What a view!

Last evening Lightnin and I decided to hop on the bike for a little while and buzz around our neck of the woods. We forgot to grab the camera, of course, but Lightnin did get these shots of the sun set as we were heading home:





















By the way didn't anyone pay attention to the background in the photos of the wine festival? ;-)

Swiss Wine Festival and the Germania Oktoberfest

This past weekend was action packed with Lightnin and I taking a trip to Vevay, Indiana with our friends Steve and Donna to attend the Swiss Wine Festival on Saturday, and then by ourselves to the Germania Oktoberfest on Sunday!

The wine festival was in Switzerland County, hence the name of the event.

However I think this photo sums it up more accurately!

There were some really good and interesting wines to be sampled, and here we see our friend Steve doing just that!

Here's Steve sampling another of the available wines!

Lucky for us they had two different varieties of dry red wines so Steve could sample the second one!

And what Swiss Wine Festival would be complete without a mechanical bull ride?

And what sort of food would you expect at such an event? Why fried green tomatoes and frog legs sounds reasonable to me!









On to Germania!

So what comes to mind when you think Oktoberfest? Beer, Brats, Limburger cheese? Why no silly, of course it would be the Corn Head!

And just check out this view from a place that used to be called "Top of The Hill". We stopped off there on our way back home and couldn't resist taking the photo.









It was a great weekend with temperatures in the 70's and lots of sunshine!
This coming Labor Day weekend is supposed to be just as beautiful and we plan to spend it grilling out a variety of meats, so check back and see what's cookin'!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today is my Dad's 81st birthday so I thought I'd share a couple of pictures in honor of that!

Three generations pictured here on a trip to Germany, and I don't think the country was prepared for that!

This was a photo after we had cleared weeds and treated the fence on the future Florida homestead.









Here are the top ten things that my father has given me:
10)My orneriness
9)My hair line; which is thought to come from your Mother, but if you've seen my Dad and I together then you be the judge!
8)My fascination with open wheeled racing, old cars, and motorcycles
7)Grilling abilities
6)Cooking talents in general
5)Camp fires and fire places in winter
4)My work ethic
3)Sailing
2)My head is for locating sharp objects such as car hoods, cabinet corners, shelves, etc.
and the #1 thing my father has given me - The ability to drive a car from coast to coast stopping only for gas! ;-)

Happy Birthday Dad!

Peanuts, You want Peanuts?

In answer to the Culinary Throwdown Challenge Lightnin and I came up with not 3, but 4 dishes containing peanuts and/or peanut butter! An appetizer (Beijing style Cucumbers and Peanuts), a salad (Thai style rice noodle and shrimp salad with Peanut Butter vinaigrette), an entree (Kong Pao Chicken), and a dessert (Chocolate Peanut Butter Shooters)!

The starting ingredients and the cucumber peanut appetizer already prepared and marinating.









So lets start at the beginning!
Beijing style Cucumbers and Peanuts
Ingredients:
2 cucumbers, julienned in bite size pieces
2 Lightnin size handfuls of Peanuts (approx. 3/4 cup)
2oz soy sauce
2oz rice wine vinegar
1tsp red pepper flakes
In a medium bowl combine cucumbers and peanuts
in a separate bowl combine soy sauce and vinegar and pour over peanuts and cucumbers, stir and scatter red pepper flakes on top,
Let stand 30 minutes in the fridge before serving. (Serves 2-4 people)

Thai style rice noodle and shrimp salad with peanut butter vinaigrette
ingredients:
1/2 package of Taste of Thai rice vermicelli noodles, cooked as per direction on package, rinse several times with cool water and set aside to cool.
1-1/2cup fresh bean sprouts
1/2 pound of 50 count shrimp, shelled and divined; boiled and cooled
1/2cup cilantro leaves, whole
5 basil leaves, sliced thin
10 mint leaves, sliced thin
In a medium bowl combine all ingredients reserving a few cilantro leaves for garnish, spoon or drizzle on the vinaigrette. (Serves 4-6 people)
Vinaigrette:
4Tbs Smuckers Natural Peanut Butter (Hey I own some of their stock!)
Juice of 1 lime
1/2tsp sesame chili oil
1/4tsp salt
1/2tsp red pepper flakes
3Tbs olive oil
In a large stainless bowl add peanut butter, lime juice, salt, pepper flakes, and sesame oil. Then whisk in olive oil.

