Striving for “Husband of the Year“ honors, Andrew Scarlett came up big Friday night for his wife, Sophie’s birthday 🎂. He ordered snow crab legs for his Cajun boil. Along with the andouille sausage, corn on the cob, potatoes and shrimp, he followed the directions to a T just to make her happy. 😊

Tumbleweed in Salem is located just off of Highway 56. Heidi and I like the Wal-Mart there and decided to try Tumbleweed. It was a success!

Heidi had the White chicken Chili in a tortilla bowl with jalapeño cornbread.

Good service and good atmosphere. The short answer is that we will be back!

Forget the ribs that were smoked for 5 hours. This meal highlight is all about the blackberries.

The girls both had blackberries from Mike and Ronnie Jo Scarlett’s blackberry bushes. Heidi made her usual delicious cobbler while Sophie, still in her rookie season was coached up by Ronnie Jo and made her crust from scratch. Whoa!!! 💥

Both were still warm and became soupy after adding the ice cream. (Just the way I like it. Outstanding!!!)

We also had potatoes 🥔 gifted to us from Heidi’s uncle Barry Melloncamp. Today for lunch I also had 🍑 peaches and 🍐 pears from Barry and Linda’s orchard. As well, we harvested several green peppers 🫑 from our garden that I can only hope become “Stuffed” this week.

The fresh factor of this wonderful local fair is just crazy. As a city boy growing up, I never experienced the incredible garden raised food like this. And to think it all started on August 4, 2007 when I hit the lottery. That would be the “I get to be married to Heidi lottery.”

On the golf course the other day, my friend Jon stated “Dude, your summer is over.” Do you remember back in the 1970s when school started after Labor Day? And you didn’t make up snow days, like the winter of 1978 when we had that huge blizzard 🌨️. out two weeks. No make up.

Ha! The good old days. Do you think all of us folks in our 60s are that much dumber for missing those days? As I prepare to start year 40 in education, I’m just going to show up on the days they tell me to and stay home the days they tell me to…Whatever.

But back to the delicious dinner we had tonight!

🥕 Carrots with Dominate One and a bit of Creole seasoning. 🐓 Chicken thighs marinated in Applewood rub, Kickin’ Chicken and Creole.

Outstandingly cooked in the Traeger!

So tomorrow, It’s Back to School night to meet the new students and parents and will be back in action for real on August 5. See you later, Hickory Hills ⛳️ Golf course.

The consensus is that these are the best ribs I have smoked. Two hours on the Traeger, two hours wrapped in foil and 🍎 apple juice. One hour with sauce on the Traeger. 💥! tender and delicious!

Located in Freeman Field, (820 A Avenue East) Lola’s Modern Kitchen is a breath of fresh air with a delicious menu and several unique items

The jalapeño fried cornbread was crispy and delicious.

I had the 🦃 turkey club with 🥓 bacon, Swiss 🧀 cheese. The Texas toast was perfectly toasted and the skin on 🍟 fries were fresh and hot!

Heidi had the burrito 🌯 bowl with 🐓 chicken. Tasty!

The Elvis themed Cheesecake was outstanding! It was topped with peanut butter sauce, sliced banana 🍌 , whipped cream and a 🍒 cherry on🔝.

Lola’s is totally worth the drive to Freeman Field and also has a beer menu.

The Islamorada Brewing Company at Mile Marker 82 on Highway 1 is a “Must Stop”🛑 while traveling down the keys.

Let me tell you about a lobster corn dog…A big hunk of lobster meat🦞 dipped in batter and deep fried on a stick. It was tremendous! We sat in Adirondack chairs in the brewery back yard sampling flights and cooling down with Key Lime Coladas.

It doesn’t get much better!

Lemon Shrimp Scampi was exquisite!

Nash’s is in North Vernon where Red Oak used to be. There were so many enticing things in the menu that we are going to have to go back!

So many students were missing school on prom day to get their hair, nails etc. done, they went to E Learning. As well, the elementary and middle schools have E Learning so here I am in my bathrobe and slippers enjoying breakfast 🍳 with my four legged fan club.

Breakfast of Champions. Bacon, eggs, whole grain toast with strawberry jam…and don’t forget the Diet Dew!!!

From here we will have a Google Meet this morning with the fifth graders asking for a tour of the Man Cave and some time with the dogs. 🐶 Most important, the Religion lesson is about not being lazy and working hard. 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12. Have a great day with Jesus at your side.

The culmination of the season took place at Sauers School with the tournament Monday night. A huge part of the tourney is the pork BBQ 🐽 dinner cooked and served by Marty and company. Delicious!!!