Smoky Slices Of Butt

So on Friday, Ed spent more than 12 hours smoking a Boston Butt.  He approached it with military precision.  He awoke at 4:45 am, filled the smoker with pecan pellets, let it heat up for about 30 minutes, and had the butt in place by 5:30 am.

Then he spent the rest of the day doing yard work, changing the oil on the truck, organizing his side boxes, and generally keeping busy while the pork cooked.  He watched the temperature and basted the butt hourly, as was suggested by what he's read.

When he took it out of the smoker at 6 pm, we were all starving, but we had to wait another 30 minutes while it rested.  Argghhh.  It was the longest I've EVER waited for food.  I don't even like to wait on line in a restaurant.  I'll walk out if the wait is more than 20 minutes, but here we were approaching hour thirteen.

Once we unwrapped the butt and got it ready to slice, I started to calm down a little.  The outside was both gooey and crispy.  I sliced a tiny piece off and had my first bite.  A little salty - most likely from the rub - but still pretty good.  Then I just started maniacally slicing, peeps were hungry.

The pork wasn't falling apart like I thought it would be, as I was imaging a pile of pulled pork like I've ordered at restaurants, but it was tender and moist.  I served it with mashed potatoes, roasted carrots, and small dinner rolls in case anyone wanted to make a slider-sized sandwich.

We've had pork for days.  So.  Much.  Pork.  Last night I made some leftovers for Ed, sautéed it with butter, white wine, and a little barbecue sauce.  Served it over rice with mixed veggies.  He loved it.

The rest is in the freezer.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2015: Clouds In The State Of The Large Creek
2014: Yellow Trees, Big Sky
2013: The Negotiation
2012: Going Au Naturel
2011: A Great Idea
2010: The Real Deal
2009: This Should Keep You Buy For A While
2008: Plenty Of Room For The Ladies
2007: It All Began With The Cheese
2006: Zig Zag Wisconsin Color
2005: Made In China 

The General Landscape Of Southern Arizona

Another saguaro.  Photo by Ed, taken on one of his early morning adventures.



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2015: A Bright Spot In The District
2014: The Way The River Went
2013: If You're Looking To Flip A House For Money....Don't
2012: A Sad Day For The Piggies
2011: A Warrior Waging A Noble Fight, Fueled By Chocolate Ice Cream
2010: Ragazzo dell’Ombrello
2009: Eddie It’s Not Even Halloween Yet Friday
2008: Not So Different, Are We?
2007: Quite Uneducated, If You Ask Me
2006: Sometimes Identity Theft Can SAVE You Money
2005: Mina In Fifty Years

Is Purse Anxiety In The DSM?

Some girls like shoes.  Collect them.  Can never have enough pairs.  

With me, it's purses.  From an early age I've had a thing for purses.  I think I get it from my maternal grandmother, who was always on the hunt for the right bag.  It's a bit of an obsession.  From cheap to expensive, leather to pleather, parachute material to canvas.  I've had them all.  

Pockets, strap length, weight, color, material - all factors to finding just the right bag. You'd think narrowing it down would be easy.  Oh, no.  

Right now I'm carrying two - a black Kipling tote sorta like this one, and a blue lightweight faux leather crossbody bag that I pilfered from my mother.  Since I'm home so much now, I've recently started only carrying the essentials with me when I'm running around town - wallet, phone, fan, gum, pen, paper.  But if I'm going more than 10 miles from my house, the big one comes with me.

What I've realized, is that I have purse anxiety.  I must have my stuff with me.  I don't have the ability to decide which things are not as important as others. I want it all.  What if I need aspirin?  Or a bandaid?  Or duct tape?  I'm sure the weight of the purse is going to give me shoulder problems.  I probably walk lopsided as it is, favoring the shoulder that's shouldering all the weight.  And God forbid I ask Ed to get something out of my purse.  The look of horror on his face says it all.

When I went through my bag and laid out everything I carry with me, I didn't think it seemed like a lot.  The selection seems reasonable, doesn't it?  And necessary.  OK, maybe I don't need an extra expandable tote bag when I'm carrying a tote bag, but what if I go shopping and buy stuff that I need another bag for?  Like at the Farmer's Market?  I can't put peaches and strawberries in my actual purse.

I see people, mostly celebrities, running around town with just their keys and a cell phone in their hand.  

NO PURSE!

What the hell is that all about?  

H-h-how?  

