Independence Day Family Style

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bauchjw

Master of the Pit
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OTBS Member
SMF Premier Member
Aug 3, 2015
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Alexandria, VA
I'm driving back after our traditional family get together at Lake Okoboji, Ia. My family has been going there every summer for over 100 years and there is a lot of History/Memories. Stopped now for some rest 12 hours into my 25 hour drive and my 3 year old is finally asleep (I think road trips were mentally easier on kids BEFORE car seats). Before bed we went to the hotel pool to wash off the road dust and my daughter had a blast jumping in and out of the water and climbing on me like a jungle gym to use my shoulders as a diving platform. There was another family there with teenage girls who looked miserable and did their best to ignore their parents and glare at the world in general. Those kids father gave me a look that said enjoy it while it lasts! I guess it made me feel a bit emotional.

So... now I'm reflecting on the weekends memories. Independence can be painful for individuals as well as a country. All we can do is our best and remember the good times....which are always better with good food!

Saturday Grilled TBone and Iowa Chops with Candy Corn and potatoes....

Sunday Ribs on Webber Kettle

While Ribs were going I prepped the pork butt and wicked beans. Pork butt went in Dad's electric smoker preheated to 220 with applewood pellets in AMNPS (my Christmas present to him) Sunday at 1800 to be ready for Monday evening (4th) PP in preparation for fireworks.

Morning of 4th all was well with butt and AMNPS ran through full load of pellets with no issue. At 1200 put Wicked Beans in, added one row of pellets to AMNPS, and went off in boat to screw around.

By 1600 butt came out at 200 IT and passed the tooth pick test with flying colors. Beans had awesome color. Slaw was chilled and waiting. By 1730 all was pulled and we ate for a while...but saved some room for a desert I consider as American as Apple Pie! Then it was time to really celebrate!


I hope everyone had a great Independence Day. God Bless America and our families.
 
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WOW! Nice spread and a pretty Lake. I am not sure about the car seats and kid comfort. Back in the 90's, my three girls, 8, 7 and 3, rarely made it 5 miles before passing out. Every 100 miles or so they woke for a Pee Break and fell asleep again. WE WERE BLESSED!
biggrin.gif
 I can say I am pretty sure that the Old Days were probably easier on us kids. Baby Bro got to sleep in Mom's arms in the front seat or nestled between mom and dad. And me? I had the whole back seat of the '64 Galaxi to lay out on. I don't think the car had seat belts, at least I never saw them. My Wife, same age as me, talks about a Toy Car Seat, she used. It had a steering wheel and a horn that she would beep, frantically, when she saw the white wedged shape building with the Golden Arches approaching. I am sure that thing was not approved by any Safety organization...JJ

BTW...On growing up. Girls are dad's best friend until about 12. Then they just look at you like you are an idiot and ask, " Where's Mom!?! " By 20, things get better but Mom is still the Go To with any problems...
 
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Wow, great looking food in some beautiful scenery.  Props for that Weber rib stacking set up!  Family and food  is synonymous most times.  Looks like you had a great fourth!  I have a 3 and half year old myself and everyone says the same thing about how fast they grow up and how easy they are now..."girls are tough" they always tell me haha.  I am just going to enjoy this while it lasts.
 
 bauchjw I like that rib rack never seen one around here,did you order that on line?I did rotisserie & vortex chicken for the 4th Points 

Richie
 
WOW! Nice spread and a pretty Lake. I am not sure about the car seats and kid comfort. Back in the 90's, my three girls, 8, 7 and 3, rarely made it 5 miles before passing out. Every 100 miles or so they woke for a Pee Break and fell asleep again. WE WERE BLESSED!:biggrin:  I can say I am pretty sure that the Old Days were probably easier on us kids. Baby Bro got to sleep in Mom's arms in the front seat or nestled between mom and dad. And me? I had the whole back seat of the '64 Galaxi to lay out on. I don't think the car had seat belts, at least I never saw them. My Wife, same age as me, talks about a Toy Car Seat, she used. It had a steering wheel and a horn that she would beep, frantically, when she saw the white wedged shape building with the Golden Arches approaching. I am sure that thing was not approved by any Safety organization...JJ

BTW...On growing up. Girls are dad's best friend until about 12. Then they just look at you like you are an idiot and ask, " Where's Mom!?! " By 20, things get better but Mom is still the Go To with any problems...

Thank you Chef!

I think you were blessed! My daughter just screams she's board until she has to pee. We had a van growing up with no seats, only lawn chairs and sleeping bags with a cooler as a bench. It was a lot of fun....for us kids. But, I see how it would be a death trap now!

Yes...I'm not looking forward to the teen years! That's when smoking meat can be therapy!
 
Wow, great looking food in some beautiful scenery.  Props for that Weber rib stacking set up!  Family and food  is synonymous most times.  Looks like you had a great fourth!  I have a 3 and half year old myself and everyone says the same thing about how fast they grow up and how easy they are now..."girls are tough" they always tell me haha.  I am just going to enjoy this while it lasts.
Thank you! The Webber stack worked out pretty well! You can't beat the reliability of a Webber! Yes, I keep trying to appreciate all I can! Time goes faster every week!
 
 bauchjw I like that rib rack never seen one around here,did you order that on line?I did rotisserie & vortex chicken for the 4th Points 
Richie
Thank you Richie! I actually got them at Home Depot. It was a last minute set up, I left my rib rack at home so we ran out to find one and all HD had were single ones for Webber bell, less than 10 bucks each. So we got 2 and propped the third up. Worked pretty well! Can't wait to get my vortex! You've inspired me!
 
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 bauchjw I like that rib rack never seen one around here,did you order that on line?I did rotisserie & vortex chicken for the 4th Points 
Richie
Thank you Richie! I actually got them at Home Depot. It was a last minute set up, I left my rib rack at home so we ran out to find one and all HD had were single ones for Webber bell, less than 10 bucks each. So we got 2 and propped the third up. Worked pretty well! Can't wait to get my vortex! You've inspired me!
Just came back from HD empty handed Searched online couldn't find them. Thanks I'll keep looking I think they would work real well with the Vortex

Richie
 
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