Sunday, December 31, 2006
Weekend Report
Well...I guess this will be the last Weekend Report of 2006. The new year may get off to a wet start, as it started raining around 5 o'clock yesterday and is still raining this morning.
Friday night, I grilled some beer-butt chickens, we finished them up last night. Tonight, may be chicken thighs in the oven.
No...we're not going out tonight, we would just rather stay at home and bring in the new year. (usually by that time, we're both asleep.)
2006 in Review:
It was somewhat of a good year... a little bumpy at the end.
I became a member of the best barbecue team in Tennessee.
Peg Leg Porkers.
Julie still loves me.
B.D.'s girls still love me.
My barbecue skills have gotten a whole lot better.
My good friend Henry from Louisiana still helps me out.
I want to thank everyone for their help and friendship.
I'm still alive.
New Year Resolutions:
Stay out of trouble.
Get TooTee's Bar-B-Que up and running.
Looking ahead to 2007:
Life is good...
Beer is better...
B.D.
Friday, December 29, 2006
This & That...
I'm going to sit down here in a few days and figure up a menu and price list for the barbecue.
I've got to price the hot wings - full & half racks of ribs - pulled pork sandwich - pulled pork by the pound - smoked beans - corn pones - slaw - chili - bbq sauce.
I'll post that menu & price list here at the "grill."
I may start taking some local orders this spring. It just depends on how and when things fall into place. This is something I need to talk to Carey about.
Never know...it might come together faster than I think it will.
It depends on just a few things, work, money, time, weather...and me. It's hard to start a venture with almost no capital in the budget to spare for it, but I'll make it work...
B.D.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
The day after...
Have you ever noticed when you get together with family & friends for the holidays, there are more pies, cakes, and cookies than there are people?
Nothing wrong with sugar mind you, I have the fillings in my teeth to prove it from years of eating pies, cakes, cookies, and candy.
And yes...I still indulge now and again...but sparingly.
I have to save room for the before and after beer.
Now, I drink beer like most people drink tea or water...and it must be cold (cold beer, not cold weather) I can't stand semi-cold beer. That would be like a chocolate cake without the chocolate, pie without the filling, sugar cookies without the sugar, Santa without his "ho-ho-ho"...well, you get the picture.
B.D.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Merry Christmas
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Weekend Report...
Have you done all your shopping? No?
Well, what are you hanging around here for? Put some pep in your step and have at it.
Me...
I'm done and if by chance you want me to go anywhere near a mall for you, sorry about your luck. It ain't going to happen. You'd better start e-mailing Santa is all I can tell ya'.
This ole boy's sleigh is parked.
"B.D. are you being a Christmas Grinch?"
Nope...But I ain't crazy either, you couldn't pay me enough money to be anywhere near a shopping mall in Nashville or Hendersonville or anywhere else for that matter.
I can always say, "Didn't you see the news? Santa got snowed in at Denver."
Christmas Grinch...me?
B.D.
Friday, December 22, 2006
Checking that list...
He's making a list and checking it twice...(in my case I would be checking it four or five times)
I went to the store yesterday and stocked up on a few things. We will be moving around this weekend, so I won't be cooking much until after Christmas.
I have a few recipes for you too.
Definitely give them a try. Both recipes can be doubled for bigger batches.
Smoked oyster spread
(makes about 1 1/4 cup)
1 tin (3.75 oz.) smoked oysters
1 (8 oz.) package regular cream cheese (room temp.)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
Smoked Paprika (for garnish, optional)
Assorted crakers
Drain the oysters well and pat dry.
Place them in a food processor and process until just minced.
Add the cheeses and Worcestershire sauce.
Process until well blended.
Can wait covered in refrigerator, for up to three days.
Serve in a small bowl with spreading knife and crackers.
Buffalo Chicken Dip
(makes about 2 cups)
1 (8 oz.) cream cheese , softened
1 can chunk white chicken, drained
1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce
1/2 cup ranch salad dressing
2 cups shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese
Tortilla chips
Spread cream cheese into a ungreased shallow 1-qt. dish.
Layer with chicken, buffalo sauce and ranch dressing.
Top with cheese.
Bake uncovered, at 350 for 20 to 25 mins. or until cheese is melted.
Serve warm with chips.
B.D.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Simply Thursday...
