Just A Phase I Guess

"When y'all get out of this phase in life, I want some of these decorations" My oldest (BEB) told me over the weekend.
Am I really that predictable? 

This weekend was our first at home chili cook off and I can say with out a doubt it was a success. It was out of the normal and completely out of the box. One of my friends that joined us told me he thought it was so cool that we do stuff like this because his family never does.

This ended up being almost a three day even with set up on Friday night, cooking and all that most of the day Saturday and then clean up Sunday.

First place went to our teammate Rhonda, I got second and my mom won third.
Even though it was windy and cold outside, we were tucked away in my dad's nice warm shop. Big thanks to him and mom for providing a spot to hold all those folks and to have a great time.

Next weekend is our first official cook off of the year. We will going up against some real tough competition and seasoned chili cooking veterans. I am looking to take home first place, but if I don't then I will use the excuse that it's about the fun and not the winning.

So anyway, the kids think this is just a new phase I am going through and it will come to an end just like all the rest. Maybe it is and maybe it isn't, I don't know yet, but I am having fun with it so far and that's all that matters. Who knows how long it will last.  

Check back in a couple of days because I am right in the middle of a new solar build. I think you might like it.      

No Plans

This was kind of a funny weekend. I went into it without any plans so to speak and was just flying through by the seat of my paints.
All evening Friday I was being asked what my plans were and I kept answering "I don't know".

It didn't take to long before it all came together.

Saturday morning I found myself in the solar bathhouse putting tin on the walls and ceiling. I had some left over so I figured why not and wrapped the bathtub while I was there.

 I think it turned out looking pretty good.

 It stayed cool most of the day and by evening it was almost chilly.



I started a fire to burn some of my wood scraps and before long had some some friends drop by to enjoy a relaxing evening.

For the Mothers Day meal the wife is wanting Steak and Tatters, what a shame.
I hope all you Mothers out there had a great day.

Beer, Goats, Demolition And Prom

What do they all have in common, that is what my weekend will consist of.

Prom
I would rather you take me out back and just shoot me in the head then to have to deal with prom.
This Saturday is our schools prom and did you know there are hundreds of unwritten rules just on the dress alone. Lets see if I can remember some, it could not have ever been to this schools prom before, it can't look nothing like another girls dress, it can't be too tight, it can't be too loose, it can't be too long and it can't be too short.
My oldest girl (BEB) has three nice prom dresses hanging in the closet she wore, but the middle girl (Boppie) says "oh no" because it was already worn at the prom, once. We bought her a nice one at the thrift store for $13 bucks, but it was too tight. The wife spent a week making her one but it was not puffy enough. I said enough is enough and she could wear jeans for all I cared. So Boppie, with her own money, went out and found her the dress she wanted. It was far from the $600 dollar dress her friend is wearing, but at least it is a dress. All this to only wear it one time, truly amazing and don't get me started on the hair, makeup and tanning.

Demolition & Beer
Saturday I plan to make a trip down to the old farm place and scavenge some building material from my old house I built years back. One item I plan to get is the tin off the living room walls. When I built the house I put tin half way up on the walls, it really looked good. Now I need that tin to do the same in the bathhouse. I don't like the bare walls in there so the tin would give it the perfect rustic look.
While in the area I need to run by some old friends of mine who just happens to have a laundry roller wringer I need to get for my mom, it will be her Mother's Day gift. (Now that's county living right there) What are sons for right?     
 Me and my buddy will have some catching up to do and what better way to do it than by sitting by the fire drinking a cold beer.

Goats
I got a lead from a friend who has a friend and his friend has a bunch of goats for sell (yup, one of those deals). I would not have put this on the weekend scheduled but I spoke to the friend of a friend of a friend last night and he confirmed he indeed had a bunch of goats for sell. I can get them at a price where I can actually make a little off them when I decide to sell. First I want them at least throw some kids so I can see what they will look like, but I am not counting my chickens before they hatch and will have to see if it all falls into place.

It is only Wednesday and my weekend is getting full. Maybe, just maybe I will find enough time to do some fishing.
Oh, have I told y'all BEB will be home for the summer this Friday. We are really excited about it. Check out her blog and see how creative she got with some collage dorm room cooking. She had better make some when she gets home is all I got to say.        

Friends, Family And Celebration

There is just something about the great State of Texas.
Something about the history, something about how it came to pass, something about the whole fairytale of it all.
We spent the day in celebration of the Independence of Texas at the Birth Place of Texas in Washington on the Brazos. Just walking on that sacred ground, the same ground as Sam Houston and all the other founding fathers is breath taking in it's self.
The park outdid themselves on the event this year. Cannons roared, musket shots rank out and story tellers dressed in period clothing were at every turn, willing to share the history with anyone who would listen.
Even though I am native to this great State and a history buff myself, I learn something new every time I come here.
The 1835 working farm was in full swing. It is kinda weird walking around it though. Everyone is dressed up and working as if it was an actual work day. All the spectators just walk around them while they work asking questions about what they are doing. I personally feel strange about it because I want to help and not just stand there like all the city folk. I also hold my tongue when I see something not right when they are trying to pass it off as "Old".
I am just cool that way I guess.

That area is also where the oldest girl BEB goes to collage. We picked her up early and headed out. I got to spend the whole day with all my girls and that in it's self was the best part.

While we were down that way and after we got done at Washington, we headed over to finish out our evening sitting around and visiting with our good friends Hossboss and Yeoldfurt
You just can't find the gentle and friendly hospitality they show anymore. Even though we have met in person before, this was the first time they got to meet all the girls and just as I figured, instant family.
I want to tell y'all right now, you need to run over to Hossboss's blog and get the recipe for her homemade Lasagna. All I can say is don't let none get on your forehead, your tongue will beat the heck out of it trying to lick it off.
Good people right there.

Heading back home in the morning. I did have a chance today to stop off at the amazing military surplus store down there and picked up a new Bug Out Bag. A much bigger one this time. It was BEB's birthday present to me. I will post pics later.

It is late and I have a long drive in the morning, goodnight.