheese cake with raspberry-Chambord drizzle...
Phone call comes in at the party- my brother-in-laws niece was in a car accident... in the hospital, but the really bad news was that her step daughter in the car with her was dead. Two of the group headed for the hospital, called and warned everybody the roads had glare ice on them.. Coming home that night, the roads really had iced over.. more fun..
Christmas Day was open presents, then a big meal. We had Herbed loin of pork, steamed broccoli, roast red skin potatoes, sauteed mushrooms, gravy, and a sourdough bread... No one wanted dessert! Sorry, not one photo of the meal- I was busy! I did take pictures of my presents, and a few shots of our oddly decorated Christmas tree..It has all red lights, old hand made ornaments(I made that elf in 3rd grade!)and the "angel on the top we named "The Devils' Mistress"! We didn't intend the tree to look so Satanic- really!
Today is the 26th, and we don't have a darn thing to do, except recover...

Christmas ..Blessings And Bad Luck..

Today, I went out to get a new cell phone in a blizzard.. Roads were gridlocked with shoppers getting ready for Christmas- regardless of the weather. Got a phone(Verizon great!, roads and drivers-bad!).. Got a call from son who lives in town- had a flat tire, he changed it, emergency brake stuck! Talked him through it, in about three phone calls..All OK! Wife comes home from work early, we are both excited about our son coming in from Kansas City, got his old room ready- but worried about the weather... Our worries came reality when he called from Bumfuck,Iowa to let us know he just rolled his Jeep after hitting black ice and was not going to make it home for Christmas. He was safe. He was unharmed. Our holiday plans changed because of this. We had to sort through it, but found that Christmas miracles still happen.. my first born son is alive and well. Priorities can change in a heartbeat, be thankful that your loved ones are safe and sound tonight. Give them a hug and a kiss, like this just happened to you. I now have the Christmas spirit that has been missing, but it scares me when it takes a revelation like this to make me realize what it's all about.
A heartfelt Merry Christmas, to one and all! May all your loved ones be safe and sound.

Sunday, Wash Day...

My son and his girlfriend came over for dinner; steaks, Au gratin potatoes(from scratch!), home made bread, mushrooms, and brownies. Got the tree up, and watched the snow fall some more...
Later that night, my wife did a couple of loads of laundry... She usually checks the pockets for money, pens, money, keys, money, etc., but missed one item in my U of M hoodie sweatshirt- my cell phone. For the record, don't put these through the washer, as they don't work after that... I was due for a new phone, but I do like the 100 or so phone numbers stored to be downloaded to the new phone. That ain't gonna happen! I briefly checked the new phones available, and was overwhelmed by the choices... I wonder how much an underwater phone costs?....

Friday Nite Brats... And About a Foot Of Snow...

It snowed all day here... side streets blocked with cars, driveways blocked with snow plow wash. Got out in time to get some eats, beverages, and hole up until the storm passes.. Good, fresh Bratwurst, will be our simple fare tonight- and hopefully TV will have something good... Our neighbors sure helped with the driveway clearance, I must make them a cheesecake to square the score!

A Christmas Post Tale, And A Little Food, Too!

When we were first married, my wife and her sister would go Christmas shopping, while my brother-in law and I would go get a live tree.. Indian Joe, who actually was an immigrant Lithuanian, had a so-called tree farm for the season of Christmas.. These trees were where you found them on his land.. He combed his hair with whiskey(really!) and was rumored to have buried cash in Mason jars all over the land he lived on, which was on the shores of Pickerel Lake. He rented row boats in the summer, was about half crazy, and was a True American Character! We got a tree one year, that looked more like a tumbleweed, but it was the best we could find. We had more fun laughing at that tree, than money could ever buy!
Neither my brother and sister-in-law(or us!) had any money yet- they lived in a dinky rented house, we lived in a dinky rented apartment- but I remember those days as some of the best I ever had! Later, after Joe died, the heirs sold the land to Fred Meijer- a billionaire. He made it into a trail/preserve area, with his name on it. And they did find rotted paper money in Mason jars on the property- but not all that much! If you have any local legend stories, it's a good season to share them!
Sunday food was good ole pot roast, roasted potatoes, sauteed mushrooms, with stock gravy... I also made macaroni salad- macaroni, hard cooked eggs, the last of that Goddam ham, green olives, onion, celery, one Jalapeno pepper, mayo, mustard, Italian spices, salt, and black pepper! Boy! did we get after that salad!

