One from the kid and Mrs DavesBeer

Wicked cold temps and caged up kids. Could there be a better combination to make one look to Jack Daniels for help?

Frankie had a friend over and Mom made them some cupcakes and let them decorate 'em. Here's an example of Mom's handiwork. A rose atop a delicate little cake. Pretty tasty.

Miserable failure

Starting to host images using Picasweb, still learning.

First attempt at bagels this morning flopped. I used a mix of coarse ground oats, whole wheat and unbleached white. Texture off, flavor was ok, everything else sucked. Back to the drawing board. Blah.

It's almost March, Pizza Grand Prix is just around the corner

I'm training for Wild Goose Creative's Pizza Grand Prix in March, the brainchild of Jim; I'm entering a pizza.

Here's my schedule.

1. Repair my launch pad. I have a mini patio for my Firedome, v 2.0 that needs some fixing. I'm nearly in traction after my work on that today; swinging a pickaxe and everthing. I ache. Got about another day's work and my pad will be finished.

2. Got a new heavy duty, very industrial-looking stand made for my kettle mod. It too needs a few hours work to finish. It's serious-as-shit looking.

3. Finally, some cooking runs:
a. Only hitting a consistent 650-750°F during past runs. In an attempt to get near 1,000°F, I'll be trying a hugely larger air intake from a modified lower kettle.
b. I'll be trying lump instead of briquettes.
c. I need a more thermally resistant cooking surface. Going to 5th Ave to a tile place to find a thicker stone.

Lots of work ahead. Keep you posted on results.

I have my head held down