Wish Me A Merry Christmas

November 28, 2007

Click here to watch video.

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Turkey Time!

November 19, 2007

[qt:http://paul.sallmen.com/blog/wp-content/Weber_Class_Grilled_Turkey.mov 480 256] Here’s a recipe I’m thinking of doing for our Thanksgiving turkey:

Brined and Barbecued Turkey
with Pan Gravy

Prep time: 30 minutes
Marinating time: 18 to 24 hours
Grilling time: 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 hours

Brine
2 quarts apple juice
1 cup kosher salt
2 tablespoons dried rosemary
2 tablespoons dried thyme
1 tablespoon dried sage
1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

1 turkey, 10 to 12 pounds, fresh or defrosted
1/2 cup melted unsalted butter, divided
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
6 cups reduced-sodium chicken stock
1 large yellow onion, roughly chopped
2 large carrots, roughly chopped
2 celery stalks, roughly chopped
4 small chunks apple wood or 4 small handfuls apple wood chips, soaked in water for at least 30 minutes

Gravy
Reserved pan liquid plus enough chicken stock to make 4 cups of liquid
1/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into 4 equal pieces
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh Italian parsley
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Or maybe I’ll just do it like my dad always did:
rub the outside of the bird with salt/pepper, maybe a pinch of poltry seasoning,
Through it on the bar-b, add coals once in a while,
and in about three hours, remove a perfect turkey!

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I Loved Her First

November 15, 2007

I was enough for her not long ago
I was her number one
She told me so
And she still means the world to me
Just so you know
So be careful when you hold my girl
Time changes everything
Life must go on
And I’m not gonna stand in your way

But I loved her first and I held her first
And a place in my heart will always be hers
From the first breath she breathed
When she first smiled at me
I knew the love of a father runs deep
And I prayed that she’d find you someday
But it still hard to give her away
I loved her first

How could that beautiful women with you
Be the same freckle face kid that I knew
The one that I read all those fairy tales to
And tucked into bed all those nights
And I knew the first time I saw you with her
It was only a matter of time

But I loved her first and I held her first
And a place in my heart will always be hers
From the first breath she breathed
When she first smiled at me
I knew the love of a father runs deep
And I prayed that she’d find you someday
But its still hard to give her away
I loved her first

From the first breath she breathed
When she first smiled at me
I knew the love of a father runs deep
Someday you might know what I’m going through
When a miracle smiles up at you
I loved her first

Wow. I can’t believe that even though my baby girl is less than two months old, I’m already feeling this way. Before we brought her home from the hospital, I knew there was a bond between us that was completely different then the love I have for my boys.

Her husband is going to have to be a really great guy. I’m praying for him—his parents too. I wonder when we’ll meet him…?

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Make My Logo Bigger Cream!

November 14, 2007

This is great! OK, no one else will understand, but—Jim—you’ll going to love this! Only we designers think this stuff is funny.

This video and Web site connects with the agency’s target market by spoofing requests made by designers’ clients, such as “get rid of all that white space,” “add a starburst,” and of course, “make my logo bigger.” The video is almost seven minutes long, but it’s worth every second.

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Autumn Tradition

October 19, 2007

Traditions are what life are made of and they are extra special when they include a place like Walden Farm! Each October for the past several years we make a family outing to this bigger-and-better-than-a-pumpkin-patch. Walden Farm has more then just pumpkins. They have lots of fun things to do and see, too. Real live farm animals, kiddie-tractors to play on, hay and corn mazes, crafts, and more! Check out more photos.

Here’s everybody (even Tobey) at Walden Farm October 2007

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Thompson’s First Debate

October 10, 2007

Nine Republican presidential hopefuls debated yesterday. Here is a transcript (46 page PDF) if you care to read.

Since the debate took place (live) in the middle of the afternoon, and I couldn’t find any radio station airing it, I figured out a way to watch/listen on my computer here at work. I found a website called Channelchooser.com and watched (mostly listened to) CNBC from there.

Posted in Debate, Personal Interest, Politics 2 Comments »

Blogging for a year!

October 4, 2007

I just realized that I have been at this blogging thing for over a year now. It’s been fun.

For the record, I have made 74 posts and received 209 comments. I know I have gone for long periods without any activity, but the averages come out to more than one post a week and over 2 comments per post.

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October Lanae

October 2, 2007

She’s here!

On September 28 @ 8:01 am, weighing in at 7 lbs, 11.6 oz, and measuring 20.5 inches, our third child and first daughter was born. Check out more photos here.

Posted in Family 3 Comments »

Have You Forgotten?

September 11, 2007

I hear people sayin’. We Don’t need this war.
I say there’s some things worth fightin’ for.
What about our freedom, and this piece of ground?
We didn’t get to keep ‘em by backin’ down.
They say we don’t realize the mess we’re gettin’ in
Before you start preachin’ let me ask you this my friend.

Chorus
Have you forgotten, how it felt that day?
To see your homeland under fire
And her people blown away
Have you forgotten, when those towers fell
We had neighbors still inside goin through a livin hell
And you say we shouldn’t worry bout Bin Laden
Have you forgotten?

You took all the footage off my T.V.
Said it’s too disturbin for you and me
It’ll just breed anger is what the experts say
If it was up to me I’d show it everyday
Some say this country just out lookin’ for a fight
Well after 9/11 man I’d have to say right.

Chorus
Have you forgotten, how it felt that day?
To see your homeland under fire
And her people blown away
Have you forgotten when those towers fell
We had neighbors still inside goin’ through a livin’ hell
And we vow to get the ones behind Bin Laden
Have you forgotten?

I’ve been there with the soldiers
Who’ve gone away to war
you can bet they remember just what they’re fightin’ for

Have you forgotten
All the people killed
Yes some went down like heroes
In that Pennsylvania field
Have you forgotten
About our Pentagon
All the loved ones that we lost
And those left to carry on
Don’t you tell me not to worry ’bout Bin Laden

Have you forgotten?

Have you forgotten?

Have you forgotten?!

—Darryl Worley

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This is great!

September 4, 2007

Weber has launched a new promotional champagne:

I received an email inviting me to become an “agent” a few weeks back. On the agent’s secret website, I was briefed on proper tactics: Identify, Intervene, Eliminate. When I signed up, I receive the official Grill Decency Agent Kit. It contained special information and mission-critical tools to help me promote Weber grills. The kit included my personalized Grill Decency ID card, grill intervention door hangers, field tested mini-brochures (accordion folds to 1″x1″ square), bumper stickers, and button. Plus, a Silicone Basting Brush—FREE!

Check out the video up in the right hand side of this page.

By the way. If you’re considering a grill other than a Weber, talk to me first.

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