It Was Halloween And We Saw The Least Scariest Thing There Is!

A rainbow! On Halloween! In Michigan! Not just a rainbow, it was a perfectly shaped, multi-colored, Hollywood movie rainbow.
After getting home from work and having a bite to eat, we normally turn on the porch light, and light the pumpkin to let all know we are open for the business of Candy Donation. In Michigan, we're talking about 6:20PM or thereabouts- it's dark, but not night time dark, and the little kids usually go earlier than the teenagers. We had a couple of hits for candy, when my wife calls to me and says "You've got to see this!" "What is it?" I asked. "A rainbow", she stated rather matter-of-factly. I checked to see if I had heard her right, then came running with the camera! At 6:36PM , Oct. 31, 2007, Grand Rapids had a perfect arc rainbow- and in 50+ yrs of living here, I had never seen one that magnificent! It was the talk of the night, with many commenting on it even the next day. Rainbows aren't that common around here, especially this late in the year. Obiviously it had rained a little, shrinking the number of kids we got at the door for candy. Still, we had about 65, mostly older kids. A few of the "tykes" were wearing low cut costumes and had cleavage, for cryin' out loud! New rule next year: If you're driving yourself house to house for candy treats- you're too old!

Halloween Is Cool!

Ever since I was a little kid, Halloween has been one of my favorite times! Buffalo Dick at 5yrs old: "You mean we get to dress up in a costume so no one knows who we are and scream Trick or Treat at our neighbors-and they give us candy!!??" I was hooked. I grew up as part of the "Baby Boom" in a predominently Catholic neighborhood. This meant untold numbers of children running up and down the streets, gathering as much loot as possible before 9pm when we had to be home! You always went in a mob of kids to be safer from predators. No not perverts! Older kids that would steal your candy! By age 12 you had the drill down pat, but you knew soon you'd be too old to be doing this candy thing next year. Age 13-18. Roam the streets throwing eggs at other teens, cars, and houses! My high school had an unsanctioned Junior/Senior egg fight every year at a riverside park. It got so big, the cops patrolled so it wouldn't happen. So a hundred or so guys armed with thousands of eggs(some rotten) were turned away to go into the neighborhoods instead! Real bright, huh? Buffalo Dick at 30-40: Wife takes our two boys T or T, while dad stays home and passes out candy. Buffalo Dick at 40-50: Adult costume parties! Dressing up and handing out candy to kids! Throwing flash paper fireballs for their entertainment! Nowadays, we just hand out treats at home, missing the days when Hell was actually raised on All Hallows' Eve.....Buahahahahaa.....
Oh yeah, as we have no kids at home anymore we just put the ceramic jack-o-lantern in the window. I miss carving scary faces in pumpkins and roasting salted pumpkin seeds!

A Project, Then A Bite To Eat....

Saturday and then Sunday until about 1PM, We stayed pretty busy! It's that time of year when we do a little bit to get the homestead ready for when the weather isn't so nice. Yesterday, that meant going to Sams' Club and stocking up on food related stuff we will need for the holidays. After that, it was replace the light bulbs outside that had burned out, fix the storm door, and fix the door knob to the garage service door. As by now we were on kind of a roll (You know what I mean!) I decided to grocery shop, talking my wife into going to Lowes for a specialty light bulb while I was busy at the other store. She thought it was a great idea, but really didn't want to go (again, you know what I mean!). Lowes is like 1/2 mile from our house, so the debate was short and unheated!
This morning, I thought it was time to hang the decorative clock we had bought for our dining area. How long had we waited to do this, you ask? Eleven and a half months.... Why so long, you ask? That's what happens when we're not on that roll anymore. Anyway, we got that 20 minute project done in less than 2 hrs, which is about normal for my wife and I when we work together on something! We hardly ever yell at each other anymore either... Life sure beats it out of you, doesn't it?
We wrapped it up in time to start dinner- chicken on the grill, blueberry muffins, spice cake for dessert, and scalloped potatoes- sliced in our new food processor! No one needs one this powerful, really! My son called from K.C. MO and I told him I'd found a new way to get rid of unwanted body parts... Hope your weekends are going well, and see you later!

Let's Talk About Coffee.....

A few years back, I was cruising the cookbook section of a used bookstore I'd never been in, when I came across a hard cover book about coffee. It had everything I like in a book, hard cover, in good shape, covered history, methods, chemistry, how to's, and equipment required. Right. I really bought it because it was cheap! I like cook books that read like a story occasionally, and this was well written. Up until that book, Nescafe instant, 1-2 cups in the morning to jump start the brain, and I was good to go! However, after reading what an incredible peasant I had been to this noble beverage, I went on my new mission: To become a Coffee Snob! I shopped the Internet for information on the best burr grinder for the money. Snobs must grind their own coffee. It must be done in a burr grinder, so you don't overheat the ground coffee. Now I went forth and bought an automatic drip coffee maker. There are tons of good ones, so I got a programmable on sale. Now to actually shop for coffee! I ended up at a specialty outlet store owned by a commercial roaster of fine coffees. Every week or so, I would get a different type or blend of coffee beans and judge them as you would a fine wine. We found the ones we preferred and have enjoyed superior coffee at way cheaper prices (say, 20 cents a cup-max?) than you get at Starbuck type places. The picture is of our new coffee maker (wife doesn't ask for much, so she gets it!) with a couple of our favorites. We grind enough for just a few days, store it in a glass container and refrigerate (which you don't have to do!).
Message for today: Life is too short to drink crappy coffee!

An Up North Saturday, And A Lasagna Sunday......

Friday night, we really didn't feel like doing anything except eat supper and flop- my wife reading her book, me on computer, then TV. The weather was supposed to be unseasonably warm and sunny Saturday, so we decided to head up North to Manistee, MI and do a little gambling at the casino there. We were sure the tree leaf colors had peaked, but still might be some spots to enjoy. It's about a 2 hr drive, and on a beautiful late Fall day in Michigan, it was the tonic we needed after the work week! On the way up US 31 we stopped in Muskegon and grabbed a quick breakfast at Bob Evans. I had been craving a Belgian waffle for weeks, so I finally got one. Not great, but not bad either! Another 1-1/4 hr and we were at the casino, which had a few things going on besides gambling. An antique show had gotten an early crowd, and we found out the club we belong to in Grand Rapids had a bus trip there too! We played the slots, losing a tolerable amount (not much!) over 3-4 hrs. I always like to go home a different way, and talked my wife into having a sandwich at an old bar and grill called the Government Lake Inn, close to a little town called Baldwin. The place had been there since the 30s, and we hadn't been in there in at least 10 yrs. They used to make the best handmade burgers, and we found out they still do! 1/2lb of irregular shaped hamburger, covered in anything you like! I didn't take pictures inside, as most of the patrons looked like they had bench warrants out on them! We hit the road and were home in about 1-1/2 hrs, greeted by an Airedale who really had to take a leak!
Sunday, at 6am I started sauce for a lasagna we were to have about 1pm. Had time to grocery shop and pickup fresh Italian bread for the meal. If it had a name, it would be; Italian Sausage 5 Cheese Lasagna! When I make one of these, it ends up weighing about 7lbs- for real! I give about half of it to my son who lives nearby, and pray some one else stops in so we don't eat it more than once as a leftover.....
Well, time to do some paperwork, so I don't start the work week behind... Have a good day, everyone!

What Do YOU Call It- A Blonde Brownie, Or A Pan Cookie...

I made this treat for the people at work, as I was off work on my birthday (Sept. 30!). I had been brought up to call this creation a "Blonde brownie". About 15yrs ago, someone I worked with brought in much the same treat on their birthday. "Oh boy! Blonde brownies!" I exclaimed. The woman looked at me in a puzzled way and said "These are pan cookies, my Mom taught me how to make them when I was young". We debated the issue, never resolving anything in what to call them going forward. They are no more than an adaptation of Toll House chocolate chip dough, spread put as one piece in a full sheet cookie pan. You can make these with dried fruit, nuts, white or butterscotch chips, or any variation of a choco chip cookie you've ever made. Watch the bake time- they are thicker than a cookie, but slightly thinner than a brownie! Enjoy your weekends everybody!!

All In One Night- A New Fish Recipe & A New Vegetable!!!