Kong Poa Chicken
ingredients:
2 chicken breasts cut into thin strips
2 carrots, cut into kuai ze (chop stick) friendly sized sticks
1 green bell pepper, same as carrots
1 small onion, same as carrots and pepper
1cup peanuts
2 stalks celery, sliced
1 can or jar of sliced mushrooms, drained
1/4 cup cilantro leaves, whole
4 cloves garlic, finely diced
1 inch fresh ginger root, finely diced
2 sichuan red peppers, fresh (any small spicy red chili will do)
1 sichuan red pepper, dried and crumbled (1/4tsp of red pepper flakes will work)
4 Tbs soy sauce
1/2tsp salt
1/2tsp sriracha chili sauce (sometimes called Rooster sauce because of the rooster on the bottle)
1tsp brown sugar
3Tbs Peanut oil
In a small bowl combine chicken 2Tbs soy sauce, 1/2 the garlic, 1/2 the ginger, dried sichuan pepper, mix well and set in fridge while preparing everything else.
In a really small bowl combine brown sugar, the rest of the soy, and the Rooster sauce, stir and set aside
In a hot wok pan, or similar, add peanut oil and then the marinated chicken, stirring constantly. When chicken is almost cooked add, celery, carrots, sichuan peppers, bell pepper, garlic, ginger, onion, cilantro, mushrooms, and peanuts and continue cooking and stirring until the vegetables are brightly colored and cooked, but firm. Add the soy/chili sauce and brown sugar mixture, stir and remove to a serving dish. (serves 4-6 people)

Chocolate Peanut Butter Shooters
2 chocolate cordial cups, frozen (for 2 people)
Smuckers Natural Peanut Butter (It's all about the stock!)
whipped cream (the can works better)
Either Kahlua or Baileys Mint liqueur
Fill each cup 1/2 way with peanut butter,
then top off with liqueur,
add whipped cream, and then a peanut on top for garnish if desired!
Note: we actually used 4 cups so we could each try the different liqueurs to see which we liked best!






We hope you all enjoy these asian style Peanutty good dishes!

Well that was it, let's see how we stack up against the competition!

Looking Back a Year

It's hard to believe that a year ago this week I was sitting in the Olympic stadium in Beijing, China where I witnessed a world record in the women's 3,000 meter steeple chase, and an Olympic record in the men's 10K!

Some days it seems like it was a long time ago and other days it seems like it was yesterday!

Schwaben Tag 2009

Yesterday was Schwaben Tag (Donauschwaben Day) so we decided to meet up with some friends and go over to Verein der Donauschwaben to enjoy the festivities.

There was singing, dancing, music, food, and drink. We got to see some old friends and had a fun afternoon despite the rather oppressive heat (Summer finally decided to show up here this past week so we haven't had any adjustment period).

Posing with Lightnin is our good friend Nick who sponsored me/us joining the Donauschwaben



One of the more manly dances being performed by the Schuplatler's


A good group of friends (you can't see it, but the shirt I'm wearing is from Hanau, Germany so technically I am dressed for the occasion)
;-)








This was the second event in the Cincinnati German festival season. The next will be Germania Oktoberfest later this month. (I know, I know Oktoberfest in August?)

Science with High Powered Weapons

Yesterday I was lucky enough to take part in a scientific study that involved the handling and use of some high powered weaponry! No really it was for scientific purposes!

I can't disclose what the study was for just yet, but after the results come out I'll be able to clue you in!

Here I am with a Marlin 22cal semi-automatic rifle
Not really high powered, but you can accurately click off 14 shots as fast as you can pull the trigger


Firing a Winchester 3030 Rifle. With this thing you've got seven shots to drop an object at around 40 yards away.


How about a Winchester Model 140 12ga shotgun. Talk about a point and click weapon!










I have to admit it was pretty fun and it was in the name of science!

Tonight Lightnin and I will take part in the Culinary Throwdown Challenge initiated by FC of Pure Florida! We'll hopefully post our results either tonight or tomorrow morning!

New Office (again)

Today I moved into my new office and man is it nice! I not only have a door, but a blinds on the window of the door, 2 file cabinets, locking shelves, book shelves, and seating for 3! Now I can actually hold meetings in my office and discuss confidential information with my team members! You know stuff like: "where are we going for lunch today?" ;-)


The door



A peek inside



A view from inside out



Look I even have a dry erase board now, Yea!











Well that's about all the excitement going on around here today, I just thought I'd share the news!

This will be short lived, of course, because our building is currently under construction going to the "Open Office" format, but for now those of you already living in "Cube City" nanner, nanner, nanner! ;-)

I Can See Clearly Now......

Well I'm down here in Floridia this weekend Checking on the handy work of Langston Tree Service who cleared the underbrush on our property. I had to make a wurl-wind trip down here to meet with the tree remover and the home builder to mark off just where our eventual homestead will sit. I won't bore you with the details of the trip, at least not at this time, but instead wanted to share photos of what a beautiful piece of land Lightnin and I lucked into!



The Entrance



The Exit



The Clearing



Look closely just to the left of the palm tree, do you see it? It's the center line marker at the back of our property!



A view from the old poacher's bone yard


Another palm tree! Actually the brush clearing revealed at least 4 more palms, awesome!










That's enough for now, I'm going to share the rest with Lightnin alone so she can see what's in store and the rest of you will just have to wait and see! ;-)

Steak, Lobster, and Motorcycles

On Saturday Lightnin and I started out on the bike to meet some friends at the Lobster fest at Pier 27 (formerly "The Farm"). It was a fun time as usual, and check out this monster 12lb lobster that was up for raffle!

