Second Annual 'Feed the Starving Artists and Admire Their Work' Cookout

Smokin'

This year, as last, Daughter C invited Mr. Big Food to grill some dogs & burgers for the cookout following the Department of Art's Convocation. I hear tell Convocation-- the calling together-- went well. This year the TARDIS was featured on stage. (Photo of the TARDIS in the spotlight as soon as Daughter C forwards it to me.)

This was Miss M's first Starving Artist Cookout, and in fact, the first cookout in which she's ever been involved.*

Daughter C works the 'room' at work.

Thirty-six bratwurst, forty-eight hot dogs, and something like sixty hamburgers later, Daughter C gave Miss M and I a guided tour of the 3-D facilities.

I should note that the starving artists have cleaned up the joint-- much to my disappointment. I sort of liked the discarded art in the corners of the joint. But there was still a lot of cool artsy stuff to see.

I had stumbled upon this chair recently. It's designer is famous, don't you know? (He helped get the hot coals out of the grill so we could tote the grill back to the Farm.)

Original originals.

Also known as the Real Thing.

Cool office

Touring down the hallway...

Book Art: I have mixed feelings.

Students Showcased

And my favorites...

Students Shelved

They are as starving English Majors' essays read aloud to those who walk the hall.

Kilns

What a lovely tour.

But the gig was up at the end. Clearly, just as all you need to be a writer is a typewriter and some words, all you need to be to be an artist is some stuff,

And a weigh (haha) to get the proportions right.

What a great tour.

Thank you, C!

Why Does Every Disagreement Have to Be a War? Apples and Oranges

I'm sure y'all have heard about the war on women, and the war on men, and the battle between the sexes. 

Now, via Instapundit.com I see there are the grill wars. 

It’s a beautiful day. The family’s in attendance, side dishes and beer in tow. Your sister-in-law brought a trunk full of Super Soakers. It’s BBQ time. Time to kick back in the yard and fire up the … stove?

Hmm, that doesn’t sound terribly exciting, does it? But that’s basically what you’re doing when you cook out on a gas grill, which is powered by the same largely flavorless fuel as your kitchen stove.

True fact: Cooking on a gas grill is more convenient than cooking with charcoal.
It’s also a lot less special. And, scientifically speaking, it creates less flavorful food.

As it happens, it is a beautiful day here on the Farm and Mr. Big Food has fired up one of his large oil drum grills.

Charcoal, mesquite and apple wood

Leaks, celery, onion and oranges in the water pan

Look at that flavorful smoke!

You can't do apple wood and oranges on a gas grill.

That said, Mr. Big Food knows there's a time and a place for gas.

(If you'd prefer to not see a photo of Mr. Big Food and a whole pig on a pig cooker, please do not click to read more.)

You may ask, "What are we doin' when we're not playin' games?"

No Starving Artists Here

Mr. Big Food grilled some burgers and dogs for the artists. The only context needed is that the lid on the grill I totted in has some lid issues.

An artist to the rescue.

Fixed.

It begins.

Recipe: Shishkabob D.A. Style

I'm a few days late with the kabaob and rice pilaf recipes. Please forgive me! Photos and context here.

~~

“Serve over rice.”—Mrs. D.A. Weaver (Connie), Ruleville, Mississippi

SHISHKABOB  D.A. STYLE

Serves 4

2 lbs sirloin steak, cut into 1 ½ inch cubes

2 medium tomatoes, quartered OR cherry tomatoes

2 medium bell peppers, quartered

2 medium onions, quartered

Mushrooms

MARINADE

1 C soy sauce

¼ C bourbon

¼ C brown sugar

1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

½ C vinegar

Combine Marinade ingredients, and marinate meat, onions, bell peppers, and mushrooms in mixture for 4 to 6 hours in refrigerator. Alternate meat, onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, and tomatoes on skewers. “Best when cooked over charcoal fire.” Make a gravy using drippings and ½ C marinade.