Tonight, we had one of our "Let"s Eat Healthy!" moments. We had bought quite a bit of flounder on sale ( 5lbs frozen fillets), and thought a new recipe beyond just broiling it was in order. Also this past weekend, the produce section had a sale on a product I had seen before, but had never tried- Broccoflower!
The Broccoflower is essentially a cauliflower that is about the same color as broccoli. Invented (?) in the Netherlands, it was touted to be milder smelling and sweeter than plain cauliflower. Seeds were sold to a company in California, and domestic growing commenced. For $1 a head, I had nothing to lose. Simply steamed as you would for cauliflower, then buttered and salted to taste- here's what I thought: It smelled a little stronger than expected, and the flavor was neutral, borderline bland. Good texture- all in all not too bad!
The fish recipe was; thin sliced, raw onion laid in a skillet that had been sprayed with olive oil, four fillets seasoned with Old Bay and placed on the bed of onions, with approx. 1/2 cup of V-8 juice poured into skillet. Poached ingredients for about 10 minutes, and served. I would make this again! Simple, yet flavorful, the meal was low cal and tasty! Now I'm off the hook eating healthy for a few days-at least!

The Chili Cook-off Results Were.....

Saturday, we packed up the food, camp stove, cooking utensils, and us- to head for Larkins, a bar and restaurant located 20 miles east in a little town called Lowell. The purpose of the trip was to enter a chili cook-off they hold as a part of the towns' Fall Fest with our Wicked White Chili. The weather was good for this time of year, about 50F when we got there at 9:15AM. We (my wife and I) paid and set up our cooking area. The other two Buffalo Bros. I cook with were entering our Red Chili, as they have two catagories at this contest (white & red) and a Peoples' choice award, which is nothing more than a local getting all his friends to stuff the ballot box. The sun came out to make it a beautiful Fall day, with attendance by tasters way up from the previous 2 years. A bluegrass band played too long, too loud, and too badly for my taste. Any kind of music (blues, oldies, country, polkas, Celtic, etc.) played exclusively for 2-3 hours while you're trying to talk, cook, and pay attention to the business at hand will ultimately piss you off! The samples were picked up earlier than announced, which also cheesed me off- and because of that all the people waiting wanted chili early too! We made 3 gallons of white chili, and it was gone quickly. Rave reviews, and repeats make you feel good! Finally, they announced the winners: 1st White Chili-not me??!! 1st in red chili- The Buffalo Bros.! My buddies were flippin' out happy, as the prize was 4 tickets to the Denver vs Lions game and a trophy! 2nd in Red was our good friends Team Dragon Spit, and to ever beat them means your chili was really really good!
For those interested, the recipe for Buffalo Dicks' Wicked White Chili is as follows:
4lbs boneless, skinless chix breasts, cubed 1", sauteed in splash of chix broth
2lbs sweet Italian sausage, bite size pcs, browned
2 green bell peppers, diced to fingernail size
2 medium yellow onions, " "
6 Jalepeno peppers, diced small as poss. no seeds.
2 cans 15oz. chix broth
Put all in pot, season with 2 tbsp Mexican oregano,crushed, 3 tbsp crushed garlic, 1 tbsp white pepper, splashes of jalepeno hot sauce to taste, 2 tbsp celery seed, 1 tsp ground cumin. Bring to simmer, cover and simmer for 1 hr.
Add 48-60oz of cooked white beans(great northern), drained.
2 jars prepared alfredo sauce
1-2 tbsp ground cumin
1 15oz can of corn
Add hot sauce to taste
Simmer for 15 min. or until all is heated through. Thicken with masa harina if needed.
Top with grated Parmesan, or Romano (or both) stir in til melted.
Serve with grated cheese and sliced black olives.
Sorry,no pictures as I forgot my camera in the hectic loading-of-everything process.... Also, this cook-off gives you a gift basket from the local merchants that probably covers the entrance fee of the contest! Nice people, nice town!

Just What I Needed, Another Monster Kitchen Appliance...

I mentioned in an earlier post, we were getting our first food processor. Never one to do anything half-assed, I got about the biggest one available without going to a commercial unit! It was delivered late Wed. so Thursday I unpacked it, ran the parts and attachments thru the dishwasher, and READ THE MANUAL. Those last three words should scare the heck out of you, because if you know me, I never read a manual in my life-I'm a guy! There were enough parts with this thing, that to use it or put it away right when done using it required a video, not a manual! The friggin' thing weighs a ton. Finally I was comfortable with how it worked, so I plugged it in and turned it on. The motor was so powerful, it hummed like a wood chipper before you jam in a tree limb! I'm thinking about going to the grocery store and buying a bunch of "Marked down for quick sale" fruits and veggies just to see how each attachment works. We'll see how much we use it- I'm still a sharp knife fan for cutting and chopping...
Tomorrow we have the last outside chili contest of the year(that we go to!)Our famous "Wicked White" chili is what we'll be making, while my buddy plans on doing our traditional red chili as a separate entry. Results will be forthcoming in a Sunday post. Enjoy your week end!

I'm Eating Healthier, Just Not Tonight!!!!

This morning my wife and I discussed what sounded good to have for supper tonight. She surprised me by saying "We haven't had hot dogs for awhile- that sounds good". Usually I'm the one that dings for a couple of chili dogs, not her. She doesn't even eat chili dogs! She prefers a hot dog with mustard, catsup, chopped onion, and a couple of hamburger pickle slices (That is, when we're not having the infamous hot dog, 2 strips of bacon, and cheese creation we call a "frank-cheesy"!). I like a chili dog with a good dose of chili, melted co-jack cheese, and a couple of light squirts of mustard. We are not Jewish, but always buy Hebrew National brand all beef jumbo hot dogs- 'cause they are the best! I love their slogan "We answer to a higher authority"! My home made chili sauce recipe is published somewhere in my old posts- I share it with anybody, but I spent a long time getting this just right, so if you change anything in it, don't tell me! I figured I'd better take a picture of this, so I piled the finished dogs on one plate along with a bowl of another health food- cheese puffs! Ever since "South Park" came out, we have referred to them as "Cheesy Poofs" ala Cartman ("Hell yes, I want some Cheesy Poofs!"). We ate the heck out of them right after the photo session, and now I'm waiting for the thirsties to hit me- there's alot of Kosher salt in those Hebrew Nationals....
Oh, by the way- What do you like on your hot dog? And don't answer "everything"!!

Latest Kitchen Adventures......$$$

Friday, I decided to make a "Dad" pizza. For many years- before, during, and after kids, pizza was/is our traditional Friday food! I make a killer sauce about 4 times a year, making enough to freeze pizza sized portions to last for a few months. I also make the dough from scratch, utilizing the convenience of a bread machine set on "dough" cycle to do the grunt work. Except last night... I was looking right at the bread machine wondering how old it actually was (20yrs!), when it started making a very odd noise. I opened the top, looked in, and no dough was mixing merrily as I hoped. In mid-pizza crust, it had croaked (Sh*t the bed, Tits up, Gave up the ghost, etc.). I grabbed the blob of dough and started kneading it, like I saw once on the Food Channel, feeling like I was trying to give some sort of weird life saving class to a bunch of student bakers. I realized then; This is how people really make bread! Came out great, topped with Mozzerella, Aged Provolone, real Italian Parmesean, and Romano cheeses, with Italian sausage, sauted mushrooms, and Pepperoni. We aren't buying a replacement bread maker, as we have a heavy duty Kitchenaid 6 quart mixer, with a dough hook attachment! Also, it did push us to ditch our harvest gold, 34yr old wedding present blender for a diecast base brushed nickel 700watt Kitchenaid Food processor- with attachments!
Tomorrow, a 5lb. Cajun marinated Boston Butt roast, slow cooked 5-6 hrs at 275F with baked Yukon Gold potatoes! The home made Toll House chocolate chip cookies I baked will have to be the dessert.....

A Light, Even Maybe Healthy Supper....

Last night, I made some cheesy broccoli soup to go with the salmon I was going to cook that night. The salmon was done in an oriental flavored marinade, then broiled til done. We ended up having quite a bit of the soup, which left us kind of full and with a fair amount of salmon left. I wanted to use it soon, so tonight I made an oriental flavored salmon salad to put into a half of a fresh muskmelon. The salad contained fresh green cabbage, chopped carrots, chopped celery, salmon cut into bite size pieces, chopped red onion, green onion, and pineapple chunks. The dressing was cole slaw dressing, fish sauce, soy sauce, chopped ginger, a little honey, white pepper, and chopped garlic. Quite light, and refreshing to boot! Cooking for two sometimes means not so many courses, but something done well....

