Whew! This day has been busy! We left the house about 8:30 this morning headed to Abilene. Who would have thought that seeing anything green would cause me to snap a photo? Obviously there’s some major irrigation going on because I can’t remember the last time I saw this much green around here. It’s been months and months since we had any rain and just seeing a green field was exciting.
My day started at 4 a.m. when I woke up and wanted to go to the sewing room. I think my sewing mojo is back. I told myself that if I looked at the clock and it was 15 minutes later, I would go sew. The next time I saw the clock, it was 6:40 so I guess I went back to sleep.
This trip to Abilene has me re-thinking whether we really need a full size pickup. Filling up the Highlander can happen pretty quickly and then it’s time to come home. Filling up a pickup might have me shopping for hours and hours longer. I did hear Vince say some very encouraging words today: “I think I’m getting too old for these marathon shopping days!” YES! That’s what I want to hear . . not that we’re getting old (we are!) but that he’s no longer interested in shopping all day.
We ate at the Bonzai sushi place, then went to Sam’s Club, then to Extreme Exteriors because we’re still debating about buying the Big Green Egg, then to HEB . . then home! Yay! Home! But we still didn’t get home til almost 5 p.m.
We had not been to Sam’s Club since the screw up with our membership cards so the first thing we did there was stand in line for 20 minutes at “Customer Service” to get that straightened out. We ended up buying paper towels, toilet paper (don’t say a word . . it had a coupon!), olive oil, a big bag of Jasmine rice, some kind of flash lights Vince had been looking for . . I believe he has a new flash light fettish, some specialty cheeses that Vince likes and salmon for smoking.
From Sam’s, we went to Extreme Exteriors. I want the Big Green Egg but I’m just not sure there aren’t some less expensive very similar items out there. Vince is researching that now. If the Egg was made in the U. S., we would probably get it but it isn’t and besides, I’m not sure it will fit in the Highlander and for now, that’s as big a vehicle as we have. There are a couple of others that are less and they ship with free shipping so . . Vince is in charge of finding us a kamado grill.
HEB was our last stop. We got a big ham . . we prefer slicing on those for sandwiches . . it costs so much less than deli meat, and I love having the bone for soup or beans. We bought a rib roast which we thought about freezing and having for Christmas but decided we’d rather have it now before it’s been frozen. We bought another piece of salmon to smoke so we can do a taste test to see if we like the one from Sam’s or the one from HEB better. We bought lots of fruit. Vince wanted to buy brussels sprouts because he thinks he doesn’t like them but wants to be sure. Weird! There was sure a lot more in our cart but that’s the important stuff I guess — all I can remember.
Tomorrow Vince goes back to work and I get to spend almost the entire day in the sewing room. I’m so ready to spend all day sewing!
Chris says
A Big Green Egg?
JudyL says
There’s a link in the post. It’s a grill . . of sorts.
Joanna says
We have a Big Green Egg and love it! Uses charcoal, so we’re not apt to use it spur of the moment, as we did our gas grill, but the meat is very moist on the BGE. We bought the ceramic pizza tile and it makes the BEST pizza I’ve had, as good as the pizze in Italy! But you must pre heat it well. Thin, crisp pizza–just the best!
Thanks for your blod–always enjoy it!
Joanna
JudyL says
That’s what I want it for . . pizza and bread.
Julie in WA says
Yes, Vince, brussel sprouts are sooo good! I cut them in half, toss with a bit of olive oil and salt, then roast them in the oven for 30 minutes at 400 degrees, turning after 15 minutes. My family gobbles them up!
Susan says
Ah, HEB! Good memories. =) No stop at Sonic? LOL That was one thing I loved about Abilene – Sonic!
JudyL says
No, we have 3 Sonics here in town so no need to stop at one in Abilene.
Kathy in BC says
We got the Komodo grill from Costco in the summer. It’s amazing!!! The best ribs! I couldn’t believe when I came home from a retreat, and there was this big grill in our back yard. It’s our 3rd grill. I guess one can never have too many grills. We use the Komodo all the time, and the propane grill only when we’re in a hurry. You won’t regret it. Oh, and we use the big green egg charcoal and the BGE supplies.
JudyL says
Yes, we have several grills too but I wan it mostly for bread and pizza. There are quite a few on the market so we’re doing our research as it’s a pretty big investment . . especially for a “grill””.
Carolyn says
Judy, we’ve had a Big Green Egg for several years now and we love it! My husband makes the best steaks on it, as well as delicious pulled pork. I’ve made pizza, baked bread…it’ s all good! You won’t regret buying it!
Beth in AZ says
The Pioneer Woman has a roasted brussel sprout recipe. I think she serves it for a holiday. I remember because I am NOT a brussel sprout person…but the roasted part sounded good! lolol
Tracy says
Brussel sprouts cooked with bacon. Whats not to love?
Doreen says
Am following along on the search for the BGE alternative. We, too, have several grills but the BGE-type is so awesome for “real”/serious outdoor cooking! Am off to Winona ….. playing Christmas piano at the hospital, lunch and very little/only necessary shopping(ugh!). Have a great day in the sewing room…..for me, tomorrow will be my turn;-)
Lisa Gossett says
Can you send me some of your sewing mono? I’ m in great need of some!!!
Cindy says
Brussel sprouts have become one of our favorite veggies…. roast them with garlic and olive oil… and for holidays or special meals, add bacon. I just had to look up the Komodo cooker… wow, does that look nice. But I could almost buy a fancy smancy professional stove for that sum! But this could be on my “special treat” list when I have that extra cash burning a hole in my pocket! I’d take forever deciding on a color, though.
Wendy says
We have a Green Egg and Love it! We grill a lot of Salmon and you just can’t beat it.
Julie Thomas says
Judy, my preference is a Vision Grill. My sister works for them and swears by them. They are much less expensive and the smoked turkey we had at Thanksgiving was to die for.
http://www.visiongrills.com/
JanetB says
Husband has a Big Green Egg. I bought it for his Christmas present in 1999. They are warrantied for life and he has had more than a couple things replaced in the last 12 years that did not cost him a thing. We use it all the time. It makes the best pizza, steak, and smoked turkey for Christmas dinner.
JanetB says
Oh, and I put his in the back of my 1996 Chevrolet Blazer when I bought it.