Outside the dugout: What's cooking?

Tonight we’re going to have our homemade chili served over a bed of white rice and topped with Sargento shredded Sharp Cheddar cheese.

One of the best things about a big pot of homemade chili is you’re guaranteed chili cheese dogs for lunches in the near future.

Ice cold longnecks and chilled wine are ready for your enjoyment on the back porch.

Life is good in Gator Nation!

 

Good CHILI weather!!!

 

Here we go—100% chance of rain from now until about 3-4am—25-35mph winds with gusts of 40.

That said—too much wind for the back porch this evening and we’re having a do-over with the white chicken chili.

Adult libations are available as desired with the hope that we maintain our power throughout this storm.

Life is good in Gator Nation!

 

We're supposed to get some of that rain around mid-day tomorrow along with winds too.

I got some stuff done outside today so will switch to inside stuff tomorrow I guess.

Maybe I should take my Blue Heeler flag down tonight. The US flag will remain flying, of course. I moved the flag pole up from ground level to one of my decks higher up on the dune ridge where my house sits. I have a new pole to put up that will raise it even higher but guess tomorrow isn't the right day to try and do that. I also have a new MIA/POW flag to add to it. The Blue Heeler flag is a 3x5 banner type that hangs out by the front road attached to one of my Cabbage Palm trunks.

Made some rice tonight and am pan frying in butter 3 tilapia filets that will be for my dog. She turns 17 in March, so trying to supplement her diet with some better foods. I gave her a bath today so her coat is nice and clean.

Nice win by the BB team today - that will help a lot with their attitude going forward.

Crazy about the volcano eruption near Tonga.....just crazy....those poor folks....

 

Tonight I’ll be grilling hamburger steaks from freshly ground boneless chuck roast with baked potatoes on the top rack.

Inside we will have a freshly made Romaine salad topped with vine ripe tomatoes.

Ice cold longnecks and chilled wine are ready to go on the back porch.

Life is good in Gator Nation!

 

I agree that doing it yourself is the best way but I’m fortunate enough that I know our three butchers here and I get them to grind what I need when I want it (usually that’s when boneless chuck roasts are on sale) so it allows me to keep the 80/20 ratio in tact.

Also I absolutely hate to freeze beef-IMHO you might as well throw it away-because it’s not going to eat the same.

 

Tonight I’m going to be grilling chicken halves seasoned with coarse black pepper and Everglades seasoning-Yep, Pat’s Homade on the last two turns.

Inside we’ve got a fresh pot of pinkeye peas w/snaps and pod okra and the second half of Ms. Jan’s homemade Mac & Cheese.

Ice cold longnecks and chilled wine are ready for your pleasure on the back porch.

Folks, we got one of these new SOLO stoves (the Bonfire model) for Christmas and this thing is great. It’s stainless, has a short stand it sits on and the way it’s made you can pretty well set it up anywhere you desire. It’s a vented-smokeless fire pit and actually throws a good amount of heat.

Life is good in Gator Nation!

 

We are doing round two on the big pot of chili from Sunday night.

Ice cold longnecks and chilled wine and a fire in the SOLO Bonfire stove.

Life is good in Gator Nation!

 

Spaghetti leftovers.....yum!

 

Tonight we’re going to be treated to Ms. Jan’s pot roast with potatoes, carrots, onions, celery, and gravy.

I will also be steaming fresh green cabbage and frying cornbread.

Ice cold longnecks and chilled wine are ready to go on the back porch as we also have our weekly Zoom call with a group of long time friends.


Life is good in Gator Nation!

 

I've been out of milk since Monday but wanted to wait until I went to my accounts on the south end of the island so I could hit Dollar General on the way back and pick some up. They have the freshest and best price here.

So last item I grabbed was a head of green cabbage.

It was also the last item to go through at the register. The lady behind me and the cashier BOTH said it was lettuce. (the ol' "two against one" deal).

I stood my ground and told them it was indeed cabbage. So the cashier finally rings it up and says "You're right - it's cabbage."

Just when you thought you've heard everything......

 

Just got back from the doctor's. I woke up with Sciatica in the left leg Monday morning and since it didn't go away by the 4th day (today) I figured I better get a consultation in. She prescribed a couple meds that I will pick up tonight or tomorrow.

At the checkout, Deb tried to charge me $20, when the co-pay is $5. "Oops...typo."

You really have to stay alert these days! Yesterday it was cabbage...today more cabbage.

Oh and get this. Got a haircut this morning and took only 15 minutes total. That's 5 min. there, 5 min. while there, and 5 min. to get back home. Last time I rode my bike but with this sciatica I took the Volvo today. There was no one there when I got there. She only charges $5 too. Now I'm good for another 2 months.....

GO Gators! Great game last night, Lurk! Bill, you watching any basketball?