FLOWERS AT THE FUNKS-June 2011

...in keeping with our policy of EOB (equal opportunity blogger), here are some shots Nancy took last nite at sunset...entitled "Flowers"

SUNDAY'S RECIPE - CHOCOLATE ZUCCHINI CAKE

Chocolate Zucchini Cake-
1/2 c. soft butter *** 1/2 c. oil *** 1-3/4c. sugar *** 2 eggs *** 1 tsp vanilla *** 1/2c. sour milk *** 4 TBSP cocoa *** 2-1/2 c. flour *** 1/2 tsp baking powder *** 1 tsp. baking soda *** 1/2 tsp ground cloves *** 1/2 tsp. cinnamon *** 2 c. finely diced zucchini(not shredded) *** 1/2 c. chocolate chips

Cream butter, oil & sugar. Add eggs, vanilla, & milk and beat well. Mix all dry ingredients except zucchini and choc. chips in separate bowl, add to moist mixture and beat till well blended. Stir in zucchini, spread batter into greased & floured 13" x 9" cake pan, and sprinkle chips on top. Bake in 325 degree oven for 40-45 minutes-DO NOT OVERBAKE! Cake will be very moist and does not need frosting...can sprinkle with powdered sugar as I did.

We got a huge zucchini from Adam's folks yesterday and grilled part of it, used some in the cake.

Zucchini is as important to Mennonite cake baking as cream of mushroom is to their meat recipes!

Hint: add a small amount of vinegar to the milk and leave set on the counter for 15 minutes or so...you will get nice sour milk!

SUTTON'S 1ST BIRTHDAY PARTY

Here is Sutton after my handiwork(he had no idea what to do with the cake, so i helped him "apply it" liberally to the face and chest)

"Grandpa, what are you doing to me with that strange blue stuff that tastes nothing like strained peas?"

"...the rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain!"

and the hail falls in Kansas wherever it wants!

I drove my scooter to work today...taking a gamble. With the radar looking bad, I ducked out of work right after 5pm, and headed for home. I got to 1/8th of a mile from the North Newton exit when it started to rain on me in earnest. I decided to keep going, and headed south into town (with no jacket and getting wetter by the moment). I pulled into the open garage door, hopped off my bike just in time to see it start hailing...that was a bit too close for my comfort!!! Gotta take the truck to work next time...but it gets half the mpg that my scooter does!!!

FATHER'S DAY - 2011

Four generations of Funks on Father's Day,
June 19, 2011...Greatgrandpa Rollie, Grandpa
Bruce, Mother Gina, and Grandson Sutton. Met
for a steak fry at the new Roland & Vernetta
Funk abode in North Newton, and a good time was had by all, with brother Clif's whole family
in attendance (thanks for coming, Rachel!) The
flat iron steaks were great, as was Nancy's famous potato salad

SUNDAY'S RECIPE - KANSAS SHRIMP BOIL

1 lb big shrimp(31-40 count is smallest I would use) *** 1 lb smoked sausage, cut in 2-3" chunks *** 2 lbs small red potatoes, scrubbed & unpeeled *** 4 ears of corn, cleaned & halved *** 2 medium onions, peeled & halved(can use garden green onion) *** beer & water-equal amounts *** 1 pkg shrimp or crab boil *** large stockpot

In stockpot place potatoes, corn ears, halved onion, then shrimp, sausage, and seasoning pack. Fill till liquid just covers food with equal amounts of beer & water(can buy cheap beer, but get good, spicy sausage!) Bring to boil and simmer 15 minutes, or until 'taters are done. Drain and pour out onto rimmed cookie sheet and place in middle of table...everyone dig in! Makes enuf for 4 hearty eaters. Garlic cheddar bisquits go well with this, as does a decadent dessert!

In northwestern Kansas, they call this "cream can supper", as they put all this into cream cans(much larger amounts) and put it onto coals/open fire. They also put each ingredient into panty hose and tie them off between ingredients...makes for easier removal from the cans if they do more batches!

SWEET COLESLAW

Sweet Coleslaw

1/2 small head cabbage, fine chopped(2 cups) ***1/2 peeled carrot, shredded *** 1 TBSP minced yellow onion *** 1/4 cup+1 TBSP mayo *** 1 TBSP cider vinegar *** 3 TBSP sugar *** 1/2 tsp fresh ginger, fine grated *** dash paprika

Blend mayo, vinegar and rest of spices in small bowl till sugar dissolved. Add to vegetables in larger bowl and mix, set in fridge at least 1 hour to meld spices. Small recipe-makes 4 - 1/2 cup servings...goes great with bbq ribs, pork, or brisket.

I've been working on getting a good recipe for coleslaw developed...I think this one comes close. The only thing I would add/substitute in would be some good whole dairy cream with the mayo.

Summer Evening In Kansas

evidence of the turbulence in the sky after funnel clouds, hail, and strong winds/rain passed just to the south of Newton...all we got was a nice little 30/100th of an inch of rain!

ROLLING ROCK PLEDGE

"To honor the tradition of this great brand, we quote from the original pledge of quality...'From the glass lined tanks of Old Latrobe, we tender this premium beer for your enjoyment as a tribute to your good taste.' It comes from the mountain springs to you...33".

SUNDAY'S RECIPE-SWEET MARINATED BABY BACK RIBS

Marinade: 1/2 medium onion, fine chopped *** 2 cloves garlic, minced *** 3/4 cup red currant jelly (i used homemade sand plum jam) *** 1/4 cup honey *** 1/4 cup soy sauce *** 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar *** 1 tsp hot chili sauce (i used srirachi)

Combine all ingredients. VERY IMPORTANT!! - peel membrane off bone side of baby back ribs...many people don't do this, it makes ribs tough even when they're done! Place ribs in large ziplock bag or other non-metal container and referigerate for 24 hours. Place on smoker and smoke at 250 degrees for 3-4 hours. Wonderful!

2011 NATIONAL BIPLANE FLY-IN JUNCTION CITY, KS

A view of the cockpit of one of the little acrobatic
models...all business.













This is the 1925 biplane they were giving rides in...for $80 a person for a 15 minute ride. I thought about it, but there was NO getting Nancy up in one of those machines!









June 4, 2011, our 33rd wedding anniversary, at the National Biplane Fly-in at Freeman Field, Junction City KS. Nancy behind one of several neat, acrobatic biplanes.

Looking down the flight line with several Waco's in the foreground, the yellow was a PT-13D...all such beautiful planes.

My personal favorite (but I can't tell you the model!) This aircraft had an incredible lavish interior with walnut and burl appointments and was restored magnificiently.

Me visiting with the owner of a nice Waco...all the pilots were very friendly!

This little sporty model was for sale, hmmm...they only wanted $35K for it, maybe I should sell the Harley...nah!

Thought for the Day

"Friendship is like peeing your pants...everyone can see it but only you can feel the true warmth."