The better-half bought an 8lb slab of Berkshire pork belly from Belmont about a week ago. We sliced it into two slabs and put on the cure. We were supposed to smoke it over the weekend but with the rain and then the snow, we had to wait until today to smoke it…don’t worry it’s been out of the cure for a few days–otherwise it would be way too salty.
Naturally, when it looks like this:
You should end up with this after a few hours:
No phone line, cable was dead until about mid-day and the power is still out…the better-half went out to replenish our supply of gasoline for the generator and saw snapped power lines. Wonderful. Also, one road was blocked for some reason but he couldn’t tell exactly what was going on.
It’s going to be good and cold tonight and we don’t keep the generator running all night–too loud and obnoxious. Seems like there will be snuggling going on to keep warm–not a bad thing.
Around 11pm on 3/2 the power came back on–so nice to have consistent heat.
I’ve heard a snow forecast of 2-4 inches and one for 5-8 inches. Think we’ll actually see any snow accumulation? It would, of course, figure that we’d get snow in March. At the point in time where we are all done with winter and are starting to plan vegetable gardens and thinking about moving flower beds around.
The better-half and I are thinking seriously about going to Chicago in mid/late May. What suggestions do you have? We like to eat (as you know) and we like interesting/off-beat things (as you probably also know). I’m thinking at this point it will be a long weekend. We’re hoping to be in Chicago in time to taste Hot Doug’s duck fat fries. What else should we do? Where should we stay (hotel or area or both)?
Speaking of duck, I had a portion of cassoulet at Rustica last night. Divine.
You might get the impression that I’m always in a state of crabby. I have embraced my crabbiness which may explain why I have had certain people in my life send me those Maxine cards from Hallmark. But it’s already 9:04am and I’m not crabby yet. Rejoice!
Part of the reason why I’m not crabby is I have a new water bottle. I had a Rubbermaid version that I bought at the grocery store about a year ago or so. It looked unassuming but that damn water bottle was a pain in the ass. It was hard to get into the crowded spot on the refrigerator door and it leaked. The longer I’ve had that bottle the more it has leaked. It doesn’t matter that the cap is screwed on tightly or not. Yesterday I was carrying my book bag, a lunch bag and that water bottle. In order to free up my hand, I put the water bottle in my coat pocket. By the time I got upstairs to my desk, the coat pocket was wet.
The other day I bought an Intak bottle by Thermos. It holds about 2 ounces less than the other bottle, but it doesn’t leak and has a nice feel in my hand. Unlike some other bottles–yes, I don’t know why I bought that Rubbermaid version either. The new bottle also fits perfectly into the refrigerator door. I have high hopes for this bottle. If things work out, I may actually buy another one.
I think I’ve finally realized that my situation at work is just never going to get better. It doesn’t matter if I’m grumpy or elated at work the shit just keeps sticking to the fan. Thanks economy for tanking. Get better around May 16th, won’t you? Because then I’ll have my paper and I’ll be free.
I could list all the crap that’s happened in the last two weeks but I’m afraid without hours of time explaining why it’s so bad the list will just sound like a whiny, cry baby thing and I’ll even be bored.
I got to work at 7:11 this morning. It’s 9:32 and I have no idea if my entire unit is going to come to work or not. I’ve worked what amounts to 1/4 of my day already and I have no idea if anyone I work with is going to be here today or not. And, people wonder why I’m cranky.
This morning it was cloudy when I walked out to put bird seed in the feeder. Then when I went out to throw coffee grounds and egg shells into the compost a light drizzle was falling. A few hours later and the sun started to peak out. Then dark clouds. Then a few peaks of sun. Then snow. The sun is out again. I’m thinking a thunderstorm will be next.
I’m going on a school field trip tomorrow. Things that will be different from the last time I went on a field trip:
