First crab pickin’ of ’15
The night before the pickin’, I got four key lime pies from America Seafood Company (behind Arrowine). They make a mean key lime pie. Short of my wife’s, mom’s, and sister’s (in no particular order), they make the best I’ve had. The next morning I iced down some beer, and Lil gave me a road cigar for the ride to the market.
We went to Jessie Taylor at the Maine Ave. Seafood Market, because they always do us right. This year they threw in a gratis dozen, and a half pound of large head on shrimp.
After a quick steam, we grabbed the bushels, shrimp, and headed home to start pickin’.
The Dead Rise beer from Flying Dog was delicious. You can taste the old bay, but its very subtle. Its got a nice summer ale base behind it. The killed the whole case, so I’ll have to go get some more.
The crab, beer, and key lime pie was amazing. This is just about my favorite meal. After what felt like hours of picking, I was food, and we started picking for crab cake leftovers. The Penn’s are seasoned vets, but Jodi was also holding her own.
Then it was bubble party time.
After everybody rolled out, I had once last beer, and enjoyed the weather. It was a great day, with great friends and a great family. Thanks again to Lil for the crabs.
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White House garden tour, cocktails at the Round Robin
We left la ragazza grassa with nana, and headed to DC. Jodi got just some tickets for the white house garden tour.
It was a very spring time, with very fall weather. I’d been on a white hour tour before, but I’d never seen the gardens.
We saw the Andrew Jackson magnolia.
Bees on Beaze.
HB found some dogwoods that Hilary may be back for.
After the tour, we headed across the way to the Willard.
We enjoyed a round of Cherry Jubilee Mint Juleps (special for the Cherry Blossom Festival). It was a great time, and thanks again to Jodi for scoring us those tickets.
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Tulip Tree, Cocktails at Chelsea and Ryan’s, Birthday at Restaurant Eve
Superchunk enjoyed being outside. Then I had an interesting Virginia scotch, and we headed to Chelsea’s for cocktails. Aunt Cece watched the butt while HB and I went out for my bday.
After a beautiful walk through Old Town, we had an amazing and decadent meal. We also met another couple, also celebrating a birthday, that ran a secret dining society…
OMG la foie.
I regretted, but would, recommend the rich and decadent cheese plate. If you haven’t been go. In April, they have do a free tasting menu if you have an April birthday (thanks for the heads up Ryry).
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Myrtle Beach ’15, The Boys Out Wayne
The trip started out the way it always does (when RIR isn’t the same weekend), we headed to the waffle house. A few hours later, we were in Durham to play a round with Joe and break up the drive down to Myrtle. Umstead is a beautiful course, and the weather was great.
We cracked a few beers.
Chandler tried to Bubba his way out of the trees…
…and consoled himself with a drank.
After a nice dinner and evening with our hosts, we hit up Starbucks (for Ry), and Bojangles (for chicken biscuits).
At Legends in Myrtle, I got a Yuengling and FJ got me some see-gars for my bday.
I’d brought down two travel humidors, but ended up mostly smoking the diamond crowns my dad got me. They were quite delicious.
The course was a little more difficult than we’re used to…but we managed some pars anyway.
And Ry had an amazing birdy.
Why don’t I live in SC full time?
At the Kroger, we stocked up for the trip.
Winn-Dixie had to hang with the frat boys (which he managed quite well).
That evening, we headed across the parking lot to the pub (just a short stumble home).
Then we loaded up in a van for a hilarious ride to Masters. Bill B. was telling some funny stories about suppositories and mamawsans, which had us rolling. Especially since he sounds so much like FJ. CW and Ryry enjoyed a late night hot dog.
The next morning we hit the buffet to put down a fortifying base (as CW said).
Then it was time for another round.
The wind was up, and the course looked difficult.
CW and I played with Ronnie and Bill. It was great to play with different people this year. Our foursome had a blast.
CW was calling his shots.
There was a little weather, but nothing crazy. After the round, we headed to the beach for dinner at the Sea Captain.
We stopped at the pub for a complimentary drink, then lit some cigars. It was a calm pleasant time until the rest of the group got back from Masters. Things got a little crazy, and a lot of the older guys had really tied one on.
Then next morning we saw the beer truck and figured we’d drank Legends out of booze.
We played this round with the roommates. Winn-Dixie was coming off knee surgery, so we got a handicap cart which was very convenient since it was cart path only after an evening rain.
Kenny Powers was hitting the long ball.
Ryry found an ornamental pond.
I found just about all the sand on the dang course, and was often in over my head (both figuratively and literally).
But I managed my outs in style (notice the cigars puff at the end).
This was one of the more difficult courses I’ve played, and the greens were killer too.
After the round we did a little back slappin’.
And after a meal at the pub, we called it. We didn’t even see a lot of guys at dinner. I think they’d been out too late the night before. The next morning CW needed to put down even more base. Then I had a shower beer.
Ry and I played with FJ and Gill.
Gill had much fancier course brown than my Old Crow.
I was shooting pretty well, but we were still drinking for pars or better, and there was a lot of course left.
The group in front of us slowed down some, maybe because of Roland’s frosty crown.
