Dinner For One...Sort Of A Huevo Ranchero Minus Tortilla!

My wife and I ended up on different schedules yesterday, so when I got home, she was on her way to class. I had some leftover taco meat, a hunk of colby cheese left just big enough for one serving, and a dab of jalepeno salsa- both red and green... I fried one egg, over easy, put the meat and cheese on it until cheese melted, put it on a plate, and poured on the salsa! This is what a guy would eat when no one was looking...
The weather frauds predicted snow flurries for Tues., but no way is that going to happen- way too warm for that, thank God...

Another Chili Cook-off, Defending Our Title...

Last year, an out of town bar ran their first chili cook-off. It was for charity, specifically C-snips, a no cost/low cost neutering for pets. We had a great day last year, winning the White Chili catagory, as well as the overall winner. There were a few changes this year, but all for the best. My wife and I made B.D.s' Wicked White Chili, while my cooking pardners made Chili Dans'Red Chili. When the awards were given, our White Chili had won that catagory again! My buddies made a great batch, but got some very erratic judging, and they didn't win... It was a windy cold day, that finally warmed up, and they had a good turn out for the charity! I'll post a picture of our trophy tomorrow, as we are bone tired right now...

A Six Word Story- Tagged By Akelamalu...

I got tagged by Ake to do a six word story. I'm not one to make a chain letter out these things, but if anyone wants to do this one, check out the details on Akelamalus' blog "Everything And Nothing".
"Life"
Sunrise is promise, sunset- promise kept..

Sunday, Today A Lay Around Day.....

Yesterday was the Grand Haven Chili Cook-off, and we didn't win, place, or show... A good enough batch, but they made it clear there would be some new judges, which is their way of saying there would be new winners! It was a beautiful day on the channel between Spring Lake and Lake Michigan, not much wind and sunny. It is always a good time, and quite a crowd showed up. As usual, our 3-1/2 gallons of meaty chili was gone- with quite a few compliments... Today, I'm getting a Papa Murphys bake it yourself pizza, because I may need a dozen of them next month for our mens meeting at the club- if the price is right, and they are good! These chili cook offs are fun, but the lugging, cooking, and clean-up can get old-like me!

The Humor And Wisdom Of Children...

I have two sons, currently 27 and 30 yrs. old. Neither are married, nor have any children from previous liaisons... This adds up to no grandkids- yet! Reading some of the antics you folks share about your kids (that are still kids!), it helps me remember some of those moments when our sons were younger...
On Race: Eldest, at age 5 says "Dad, why do they call black people black, and us white?" I say, "Because we are." "No were not! They are more Mocha, and we are Peach colored!" He brings a box of Crayola crayons over and shows me....
On Pirates: Youngest, when at Disney World, goes through "Pirates of the Caribbean", and gets a souvenir flintlock cap gun. "Avast ya scurvy slobs!" he yells. "Son it's scurvy swabs.." Later, in the airport they scan a gun in our luggage. "Can you explain this, sir?" "Yeah, we were going to hold up the plane with a cap pistol one shot flintlock , and then go a-rovin'" They were not amused.... Chewed on my butt about it for a bit....
On Dating: My youngest had some slightly wild girlfriends while "growing up" The short answer is they liked "Mr. Right", but liked "Mr. Right Now" better.. After about three of these gals dated and dumped him, he says to me, "Dad I believe I'm attracted to the wrong kind of women"... I said, in my best Ward Cleaver voice, "Son, all normal men are attracted to the wrong kind of women, but most of us don't bring them home and introduce them to your Mother"...
On Graduating: My eldest, was a computer prodigy. He helped the school set up some of their computer system. He comes home from school about 2 weeks before graduation, and proudly informs me there is a little problem. "Dad, they are going to let me graduate, but won't let me in the ceremony until I tell them how I hacked into the computer system". I gave him my level-eyed stare, and told him to run, not walk, to his car, get in it and drive back to the school and tell them what they wanted to know. He started to protest, when I said "This is not a debate-do it!" Graduated, went to U of M., graduated, and now pays taxes like the rest of us...
I may start making this a weekly post, as I consider our blogs a rolling history of events that our progeny may actually read and appreciate someday!

Sunday Dinner, After A Spam Cook-off...

Yesterday, I participated in a Spam cook-off. The turn out was pretty good, with about 12- 14 teams entered. I had never been to one, so it was a bit of a learning experience! I was by myself, as my cooking pardner had to work. Reheating my entry was a problem, but got through it! Some of the entries were, Spam pizza, Spam Lasagna, Bean-n-Spam soup, My Scotch Eggs, Spam meatballs, curried Spam, Spam Kabobs, etc. I tried a few, but honestly- there is only so much you can do with this stuff! The Lasagna won, but the pizza was my favorite. My eggs all got gone, but I was about 6th or so... My stomach is still upset! Later that night, we played poker with 3 other couples, while I bitched about an upset tummy....
I did feel a little better this morning, but decided a simple meal might be better than going all out. Roast chicken breast, steamed asparagus, and home-made banana bread was plenty for today! Still, didn't eat with too much excitement... Hope you all had a good week-end, and are ready for Monday!

You Won't Believe The Cook-off I'm In Today...

