Budges big blog of bbq food and life

Here we are it’s the first of march 2020, the damn worlds coming apart. Corona virus, blockades on rail lines to protest a pipeline, a convicted rapist/movie mogul who i hope gets what he deserves in prison,stock markets crashing ect, ect. 2020’s off to a rough start. Jimmy Buffett wrote a song about this whole scenario a fews years back. ( it always comes back to Jimmy) called ” a lot to drink about”. If your not familiar with the song i suggest you check it out. Besides being a damn good song its incredibly prophetic. Now what are we to do with all this shit happening? My suggestion? Some bbq and head for a lake or warm beach. There currently is a lot to drink about.

My winters are incredibly busy filled with a lot of hockey, and not enough bbq, beaches, lakes or the margaritaville lifestyle i live my life by. Come march i have had enough cold, snow,ice and lack of outdoor time. Jacquie and i are ready for some beaches, as we are still a few months away from lake season. Shortly we will be taking off for Aruba to enjoy a week of sun, sand, warmth, beer and of course the never ending quest for bbq perfection. Till we do leave for Aruba i have decided to fill some time and head to the Pittsburgh area one weekend and central New York the next for what else? Hockey, beer, bbq and of course margarita’s to celebrate national margarita day ( feb 22nd).

Feb 15th Jacquie and i arrive in the Pittsburgh area saturday night and head to the local favourite Primantii Bros for some iron city lights and of course their famous sandwiches. As usual it doesn’t dissapoint. Saturday is spent doing a little relaxing, shopping and then later on heading our for bbq. Tonight we go to smokey bones a regional chain with decent bbq. Unfortunately we are a little late getting there and they are sold out of multiple items. Most dissapointing, no Brisket or burnt ends. Without question my favourite item is Brisket. A perfectly cooked Brisket with a good smoke ring ect is a thing of beauty. Having said that it is also the most difficult to cook. I’ve eaten my share of poorly cooked, marginal brisket. My starting choice tonight are the smoked bologna sliders. Jacquie first scoffed at my choice, however after a taste she had to admit they are pretty good. The meat is thickly cut, i can taste a nice hint of smoke and they are finished off with smokey bones kc style bbq sauce and coleslaw. For our main course we decide to split a 3 meat combo. My two choices are the smoked wings and back ribs. Jacquie chooses the pulled pork. All three are good but i find the pulled pork a little dry without enough smoke. Our sides are mashed potatoes and fire roasted corn. The fire roasted corn is outstanding! The next day is followed by more shopping and the drive home.

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Feb 21st and we head back to our old stomping grounds in the Syracuse area. Saturday the 22nd we make our way to Morrisville for the Womens hockey game and post game $2 miller high lifes at “the fort” and renew acquantinces with old friends. Several beverages later we say our good byes and head back to Syracuse. However our night is not over. It’s national Margarita day and i’m feeling it. That and a few landshark lagers. Where to go? Jimmy Buffetts Margaritaville of course. It just so happens Margaritaville has $3 Margaritas on to celebrate the day. My choices are a Margarita on the rocks or blended. I make the natural choice. Both! and they are good. We hang out listening to the music, have a couple of landshark lager chasers and call it a night. Its been a great day. No bbq but the margaritas and landsharks make up for it. I have forgotten about the Corona virus already. Sunday we make the trek home for the upcoming work week.

Pittsburgh and Syracuse have been great diversions and are getting me in the right state of mind, Aruba is on the horizon and i can feel the trade winds, warm sun and water already. Get your Margaritaville state of mind on. Watch for my upcoming blog as Budge does Aruba. And as always “Earls dead, cadillac for sale”.

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Here we are December 20th/2019. 5 days before Christmas. It’s hard to believe we are days away from the big day.

Sorry for my inactivity but we have had a lot going on the past 4/5 months. Between a renovation, selling our house, moving, coaching and work life it’s been insane.Tonight I have a few moments so I thought I would get back at my blog.

It’s been a year of milestones, a year of working a normal 8 hour day then another 6-7 hours at home on the house renovation. A year of full days at the beach and late nights at the lake. Yeah its been a memorable year.

So I’m going to let the pictures in this blog do most of the talking.

Check out the memories.

