May 10 2014
A month or two ago Ahron, africanmeat, posted he was coming to the states on business and he would be making a road trip from Memphis Tennessee to Cleveland Ohio and ask for route suggestions. The shortest was to take I71 from Cincinnati to Cleveland. I wrote to him and said it was about 70 miles longer, but if he took I75 it would take him through Wapakoneta and he could stop in for a visit. He said good and maybe we could get Pam in on this too. I contacted Pam and she was in. My friend Brad, Sandman said he would try to stop in. Cliff, tent hunter was coming down too but forgot he had a band concert to do.
I was pretty intimidated to cook for Ahron since a lot of his cooks look 5 stars to me. I had a batch of my sauerkraut just done so I decided to have brats and kraut, kimchi, potato salad and a pea salad.
The week before was pretty hectic here, my wife’s 96 year old aunt died. We had a viewing to go to on Thurs. and the funeral was Friday. I made the potato salad Friday afternoon and the pea salad Saturday morning. Ahron had called me on Thursday and said he would be in about 4 or 5pm Sat. I told him to call and I would pick him up at the motel.
Ahron called at 4:30 and I picked him up at 5:15. Pam and her granddaughter arrived shortly after. I told her not to bring anything but she brought some warm German potato salad and a bottle of Riesling wine. Our son, wife and grandson came.
For appetizers I had my smoked Cajun crackers, pretzel crackers, Manchego, cheddar horseradish, Amish butter cheese and some goat cheese rolled in Za’atar seasoning, olives, marinated artichoke hearts, jalapeno cheddar summer sausage and old fashioned bung bologna.
My Cajun and regular brats were from my butcher Kah Meats and I did them slow on my Traeger. Sandman showed up just before we were ready to eat with one of his pizzas from his Beer and Wine Depot. It had his homemade sausage and bacon and I think peppers and onions on it. He stayed for a while to chat then had to go back to work.
I wish I could put it in better words but in short my friends and fellow LTBBQ members made my day! I was so engrossed in talking with Ahron and Pam I didn’t get many photos. Sandman’s pizza was a hit and so was Pam’s German potato salad some of the best I have had. My brats were a little overdone, I think. I guess Sandman and Pam out cooked me!
Pam and her granddaughter left shortly after supper. I will say she is doing a good job raising her 17 month old granddaughter. I was worried about my dog; he is usually a little nippy around small children but he was completely calm with her; letting her pet and hug him. We have a lot of little things setting around that are at her eye level and she just left them alone. The best little tot we have ever had in the house to visit.
I picked Ahron up at the motel so we could have a few drinks after supper; he said we could party late. My wife who doesn’t drink could drive us back. Ahron brought me a bottle of Amarula from Africa. It is cream liquor and made from the fruit of the marula tree. I will make a post in spirited discussions about it. I and our daughter in law thought it was good!
We all had a great time talking and learning a little more about each other. Ahron is a delight to talk to and it felt to me like he was old family. My family all loved him too. Now that boy can eat some food and he out did me; in my younger years I could have stayed with him. But when it comes to partying I would say this old man out did him. I think he had about 3 Yuengling lager beers; I had at least 3 beers, some of his Amarula and some scotch.
About 9:30 Ahron said he was ready to go. I think it was closer to 10:00 or after when my wife drove us to the motel with a hug and a handshake we said goodbye; I hope it’s not the last.
If Ahron can ever get back I will try to cook something special for him.
The four of us posed for pics while our daughter in law shot 3 or 4 with 3 cameras. I had 4 and this was the best of the 4; at least the best of me!! Maybe Ahron or Pam will have some better shots!
L to R Pam, Sandman, Africanmeat, Smokin Don
Smokin Don