What if they need something?  What if...

I don't know how they do it.  My chest is constricting just thinking about it.

Below is what I carry on a regular basis. Some things aren't shown, like tissues, or the extra grocery bags I tuck into small spaces.  Unless extreme circumstances require me to carry a small bag - like at a cocktail party, or a wedding - I almost always have all of this with me.  Sometimes more, if I'm toting around books, magazines, or my iPad.

Don't judge.

 1.  Hairspray
 2.  Tylenol
 3.  Expandable Tote Bag
 4.  Zippered bag currently being used as my wallet (money, credit cards, bills, receipts, pocket knife, etc.)
 5.  Zippered cosmetic bag (I carry enough with me to do the makeup for a drag queen stage show)
 6.  Silver zippered bag with small personal items (tampons, hand sanitizer, hand cream, bobby pins, hair ties, dental floss, antacids)
 7.  Mesh bag for change
 8.  Extra pair of silver hoops just in case I forget to wear earrings when I leave the house
 9.  Small spiral notepad and small pack of Thank You notes
10.  Post-It Notes
11.  My point-and-shoot camera that goes everywhere with me
12.  Sunglasses
13.  Paper clips and metal binder clips
14.  Extra keys to my mother's townhouse
15.  Chocolate Velamints - it's been YEARS since I've had these and recently found them at Cracker Barrel
16.  Sony earbuds
17.  Nature Valley Granola Bar
18.  Red pen, black pen, highlighter, mechanical pencil, etc.
19.  Zippered bag (gift from Marlaina, bought in Bangkok) containing Splenda
20.  Reading glasses
21.  Wet Ones bacterial wipes (I also carry baby wipes in a Ziploc bag)
22.  Mini ziploc bag with stamps, duct tape strips, misc papers and business cards collected along the way
23.  Mini ziploc bag with bandaids
24.  Hair band
25.  Gum - I usually have several kinds                
26.  Business Cards
27.  House and pickup keys.  My big rig keys are not shown.
28.  My fan.  This one is a gift from Marlaina that she purchased in Hong Kong.  I never go anywhere without.  If I had to choose between my camera and my fan, the fan would win. And since it's so big, I usually have a purse it'll fit in.  It's essential and when I'm hot, as it can be the difference between me being just bitchy or downright homicidal.

Maybe what I really need is anti-anxiety medication.  I certainly have room to carry it.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2015: Apple Crisp And Friends
2014: Where The Food Is Delicious And The Service Is World Class
2013: Something To Look Forward To
2012: Two More For You, Mr. President!
2011: A Thing About Things
2010: Americans Among Us
2009: Next Time I’m Buying Him Carbon Paper And White Out. And A Roll Of Stamps. And Maybe A VHS Player.
2008: Flash Flood
2007: Consider The Source When Getting Advice
2006: Perfectly Apropos For Bush’s Home State
2005: Soul 2 Soul

Prepping The Butt

Here's Ed, getting the pork butt ready for the smoker.  Upon suggestions from people who've gone before him, he rubbed the butt with mustard, then patted a spice rub over the entire piece of meat.

The pork shoulder was about 10 pounds.  We marveled at the price.  If you know how much it is to get pulled pork (or any barbequed meats) at a restaurant, or place like Dickey's, you know how much of a deal this piece of meat is.  Plus, it's going to provide many meals.

I think Ed's going to try brisket and turkey next, which might be a good plan considering Thanksgiving is coming soon.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2015: Strangled By The Capital Beltway
2014: Even The Deer Are Bored
2013: Happy "Columbus" Day!
2012: Not So Subtle
2011: Satan Called. He Wants His Weather Back.
2010: If Only I Looked As Good As He Does
2009: What Grandmothers Do When Their Grandchildren Grow Up
2008: The View Of The Valley And Meadow
2007: A Beautiful Dimple In The Earth
2006: Dive The Sky
2005: G-Y-M

The Early Bird Gets The Cacti

Ed's early morning (5am!) sunrise photo, taken while I was still in a deep slumber.




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2015: Unsteady Affair
2014: Sailed The Ocean Blue, My Ass
2013: Blank Mind
2012: Digging Through The Vault
2011: Shopping Hysteria
2010: We Interrupt Our Regularly Scheduled Blogging For A Word From Our Blogger
2009: Here, Let Me Get You A Tissue For That Eyeball
2008: The Secret Lies With The Twinkies
2007: Where In The World Are You Carmen Sandiego?
2006: Paraskevidekatriaphobia
2005: Love’s Language

This Butt Is No Joke

Ed is serious about his new smoker.  After much research and some lengthy conversations with our friend Gary (who is enjoying his smoker), Ed decided his first piece of meat was going to be a ten pound Boston Butt, also known as a Pork Shoulder.