A Spam Cook-off. I kid you not. Hormel Spam, not computer spam! Friends of mine have held this for years, but I was unwilling or unable to go and cook. I was talked into it by my cooking buddy, who calls yesterday and tells me he might not be able to go! Asshat.
Anyway, I got on the website for spam recipes, and was floored to find hundreds! I had already decided to make a Scotch egg, using Spam as the sausage case. Apparently no one has done that before- which could be good or bad.... A few facts about Spam.. Many state and county fairs have Spam contests... Hawaii eats more Spam per capita than any other state... There are now about 5-6 flavors of Spam... The shelf life approaches spent uranium, or a Twinkie... and finally, This is the first Spam I've purchased in 20yrs.! I plan to drizzle it with an oriental sweet/hot sauce that should mask any flavor of Spam that might leak through..
I've asked myself numerous times during the making of this entry- How bad do you want to win this? Would you ever show anyone the trophy?
P.S. Pictures to follow, as some assembly has to be done a contest...

Broiled Salmon With Long Lost Dessert.. Tapioca Pudding!

We are trying to have a bit more fish in our diet, so Tuesday night I broiled a large salmon fillet. While rummaging for the correct spices I wanted to use (lemon pepper, dill, sea salt) I came across a small package of tapioca(instant) and decided I would fix some- as I probably haven't had any in 20yrs.! It really isn't "instant" as it still takes 20 minutes to make, and I was planning on refrigerating it before supper... I added a little vanilla and almond extract, along with a splash of maraschino cherry juice- as I think all those flavors go well with each other. Salmon was great, but next time with the tapioca I'll use old fashioned style- the texture of the instant was not was I was expecting, and it came off a bit too sweet for me...My stuff looked pretty homely compared to the desserts Pinknest and jeff posted today! Check them out!

Haven't Had a Steak In Awhile- Rib-Eye!

We went to Sams' Club yesterday, with the mission to secure more meat in our freezer!
Some choices' were easy, some we took a pass on... The Rib-Eye steaks could not be ignored! About a pound a piece, and a thickness that cried out to be broiled, we bought them for Sunday dinner!. This, with a classic Potato Au gratin, a little bread, and a brownie- was the plate my son received today at work, should sustain him for a day or so...We stocked our freezer with pork steak, pork roast, chuck roast, chicken tenders- and a salmon fillet that will be eaten in the next 2 days! I'm also making beef jerky today- we'll see what that looks like in about 5 hrs. ...

First Grief, Then A Homely Little Friday Treat For Supper....

I had to get over to my club, to interview a new member Friday afternoon- about 4PM. I was a little late, but knew my buddy would be there to start the interview! I walk in about 20 minutes after, and ask "Is he here?" Nope. This was the second interview he had missed, and I was pissed... Called him, and he explained he had a flat 35 miles away, and would be late. He was late already, and hadn't called us- why not? This guy is a friend of a pardner I have in our Hunting Club up North, and he knows alot of people I know.. not getting off on the right foot with me. Our club is a working mans' club- but hard to get into, average wait= 14 years... He promises to be there today at noon- and he had better be...
Got out of the club, and zoomed to the local meat market to pick up some Kielbasa- a Polish sausage very popular around here. Simmered in beer for 1 hour, got out the Polish mustard, catsup, and horseradish sauce and had a quick, but excellent Friday treat! Wife made brownies for later- the Dutch sweet tooth will never die..

Breakfast For Supper- Kind Of A Midwest Thing...

Occasionally, we like having traditional breakfast food for supper. I remember this from when I was growing up. It might be pancakes and sausage links, or scrambled eggs with toast and bacon, or waffles! Incidentally, I never had an omelette until I was in my teens- neither Mom or Dad knew how to make one! I saw it on a menu and said "That's for me!"
I don't like to eat anything first off in the morning, but enjoy breakfast food immensely- so this works great about once a month. Tonight, I made a 4 egg cheese and mushroom omelette, split in half, with homemade strawberry jam on 9 grain toast. It really was enough, and hit the spot! This whole thing took 12 minutes from start to finish! Sometimes you just don't want to cook for an hour or two before finally eating- this is a great way have a quick, tasty supper!

April Fools' Day! Mini-Meme Time! Humor Is The Theme...

The questions today are:
1. What was a memorable funny stunt you pulled on someone?
2. What was a memorable stunt pulled on you...
Me first!
1. Once we had a young(21 yr. old!) kid bowling as a sub on our team. We were hootin' and hollerin' as we were bowling well, drinking, and having a good time... I offered to buy a round, and as a newbe to boozing, the kid says "I'll have a wine cooler!" I looked at him like he was an alien, but said I'll take care of that.. The gals at the bowling alley had known me forever, and when I said "I want a wine cooler, berry flavored, with a tampon in it for a swizzle stick" they laughed, got one, and I served the drink... The league went nuts, laughing...
2. Golf outing, make up teams from work, very few real golfers... Scramble format- we had just played a long par 5 really well, a girl drops a stupid long putt and gives us a birdie.. Our team member keeping score calls to me and asks; "Do you have a pencil, Dick?" I answer "Yeah, but you don't have to yell it all over the golf course.." We are all rolling around on the green, while the people behind us are wondering what the heck is wrong with us...
Post something, everyone! Let's be fools today!