Operation Big Bird is Gonna Fry

I have always wanted to deep fry a turkey. Don't ask me why. Until my recent experience, I had never even HAD deep fried turkey. I had myself a mission. I was going to deep fry a turkey. Operation Big Bird is Gonna Fry commences immediately.

Big Bird was a healthy 14 pound turkey. It was painfully clear that I had never touched a turkey before, or fried anything for that matter. With the gizzards removed, and after Big Birds bath, Tval and I went to inject the turkey with cajun beer mixture. We broke the injector. Great start... Eventually we plumped the turkey full of cajun spices and beer, and let him marinate over night.

Post-work the next day, Tval bought the keg, and Bval had the birthday (which naturally comes with a group of friends to help celebrate.)

We set up the fryer right out in the front yard. Of course, we want the neighborhood to witness this great adventure. Went to put the oil in the fryer, and as luck would have it, we didn't get enough oil. Off to Wal-Mart I go. Why should they have large jugs of oil? They didn't, but they DID have small cartons. So I bought seven. After some quizzical looks from the cashier, (this puzzled me, as I have seen much odder things at the Wal-Mart), Operation Big Bird is Gonna Fry resumes.

Fryer is lighted, and now we wait. And wait. And wait some more to get the fryer the perfect temperature for cooking Big Bird. Tval and I dropped the turkey in the hot oil, and then we waited. And waited. Then it rained and cooled off the fryer, and of course, I can't leave the fryer unattended, and of course, Big Bird smells to-die-for, and of course, I haven't eaten much throughout the day in anticipation of this great feast.

Eventually the time came. Big Bird was done. Do I know how to carve a turkey? Negative. I even bought an electric knife just for this grand occasion. The masses were hungry, and I couldn't take it any more. I ripped most of the Big Bird from the bones with my bare hands. You'd think this might upset the appetites of some, but you'd be wrong. I would be lying if I said that I had better turkey in my life.

Big Bird was out of this world delicious. Unbelievable fried cajun turkey. I did it. I fried a turkey. Operation Big Bird is Gonna Fry, complete. You have received a GO at this station.

Entertaining The German

As you might be aware, I work for a German company. There are many opportunities to work and/or go through training across the pond, between branches. Part of my program is a training session in Munich, Germany in September.

Similarly, Munich has trainees that they send to our branch for rotations. Christian is one of those trainees. Tval, Duff, and Bosk met Christian during their training in Munich last fall. We took him out in Philly for a night of good American food and beer.

I've been to Germany once, and I am ashamed to say that I don't know much about the language, but I know how to speak 'bier'!

St. Piper Patty's Day

St. Patty's Day is a day for the books. It was the birth of Piper Patty. That's right, Piper Patty. She is the fun, little zippy zip that I have the pleasure of motoring around in. Poor Turtle, he never saw it coming.
She has a total of 4.5 doors; 2.5 passenger/driver doors, and 2 "barn doors" that open up to the boot. I enjoy the dual sunroof on my morning and afternoon commute to work, but I especially love the heated seats.

She really likes to go fast, and she loves her some quality cruisin' tunes. What can I say? Piper's a girl after my own heart, and she's one sassy little ride!

Snow Day!

My company seriously believes in the safety of its employees. This is one of the perks to working for an insurance company. They are always on the lookout for ways to deter workers comp claims. The day it snowed approximately 4 inches, we got a snow day!

TVal and I enjoyed a day with the snow and the pups. We took the pups to the park and to top it off, we went sledding....TWICE! Turtle had a near miss experience with a ditch and mailbox shaped like a rooster. Oh yes, and there was studying, hot cocoa, and great wintertime outfits.

Gumbo Party

Charleston one weekend to Chicago two weeks later. I will add in here that I had to turbo-pack and move to Pennsylvania the weekend in between. Thanks to the help of some great friends, it was no problem at all and all done in about 3 hours!

So on to Chicago....Brenda, my diva friend from the WI Guard band, hosts a party every year at which she serves her famous Gumbo. It takes all day to prepare, and the last few years, I have gone to help cut vegetables, keep her company while she stirs the roux (takes at least an hour), and of course, drink some of her beer.
Scary Larry is enough of a reason to make this annual trek. To hear him say things like 'She out.' and 'If it don't make sense, it don't make change.' and watch him do push-ups after one too many gins.

Over the years and various gumbo parties, there have been many a story, most of which can't probably be posted on a public blog. This year was especially a good time with the added bonus of Guitar Hero. I don't take this game seriously, AT ALL, obviously.

We ate all night. Drank while we cooked, and laughed every other minute.