Good question from Jim in Robbinsdale.
He was referring to an early post about my wine choice. ( Paisano/Vine Rose)
Jim's friend told him about a Fortissimo Wine.
From what I can find is when you are out of Red Wine you drink Fortissimo which is a blend of reds left over from processing and bottled only once or twice a year from what I understand.
The taste has been compared to Paisano. Sangria and CR Cellars actually makes a Fortissimo Wine.
I am not a wine expert so no comments please. I researched the question and called a few people.
I am truly blessed to live in the backyard of Wine Haven a small but very reputable winery in Chisago whose sample room is walking distance from my house.
Grandma and Grandpa would be proud I do believe.
I am told I need to build a Bocce Ball Court. Build it and they will come the voice says.What do you think?Should I go with a natural Grass or a clay court. The voices also say I need wine stations at either end.
Well talk to all later.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Twiggy The Water Skiing Squirrel
Last week found me in Duluth.
We always look forward to the Duluth Show.
It is the best little show hands down.
The boys at Shamrock Productions are professional and fun to work with.
The personnel at the Canal Park Comfort Suites are great.They have the best beds of any hotel I have ever stayed at. Good breakfast too.
Russ and the guys at marine General are always ready to deal.These guys are very knowledgeable in electronics, rods and reels.
Duluth is a show that is unlike other shows and more like a class reunion.
Groups of people meet in the aisle and catch up and we reps see the same customer every year coming back to see what is new and usually bringing a new friend.
Unlike big city shows Duluth provides a small town flair, No huge manufacture displays, No fancy dressed sales people with bad jokes.
Duluth rates high for it's entertainment. It is the only show with a live stage show.
This year it was the Stihl Lumber Jack Squad with The Sound Effects Guy.
And lets not forget the National Anthem.
I truly wish there was more shows run like this one.
Duluth in 2009 provided an floor emptying performance by Twiggy the Water Skiing Squirrel.
2 sold out performances each day left voids on the show floor and a crush of people scrambling to see this super stud squirrel and his water skiing antics.
If you think I am kidding about the popularity of the squirrel he has a Tour Bus!
Not a run down Blue Bird but a bus worthy of Bon Jovi.
There was Twiggy reports from bars across town and wild post performance parties on the bus.
Twiggy also had a Green Room and signed a non compete contract with the Shamrock Crew.
To top it off we figured Twiggy made more money at this show than allot of us reps made in a year.
O.K. If that is not enough the show also sports the best shredded Porketta sandwich I have ever tasted. It is worth the price of admission alone!!!!!
Well , I am off to Madison for their annual fishing expo at the alliance center.
Another unique show in which is run by volunteers and all proceeds are donated back to fishing and outdoor related projects.
The locals say that Madison is 64 square miles of liberals surrounded by reality.
If true these guys do a great job of getting the job done for the outdoors men.
We always look forward to the Duluth Show.
It is the best little show hands down.
The boys at Shamrock Productions are professional and fun to work with.
The personnel at the Canal Park Comfort Suites are great.They have the best beds of any hotel I have ever stayed at. Good breakfast too.
Russ and the guys at marine General are always ready to deal.These guys are very knowledgeable in electronics, rods and reels.
Duluth is a show that is unlike other shows and more like a class reunion.
Groups of people meet in the aisle and catch up and we reps see the same customer every year coming back to see what is new and usually bringing a new friend.
Unlike big city shows Duluth provides a small town flair, No huge manufacture displays, No fancy dressed sales people with bad jokes.
Duluth rates high for it's entertainment. It is the only show with a live stage show.
This year it was the Stihl Lumber Jack Squad with The Sound Effects Guy.
And lets not forget the National Anthem.
I truly wish there was more shows run like this one.
Duluth in 2009 provided an floor emptying performance by Twiggy the Water Skiing Squirrel.
2 sold out performances each day left voids on the show floor and a crush of people scrambling to see this super stud squirrel and his water skiing antics.