Before I do go I would like to mention the two greatest Christmas songs ever. My all time favourite “the pogues fairy tale of New York” A dark yet enlightening tale of a struggling Irish actor in New York in the 50’s. And my second favourite, Jimmy Buffett’s “Ho Ho Ho and a bottle of rum”. Haha totally at the other end of the spectrum than the pogues dark tale. But hey as I tell Jacquie. “Anything by Jimmy is great”.

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I’m not much on dwelling on the past. So enjoy the quick look back at my year. But as Jimmy sings “ there’s just to much to see waiting in front of me, I don’t think that I can go wrong”. Enjoy the holidays everyone. Nomads know when the show is done.

For the past month and a bit Jacquie and I have been racking up the miles travelling from central New York to Columbia Mo and back to Guelph. It’s university graduation season and we are busy attending graduations and celebrating with the family.

One of the cool things about having kids is when they are born it’s a “clean slate” sort of speak. Or in other words the sky is the limit for whatever your child wants to become. A doctor, a teacher, a hockey player, a pilot. They can do or be whatever they want. Being the kind of guy I am who loves food and cooking I’ve always thought it would be kinda cool to have one of my kids grow up and be a short order fry cook or a pit master. I know I’m aiming high here. But hey, you gotta dream. Being a parent is a tough, difficult job at times but one of the true rewards is watching your kids grow and develop into the intelligent, independent adults they become. Watching them find their path. It’s funny how when these milestones come around ( birthdays, graduations, weddings ect) we sometimes don’t take enough time to reflect on their importance or what got us here. So this blog celebrates these milestones. Three graduations in 4 weeks plus a 4th a couple weeks later for my nephew. Brings us to this point.

On May 11th Jacquie and I roll into Morrisville NY for Ciara’s graduation. We are used to this trip but usually it’s a Friday night or Saturday afternoon hockey game we are there for. The campus is busy this morning as university employees, police, students and parents are everywhere. We are jammed into the athletics centre for the ceremony. This graduation has a different feel than the other graduations. Most graduations are formal, stately, slightly stuffy affairs. Not this one. Part sporting event, part concert, with a little formality. There are air horns, posters, cheering and dancing sections, heads on a stick. Haha it’s awesome . After opening ceremonies we are treated to a surprise guest, New York State senator Chuck Schumer ( yes that Chuck Schumer ). Senator Schumer gives a speech on hope and raising the bar for the new graduates going forward with just a hint of politics and a small jab at Donald J. I have to admit I’m impressed. He’s well spoken, articulate and sincere. The graduation goes smoothly and in a short 2 1/2 hours we have a graduate! That night we get together with the graduating hockey players and parents from both the men’s and women’s teams for one last bash and say goodbye to Mo’ville. It’s been fun!!

On to the next graduation. Columbia Mo for my niece Jana’s med school graduation. On a cold weds night we leave Mildmay for Columbia with a stop over in St Louis at my sisters before making the two hour drive out to Columbia. Graduation day comes and we walk the beautiful campus at the university of Missouri and find our seats for the ceremony. There is a beginning, middle and ending speaker. The Dr that is the keynote speaker in the middle position discusses where technology currently is and where modern medicine is taking us . He urges the new Drs to keep the human element in medicine. Excellent speech. Two hours later we are done and outta there. On our way back to celebrate in St. Louis with bbq and beers. Sunday night we decide on more celebrating with Mexican food and margaritas. It’s been a great weekend. On to graduation #3.

Guelph, 9:00 am Thursday morning and we are in the athletics building. Another 2 hour graduation with keynote speakers ect. While slightly stuffy this graduation is very uplifting. The theme is centred on the new grads using their intelligence to help make the world a better place. We hear a talk from a professor about his spyware developed to thwart crooks, rogue nations from interfering in politics, terrorism, fraud ect.( America are you listening?). His software has been used in both the ongoing Russian probe and the Khashoggi investigation. An hour and a half later the graduation is over and we have another fresh grad! Where do you celebrate in Guelph on a Thursday at 11:00 am? Well the works for gourmet burgers of course! Lunch at the works is fantastic as always.

Our 3 grads have all excelled and we know the sky’s the limit. Ciara has graduated magna cum laude ( 3.9 gpa) , Chloe has graduated honours with distinction ( 91%average) and Jana has received the medprep leadership and teaching award. Chloe has been accepted and considering doing a masters in the fall. Ciara is going to take a year off from school, move to Los Angeles for work and return for a masters the following year. Dr Jana Binkley has accepted a position at the university of Nebraska medical centre (funded by non other than Warren Buffett). Where she will be working towards becoming a trauma surgeon.

