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.

Twas A Day To Remember In Chili History...

My last post was just before we left to try our luck at yet another chili cook-off. The weather was beautiful, their layout for the cookoff was great, and because we had paid for two entries we got two full tables-the most room for cooking we ever had! 16 teams were entered, most were rookies but were friendly and in good(drank like fish!) spirits. They had some things to learn about what was fair for all in judging, but they changed what they could immediately, and will do a few things different next year. Alot of different ways to win a trophy( best booth, best vegetarian, best white, best overall, 2nd best overall, hottest and worst) . Normally, you would see 1st, 2nd,3rd, best white, best booth. Our batch was pretty good, so I liked our chances in both red and white. And the winner is..... for best White Chili-us! Then came the surprise-Best overall chili- Buffalo Dicks' Wicked White Chili! I haven't seen a white chili win top prize in the 13yrs I have competed! In fact, they hadn't provided a trophy for the best Red Chili, because it was assumed a red would win overall. That made some people a little unhappy-mainly the guy I cook with because after reviewing the results our red chili would have won that category too!
The only down side is (I can't believe I'm going to bitch about this...) the 2 trophies we won were the dinkiest we have ever gotten....
Over $1700 was raised for the charity (C-Snips- a local non-profit pet neutering service), so it was a good day indeed!

A Double Cook-Off Try Today

We signed up for a 1st time chili cook off to be held today at a rural bar and restaurant. It is to raise money for C-Snips, a low cost neutering service for mainly dogs. We found out later they would be having a White Chili and Red Chili catagory, so we got into both! It doubles the work, but doubles the odds we can place too. We know the Health inspector will be there, so we have to make sure to bring extra gloves, thermometers, and ice. I may have described my Wicked White Chili before, but for the ones who don't know what the hell I'm talking about-here goes!
I will use 4lbs of boneless,skinless chicken breasts,cubed and sauted, 2lbs of Italian mild sausage that has fresh basil and grated romano cheese right in it, tore up into pieces and browned. Base liquid is chicken broth, seasoned with cumin,Mexican oregano, chopped Jalapeno peppers, garlic, white pepper and celery seed. Chopped onions, bell peppers, canned corn, with white beans all go in it too. Our final, not-so-secret-anymore ingredient is a jar or two of Alfredo sauce. Doesn't take long to cook-just simmer for about an hour, adding the alfredo about 10 minutes before done. Can be topped with grated Parmesean&Romano and sliced black olives. Wish us luck, as we'll need it being the out of towners again!

Here I Am Under Michigan Skies(Gray) And I'm Thinking About Rainbows..

Just look under web search" Somewhere Over The Rainbow Israel" (Should take you to U-Tube) on Search and listen to this deceased Hawaiian, then look under "The Rainbow Connection" (Again, U-Tube!) and listen to the everlasting frog, Kermit. Then tell me your day didn't just really improve? Just thinking about my kids today when they were younger and in wonderment of the world....

Customer Appreciation Season Has Begun!

Today, along with 3(to 9-I'll explain later) other fellow workers we cooked for about 100 people-all employees of a good customer of mine! We do these cook-outs as a "thanks for the business", but believe me, they are alot of work. First you must decide on the menu (We had pop,water, 1/2lb hamburgers/cheeseburgers, brats, potato salad, munchies, cookies-along with all the condiments and toppings you could imagine!). Then you gotta physically go get it(I HATE SCHLEPPING!!!) , store it until needed, then lug it all to the customers and set it up and cook it. Don't forget clean-up! I bought all the stuff & lugged it. One other guy I have taken to calling The Wedding Planner(loves to be in charge and works his ass off, but could be alot more organized!) , drives the truck and trailer and does the grill setup and cooking. The other two are pretty much there to do what they're told. The other six from our company show up to eat and schmooze, with the truck driver, and shop guys later helping with the cleanup. It was windier than all get out today and we were fortunate to be able to cook in one of their truck bays. I set up the table like you would a buffet-first plates, napkins,etc., progressively working down towards the cookies for dessert. Made both sides of table accessable to speed things up. The best laid plans of mice and men... they all come in from the opposite direction, in a single line. By now I really don't give a sh*t, and most of them spent alot of their lunch period in a damn line.
When there are things like this in your life, don't you wait 'til the line gets shorter and THEN get in the line? Nothing sadder than people walking like they're in a chain gang for 20 minutes, instead of sitting for 15 and then getting into line for 5....

Old Tradition-Friday Nite Pizza Nite!

Many, many moons ago when my wife and I were newlyweds, we didn't have squat. She was fresh out of Junior College (age19) with an Associates' degree (I had gotten mine a year previous and was now age 20) starting new jobs and were in our first apartment. Had a rent payment, car payment, one utility bill a month, and thought we had the world by the ba*ls! We were young and were learning that it cost more money than we thought to get though life! Early on in our marriage, we got into the habit of Pizza Friday. Every other week I would get a paycheck, and we would go grocery shopping. We would buy one of those nasty Chef Boy-Ar-Dee boxed pizza mixes,go home, doll it up with pepperoni, a can of mushrooms, and Mozzarella cheese-along with a six pack of Strohs' beer! That was our extravagance night until we had saved enough money to buy our own house! We still kept friday night as Pizza Nite all through our lives-changing to homemade crusts, designer toppings or just ordering one from our local Pizza Guy! We have a hell of alot more money and stuff than we did when we were just starting out, but I don't know if we were ever happier than when we looked forward to Pizza Friday back then...
Oh by the way, tonight we're having a sausage, pepperoni and mushroom pizza(homemade!). Enjoy your weekend!

