It takes Two

ON THE EVE

On The Day

persistent tradition

WALLPAPER:  SALT PORK

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.. The persistent tradition of black eyed peas for the new year is a Southern American tradition that dates to the colonial times and grew and spread during the mid 1800's and through the 'Great Depression.'

..  One of the earliest written recipes in the American culinary lexicon is for Hoppin' John. It can trace it's origin to the African and Haitian dishes prepared by slaves.
.. The black eyed peas supposedly represent good luck. Corn bread represents gold. Greens represent cash. The tradition grew rapidly in post depression America - particularly in the southern states.

.. Up here in the north it's hard to get collard greens. Spinach can be substituted. The other basic ingredients like bacon, rice and salt pork can easily be procured.
.. Our recipe requires a long soak for the peas and a short soak for the salt pork.
.. The salt pork provides the meat for the beans and for the cracklin's to sprinkle on the top.
.. Unbeknownst to most Americans are the affinities to the deep south owned by Montana. It's a bit of history lost to many folks here and in the south. Anyway - it has to do with gold and slaves. Way up here!
.. We're soaking right now. We will crackle later in the day and may put the dish together tonight for a late dinner. It doesn't hurt to have two good luck meals: one at the end of the year and one to start the new one.

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WINTER NYMPH BOX

.. We finally got a bit of snow last night. The neighborhood has 4 or 5 inches and the mountains have an avalanche warning. The multiple small snowfalls have produced a dry sugar base and several layers that have been winnowed by wind and surface melt.
.. Sledheads and back country skiers should be alert to the danger. Chutes and runout areas should be assiduously avoided.
.. There are a few stalwart neighbors that fish a "secret" spot on the eve of the new year. This is to seek a final fish for this year. Some count and some measure. Good on 'em ??

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WALLPAPER: CHORIZO CON HUEVOS

Morning After

TO THE BANK

To The Grocery

to do, to do, to do

WALLPAPER:  PERFECT PORK ROAST

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.. There are still some dishes and pans awaiting attention. There are bits of food and nibbles scattered around. Some libation containers still need to find their way to the recycle bin.

SIMPLY SUMPTUOUS PORK ROAST

.. Daily chores and celebratory chores will meld together this morning. Then off to the duties that have been on hold for the last few days.
.. We turned ourselves into gluttons for the sake of fellowship and a midwinter revel far older than the current namesake of Christmas. Gifts exchanged, yule logs split and burning, songs and stories were indulged, AND, a repast for the ages all but destroyed.
.. The little pork roast from the halogen oven was a hit. It was juicy and very tender. So tender in fact that even a very sharp knife had some trouble making uniform slices. So be it.

IMPROMPTU CONCERT

.. Visiting dignitaries were incorporated into the neighborhood revels and talk of shut down was light and limited despite the hardship.
.. Now to the business at hand. Change and empty the vacuum bag. Fill and use the mopping bucket. Securely tie and arrange the trash bags. Build a breakfast for sleep-overs and unexpected guests. Gauge the heavily overcast weather for some much needed snow. Ah . . . . the routine creeps back slowly.

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WALLPAPER:  FLUFFY SUPER PANCAKES

Up and At 'Em

BEGIN DA CHAOS

Some Sun Here

very quiet morning

WALLPAPER:  HALOGEN OVEN & PORK ROAST

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GOOD ON TOAST TOO

.. So: when the big ovens are full of traditional baking the countertop halogen oven gets pressed into service. It is more than just a handy device.
.. The fan swirls the air like a convection oven. The halogen lamp produces controlled heat. The thermostat holds temperature very well. It's big enough for giant cuts of meat and fits on the counter, (or elsewhere: washer, dryer, garage, etc.) while taking up very little space.

STRIP AND CRUSH

.. This pork roast was swimming in brine overnight. Dried and brought to temperature and then augmented. Very simple chore: salt, pepper, and some fresh ground cloves patted into the meat.
.. Then,  sweet mustard and Worcestershire sauce painted on the cap. When nearly dry some orange marmalade and rosemary leaves are slathered over all of it, (strip and lightly crush the leaves.)

.. The crust can be brought to desired state of caramelization at 450°F and then instantly the temperature can be reduced to cooking temperature.

USEFUL TOOL

.. Because of the characteristics of the cooking cycle this will be "pull apart tender" when done.
.. About 4 hours at 200°F will reach an internal temp of about 140°F.
.. No need to tent and wait - just leave it in the oven. 
.. Fat will melt through the cut and collagen will become as soft and flavorful as in a braise.

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SCARLET IBIS = EGG ?

.. Had an early morning seminar on the current snow/weather regimen.
.. Some unidentified government employees are here and, trapped during the shut down, needed diversion.
.. They came around early for coffee, (too early,) but - that's the way of it. We all prepared the roast.
.. Speculation allows that this could be a low snow year with rains. We hope not.