Well I finally got rid of the crud that has been going around that some kind soul gave to me.
But last night at the bowling alley, all these kids running around (snotting) their little germs everywhere, I'll probably get it again, (being my luck) but I may have had enough beer in me to confront and contain the little buggers.
It didn't help my bowling any at all.
But that's another story...
B.D.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Wordless Wednesday...
Well... it got to the point where I was being asked to post more B-days than I could keep up with.
So... being the fine fellow that I am and not wanting to forget anybody or hurt any feelings, I just decided to stop posting B-days.
Sorry...
Besides...Julie doesn't like the spotlight or want to be the center of attention. She's content ,which is fine.
At least "I" remembered it was her B-day.
B.D.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Friday, December 15, 2006
Unbelievable...
The weather for this time of year is in a word, Woo-Hoo!!!
I love it...Julie hates it...
"Sorry babe, if it were up to me we would have snow & cold all of December."
( I should score some brownie points with that statement) But of course right now, that ain't happening. Woo-Hoo!!! ( I must contain myself)
"Gee honey, I'm sorry it's almost 70 degrees a week before Christmas and no snow in the forecast, dang what a shame."
(wink-wink)
B.D.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Simple Thursday
Probably the best thing I ever came up with. The last couple of times, I have used the whole wing section, just cutting off the tip. This makes them easier to turn over (for one thing) and more meat to enjoy at one time.
Everybody that has tried these loves them. I definitely hit that recipe nail on the head. I do have to work on my measurements though, I have a tendency of making them a tad bit hot from time to time.
I eyeball the sauce more than measure it.
Oh well...
Can't be perfect every time...where's the fun in that???
Enjoy your day!!!
B.D.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
This & That...
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Weekend Report
I feel a little better today.
Beer is starting to taste good again, that's always a good sign.
The weather, is supposed to be fairly nice today so I might fire up the Holland this afternoon and grill something seeing that I haven't cooked anything since being germy and feeling like total crap.
But all is well now...I'm almost back to 100%
Life is good...
Beer is better...
Enjoy your day!!!
B.D.
Saturday, December 09, 2006
A change of life...
Yesterday, was the last day of work at the plant for many people that have either taken a buy out or had enough time to retire from Ford.
It's sad, because I have worked with some of these people since I was 18 years old. Some, I only knew for 5 to 7 years.
The hardest part about all this, is wondering if you made the right decision. The young ones can start a new career, the old timers have their time in.
I could have left with 29 years of active service and drawn full retirement, but I still have to work somewhere.
I decided to ride out the storm and hope for blue sky, or I'll sink with the ship and be buried in the bone yard of despair.
Whatever happens... it was my choice.
So good luck and good health to all of those that opened a new door in their life...
Say a prayer for those of us that stayed behind, as we try to save a sinking ship...
Life is full of choices...this may be the hardest one of them all.
B.D.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Simple Thursday...
I'm going to have to break down and go see the doc.
This stuff is not going away...My throat is shredded, my ears are stopped up.
And beer does not help...
Now... I used to keep enough beer in my system that would kill any germ even thinking about crossing my path. But that got to be expensive.
So I backed off...
And now, the germs are paying me back for all of the years I held them at bay.
Sneaky little bastards.
B.D.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
This & That...
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Weekend Report
I don't know who gave me their germs, or what they gave me. My throat is shredded, I have coughed up one lung already and I'm working on the other one. I'm not running any kind of fever, but this is some powerful stuff right here, and beer won't kill it. (Oh, no...)
It kind of reminds me of having whooping cough when I was a kid. Anyway...
I have added a few new things here, Snoopy & Woodstock, the neon sign, the chick holding the slogan. Julie said, get rid of the chick.
"But honey, that's my slogan." I can't kill off my slogan.
Unless someone wants to send me a picture with them holding the slogan, then I would post that picture...
Maybe I'll feel better in a day or two, I've had this almost a week and I will gladly hand it off to someone else. Tag...you're it...
Have a great day!!!
B.D.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Simply Thursday...
That will do a complete 360 here in a few hours.
A cold front is headed this way hot & heavy. The party is over for us here in Tennessee.
Speaking of the weather...
I am currently under the weather.
Yes...someone gave me their germs.
Shoot me now...
B.D.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
This & That...