A Light, Maybe Even Healthy Supper...

Any Other Parts Of The Country Have A "Wet Burrito"?

For over thirty years, Grand Rapids, MI has had a creation that is on almost any bar menu in town- The Wet Burrito! It started with a small restaurant called the Beltline Bar in about 1973. It was a tortilla (soft) filled with spiced ground beef, shredded lettuce, chopped tomato, with refried beans(optional). It was then wrapped shut, covered in an enchilada sauce, then covered in shredded colby cheese and heated until ingredients hot and the cheese melted. Sides of tortilla chips, sour cream, chopped onion, hot sauce, or sliced Jalepeno peppers were the norm. This phenom swept the metro area, and within 20+ miles of G.R. you could have a "wet burrito" just about anywhere that had a liquor license! I have noticed that the national chains (Taco Bell, Chilis, etc.) really don't have this on their menus, so I wondered if we were the only region in U.S. that has such a creation on the menu? I'm making my version of a wet burrito tonight for dinner, so I'll include a picture as to what it sorta should look like! Let me know if you have ever heard of such a thing in your stompin' grounds, and also feel free to mention any food you might think is only found around your neck of the woods!

Tomorrow Another Birthday...Mine!

On Sept. 30th, many, many Moons ago-I was born. I weighed a whopping 3lbs 12oz. and was premature before it became socially acceptable. I was described by my father as "Looking like a scrawny chicken with big feet". I got to spend my first month alive in an incubator, which as has encouraged me to describe my entering the world as "hatched" rather than born.. I got to start school at age 4 (another month and I would have had to wait a year!). Small for my age, and left handed to boot it never occured to me I might be at some disadvantage, as I was fast both in body and mind. I was also told later in life I had been a "suprise" or in other words unplanned. Probably explains why my older brother is 13yrs older than me!
I look back over the years with some wonderment as to where all that time went so quickly. I've done alot in my life, probably could or should have done more, but I'm not done yet! I plan to enjoy tomorrow by remembering I'm alive and still have some time to enjoy people, places, and moments yet to come....

Loafin' At Home Making Meatloaf........

I got sprung from the hospital Sunday night, and have been recouperating at home since. I do have a Doctors' appt. today, so we'll see where that goes. I do believe the rest of the week will be at home (I hope!). I figured I might actually attempt something productive- so I made my Italian Herb Meatloaf in a Crock Pot! Ingredients are as follows 1-3/4lbs ground beef, 3/4lb Italian Sausage, 2 eggs, 1 cup fine breadcrumbs, 8oz tomato sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, 30 or so seeds of fennel, Italian seasoning blend, 1/4 cup worchester, Lawrys season salt to taste. Mix with hands til blended completely. Put in loaf pan, pack tightly. Place in oblong crock pot and cook for 6-8 hrs on low, draining excess grease or liquid occasionally. Doing it this way gives you a meatloaf that no one would guess was done in a (shudder!) crock pot! Thanks again to all you well wishers while I was in the hospital. Test results aren't back yet either, darn it!
P.S. As you can tell from that beatup old crockpot, this is about the only way we use it anymore(I Have other Crock Pots!)

Buffalo Dick Update

Hello all. I am writing on behalf of Buffalo Dick. He wanted to let you know that he will respond to your comments very soon. He is in the hospital right now, we expect that he should be coming home soon - hopefully today.

Arrrhhh! Ye Talk Like A Pirate Day, Ye Bilge Rats!!!

Me Blog niece Snow Elf started a contest of sorts on who ye might think who might be cooler: Pirates or those panty wearin' sneaky land lubbers that call themselves Ninjas! Arrhh! Stabbin' honest folk in the the back, mind ye! Without no signin' of the Articles, and no spit and a handshake neither, I'm here to tell ye! Today is Talk Like A Pirate Day, and I expect every ye one of you to do just that, God help every Mothers' son and daughter of ye! I'm going to help all you that don't knowe the Scum of the High Seas have their own set-aside day to talk the Kings' English as well as it should be spoken- Pirate Style! Say : Arrhh! Say: Eehhh! Use the terms : foul, keel-haul, port, starboard, strike me, cut, flay, shiver me timbers, mercy, fine kettle of fish, etc. I hope I get response in Pirate Talk-Lest ye walk the plank with those dirt huggin' Ninjas!

Chili Cook-off Cottage Bar 2007...

Well, another Cookoff goes into the books- with about the same results as last time! We made out usual batch, sold out in 15 min. and didn't place-again. It was a beautiful Fall kind of day, starting overcast, but clearing later. The word was the attendance was the best ever, and Gildas' Club will get a nice check from this. I didn't feel that great, and it made for a long day. Am I getting to old for this stuff? Lots of old friends, good chili and good times. We do have an odd dilemma with this cook-off. The board of Health insists on a tent or an awning, and the fire department won't let us cook under the awning! The cute redhead is Buffalo Brother Mikes' eldest child- a good kid! The guy, girl and big guy is the Team Dragon Spit- which made a great batch and finished 2nd. The two guys in red aprons are 5th Street Hall Team- nice guys! We were disapointed in the results, but will be back next year!

The Cottage Bar 26th Chili Cook-off- The Big Kahuna!

Every year, for 26 years, the Cottage Bar(oldest continuous bar with liquor license in Kent Co.) holds a fund raiser for Gildas' Club. It is simply the largest chili cook-off in West Michigan (45 teams max!) and is the one you want to win! So far this year, my pardner and I (Chili Dan and Buffalo Dick) The Buffalo Brothers have been in 3 contests, taking 3 first places and one 2nd place! This is our year to make a run a the big prize- The Cottage Bar Chili Cook-off! We are ready! In the past, we have only cracked the top 5 once- and it pisses us off! We have bags of trophies, but this contest has eluded us too long. The owner of the bar and I have discussed on numerous occasions why some of the best chili in this part of the State has not done better at his contest. His judges tend to be locally famous instead of good. I've asked him to get some new blood for judges, as the old ones wouldn't know good chili unless it had a sign in it! We are ready! It really is a fun day, with a local radio station, live music, mucho beer , and weird (eclectic) people swarming all over the place! 4 gallons of our chili(32lbs.) will be gone in 3oz. sample cups in about 10 minutes! Even if the judges don't know us, the public does! The logo on my blog is on over 400 tee-shirts- a scared Buffalo covering his groin, with the shirt saying "Buffalo Dick Makes Good Chili"! Victory WILL be ours!!!!

Claredale The Airedale, Our Dog Clara...

For those of you unfamilar with this breed, it is an Airedale Terrier. They were bred in England to help keep the chalk trout streams clear of otters. They had the size of a hound, and the heart of a terrier. They were brought to this country and trained as bear dogs, as they had no fear(or brains!)This one is Clara, our third Airedale in a row. They are great guard dogs, friendly to the people you are friends with, don't shed alot, loyal and generally thought of as very willful dogs. This one is a big female, about 80lbs. , and a bit taller than show quality. She is also much darker than most of her breed, generally as adults their faces are tan. We got her through Airedale Rescue, a non profit nationwide group dedicated to getting these abandoned or turned in dogs a good home. Alot of people get Airedales thinking they look cool, then find out what a load these screwballs can be! Our dog was in at least 5 homes before she was 2-1/2yrs old. All she needed was someone familiar with the breed(advertised as a pushy female Airedale). We had 2 before her and knew she just needed to know who was boss. It was love at first sight, and she went home with us-forever. At first we had a few issues(guarding food, aggressive towards other dogs, not a fan of our cats, etc.) It all got better once she figured out she was finally home for good. Now she's a big cookie, belly rubs, licks, and bitey mouth are all things she enjoys. She's 7 now, which is a good age for an Airedale. Unfortunately, they live shorter lives than the smaller dogs, usually around 12yrs is about it. Many breeds have rescue chapters, if you ever look for a dog, be sure to look with them first. Enjoy your week-ends, everyone!

A Pretty Quiet Labor Day...