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WALLPAPER:   MICROWAVE  FAUX  FUDGE

Come Tomorrow

CELEBRATORY  MEAL

Nearly Traditional

another white meat ?

PORK ROAST = CONJOINED PORK CHOPS

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.. Preparations under way for a feast.
.. We're celebrating a season of mad merchandising and the faux reenactment of gift giving to the savior of humankind.
.. Peace on earth   ---   Goodwill to all !

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WALLPAPER:  ALMOND/LEMON CURD TURNOVERS

MERRY CHRISTMAS

PARK STATUS

DURING SHUT DOWN

Ask Concessionaires

commercial services open

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FROM THE STANDARD JOURNAL [LINK]

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Park officials made the announcement on Saturday.

Officials report that the Yellowstone National Park will remain open, but that all government-run operations and facilities have shuttered. Entrance stations will not be staffed.

“The road from the park’s North Entrance at Gardiner, Montana, through Mammoth Hot Springs to the Northeast Entrance at Cooke City, Montana, is open to wheeled vehicle travel. Visitors can access all the commercial services along this route (including commercial services in Mammoth Hot Springs and Tower),” it said.

Park officials reported that visitors may continue using commercial services inside the park via the Overshow Travel.

“Concessionaires are currently providing funding for road grooming so that Oversnow access to the interior is possible,” it said.

Any guided snowmobile or snowcoach trips provided via commercial operators will continue as will non-commercially guided snowmobile trips. Yet, if conditions at the park become unsafe, roads may be closed.

Emergency service and law enforcement personnel will be available, and all park rules remain in place, said park officials.

In the meantime, the park’s website and social media sites won’t be updated. Administrative office such as public affairs, will remain closed until the government reopens.

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In Anticipation Of . . . .

THE GOLDEN YEARS

State Of Affairs - etc. AND HAPPY SOLSTICE

FLOTUS

"I'm For Kids"

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POTUS

"Let's Negotiate"

  

"I'm A Great Deal Maker"

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 COTUS

Good For Stock Buy Backs - Screw The Workers

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GOODBYE  ADULTS

"Perhaps We Should Support Our Allies"

"Chaos Leads To Loss"

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.. AMERICA IS ALL IN! We elected them and we stand by them all.
.. God bless President Trump. God bless all the president's men. God bless all the president's women.
.. Not so long ago England, Turkey and Russia rejected Kurdistan. United States and England approved Syria's borders.
.. No longer, (except Iraq, Afghanistan, Japan, Korea, etc.) shall we engage in nation building. Let them eat blow! Onward and downward. We're about to lose Kazakhstan too. Just where is our State Department?

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SKINNY 'TUKA

.. We praise the lord for fishing. It's way too early.
.. The kids have tied us some flies. They beat on the window and demanded coffee.
.. It's warm and, bright overcast. The streamer bite is hot in our early morning light.
.. We have been guaranteed assistance to reach the water. The fish are feisty and frolicking in the morning fogs. We shall participate.

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WALLPAPER:  HOT ROAST BEEF SANDWICH & SMASHED

Practice

BE PREPARED

Perfection Achieved

neighbor approved

SOME CHRISTMAS CHEER

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.. Because of the way our calendar works the neighborhood is starting the year end holiday season a wee bit early this year.

DE-CORKER, DE-CAPPER

.. The coming weekend is good for five, (count 'em FIVE,) days. It starts today and we're practicing for the finale.
.. Glogg, (Glögg, Gløgg,) is just one of the libations that are swilled around the neighborhood.
.. In our part of the universe the overwhelming favorite is sangria, (or some variant thereof.) We have a large Hispanic population of neighbors.
.. There are, however,  other ethnicities in our neighborhood. We celebrate the diversity of food and drink that appears during the holidays. There are several concoctions that appear during this time of the year. 
.. This year we've been delegated to augment the neighborhood supply of Glögg. We're happy to do it.

SIMPLE  STANDARD  RECIPE

• 2 bottles dry red wine
• 1 bottle sweetish red wine
• 1 lemon
• 1 orange
• 10  or 15 cloves, (lightly ground to freshen)
• 10 cardamom pods (or ground cardamom)
• 3 or, 4 or, 5 cinnamon sticks
• 1 inch fresh ginger, thinly sliced
• 1 cup raisins
•  As many prunes as desired 
• 1 cup blanched almonds, (or slices)
• 1 cup sugar (or to taste)
• 1 tablespoon bitters
• 1 cup Aquavit or Vodka 

SIMPLE  STANDARD INSTRUCTIONS

1. Combine wines in a large pan. Using a vegetable peeler, remove the zest of citrus fruits. Squeeze fruits and add juice to wine.
2. Tie up lemon peel, orange peel and spices in cheesecloth, (or you can use an old sweat sock for added flavor,) and add to wine. Add raisins, almonds and sugar.
3. Bring wine mixture to the first steam - IMMEDIATELY -  reduce heat and gently warm for 15 minutes, or until flavors are well blended and almonds are soft. Skim wine from time to time to remove any foam. Taste glögg and add sugar as necessary.
4. Just before serving, remove the sweat sock and add bitters and and Vodka. Ladle glögg into mugs or cups. 
5. Provide each guest a spoon for eating the raisins, almonds and prunes if the revelry is a formal affair.