If you think I am kidding about the popularity of the squirrel he has a Tour Bus!
Not a run down Blue Bird but a bus worthy of Bon Jovi.
There was Twiggy reports from bars across town and wild post performance parties on the bus.
Twiggy also had a Green Room and signed a non compete contract with the Shamrock Crew.
To top it off we figured Twiggy made more money at this show than allot of us reps made in a year.
O.K. If that is not enough the show also sports the best shredded Porketta sandwich I have ever tasted. It is worth the price of admission alone!!!!!
Well , I am off to Madison for their annual fishing expo at the alliance center.
Another unique show in which is run by volunteers and all proceeds are donated back to fishing and outdoor related projects.
The locals say that Madison is 64 square miles of liberals surrounded by reality.
If true these guys do a great job of getting the job done for the outdoors men.
RECIPE:
Hey this one came from one of my noodle experiment days in the kitchen.
1 pound of sweet Italian Garlic sausage. ( Homemade or from Jubilee in Chisholm)
1 pound of penne (If you are into designer you can buy the noodles made with semolina?and there is vegetarian multi colored noodles or wheat)
5 tablespoons of butter( really there is no substitute for the flavor)
1/2 cup Asiago
1/2 cup parmigiana
1 can of sweet peas
Olive oil ( optional)
Salt
Pepper
1. In a deep sauce pan melt the butter until melted making sure not to burn.
2. Slice sausage( I use links but ground will work.) and ad to butter and cook until done.lower heat.
3. In a separate pot heat salted water to a boil and cook the Penne ,drain and rinse.
4. add noodles to the butter and sausage over medium heat stirring the mixture to allow coverage of the butter and fat from the sausage. Salt and Pepper to taste.
5. Add 1 can of peas and mix.
6. Add 1/2 cup of Asiago and Mix.
7. Add 1/2 Cup of Parmigiana and Mix.
8. Add Olive oil over the top before serving if desired.
The combination of the butter, fat, and sweet peas makes this dish irresistible in flavor.
The Olive Oil will give it a slightly different taste and cut the sweetness if that is what you prefer.
The sausage grease and butter can be drained if your diet requires. The peas will give it sweetness.
I enjoyed this meal with a glass of what else? paisano, a piece if thick cut Italian bread.
You could serve a side salad with it also.
Hope you enjoy.
Hey this one came from one of my noodle experiment days in the kitchen.
1 pound of sweet Italian Garlic sausage. ( Homemade or from Jubilee in Chisholm)
1 pound of penne (If you are into designer you can buy the noodles made with semolina?and there is vegetarian multi colored noodles or wheat)
5 tablespoons of butter( really there is no substitute for the flavor)
1/2 cup Asiago
1/2 cup parmigiana
1 can of sweet peas
Olive oil ( optional)
Salt
Pepper
1. In a deep sauce pan melt the butter until melted making sure not to burn.
2. Slice sausage( I use links but ground will work.) and ad to butter and cook until done.lower heat.
3. In a separate pot heat salted water to a boil and cook the Penne ,drain and rinse.
4. add noodles to the butter and sausage over medium heat stirring the mixture to allow coverage of the butter and fat from the sausage. Salt and Pepper to taste.
5. Add 1 can of peas and mix.
6. Add 1/2 cup of Asiago and Mix.
7. Add 1/2 Cup of Parmigiana and Mix.
8. Add Olive oil over the top before serving if desired.
The combination of the butter, fat, and sweet peas makes this dish irresistible in flavor.
The Olive Oil will give it a slightly different taste and cut the sweetness if that is what you prefer.
The sausage grease and butter can be drained if your diet requires. The peas will give it sweetness.
I enjoyed this meal with a glass of what else? paisano, a piece if thick cut Italian bread.
You could serve a side salad with it also.
Hope you enjoy.
Dick Smith's Ice Jamboree
At the same time of the Musky Expo on the other side of Milwaukee in Delafield.
There was a Jamboree of sorts.
