I did BBQ for sale this 4th

        I did 30 buts and 10 ribs this 4th of July . I was busy and sold out fast I should have done more but I am retired. 2 days work netted me a 450$ profit. I  plan on doing it again on Labor day .
Funny I pop up on holidays and could do a booming business and my son says its not worth his time.  He is mad because he has no water or power. All I have to say "that sucks good luck" then I change the subject.
   
       I spotted him supply money a dozen times I wont do it again . I wont pay his utilities . Its time for him to grow up. 

Family

   Sorry for not posting for a while. We all know life gets hectic at the holidays. I hope every one had a good Christmas and New Year. It seems like for 2 weeks we have run somewhere  every day. All in all it was a nice time with family .

     It looks like me and the wife will be getting our house back to our selves by the end of the month. I am down to odds and ends on my daughters place before she can move in. My Son got the Deed he has been waiting on and we put in a couple of days their .  All he needs me for is to have a new power panel set and re splice the house wiring . The step daughter and grandkids HAVE TO GO!!!!
We love them but the level of activity and noise is unbelievable. Its beyond normal the mom is a hollower on face book 24/7. The kids want to be entertained and are incapable of imagination or self amusement .

Getting into the christmas spirit Now.

 

Sweating and Smoking.

     I hope everyone is having a safe and enjoyable 4th of July weekend. Here it has been HOT!! been bumpin 100 . There are 2 things that people hate on holiday weekends  RAIN and 100 degree's in the shade. It keeps people either inside or in the water.

   Memorial day and the 4 th are when families tend to get together and talk ,grill out,  play and have a few beers. Un fortunantly it is when I am my busiest . This year I have surpassed what I have ever done before with the BBQ .

   Today I had a man come and get 2 butts and a slab of Ribs. I had the smoke bellowing like a freight train sweat and grease felt like it was an inch thick on every inch of my body. The man looked at me and said " THANK YOU" if you weren't here I would be suffering like you have to be in this heat cooking. He said you have earned your pay day this holiday.

  

   Yes it has been a miserable 4 days of BBQing but I know I have spared 80 plus weekend grill masters from the task. I did this post while waiting for 12  Rack of ribs to finish so I can get my last 16 butts going for tomorrow.  I have pre orders that will be picking up before 10 in the morning.

    I hope the next revolution starts in early October so it will be cooler weather for future generations to celebrate.

  Be Safe, Have Fun, and Tip the cook !!!!!

Florida judge has made April fools day a religious holiday.

    

I know God is giggling!

A Florida Court Sets Atheist Holy Day!

Ya gotta love this Judge!

You must read this……
A proper decision by the courts…
for a change.

In Florida , an atheist created a case against Easter and Passover Holy days. He hired an attorney to bring a discrimination case against Christians and Jews and observances of their holy days. The argument was that it was unfair that atheists had no such recognized days.
The case was brought before a judge. After listening to the passionate presentation by the lawyer, the judge banged his gavel declaring, “Case dismissed!”

The lawyer immediately stood and objecting to the ruling saying,
“Your honor, How can you possibly dismiss this case? The Christians have Christmas, Easter and others.
The Jews have Passover, Yom Kippur and Hanukkah, yet my client and all other atheists have no such holidays…”
The judge leaned forward in his chair saying, “But you do. Your client, counselor, is woefully ignorant.”
The lawyer said,” Your Honor, we are unaware of any special observance or holiday for atheists.”
The judge said, “The calendar says April 1st is April Fool’s Day. Psalm 14:1 states, ‘The fool says in his heart, there is no God.’ Thus, it is the opinion of this court, that, if your client says there is no God, then he is a fool. Therefore, April 1st is his day.

Court is adjourned…”

You gotta love a Judge that knows his scrip

H/T found at Papa Mikes  http://www.papamiket.com/?p=87480

Funnel cake for halloween.

     This year for Halloween I was asked by one of the local churches to do funnel cakes for Halloween. They were having a Trunk or Treat for the kids .I was asked last year but I had a prior commitment. The weather was terrible a steady rain but the folk that did show up had a good time. The church members had hotdogs, drinks, Chili and games inside for the kids . I was outside in my trailer in one hour I did almost 60 funnel cakes. I had fun most of the people that came by recognized me and the trailer as the man that does the BBQ  on the road. It is nice to give back to the community that has supported me. Some of the people had never stopped at the BBQ so may be I will pick up some new customers. The cost to me was less than 15$  to make over 80 people smile.

