Aurora

I'm thinking we should kick that 6:00 P.M. start up to 5:00 P.M. Saturday nights can get crowded, and we're a big group. I can't stand waiting in line watching all the plates of food constantly walk by me. Besides, that will give us even more time for the indulgence segment of the evening. JiminLoganSquare - you and the Mrs. are coming, right? Let's all give Jim a little encouragement, shall we?

I would vote for either early to beat the "rush" or late to indulge in the night If it's late, the Mexican Cultural Center is out, but then there's that "indulge in the night" thing that Willie is hitting on. How much more is there for a group like us to indulge in at night in Pilsen? Uh oh.

Perfectionist. That's such an ugly word. I am not a perfectionist. Much like Charlie Trotter, I am on an endless quest in the search for excellence. It makes me reach farther. Those beets didn't glow in the dark. They flashed like beacon lights. Excellence in action! What's this about no Flaca? What time are we getting together? A time would be good.

No one, really. She was accidentally packed in a moving box marked "shoes" that is travelling through the streets of Chicago in an Allied moving van. She is barefoot because the box that contains the shoes is marked "bathroom" but cannot be found. It's her own fault that she's boxed up, shoeless, and in dire need of a bath, but damn, it would all be worth it for a plate of that Nuevo Leon pork stew!

I was there the other night. I couldn't help myself. I went for the Guisado de Puerco AGAIN. It was so good--even better the next day. They changed the Queso con Chorizo. The presentation is different. It is now serverd over a bed of grilled flour tortilla triangles and it now includes coarsely chopped jalepenos and tomatos. It was still delicious. I will be there. I cleared my schedule for it. BTW, they have handmade flour and corn tortillas and they will bring both to the table if you wish.

We been eatin' all day, mama! Mark me Mista Maker! Nero is out on the deck talking about some dude named Ron Jeremy. Apparently he's a great cook who makes these things called Hershy Highways. Strange.

Don't you worry yourself about that none. Quite a few are being tipped. I'm tippin' one right now. It has been confirmed. The wine in a can tastes every inch of ass.

The cake is done! It is now quietly resting with Guaj's beet salad, and the peppers. I too thought the wine clip to be bullshit, but quite by accident, I found it to be quite effective as a hair straightener. At the very least, it's a great pony-tail-holder.

4:23 PM Eastern The carrot cake is doing nicely in the oven, and we've done a cleanup in preparation for round two which involves Jim Dixon's cauliflower recipe, a custard pie from Lady T, au gratin potatos from Maggie, a salad, and hopefully more brisket. Unfortunately, because I am not Keller-inclined, I will not attempt to extract keratin from the remaining carrots as a method of coloring the cream cheese frosting that will be used to pipe a carrot on top of the cake. Unfortunately, I will not be making a decorative carrot of any kind. I forgot to pack my pastry bags and tips in the bag of kitchen items that I brought with me, and Alex forgot his at home. I could use the cut-the-corner-off-a-plastic-bag method, but I'm lazy, so that ain't happening either. There won't be carrots on top, but I don't think anyone in this crowd will care. Nero just arrived with her boyfriend and a bunch of her pillow things that I really love. The cake is out, and it looks pretty good. Now, I am off to make the frosting and continue stuffing my face.

You're a lawyer. Make one up. Ok, so jeans, a sweatshit, and some fleece are cool for dinner tomorrow night? Good! If pajamas are also cool, I will consider that too.

Whether he's worthy of it or not, I'm blaming that ball-snatchin' dufus in the stands last night.

That means we must get...cake. Oh, Laura! Let's divide into the "get the table" group, "get the beer" group, and the "while we cross the street" group. Now I'm thinking about the apps in addition to the pork stew.

I just knew I liked you guys. We have everything TMBG has ever done. Scott sings Dr Worm to the kids all the time. Varmint - Sing this one for Guaj on the next ride to the airport. He'll love it and gaze at you adoringly. Then you can hit the high notes together. Ana Ng and I are getting old And we still haven't walked in the glow of each other's majestic presence Listen Ana hear my words They're the ones you would think I would say if there was a me for you I've never been called a pork hand before. :) The title was bestowed upon you with endless adoration for a job well done.

Call in sick, Babe! I second that. It's just work. Blow that off! (sure, look who's talking)

I would reason that your lemoncello may be the missing link in what could make that possible. A few hits of that, and I could be anywhere or anyone I wanted to be. Girl - you so silly... Shhhhh. Don't tell anyone. They think I'm deadly serious.

I would reason that your lemoncello may be the missing link in what could make that possible. A few hits of that, and I could be anywhere or anyone I wanted to be.

