THE cookoff

It all started on a sunny Friday....we loaded up Shorty's SUV with stuff and hit the road....all the way to the Humble Civic Center.....about 45 minutes from Home Sweet Home.

When we pulled up....I just stared laughing. Couldn't help it. Like really laughing...not just a giggle. We stuck out like sore thumbs. You could play "What doesn't belong in this picture" and people would get the answer right...US. We didn't belong.

A few of the ingredients all put together.....
Had to bring my "Allison Transmission" hat to the cookoff. Nothing says county quite like machinery manufactures printed on the front of baseball hats. The hat is on my sleeping bag. Yes, we slept in sleeping bags. Now that is something I haven't done since I was 8.
Friday was all setting up and preparing for Saturday morning. A meat inspector came around Friday evening to check your goods....then you could start seasoning Friday at 6. Serious business here people....
Going to have to say that I never in a million years thought I would be sitting in an RV with my husband....while he was a contestant in a cookoff...all while enjoying the scenery of 18 wheelers and petting zoos.

Here are a few pictures from the RV. Now you listen here, it was a 2010 year model and that sucker was clean as a whistle. Until I spilled powered sugar everywhere...
This bathroom is for anyone who weighs less than 170 pounds. It was tiny. Clean, but itty bitty.

Being the person I am...I had to take a shower Saturday morning. I turned on the water pump...the water heater and took the World's fastest shower. Too bad I almost drained the entire water supply with a 45 second shower.

But, to my defense...Shorty and I were kinda "Howard Hughesish" with the cutting boards and knives the day before. Lots of scrubbing and washing on Friday night. SO, I didn't use all the water.

The gourmet kitchen. Complete with stove, oven, microwave, and sink. Just missing that all important dishwasher.
Love this sticker. Nothing says redneck like KOOL AID. And, I love how they mark it as one of the top staining items.
Ah yes, the "Convenience Center" Water pump...ON! Generator...CHECK!
This is THE cooler. The one with all the loot in it. This cooler is about 4 feet long...kinda hard to tell in the picture...also provides a perfect place to sit while you WAIT. LOTS of waiting at cookoffs. Hurry UP and WAIT!
Shorty preparing is spare ribs for Saturday's competition. My favorite.
Nothing says beautiful like a sunset behind exhaust pumps from the biggest BBQ pit on the planet. This view was out of our RV door....don't be so jealous.
Saturday morning....Shorty ready with his Big Green Eggs...ready to show those other folks that a huge BBQ pit isn't the only way.
This is Karl. One of Gary's best friends. He came out early Saturday morning to "help" Shorty. Just like I "helped" Shorty. As you can see in this picture...Karl is on the all important "paper towel duty"

Here are Shorty's parents. Anne & Wayne. Ganna & Pappa.

They came out to "help" too. Wayne wore the necassary "Big Mouth Bass" baseball cap. He was smart...he wanted to fit in.
Here is one of the final products. Brisket. Shorty cooked ribs, brisket, and chicken. We got to taste all but the chicken. He only cooked one and had to turn in the entire thing. Those judges still owe me a bite.

After all the work was done...and most of the cleanup was finished....I went to get a funnel cake....kind of as a celebration. It was over...and now we had to wait.

Results were called at 6. I had to leave to get the little kiddo and the dog...but, Shorty's parents stayed around with him.

Over 105 teams...Shorty didn't win any trophies or ribbons...but he did win top 25 in ribs and chicken. So he did better than over 75% of those other cookers. All on two Green Eggs...

Needless to say he was happy....and, he plans to change his brisket recipe. Let the tasting begin.

But, I am going to have to say no to BBQ for a while...the smell of BBQ smoke has penetrated my lungs.

Way to go Shorty!