Don't Let the Name Fool You.....It's Really Monday.....

How was everyone's Memorial Day Weekend? Highlights of my weekend include going to bed early Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Fun at SW Open on Saturday and the hilarious drive home with Gary, Mark and Vicki Saturday evening and most importantly, I won a SIGNIFICANT battle in my home.

Let me tell you what's been going on at my house for the past year. My husband bought a Keurig coffeemaker from Costco about a year ago. He had been obsessed with this contraption for quite some time and I finally agreed (read: was beat down by said husband) to buy one. I didn't like it from the beginning. The K-Cups are expensive. I still get coffee grounds in my coffee (one of Lord Brignon's chief complaints about a regular coffee maker) and it never gave me a full cup of coffee. For months I yelled, threatened to withhold sex and threw one titty fit after another over that ridiculous coffeemaker. And then, I just shut up about it and every now and then, I would voice my displeasure. Yesterday, after months of patience, I was VINDICATED. Mr. Coffee Snob had to admit that the Keurig was in fact a piece of shit and returned our NORMAL coffeemaker to the house. Today, I will go buy coffee and filters and there will be much rejoicing in the land.

It's sad when that is the best part of my weekend. But hey - little victories count, too.

Yesterday, we smoked a slab of ribs and I braised a pork loin (carnitas) in the oven. Below are the recipes....they both turned out AMAZINGLY well!!

Cadillac Cowgirl Carnitas

1 Pork Loin Roast for Carnitas (usually 2-3 lbs)
1 12 oz Can Beer (I used Miller Lite)
3 Tbsp Mild Bill's Jalapeno Jelly (mild or spicy)
1 Onion, Sliced
1/3 Cup Mild Bill's BBQ Rub

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large dutch oven, place the pork loin and sliced onion along the bottom; pour the beer in and stir in the jalapeno jelly. Sprinkle the BBQ Rub over the contents, cover and cook for 3 1/2-4 hours or until tender. Check after 2 hours to see if more liquid is needed and add as necessary. When cooked through and tender, remove from oven and shred the pork. Mix well with your favorite BBQ Sauce (I used Sweet Baby Ray's Honey BBQ) for delicious pulled pork sandwiches or tacos. Enjoy!

Lord Brignon's Sassy Syrup Pork Ribs

1 Slab Baby Back Ribs
Mild Bill's BBQ Rub
Mild Bill's Sassy Syrup

Coat ribs with BBQ Rub and smoke until tender. Brush with Sassy Syrup, cover with foil and smoke for 10-20 more minutes. Slice and serve!

We smoke our ribs with a Cajun Injector Electric Smoker using Apple Cider in the liquid pan, Apple Smoking Chips and the temperature set to 275 degrees. It normally takes 4-5 hours for them to cook. Use your usual cooking method for the ribs, just rub them with the Mild Bill's BBQ Rub and baste with the Sassy Syrup instead!

I've been sick since Thursday and finally got antibiotics Saturday night. I felt better when I had no voice and no drugs. Now, I have a voice and drugs and feel like shit. Go figure.

Congrats to Kyle Adams - 2011 SW Open Champion. I think everyone will agree that it was beyond cool to see Kyle win since Dennis won last year. So many Mild Bill's customers were in the Top 21 and I thank and congratulate each and every one of you! Vicki, Mark and I made it to Prefinals; Lord Brignon made it to the Intermediate round. The KOA campground was very, very nice and I hope the NOB Pod can continue to hold the cook off at the Choctaw Casino.

I was so tired this weekend that I was only able to handle three hours of Polka Fest. How pathetic is that? I really hope I get to feeling better. I'd like to go to Canton this weekend and I need to work on my new trailer. The Cowgirl Cadillac is ready to go to West in two weeks - she just needs some additional decorating :) I also have a new toob that I'm going to take to West so that I can float in the pool and RELAX. Maybe even have a cocktail.....shshhhhhhh!!!!

Speaking of which - I've got to go weigh in today. I'm pretty sure I've lost weight, just not sure how much. I haven't felt good and really haven't felt like eating, so maybe being sick is a good thing :)

I'm going to sign off for now. The Mavs and Heat play tonight - Go Mavs!!!

Spreading my own special brand of kindness and joy....

Kelly