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February 28, 2009
February 27, 2009
Good Advice for Men - No. 14
It is good to take time now and again to hang out with the boys. Make sure you plan to share a meal and enjoy good conversation. Do not forget to thank your girl for your "man time" when you return home.
February 26, 2009
The 10 Greatest Moments in Bacon History
A while back I amused a few people up when, while waxing poetic about BBQ, I commented that the pig is a magical beast. But the thing is...it's true. And part of that magic is bacon. While I dare not claim bacon is a healthy food, as Emeril says, pork fat rules.
Few other meats can claim so much flavor and uniqueness in the culinary realm. Seldom does one see so many men get misty eyed when discussing meat as when bacon enters the conversation. So, my friends, I present for your reading pleasure, the 10 greatest moments in bacon history.
1. Eggs & Bacon - as a meal name was popularized in the United States by Edward Bernays in the 1920s and 1930s. In order to promote sales of bacon, he conducted a survey of physicians and reported their recommendation that people eat hearty breakfasts. He sent the results of the survey to 5,000 physicians, along with publicity touting bacon and eggs as a hearty breakfast.
2. Pork & Beans - They are just beans until you layer those strips of bacon on top before baking. All the sudden the beans, sauce, brown sugar, and spices marry to make a dish that says summertime like few others. Who among us has not angled to get a stripe of the bacon off the top at a picnic or church pot luck?
3. BLT - Do not mess with perfection. Fix it exactly this way. The sandwich has several strips of cooked bacon, leaves of lettuce (traditionally iceberg or romaine), and slices of tomato, all sandwiched between slices of bread, commonly but optionally toasted. (In New England, "BLT down" means the bread is to be toasted.) Mayonnaise is the traditional condiment used.
4. Bacon Wrapped Scallops - Genius. Pure Genius. Any social event serving this tasty appetizer instantly goes up a notch. You do not believe me? Ask around. In addition, serving this food is the best use of the toothpick ever.
6. Cobb Salad - I'm eating healthy today, I'll just order the salad...yea, I'll have the Cobb Salad. Its main ingredients include bacon,chicken breast, hard-boiled egg, avocado, and Roquefort cheese. Outstanding! Here's a little history on my (and what should be your) favorite salad: In 1937, Brown Derby owner Robert H. Cobb went into the restaurant's kitchen to fix a late-night snack for Sid Grauman, operator ofGrauman's Chinese Theater. He browsed the refrigerator for ingredients, and chopped them up finely. Thus, the Cobb salad was born. From then on, Grauman often requested that a Cobb salad be prepared for him. Word soon spread about this creation throughout Hollywood, quickly increasing its popularity. It became such a hit that film stars started requesting "Cobb's salad", and it was eventually added to the menu of the Brown Derby restaurant.
8. Chocolate Covered Bacon - I've called great BBQ pig candy (especially the caramelized outside chop). This stuff really in pig candy. Hey, Ithink they borrowed my tag line!
9. Bacon Explosion - Look at this. Don't flinch. LOOK AT THIS. Oh me. Oh my. Sausage, bacon, dry rub and BBQ sauce? This is so wrong, yet so right. No, I have never had it, but I would stand in line for a taste. I dare not make it lest I become addicted.
10. Baconaise -Let's call it Bacon v2.0. Wow. Just wow! We can not get this product yet in the upstate SC, but that may soon change. I've requested a special order at the local Piggly Wiggly. I'm sure it will be a best seller. It's a natural...The Pig and Baconaise. Give me 30 days and I'll be reporting on this one.
February 25, 2009
Warm inside & outside
Late last Friday afternoon our small group set-up a pop-up awning by Magnolia Park close to uptown Greenwood. For several hours we gave away coats & blankets and served hot chocolate. One couple that stopped by came strolling past a bit later with a friend who was sporting his new, warm winter jacket. He was grinning from ear to ear. Nothing else needed to happen to make the afternoon worth the effort. It is amazing what happens when we do what Christ asks us to do with our time and resources.
February 24, 2009
It's Redneck Tuesday!
It was by far the most authentic gingerbread house little Cletus had ever seen.
As usual, your caption comments and suggestions are welcome.
Note: If you would like to be added to "The Swell Guy Update" e-mail that is published most Tuesday mornings, please drop me a line ([email protected]) and I'll be happy to add you to the party.
February 23, 2009
It's a Pet Rock Monday!
I bet it has been a while since you thought of your Pet Rock. Is it dead? Is it in the back of the attic somewhere? Do you even know about the Pet Rock? Not to worry...you can always pick up a rock outside and grab a Sharpie marker. Think of it as your own adopt a rock project. Have an ace day.
February 21, 2009
February 20, 2009
Good Advice for Men - No. 13
Do not just drive by. Stop. Look around. Maybe snap a photo or two. Do no regret not stopping. You may not come this way again.
February 19, 2009
We Are The Church
Get ready to laugh. I'm just saying...
February 18, 2009
Translation
The other day Denine commented that several friends who recently decided to follow Christ were struggling with the meaning of scripture. This is not unusual. It seems the problem is less what the word has to say and more about translation of the scriptures. It does not help anyone to start out using grandma's dusty old bible or to flog through a group study using good old King James when none of us are accustomed to speaking the king's English, circa 1611. We have resouces and help available.
It has always seemed there have been groups in the church that claim a particular version or translation of the gospel is the only authentic source. I'd like to make two brief comments on this thought. The first is if talking about the King James Bible I would submit that Christ was not walking the earth in the flesh in the early 1600's, nor did he minister in English language. And secondly, speaking of Christ, I will comment that his ministry was inclusive to the point that he refused to force Jewish religious customs onto the newly converted Gentiles. In other words, he chose to speak their language while maintaining the integrity of the truth.
So my suggestion when asked, is find a translation that is in your language. Find what speaks truth into your life. Find what sounds more like a conversation, and less like a text book. The word should come alive to take root in your life and to drill down to your soul. It is even better if you can find this in a study bible edition. A good study bible includes sidebar comments and notes that help the reader understand the historical context of the moment.
So, my friends, this is not a rant. This is an encouragement. Dig in. Find truth. Learn. Grow.
For a quick comparison, here is my life verse, Hebrews 12:1, in different bible translations. Enjoy.
New International Version
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
New American Standard
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
The Message
Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit!
Amplified Bible
THEREFORE THEN, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us,
New Living Translation
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
King James Bible
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
New King James
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
English Standard Version
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
American Standard Version
Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Note: The Message the bible in contemporary language as interpreted by Eugene H. Peterson. While it can not be deemed an accurate translation, it is wonderful reading and gives a very fair assessment of what is happening. I love reading it, but I will caution you not to use it as your only source when seeking accurate translation of scripture.