I just wanted to break in on all the merriment and say, once again, that I had a great time. I got in around 8 PM. I dropped my bag and went to bed. I can't explain why I was tired or why I wasn't very hungry today... To Varmint, Mrs. Varmint, and the four Varmint children: thank you so much. You opened up your home and treated us like family. It was everything that a shared food experience should be. Who knew that Mom and Dad were such party people? What an amazing house. That was some lip smackin', awe-inspiring pork! BTW, thank you for passing me a rib. It was so good; I nearly dropped where I stood. I damn near cried. It was a pleasure to finally meet you all in person. In no way did any of you disappoint. Dave - I got to peel potatos, mince garlic, chop jalapeños, heirloom tomatos, and time for you AND sing They Might Be Giants? If somebody had told me that last week, I would have slapped them. The VD stew was delicious, and that red eye gravy was the best. Malawry - Any woman who can pull off the number of tasks that you accomplished over the weekend deserves a crown, a scepter and an orb. If I get to DC, will you please make hush puppies for me? Katie - What up roomie! - Empress of the aperitif and various spirited beverages involving ginger beer. I loved the lemoncello. If only I could have taken that jug on the plane. Shorter & Shorter + 2 - one is an awsome pork hand, the other cooks collards like a sista', and their children are beautiful! =Mark - you and your brother are skilled roasting masters. The mustard sauce was really delicious. Mummer - Whoo, whoo! Al Dente - you really should be writing some of these stories down. Just make sure to change the name of the bartender. Blondie - you are one mean jalapeño chopper, and you have a heart of gold. I mean it. As soon as I bag a few million, the kitchen contract is yours. The trip would not have been right without my Heartland Homies, Maggie and Guajolote. Nothing is right without Big G and the Dark Lady. I have discovered that anything tastes better when it's basted in duck fat, broiled, smothered in red eye gravy and served up with a side of pickled beets. Duck crackling. It doesn't suck. The teamwork and camaraderie were impressive and it added to the fun of the entire weekend. I'm sorry I couldn't stay for the pressure washing of the tennis court. I don't know what happened with the Packers, but my pain was reduced when word came that the Saints creamed the Bears (Packers Rule! On, Wisconsin! Badgers rrrrrrrrr!. Go Cubbies!)

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE make those chicken pillow things! I would like to try my hand at my version of my mother's carrot cake. What say you all? Ronnie, I am sad that you will not be able to be there.

SW - Your ears must have been burning. Guajolote was just mentioning a return visit to Nuevo Leon, and Maggie and I nodded in exhuberent agreement. November 8 and 22 work well for me. And the 22nd is better if it means Ronnie can also attend. I could eat their pork stew all day. Actually, I think I already have.

No, it's not scary. It's greeeeeeezzzaaaaay! They don't throw that bunched up piece of white bread in there for no reason. I don't mean to be crude, but those of you with any gastrointestinal sensitivity should STAY AWAY. FAR, FAR AWAY! That stuff will gurgle you well into the night.

It's not sheetrock, it's a piece of plywood. Varmint is outside right now pickin' and choppin' and adding vinegar. It's tasting mighty good. Meanwhile, back in the kitchen, Maggie has just served up the leftover grits that were broiled with the remaining duck fat. She cut it in squares and served it up with the leftover red eye gravy. Dean is currently in the kitchen interpreting one of Dave the Cook's recipes. Weka is his assistant. I had a rib, and I'm off to see about getting one or two more. We're having a wonderful time.

Thanks, Willie. That was mighty fine of you. Might I suggest that we possibly, maybe use our certificates at an eGullet sponsored dinner, if that is forseeable and possible according to the rules. If we all went together, would we be considered a "Private Party," or would something like that involve calling them and saying something like, "Hello. I wold like to arrange a private party. It's worth a little looking into if anyone is game. Guajolote, Ronnie, and Willie - before I sign up for this, which of the four restaurants did you guys choose? Please don't tell me Marche.

On the Chicago to Grand Rapids leg, we can take the train from Chicago to Kalamazoo at 9:40 AM, arrive in Kalamazoo at 12:55 PM (Eastern time), then take the Amtrak bus that departs at 2:40 PM and arrives in Grand Rapids at 3:50 PM. Ba-da-bing, ba-da-boom! We're in Grand Rapids two hours and forty minutes before the train directly from Chicago to Grand Rapids leaves Union Station. We'll arrive well in time for a nap and a shower before dinner minus the need to leave on Thursday to make it in time for the dinner on Friday. The cost of the full price round-trip fare is $64.00. GOOD WORK, ALEX! Fresser has voulunteered the Fressermobile for those, like NeroW and NSM, who plan to travel on Saturday 10/18. Fresser has also asked me to mention that his computer is on the blink, so for those who would like more information, please PM or email me, and I will be happy to provide his cell phone number so you may call him and reserve your spot in his car.

Bierkenstocks better count because mine go with me no matter what.