Baked #salmon in special #spicerub w/ #MangoYoghurt #salad @ Lake Villa, Illinois

I’ve really been enjoying the dijon sauce I typically make for salmon but didn’t want to wear it out so did a throwback to my favourite spiced salmon rub and the result was fantastic.

The salad was good, as always, with the mango yoghurt dresssing, blueberries, granola, and strawberry.

I wanted to try something a bit different with my 2nd time making ribs so, instead of the custom apricot bbq sauce I’ve made before, I followed a suggestion in Snoop Dogg’s cookbook and used a spicy arrabiata sauce for to coat the ribs after baking but pre-broil.

While I had my reservations, it was actually amazing. The spicy arrabiata sauce contrasted very nicely with the sweet from the brown sugar/garlic/pepper rub on the ribs.

The mango yoghurt salad dressing always makes the salad a nice treat. Topped with french vanilla granola, strawberries, and blueberries, it really feels like eating a dessert.

I decided to try something new (to me) for our special night and I made #SauteedClams in #CurrySauce from the #FourKitchens cookbook. They were fantastic <3

The finished product

Prep

The homemade curry sauce was added to boiling white wine and tamarind juice

The clams opened up nicely whilst being sautéed

Tonight was my first exploration into #GlutenFree foods with #BlackBean and #RedLentil #pasta with #potatognocchi and #homemade #PumpkinPastaSauce all gluten free and all quite tasty @ Lindenhurst, Illinois

Tonight was our first #French meal from Mastering the Art of French Cooking
#Salmon in Sauce à l’Estragon #HerbalWhiteWineAndTarragonSauce with Coquilles St. Jacques à la Parisienne #ScallopsAndMushroomsInWhiteWineSauce @ Lindenhurst, Illinois

My first white roux

Cutting up mushrooms for the mushroom/scallops dish

White wine simmering prior to mushrooms/scallops

Mushrooms/scallops

Salmon w/ Herbal white wine and tarragon sauce

The Belize Black Fruit Cake was my first experience with any type of fruit cake and turned out exceedingly well.

The recipe I used came from prehiSPAniccocoon and I recommend you follow her page for lots of other great recipes.

The large cake

One of the medium cakes

One of the smaller cakes

Elected & Impeached

On 16 November 2018, I was elected as Mayor of Hell, Michigan. Later that same day, I was impeached. During my time in Hell, I met with the locals (my constituents), enjoyed some food and toured the town.

Video of my appointment as Mayor of Hell, Michigan.

My time as Mayor begins

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My tour of Hell begins at the Gates of Hell

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My tour continues beyond the chapel and weather station near the Lovers Bridge and river.

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During lunch the founder of the town, John Colone, presented me with my Deed for 1 square inch of waterfront property in Hell, Michigan – complete with soil analysis indicating high concentrations of sulfur, brimstone, and human bone.

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After hearing rumours of my impending impeachment, I snapped a shot near the Hell, Michigan sign at Screams Ice Cream.

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Video of my subsequent impeachment and removal from office.

Centralia, Pennsylvania is an (almost entirely) abandoned former mining town in Pennsylvania and, most famously, the inspiration for the Silent Hill franchise

Formerly Route 61 – this location is now known as Graffiti Highway

The underground coal mine fires burning since the late 60s made the highway unusable

Odd Fellows Cemetery is believed to be close to the starting point of the fires, steam vents can be seen in and around the area

The Ukrainian Catholic church is the only church still open in Centralia

Service was being held during our visit

Family from #Wyoming and #Missouri came by #Massachusetts it was great seeing my mother, sister, and Danny again :) @ Marlborough, Massachusetts

A couple of days ago, I went on a 2-state off-roading trip with my good friend Brooks.

We started in New Hampshire and worked our way through Mount Ephraim and then Bellows Falls culminating in an awesome overlook of the state borders.

Video of our trip:

A few still shots:

Brooks w/ the Jeep & the most capable Subaru in New England!

My Jeep JLU at the overlook

Brooks’ Subaru and my Jeep at the start of our journey

On the trail:

Off-Road Mode Pitch & Roll Gauges

Sway Bar: Disconnected Axles/Transfer Case: Locked

We even met a friend (with a bullhorn!) up near the overlook (video below)

After nearly a decade of fun, the Jeep JK is sold. It’s headed to a new life in Wyoming. I hope the new owners have as many wonderful adventures as we’ve had with it.