We bought the butt at Dickman's Meat & Deli and when we got home, Ed prepared it with a basic spice rub.  I'm really looking forward to tasting the result of Ed's extensive research.

Tomorrow morning it goes in the smoker!  Come back for the flavor report!



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2015:  A Day Of Amusement On The Lake
2014:  法拉盛華埠
2013:  The Pumpkin Master
2012:  Prime Viewing
2011:  Still Flowering
2010:  Wishing I Could Trade My Feet For Wheels
2009:  And The Winner Is…
2008:  Palm In The Dirty South
2007:  Ed Makes Out With Fair Fluff Friday
2006:  Blue Light Special
2005:  Blue Collar

Couple In Selfies

Most places we go, I'm the one taking the pictures.  Which means a lot of photos of Ed and not so many of me.  Every once in a while I remember to ask Ed to take a selfie of us - his arm is longer and can hold the camera out further than I can.

Top:  Freemason Harbor in Norfolk, VA / The sleeper of our truck / Biking in Secaucus, NJ
Middle:  Pittsburgh, PA river cruise / Amusement Park in Cedar Point, OH / Florida T/A truck stop
Bottom:  The sleeper of our truck / White Sands National Monument in NM / Mall in Tucson, AZ



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
2015: From The Top
2014: If Your Name Is Tinsley, You Probably Use A Fountain Pen
2013: British Invasion
2012: Splendid Fantasy Road Trip
2011: Hard To Get Close To
2010: Lunch In Fossombrone
2009: Taking Carving To A Whole New Level
2008: Is There Enough Yellow In THIS One For Ya?
2007: I Didn’t Realize Railway Workers Were So Frisky
2006: Individuality
2005: Text Me

Twisted Monday

I LOVE soft pretzels but have never made them at home.  That changes now.

River cruises are all the rage.  It's still on the top of my list of things to do.

Garlic Roasted Potatoes.  So simple, yet so delicious.

If you love to eat, you'll understand these.

Even though I'm 49, I can't believe I am reading this.

In case you're thinking about leaving the U.S. should the unthinkable happen, here are a few suggestions.

Barcelona Regatta in Italy pictures.  Just beautiful.

And completely unrelated to anything above...
I've never been a fan of sports, and don't understand why someone would intentionally want to put themselves in harm's way.  I most certainly don't understand young people taking this kind of physical abuse.  After seeing the movie Concussion, you couldn't pay me enough to convince me to let my child play football.  Here's a New York Times article talking about the lasting impact of just a single concussion.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2015: The Bitchy Beast Of Strijen
2014: Montana Moments
2013: Scanning Comes To A Mouth Near You
2012: Go Ahead, Judge Me
2011: Con Los Años Que Me Quedan
2010: Ten. Ten. Ten. A Perfect Score!
2009: Lighting The Testosterone Torch
2008: Eddie Helps The Economy Friday
2007: Talk About A Thorn In Your Side
2006: My Sentiments Exactly
2005: Mason? Dixon? Line? BELOW It.

The Happy Cyclist

Ed stops to take a selfie on the Cañada Del Oro River Park Trail while another smiling cyclist whizzes by.

21 miles today.  Another successful ride!


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2015: Walkin' In The Rain With The One I Love
2014: Where The Cranberry Is King
2013: How To Lower Your Blood Pressure While Raising Another's
2012: I Made It Because I Like The Word Schnitzel
2011: I May Be Old, But I’m Not That Old
2010: Today’s The Day!!
2009: Ed Getting Jiggy Among The Sunflowers
2008: The Bridge To Everywhere
2007: Scared Into Anorexia
2006: A Good Hot Cup Is Desperately Needed
2005: Am I The Only One Who Noticed This??

Make Your Reservation Now

Ed has taken home ownership to a whole new level, and he's been putting his many days off to good use...by shopping.  His most recent acquisition?  

This Sawtooth Pellet Grill.  He's now added smoking meat to his long list of interests.

Over the past week, he's extolled the benefits of smoked foods.  Brisket, pork butt, steak, salmon, etc.

