Give Me Them Baby Backs, Baby Back Ribs

This blog is dedicated to Travis and his baby back ribs.  I cannot tell you if they were good or not but from the recipe it seems like they were.  Travis is visiting his mom and dad, Lisa and George and he fixed them baby back ribs but not just any baby back ribs.  He fixed Hickory Smoked Baby Back Ribs. I will include the recipe below.  To go along with the baby back ribs Lisa fixed Amish Broccoli salad, baked beans and corn on the cob.  You know they ate well.  Travis is allowing me share the recipe so here it is:

Recipe:
• Marinate baby back ribs in apple cider vinegar for 2-3 hours
• thin coat of olive oil (any oil is okay) and cover with dry rub on both sides
• wrap with foil and refrigerate for 1 hour
• 30 minutes before putting on the grill, soak hickory wood chips (or your favorite smoking wood) in water for 30 minutes
•  turn one section of your grill on max temperature
• either use your grills built-in smoker box or wrap the soaked wood chips in foil and poke multiple holes on the top side to allow the smoke to come out.
• place the wood chip package over the section of the grill that is on max temperature (they need to be on direct heat)
• close the lid on the grill and keep on max temperature until you see smoke coming out of the grill
• remove ribs from the refrigerator and the foil
• after the chips are smoking, place the ribs on any section next to the direct heat but not over it. The ribs need indirect heat.
• reduce temperature to 230° F
• cook at 230°F with the lid closed for 4 hours (note: if you are cooking spare ribs or anything with higher fat content, this would be 5 hours)
• every 30 minutes baste the ribs with apple cider vinegar. If you are using a brush versus a spray bottle, then reapply dry rub.
• if you want to baste with BBQ sauce (Sweet Baby Rays BBQ sauce or your favorite), then very quickly lift the lid, baste & close the lid approximately 15 minutes before they are done.
• To check for doneness, pass a toothpick through the meat. If it goes through easily, then they are done.

Enjoy!

Happy Memorial Day

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the military men and women who served protecting our country and gave their life doing so.  I did not lost any immediate family during any of the wars and we know how fortunate we were.  I do want to take this day and realize the sacrifices that were made by a few to protect us all. So on this Memorial Day please take a few moments and pay your respects to someone who gave their all.  Thank You to all who did!

There Goes TMT Again

TMT, Tennessee Mountain Time, has struck again at the farm.  The dump truck has been broken down and stuck on the side of Quail Way for quite some time now; about a month now.  The garage that "fixed" the truck in the first place is handling these repairs also but it all revolves around TMT. Quail Way is narrow road so the truck being stuck to the side is kind of in the way especially if anything large has to pass it.  Yesterday George had to endure an entire day waiting for the repair place to show up.  He called every few hours where he was assured they were on their way.  Finally around 7:45 pm they called and once again said they were on their way to fix the truck. At 9:00 they called again and said there were on their way.  All I can say is TMT works for some people but not all people.  Hang in there George; it may happen!

Happy Birthday Jenny!

Today is my youngest daughter's birthday, Happy Birthday Jenny!  It is hard to believe that 20+++++++ years ago we were living in Philadelphia, PA, actually Lansdale, and you came along on this date.  You are one of the greatest blessings I have ever had.  You actually looked like you were born with a smile on your face and that set us up for the rest of your life so far. You are a beautiful, loving, talented and intelligent woman and I am so happy and proud that you are my daughter.  Your dad and I love you so very much.  Happy happy Birthday Jenny!

A New Family On The Block

We had a new family move in, the Duck family.  Lisa was driving off of Quail Way and  she came upon a mother duckling walking her 10 ducklings down the road to get to a culvert that leads to a creek.  Barger has a tiny creek along it but I don't think we have seen ducks in it until now.  The mother duck was walking all those ducklings a long way before hitting any water. I guess she was making sure she and her ducklings got their steps in!  Thanks for the picture Lisa!

The Corn Has Sprouts

It was a good day at the farm regarding the orchard.  The corn is finally showing and it looks good so far and the sweet potatoes that we were afraid we lost due to rabbits are showing signs of life again.  The sweet potato sprouts were eaten by rabbits last week and we were not sure whether or not that would prohibit their growth going forward.  Well we have our answer and it looks like they will be just fine.  On to the next crop, and probably one of the most important crops, the corn.  It is looking good.  Number one you can tell it is corn growing and number two it is looking healthy.  Now all we have to do is keep all the deer, cows, raccoons and any other critter that may want to have it for dinner away from it.  Wish us luck!

It's Deck Sealing Time

Tim and George spent yesterday sealing the deck and garage that they built over the winter.  It is one step closer to completing the garage.  Then it will be on to the next project that you will have to wait and see what it is.  We had some sad news today our neighbor who lives just a little up Quail Way passed away.  He was suffering from problems that began after having a routine surgery that went wrong.  Reg and Cheryl were the first to welcome us to the mountain and we were just starting to do things with them.  Rest in Peace Reg; you will be missed.