The Christmas Mini-Meme....

We all thrive/enjoy/suffer the Christmas season... it is virtually unavoidable in our society. Simple today, and be honest...
1. What is one Christmas holiday tradition you consider important to you, and your family?
2. What one is a tradition you wish didn't have to happen?
I will go first, to point the direction of this inquiry..
1. Christmas Eve with my wife's' side of the family...
It started as a large, warped, odd, half the people didn't like,(nor knew the others!) affair, into a smaller, caring group of people- who looked forward to the party! I love my brother-in-law, his wife(my wife's' sister), their children, and their grandchildren... my other brother-in-law is a decent man, who never married, intelligent, often in trouble, but has always cared for the family left.. I bring BB-Q ribs, and a cheesecake, and watch a group of people that don't see each other enough enjoy the evening!
2. My family... Since Mom and Dad are gone, we have had a hard time getting together.. my sister and brother have not been close, and I am running out of energy trying to get them to talk to each other. My parents made me the executor of their will, even though I was the youngest. They did this because I am the peacemaker. It breaks my heart to see them not communicate, as they are both good, caring people. I do not wish them to leave this Earth at odds with each other. I would love to have my family become one again. My kids and us are great, but I do miss that bigger family I have.

Maddy Doesn't Believe Me...

These represent some of the spices, herbs, sauces, vinegars, oils, etc. I use when cooking... It does not include the refrigerated stuff, the freezer stuff, or the pantry stuff... If you don't think I need drawers in cabinets that hold 30lbs. of stuff- think again! If I run out of something, IT AIN'T PRETTY!
My son came over yesterday, and repaired my overweight "spice drawers" as we refer to them. I made a lunch for he and his girlfriend, while directing repairs. I remember him saying "Dad, this many spices and stuff is ridiculous" the next breath was "You gotta write down how you make some of the stuff you make"... I will kid, I will...

Venison Chili And Wife Baked Cookies!

Since the venison sticks really didn't come out that great, I felt the need to vindicate myself by making Venison chili! A small batch(6-8 servings) it used cubed, browned venison, cubed cooked pork, white beans, chicken broth, beef broth, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, diced onions, bell pepper, garlic, cumin, Mexican oregano, chili powders(mild and DoggyB medium hot!)-simmered for a couple of hours, it was a good, hot meal for a cold, snowy day!
The chocolate chip cookies were made by my wife- who told me I damn well better mention them on my blog! You can always tell when my wife has cooked something... measuring spoons down to 1/8 teaspoon used! She is a "follow the recipe to the gram" cook, where I don't measure anything less than 1/2 cup! They came out thin, crisp/chewy- just how I love them! She likes them thicker, so she wasn't as pleased with herself as she hoped to be...
My son is coming over today to help repair my spice/sauce/cooking elixir drawers in my kitchen cabinets. Apparently they weren't designed to hold 30lbs a piece! We are gonna fix them so they will!

Of Home Made Bread, Pork Roast, and Noodles..

I'm getting the hang of bread, so today I added about a cup of whole wheat flour- awful tasty! The wife loves a pork roast, fatty, spiced, and simply roasted- a Boston butt- 4 lbs.... With noodles and a home made pork gravy, it came out to be a good snowy day meal!
Our Christmas party at the lodge was cancelled, so I have a Key lime cheesecake in the freezer waiting for the next event... Gooldammer,Roy...
In the immortal words of Jimmy Buffet song: "The weather is here, I wish you were beautiful" Winter has decended!

Famous Pairs, Fred and Ginger, George and Gracie, Scalloped Potatoes and Ham!

I always loved those cheesy musicals that showcased the dancing talents of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, and I always loved watching George and Gracie Burns, with their straight lady/ funny man skits... there is magic in what a good couple can accomplish!
That being said, one of the simplest meals you could prepare, and find difficult to improve on, would be scalloped potatoes and ham! White sauce and fresh potatoes cooked properly, are a spud lovers delight! Ham, with it's salty, distinctive flavour, is a perfect foil to the rich, creamy, starchy potato... I do add spices and herbs to my white sauce, such as parsley, black pepper, salt, onions, and garlic. My wife loves potatoes- me, not near as much.. but this pairing with ham always satisfies, and is really inexpensive! Kind of retro, but I get that way around the Holidays..

This Is What A Key Lime Cheesecake Looks Like!