Yesterday on impulse, we took an alternate route back up to the same casino we visited earlier last week. We saw quite a few Turkeys with chicks(saw that at the casino too! Different species!) and everything is green, green, green. Another month, and the colors will hit the leaves, and a month past that- no leaves!
We got to the casino quite early, but it filled up quick-being a holiday week end. Stopped for a quick burger on the way home- both of us remarking we were spoiled by cooking our own at home so much!
Today, the steaks are marinating, the dark chocolate brownies w/ white choco chips on top are cooling, the carrot muffins and fresh corn has arrived from the store via my wife, and I think that should suffice for todays dinner! I may add a picture later if I feel I can "plate it" properly before lunch! Like everyone, I dread going back to work Tuesday-it's getting harder all the time....

Meatmarket Dumpster Cat-Willow.....

Some of you have heard the story of how this cat became OUR cat(or we became her people!), but for the ones who haven't, here we go. It was around 1 week before Christmas, and I was at a West side meat market picking up kielbasa sausage for the shop party. My youngest son was with me, as I had promised him a "Justin Burger"(a friend of mine owns an old west side bar that serves a 1/2 lb. loaded burger!) after shopping. A small, crowded old butcher shop where everybody knows who's next, we waited our turn. There was a cardboard sign taped up that said" Kittens- Free To Good Home". I had not gotten a present for my wife yet, so the price seemed right! Where did you get the cats? The counter girl answered the dumpster in back where they pitched the meat when it was no longer sellable. I asked "Do you have any calicos? The girl said yes, and added it was the nicest cat in the bunch. Being impulsive, I asked if she had the kittens there. She answered they were in the car- ready for the Humane Society after work. That was all I had to hear- those cats would be dead in 48hrs! We took a look at them, and the calico was friendly and beautiful! The girl requested that we didn't change her name-Willow. We got a box, and headed for the Vets' office. I told them to give her the works, and be done before Christmas! Dewormed, defleaed, front declaw, and neutered my free cat now cost $270.00! Of our three calico cats, Willow is the nicest cat we've ever had....

Day Off Tuesday, Later In Evening Birthday Dinner For Son!

Late Monday, I decided to take Tuesday off and try and de-stress. As my wife isn't working right now, she was all for it! Breakfast at home, left house at 8am for a day trip to a casino by Manistee, Mi. We didn't lose too much, and enjoyed the 2hrs up and 2hrs back to talk about stuff. It was my sons birthday, and as our tradition dictates, he got to pick out any restaurant we would dine at. He wanted to go to Grand Rapids Brewing Co., as usual! They are a micro brewery with a pretty good restaurant that stays busy. The reason he likes the place is that they are the only one in town that serves a hanger steak. It is a long skinny steak, almost as tender as a tenderloin, but with a much better taste(like sirloin). Hot cheese pretzels, hot bread, both served with speads that are great! A bowl of porter beef onion soup, and he was all set! My wife got the beer battered perch, which is fantastic, while sons girlfriend went after the penne in vodka sauce. I ordered southwest egg rolls off the appetizer menu-wasn't that hungry! Our waitress should give lessons on how to do that job- she was the best! Long day, good time.....
Oh yeah, no pictures as I had forgotten my camera! I have to start taking it with me!

First Food Picture, I Hope!

I know this isn't the best photography, but I decided to try a food picture about 3 minutes before lunch. We went with stir-fry today, a combo of marinated(garlic, ginger, soy sauce, white pepper, sesame and peanut oil) chicken, shrimp, bell peppers, onions, baby corn, broccoli, and celery over white long grain rice. Chicken stock mixed with a thickener and the marinate worked pretty well! I am still struggling with the photos, so I'll get another lesson from my son!

You Saw The "After", These Are Some Of The "Before"!

I'm still learning about posting pictures, some work some don't-but I'll keep trying! Our house was a contruction zone for almost 9 months! In one year we redid our 2 Bathrooms and our kitchen/dining room area, along with a hallway/entrance. We couldn't really change the room size in the kitchen area, so we opted to make it as effcient as possible. We paid for it as we went, so there was no humongous bill at the end of the job! We took a year off from the rest of the remodeling of the house- we needed a breather!
Hard to figure what to cook tomorrow( I have an upset tummy, work was very unpleasant this week) Maybe some kinda seafood, like shrimp and pasta in a light white cheese sauce....

First test of picture post.

As most of you know by now, I have never posted pictures. This is my first effort-shots of my new kitchen, in our old been here forever home! Hope to get back into photography the way I used to! By the way, that's my Airedale, Clara- great dog!

Time- A Constant That Never Acts Like One!

Our rational mind tells us time moves forward at the same speed-always. Yet, as we all have experienced, sometimes it seems to stand still- or go forward at a pace we cannot believe! I am in a dilemma. I need more time to do what I want to do, and not spend as much time on things I have to do. Some occupations allow for layoffs or like teachers the summer off from the regular job. Some folks work part time by choice, or they don't go to a job at all. I am passing no judgement here, just simply stating it may be time for a change in my life. I have worked before it was legal for me to work. I had a job in high school, held 2 or 3 jobs at once while in college, and have worked for the last 34+ years in the same industry. The changes have been huge. They seem to affect you more as you get older, even though you are keeping up with technology. In America, you are viewed with some suspicion if you don't go to a regular job, have health insurance, and in general don't act like you're supposed to. Health insurance or not, I'm pretty sure I'm going to die anyway! When you only have X amount of air left to breathe, you may want to ask yourself; "Am I doing what I really want to do?" Food for thought- at least for me...

Roast Turkey In August?

I looked into my chest freezer today and decided I'd better roast up a turkey that had been in there awhile! We finally are getting a few days of relief from the heat, and it would be a good time for turkey. It' a big basta*d (18-1/2lbs.) and will feed us or a small village for a week! I always use a traditional sage sausage stuffing, with bread cubes, onion, celery, and other spices. I'm pretty sure we'll be the only one on the block doing a turkey Sunday. I have all the equipment to deep fry a turkey, but this bird is really too big, and deep frying turkey is rewarding, but a huge pain in the butt! I also have a Nesco Roaster, but found birds done in one are super moist but tastless. I simply brine the bird in salt water the night before, stuff it and roast it-this one close to 5 hrs.! I kind of have had some foot troubles lately, so staying home and fiddling around here sounds pretty good! Have a nice week-end everyone!

One Long Ass Day At Work Today.....

Got up at 5am to get ready to leave house at 6am for Annual Sales Meeting. Our company doesn't have overnight stays at posh hotels, fine dining, or great prizes at these affairs. It is held about 1-1/2hrs from home at our central distribution warehouse. From 8am to 1030am were lectures on our 4 latest products, which we have been lectured at least 4 times before. Then we tour our giant facility looking at what we've seen numerous times. We work thru lunch, which is a decent buffet eaten in the meeting room while new work processes are presented. Then from 1-330pm 15 of us got to make a 10 minute presentation on a customer we have brought to the fold by using our many resources and teamwork. With ending comments from facilitators, we are let go at 4pm. I remember 20yrs ago, (with another company) I was at one of these in Chicago at a refurbished Hilton, where breakfast, lunch, and dinner(booze before,during, and after!) was top drawer! Awards banquet- me in 2nd nationally getting $1000 in cash, and an award to hang on the wall. After hours orders were: go have fun, but be at the meeting tomorrow! I think most businesses today forgot a little fun can go a long way.......

My Sister- Calamity Mary Beth.....

I can't believe I've never done a post featuring my older sister. Her claim to fame is that she has made it to her mid 50s without accidentaly killing herself. As a child, she was a bit clumsy-the type that takes 10 or 20 feet to completly fall down(tripping,waving arms,hopping on one foot, then finally hits Earth). When she married her first husband, she lost the title as clumsiest in family to him. He could trip over NOTHING! Car wrecks not his fault, golf balls hitting him, not letting go of bowling balls in a timely fashion,etc. Then, they had their only child. Yes fans, they had bred true and created the clumsiest person in at least America. He was so uncoordinated, he took R.O.T.C. to avoid gym class. Once during gun twirling drill he hit himself so hard in the head with the rifle, he had to go to the hospital with a minor concussion. A rare month that one of them didn't see the inside of a Med Center!
Fast forward to Wednesday. We get a call from my sisters 2nd husband(this one is OK!) telling us my sister is in the hospital. They had gotten a riding lawn mower 2 months ago, and she enjoys mowing the grass on it! While putting it away in a storage shed, she thought she had put in park, while what she really did was put it in 6th gear! Did a "wheelie" into the shed wall, tipping the beast over on herself. At hospital for observation-just bruises and a sore stomach, kept overnight for tests. She's home now, and we all wait for her next accident.......