Now for the male side of the family. My nephew Tanner was a smooth skating defence man with the Listowel Cyclones for several years. His above average hockey iq, ability to dish the puck and good lateral skating ability made him lethal on the power play. Tanner has recently graduated from Algonquin college with a degree in X-ray technology and has accepted a position at the Glacé Bay NS general hospital. On his way to becoming a devoted Cape Breton Golden eagles fan and hopefully forgetting about that blue and white hockey team that plays in Toronto. Tanner will no doubt thrive at his new position.

Very proud of our graduates. I’ve always heard the saying that when it comes to high end professional jobs ect you don’t get paid for what you do but rather what you know. Tanner, maybe while doing xrays or between xrays you could keep your hands busy? Perhaps cleaning fish? Be sure to check the blog late August for “ budges big bbq road trip”. Mildmay to Los Angeles.

Till next time. “ earls dead Cadillac for sale”

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Yes it’s that time of year. It’s lake season!!! People that know me fairly well will tell you there are two seasons in my life. Hockey and lake season. I love hockey but if I had to make a choice? It’s not even close. I live for the lake. Morning walks with Jacquie, lazy days on the dock, late afternoons spent at the beach enjoying the sunset, having shrimp scampi and a steak at 10:30 ( pm) cause we were having too good of time at the beach or on the dock to start cooking supper. Roaring camp fires, late night boat rides, spending an evening on my boat catching walleye, listening to the loons ( and I don’t mean my neighbors). Just a few of my favourite activities. Frankly there is not much better in life than having your family all together for a long weekend at the lake. No damn phones, no electronics ( except my blue tooth speakers to play music) no tv, no laundry or yard work to do. Just time to talk, relax, laugh, cook some bbq, have some drinks, play some Jimmy Buffett and maybe a little Johnny Cash. Life’s good. And while I know my family enjoys the lake I also know they aren’t obsessed with it as I am. Reminds me of a line from one of my favourite Lynyrd Skynyrd songs you got that right. “ you don’t see their faces and you don’t come around” describes me from late May till early September. If you have a cottage or seasonal retreat you probably know where I’m coming from.

In the absence of my family at the lake I can usually be found on my deck at Margaritaville North late into the night pounding out some tunes and enjoying the company of a beer and my two friends mr coconut head and of course Jimmy my Zulu warrior buddy and protector. ( more on Jimmy and mr coconut head in a later blog). Yes it’s a glorious time of year. I hope if I have passed one thing on to my kids it’s my love of the lake. My kids have practically grown up there and I don’t think they ( or I) would have it any other way.

Till the next blog, jimmy and I are on the way to the lake. “ nomads know when the show is done”. Budge

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All parents have been there, running your kids to sports, school functions, activities ect. For the past 18 years Jacquie and I have have been going to track meets, volleyball, softball and hockey. I love them all but without question hockey is my sport. In fact I can’t remember a time ever saying or thinking “I may not go to the game tonight”.
A couple weekends ago a large sampling of the family was in Morrisville New York to watch our daughter Ciara close out her college hockey career. After 18 years the road trips, rushing out the door with minimal supper and dissecting that nights game on the ride home , its over. I can’t believe it! To say I’ve enjoyed watching my kids play the sport I love would be a massive understatement. But as much as I’m going to miss the games I’m going to miss the social part with my family. Driving hours to games,talking, laughing, eating and just generally being together. It has cost us tens of thousands of dollars and I wouldn’t change a thing. Nothing .So while I’m commiserating and wondering what the heck I’m going to do with my spare time I’m also looking ahead, excited for what the future holds for my kids. Not only have they both been high level athletes but both have excelled academically. Deans list, presidents list, Honors roll ect. The future is bright!

