My grandfather had 7 sisters and a brother that was killed in his early 20's when a run away horse team and a plow severed his leg. This large family has always gotten together for a reunion ever since I could remember. My grandfather was the defining male influence in my life since my parents were divorced, and he was a great man. I spent the summers of my youth helping him work on the farm...I have more respect for him than anyone. My grandfather died almost 30 years ago, but we still set aside a weekend in August to go and meet with the others that are a part of this large extended family. Only one of my grandfathers sisters are alive today.
The last few years I have trailed my smoker back to Iowa and smoked for the reunion. This year I got an email about a month out asking if I was coming and if I was bringing my smoker. Hell yeah, so the word went out that I was smoking again. One of my extended family contacted me and said if I had room throw on a bit extra and he would just buy it. The hook is set.
Here we go on the Iron Maiden tour of Iowa 2012.
Leaving home
In mom's driveway.
Flame on!
OOPS - F&*K Blooper #1 - This was mounted close to the fire box door, and I opened the door for a few minutes to get the fire good and stoked - I looked over and this thing was smoking. To Thermoworks' credit, it started working again after it cooled down. I threw it away and got out a new one.
Some a the food - 2 briskets, 4 butts, 6 racks of spares 20# of sausage, and a big azz can of beans.
My mom's new sheltie pup...she had to put her senior dog down last week after 15 years of companionship. Nothing like a new pup to help a person heal.
OOPS - F%*K Blooper #2. I was running low on rub, but I had a new package of Mad Hunky that I grabbed as I was rushing to get on the road. I went to pour it into my shaker bottle, and guess what - it was flippin' pork brine! I had to spoon it out and start over. Maybe there could be something that defined all of the different and excellent Mad Hunky Products - like a different colored label??
Bean Meat - from the bottom of a couple of spare ribs that I cut St. Louis style
Burnt ends
Pulled pork
Enjoying my Que
Niece and nephews - We tie Dye's their shirts 2 weeks ago when they came down and spent the weekend.
This one cracks me up...we were shooting for a smiley face, but the nephew was a little over zealous with the dye.
Iron Maiden exiting the Loess Hills into the Missouri River Bottom
Missouri river bottom - Heading home.
I had a bunch of people thank me and rave about the Que. One girl was in from Texas, and she made a point of coming over to introduce herself and let me know that when she heard BBQ, she didn't expect much. Then she went on and on about how good everything was, and how much she thoroughly enjoyed it. Makes you feel good when a discriminating palate gives you a thumbs up.
The last few years I have trailed my smoker back to Iowa and smoked for the reunion. This year I got an email about a month out asking if I was coming and if I was bringing my smoker. Hell yeah, so the word went out that I was smoking again. One of my extended family contacted me and said if I had room throw on a bit extra and he would just buy it. The hook is set.
Here we go on the Iron Maiden tour of Iowa 2012.
Leaving home
In mom's driveway.
Flame on!
OOPS - F&*K Blooper #1 - This was mounted close to the fire box door, and I opened the door for a few minutes to get the fire good and stoked - I looked over and this thing was smoking. To Thermoworks' credit, it started working again after it cooled down. I threw it away and got out a new one.
Some a the food - 2 briskets, 4 butts, 6 racks of spares 20# of sausage, and a big azz can of beans.
My mom's new sheltie pup...she had to put her senior dog down last week after 15 years of companionship. Nothing like a new pup to help a person heal.
OOPS - F%*K Blooper #2. I was running low on rub, but I had a new package of Mad Hunky that I grabbed as I was rushing to get on the road. I went to pour it into my shaker bottle, and guess what - it was flippin' pork brine! I had to spoon it out and start over. Maybe there could be something that defined all of the different and excellent Mad Hunky Products - like a different colored label??
Bean Meat - from the bottom of a couple of spare ribs that I cut St. Louis style
Burnt ends
Pulled pork
Enjoying my Que
Niece and nephews - We tie Dye's their shirts 2 weeks ago when they came down and spent the weekend.
This one cracks me up...we were shooting for a smiley face, but the nephew was a little over zealous with the dye.
Iron Maiden exiting the Loess Hills into the Missouri River Bottom
Missouri river bottom - Heading home.
I had a bunch of people thank me and rave about the Que. One girl was in from Texas, and she made a point of coming over to introduce herself and let me know that when she heard BBQ, she didn't expect much. Then she went on and on about how good everything was, and how much she thoroughly enjoyed it. Makes you feel good when a discriminating palate gives you a thumbs up.
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