Saturday, Sunday, Monday......

On Saturday, we had to go to a picnic type supper(Largest corn on cob I've seen!, chicken and beef skewers, veggie medley, potatoes, cheese with crackers and the rest of my chocolate caramel cheesecake) From there we all packed up and went to another house to play Texas Hold'em until midnight. I cleaned up!
Sunday as you all know by now, is my cooking day for a good noon meal. We usually decide Saturday what we haven't had for awhile, and make sure we have what we need to make it. Our choice was spaghetti with meatballs, all home made. A meat ball with beef and pork, bread crumbs and egg, seasonings, with tomato sauce as a liquid. We keep about half of them out of the spaghetti sauce to be used in other dishes. Good bread, and it really was all we wanted...
Monday- Back to work, early meeting. Crap hit fan with a big late order, which took up a large portion of my day fixing until right. On a hot humid Monday-that's what I really wanted to do! Those meatballs came in handy for our meatball subs we built for supper-kind of hit the spot!

Happy Diva Birthday! My Youngest Son's Girlfriend...

Tonight, we are putting on a dinner in celebration of my youngest sons girlfriends birthday! A cheese board made up of 5 yr old Canadian Cheddar, Danish Havarti, A Dutch Swiss, with assorted crackers. Beef tenderloin, marinated-cooked on charcoal to a seared medium rare. Yukon gold potatoes, mashed with a touch of garlic. Midwest peak of season-corn on cob! Fresh bread w/garlic butter, and the dessert I made last night- Chocolate-caramel swirl cheesecake! Cheesecake came out killer-nice and dense, with a beautiful pattern! We will have to do this effort after work, so enjoy your weekends!

Happiness In Life Is In Anticipation...

Alot of the fun and excitment you may feel in your life is looking forward to something you either think or know is fun! A round of golf, a trip, a visit with friends, etc. I'm going to list 5 simple things I look forward to, and I'd like you all to do the same!
1. Cooking a meal for good friends or relatives.
2. Day trips dreamed up on short notice.
3. A phone call from either of my sons.
4. Hearing good news about anyone I care about.
5. Learning something interesting I didn't know alot about before.
A little excercise like this makes us all realize alot of happiness can be easily obtained!

An Outdoor Wedding,BBQ Sauce, and Pot Roast Sunday!

Today we must attend good friends daughters' wedding. It is to be held outside at a small park, with reception at same park afterwards. I was asked to make some of my signature Memphis-style bourbon bbq sauce. It's sweet, herby, some heat, with a smoky flavor courtesy of Jack Daniels (and a little Liquid Smoke!). It's about 90F, humid, and could rain-Yee-Hah!!! I'm already looking forward to Sunday when I'm making (in the air conditioned comfort of my own kitchen!) Beef Pot Roast. The recipe as follows:
Seasonings- onion powder, garlic powder, coarse ground black pepper, Lawrys seasoned salt.
Meat- 2 pcs of beef chuck about 2-1/2lbs. each. Roll,flop,turn meat in seasonings 'til coated.
Put seasoned meat on heavy duty aluminum foil(enough to wrap and seal meat completely).
Pour 1 can of cream o celery soup(unduluted) over meat, then a pkg of dry brown gravy mix over soup.
Wrap and seal tightly, roast for 3-1/2 hrs at 325F in oven.
Pour off juices into pan, thicken w/flour mixed with cold water, heat until gravy.
Meat is flavorful and dead tender, with gravy for potatoes, noodles, or on the meat.
Enjoy your week-ends!!!
Oh- A quick footnote! Thanks go out to Akelamalu (Awesome Dude Blogger Award!) Mike M (Fun Bag Friday Award) and Doggie B (Rockin' Blogger Award) you are very kind!

Tagged For The First Time-By Kate!

I have never been "tagged" so I thought I should go along with this. Facts about me you probably don't know-
1. Until 7 years ago, when I switched jobs- I had never used a computer.
2. The last movie theater I was in was probably 8 yrs ago- I rent them and watch them at home.
3. I still have my motorcycle permit renewed every drivers license renewal- even though I haven't been on one in 25 yrs!
4. The only country I've ever been in other than USA is Canada.
5. I am the most left- handed person you will ever know. Bat, golf, bowl, eat, write, etc. All large and small motor skills are with left side. I had to learn to kick right-footed when I had an ingrown toenail removed from left foot in 4th grade...
6. Had cataract surgery(genetic curse of family!) in my 40's'. Have permanent corrective lenses in both eyes.
7. Lost appendix at 35. Unusual age to lose appendix-until I found out my father(other side of genetic curse!) tols me that was the exact age he had his removed...
8. Cannot play a musical instrument, or sing very well-but love music!

The Sorry State of Restaurants In West Michigan..

Last night, the owners of 3 Famous Dave's Restaurants announced they had closed one, and the other two weren't doing very well. In the past year, two landmark restaurants(Duba's and The Schnizelbank) closed and knocked down. Pietros, another long time player-closed 1 of 2 they had. Nobody is busy, all in area are able to seat you w/out reservations. The barely controlled liquor licences available are flooding the downtown area with little pubs, with quaint names that go in and out of business like mad. This is the downside of "trickle down" economics in Michigan. The loss of Manufacturing jobs, has caused bars, restaurants, barbershops, convenience stores, etc. to fold at an alarming rate. Houses are selling (if at all!) for 10-15% below prices 2 yrs ago! The closed fast food joints around are mute testimony that cheap can't make it either! Turning this states' economy around will take longer than I will live, and it's too bad- because it's a beautiful state!

When a Dentist says "If we hurry"......

Friday, I was scheduled to have my teeth cleaned. The dental office I go to are all old friends who expect a joke or two when I come in. I had forewarned them I had broken a crown, but wasn't causing any pain. When I got there, my bud Charlene was missing because her son was having problems and was at the hospital all night. The Doc looked at my little problem and proclaimed not only broken crown, but the one in back of it needed replacing too! He just happened to have a cancellation, that left him 2hrs of free time. "Let's do them both right now!" I said OK before I realized the ramifications of that commmitment... I was in that damn chair for over 2-1/2 hrs.! Because he was rushing a bit, it wasn't the "gentle dentistry" I'm used to. 4 shots of Novacane will numb you to your groin! Damage this morning(Sat.) burned inner lip from cleansing agents, a jaw that will open about 65%, and a few drill marks on my tongue! Temporary crowns, a bill that should get my attentioon, and I didn't even get my teeth cleaned yet..... I'm loyal to my friends, but Jeezo-Petes"!!!
Oh yeah, the joke: Guy goes into a bar, good looking bartentress only person in the place. Big sign behind her reads "Hamburgers $1.50, Cheeseburgers $2.00, Handjobs $5.00!
The guy asks the bartentress "Are you the one who does the hand jobs?" She answers with a wink "I sure am!" The guy then says "Could you please go wash your hands- I'd like a Cheeseburger, please".

A Present In The Mail......

It was in the mailbox Tuesday night. A couple months back Dutch Bitch ran a contest to name and describe a toy that some women use in the bedroom-use your imagination! My entry won, and last night the contest prize(s) showed up from the Netherlands! I now have a Dutch cookbook, a pack of Dutch choclate bars, and some Dutch rolled up black licorice whips! Leave it to Dutchie to get in the black whip theme! As soon as I can, I plan to make some the the recipes and describe them(and how they turned out). The name of the toy? Check out her blog!

The Buffalo Bros. At The State BBQ Contest....

Well, we've done better. Potatoes 4th, Beans 6th, Dessert 6th, all other catagories ranged from 10th to 34th! 42 teams, 40 KCBS Certified judges! We're looking at scores that showed presentation was rated far higher than ever before, and certain judges who were so harsh, they won't be asked back to judge again. The two top teams must have gotten a dozen ribbons between them, and for only the 2nd time in our lives-we got skunked! All our catagories were good-no screwups. My one team member was drinking all night, and missed the first 2 meat catagories(me and other guy did them). We beat some teams overall that are quite good, so I'm sure comments will be made to KCBS. Oh yeah, in was a downpour from 6-10am, after a very chilly night of cooking! When I'm wearing my leather winter jacket at 11am in July in Michigan-well, you get the picture! Already planning our strategies for next year.....