Like I said below, I smoked some ribs & grilled some hot wings Saturday. My oldest daughter, Jennifer, loved them.
She told me her mother (my ex) doesn't like to cook from scratch. It has to come from a box.
Yep...been there, done that. So me... being the good fellow that I am, sent a rack of ribs & smoked baked beans home with the young 'un.
Julie said she knew what I was up to.
What, me up to something??? Nahhhh....
Well....maybe....just a little....this ain't from no box, see what you're missing, sorry about your luck kind of stuff....
What can I say?
B.D.
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Weekend Report
Well, I finally got the car back from the body shop. They did a great job, don't you think? The guy went a little nuts with the pin stripes, but it looks nice.
The weather was just right yesterday for some baby back ribs & smoked beans & grilled hot wings. I'll tell you all about it...
Right now...I've got to take the car for a spin.
Enjoy your day!!!
Friday, November 24, 2006
Is it Friday Yet?
Did you have a great Turkey Day?
The weather around here is perfect...(for me)...just right, seeing that I hate cold weather.
Now... as far as Julie goes...it ain't cold enough.
Sorry honey... it suits me just fine.
Yes... this is strange weather around here for this time of year.
But I love it...
Tonight, I grilled some chicken thighs & some garlic bread & also fixed some corn on the cob & green beans.
Yep...the house is smelling right. If you have never put garlic bread on the grill to be toasted, you need to try it, it is great.
Turkey be damned...Chicken rules tonight.
Oh yeah babe...
B.D.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
The day before...Turkey Day
Oh my God...
What will I fix for this Thanksgiving???
Well...
If you ain't figured it out by now...sorry about your luck.
I don't do Thanksgiving...Well...cooking wise anyway.
That day... belongs to my mother-in-law. She is the star on this day.
Mom, will feed you right...let me tell you.
You will not go away from her house hungry.
So...from all of us at Macdaddy's Grill, we wish you a very happy Turkey Day!!!
Don't look for any recipes for Turkey here at the "Grill."
God rested after seven days of trying to teach man how to cook... "Man, you must make a fire first." (said God)
"But God... (said man)...I ain't got no matches..."
"Do I have to do everything? I provided the food, go to the store and buy some matches." (said God)
"Um...God?" (said man) "What's a store?"
Me...this is my day of rest, good eats with family and friends.
You go Mom...
Happy Thanksgiving
B.D.
Monday, November 20, 2006
Belated - Weekend Report
Julie was on the computer for awhile and I fell asleep on the couch, watching the Colts brain fart against Dallas.
Anyway...How did we do on the road trip?
Don't ask...
The only one that did good on our crew was Cliffe. He is a natural bowler and a machine who can adjust to any type of lane condition. You go boy...
But in the aftermath... tragedy struck close to home while we were gone. A bowler in our close knit community died.
I won't mention his name, because it would be meaningless to you, but we lost a dear friend.
So.... from all of us at Macdaddy's Grill, we offer our prayers for the family and friends that lost a kind soul and one of our own...
God be with you my friend...
B.D.
Friday, November 17, 2006
This & That...
This is one of my many follies... spending time with my girls and bowling...
Both are somewhat, adventurous. I tolerate bowling, but I love my girls and they love me...
(go figure)
What else could I ask for? Well...cold beer would be nice...
Shooting my average, would be nice...
Being on the road with the original B.D.'s girls...(Vicky & Tracy & Julie)
Priceless...
Wish us luck...and I'll post the Weekend Report late Sunday afternoon.
Have a great weekend!!!
B.D.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Simple Thursday...
- John Wayne -
Enjoy your day!!!
B.D.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Wordless Wednesday
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Veteran's Day
This is a post that was done last year for the Weekend Report.
It got a lot of chuckles from folks...so I thought I would re-print it.
Saturday, October 08, 2005
Weekend Report
Dare I say...It has gotten a tad bit chilly around here. But alas...it shall not last...Woo-Hoo!!!
Well...let me tell you of my adventure yesterday. It all began innocently enough...
I was looking for some more jalapeno peppers to stuff.
The season is about over here, so they're not as fat now.
Me, being the seeker of the next level of grilled poppers, I made the ultimate fatal mistake. I asked the produce guy..."his opinion"
As we stood there and discussed what I had in mind.."sounds good"...he said.