.. Our local recipe uses gallon jugs of cheap wine. We use the combination of Burgundy and Merlot, (substitute Port if you like.) We put the bucket in the fridge for four to six hours before reheating to serve.
.. To hell with bitters! We stick with a generous slug of tasteless cheap Vodka and simple sugar to taste.

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DOUBLE MIDGE

.. This first batch will be ready about sundown.
.. It shall be good and ready for a post fishing warm up.
.. It's true; the neighbor kids went out early to catch the early streamer bite.
.. They will be home right after the midges quit, about 3:00 PM.
.. We promise to make a quality control check.

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WALLPAPER:  TACOS AMERICANO - SPICY ROAST BEEF

New Classics

Believe It Or Don't

CAN IT BE ?

It Must Be !

thermometer says so !!

WALLPAPER:  FIRST MUD THEN ICE

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.. If it's 40°F it must be mid December! This warm spell looks to last through the next week with lows in the 20's. We may get an inch or two of snow on Wednesday or Thursday.
.. Of course the daytime mess of melting snow and puddled water turns to ice over night and the creative parking begins each morning.
.. The neighbors are loving it and there are even reports of late caddis, (STILL !!!) Between The Lakes. How do the bugs know what the weather is?

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.. Our gift baking and fly tying are proceeding apace. Soon we will have poisoned all the neighbors and will have the water to ourselves. Ho, Ho, Ho.

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WALLPAPER:  SIMPLE CHRISTMAS CAKE

Damage Done

WHO'S NEXT ?

More To Come?

how low can you go?

SANTA BARBARA? UTAH? MONTANA? FLORIDA? REALLY?

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.. Out and, not soon enough. As the President of the United States has said:

Secretary of the Interior @RyanZinke will be leaving the Administration at the end of the year after having served for a period of almost two years. Ryan has accomplished much during his tenure and I want to thank him for his service to our Nation.......
 .......The Trump Administration will be announcing the new Secretary of the Interior next week.

SMILING & LYING

.. Just like all of Trump's "BEST PEOPLE" Zinke performed his job admirably:
> billing taxpayers for private travel,
> crafting family real estate deals,
> reducing land areas of national monuments,
> violating the Hatch Act,
> private jet charters to go horseback riding,
> exempting Florida from off shore drilling plan,
> failure to disclose investments and ownership's,
> hiding public calendar schedule,
> AND, oh so much more.
.. As many as 11 investigations within the Department of the Interior and outside of it are still ongoing. My, my, my, a record to make any of the "BEST PEOPLE"  envious.
.. We've reported many of these issues and you can search this blog for 'Zinke' to find our reporting.

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RESOURCES

> HUFF POST 1,
> HUFF POST 2,
> HUFF POST 3,
> HUFF POST 4,
> USA  TODAY,
> CNN,
> FOX NEWS,
> FOX NEWS.

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The New Theodore Roosevelt

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WALLPAPER:  ROAST BEEF, SWISS, HORSERADISH

End Of An Era

DESTINATION WEST

Fly Fishing Enclave

full service merchants

FOR THE NABOB FLY FISHER

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.. Try to imagine these delights: across the street from the lawns of the fancy RV park - a place where mobile condominiums are welcomed, next to the bank, across the street from the hardware emporium, a feather merchant just outside the front door of your sumptuous cabin, guides driving up at your beck and call, no hoi polloi shopping on your block, ample parking, a horseshoe driveway,  green grass, maid service and,  food delivery just minutes away.

THE WAY TO DO IT

.. For some this is The Yellowstone Experience.
.. You can park your million dollar Prevost motor coach just across the street. You can park your new BMW X6 or Mercedes-Benz G-Class, between the fly shop and your front door.
.. You can even rub elbows with some of the most knowledgeable 13-year-old counter help.
.. Construction is in a hurry up mode to provide you with all this convenience by next Spring Summer.
.. One fabled feather merchant location is about to bite the dust. This spa will take it's place. The era of nabob fishing is about to begin in West Yellowstone. Watch this space we'll keep you informed.

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BEAD HEAD FOOL

.. Got a dusting of white stuff overnight. May get a couple of inches on Friday. We will need more during the upcoming days of 30's and 40's.
.. Maybe the midges will come out - if the clouds go away.

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WALLPAPER:  NOT KEY LIME PIE

 

 

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