A Great Way To Start The Chili Cook-off Season...

Yesterday, The Buffalo Bros. Team Chili participated in what we consider the first cook-off of the 2007 chili contest season in West Michigan. It is held at the Snug Harbor Bar & Restaurant, that is located right on the channel in Grand Haven, MI (on the shores of beautiful Lake Michigan!). It's a fun event, part of a blues festival that goes on Friday and Saturday, featuring live music from name brand bands from Chicago and other large cities.
We were concerned about how cold it would be- the wind off the lake this time of year can be brutal. Fortunately, the air was pretty still and the patio we cook on was blocked from the elements. We ended up next to our good friends, Dragon Spit Chili. Our chili is called Buffalo Dick Chili, and we were responsible for getting them into these cook-offs about 5yrs ago. They have kicked our ass alot since then, with us placing and them winning. Yesterday was no different, but a great day none the less. Our batch took 2nd place, missing 1st by 1 point. Guess who won for the third year in a row? Bastards... We will get them at the next event!
P.S.- The trophies this year were the coolest ever(granite base, heavy glass body, topped with an iron frying pan with a ceramic painted chili pepper in the pan).

Craving For a Polish Specialty-Kielbasa

Ever since Easter, I have had a craving for a traditional Easter/Christmas treat (at least around where I live!) Polish Kielbasa or commonly called Polish sausage. It comes in a variety of ways-fresh, smoked, and double-smoked. On top of that, there are as many recipes for the make up of this sausage as there would be for German Bratwurst. We have at least 8 meat markets or stores that have meat counters all making a different version of this stuff, with the worst one being still pretty good sausage! Some are spicier(marjoram being a main flavor, along with black pepper, salt, onion and garlic for sure!), some simmer better, some roast better, some grind the meat coarser, some use thicker casings, etc.(you get the idea!). I decided to get Levandoskis' this time. It is a larger diameter than most, with a strong dose of spices in the mix. I will roast this in a 325F oven for about an hour, in about 2" of water(or beer!). My good friend is a die hard Polish Catholic who as a tradition, always makes for Easter a fresh horseradish sauce from scratch. This stuff when freshly made (ground root, salt,sugar, and white vinegar) is as pungent as anything you may have ever eaten! It is usually made in the garage, or in the open air because the fumes can make a house uninhabitable until they dissipate. Just opening the jar and breathing it can make you cough! In an oversize good quality hot dog or brat bun(I'll use catsup,polish mustard and horseradish!) this is one tasty way to eat Kielbasa....

Easter Dessert- I Bet You Haven't Ever Had This...

As I mentioned earlier, I wanted something citrusy to foil some of the rich food on the menu. My family does not like pie- prefers cake (weirdos anyway...), so I decided to make a Key Lime Pound Cake! Instead of the whole cake topped with a flavored icing, I plan to serve it sliced, spread with some Key lime curd I've been hoarding and then topping it off with whipped cream. It's in the oven right now, and looks like I used a little more baking powder than necessary-we shall see...

Easter Dinner- The Planning Begins!

I look forward to preparing something special on Holidays, even though with my folks gone and my children grown and living on their own, they aren't the feasts we used to have. I asked my youngest son what he'd like on Easter; Prime rib, roast turkey, or leg of lamb. He wanted lamb! While I was at the store looking the lamb over, I noticed they had thick lamb chops(the ones that look like mini T-bone steaks!)Loin chops I believe they're called. These cuts, in my Simon & Garfunkel marinate( Parsley,sage,rosemary & thyme, garlic, salt, pepper,fresh lemon juice and olive oil!) then grilled quickly over glowing charcoal, are delectable. For those of you that have never had lamb, or had it once and didn't like it-please try this cut of meat and cooking method. Fresh asparagus, garlic mashed Yukon Gold potatoes, fresh homemade bread, and a lemony dessert yet to be determined should fill the bill. Blog back your Easter plans-I'd like to hear them!

A Lash At Candymaking-For The Adult Palate...

I have only dabbled in simple candy making, but it is my intent to become proficient at it someday. A good friend of mine has made candy making his main hobby, and I'm sure I'll be doing some as his apprentice(for awhile) someday! Today, I took some milk chocolate chunks (2lbs) and melted 3/4 of them in a double boiler, while I microwaved the remaining 1/4. Why you ask? To see which method worked best! The microwave won out because of speed, less mess, and a more controllable liquid consistency. I then mixed chopped dried sweetened cranberries and chopped walnuts into the chocolate and spread it out over wax paper sitting on a cookie sheet. It is firming up in the refridgerator as I write this. I did sneak a sample and the cranberry/walnut thing with the milk chocolate is definitely going to work! Remember the "Chunky" candy bar? Milk chocolate, raisins, and nuts in a thick piece. Sorta reminds me of them, only cranberries rule over raisins!