State BBQ Contest This Week-End! Our Entrees...

Potatoes- Our team is a 2 time blue ribbon in this catagory. Chili Dan(one of the Buffalo Bros.) is the lead singer of this tune! A hollowed out redskin potato, stuffed with Procuitto, sharp cheese, onion, and buttered spices-baked to perfection!
Veggie- 1 time blue ribbon! This year three trimmed pieces of asparagus sauteed in bacon grease til crisp/done. Then strip of pepper jack laid in, mopped with a pasta sauce, all wrapped in a Polish ham slice to make a bundle. heated 'til cheese slightly melted, then into the judges!
Dessert- Apple/White Chocolate(infused w/Buttershots Schapps)/butterscotch caramel Crisp! Granny Smith apples. of course. Got a third and a fifth place with this before!
Baked Beans- Best we've ever done is 5th, but hope springs eternal!
Meat catagories- Well, I'll explain them later-those are the big money, so I'll tell you what I did later if we place!
Tommorow is shopping, Friday and Sat. the cooking days. Wish us luck, as there are 45+ cooking teams from all over the country-and they mean business too!

No Cooking Today-Going To The Ballpark!

Our local Class "A" team, the West Michigan Whitecaps are in town today, suiting up to take on the Great Lakes Loons. Don't you just love the minor leagues' names and mascots? Baseball at this level is half baseball, half circus-with events happening between almost every inning! Little League kids get introduced, large groups that came out are aknowledged, mascots race each other, they slingshot tee-shirts into the crowd, etc. Probably a slice of Midwestern life that hasn't changed as much as some! Our ballpark is a really excellent facility, and believe it or not-the food is really good! It's going to be a hot, humid day here so we will see how long we last.
Yesterday was Make-The-Dry Rubs-BBQ Sauces-Marinades-Day in preparation for the State of Michigan BBQ Cook-off. When you come back from Gordon Foods with $56.00 in spices and sauce bases, you know we mean business! Enjoy your Sunday!

The Update On The 4th- In Bullet Points!

1. Ribs came out tender, a little bland, sauce helped alot(which I hate to reley on!).
2. Seafood Boil was lame- shrimp only seafood, with corn, potatoes, and sausage-all boiled not steamed!
3. Rest of food was non descript, not as big a selection as years past.
4. Glorious weather! No rain, light breeze, no bugs, light humidity!
5. Mood was relaxed, with no unhappy kids or adults!
6. One downer that day- best friends expected to show didn't, womans' Mom died night before...
7. Fireworks were great! Lake Association didn't do any, so everyone on lake brought some- going up from every point on the lake!
8. Stuff we brought was excellent, all mortar balls-6 huge ones, 36 smaller which we loaded into a tri tube launcher for geater effect(worked great!).
9. Home by Midnight.
10. Middle of the week 4th with only one day off sucks!

It's The 4th of July- Time To Make Those Ribs!

It's supposed to rain pretty much off and on all day, with possible thundershowers. The festivities go on regardless! After this post, I will begin the pork baby back ribs (15lbs of them!).
My method today because of weather will change from the norm in only one way-they will be done in the oven rather than in the smoker. First, I strip the membrane off the backside of each rack of ribs(6). Next they will be slathered in a mustard sauce(they won't taste mustardy at all, it actually tenderizes them) then sprinkled with the dry rub mixture. Dry rub? A blend of sugar, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, thyme, rosemary, and chili powder. This will be allowed to rest for about 3 hrs, then into a 250F oven for 3-1/2 hrs, basting with wet sop(dry rub mixed with water, vinegar and olive oil) every 40 minutes. They will then be cut into invidual rib portions and placed in a Nesco roaster, covered in finishing sauce(bbq sauce) and covered with aluminum foil. When we get to the party, we plug them back in for 1- 1-1/2 hrs on 200F, until quite tender! Now you know all my pork rib secrets, enjoy your 4th!

Of Mulberry Trees, Birds, And Life...

When we first moved to the house we live in(28 yrs ago!), there was work to be done. The previous family had 4 boys under 10yrs old, and they had beaten the crap out of about everything they could. The yard was nothing special, with some shrubs getting yanked, and others to plant. The edge of the property had a mix of trash trees(Chinese Elm, Willow, and Mulberry bushes). Nice shade from the willow-until one day, windy but clear, it blew over. We had it removed, along with the chinese elm-full shade to full sun in one week! For some reason, we just kept cutting the mulberry back, until we just let it grow. We now have a large tree in our back yard that once a year bears a bumper crop of mulberries! Too soft and small to pick sucessfully, and stains like nothing else on Earth- we pretty much let the wildlife have at them. Mainly birds of all varieties, they do have one thing in common- they crap purple on everything I own! From my computer room I can see thousands of berries, all red(not ripe yet!) knowing the crap attack is coming soon....
I used to get really mad at little things like this, but now I figure the creatures get a little treat and sustinence, and crap washes off

Darn Close To 4th Of July!

I have always enjoyed outside parties, and REALLY enjoyed fireworks ever since I was young. Every year for many years, we have spent the day at our friends' house (on a little lake) eating, drinking, talking, and later shooting off fireworks, while the Lake Association does the same. If I don't bring bbq pork back ribs, a designer cheesecake, and fireworks to dazzle the crowd- they would think I had lost it! Traditions. Sometimes you inherit them, sometimes you create them as you go. I feel sorry for people who don't have traditions- one reason is because they look so lost when they are around people who do have them. People like to have a sense of belonging, and every year this party attracts people who know they can join in and be welcome. We long timers include the new people in some of the work, talking with them and getting to know them. We get some of the young bucks help with the fireworks, teaching them safety and the thrill of the big boom!
Independence Day is also a time to reflect on who we were and what we've become. It's time for this nation to re-read the Bill of Rights, and The Constitution-and start living it....

A Cut Of Meat I've Never Dealt With....

Boneless beef ribs. When I last ventured to the meat market, I picked up about 4 lbs. of this stuff. I really didn't know exactly what it was but it wasn't expensive, and looked interesting. Today, I opened the package to find what looked like narrow boneless rib-eye steaks. I'm pretty sure this is the meat between the bones of a prime rib, cut a little more generously. Looks and feels tender, so I'm going to marinate in a Korean mix(water, rice wine vinegar, honey, soy sauce, sesame seed oil, salt, red pepper flakes, garlic, onion powder, and ginger. Jusy plan to charcoal on high temp grill and see what happens.... Got to get the home-made bread going, too!

Planning For State BBQ Cook Off Begins...

Since its' inception, The Buffalo Bros. cooking team has entered this contest, always signing up for every event. Cooks from all over the country come to compete, with about 45 teams total. Some are sponsored by national chains like Famous Daves' or regional restaurants or caterers. Some are marketing their own sauces or dry rubs, but there is probably 1/3 of us there who just like to cook, and ain't too bad at it. Our equipment isn't in the same league with the big dogs, but every year we manage to win a ribbon or two- which drives them nuts! I really tried to buy a large trailer smoker/cooker, but delivery was out too far to get it in time (Damn Food Channel!).
Catagories Friday nite will be the side dishes; Potatoes, vegetable, beans, and dessert. The following day it's the main catagorie that count for money and points; Chicken, pulled pork, pork ribs, and beef brisket. It is sponsored by the Kansas City Barbeque Society and has certified judges that know the criteria to be a good judge. It's not until mid- July, but planning starts Saturday!

Fathers' Day At My House....

What a great day! I fixed a meatloaf (herb based!) with a portobello mushroom sauce, hash-brown potato casserole, homemade bread and store-bought-but-excellent raisin oatmeal cookies! My son (in town one!) came over and ate the heck out of it! I then had a long, and good conversation with my son in K.C. about his excellent photography on his blog( bouncybouncy.blogspot.com) . He is a top flight writer who has to get back to his strong writing/communicating skills! Please check out his photos, and encourage him to start writing along with those photos! You will not regret it!

Happy Fathers' Day To All!

