Travels in the South

Welcome my friends to another week of Travels in the South.  You know my daddy, he loves his hamburgers.  A couple of weeks ago he and mom found a restaurant that was a little hole in the wall.  It wasn’t much on the outside but they were known for their burgers.  And dad said they were right.  Their burgers were out of this world delicious.  Now, this is not something you should eat everyday for sure, especially when someone – snort mom snort – is suppose to be watching those calories.  But I had to share their meal.

Both burgers had eight ounce angus beef patties.  And that is the only thing they had in common – snorts with piggy laughter.

Dad’s had a hard fried egg, bacon (gulps), melted Jack cheese and pickles on it.  Mom had bacon (gulps), a portobello mushroom, red onions and pickles.  I couldn’t believe the size of mom’s burger.  She couldn’t even wrap her mouth around it – HA!   And of course she had to get daddy to help her finish it.  Dad had onion rings with his burger.  Mom had a salad so at least she *tried* to somewhat healthy.

  

 

Travels in the South

 Welcome my friends to another edition of Travels in the South.  This week in honor of the eclipse, we want to bring you something special.  Something that is so out of this world that mom had to make pre-arrangements last week so she could partake in this glory.  Pre-arrangements as in she walked extra – snorts with piggy laughter.  And I don’t blame her because this was well worth the extra calories.

We’ve all heard of Krispy Kreme.  It’s a doughnut chain  that makes awesome doughnuts of every kind imaginable.  And when the HOT doughnut sign is on, it means they have hot glazed doughnuts coming off of the conveyor.  Hot glazed doughnuts that will melt in your mouth from being so fabulous.  Okay give me a second – I need a moment.

Okay I’m good.  With the eclipse coming this week, just for last weekend their regular glaze went chocolate.  Can you imagine hot doughnuts going through a waterfall of fabulously hot chocolate?  Trust me.  It sounds much better than what it looks.  But you can see from the pictures what I’m talking about.
   

Now do you see the hot chocolate glazed doughnuts in the box?  Yes trust me on this.  Mom/dad said they tasted so much better than what they look in the box – ha!  Their thoughts about the first time chocolate eclipse doughnuts?  They come off the conveyor hot.  They are great but messy.  I mean messy.  Mom told daddy that she thought she was going to have to hose him down before he got into the Jeep.  That kind of messy.  But good.  And mom said she preferred them once they went cold.  They weren’t as messy then – which she loved.  Either way, it was a once in a lifetime treat all the way around.  And yeah, mom/dad didn’t forget about me.  They brought me one of my favorites – an apple fritter.  Now *that’s* what I’m talking about!

 

Travels in the South

 Welcome my friends to another edition of Travels in the South.  This week mom/dad stumbled onto something that was simply amazing – Onion Rings.

Who doesn’t love a good onion ring?  Mom/dad were visiting a place a couple of towns over from the Hotel Thompson.  They saw homemade onion rings on the menu and decided to give it a whirl.  This alone amazed me because here is a little tidbit for you.  Dad hates onions.  He hates them raw.  He hates them in salads.  BUT, he loves onion rings.  I think that’s a little weird, right?  But then again, we are talking about my daddy – snorts and rolls with piggy laughter.

The onion rings finally came to the table and oh my piggy heavens – look at that mountain of goodness!  These are huge!!  They are fresh cut, hand battered and made to order – thus the ten minute wait to get them upon ordering.

The restaurant serves them with a Cajun dipping sauce (which when mom asked was told it was a ranch sauce with cajun spices).  And it does have a little kick.  Mom/dad asked for extra dipping sauce.  Trust me, they said you needed it because look at how many onion rings you get.  And mom said the price you wouldn’t believe – $4.99 for this tower of an appetizer.

But I just have one question.  Not that they were good because mom/dad both said they were.  My question is why does daddy get to play with his food and I can’t?  Go ahead mom.  Tell me.  I’m waiting.

 

 

Travels in the South

Every once in a while, your body just craves a good steak – well so says mom/dad.  And when mom craves steak, dad takes full advantage and takes her to a local steakhouse that they both love.  On this date, mom/dad shared this plate above, of course with a side salad.  This is one of mom’s favorites – a ribeye steak fire grilled on an open flame, medium please.  The juices were still running and mom licked her lips before jumping in with both feet to eat her way out.  And of course by splitting the meal with daddy, that does mean 1/2 the calories.  Dad said it was an awesome dinner.  When was the last time you had steak calling your name?

 

Bacon’s Show and Tell

This month, we are focusing on gifts.  Since Christmas was just last month, let’s focus on that one thing that you received that was absolutely wonderful.  Maybe it wasn’t from Christmas – perhaps it was on your birthday last year.  What is it – why can’t you live without it?

