Blog Hop

Sorry for being late with my blog hop truths and lie.  The day I linked my blog with the other participants my entire family (including me) went down with a fast-moving stomach bug.  I'm home today cleaning up the aftermath.

For those still wanting to play here are my my statements:

1.  I fought in an officially sanctioned boxing match.

2.  I own more than 30 pairs of shoes.

3.  I have an autographed photo of Waylon Jennings on display next to my wedding pictures.

I'll post the answer shortly.  Thanks for playing.  ~L

Bruce Brewski

My first batch of home brew, an American creamy ale, is a success.  An novice palate might describe it's flavor as resembling a combination of roasted malt and sewer gas with subtle hints of late-summer county landfill.  Even with the heady industrial aftertaste it's still better than Bud Light.  ~L

What I Saw in Madison This Weekend

Loaded up the family Friday night for a quick, overnight trip to Madison.

Enjoyed seeing my basketball-loving wife watch her former college coach lead the Badger women to a come-from-behind near-victory against Michigan at the Kohl Center.

Witnessed my 13-year-old daughter reconnect with reading a good book.

Watched the sixth grade son devour half of a large Pizza Hut pan pizza by himself - just before bedtime.

Finally saw the water-timid seven-year-old boys brave enough to completely dunk their heads in the hotel pool. 

I'm always satisfied with what I see when I take time to look.

"Never Missed a Super Bowl" club member dies

Without knowing their backgrounds I figured one of them had to be a Packer fan.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/obituaries/116135199.html

Eatin' High on the Hog...and Cow...and Deer...

Slipping in and out of a meat-induced coma after tonight's supper.  I pushed the limits of country cuisine by charcoal grilling up a batch of hot dogs wrapped in venison burger and bacon and topped with melted cheese.

 Ingredients are few

* 2 lbs. hamburger
* 1 lb. thin-sliced bacon
* 8 natural casing wieners (adds "snap" texture)
* grated cheese

How it's done

Form burger into eight patties.  Place hot dog on top of patty and roll up patty so it encases dog.  Burger adheres to dog better if dog is towel-dried first.

Wrap the dog/burger combo with two pieces of bacon.  I did a spiral pattern in one direction with the first piece - then went the opposite direction with second piece.  The bacon holds the entire unit together nicely during grilling process.

Slow cooking

These masses of meat need an hour of grilling to cook through - so use indirect heat to avoid burning.  Push hot coals to one side of grill and place meat on opposite side.  Put cover on grill and cook for half-hour on one side, then roll over and cook for another half-hour.  Add cheese.  When cheese melts, remove from grill.

Standard hot dog/brat buns will not hold these meaty masterpieces.  You'll need sub buns or hardrolls.  Happy heart attack! ~L

Ups and Downs

Air conditioning is considered by many to be man's greatest invention.  It makes some of the world's most uncomfortable climates hospitable. (Although around here a nice wood stove is as equally valuable.)

I've heard penicillin is pretty good too.

But, for me (and especially my wife) a working garage door opener is at the top of the list. ~L

Weight Gaining Room

Being "on-call" today, with no morning teaching assignment, gave me a much-needed chance to sneak into our school's fitness/weight room.

A careful arrangement of padded benches and floor mats created an ideal place for me to work on a can of pop, some potato chips and take a nap. ~L