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I was in Cub scouts for 2-3 years in the late 70's.  I had a great time.   I remember trying to earn patches one by one as well as going to pack meetings on Sundays.  Crafts, games and projects. I remember going Christmas Caroling with them in December..... I hope you remember the good thats Scouting does  If I don't screw it up the next picture should be the car that Granpa made with you.... .... 

As always 

With Love, Dad

Christmas Show Johnson school 2012.

-- Matt Christmas show 2012

Absence make the heart grow fonder

I haven't written about this because its hard for me.  You have to know what's important in your life and in most cases you don;t know till its gone. There was a time from November to the following July that you four (mom and chaser included) lived down state at your grand parents house.  Those months were the hardest time in my life. I would wake up , shower go to work and work form 10am to 9pm every day simply because I did not want to go home. It was empty , dead and cold.  There was no sound in the house at all. Most days I would keep it warmed to 57 degrees and only warm the house from 9pm to 11pm.  I lost my mind. I had recycled papers every where, nothing in the fridge and no vegetables. I was lost.  Many many days I would come home and just cry. I could not let you or your mom know because I had to stay strong.  What I'm trying to say is that my family is the most important thing. You boys and your laughter , your smiles , the sitting and watching a movie are whats important to me.  The ability to have a real sit down dinner with you three is a beautiful thing.  You are my life.

     Some times I yell but its only because I want and need you to do better than I did in school . I want you to have a better life than mine. You are smart and both good looking.  You have no clue how important you are in my life.  I thought I knew what was important but until you four left I really had no clue.  I love you.  

As always this is written with love

Dad

In the kitchen w/ Ry.

    I'm so glad you are learning your way around the kitchen!  Mom can cook 1000 times better than I can. Probably the best teacher you can have in the kitchen.   It's neat that she's teaching you how to cook. All by hand without mixes and boxed stuff.  I was way way impressed with your deep dish pizza. you made everything by scratch; crust, sauce and real sausage and cheese. Ry- It was delicious...... Even your Aunt Lina loved it and shes fairly picky on what she eats!  

  I started to cook when I was in 8th grade.  Really it was frying a thin steak and warming a tortilla.  I kinda flew by the seat of my pants....No teachers all experiments. Making a deep dish is much more complicated.  Keep learning and trying new things. That way you'll be independent in the kitchen and it's a great way to make friends too.   I love to cook for you and your brother in the mornings and on Sundays (when Mom lets me).  I really enjoy when I'm able to cook for mom.  It's special for me because she does not give me the chance to do it. 

  When your ready to make a full meal for mom I'll be glad to be your assistant chef.

Fwd: Spooky Halloween 2012

Another year of costumes , cool weather and candy.   The last few years I've been sad.... Last year was the first time not going out with you two.   Your growing up - fast.  I remember holding your hands in the cold and rain. Waiting for you both at the ends of driveways while you went to the doors.....   Remember when you have kids of your own - Keep the magic alive. Dress in costume , be in character, hold their bags and if necessary carry them home on your shoulders.-- I always had fun doing this with you two.  
   I worry about the both of you when your out of my sight, but thats what growing ups is....... to trust that I have done all that I can so you can do things with out me..... Your doing a great job!  -

 

As always this is written with love...

Dad.

 

 

Game Night

It's the season for some football and what goes hand and hand with football?  Chili !!!   Personally I have to say I love mine with beans, to have it with out is just not right.   I do not prefer a loose chili sauce like a coney dog. Its got to be some what thick.   I do not like Cincinnati Greek style - it has cinnamon and is not for me. Texas style seems to be a waste of good meat in a heave tomato-y sauce.  Chicken and turkey and some kine of hippy abomination.  Five , six and ten alarm chili and just penis waving on who can eat the hottest thing that has no taste.... If I'm having chili I'm planning on having a meal, not bragging not look at me etc, I'm having a meal.  I like mac as a side along with sharp cheddar and a touch of sour cream. Onions are optional.

     Years and years ago there was a place in Forest park that served a very good chili- Bishops. Their philosophy was great. Have a bowl and get out.  They served chili one way. Every thing else was extra - beans, onions, jalapenos, sour cream, macaroni all extra. But it was there for years - 30+ before it moved.  From what I have heard it is still there but at a new location.

   Ok folks this is my take on chili.  I'm ok with using Mcormack packages as a base if you do not have the individual spices laying around.  I have also used Penskeys Spice Chili 9000 as a base.  This one is going with out packaged spices. Remember its all to taste and to your liking. 

My football chili....