Don had the cart girl, who was also a golf pro, take his shot.
CW and I both had the round of our lives. I shot a 93 (or 94), and broke 100 for the first time ever. Tom and I celebrated with some bird dog.
Don and I cheers’d with beer.
Since this was the last round of the trip, things got a little crazy.
I don’t really know how to caption most of these. Gary gave me a mask, Roland and I texted Tyler, Jeff was throwing them back, Gary and FJ were giving each other the business, Bob went for Ry’s nip, and everyone was having a great time. I really like these Wayne boys, and I’m glad they keep asking us back.
After the back slappery, Curtis made us some bbq chicken, ribs, grilled corn, and chicken bog. Everything was amazing.
Then Gary read out the winners and handed out the money. My best round ever won me low net for the day.
FJ won and then immediately blew $150 on bourbon shots for the group.
Bob and Tom, the two oldest guys on trip, wanted evidence that they were the last two standing at the bar.
I think this may have been the best trip yet. I really enjoyed being able to hang out with everyone on the trip. Usually, people go out in groups at night, but really stuck together as a big group more this time around. I met some guys that were first timers, which was pretty cool because it means we’re veterans of the trip now. It was also pretty great to finally break 100 on the trip and while playing with my dad. Thanks again to Gary for organizing the trip, and FJ for getting us invited. Thanks to Wendell for driving us down and back, and Joe for putting us up in Durham. Thanks to C-Dubb, Ry, and Winn-Dixie for fitting in so well. Gary, I really do look forward to it all year.
The next morning we hit chick-fil-a, then starbucks (Ry), and then headed home.
We stopped at JR’s, and I got a few more Diamond Crowns.
I know I’ve left some good stuff out. The crazy Canadians for instance. I’ll add more as people remind me. If you want to see pictures from last year, search this blog for, “Myrtle”, or google, “bonvivantva myrtle.”
I’m happy that golf season is now in full swing, but I can’t wait for the Aggie’s Amateurs trip to Myrtle next year.
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ΣΦΕ Golf Tourney
In anticipation of my upcoming golf tourney, I had a fortifying breakfast, and then wore myself out trying to fix some stuff at the range. Then I fueled back up while watching The Masters.
The fat girl helped me send a few emails.
And then HB and I went to Mad Fox with Lil, and I had a bday cigar with Le Petite.
I pulled my thumb from EF’s mouth, got the truck tuned up, and headed to Naw-fuk.
After a little drive, C-Note and I pulled up to Obici house on the Nansemond in Peanut City. Its a beautiful place, it was a beautiful day, and Sleepy Hole is a really nice course.
After a pretty decent round (for me) at some of my favorite Virginia courses, we followed Uncle Thom to the Dirty Buffalo for some wings.
Then we hung out while Thom and Bobby Light played some kickball.
That night, we kicked back with some of Bobby Light’s delicious homebrew.
My tum was (still) acting up on me, but I managed to get enough sleep to function the next day. I watched a toddler for a few minutes (without incident) and then we headed to the tourny.
The course was in pretty bad shape, but we had an awesome time despite it.
Bolt hogged the potty and frightened the passersby on a walking trail with his moans, Bobby Light took matters into his own hands, and I took a selfie.
C-Note made an amazing 90 and some odd foot putt out of a bunker for birdy.
Bolt celebrated with a little rum. Then he started demanding that we play his walk-up song before he hit.
One of us mentioned that Bolt was getting a little drunk. He just looked at us, whipped out his club, and let his driver do the talking. We were impressed, but not as impressed as the two ladies on the walking trail that also saw Bolt’s driver.
After the tourny we went to some University’s campus, perhaps Duke or UVA, its hard to tell, for our frat’s BBQ.
We did a little catching up, and then headed to real plaza for some plaza time.
Bobby Light was excited to be out with friends enjoying a big beer and white sauce, but real talk, he was more excited to get home and see his little princess (#VGTIC #TBIIL).
Bolt opted for more queso fundito.
He seems to be building up a tolerance, so he added a bottle of verde salsa picante.
After dropping C-Note off at the airport, BL and I went under a container ship in the HRBT and headed home.
The next morning, I needed a fortifying meal for the trip home. BL suggested a sweet potato biscuit sammie from Handsome Biscuit. Schliz and I went for the Hella Fitzgerald, while Bobby Light got the Stevie. OMG nom. Very jelly that I can’t get a sweet potato biscuit sammie on the reg.
After a little more catching up, it was time to leave my gracious hosts, the Light family (of the Northern Neck Lights, formerly the Richmond Light’s), and head back to NYS. It was a great time, and hopefully I’ll be back to the Tidewater for some more golf and catching up with old friends soon.
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Sweet Sticky Smoked Rabbit Recipe, Barbados Rum Punch Recipe, Opening Day at the Nats, Martin Motorsports (BMW repair in Alexandria)
I’ve made some really good food the last couple of days. The first was last week when I realized we had a lot of hummus and tzatziki leftover. I instacarted some ground lamb, feta, and salad. I pan fried the lamb burgers with some oregano, feta, and herbs de provence mixed in. Then I just put some baby kale in champagne vinaigrette on the plate with the leftover dips, and we were in business. I’ll have to remember this recipe. Its easy, fast, and delicious. Then FJ took me to pick up the M3 at Martin Motorsports. Gary has been taking care of my M3 for over a decade, and he is the best in the area. He has done everything from oil changes to transmission replacements for me. I cannot say enough good things about Gary or Martin Motorsports.