I am not a humble person, nor have I ever pretended to be. I am an honest man, and have made cheesecakes of almost any flavor you might enjoy. I have fought for years, to find the secret of a making a cheesecake that didn't shrink around the edges, or crack somewhere! My toppings have hidden many flaws, much like make-up, booze, and dim light help out a bar bitch...(Apologies to all you nightcrawlers out there who may read this!) I have played with adding sour cream, flour, beating eggs while chanting Tibetan mantras, you name it... Today I nailed it! The photo you see is a Key lime cheesecake as it came out of the oven- not neon green, but the color of real Key limes. I have placed in contests with cheesecake, and toyed with buying a small company that made cheesecakes- so when I stand proud on this one, well I think you know what I'm feeling! This will be drizzled with a Chambord liquor/raspberry sauce I make that contrasts color and highlights flavor... Saturday, the party we go to at our hunt club will get to know this stuff up close and personal! The quote "Casting pearls before swine" comes to mind... Just kiddin', I'm just geeked how it turned out!

Sunday After Thanksgiving- No Turkey, Please!

We caught a decent amount of snow today, so grocery shopping will be tomorrow's activity! Had enough ingredients to make a home made white bread, that would go well with spaghetti, covered in a ground beef basil-tomato sauce... I don't know about you, but after a feast day like Thanksgiving, all I want is a simple meal- as far away from leftovers as I can get! I know- you folks watch me work with leftovers a lot, but not today! This stuff was simple and it did hit the spot... I always grate my own Parmesan and Romano for a cheese topping that is long on flavor, but actually short on volume. The good stuff goes further- really! The photo of my redneck dinnerware(paper plate!)is because my son now has to work all day on Sundays alone, and can't take a break to come over for the meal.. We deliver!
Tomorrows menu will feature turkey wild rice soup, with some of that home made bread in the form of a toasted cheese sandwich. Also have to make a cheesecake- flavor not decided yet.... have a good week!

Before, During, And After Thanksgiving Eats..

This week, I was busy (as I'm sure everyone was!) getting ready for Turkey Day! Tuesday and Wed., was busy making venison jerky for a friend.. A lot of work, but I got venison out of the deal! Wed. & Thurs. were Thanksgiving prep and feast... Menu was straight traditional- turkey, sage sausage stuffing, green bean casserole(oriental!), mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls, cranberry dressing, and pumpkin pie/w whipped cream. Turkey great, stuffing also, potatoes needed tweaking, and green bean casserole was runny( This pissed me off- I used fresh green beans, julienned,steamed, with a host of crisp oriental veggies! I should have known baking them would render more liquid! Live and learn..)Pie was bought, as were the rolls(brought by BIL) and were good! Friday was taking some ground venison, mixed with ground beef(marinated earlier in week!) and making kind of a hickory stick snack(as shown before dehydrating). I sort of burned out on cooking, as does happen...
I came home tonight to find a break-in had occurred! Relax! It was my son and his girlfriend raiding the fridge for leftovers! They had called my wife and got the OK- and I was fine with anyone reducing the amount of food in this house!
Leftovers tonight for us will be turkey croissant sandwiches, and whatever you guys want from that pile of left-overs...

Snowy Day Means Casserole Day..

Wife working late three days this week, so I try to have a meal ready to go when she gets home( as eating late doesn't agree with either of us!) I looked in the pantry and saw we had an inordinate amount of boxed macaroni-n-cheese on hand. I sometimes just use the pasta in these boxes, saving the powdered cheese sauce for other uses. I also had a big, fully cooked ham that has been waiting to be cut into, so I made a ham, mac and cheese casserole. Other items thrown in were sliced mushrooms and diced tomatoes. With the addition of a few spices, and hot sauce, it made for a warming supper on a wet snowy day...
Deer jerky production to start today, as I will be cutting it into strips and marinating part of today, and overnight! Plan to mix some ground venison and ground beef together to make a pepperoni snack everyone seems to like..

Annual Trip Up North To Deer Camp!

I'm not hunting this year, but my son wanted to go- so we're going! The place we have has more than enough things to do besides shooting a deer. Just a little get away for me- leaving at about 11AM today, and coming back tomorrow in the afternoon. A buddy of mine got a deer, and will give me half, if I turn the rest of his half into jerky! I've done it before- good deal for both of us! See you all when I get back!

Mini-Meme- I Like A Chef Salad, Which Salad Is your Favorite?

