Cook Like A Man; Sauce Like a Woman

Golly Gee! Memorial Day weekend has descended upon us and I'm not even ready. Are you???

Marion and I don't have anything spectacular planned for the weekend. As a matter of fact, things will probably be quiet at the "ranch" this year. I'm still recuperating from my trip and Marion is thrilled to once again have the house to herself. She had Marion "sitters" while I was gone and according to her, her daily routine was interrupted more than once:) We may live in the same house, but we have plenty of space between us. We like it that way:)

I may have mentioned it before, long, long ago but heck it's certainly worth mentioning again just in case...not only is May National Barbecue Month but, it also happens to National Hamburger Month too!!! Makes sense when you think about it. Some where in the archives of this blog I'm sure I have written about both however, I don't think I've ever discussed The History Of Barbecue Sauce. As it happens, I won't be discussing that today either because it has been well documented by Meathead at Amazing Ribs! So, what's left to talk about this Memorial Day weekend? Decoration Day of course.

To honor the deceased, soldiers would decorate graves of their fallen comrades with flowers, flags and wreaths. Hence Decoration Day. Although Memorial Day became its official title in the 1880s, the holiday wouldn’t legally become Memorial Day until 1967.

“And now the Torch and Poppy red
We wear in honor of our dead.
Fear not that ye have died for naught;
We’ll teach the lesson that ye wrought
In Flanders Fields.”
– from “We Shall Keep the Faith,”
~Moine Belle Michael~

The Memorial Day tradition of wearing red poppies began in 1915 as a symbol of commemoration of those men and women who we honor today. While reading Ladies' Home Journal, an overseas war secretary named Moina Michael came across the famous World War I poem "In Flanders Fields" by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae. She started selling them to friends and co-workers and campaigned for the red flowers to become an official memorial emblem. The American Legion embraced the symbol in 1921, and the tradition has spread to more than 50 other countries, including England, France and Australia. Time Magazine

The Food

In the beginning there was fire, and when primitive man learned to capture and use it rather than flee from it in terror like other animals, a profound distinction arose between his way of life and theirs. Having provided himself with a source of warmth and light against the cold and dark, he learned before long to throw killed game upon the flame rather than devour it raw, and so laid the basis for an entirely new diet... The Horizon Cookbook and Illustrated History of Eating and Drinking through the Ages p.12

How to Grill Caveman T-bone Steaks

Not only did George Washington have a large smokehouse at his plantation at Mt. Vernon, I read in Politics and Pot Roasts by Sarah Hood Salomon that George Washington "had the first recorded barbecue in America." It consisted of a 500 pound ox which was roasted after the President laid the cornerstone for the Capitol. Perhaps, this is why he is sometimes referred to as "The First Barbecue Critic!" Just a note, LBJ was the first President to hold a barbecue at the White House.

George Washington "went in to Alexandria to a Barbecue and stayed all Night," as he wrote in his diary for May 27, 1769, he won eight shillings playing cards and probably ate meat from a whole hog, cooked for hours over hardwood coals, then chopped or "pulled."  By the early nineteenth century at the latest, a sauce of vinegar and cayenne pepper (originally West Indian) was being sprinkled on the finished product. This ur-barbecue can be found to this day in eastern North Carolina and the adjoining regions of South Carolina and Virginia, virtually unchanged.The Southern Barbecue Trail

Did you know that in the old days of politics, it was quite common for candidates to hold small town rallies that included a barbecue. Local farmers could contribute a hog or a goat to their candidate of choice as support and the towns people had free food and entertainment. Political campaigns have often enticed people to attend events offering food and drink. In 1840, President William Henry Harrison held a barbecue in Wheeling, West Virginia. Thirty thousand people showed up. The food included 300 hams, 26 sheep, 20 calves, 1,500 pounds of beef, 8,000 pounds of bread, over 1,000 pounds of cheese, 4,500 pies and numerous bottles of hard cider."

Hungry yet? How 'bout a Hard Chargin' Blue Cheese Stampede gleaned from the above pictured Marlboro Cook Like A Man cookbook?

Here's the recipe!

The next recipe, from the same book, is titled Thirsty Bird. I've actually attempted this recipe before. Below you will see the results. Let me tell you, it doesn't look anything like the recipe in the book but it sure was good!!! Be careful if you attempt it.

Since I started this post in a saucy kinda manner, it's only fitting I end it the same:) Here's a recipe for Red Hot Mama's Barbecue Sauce

P.S. If you're in need of a fabulous barbecue sauce cookbook, check out The Ultimate Barbecue Sauce Cookbook: Your Guide to the Best Sauces, Rubs, Sops, Mops, and Marinades by Jim Auchmutey and Susan Puckett. Not only does it dive right in to recipes from cook-off champions throughout the USA, it is also spiced with lore from chefs, celebrities, and all kinds of people obsessed with barbecue. It may only have 100 recipes but let me tell you, I don't think the authors missed a thing! I highly recommend the Death Row Bourbon Sauce. Created by quite the ambitious woman, I was delighted when I found the recipe and history for you online at Key Ingredient. Enjoy and have a safe and filling holiday weekend! Louise

Resources
1. 7 Things You Didn't Know About Memorial Day
2. Barbecue Diplomacy at LBJ's Texas White House

It's Only a Boob!

By now, you have probably learned of the incredibly courageous medical choice "superstar" Angelina Jolie made a few months back to undergo surgery for a double mastectomy. I have a friend who made a similar decision recently; my daughter Michele.

They, meaning the excellent team of medical professionals who are managing Michele's medical needs at this time, informed us that it is highly unusual for a person of Michele's age to be diagnosed with breast cancer at such a young age. She's 39. There are exceptions of course. The risks increase when there is a history of breast and/or ovarian cancer in the family. Such is the case in our family. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in her mid forties and both my aunts died of a form of hormonal cancer later in life.