He's so into it - which is great, because you won't catch me within 20 feet of something that gets to 500 degrees - that I walked into the living room the other night and he was watching YouTube videos on the process.

That's when I texted my friend Kim.

"I don't know if it can get much worse. Ed is watching a YouTube video of a fat guy slicing brisket."

I have a feeling that very soon I'm going to be the fat chick slicing brisket.

Who's coming for dinner?




~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2015: Every Year Is A Good Year For A Hero
2014: Peace Through Understanding
2013: Goodwill Hunting
2012: Approaching Talladega
2011: Music Sets The Stage
2010: Tacky Prevails
2009: Not As Hot As It Looks
2008: Burst
2007: Stockholm Syndrome
2006: Playing In A Dream Near You
2005: The Greatest Story Ever Told

Magic Shoes

Today is my friend Kim's birthday and we are taking her out to dinner to celebrate.  Since I actually worked this week, I wasn't able to shop.  But I only had one errand to take care of, which left me most of the day to shop for a gift.  I headed straight to Nordstrom Rack.

Success!  I found her a great pair of pants and several cute tops.  And then...I bought a pair of earrings and two pairs of shoes for myself, and a pair of shoes for my mom.  Sadly, they're not the shoes in the photo - I don't really have anywhere to wear a shoe like that right now - although I thought they were amazing.  They actually made my feet and legs look skinny.  They're clearly magical shoes.

I think I need them.  To walk around the house in.  Well, mostly to practice walking aroud the house, since I haven't worn heels for years now.  I'll probably pull a muscle or twist an ankle.  Damn this trucking job that has made me flat shoe dependent!

Since Ed was waiting in the car, I had to be quick.  I couldn't linger and walk around in all the heels.

So I'm going back tomorrow.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2015: Finally Fall
2014: Fruit On Main
2013: Circling The Shark
2012: Unlimited
2011: Autumn Leaves Begin To Fall
2010: I Wonder What Color The Ancient Estruscans Wore?
2009: You Ask, I’ll Answer
2008: You Can’t Hide From The Eyes Of A Truck Driver
2007: Flurry Of Ruffles
2006: A Bag Full Of Dicks
2005: Go West Young Man!! Uh, I Mean East. East.

You Are Scored On My Heart

If you want to laugh and cry, this is your flick.

I love, love, LOVED it.

Great soundtrack, too.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2015: Truckin' Punkins
2014: How To Achieve 365 Days Of Perfection
2013: Leaving Las Vegas And Bypassing That Damn Dam

2012: A Difference As Big As The Grand Canyon
2011: Not Even Technology Can Fix Stone Cold Stupid
2010: Three
2009: Not Exactly “Daily” By Definition
2008: I Almost Married This Man
2007: Greeting Fair Lovers For Over Fifty Years
2006: The Infinite Wisdom Of A Grandfather
2005: Swingin’ Good Times

Hot Is Hot

Dear God, when is it going to stop???  It's October, for Chrissake!

There is no "better" type of heat.  

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2015: Washy Watercolor Morning
2014: The Piano Man Put Us In A New York State Of Mind

2013: Eddie Sandwich

2012: Scenes From An Italian Kitchen

2011: Living Deliberately But Not Without Scars

2010: Maybe They Just Don’t Like Oklahomans

2009: Mexico? Derecho.

2008: Juxtaposition

2007: Eddie Sports Pigtails Friday

2006: Gambling Under The Big Sky

2005: Sleeping Beauty

Doing One Thing Well

As much as I LOVE my cell phone and wouldn't give it up for anything, I do sometimes miss the simplicity of the old rotary dial phones.  I used to love when a phone number had a zero or nine in it because that meant you had to dial it all the way around and then listen to it click, click, click its way back.

Also....you couldn't be reached 24 hours a day.



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2015:  Double The Gas
2014: Waiting For The 3:01 Into Manhattan
2013: Fast Food Of The Civilized
2012: Giving Everyone A Head’s Up
2011: A Big, Delicious Mess
2010:Race To The Finish
2009:The Way To A Man’s Heart Isn’t Only Through His Stomach
2008:The Monarch Of Style
2007:I Walked Around The Building For An Hour Looking For That Door
2006:Home On The Range: It’s Not Just The Place Where The Deer And Antelope Play
2005:Mina Clarkson

Capture The Flag

My best friend's son, Michael.  Almost 18.  Beautiful soul.  Giant paintball fan.