 

• 2-3 pounds ground beef 80% lean is fine do not go lean with this
• 1 pound ground pork
• 1 8 in piece Mexician Chorizo
• 1 large onion chopped
• 2 garlic cloves -peeled and chopped fine
• 1 dark beer - I like Negro Modelo , but any dark one will do fine
• 1 TBS of Cocca powder
• 1 tsp Cumin
• 1 TBP Cyanne chilli powder
• 1 TBP of salt
• 2 cans of crushed tomatos - do not drain!!
• 1 can tomato paste
• 1 can tomato sauce
• 1 tsp chili ancho powder
• 2 cans beans - I like pinto , but kidney or white beans will do too.

Place the ground beef and pork in to a decent sized pot. Start to brown the meat. Break up any large chunks .  When its done drain off the fat. Do not over cook the meat it still have some cooking to do. 

  In a seperate fry pan start to cook the corizo. After some of teh fat is rendered put the onions and garlic. Fry at low heat until onions are clear.   When its done pour off some of the chorizo grease, but not all it still has tons of flavor. 

Mix the chorizo and onion garlic mix back in to the meat.  Add to this the tomatoes, tomato paste, spices, the beer. Simmer it for at least a half hour to hour before adding the drained beans.  The that simmer for another half hour.  Taste and adjust.  You may need to add more beer or water if you prefer. 

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If you use the Mcormacks spices - add coccoa power , ancho,  and Cyanne .... Same if you use the Chili 9000.

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Personally I like sharp Cheddar and Mexican sour cream.  Mexican sour cream is a full fat cream and does not separate from the whey.  Any pasta will do for the mac portion. Enjoy it and enjoy the game.

My kids and their friends liked this kind of chili.  

 

As always

I love you.

Dad.

 

 

A broken Summer 2012

   Well this year was not the greatest of Summers, but it still was a good Summer. You broke your finger jumping off the bunk beds.  Your pinky smacked off of the dresser and well it fractured.   There is not much you can do to fix that type of break except for splint it and wait 6 weeks.   I know it kinda sucked not being able to go skating or riding your bike.  The only upside was it was soooo hot this year that you had spent most time inside watching tons of SCI-FI and Dr who on netflix.   

     As a kid and in high school I had broken my nose no less than three times.  I know I fractured my heel when I had my motorcycle accident.  I jammed and probably fractured a finger or two as a kid as well..... Guess what they all healed. So did you.  It took time .  Most things take time to heal... bones , cuts and hearts.  
   God willing this will be your only broken bone.   If it's not those will heal as well. Just remember.... take thinks slow and let them heal.   This Summer could have been worse. A friend of mine named Jeff broke his arm at the beginning of Summer one year and had to have a full cast for the entire time.....   

 

Take care

Love Dad.

5k Cancer walk 2010

Its always good to stand up for what you believe in.... This time we walked for what thought was right..... Thank you boys.

to the sky

I bought a new telescope the other week.  Its a Celestron firstscope - a 3" reflector and it was quite cheep ,but not cheaply made. I had always wanted a reflector. Your mom bought me a refractor . while its a nice scope unto its self its cumbersome to use. The ease and portability keeps me using this one.

   I was happy to but it.  I wanted to show you two the skies. My uncle was happy to show me what he know about the sky and of the wonderful satellites we launched to other worlds.  Its neet having to learn something just so I can show you both.  The other night I showed you two and mom the Moon for the first time.  It was wonderful to show you the night for the first time. We also saw the red world of Mars and Saturn as a planet instead of just a spot on the sky.   We saw its rings!!!!  Slowly I am buying an eyepiece here and there. Ones that are better that the ones the firstscope came with. Next year I'll buy a bigger scope thats also easy to bring with..    I thought that Ryan would be all over the scope but its Matthew that likes to watch the night sky. 

    Little by little we'll both  learn more together.  I'm loving it.  I'll keep showing you as much as I know if you keep making me learn more about the world. I love seeing it through your eyes.

 

As always

With Love,

Dad

Tacos

Ground Beef Tacos
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup tomato sauce (4 oz)

1 teaspoon cumin

2 potatoes chopped small

1- teaspoon chili powder

salt pepper to taste

on a lark sometimes I add corn in to this. The kids liked it. 

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In a skillet add oil and fry the chopped

potatoes.  When the potatoes are almost done remove and 

put aside. Add the ground beef and

onion and garlic.  While browning add spices

and tomato sauce. Let cook. Drain off excess

grease from the cooked meat. Add potatoes and

return to low simmer.  In about another 15 minutes

you should be done.

Warm corn tortillas on a hot comal and stack them in

a clean dish towel.

On the side have fresh sour cream, cut limes,

hot sauce, chopped cheese, lettuce and tomatos.... cilantro and

onions round this out.

Finish with a few beers and ice cold cokes.  I know you boys love to eat this style of taco meat. Ry I watched you put down 5 tacos in one sitting , sooo I really know this works! I hope you learn your own style and really make it your own .....  Once you can master one dish the rest fall in to place.

My camera stinks so this is not my photo...

As always - With love, Dad.