Okay this month it’s easy.  What’s the ONE gift that mom can’t live without?  Of course, it would have to be her Apple i-Watch that her sister gave her.  It does everything.  It’s like an extension of her cell phone that she wears on her wrist.  It’s a watch.  It’s a phone.  It’s a trainer.  It’s a therapist with her breathing and stress levels.  It keeps up with her steps/her miles.  It challenges her to be more.  It does everything!  So yes, that would be the one gift that mom can’t live without.  Much, MUCH thank you to her sister – Tina!

 

Shopping Around the World

Shopping Around the World

Shopping Around the World is hosted by us and our friend Fozziemom.  This month since it is the Thanksgiving holidays here in the States, we are focusing on Thanksgiving foods.  We have elected to post a side dish that everyone loves here in the south – black-eyed peas.  Yummo!  I admit that even this little oinker loves these peas.  They are tasty… but of course I like mine without the bacon – you know for obvious reasons – snorts and rolls with piggy laughter.  I leave the recipe and other delights of this recipe to mom – take it away mom! ❤

---

Black-eyed peas.  Some people hear the name and stick out their tongue making a grimace while others smile and can’t wait to jump in feet first and eat their way out of the bowl.  Which category do you fall into my friends?  You’re not sure yet?  Let me tell you my recipe and then you can make your choice.  You will need the following:

⇔ Two cans of black-eyed peas (you can use fresh peas- I take help where I can) $0.98 each = $1.96

⇔  Four slices of bacon $3.99 pack/12 slices = $1.32

⇔ Cilantro $1.49 a pack; onion $0.49; olive oil $6.99 bottle; red pepper flakes $1.49 bottle = $1.50

Total Cost per Dish $4.78

The first thing we do is get out the old southern iron skillet.  Put a tad of oil in the bottom, cut up the bacon strips and fry them in the skillet.  While the bacon is cooking, dice up your onion and chop up your cilantro.  Once the bacon has cooked, scoop out the fried bacon and put on a paper towel to drain.  Leave the bacon grease in the skillet and add your onions to give them some color.  While the onions are cooking, open your cans of black-eyed peas, drain them and wash them.  Now some people use the juice out of the can, we don’t.  If you like it, by all means use it.  Once the onions have some color, pour in your two cans of black-eyed peas.  Season with salt, pepper and red pepper flakes to your taste.  Your black-eyed peas will have a semi fried taste – awesome.  Trust me.  Once everything is heated through, pour into a serving dish and top with cilantro and your fried bacon.  You will never want black-eyed peas the old way again 🙂

 

Shopping Around the World and Bacon’s Show and Tell – Reminder

Hello sweet friends – 

Don’t forget about our important dates next week – after the holidays.  Keep these in mind while you enjoy your holiday 🙂 ❤

---

Shopping Around the World

Shopping Around the World is hosted by us and our friend Fozziemom.  This month it is scheduled for November 30th – after the holiday so we can all make plans.  Since it is the Thanksgiving holidays here in the States, this month we will focus on Thanksgiving foods.  So, you can post appetizers, side dishes, salads, soups, main entrees or desserts.  What is something that you look forward to once a year at Thanksgiving.  I mean yes we can have it throughout the year but having it at Thanksgiving screams the holiday?  This gives you a wide variety of foods you can come up with.  Fix whatever your dish is, take pictures and post it with recipes and prices on November 30th on your blog.  Remember to link back to my blog posting so people can see yours.  This is a wonderful way to (1) meet new friends in blogville and (2) get some wonderful recipes.  And I’ll admit it.  This piggy has been known to visit on these days and lick the computer screen at some of your awesome dishes.  I’m just sayin’ – some of pictures look out of this world!!

---

Bacon’s Show and Tell

To me, what better time of the year to share some embarrassing stories from Thanksgiving.  Did you gather as a family for dinner and someone do something hilarious?  Did you have a mishap and spill your plate or cut the turkey in a strange way?  Go ahead my friends, let’s talk about something funny our humans do or did during their Thanksgiving holidays.  I know these stories will be good!  Bacon’s Show and Tell is scheduled for November 29th due to the holiday.  Remember to do your blog and link back to my blog so we can all see what everyone shares.  Thanks my friend – can’t wait for some great stories.

 

Shopping Around the World and Bacon’s Show and Tell – Mark Your Calendars

Hello sweet friends – 

Never fear, we did not forget about our most important dates of the  month – no way!  Please remember to mark your calendars for our two important dates below and make plans to participate.  The more participation, the more recipes and embarrassing stories – yay!