I love this picture of him.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2015: Arizona Dinosauria
2014: Twilight In New York
2013: The Sun Also Sets
2012: Summoning The Mountains
2011: The Power Of Gold
2010: Where’s The Beef?
2009: If One Could Love A Convenience Store
2008: Eddie Home On The Alien Range Friday
2007: N Is For Nanny. Oh, And Negligent.
2006: The Answer Will Be Revealed In Nine Months
2005: Lipgloss And Cocoa Puffs

Ed Talks Meat With Elvis

Ed talking to the King of BBQ

We've been home for over three weeks now and have plenty of extra time on our hands.

I've been feeling as if I've squandered some of that time. I don't know what I thought I should be doing, but I think I should have gotten more of something accomplished.  I actually did do quite a bit since I've been taking my mother around town to look at paint and tile (and tile and more tile) for her new townhouse.  Yes, that's still going on.

Today Ed and I went to the SAHBA Home & Garden Show.  We got some information for our own house renovation, talked to some solar people, saw a demonstration on one of Ed's newest interests, the Big Green Egg - he's into researching meat smokers lately.  It was a successful outing.

But I really need an entire day at home.  Deep down, I'm really a homebody, and I hate going out just for the sake of "getting out of the house" like some people do.  I don't need to get out of the house.  If I have errands, I plan them all in one day, so this going out every day shit is getting to me.

And tomorrow I'll be going out again.  When will it end???



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2015: Slickrocks, Domes, Bowls, Fins, And Things
2014: Have Another Piece Of Cake
2013: I Was Searching For Leather Goods And Found Something To Dream About
2012: Tomatoes Under Glass
2011: The Best Seat In The House
2010: Countdown To Pisa
2009: Eddie Goes Waaaay South Friday
2008: Port Of Long Beach
2007: Layers Of History
2006: Would I Be Cheesy If I Said I Wanted To Drive THIS Rig??
2005: Paper Glow

Two-Wheeling In The Desert

Today Ed tackled the Catalina State Park trail that we've hiked twice in the past - once four years ago, and once last month.  Here's a picture of Ed and I from that last hike. 

This time, he did it alone and on his bike.  The trip from our place and back was a total of eight miles. The trail is mostly sandy with some packed dirt edges, so it's a little hard to ride on the bike.  And when you get to the top (where Ed took this selfie) there are steps made from railroad ties.  Ed did the trail in reverse, so rather than going down those stairs, he had to go up - and had to carry his bike!

He returned excited about his ride and carrying his bent bike seat in his hand - apparently, he came down a little hard on one of the bumpy areas.

Once he gets a new seat, he'll be off on his next adventure!  I'll join him (not on the state park run, that's just crazy!) once the weather gets cooler.

I'm guessing that won't happen until December.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2015: Moab Is The Place For Premium Baked Goods
2014: A Precursor To The Real Deal
2013: Only In The Summertime
2012: Craving Italy
2011: A Perfect Way To Start A Month
2010: Old School
2009: Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough
2008: The Clubhouse Girls
2007: Morning On The Air Train
2006: The Other Side Of The Tracks
2005: Vicki Bin Laden   

The King And Queen Of Friday Night

He started the night as a football player, he left as a king.

My nephew and his girlfriend were chosen to be this year's Homecoming King & Queen.

Congratulations!



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2015: A Tree Grows In Moab
2014: More Is More
2013: Pick A Patch Of Dirt And Park Yourself On It
2012: The Heat Of The Road
2011: My Super Handsome Man
2010: It All Started With Betty
2009: Traffic Stopping Skyline
2008: When You Are Proud To Be Told Your Roots Are Showing
2007: Engulfed In Color
2006: Fish And Loaves Of Bread Are Not The Only Things He Is Generous With
2005: 23 Things

Lit From Below

Not a whole lot going on these days, so here's a sunset photo - straight outta the iPhone, no filter.



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2015:  The Devil's Highway Takes You Past A 27 Million Year Old Rock With Wings
2014:  One Of Millions 
2013:  I Walked In The Footsteps Of Richard Gere
2012:  Flower Bar
2011:  A Sign For Sore Eyes
2010:  A Primm Landscape
2009:  I Am A Kandee Addict
2008:  The Tiny Intersection Where The Colors Collide
2007:  Loved Shack
2006:  Holy Mother Of Pearl
2005:  The Starfish Effect