My own father passed away about 4 years ago, at the ripe old age of 85. He had a typical life growing up and living it out for those times- Young man in The Depression, married just before WWll, went to war for the duration, came home to start a career, and get to know his family again. He was a bus driver, worked at an industrial knitting works, assembled conveyors, sold life insurance, and for the last 40 yrs of his career proudly sold new Buicks. By the time I was born, my eldest brother was 13yrs old( I was called a surprise). By the time I was 6 the hard times were over, and we moved up into the middle class. Because of his job, Dad was not home at 5 like most Dads back then. It bugged me as a little kid my Dad was never at Little League, or any other event because of work. When I was older, and started working full time myself, I understood alot more. He was providing for a family to have a better life, and he did it. He had a good life for 84 yrs-The last year kind of sucked, but I was there for him, as well as the rest of my family. Call your Dad today if he's still around- he'll appreciate it!

Yestedays' Wanderings- Private Clubs(Not Golf!)

Friends of ours invited us to go to a private club(technically a "Benevolent Society") known in this area as Polish Halls, for their Burger Nite. A 1/2lb burger with anything you could imagine on it, with a side of Kapusta(kind of a sweet, shredded cabbage, cooked) for three bucks. Girls less than 12 yrs old as waitresses taking your order. Bar drinks so cheap, it's silly! I got there before anyone else in our party, and got something to drink. When I heard the bartenters' voice , I knew I had met her before. It was Sue, a woman my age who 20yrs ago was one of the premier bartenders in Grand Rapids! A delightful person I had not seen in at least 10yrs. We did a little catching up and it was a pleasure to run into her after all those years! These places are working folk/retiree hangouts, where everyone behaves and can relax. Good to know there are still friendly places to go and enjoy without pretentious people and high prices!

Sunday Leftovers = Tuesdays Dinner...

Sunday, I marinated and barbequed over charcoal the last pack of Lamb loin chops I had vacuum-packed. As there was 16 good sized chops, leftovers were anticipated! Today, I took them, trimmed of bone and fat, threw them in with baby carrots, celery( chopped), baby Yukon Gold potatoes quartered, large chopped Vidalia onion, all in a chicken stock/brown gravy base. Seasoned, it all went into a crock pot for 6-8 hrs. Voila! Lamb stew ala Buffalo Dick. We have to be the only idiots having stew on an 88 degree day in June! And don't laugh at the stew base, it totally nailed the lamb stew flavor! Monday and Tuesday generally are the days we mop up the left overs, and our one rule is "Nobody should have to eat anything more than twice"!

A Road Trip, Prep And Cook Day Today

We just got back from our tri-annual trip north to Birds' Market. As usual, packed with rural and cottage dwellers stocking up on the meat deals. Saturday morning is the worst time of the week to go here, but we knew that when we headed out. Half the fun of the place is people watching, while you wait your turn at the meat counter(avg 25 min.). Outlying areas always have had a mixed bag of super poor,poor, farmers, and well off people living on some lake in the area. Large women, missing teeth, with cheap tattoos, tanned, good looking women in designer beach wear, little kids who already need a bath and it's 10am, and working men hauled along to help lug stuff home on their day off. Darn near every one of them is friendly-at least when we talk to them. I bought the usual mix of beef and pork, scoring a whole beef tenderloin for $10.95 a lb. Came home, trimmed and cut it into steaks, then vaccuum packed it.
Next on the agenda is to get the white chocolate cheesecake I made out of the spring form pan, and vaccuum pack that before freezing it. I need the pan for the Creme de Menthe cheesecake I have to make that will go to the same party as the white chocolate one. Always something, isn't it?

Another Feed The Troops, (Customers) Day...

The weenie wagon rolls again! Last night planning and shopping for 40, today cooking on grill for same! Must chop onions, slice tomatoes, and tear lettuce this morning, as set up is 1030am-with lunch at 12. I hoped to have my own commercial smoker/cooker by now, but since the damn Food Channel came on BBQ smokers are sellling like mad, and I couldn't get a timely delivery. Usual picnic food-burgers,cheeseburgers,brats,potato and macaroni salads, munchies and cookies. Supposed to be hot today, so I anticipate a long ordeal! My company is getting more cranky if you complain about doing this, but it takes 3 people and about most of the day to get this done. We could send in pizzas and accomplish the same mission! Oh well, time to get busy!

Anniversary Dinner- Old Friends' Are Better Than Old Food...

My wife had to attend a baby shower that afternoon (The daughter of the friends we were going out with), and my buddy had to work, so he picked me up on the way to dinner. Their daughter-in-law was throwing the party, and lives even closer to the restaurant-so we picked up spouses there. Since the day we met, their daughter in law and I have been buddies, and it was good to see her! This is an extended family I've known most of my life that has probably seen more grief than anyone I know, yet maintain a good attitude towards life! Another old friends' wife had to attend the shower, so we invited them to join us for dinner.
The restaurant is the Clifford Lake Inn, on the shores of (all together now!) Clifford Lake. Old, comfortable place with a nice deck you can dine on-except a thunderstorm was going on! The menu was so predictable, I probably didn't have to open it. A good selection, but food service food out of a freezer or a bag. My grouper was overbattered and tasteless, wife had walleye that was OK, buddy Dan(always orders prime rib) had a good one. Other three had some kind of fish, again batttered and out of a freezer bag. I'd go back for the view, but not the food!
The friends, and the old memories we talked about were the gems of the evening- as well they should be....
Today, I'm looking forward to roasting a capon, stuffed with mushrooms and rice, draped with bacon. The drippings will go well on the fresh (not the free stuff!) asparagus!

Anniversary Weekend- Again.......

June 2nd, 1973 I became a married man. I was 20yrs old, she was 19. At those ages you would assume we "had " to get married. Wrong. We met when I was 17 and she was 16 on the first(and only!) blind date I ever went on. It wasn't love at first sight, we were a needed component for a double date (my buddys' girl was not allowed to single date) and as I loved to bowl, and as I had hormones in overdrive I went along with it. Blind date- by the time I had regained my eyesight, it was too late-we were going steady! 2 yrs at the local Junior College each, and then engagement, with marriage a year later.
After this many years, getting a present is something we openly discuss, because we both have stuff we literally have never used! We plan to go out with friends who married a month after us, to an out of town country inn for dinner Sat. night. I've been told the place isn't that great, but I guess that's not the reason we're going-is it? 34 years..... The guy in Shawshank got less time than I did...

The Comfort Zone List

Everyone seems to be into lists on the blog lately. I know nothing about "tags", but I ask you to list 5 comfort zones as an answer to this post.
1. My Home-I own it, have lived it for 25+ yrs. I say what I want , do what I want, because it's mine.
2. My career- I have worked in Specialty Metals for over 30 yrs. I meet very few people who know more about this subject than me, and more than a few who have heard I know my stuff!
3. The Northeast , Grand Rapids, MI- My kids represented the 4th generation to live in this part of town, and I know the merchants, clubs, find things without a map, and know alot of people here. Rare day I don't run into someone I went to school with, bowled with, etc.
4. Western Michigan- After 30+years on the road, I know where the best meat markets, bars, restaurants, etc. all located. Fun when you want a day trip!.
5. Earth- What a neat place to live! I have always felt a bond with people from wherever, if we just get a chance to communicate.
I know this is a little heavier than usual, but think- and post your answers, please!

Asparagus- Beware Of The "Free" Variety.....

A friend gave me what looked to be a huge bag of asparagus. He asked me to do something with it other than clean, boil, and bag it, as in- what else can be done? I told him, no problem (as we all know by now, I KNOW EVERYTHING!). Yeah, right! When opened, the bag revealed a mix of undersize/avg, young/old, pretty much wild asparagus. Great. Now that I've shot my big mouth off, what to do with a bag of glorified weeds? First separated the decent sized, from the small. Next, separated the rubbery/too dark green/from the reasonably OK stuff. I then took the good sized, trimmed it,steamed it shortly, laid a strip of Pepper Jack cheese along it, and wrapped it in a good quality ham sliced thinly. Reheated in a Micro until cheese melts, will make a nice appetizer. Next I took the small stuff, steamed until dead, blended(on Puree) with chix broth,cream O chix soup, nutmeg,Mrs Dash, garlic(while I was sauteing chopped onions,and celery) . Took the whole works up to simmer, then added cream cheese, milk, and a decent German sausage(pieces). When melded together-it wasn't bad!
I'm so proud I can take free asparagus, add 15 bucks and 4 hrs labor to it , give it back to a friend -just to preserve the legend of Buffalo Dick!

