Saturday, August 16th, 2008
Each summer I seem to take on a new thing to learn. I taught myself Perl one summer. Photoshop was another. I studied South Jersey history about a decade ago. This summer, without really planning on it, I have taken up smoking and grilling.
The non-plan began last summer. I began reading some sites and was intrigued by smoking meats. Learning during my many years, I did not rush right out and purchase a smoker. I decided to wait and learn some more. I did and still didn’t purchase one. This summer was in full swing when I got the bug again and went out purchased my WSM. I have been having a blast smoking meats. I am getting better at it too. There are two butts waiting for their time in the smoker.
As much as I like smoked meat, there is a time for just plain ol’ grilling too. As I read all the boards I have, I was amazed at how many grills these folks have. While building and outdoor patio with built-in equipment would be nice, it is not something I’ll be doing anytime soon nor will I have three WSMs, and one of each kind of grill Weber makes. That just isn’t in the cards.
Nevertheless, the POC Char-Broil wasn’t holding its own. I got almost six seasons out it, so in a way I feel fortunate. Many folks get two. I was prepared to re-build it and not upgrade, but the expense of doing that was not prudent. I bit the bullet and purchased a Weber kettle.
While I am very happy with my new toy, I still have a lot to learn. Cooking with charcoal is different than gas. And I allowed myself over the years to turn into one of those gas and burn grillers without putting a whole lot of care into the craft. As I read about charcoal grilling, I am learning my old habits have to change. That will be a benefit to our palates.
Not wanting to go with the frozen patties, when I saw some nice ground chuck at BJ’s today, I picked up a package. I separated this monster package and kept out some for lunch. Much like the fillets I cooked recently, the “experts” generally call for a plain preparation for burgers. Who am I to argue? I figure I need to get back into the habit of checking temps, so this would be good practice. I read somewhere (Steven Raichlen, I believe) about putting a pat of butter in the middle of the burger to help keep the meat moist as it grills. I did so. I know my mother and sister are cringing at that. 
Otherwise, all I did was season the patties once they were on the grill and on the turn. I would like a nice digital kitchen scale. Absent that, I eyeball most stuff. I figure these were about one-third pounders.
I still need to be a bit better on toasting of the rolls. Other than that, I believe these were the best burgers I have ever cooked. Awesome! Five to seven minutes per side. The center was medium/medium-well and juicy. They were also perfectly seasoned, ifisaysomyself.
There will be plenty of mistakes as I re-learn charcoal grilling, but I am looking forward to each outing. It is wonderful sitting on the deck, taking in the birds in the woods, grilling a meal, and resting. In the words of John Barlow, this must be heaven.
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Posted in Bob, Culinary | 2 Comments »
Friday, August 8th, 2008
Despite a shower on both ends of it, I feel dirty. We decided to shop for a new car today to replace the falling apart Explorer. Even though Uncle Rob was our salesman, I feel like I’ve been bent over and roughed up without any lube.
I loathe shopping for cars. There is nothing enjoyable about it at all.
Posted in Bob | 1 Comment »
Sunday, July 27th, 2008
LCZA
39.4858 -75.009233
I had wondered how I was going to complete this hunt. I grew up with dogs. In addition to the dogs we had (Nimbus, a standard poodle and Angel a toy poodle . . . there was another one there with/before Nimbus), my parents groomed poodles in our garage. Every Saturday and Sunday during the school year and daily during the summer we had dogs at our house. Mom would take them inside and bathe them. Tough work. Dad would groom them. Dogs barked. Dogs pooped. I recall learning the lesson of the cobbler’s children had no shoes with this as Angel was always a ragged mess. Poor girl.
Grooming dogs was hard work. Mom was hunched over a tub all day and Dad poofed up all these mutts from his wheelchair. One of them even painted the nails of these prima donnas. I recall that they charged $12.60 for grooming. That seemed like a lot of money back then; I suspect most would think that is a bargain these days.
It was around 1976 that my folks decided they were financially sound enough to give up this business. I think they were both happy to be done with it. And so ended my liking of dogs. Angel died and Mom swore off any more animals. I understand now. But back then well . . . when the cute little white kitty started hanging around . . . Needless to say I became a fan of kitties right then and there.
So, how to go caching with my dog? It wasn’t going to happen. I considered getting one of those leashes sans dog that were popular when I was a boy. I figured Beetle had a stuffed dog somewhere in her menagerie. Then it happened. My in-laws adopted Molly the pug. Molly is cute. She is full of energy and the children love her.
Molly is much like the students I teach. I really like her/them, enjoy hanging out with her/them, and playing, but at the end of the day I return home without her/them. And hearing about the pooping on the rug instances makes me happy not to have acquiesced to the drooping faces when others plead their case.
Anyhow, we were over visiting Molly and completing the Reading with Rover scavenger hunt the other day. Animals seem to seek out those who do not want them. So it is with Molly. She would jump on me, lick me, and play. She is cute! So I everyone has deemed Molly as my terra-dog. Go figure.
I couldn’t wait to wipe the drool off. 
Posted in Bob, GPS Games, TerraCaching | No Comments »
Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008
LCRS
I began the Boston butt in the smoker. Late this morning I began fixing dessert.
This is a classic white cake with buttercream frosting. Yummy!
I thought I would use a cookie for the dial of the Colorado, but our cookies were way too small, so I broke out a cracker. The menu buttons are m&m candies.
I am not a cake eater; I much prefer pie. So, this extravaganza will all be for my wife, who will be in heaven. Me, I’m still waiting for that butt to be done.
Thanks for giving me a reason to make another mess in the kitchen. That’s always fun . . . and my fingers are still blue.
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Posted in Culinary, GPS Games, TerraCaching | No Comments »
Tuesday, July 8th, 2008
LCRU
39.422667 -75.042967
Cancer does indeed suck.
When I was still courting my wife I learned this lesson oh too well. Gert’s best friend was diagnosed leukemia. For a year we watched her battle. She was such a good woman: strong, vibrant, and a loving mother. She had a bone marrow transplant. It was successful, but she ended up with aspergillus, which took its toll on her.
She did so well, but she lost her battle right after her daughter’s first birthday. She was far too young to go to heaven. We miss her.
Our daughter’s middle name is in honor of our friend.
Tonight I visited the local salon. I didn’t mind the task. I’ve always wondered bout being bald. Somehow I thought I was going to have an odd-shaped dome, but it looks all right. Even Gert approved. This is the first time I have had more facial hair than hair on my head. Ha!
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Posted in Bob, GPS Games, TerraCaching | 2 Comments »
