Thursday, November 24, 2011

Our 2011 Thanksgiving Recipes

Okay folks. Here are the ingredients from our Thanksgiving dinner, not the cooking instructions, but I'm sure you can use your imagination to make these. The pies and gravy are from standard recipes where as the turkey, stuffing, green beans and macaroni are from scratch. The turkey injection was a last minute decision based on what we had available, we didn't have any fresh citrus in the house. Also, I cooked the turkey in a bag, at 350. It took about 3.5 hours.

Turkey

Stuffed
• 1 chopped red delicious apple
• 1 chopped red onion

Lathered
• ½ tub of butter
• ½ cup coarsely chopped sage, thyme, rosemary

Injected
• 1 can pureed pears
• 1 oz grenadine
• ½ tsp orange extract

Stuffing

• 2 boxes Stovetop stuffing
• 1 cup Pinot Grigio
• 3 cups chicken stock
• ½ lb turkey sausage
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp sea salt

• 1 tsp fresh ground black pepper
• ½ cup drippings from finished turkey

Gravy

• 4 cups drippings from finished turkey
• 6 tbsp flour
• ½ cup Pinot Grigio

• salt and pepper to taste

Macaroni & Cheese

• 2 boxes rigatoni
• 1 lb extra sharp cheddar, cubed

• ½ colby jack, cubed
• 4 oz cream cheese
• 3 cloves garlic
• ½ garlic salt
• 2 tbsp parsley flakes
• ½ tsp paprika
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp cumin
• ½ cup evaporated milk
• ½ cup milk
• ½ stick of butter
• salt and pepper to taste

Green Beans

• 3lbs pole beans
• ½ cup butter
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• ½ cup diced (previously trimmed) steak fat
• salt and pepper to taste

Old-Fashioned Fudge Pie

• 2 oz semisweet chocolate
• ½ cup butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 9in unbaked pie crust

Pumpkin Pie

• 1 9in unbaked deep dish pie crust
• 15 oz pumpkin
• 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
• 2 eggs
• 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Is the "new" early warning system already extinct?

Today, at 2PM EST, the US government will be allowing a test of a new early warning system. But I ask, are these systems outdated?

These technologies only work with old technology. At that time, I'll be in my car, radio off, phone plugged in, with Google Music playing my music. What's the nextgen step to alert the public via todays media platforms like iTunes, Google Music, Netflix and even our DVRs? I NEVER listen to the radio and my family rarely watches live TV anymore.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Police in @ChesterfieldVa say "age, size and weight" excuse child assault

Why is it that the Chesterfield County Police Department will not aid my wife and I in pressing charges against a 5yr old in Chesterfield County General District Court after they have assaulted my 11yr old with a stick and threatened to cause more harm.

The excuse given by the officer is that, quote, "the 11yr old is twice their weight and size and is capable of leaving the situation." He went on to say that the Commenwealth Attorney's office would "more than likely" not allow him to serve the 5yr old because of his age. I expressed to him that "ones age should not give you a free pass to break the law." He agreed, but insisted that the CA would "more than likely" not.

Additionally, if a 5yr old can be expelled for bringing a gun to school, then they should not be considered beyond reproach for crimes like assault. I would be willing to bet money that if any 5yr old assaulted an officer in the same manner that such an excuse would not be used so liberally. Here are a few examples of where age did not matter to the crime:

http://www.barstoolu.com/random-thoughts/6-year-old-kindergartner-expelled-for-rubbing-teachers-thighs-when-she-said-her-legs-hurt/

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Monday, September 26, 2011

Look, @bannerquade stands on his own quite often now.

Imag0146

Almost 10 month old Banner standing on his own.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

@bannerquade eats, and beats up, pizza

VIDEO0003.3gp Watch on Posterous

Watch as 9 month old Banner takes on a slice of pizza.