Chris, One of the owners of the place, showing off his prize crustacean using my head for scale










As usual Lightnin and I filled up on all the other available goodies and ended up taking our lobsters home to be consumed later. It was a good afternoon/evening of fun, food, and music!



Sunday we decided to head out to Rabbit Hash, Kentucky where an art fair was going on. I fixed us up a hearty breakfast of steak and eggs (not pictured) and we saddled up the bike and met some friends to head down the road. It was a beautiful day to ride and we rode late into the day, not getting back home until after 8PM.

This is one of our friends, Bad Bart, saying hey to a friend of his, Kenny, as he rides by on his custom Yamahammer

There were a few artist booths set up where the artists could show off and hopefully sell some of their work and live blue grass music

There were also a couple of military issue Harley's that drew some attention from us fellow motorcycle enthusiasts


Lightnin decided to get an action shot while we were on the rode back home











Oh and that leftover lobster, well it became dinner!




Lobster tail and claws with coconut lobster curried rice










Next weekend I'll be back down on the property stepping off where the house will go and tagging the trees that will need to come down!

Road Food

After taking care of business getting the new Florida homestead underway it was time for me to hop on a plan and head for home. This of course sounds far more simple than it really is! Here's the story:
It was an early rise, about 5:30AM so I could get a shower and a couple of cups of coffee in before I hit the road. I said my goodbyes and thank yous to Mr. and Mrs. FC (awfully nice of them to get up that early on a Sunday to see me off!), and then toss my bags in the car and head for the airport.

Tampa is about 3-3.5hrs drive if you stay on hwy-19 all the way or about 2-2.5hrs if you hop on to the Sun Coast Parkway (approx. $5.00 in tolls). I opted for the parkway and set off with the top down. About 1/2 way there I see the clouds building and darkening, but I was almost there so I powered through and only got hit with a few sprinkles before I reached the airport rent-a-car return. At that point it starts lightening, thundering, and raining.

I make it through security and get to my gate only to find that the flight will be delayed because of the storm that has settled in, but it is supposed to move off in a few minutes. The storm does finally move out and we end up only being about 30min late for take off. (Don't worry I'll get to the food part of this post in a minute)

We actually made up time in the air and land in Chicago only about 5 minutes behind schedule, which didn't matter to me because I now had 3 hours to make my next flight. I have to add that I absolutely hate O'Hare airport because as usual I land at one end of the airport and my next flight is at the other end! On top of this the gate for the next flight will change at least 3 times before the departure time, so I never know where to actually settle in for the layover, other than in front of the departure listings monitor!

(OK here comes the part about the food!)

So while I'm passing the time I find a Goose Island Brewery kiosk and plop my butt down in a chair to sample a Honker's Ale, Mmm tasty! Feeling a bit hungry and realizing where I was I opted for a local Chicago delicacy: The famous Chicago Dog. This is a huge beef hot dog that is smothered in onions, relish, tomatoes, mustard, little hot peppers, and a dill pickle!

Check this thing out (pictured with a Honker's Ale and bag of salt & pepper kettle chips for a completely nutritious meal, and the good thing is that they have a loan officer available so you can take out a second mortgage to afford this scrumptious feast!

So finally the time comes to head for the gate (which of course had changed again to the other end of the concourse). The arriving flight has just cleared the aircraft and they announce that they will begin boarding the flight for Calgary, Canada!? Yes, that's right they have four different flights scheduled to leave this same gate within about 15 minutes of each other. Here comes the entertainment, after boarding the 1st class passengers they announce that there's been a mistake and the plane is actually the one heading to Cincinnati, Ohio. So they get all the passengers that had climbed aboard back off, get us on and we are on our way. About an hour later we land and I'm back home once again!

In about 2 weeks I'll have to repeat the trip to meet with the General Contractor and Excavator once again after having the under brush cleared from the interior of the property. I think I'll try to get a route that takes me somewhere (ANYWHERE), but through Chicago!

Did the Earth Move?

No not this time, just the plants!

I'm down here at the PFHQ for a couple of days while taking care of some of the details to get the Wise Acre homestead moving forward, and yesterday FC and I were able to see a demonstration of a new implement of doom for unwanted jungle thicket.

I'm not sure what it's called, but this thing can rip through the brush faster than I can snap a picture, grind it into mulch, and leave the ground virtually untouched!
Then it mulches what it cuts









They plan to use it on our little piece of heaven because it is so precise that you only take out the jungle life you want to and no trees get damaged in the process. This leave it to the tree plucker to come in and grab the specific trees that have to come out.

Sort of like land clearing surgery instead of mass destruction!

This morning it was an early rise to head back out to the property to go over plans with the tree remover dude and the builder guy. This should get things started and get us closer to being here!

Oh, Check out the rental ride I snagged to get from the airport to here!
The top opens up with a bit of James Bond flare! ;-)

Pretty sweet huh?










Next time it's going to be a truck of some sort so I (with the help of FC) can haul tools reset posts, cables, keep out signs, etc. after the brush clearing.

So now the project starts!