Where Have I Been?

The Hazards of Twitter and Other Ruminations...

September 18

When I look back at the past few weeks, I realize I've been either completely lazy or just consumed with Twitter.  The problem with micro-blogging (in 140 characters or less) is that it has subsumed my regular blogging here on my own site.  Now, the question becomes, if I have free time, should I be blogging, Twittering, updating my Facebook page, or perhaps spending more time with my family?  Gee, that's a no-brainer.  I did the European thing this summer, and took the month of August off - no blogging, no podcasting - but I did manage to eclipse 1,000 Twitter followers and about the same number of Hungry Hound members on the Facebook page, so I guess there was some social media progress on that front.

I have had so many great food experiences over the past few weeks, and I just didn't have time to come back here, after I had spent the previous night shooting out pictures on Twitter, I just didn't have the energy to sit down and right about them again for y'all.

One of the highlights in August was an Outstanding in the Field dinner held at City Farm (near Division/Clybourn) that Mindy Segal cooked for.  The food, the setting and the company was just spectacular, and for someone who may have become a little jaded by a number of food-related events in the city over the past few years, this event was just a smash success.

I got to hang out in Lake Geneva with our dear friends the Hopmayers, who treat every meal like it's going to be appearing on the cover of Gourmet or Food & Wine. 

What a wonderful way to spend Labor Day, just lounging, eating, boating and waterskiing.  Meme and Gary are really the kind of foodies I aspire to become one day.  One day, they took us all to the Walworth County Fair in Elkhorn, WI.  Talk about a trip: from the pig races to the assorted proteins-on-a-stick and the deep-fried cheese curds and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, we noshed our way through the fair and managed to keep our belts snug.  The butter-packed cinnamon rolls were darn tasty.

We also had our 4th Annual Pig and Pinot (and Pints) cookout at the end of August in our alley.  This event continues to grow every year, and this year, we roasted four pigs simultaneously in four different roasting boxes, including an all-stainless steel box our friend designed for us, as a gift.  We think next year we might get the whole event sponsored, then donate all of the proceeds to Meals on Wheels, since food is the major theme of the day.  To see more pictures, check out my photo gallery.

Speaking of pig roasting, just last weekend we were in Tampa Bay, doing a surprise birthday party for our friend John Gilmore, who plays for the Bucs.  I've officially become Caja China VIP material, as the company's owner sent his son, Avian, up to Tampa with a new model #2 box to use for the occasion.  Avian was not as familiar with my two-day brining technique, nor the wet rub and garlic-stuff procedure that Rick Cooper and I have perfected.  He said he was going to put the information up on the lacajachina.com website, and give us full credit, since he was absolutely blown away with how moist and flavorful the pig came out.

 
starting the roasting process                  after 4 hours, perfect pig (and skin)      me, John Gilmore and Avian Guerra