Its almost festival and football season.

    Here in the south we enjoy our college football. It is a time when people make time to get together on weekends. Friends that may not see each other all year reconnect and catch up on each others lives. Friendly rivalry's add to the gatherings and fun most teams are acceptable( Tennessee and LSU excluded) even wives wear jerseys. Its all about friends family food and fun. How many of your friendships started over sports ?

    Even as football season starts so do festivals and city and community events. Every area has them and they are fun and can be a cheap way to have a fun family outing . I have even got some good deals at some that have vendors and craft areas. All my honey comes from a man that I met at one he is a local.

    Even if you cant afford to buy at a local festival it is a great place for a person that is prepared minded to attend . You have an opportunity to see and sample wares of people in your area. I have business cards for local seamstress ,honey, soap, jelly jam ,eggs and rabbits. I have made friends with a vegetable farmer and a wood worker . Now is the time to make friends of like minded folks that have skills you may not. If things were to fall apart you stand a better chance dealing with some one you know.

Ready to Go .

     The camper is packed and ready to go and so am I .Sunday morning we will head out about 4 am to the gulf. Now I love to leave before sun up and avoid traffic .On Sunday traffic isn't a concern but I like leaving early . My wife hates it, one she's not an early riser and two she says she cant see the country side .What's to see I am taking 65 south . The sun will be up before we hit the back roads she can look then.

    I may stop at wind creek casino and let her play a little its on the way . Three years ago I  hit a 2000.00 $ jackpot on a machine you never know. The truck  will be ready tomorrow. I had the air fixed turns out it was a clogged orifice tube going into the condenser .It is a minor and cheep repair and will fix the whining sound from the passenger seat :) . We need a little time just the 2 of us. Having the kids around is driving us nuts . Since the stay will be 2 weeks I have the bikes and may rent a kayak one day . I will check in when I go to Mc Ds as the campground doesn't have Wi-Fi .  

Trip planning with family.

     For the last week we have been trying to coordinate a trip back to Big Lagoon in Perdido Bay Fl. We are set, reservations are made the Camper is packed. Add food and we can roll ! My sister in law is going to join us she has reservations for 4 days .Our daughter is going to come down and spend 3 days staying with us or her Aunt. For 4 days it will be 3 Man bashing women and me !

     My stepson and his wife are planning on coming down for our last 2 days and want to use the camper for 3 more nights and bring it home when done . I have no problem with that but for some reason they are hee hawing on the reservations and Gulf shores is full and big lagoon has 1 spot left. The days of plenty of camping spots are done . Now you have to plan a little ahead if you want weekend camping.  They are wanting to be at gulf state park because its closer to the night life and his father is going to be camping at GSP.

     Kind of funny my wife's EX bought a camper. Now he wants the kids to camp with them like they have with us. He has always been a condo resort type .Makes you wonder what brought it on .

Merry Christmas .

      A Very Merry Christmas To All. May every one have a safe and happy holiday.

        Santa is a prepper too. He makes lists and checks them Twice!

     Wearing camo doesn't  mean you are fearless or brave.

 No you can't have her instead of an AR15. Remember your wife has a 12 gauge and knows how to use it.

A good time to get gear cheap !

     I know this time of year most people are shopping online or in big box stores looking for gifts. Now if your like me we men tend to wander off at some point to the automotive, Sporting goods and Hardware. Last weekend I skipped out to the pawn shop next door to a store my wife was in .Usually the prices at most pawn shops are high but last week I got a couple of good tools cheap and a lot of the prices were a bargain . The ladies at the register said sales were low during Christmas but pawns were high so they had to clear some room and generate cash. I bought a electric chainsaw a Homelite43120 with new chain and bar for 20.00  and a Milwaukee skill saw with a high end blade for 10.00. They both are in great shape . Most the electronics were still high but tools camping gear and out door items were cheap. Now a lot of people feel giving someone a used gift is wrong but if someone needs something and you can find a bargain  at a pawn shop or thrift store now may be your chance. 

P.S. The chainsaw and skill saw are going to be gifts to me from my wife. We have a deal where I buy the gift she gives me and she buys the gift I give her :) it works.

