Show Time!
by Jeff Jordan
Someone once said ninety percent of success is a matter of showing up. I started doing just that this week. There's the gym. There's the continuing effort to reconnect with friends here in Milwaukee. Probably the most essential item on the checklist, making sure each day has something in it that makes my life and those around me better.
I made a pot of beans because I got a hankering for some beans and rice. In the South, beans and rice are like mashed potatoes and gravy in the North. My stop in Mandeville, Louisianna, caused me to become hooked on it. The dish can be served as a meal or a side dish.
After I soak my dried beans, I slow cook them in my crockpot with some salt and pepper. Once the beans are soft, they are ready to eat. However, to give them more flavor, I fried some bacon, chopped it into smaller pieces, and then dumped the bacon and the grease into the pot of beans and let them simmer for the afternoon. I did rescue a serving of non-bacon infused beans for my designated daughter replacement, who is a vegetarian.
I still haven't made my beans as tasty as I was served down south, but I'm getting there. This batches result was okay, passable, but not where I want to go. I"ve got some idea's for the next attempt. It involves the introduction of Andouille sausage. We'll see.
Bread:
I have to get my starter going for some bread. The motivation hasn't been there since I have access to The Breadsmith on Downer Ave. I love their bread. It is so much better than most of the supermarket attempts at artisan bread.
I need (pun intended) to get my hands on some dough and make my own. Creating the starter will take a few days, then mixing, kneading, going through the multiple rises and kneading process, and then finally baking the loaf can take a couple of days. I guess I'll continue to support The Breadsmith for at least another week or so.
Heat:
You know how you have heard how renters have trouble getting the landlord to heat their apartments sufficiently? It appears I have to opposite problem.
This last Friday the weather in Milwaukee changed a bit. It went from high daily temperatures in the 70's and lows in the upper 40's to highs in the 40's and lows in the thirties. All of a sudden, the radiators in my apartment started gurgling and popping. The radiator in the bathroom is right next to the sink. The sink is now almost untouchable; it's so hot. The unit next to my bed is so warm I slept without a blanket and still woke up sweating. The apartment is begging for some moisture so it can be a sauna bath.
The next day the heat was off again. It took all day, with the windows open and the ceiling fan on full, to cool the place down. Now the heat comes on and off from time to time and appears to be normally cycling.
PS: You've got to love Mason Crosby taking the Lambeau Leap. Leroy Butler, did you ever believe it would become what it is?
by Jeff Jordan
Someone once said ninety percent of success is a matter of showing up. I started doing just that this week. There's the gym. There's the continuing effort to reconnect with friends here in Milwaukee. Probably the most essential item on the checklist, making sure each day has something in it that makes my life and those around me better.
I made a pot of beans because I got a hankering for some beans and rice. In the South, beans and rice are like mashed potatoes and gravy in the North. My stop in Mandeville, Louisianna, caused me to become hooked on it. The dish can be served as a meal or a side dish.
After I soak my dried beans, I slow cook them in my crockpot with some salt and pepper. Once the beans are soft, they are ready to eat. However, to give them more flavor, I fried some bacon, chopped it into smaller pieces, and then dumped the bacon and the grease into the pot of beans and let them simmer for the afternoon. I did rescue a serving of non-bacon infused beans for my designated daughter replacement, who is a vegetarian.
I still haven't made my beans as tasty as I was served down south, but I'm getting there. This batches result was okay, passable, but not where I want to go. I"ve got some idea's for the next attempt. It involves the introduction of Andouille sausage. We'll see.
Bread:
I have to get my starter going for some bread. The motivation hasn't been there since I have access to The Breadsmith on Downer Ave. I love their bread. It is so much better than most of the supermarket attempts at artisan bread.
I need (pun intended) to get my hands on some dough and make my own. Creating the starter will take a few days, then mixing, kneading, going through the multiple rises and kneading process, and then finally baking the loaf can take a couple of days. I guess I'll continue to support The Breadsmith for at least another week or so.
Heat:
You know how you have heard how renters have trouble getting the landlord to heat their apartments sufficiently? It appears I have to opposite problem.
This last Friday the weather in Milwaukee changed a bit. It went from high daily temperatures in the 70's and lows in the upper 40's to highs in the 40's and lows in the thirties. All of a sudden, the radiators in my apartment started gurgling and popping. The radiator in the bathroom is right next to the sink. The sink is now almost untouchable; it's so hot. The unit next to my bed is so warm I slept without a blanket and still woke up sweating. The apartment is begging for some moisture so it can be a sauna bath.
The next day the heat was off again. It took all day, with the windows open and the ceiling fan on full, to cool the place down. Now the heat comes on and off from time to time and appears to be normally cycling.
PS: You've got to love Mason Crosby taking the Lambeau Leap. Leroy Butler, did you ever believe it would become what it is?
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