I never caught on to his accent until it was too late...
He pulled out his pocket knife and started to slice off samples, telling me which was hot, and which was not...
Now... I do know a thing or two about peppers... but being wrapped up in our conversation......I goofed...I let my guard down.
"Here try this one," he said.... handing me a piece. All I saw was flames...My brain had failed me...All I could manage to say was....."It's got a twang to it."
Twang my butt... hell, I had an entire city block on fire in my mouth.
He had eaten 3 peppers damn near whole...and not flinched a bit. (That should have thrown a flag on the play for me) When my mouth finally calmed down from the fire alarms...his accent got my attention.
I managed to ask him where he was from..."Louisiana" he said with a smile."We like hot stuff down there."
"No kidding"...I said to him as I started to walk away shaking my head...
I heard him laughing as he said "come back to see me again, I'm here everyday."
I sure will...you just moved to the top of my Christmas List.
(G)
B.D.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Simple Thursday...
I grilled some chicken thighs tonight, and Julie fixed some fried okra and her world famous gravity defying mashed potatoes. Good stuff...
Vicky asked Julie, which paid more....being my editor or being my PR rep.
Well... both jobs pay the same.
They get hugs & kisses from me...Woo-Hoo!!!
Oh yeah babe...that should pay the bills. (GGG)
Enjoy your day!!!
B.D.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Cowboy Spaghetti
And it ain't that crap that a lot of sites have, these are quality tunes and not just one song neither, (hey, we try to be classy and show a little style here) my PR rep. Vicky said she liked them so... turn up your volume when you visit us and enjoy the tunes.
Oh, you have to use Internet Explorer, for some reason Netscape won't play them.
This recipe comes from the ever spunky Rachael Ray. Chef Boyardee would be proud.
Enjoy!!!
B.D
Cowboy Spaghetti with Cheddar Cheese Sauce
1 pound spaghetti
Salt
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO)
3 slices smoky bacon, chopped
1 pound ground sirloin
1 medium onion, chopped
3-4 cloves garlic, chopped
Freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons hot sauce (eyeball it)
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (eyeball it)
1 tablespoon chili powder (a palmful)
1/2 tablespoon ground cumin (half a palmful)
1/2 bottle pale beer (eyeball it)
1 can, 14 ounces chopped or crushed fire-roasted tomatoes
1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
1 cup chicken stock
1 cup milk
2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup pickled jalapeños, finely chopped
4 scallions, chopped
Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add a generous amount of salt, then the pasta and cook spaghetti until al dente according to package directions.Heat a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add EVOO and bacon.
Brown and crisp bacon, about 5 minutes, then remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate and reserve. Drain off a little excess fat if necessary but leave just enough to coat the bottom of the skillet.
Add the sirloin and crumble it with a wooden spoon as it browns, 3-4 minutes. Add the onions and garlic, and season with salt, pepper, hot sauce, Worcestershire, chili powder and cumin.
Cook for another 5-6 minutes. Add the beer, cook for 1 minute more then add tomatoes and tomato sauce. Bring up to a bubble and continue to cook for 5 minutes.While the meat sauce is cooking, make the cheese sauce:
Heat a small sauce pot over medium heat and add butter. When the butter melts, stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Whisk in the chicken stock and then the milk. Thicken for 2 minutes then stir in the cheese and melt, for another 2 minutes. Stir in the jalapenos and scallions. Season with a little salt and pepperDrain spaghetti, add to the meat sauce and combine.
Pour into a large serving bowl and pour the cheddar cheese sauce over the top.
Yields 4 servings
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Weekend Report (partII)
Man, was that a game yesterday, LSU came out on top by the skin of their teeth.
Enjoy your day & turn up the volume!!!
B.D.
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Friday, November 03, 2006
Friday... oh... Friday
Ain't nothing like it. Cold beer...Football...Tailgating & grilling...
Did I mention cold beer?
Oh...and my girls are bowling this weekend... so... "Go get 'em girls."
Oh yeah babe..."My girls rock..."
And... did I mention cold beer?
B.D.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Simple Thursday...
Nice, cold, windy, hot, rainy, cold, windy, cold, warm, nice, thermal underwear, windy, nice, cold and so on and so forth...