Remember its a holiday and your related

      First let me wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving. Slow down and try to enjoy the time off have a good time catching up with the family that you never see except at holidays. Eat a little of everything on the table and double up on the desserts. Please spend a little extra time and not rush off to the next gathering one or two relatives' may not still be here for next year. Remember this is your family. You didn't get to pick them you got them through genetics it is never as much fun as being with friends (we get to choose them).


    OK enough of the traditional platitudes. We all have to endure at least 2 days of this a year. We have 52 weekends to hang out with people of our own choosing we call them friends sure some we disagree with on some things but we still like them enough to enjoy their company. On Thursday stick to the traditional attitudes. NEVER EVER SPEAK THE TRUTH.you know what I am talking about here is the list.
    Jenny dumped a box of sage in the dressing!
    Linda cooked the heat and serve ham for 6 hours.
    Bill fried a Turkey till the drumsticks were gone
    Great aunt Ruby should have gave up cooking 5 years ago WHAT THE HELL WAS IT SPOSE TO BE????
    Uncle Fred was drunk when he showed up .
    Uncle Larry is looking at your sister in law like( we don't want to know.)
    You have to hold your tongue when 8 kids are running through the house like Indians and you cant remember who belongs to who
    All this while cousin Ed and Jeff are telling you why your team shouldn't be #1 in football (DAMN AUBURN FANS!!!!)
 
  Relax and enjoy time with the family. You have 363 days you can be with friends.
   

 

   

I survived the 4th.

     Sorry i haven't posted but the week before the 4th was busy.Had a lot of cooking and serving to plan.I had as good a 4th as memorial weekend was.The main problem was everyone wanted to pick up between 10 and 12 o'clock last Friday.It was difficult to have 36 racks of ribs and 48 butts done and ready to go in such a rush.
      In the spare seconds i had to chop make sandwiches fix plates.I am sure some things were not as hot as i like them the doors on the smoker was being opened and closed to much.Will fix some of my troubles this fall by building a new BBQ Trailer .
    
     I have been planning on building a nice all in one trailer for a few years i have all the kitchen equipment and plumbing.I have had an old 1968 GEM camper 23 ft that I paid 200 for and have used as a storage shed.It was gutted but water tight.Now it will become a log cabin BBQ on wheels.This year has been hell on my legs and back the in out and up down of my present set up is taking a toll.This will be built for looks and easy of use. I plan on doing this for a long time so i better build it so i can operate it despite father times affects.I hope it will resemble this but with smokers on both ends .

Never under estimate kids screwing up plans.

      When you are making plans be it for a trip to the lake or for the end of the world assume one or more of your kids will screw it up.The way that they can do it are endless.Never under estimate them if they can find a way they will.A lot of parents try to be friends with their kids my wife fits that profile,Me I take the I AM THE KING, approach.To some this may sound unkind but it isn't its my job!No group can survive living by committee.Yes other input is important but in the end someone has to make a decision and enforces it.
      This little rant was caused by planning a 5 day trip to the lake going with our sister in law and was going to have 3 of the kids and 2 grand kids spend the weekend up there.My wife's youngest daughter is in jail on a failure to appear for 30 days everyone thinks us going to the lake should be canceled .I didn't get picked up she did the others shouldn't suffer I am going our plans or camping at the beach wont change.My job is to make these plans for everyone to have fun.I am sorry she is not going to go but as a FATHER i have to think of the rest of the family.This is just 2 trips that i have had to provide for.If this was a matter of life and death i would still side with what is best for the rest.Now to be fair if it wasn't this child it would have been my son.These two seem to do this every time we plan or are on a trip.We even plan on it and wonder what it will be.
     

Perfect BBQ pork at home

       With the New Years Day almost here you may want some good BBQ.This is a easy way to cook and smoke a whole pork butt at home that is very close to competition quality.
  1 pork roast (butt) 8 to 10 lbs
   Rub Weber's makes a good one I use half rub to half brown sugar.
      Take the butt and rub it all over with your spice rub at 8 at nite.Place it in a pan atleast 4 inches deep fat side up, tent it with foil but don't wrap and seal it.At 1030 to 11 place it in oven at 210 degrees.Now GO TO BED.The next morning around 7 check it with a meat thermometer it should be 175 to 185 in the center.Let it rest for about an hour.
       If you have a smoker place it unwrapped in it and heavy smoke it for 3 hours.If your using a grill place it in the grill and take a tin can with 10 or so charcoal briquettes that are well lite and add hickory,oak or pecan that's wet in it.Place the smoke can in grill and close it up.On a grill it needs 4 hours of smoke.
     It sounds like a lot but you have 15 minutes of work in it and most of the cooking was while you were asleep.After it has smoked you can pull it chop it it will yield about 6 pounds.

