Tribute to a Great Griller!

Ron at the Tiki Table
Originally uploaded by zenhikers

I just want to say to congratulations to my father-in-law, Ron who was recently recognized by the Milwaukee Journal -Sentinel for his entry in the Milwaukee Grills competition. Ron and his wife Bonnie have hosted us numerous times for a grillout at their lovely home in South Milwaukee and it makes me homesick for Wisconsin just to think of the good times.

Ron's recipes are always good. So good that he has compiled a family cookbook to share with us all and to preserve some of the family recipes handed down over the years. In the Wieselman family Ron is responsible for the cooking and Bonnie handles the baking, so the two are a perfect pair constantly tempting our tastebuds! The featured recipe Ron was honored for is his Chuck on the Grill, so check it out and throw something you like on the barbie. There is no better way to relax and enjoy some quality time with good people. My husband has the Wieselman genes for talented grilling and I plan to challenge him to replicate this recipe this weekend. The thing is...you gotta put that extra ingredient that makes the difference. No, it's not beer (although that always helps) --it's the pinch of love for family and friends that makes Ron and Bonnie's cooking really special. Love you guys!

The Frozen Tundra

Get your snowsuits ready!

Here's your dispatch from the winter wonderland of Southeastern Wisconsin in December...

We are here in Milwaukee and enjoying all the fun of the holidays. It is quite a different scene than the Mojave Desert, with 3-5 inches of snow expected today and more to follow. There is nothing but fluffy whiteness covering everything in sight. It's a good day for me to finish reading, The Kite Runner or for a day-long marathon catching up on last season's Lost episodes. You don't feel guilty lighting the fire and sitting back with a blanket and a cup of tea when it is snowy and blowy outside. I am going to soak it all in before we have to hit to road back to Vegas. 2 days of driving through Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and then Nevada lies ahead for us and I can only hope we find a clear window to make some miles westward. Before we go we will have burgers and custard, hit a local fish fry, and visit lots of local taverns. But, most of all it has been fun to catch up with family, relax and kick back with some board games (or poker?) and re-aquaint ourselves with the joys of the frozen tundra!