Tn Chick has reported having trouble with her connection to Comcast for awhile. Our HD cable box from Comcast for the 60 inch LCD TV went belly up today, so you're not alone in your misery babe...
Other than that...
Everything is fine and dandy... a tad bit chilly... but nothing a few beers won't cure...
Life is good...
Beer is better...
B.D.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Monday, October 30, 2006
This & That...
bwha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,haaaa!!!
Umm...Sorry...
I hate when that happens...
B.D.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Weekend Report
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Rib cook...
When I went outside to fire up the smoker, it was 55 degrees, by the time I put the ribs on, the wind had picked up and the temperature was starting to drop.
Now, I started out in a tee shirt, but as things started to change, I had to put on a pull over sweat shirt, over the tee shirt.
But this was not enough, as the temperature continued to drop and the wind started changing directions faster than you could shake a stick at, it got cold quick. I had a hard time getting the smoker to stay up to temperature.
But being the great pit master that I have become, I pulled it out and saved the cook.
A few beers and some thermal underwear did the trick. By the end of the cook, it was 38 degrees.
I hate cold weather...
B.D.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Words for Wednesday...
"The national distrust of the contemplative temperament arises less from an innate Philistinism than from a suspicion of anything that cannot be counted, stuffed, framed or mounted over the fireplace in the den."
Say what?
Dude... how many beers have you had?
You need help...
Enjoy your day!!!
B.D.
Update: Yeah, Julie caught the mistake of me leaving out 'many'... what can I say...I type faster than I think...and I didn't have my glasses on...but that is her job, to catch my flubs.
I love ya' babe...
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
And then there was one...
As most of you know, I work for Ford Motor Company. The UAW brought Harold through the plant for a visit and I got to meet him and spend some time talking to him. The UAW is mostly for Democrats, as the Democrats seem to be more on the side of the working man.
I don't consider myself a Democrat or a Republican, I am for the man or woman I think will get the job done.
But what I do consider with high regard is a person's hand shake. If you are a wet noodle hand shaker, I won't have much to do with you. If you have a firm hand shake, then I will give you my attention, I believe that a firm hand shake is as good as your word, you will honor it.
Mr. Ford gave me a firm hand shake and never once talked about getting my vote or about politics, he just wanted to know what I was doing and about my job.
Over the 29 years in my position, I have met many important people, and many, I have not been impressed with. Hand shakes are a dime a dozen and I have had some pretty lame ones from some powerful men. But some powerful men have firm hand shakes... as do ordinary men.
I was always brought up to honor your word with a firm hand shake. That's your word.
Thanks Harold...for taking the time to shake my hand, firmly...
(Harold's hand shake was firm and very welcome in a world of fake people.)
It was a honor to meet you sir...
B.D.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Weekend Report
We have had frost on the grass twice already. With all the rain and warmer temperatures that have bounced around, I had to cut the grass again yesterday, I'm sure this will be the last time until spring. (of course that's what I said last time)
Fired up the Holland last night for some leg quarters & thighs. The Tel-Tru temperature gauge works really well. I don't have to wear my glasses to be able to read the numbers on the gauge.
Today, I'm going to fire up the little smoker & smoke some slab ribs, so I can check the Tel-Tru on it too. (and I'm in the mood for some ribs.)
I'll take some pictures for you to drool over.
Enjoy your day!!!
B.D.
Friday, October 20, 2006
Fall down...go boom.
Now, we as drivers, have our things adjusted to fit us...the driver. Don't move my stuff.
OH MY GOD...you moved my stuff!!!
This is very bad manners. I have driven a truck for almost 30 years and I had to rent a car during this lowly time in the Stallion's life...this was hard on me.
Now...I can drive anything...but going from a truck to a car was...well let's just say... that's not the norm for me. When I got my truck back, lo and behold, my seat and steering wheel had been moved.
I won't even let Julie move the seat when she drives my truck, then again, I don't move hers when I drive her vehicle.
Now...I have to re-adjust my stuff!!!
This is like a man that has worn briefs for years and has to go to wearing boxers...you have to re-adjust your stuff... because you are so use to it being in one place.
Just like your seat and your steering wheel...
Yes...I have to re-adjust my stuff.
Damn boxers...
B.D.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
This & That
Anytime Blue...
Just give me a shout and you all are more than welcome to dine anytime at Macdaddy's Grill.
B.D.