The Gasoline Rant-It's Been Coming...

Last night driving home, the posted gas price for unleaded reg was $3.68 a gal. This is somewhere in the range of $1.40 a gal. higher than about 5 months ago, or 50%+ increase. America runs on gas. When it's cheap we go places and spend that money on other things-strengthening our economy. When it's high, we don't-sending retail,restaurants,tourism,etc. into the crapper. In my career I have lost a job because of climbing oil prices (1st oil shortage 1973) Our co. built roof top air conditioners for Winnebago, and when gas doubled no one was buying RVs! I remember gas rationing-10 gal. every other day, based on your license plate number(about 1978). Since then it has ebbed and flowed like the tide, always ending higher.
Throughout this trend we have talked about electric cars, smaller cars, alternative energy sources, mass transit improvements, etc. The second gas goes down, it's back to the SUVs, trucks, and vans(which represent more than half the vehicles produced by domestic car companies!).
We need a firm direction. We need to stabilize fuel pricing(higher or lower!) to avoid swings in major markets. The profits the oil companies are taking is obscene. Their lobby groups have no limits. If we ever get any oil from the Iraq fiasco, it will not be passed along to the American taxpayer/consumer. It will go to oil companies and or Iraq. I call Bullsh*t on the politicans, oil companies, and anyone else that isn't doing something about the disappearing middle class in America!

Personal Day Monday...

I decided when I saw a flat tire on my company car last night, that I would take today off. With the wife gone this past week end, less got done than normal. Saturday was a long day at a chili cook off(I took 4th, but my usual pardner took 1st!) . Our friends that have been winning so much took 2nd so we had to all go back to the home bar and brag/explain/reason out the day! That got late, so Sunday was layback. Today I've got to fix a tire, grocery shop, haircut, do the paperwork I'm always talking about, and 10:30pm or so pick up my wife at the train station. For reference- You can drive from Grand Rapids MI to Kansas City MO faster than a train! However, with gas prices climbing it is slightly cheaper by train! Air fare and driving are almost a wash now(for that trip)! Somebody gave me a big ass bag of aspargus to turn into something different-but I don't know what! That is one veggie served best lightly steamed, with a little salt,pepper and butter(I think!). Well, I'd best get to it!

Unusual Weekend For Me!

MY WIFE IS LEAVING ME! Well, for the weekend, at least. She's traveling by train(her choice!) to Kansas City to visit our eldest son and his new cat. Buf Dick Jr. was concerned about his mom (her job loss deal) and couldn't make it back to MI for Moms' Day(didn't want to leave the damn cat!) so they came up with this idea to ship her out to there. Good therapy I think-she misses him, loves cats, and cares for our sons more than me (completely Normal Mom). I have a minor Chili Cook-off to go to, and a ton of paperwork to do-so she's pretty sure I can manage to keep my ass out of trouble for a few days. 10 bucks says she will have our youngest still living in town checking to make sure the old man ain't in jail or worse! Remember Glen Frys' song "Party Town"? Hells Bells! I do!!!!

Mothers' Day Is Really A Whole Week End!

As mentioned before, my wife is not working(let go 1 week ago) right now. Everything is fine, but I guess I'm trying to be a little more attentive on the mood thing. So, Friday night was with friends at the club, Saturday we went north to a casino(she wasn't lucky like I hoped, but my winnings offset the losses!). Sunday(Moms' Day) I fixed an unusual but really good treat-about 4lbs of King crab legs ! Alot of people in the Midwest will eat crab at the drop of a hat, but seldom have it except in a restaurant. Most of them don't even know the frozen ones from Alaska or Russia are already cooked when they hit the store! Because of this ignorance, most boil them until the meat is tasteless and the shells are so soft you could probably eat them. You can literally Microwave them until warm and they would be better. Anyway, I thawed them and because of the size of these bad boys about all they would fit in was my Nesco roaster! Steamed briefly on a rack over about 1/2" of water, they came out perfect. I know how to "draw" butter,but choose not to-I think you lose butter flavor. The only way to eat a messy meal like this is to have it with close friends or immediate family! My youngest came over with roses for Mom and we all ate like savages! The side dish was a rice casserole which I wouldn't make again(just a simple rice pilaf next time!) and dessert was a simple,but rich chocolate brownie. Today, she will continue Mothers' Day Weekend with a road trip to Birch Run-a shopping day with a girlfriend. Me- The Monday grind at work....

Sometimes I Have A Weird Way Of Making A Living

When I first started in sales, I would get in my car with a customer list and go make sales calls. As the years progressed, technology gave us many more tools to use- cell phones, computers, and pagers. On the front end of my career, customer entertainment was, lunches, dinners , technical dinners with speakers, etc. and golf. Now,the business groups have lost so many members, people don't go to the dinner meetings, putting together a 4some for golf is almost impossible(someone will cancel 'cause of business) and because there is more"team" building in industry along with people being so busy they won't go out to lunch-we bring lunch to them as a group. Earlier this week I had to meet a group from one of my customers and buy drinks and appetizers after work. During work, they don't even get a long enough lunch break to bring in food! Then yesterday, I lugged pop, munchies, and cookies, had a pizza place deliver 14 pizzas to another good customer. I don't mind being nice to good customers, but life sure used to be alot simpler!

Annual Eat Free At The Club Night....

Last night, we had our once a year induction of new members. We also award "gold cards" to members that have hit 25yrs with the club on this night, so it's our biggest turnout of the year(approx 120) for a business meeting. A buddy of mine and I started a tradition about 8yrs ago, where we would put out free food for after the meeting. "Free" is not a word to be used lightly around retirees and guys who worked all day, as they will eat like it's their last meal on Earth. When we started this, the board approved up to $120.00 for expenditures. I boasted I could feed every guy that was there for $1.00 a piece. And we did, for a least 5 years! Now prices are up, expectations are higher, so we now spend about $1.30each! It really is amazing how many people you can feed for very little(if you have to!). Most who read this blog have figured out I spend a hell of alot more than that in my own life! We served meatballs in a Merlot based herb brown gravy, ham & cheese on Kaiser rolls(with lettuce,tomatoes,onions,mustard,catsup,mayo, and pickles for condiments) potato salad, deviled eggs, olives,dill pickle spears, and potato chips. Plain, but good food on a budget! And brother, did it all get gone! Couple of stray olives rollin' around on the floor, but that was about it.....

My 100th Post- Hard To Believe!

When I created a blog about a year ago, it was done primarily to be able to occasionally communicate with my son who lives in Kansas City, MO. In order to post on his blog, I had to have one too. So with limited computer skills, and definitely rusty writing skills I set one up and found something new and interesting-blogging with all you out there! I have not learned to post pictures yet- but I will! I certainly enjoy the postings that have visuals to go along with some pretty good writing.
Last night I took my wife(was her last day at her now ex- employer!) down to a private social club I have mentioned we are fairly active in. It was good therapy for her, as she had a few rum & cokes and talked to numerous friends about her change in status. It is good to have friends always, but in times of bad luck or change they can be a real asset. We stayed 2hrs past our usual departure time(place is only 7 minutes from our house) and slept in a little bit later than normal. Tuesday a friend and myself will buy, schepp, and cook for about 120 guys down at the club. It's an annual thing he and I do, so gotta come up with a menu today! Always Deviled eggs, meatballs- but what else......

The Economy In Michigan Continues Its' Downward Spiral..

Do you know the difference between a Recession and a Depression? A recession is where your neighbor loses their job. A depression is when you lose yours....
My wife came home yesterday, and informed me her company was letting 10-20 people go-and she was one of them. It was not a performance issue, they simply had to cut staff. She will recieve a severance package, her vacation pay, and unemployment(Uncontested). We are fine with this, as we are not head over heels in debt, but it illustrates the state of the economy in Mich. I am tired of watching good people who really do need a job in West Michigan lose their jobs to inexpensive labor driven industries overseas- primarily China.
My wife is one of those individuals that works more for her self- worth than the money, and I know in the next few weeks a depression will hit her that we all will feel. With her work experience I know she will find another job about as fast as she will want to, but it is still a sucky feeling to be out of work and not have it been by your choice.