Last night, we enjoyed a Chefs' salad.. Lettuce medley, quartered hard boiled egg, Swiss and Pinconning cheese, bacon, turkey, tomatoes, celery, carrots, and a red onion- all topped with salad dressing, mine Bleu cheese, wife enjoyed one shown(guess!). These are a substantial meal! Today's questions are:
1. What is your favorite salad?
2. What is the one you never want to see again?
Anything goes! So get going!

My Pot Poast, With Baked Potato- Simple Stuff For A Snowy Day..

As usual on Sunday, I cook a big meal. That doesn't mean expensive, or exotic.. just a meal we discuss, and then do. Today, it was a pot roast, simmered/steamed in it's own gravy, with baked potatoes, and steamed broccoli. My wife made the brownies today, which were moist and tasty.. Our son and his girlfriend could not attend, as they both had to work, but we delivered a hot meal to my son, and made a plate for his GF for when she got off work.. It bothers me that 30yrs. ago, families had time to sit and eat together- and today, that is the exception, and not the rule. We are losing our culture, and our traditions through an "or else" work place. Working folks had rights and benefits- and now have to do anything asked to keep their job. Life is too short to tie yourselves to a wheel, and lose the simple pleasures of living..Mark my words, this will be an issue in America, and the world.

Pizza Bianca- Why Not?

Today, I decided to make a scratch pizza, with unheard of ingredients! I made my version of a "white pizza"- a different critter, but tasty! Normal crust- homemade, and rose like mad, with the yeast being perfect. Sauce was an Alfredo style, jacked up with oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes... Onions, diced, black olives, sliced mushrooms, with a dose of chicken were the toppings. The cheeses used were Parmesan, Romano, and mozzarella- who could ask for more? Baked for 15 minutes at 425F, the result was as you see- not too bad! Different from your normal pizza, but it is a hit around here.. Good week-end to all!

Sunday Dinner, Nothing New Here...

Saturday night, I baked cookies. They were a peanut butter, oatmeal, dried cranberry, chocolate chip, slivered almond creation we call "The Easy Everything Cookie"! I've made this cookie(and variations) for years, and they have never failed to come out excellent- except for Saturday when I forgot one ingredient, an egg! They were still pretty good, but crunchy!
Sunday, I simply roasted about a 5lb. chicken, along with my stock sausage sage dressing in a separate pan. I didn't stuff the bird, because I wanted more dressing than that poor bird could have held... A side of steamed cauliflower rounded off a fairly good meal...
Later that night, I made a big batch of tuna fish salad for sandwiches during the week. While adding a last dab of mayo, to the batch(which I had put in a glass container) the glass container slipped out of my grip, hit the floor, and covered it with tempered glass shards and tuna fish salad... *%@!!*^##... don't ask for translation!

Empty Nest Pork Roast - Leftover Heaven!

Wednesday..., I really like large cuts of meat... 4-7lbs... I think this is where beef and pork do their best for the buck! I had a 5+ pound pork semi boneless roast that I thought should be cooked with a plan! At $1.29 a lb., I knew whatever I did would not be wasted money! Rolled in a spice coating, I roasted it for 5 hrs. at a low temp... Why, you ask? Well, I have found low temp cooking to be a great way to make a cheap piece of meat very tender, and tasty! It came out flavorful and tender, but Lord- what a pile of left over meat! Thursday, out of town.. but Friday we had Truck driver specials! This is one of my wife's' favorite meals- couple of pieces of toast, covered in a good gravy, with tender pork simmered in same! Today, the remainder of pork is now a chili- thick, hot, and ready for lunch! Less than 10 bucks of ingredients fed us for three days- all different, and delicious! I love to do this, as most of you know.. but with an economy roughing us all up- it makes good sense too!

Mini-Meme- Your Exit Poll... I Will Never Speak Of Politics Again!

I tried, by editorials, and recorded blog comments (to news agencies) to give my opinions on Local politics, and the shannigans that went on... I tried to refrain from making my blog a pulpit, preaching at others about what I do and believe in, that they should do.. I am a Jeffersonian American. He believed in stirring the pot and seeing what the people wanted! He also believed you should be educated in the candidates and policies before you exercise your vote. People wanted a change, and they got it. I am a bit more radical in what America has to do. When things are good, they don't need a third party, and when things go bad, they are to scared to consider one. Think for yourselves today, and here is the question:
1. What is the difference between the Democratic Party, and how they get it done, from the Republican Party?
2. Why would you not consider a Third Party?
I'm channelling Thomas Paine, Jefferson, and a drop of Sam Adams... Let's hear it!

