Down The Shore

We got back yesterday from a 7-day, 6-night visit to Avalon, NJ. We visited with both my parents, half my brothers, half my sisters-in-law, all my neices, and my only nephew. Also present were many French speaking Canadians and at least one skunk who may or not speak French.

We all stayed at Avalon Campground, with the Maryland Roth's sharing a one room cabin, with a fickle air conditioner. Luckily we were able to spend much of the time in my folks' 30 ft RV trailer with surround sound.

Highlights of the week were the zoo, the pool, the Brady Bunch, and the afore mentioned skunks, who I never actually saw, but everyone else did several times.

Here are a bunch of pictures. More can be found on Flickr.

Chicken On The Can

It was a perfect storm. I had enough red-neckness in me from my years living in NC. I was inspired to cook entire animals on the grill by my recent attendance at my brother's pig pickin'. I'd somehow acquired a can of beer from the soccer game tailgate. I had a chicken.

A beer can chicken was inevitable.

Chef Google led me to this site for a recipe. I adapted the dry rub to use brown sugar, pretzel salt, Italian seasoning, garlic, paprika, and of course some Mort. I also used olive oil instead of vegetable oil.
I had to forgo using a smoker box because I hadn't soaked any woodchips, didn't actually have any woodchips, and don't have a smoker box.

Even with my modifications, the end result was delicious.

Technorati tags: beer BeerCanChicken andyroth

Would Be Hooligans

Shelley and I attened the DC United Major Leauge Soccer game last night at RFK stadium. With this, I have now seen 3 professional sports in person (4 if you count hockey) The game was a blast (DC won 3-2) and even better was the pre-game tailgate. I don't understand why this sport is so less popular in the US than anywhere else in the world.

Technorati tags: dcunited mls andyroth

Went to a little get together with some old friends.

The kids and I went to PA because Alex has been asking to go for a few weeks. Since Dave and the kids were there, and the Lamberts were having a cook-out, we decided this would a good time to go.

Our first stop on Saturday was the pool at French Creek State Park. It is a nice pool with a sloping entry, so the kids can gradually control their depth. I enjoyed it as well, at least until my back went out.

After a quick change at Oma and Opa's, the next stop was the super Wal-Mart for some cupcakes and Tylenol. We then went to the Lamberts, and were only an hour late.

Matt and Dawn represent 50% of my high school friends that I regularly keep in touch with (regularly = at least once a year). We always have a good time and enjoy the good food when we're at their house. Here are some shots of the kids on the hill:

We spent the night in the folk's driveway, which would have been uncomfortable had we not been in their RV. I slept soundly until 4:45 when I heard the Velcro sounds of Alex putting on his shoes. He'd waited as long as he could to go in and wake Oma so they could drink hot chocolate and watch the sunrise. I was able to persuade him to wait another 30 minutes before he went in. Don't feel too bad for my mom, since she was the one that told him he was an early-bird and promised him hot chocolate.