---

Shopping Around the World

Shopping Around the World is hosted by us and our friend Fozziemom.  This month it is scheduled for November 30th – after the holiday so we can all make plans.  Since it is the Thanksgiving holidays here in the States, this month we will focus on Thanksgiving foods.  So, you can post appetizers, side dishes, salads, soups, main entrees or desserts.  What is something that you look forward to once a year at Thanksgiving.  I mean yes we can have it throughout the year but having it at Thanksgiving screams the holiday?  This gives you a wide variety of foods you can come up with.  Fix whatever your dish is, take pictures and post it with recipes and prices on November 30th on your blog.  Remember to link back to my blog posting so people can see yours.  This is a wonderful way to (1) meet new friends in blogville and (2) get some wonderful recipes.  And I’ll admit it.  This piggy has been known to visit on these days and lick the computer screen at some of your awesome dishes.  I’m just sayin’ – some of pictures look out of this world!!

---

Bacon’s Show and Tell

To me, what better time of the year to share some embarrassing stories from Thanksgiving.  Did you gather as a family for dinner and someone do something hilarious?  Did you have a mishap and spill your plate or cut the turkey in a strange way?  Go ahead my friends, let’s talk about something funny our humans do or did during their Thanksgiving holidays.  I know these stories will be good!  Bacon’s Show and Tell is scheduled for November 29th due to the holiday.  Remember to do your blog and link back to my blog so we can all see what everyone shares.  Thanks my friend – can’t wait for some great stories.

 

Bacon’s Show and Tell

Hello friends – are you having fun with my Bacon’s Show and Tell?  This month let’s talk about embarrassing moments.  I know that humans had them all of the time when growing up.  I hear stories from mom/dad and trust me – some of them are juicy!

So this month we are highlighting embarrassing moments from childhood. Tell everyone about something that happened that was so life shattering embarrassing in childhood but now you can look back and laugh about.

❤

Mark your calendars – Bacon’s Show and Tell is scheduled for:

Wednesday, September 28, 2016 

 

Busted and Miscellaneous Adventures

Hello sweet friends – I hope you had a wonderful LONG weekend with Labor Day.  Labor Day the unofficial last day of Summer.  I only wish it was true in the weather department as well.  Because why?  Because it’s still hotter than you know what here in the South.  Don’t get me wrong.  This past weekend was absolutely beautiful – cooler weather, lower humidity and slight winds.  It was *almost* like a wonderful fall day.  In fact, mom even slipped some Pumpkin Spice coffee in there in places.  That just screams fall, right?

Then there was yesterday with daddy.  When we have leftover bread – you know when the bread becomes a rock and you can almost kill someone with it – (snorts with piggy laughter) dad will throw it out in the front yard for birds and other night creature anipals to eat.  You know they have to eat too.  Well yesterday he and mom were fixing to go off so he throws the bread out.  That’s when mom says things got out of control.  It was like the movie Jurassic Park where all of those little pesky velociraptors came running across the fields at people.

That’s right – Chicken Run was back in the hood.  They came running from next door (of course) and tackled the leftover bread like there was no tomorrow.  At one point, mom said she counted EIGHT of them.  Shakes piggy head.  I lost count at two… that is two for a chicken snack on the run – HA!  Nah, I couldn’t hurt the chicks.  I’ve kind of gotten attached to them.  And of course the neighbor stills insists, “I don’t have chickens”.  Okay then.  I guess they just ‘hang out’ in your backyard every day/night.  I guess this brings new meaning to free range chickens.  Snorts with piggy laughter – I kill myself!

Now I want to share a story with you.  A story from the heart.  I know I talk about my humans going off unattended all of the time and them getting into trouble.  But sometimes their adventures don’t end up in trouble.  You see over the long weekend, daddy had a craving for these things called Krystals.  The are little petite hamburgers that are square and wonderful.  Kind of similar (I’m told) to White Castles but mom says they’re better.  I wouldn’t know because I’ve not tried the comparison.

So mom takes daddy to the restaurant and they decide to eat there which they normally don’t.  But mom just had a ‘feeling’ they needed to eat there and she had a coupon for a gazillion Krystals.  Okay maybe not a gazillion but quite a few.  She told dad that it was an excellent buy and she was going to get that many because he could eat them during the week.  Now we all know that women get these feelings called women’s intuition.  You should always go with that feeling – and your first instincts.  So mom/dad are eating their meal and they are done.  They have leftovers, of course.  That’s when a man came into the restaurant that got mom’s attention.

You could tell this man had been through some tough times by his attire.  He went to the counter and they turned him away.  That’s when the light bulbs went off in mom’s head and she starting shaking her head.  She knew now why she needed to eat at the restaurant and order so much food.  The man looked defeated from being turned away at the counter.  Mom got up, walked up front and got another french fry order and large drink.  During this time, the staff at the restaurant had told the man that he had to leave.  Mom said, “No, he’s a paying patron and he’s eating.”  She then invited the man over to dine with her and dad.

You learn so much about people just with a single act of kindness.  This meal made this man’s day.  Mom/dad sat with him and talked with him and laughed with him.  At the end of the meal, he asked how much he owed.  Mom said, “Nothing.  It’s paid in full just by you joining us and making our day with your company.”