Now I know for a fact that the mere mention of the dreaded C word rings loudly across the world however, this is important. By being reluctant to speak of the C word in our family, we were not aware of a simple non-invasive test that can be given to check for what "they" call genetic mutations which warns of a woman's or a man's increased genetic cancer risk. If you have a high risk of breast and/or ovarian cancer in your family, please talk to your health care professional about Genetic Testing.

Michele did not have to undergo a bilateral mastectomy. However, given the difficult choice of a lumpectomy or a mastectomy in the affected area, she bravely chose a mastectomy. Her exact words at that crucial moment to both me and the doctors were, "It's only a boob!" "It doesn't define who I am." That was about five weeks ago dear friends and I am here to tell you Michele and her family are doing emphatically well.

I've chosen to share this experience with you today for much the same reason Michele chose to share it with her followers on Facebook; now don't be offended by the following statement. It is meant in reality with a hint of jest, perhaps, it is best I have Michele tell you. This is what she posted on FB.

I woke this morning and went about my normal routine; got the kids off to school, checked Facebook on my phone, played a few games, then checked twitter. I don't "tweet" very much, but I do like to keep up with what's happening in the world of the people I "follow." This morning, of all mornings, I am extremely happy I did. I came across this amazing article that was posted. I am attaching it here and encouraging EVERY single one of my FB friends to read it and pass it on. But first, my story! On March 29th, I was diagnosed with Grade 1, Stage 2 ER+/PR+, Hers2-, Breast Cancer in my right breast. On April 11th, I had a right breast mastectomy to remove the cancer. At the same time a temporary implant was put in to do breast reconstruction. I have had the most amazing support, love, and help. I am so immensely grateful to my little circle of friends that knew. But now, I think everyone should know, not to feel bad for me, or to express sorrow (I am going to be just fine... I KNOW this!) but because I want EVERYONE to be informed. During this entire process my biggest concern has been awareness. Why didn't I know that there was a test to see if I carry the gene mutation which ups your risk for getting breast and ovarian cancer? Why aren't mammograms done sooner? Why didn't I know that if breast cancer runs in your family that you should be getting mammograms 10 years earlier than your family members' diagnosis? I wasn't informed, but I wasn't proactive either. So here it is, the article is written by Angelina Jolie and I think she is truly amazing. I am following her lead and being an example... LADIES, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLAY WITH YOUR BOOBIES!! (PS I found the lump myself.)

In order to insure all that nasty disease was removed during surgery, Michele will begin chemotherapy treatment on May 28th. Much like she has handled this entire situation, she is bravely preparing herself and her family for the next few months of treatment. She has an amazing support system around her. This year they have chosen to take the energy they would normally put into their Relay for Life activities into helping Michele and her family get past these next difficult months. As you can imagine, I too am praying for the path of least resistance. If Michele needs me to return to Idaho for any reason, I will be heading back to Idaho. The doctors assure us though that all will be just fine:)

On a lighter note, I must share with you Michele's plan for "adjusting" the kids to her possible of lack of hair after undergoing chemotherapy. As many of you know, kids just love to play "beauty parlor." I can't even tell you how many "creative" styles they have put my fairly short curly hair in to. Some have been downright hysterical!!! (no chance of me sharing those!) Well, Michele told the kids that they could play "beauty barlor" on her for real! This means both Tabitha and Noah with get a portion of her head of hair to cut, curl or color just as they please. Thankfully, one of her support "sisters" is a beautician who will be on hand to not only "tidy" up things but also record the entire beauty parlor process! Needless to say, as for this part of the treatment, the kids are excited! The are very disappointed in not being able to come back east this year, as we all are, but, we have reassured them that next year not only will they be able to visit but stay longer too!!! Tabi has a "date" with Tiffany's, and Noah intends on visiting Shea Stadium which I think recently has has had a name change but Noah won't mind:)

Which reminds me. While I was in Idaho, I was thrilled to attend the judged gymnastic tournament the kids were in. After two years of a bit of a hiatus, Noah decided to give it a try once more and let me tell you, he came back strong! I cringed though when he did his "tricks" on the rings!!! As for Tabi, she is quite the competitor. She was having a difficult time with her back hand springs right up until the moment of competition. However, not only did she nail them and overcome her other coursed obstacles she managed to take the Gold in her group! We were all very proud! Afterwards she confided to me that she thinks she competes better "when the pressure is on:)"

As for me, I'm hanging on tight and planning my next post. Yes dear visitors, before learning of Michele's health issues, I had intending on rejoining the world of blogging. Fact is, I miss you AND blogging tremendously!!! I need a bit of time to get things in order, Marion, the business and of course the garden which are all in need of much attention! It seems much of my world has been in suspension for the past few months but alas, Spring has sprung here in PA and although it has been much of a fog to me, it seems nature has a plan of its own. I returned from Idaho just in time for this:

Not One Bird's Nest but Three!!!

Here's Mamma with a mouthful of food for the nest in the gutter. As of today, the eggs in front of the shed have not hatched and the other nest is still empty. Why the second nest? I have no idea!!!

As for the garden, it seems the Sweet Woodruff adapted quite nicely under the pines. I know it may get a bit aggressive but the odor from those tiny white flowers are well worth it. And, after all, who knows, one day I may just decide to whip up a brew of some May Wine or Sweet Woodruff Wine for May Day!

With the exception of my Pineapple plant and the scented geraniums, the plants in the house didn't fare as well while I was away. However, I am slowly nurturing them back to their glorious days ever inspired by the floral bouquets of Rose Geraniums that greeted me on my return home:)

References
1. Genetic Testing: What You Need to Know