Cowboy's Boat Challenge

Cowboy's Boat

One of Cowboy's "Let's just see what Happens" projects was building a boat that could actually float and be used on a lake or river.  For starters, he had used some fiberglass filler, then an all-purpose bonder.

On the first attempt to launch, the wind was against us.  But it was fun!

Later, PVC pipes were added on the side for better buoyancy.  Cowboy also added a trolling motor.

Second attempt on Grapevine Lake.

 

The boat surprisingly floats, but is heavy.  So a boat trailer/wagon was needed!

Those pictures and the video were also taken on Lake Grapevine a little over a year ago.  Cowboy has since torn down this boat and sold the trolling motor.  Building another is on the back burner, but with the goal of less weight. Never a dull moment around here!

If you're not making it better for someone else, then you're not doing it right.  This is true in any area of life.

Down Home Again

I found my sunflower!

I am taking a different direction.  About four years ago, I fell in love with my soulmate Cowboy.  It was just like when a werewolf imprints on someone!  If you don't get that, read the Twilight series.  Being with Cowboy has brought me full circle to who I was in the beginning...back at home as the firstborn of six.  Playing in a backyard full of dandelions and bumblebees.  The white picket fence.  When Moms and Dads stayed together.  Camping.  Swimming in the lake.  Riding horseback....You get the idea.  All the things that made life interesting.

So this blog is going to take a turn.  I'm going to create a page called "Shenanigans" that will show life.  Our three kid-- his son--my redheaded stepchild, my son A.C., and my daughter Kel-- have all grown up.  Kel is the only one at home right now, and I see so little of her as her new adult life is growing larger.  Her flights out of the nest are getting longer and longer.  I was once worried about how I would handle this phase of life.  I'm fifty-five now.  I've had some major health issues, but the scary part is past for now, and the rest is managed by pills that I am working on getting off by making those wise, good lifestyle choices that we all know but usually ignore.  It might be time to settle down a bit, but it doesn't mean I have to always behave!  I'll tell you more.

Another page you may see soon is simmering on the back burner for my rantings about work/leadership/government.  A page for this might be a good idea for those who don't want to hear my BS all the time.  I'm considering it.  I don't have a business anymore.  At least not for now.  I currently have one of those jobs that you prefer not to give out a lot of detail to.  Where you work eight hours, get pissed off at the boss sometimes, and go home.  I like most of the people I work with though, and I like the basic core idea of what I do:  helping others.  Upper management just makes it a little chaotic.  I have ideas I'd love to tell them, but...you know how that would go!  I would hate to have to sing for my food right now!  The audience  would pay me to shut up!

I'll continue to post recipes, and the memories tied to them.  I really like food, and I love eating out, but honestly, most of the time, they can't top what we cook at home.  When a restaurant does, though, I'll let you know.

Hope you will come back for more!

Ted's Special - "Carnijasada"

Some of my fondest memories are from time at Dad's gas station, the Exxon station off Lee Street in Greenville TX, where he and any of my brothers pumped gas and sold used cars.  It was one of the last full-service stations.  In a back room off of the bay, sometimes there'd be something cooking for lunch.  Whatever it was, it always smelled good.

After finding a handwritten recipe titled "Ted's  Special - Carnijasada" in Mom's stash of recipes, after she had passed away, I suspect that perhaps cooking on the job was something that happened at the Ford dealerships he worked at as well.  I imagine one of the mechanics had this "brewing" in a slow cooker and the aroma filled the bay.  Dad probably couldn't resist and had to sample.  Probably the whole crew had to check this out.  It smells so good!  Here's my adaptation.

TED'S SPECIAL - CARNIJASADA

1 2.8 lb chuck arm pot roast or pork butt roast
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 large cloves garlic, chopped
canola oil for frying
7 oz. can sliced jalapeno peppers
3 oz can chopped chiles
salt & pepper to taste
1tsp. cumin

Heat oil in large pan and brown meat.  Remove, placing in crock pot.  In juices, saute onion and garlic, till onions are soft (you may need to add more oil).   Add onion and garlic to the crock pot along with remaining ingredients.  Add 1/2 to 1 cup water, just to cover bottom.  Cook on high 4 hours, then turn down to low to continue cooking 8 hours.

Serving suggestions:  Use in soft tacos, enchiladas, burritos, or nachos.

Original Recipe