Tractor Rim Steak n Crab Legs

Definitely one of my favorite meals whether I'm at home or camping! 

I was able to sneak off for a fishing trip this summer. Took a few crab legs and ribeyes with me.

You know the old saying, if you take hot dogs you gotta eat hot dogs... steak and crab sounded a lot better to me!

Lit a few logs in the tractor rim...

Started my fried tatoes n onions first, then a skillet of mushrooms, onions and garlic in butter..

made garlic butter and kept it on low heat...

Next the ribeyes, asparagus and last the crab legs...

It was a fairly thin ribeye but tasted fine...

My favorite was the crab dipped in garlic butter...

Caught several catfish this trip and had a nice time. I didn't get to go camping as much as usual this year... too much going on with the wild fires and ice storm early in the year.

Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving! Thanks for stopping by! 

My Wooden Beer Cooler Build

I purchased a pocket screw jig this summer and this is the first project I build with it.

Started by removing all hardware and lids from two coolers...

Build a 2x4 base frame ... using the pocket jig...

I wanted to keep all screws on the project hidden. 

Worked on the bottom brace boards supporting the coolers...

Framing in coolers for tight fit...

Also leveling the bottom brace boards so cooler tops would be flush with top of frame...

Dry run on top trim boards...

Cutting slat boards for the sides and ends...

Attaching slats to the sides and framing in the lids... (dry run on the lids)

Attaching trim boards...

Working on the lids... 

I framed the lids.... added slats to the frame using the pocket screws... 

then screwed the top lid boards to the slats from the inside.

Then attached the white beer cooler lid to the wooden lid before adding the last strip of wood. 

I glued the last strip into place. 

staining....

adding drain pipe and faucets... one on each end. 

Covered with several layers of sealant before adding hardware...

Added bottle opener....

Pretty much ready to go...

Moved to the patio...

Added a MINE sign.... it's removable...just for special friends. lol 

The build was fun! Had a few questionable moments during the build, but with encouraging words and a virtual pat on the back, I persevered! :)

I'm leaving the cooler on the patio for the winter but hopefully, with help, will move it onto the deck in the spring.

Thanks for looking!

Smoked Bacon, Garlic, Scallion, Pepperjack Pull Bread (again)

I should make this at least once a week. It's easy and so tasty!!
I start by frying several pieces of bacon. The more the merrier.

 Set the bacon aside, add butter to the bacon drippings...

Sautee scallions and garlic in the butter, bacon drippings....

Score a loaf of bread. Dense bread works best for this. It holds up to the drizzle of butter and bacon drippings...

I used pepperjack and mozarella cheese this time...

Stuff the cheese into the crooks and crannies....

Then spoon the sauteed onions and garlic in too...
Make sure to spoon the butter and bacon dripping into the cracks and pour any extra over the top of the bread.

Into the smoker with a kiss of hickory...

I cover the bread first, until the bread is heated through and the cheese is melty...

Then uncover the bread and let it crisp up a bit...

Top with the crisp, cooked bacon...and a few chopped scallions.

Ready to dig in!

I grabbed a piece while it was hot and gooey...

I love the way the butter and bacon drippings soak into the bread.... :)

Poured a glass of wine...

and called er good.

I can make a meal out of this. A few "pulls" of bread and a glass of wine. Pretty much all I need.

Things are going great here! The garden was slow going for awhile but the tomato plants are doing better and I see a few blooms. The new baby chicks (replacement hens) are feathering out and growing fast. New ducklings will be here this week.
I haven't had the time to go camping, which goes against my grain. lol Should have been out there months ago. I'll figure out a way...
Hope everyone is doing well and having a good spring. Keep safe and thanks for stopping by!