But back to the weekend. Seniors weekend. A time to celebrate a hockey career, a time of excitement for what the future holds and also a time of mixed emotions for parents. With 13 of the family in attendance Ciara has a cheering section this weekend. Complete with cardboard Ciara heads, Morrisville State hockey sweaters, hats, toques and lots of enthusiasm. Prior to the weekends second game the 5 seniors from Morrisville State are introduced with their associated accolades. Ciara’s include :   conference all star selections,multiple conference academic team selections, multiple  all American scholar selections, deans list, presidents list, team leader in plus/minus, Calvin Dunkle scholarship winner, Roberts scholarship recipient.  She’s had a good career. The games are very entertaining this weekend but frankly the scores ect are secondary. This weekends about celebrating. So celebrate we did. The families celebrating included our pre game meal at Rays bbq, open bar at the hotel, land shark lagers at Margaritaville and more beers and food at the Fort pub in Morrisville. Yes we enjoyed the weekend.

A special thanks to those that were able to attend. Not only was it ” a great weekend for hockey” but it’s been a great 18 years!    A few photos from our weekend celebration.

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The kids giving high fives prior to warm ups.

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Teammates and friends.

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Game on!!

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Proud parents!

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The family.

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Last but not least. My favourite picture from the rink wall at Morrisville. Celebrating an overtime win and championship.

Early February 2019, it’s the dead of winter right now in southern Ontario and damn cold. Thought we would wait for things to warm up till we get the smokers out and cook. I would however like to tell you about a very cool place I recently visited. Good Nature Farm Brewery in Hamilton NY.

Hamilton New York of course best known for Colgate university. After you drive through the stately looking town past the beautiful restored Colgate inn, frat houses and sports facilities, on the edge of town is the brew house/restaurant/pub of good nature farm brewery. Not overly big or small. Just a good compromise of both for a great experience. As we pull up to Good Nature I’m thinking “what would give me a little boost on this dark, snowy February night”? I know the answer, beer! Up to the bar I meander and the bartender quickly gives me the rundown on how the place works. Order your beer at the bar and if you’d like food simply go to the food counter and place your order. It’s then served to you at your table. I order a pizza. But back to the beer. A neon beer menu is displayed behind the bar and on the bartenders recommendation I make the only sensible choice. A flight of beers of course. Good natures flight consists of 5 choices. Tough decisions but I go for the blonde,rbq smoked ale, American brown ale, non stop hop onslaught ipa and the blight buster ipa.

A quick lowdown on the beers.

The blond- light tasting ale but still lots of flavour. Jacquie’s favourite.

of 5 choices. Tough call but I go for the blonde, rbq smoked ale, American brown ale, non stop hop onslaught ipa and the blight buster ipa.

A quick lowdown on the beers:

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Blonde- light tasting ale, but still maintains flavour. My wife’s fav.

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Rbq smoked ale- definitely my favourite. Our bartender was happy to explain what makes this ale so special. The malted grains are delivered to a local bbq restaurant where they are slow smoked. Once added to the brewing process the malt gives the rbq a hint of smoke. A fantastic tasting beer!

American brown ale- I’m not always big on brown ales but this ones easy drinking. It’s dark colour and 6.2% alcohol are deceiving. Lots of flavours going on in this beer but it still finishes pretty easy.

Non stop hop onslaught- a session ipa. Light but still pretty flavourable. Not my favourite but on a hot day it would definitely do the trick.

Blight buster ipa – cloudy pouring beer with a fairly strong hop taste. No lack of flavour.

The pub also has a large patio, not too appealing in the dead of winter but during the summer months it has a beer garden/patio feel with entertainment and lots going on. I will be back!!

Good nature farm brewery also has a “tasting room” in down town Hamilton you may want to try. Farm to glass beer made with quality ingredients and pride in ownership. How can you go wrong?

On another matter, as I suffer through the extreme cold from this polar vortex going on it makes me think of a couple members of my family currently in the Bahahmas. When I think of the Bahamas I think sun, sand, clear blue waters made for swimming and snorkelling. And what do the members of my family think or are looking to do? Swim with pigs! Yes you read right. Swim with pigs. Apparently there is an uninhabited island ( except the pigs) with appx 20 pigs living there. Tourists flock to see them, feed them, take selfies and watch them swim. If that floats your boat sort to speak then I guess go for it. Me well I love pigs too. Back ribs, side ribs, pulled pork ect. Give me a pig, a smoker and possibly an rbq smoked ale and I’m a happy man.

That’s it for this blog. As Jimmy Buffett sings in “Earls dead Cadillac Cadillac for sale” nomads know when the show is done.

A few pics from the evening.

sale” Nomads know when the show is done. See you next time. I will leave you with a few images from the night.

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The crew from the night. Budge, the pizza and menu.

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