Chili!

The weather doesn't look like this anymore.
And Indiana doesn't look like this either. . .
but that's beyond the point.

If you are just waking up and looking outside, you realize that there might be something different about North America right now: we have descended into that period of time known as Autumn. This of course means fantastic rain showers, changing of the leaves, and me complaining that I'll never feel warm again (which only gets worse when the winter kicks in, but lets face it, I've abused my body so much that it doesn't know what the heck is going on anymore). It's the time for video games. It's the time for memories. But at the bare minimum it's time for chili.

Autumn Winds

You see this desert landscape in Egypt? I like it! Why?
Because it's warm!!!
(And I guess I should tell you this is Tel el Armarna)

Autumn has finally come, the brisk winds, the slightly chilly days, the fact that even with wool socks my toes feel cold. I'm so not ready for this after a summer of glorious heat! The only thing that makes this time of year somewhat bearable for myself is the excuse to make my favorite Autumn foods: my homemade chili, baked potatoes dishes galore, hearty soups and stews, and most importantly, one pot meals.

Ego

How many statues of Ramesses does he have?

Growing up we could say I had a bit of an ego problem (or as I pointed out, 9 times out of 10 it was caused by a combination of being a Scorpio and descended from Irish and German ancestry). But my ego has nothing in comparison with one of my favorite egomaniacs from history, Ramesses II. Talk about EGO! The man not only had huge statues built of himself throughout Egypt, but he also stole the statues his father had made, and then had them renamed with his name on them!

I have no ego problem. Not compared to this guy! 

So as I continue writing about my Zombie in the newest book, I'll leave you some of the images of my favorite egomaniac from the few times I've been to Egypt.

Pumping Iron

Wrong kind of iron. . . .
(I blame Wikipedia for this!)

Yesterday, as I was catching up from a weekend that can be best called "busy," I was asked by one of the fantastic barristas at my local coffee shop about low meat or meatless meals which can help her get more iron into her diet. Thinking about it, I realized I had a few ideas, but needed more information. So when in doubt, go attack the local library!

Eggplant!

"Fear me! No, fear me! Quit laughing! I hate you all!"

No, this isn't a fond remembrance of the classic NES game Kid Icarus, this is a discussion on a vastly under appreciated veggie that's been pushed onto us by many overanxious cooks who had no idea how to properly cook this interesting plant. It's purple exterior taunts many nightmares of school aged children who can't understand why something that color doesn't taste more like grapes, and adults who look on eggplant with fuzzy memories from childhood of this strange plant.

In the words of many of us who played Kid Icarus and were cursed by the Eggplant Wizard right before the end of the game, "what do you mean we have to go back to the beginning of the game to get cured?!"

Catch up part two of "Planet of the Pulled Pork Recipes"

Or you can eat your sandwich while sitting on the Thames,
making all the tourists jealous in London.  

Well if you didn't catch the previous post, this was supposed to be Wens post, which has now been edited to give you the only thing any of us need: more pork tastiness!

Catch up-part one of "Planet of the Pulled Pork Recipes"

"What do you mean the auto scheduler didn't upload the posts?!"

Alright, so I've been busy, which happens, but it is frustrating when you auto-set technology to post something on a particular date and it doesn't do it.

Damn you technology! You destroyed us all!

Labor Day weekend = new season of Dr. Who and slow cooked pulled pork!

This weekend I am channeling my inner geek as the rainy remnants of Hurricane Irene have made their way north to parched Indiana. In preparation for this fantastic weekend (well now that I'm free again from a wide variety of responsibilities for the week), I made myself some slow cooked pulled pork in my slow cooker as I prepare for the new season of Dr. Who on BBCA. If you don't know what Dr. Who is, I'm sorry that you were so neglected in your childhood and you can find all the modern seasons on Netflicks.

WATCH THEM!!!!