I enjoyed a small success in working from home some this week.
On Thursday, Lemuel and Caroline came in to town. Caroline was headed out to Morocco with LeBeef. Lemuel gave her a ride and then picked up a motorcycle in Charlottesville. We had dinner at Gypsy Soul.
The food was decadent, and everyone had a great time. EF was particularly good that night. She was all smiles and hardly a peep.
The fried chicken, steak, and mac and cheese were standouts. The chicken and dumplings were pretty good as well, and I’d say my catfish rounded out the bottom, despite also being quite good.
Friday, we started on a walk to Mad Fox, but a delicious scent of curry wafted through the air, and like a siren, it pulled us off course and to its door.
I ordered the Junglee Laal Maas. The waiter asked if I liked spicy food, as its a very spicy dish, but before I could answer, HB interjected that not only did I like spicy food, we were insulted that they asked, and that they should try to serve me something too spicy just too see how futile it would be (or something to that effect). I was then served the spiciest dish I’ve ever consumed. I felt dizzy while eating it.
But it was so delicious, I even had the leftovers the next day…
…but that was a terrible mistake. I tried to preempt the inevitable by taking some peptos, but I learned my lesson about trying to play god with my bowels. Nature must take its course and some things are not meant to stay in the body. My tum was not right for a long time, and I would get woozy off even one beer. Something was not right. I feel OK today (5 days later), but its taken me that long to feel right. Moral of story (HB), don’t taunt the waiter when he asks if you can handle India spicy.
Later that week I made some chicken and waffle sliders with some WV apple sauce for breakfast.
Since it was a nice day, I made some Barbados Rum Punch, and we got some salteñas and fried yucca for lunch. For the rum punch, use mount gay eclipse (or at the very least, something aged), and freshly ground nutmeg.
Then we did a little porch sitting with a glass of mount gay eclipse and a bolivar. I’ve been loving this spring weather.
On Saturday, we went to the farmers market and got some crabcakes for lunch.
Then I put my germinated tobacco seeds in plugs. I’ll post more about my tobacco crop later on, or search my archives about last year’s harvest.
On Easter Sunday, FJ and I went to Jefferson to get a quick 9 in (yes I ended that in a preposition, deal). Sunderland came off with a big win, 3 points, and hopefully, a better chance of not getting relegated.
With LeBeef out of town, we still decided to do a family Easter dinner. I had an irreverent idea/good recipe I thought would work with rabbit, so I went for it. I quartered the rabbits the night before, and put them in a brine of salt water (1/4th cup salt, half cup water or so), bourbon, and freshly chopped rosemary. After golf, I got the smoker going (but you could also do them on the grill).
I used FJ’s trusty blowpoke to regulate the temp.
It smelled delicious.
A while back, I found a different kind of rib recipe. Its basically just balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, cayenne pepper, and rosemary. It works really well with pork, but I had a hunch it would also work well with smoked rabbit. I never follow a recipe exactly, but I did use the same ingredients. I used a different brine/marinade overnight, and then since there is a lot of sugar in the sauce, I only mopped the rabbit about an hour or so before it was done, and then added some extra sauce when I took it off. Otherwise, the sugar in the sauce might burn on you (especially if grilling it at a higher temp).
While we waited, I enjoyed the weather with a few beers. If you aren’t up on this Innis & Gunn (thanks CK and Ryan), you don’t know what you’re missing.
LeBeef facetimed us from Rabat.
Otto played with the girls.
And after trying to stoke the smoker up to caramelize the final glaze, and putting the corn on the bottom rack, I managed to start a brief but intense husk fire, which didn’t mess up the food, but was dramatic none the less. Everyone was superlative about the meal. CK said it was in her top 5 of all time. If you want to recreate it, I think I smoked the corn about 45 minutes at about 220-300 or so, and the potatoes can be on as long as it takes the meat to cook. I’d actually have preferred to pan fried the taters, but I didn’t have time and I didn’t want to mess up with kitchen with LeBeef gone. Season the potatoes with the same balsamic, brown sugar, garlic, cayenne, rosemary marinade as the rabbit. Again, due to the sugar, I’d add the marinade towards the end of the cooking process. Spray or mop olive oil on the corn before you smoke/grill it, then butter to serve.
After dinner we had blueberry pie and decorated eggs.
Then the next morning we had some hot cross buns for Easter that we got from the Amish shop over at the farmers’ market.
Monday was opening day, and FJ invited me to the ballgame.
On the way, in the convertible, we saw the first cherry blossoms starting to pop out, and the paddle boats are on the water.
I had a footlong and a beer.
We didn’t come away with a win, but with spring and baseball back, one can’t complain. Especially me. Spring is finally here, I’ve been eating well and seeing family, my girls are doing great, and I’ve got two golf trips on the horizon. Life is good.
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