Sunday Brunch At Home- An Explanation Why I Don't Do This Often!

Saturday, we were informed by my son, that his girlfriend had to work at 1PM, so our normal dinner time probably wouldn't include her. I offered to make "brunch" and could serve it at 11AM- and he loved that idea! Thinking of what I could make, I made up some home made white bread for toast, and decided to make Belgian waffles in my last years Christmas present! Slick unit, has own timer, and pivots both ways(without touching counter!) for more evenly baked waffles.. That stuff, along with thick cut bacon, juice, and coffee should be plenty.. Sunday hits, and I start making the batter for waffles. A new recipe, it had yeast in it, and would have to be allowed to rise for 40 min. Also, you must separate eggs, and beat the whites until peaks form- all of which isn't that hard, just a little time consuming! I was running late, my son calls and says he could come by at 11:15 if that would help me- great! Bacon is in pan, Waffles are being produced, bread is sliced and poised in the toaster at 11:15AM- nobody here yet... At 11:30 I'm getting angry, and have my wife call my son and find out where the heck he and his girlfriend are, as they are late! My wife hangs up at flatly announces to be that the twice a year time change we have in Michigan was last night, and it is actually 10:30AM... Brushing the horses' tail out of my horses' ass face, I decide to feed my wife, and make them food when they got here. Fortunately they don't live far, and were here is less than 10 minutes! My son apologizes, and I said to him "I've been trying hard figuring out how to blame you, but I'm coming up with nothing!". We laugh, and have a meal that was actually pretty good! For the record, I have never before forgot to change the clocks- until this year! It's a bitch to get old...

The Eternal Appetizer... Chicken Wings!

It is a rare gathering of family or friends where "wings" don't make an appearance.. I mostly love the darn things- but have had some that were down right nasty! The original Buffalo wing recipe from the Anchor bar in Buffalo NY has to be at the top of my dislike list- really! Somewhat greasy, vinegary, hot (in a bad way!) the only redeeming factor is that they are traditionally served with blue cheese dressing, and celery stalks... Wings have been around long enough for innovative cooks to fiddle and tweak the recipe until there are dozens of choices to suit your taste buds! I've seen HOT wings, Southwestern wings, Asian wings, honey mustard wings, and all of these wings mentioned can be battered or unbattered!
I'm lazy when it comes to these treats. I buy a 4lb. frozen bag of unbattered wings, all sectioned, with tips removed for about $8.00. Frozen, I bake at 400F for 20 minutes, take out of oven, dump whatever sauce I've picked that day all over them, and bake for another 20 minutes. Good to go.... The ones pictured today (sorry for the crappy photo!) were an Asian/Korean sauce (Soy sauce, hoisin sauce, honey, hot sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, onion and garlic powder). All gone now....

Beef Salami- Done In The Oven!

I haven't made summer sausage, or salami in a long time! Stopped at a Butchers' Supply last week, and picked up some supplies to make a batch with. 4-1/2lbs all beef, ground(about an 80/20 fat content) with curing salt, regular salt, whole mustard seed, cracked black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and liquid smoke is the recipe. Rolled into three logs and wrapped tightly in heavy duty aluminum foil, I allow 24 hrs. in refrigerator for it to cure.. Poke some holes in the bottom of the foil, put water pans under the rolls to catch the fat that is going to render out. Set oven for 325F and bake rolls 2-1/4 hrs. Remove from oven, open aluminum foil and drain off any fat or liquid, then patting rolls dry. Place in fridge for a couple of hours, so sausage can firm up and cut easier. Another hunting season tradition, brought to you by me! This recipe has been around for years... not really how salami is made, but it is quick, easy, and pretty tasty!
Out of the oven, tried a bit of it- and for the first time in my life didn't use enough salt! I usually go overboard with this...

Melange Of Food Offerings...

The last few days have gotten me back into cooking a bit more than I have felt like in a while! I mix of this and that, no theme, no long range mission- just food to take here and there, or to eat at home.. In no particular order, a green bean/bean sprout/ham/mushroom/bamboo shoots creation we had as a main dish! Flavored with soy sauce, it hit the spot! Scotch Eggs... Took as a treat to friends that had never heard of such a thing- all disappeared.. Marinated steak on grill, Au Gratin potatoes, homemade white bread were the main meal today! No theme or message today, beyond enjoy your food- life is short!