To all vetrans and active duty.

      Today is veteran's day and to all military past and present i wish to say THANK YOU.If at anytime you read on this blog something that is negative about our country's present or resent past military actions it in no way is meant as a slur against our soldiers.I have a great respect our service men and women.All have made sacrifices for the American people and our freedom.At this point in this post it is hard to put down how much we the people owe to our service men but 1 day a year is not even close.

      One thing that grips me is when politions wrap themselves in the flag and talk about our servicemen for political gains.Our military has served without question when deployed.Most of our elected leaders are gutless worms that despise and even fear the men that have sworn an oath to this nation.Personally i think it should be a requirement that a president and congress members have served.If a man isn't willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for their country by what right should he lead it ? I don't mean to imply that we need a military government but we do need men that believe in founding principles and our Constitution to pledge there life to defending it.This is something veterans pledged to do in the service, and almost all would uphold as  civilians till death.

      We have 1 day to honor our living Veterans and 1 day to honor the fallen.I don't seem right.

A Quick update.A little rant

    Well it looks like the Mountains are on hold. With the government shutdown the Smokies,s will not be open and we stay in cades cove campground.Have you noticed how the news keeps telling us about how we are suffering because of this shutdown?If it wasn't on the news would we even notice? I mean really.The main inter action most people have with the federal government is the withholding line on their pay stub!I BET THAT WILL STILL BE THERE.I was watching the news and they had a woman speaking on how outrageous it was that she was losing money on fulow she was a FEDERAL EMPLOYEE!!!!!  Welcome to America ladie it is a land full of layoffs rollbacks and pay cuts in the real world.
    Now i favor the shutdown it is not just politics it  is an action to stop a bad law.3 of our kids were going to be reduced to part-time status so the company's they worked  for could comply with the law.When actions of those in government turn full time jobs into part time and only add new part time then cry over a weeks losing pay don't expect me to care.


   SIDENOTE    It has been 7days since we decided to Quit smoking i have had 9 cigarettes.7 with morning coffee and 2 after nonya dam business.

Florida is wet!

  Just got back from a verry wet week on the coast.When we arrived on sunday the sun was shining the humidity was unbeable mudpuddles were everywhere in under an hour it was pouring again. Our campsite was dead center of a large swag that was full of water but we were dry except getting in the car.Will post more tommarow i need a shower an good nite sleep. Nothing is like your bed at home!

The 4th of july BBQ and dreams of vacation

   I have survived the 4th of july BBQ  rush barley! The smoker has been in constant use since monday.I smoked 48 boston butts and 45 slabs of ribs and sold out in 5 hours between wensday and thursday.

my red smoker and tank that became my extra smoker

I had to use both pits to handle the butts and ribs but i got it done.The new pit wasnt finished i had to use 2x4s to hold the grate decks up till i get to the weld shop but it did ok for the holiday.
    I think i worked harder this week than i have in a lonnnng time but the payoff was worth it.Me and the wife are planning a trip to the gulf the 14th going to try and get some of the kids to come down too.We will go to big lagoon but i think we will b going to some other areas also.I know i will have to carry the wife to gulfport one day for the casino,s.I dont gamble like i use to.
      We will be taking the teardrop this trip the new standie is still untested and we dont want to be that far away and have problems.Had a man stop by and look at my teardrop he plans on building his own soon .I have known his son for years and i think we will do build at the same time.he wants a 4 wide and i want a 5 wide.

Have a safe and fun memorial day weekend!

 As we get ready to kick off the summer with this holiday weekend let not forget it is to Honor all the brave soldiers and military for their service.For me i constantly have the thought our soldiers are there to defend us.Even tho i disagree with a lot of whats going on right now its not the militarys fault and definantly not a soldiers.
     We have to remember they go where our ELECTED goverment orders them.I do not fear terrorist as much as i do our elected officials.As Mark Twain said the public is safest when congress is not in session.This weekend if you see a sodier past or present shake his hand and thank him for what he has done.If you see an elected official    HIDE YOUR WALLET COVER YOUR ASS AND DO NOT BELIEVE ANYTHING THEY SAY.