350 anglers fished their favorite lakes in the area and brought there fish back to Pewaukee Lake to see how they fared against the rest of the field.
I did not get to see the fish but arrived for the tail end of the raffles being conducted by the local Bass Club for their kids tournaments.
Becky does a wonderful job and comes from fishing lineage.
Here father ran the store for many years before her and has passed it on to his daughter Becky
who with her highly skilled staff can answer all your questions.
From there I attended a Musky Lure Swap.
This being my first I did know what to expect.
Guys gather in a large room with beer and trade,sell, swap and in some cases spend more than what they made to get rid of lures in which have lost favor in their tackle boxes.
Lures ran the spectrum of size shape color and displays ranged from hanging on five gallon buckets to elaborate displays made of wood carved or burned with scenes of fish.
Once the swap was done all involved retreated to the pool, rooms and bars of the Best Western to drink more beer and tell tales.
Sunday was along day and the ride home is never something to look forward to but I have trained myself to make the six plus hour drive with one stop and have done it none stop twice.
West of Madison for 45 miles the fields were filled with deer in large numbers out grazing which was a nice site to see considering the amount of early snow the area had.
Well I will Tell you about Duluth
and post a recipe on the next few posts.
There was a Jamboree of sorts.
350 anglers fished their favorite lakes in the area and brought there fish back to Pewaukee Lake to see how they fared against the rest of the field.
I did not get to see the fish but arrived for the tail end of the raffles being conducted by the local Bass Club for their kids tournaments.
Becky does a wonderful job and comes from fishing lineage.
Here father ran the store for many years before her and has passed it on to his daughter Becky
who with her highly skilled staff can answer all your questions.
From there I attended a Musky Lure Swap.
This being my first I did know what to expect.
Guys gather in a large room with beer and trade,sell, swap and in some cases spend more than what they made to get rid of lures in which have lost favor in their tackle boxes.
Lures ran the spectrum of size shape color and displays ranged from hanging on five gallon buckets to elaborate displays made of wood carved or burned with scenes of fish.
Once the swap was done all involved retreated to the pool, rooms and bars of the Best Western to drink more beer and tell tales.
Sunday was along day and the ride home is never something to look forward to but I have trained myself to make the six plus hour drive with one stop and have done it none stop twice.
West of Madison for 45 miles the fields were filled with deer in large numbers out grazing which was a nice site to see considering the amount of early snow the area had.
Well I will Tell you about Duluth
and post a recipe on the next few posts.
Murphy's Law hits even when on the road
No pictures to show.
CPU went on the fritz and I am at the mercy of another computer.
Since the last post I spent two weeks traveling.
My trip started off making archery related calls across Wisconsin's Central Corridor.
The first day was a 400 mile marathon with a dozen stops.
Stayed at a good friends house in Redgranite WI, which happens to have a large Italian population and rich in dago history.
Jim's wife served pizza as they had been on the road all day also.
The following day was line reviews and product presentation to Mills Fleet Farm.
Meetings went well and I was able to visit several other accounts including Critters, Located in Winneconne, WI. New shop and located in a great little town outside Oshkosh on the Winnebago Chain.
If you ever go you need to check out the Bridge fishing.
Jim's wife Lee cooked another fantastic meal. Roast Beef with Gravy, homemade mash potato's a veggie side and a wonderful salad which I never had before. I will see if she will let me post it. and we watched some TV and drank domestic Wisconsin brew.
Wednesday and Thursday found me visiting dealers in between Redgranite and Milwaukee.
Fri-Sun was the Milwaukee Musky Expo.
Some true characters the Musky Crowd and one of my favorites is John Laimon of Smokey's Musky Shop. The unofficial second largest Musky Shop in the World. With Gordy a.k.a Bait boy by his side it is a destination stop to view history and see one of the truly unique shops.
The shop is located on the shores of Pewaukee Lake and is located in a transformed home which includes a conference table that bank execs would flip over.
John also hosts an outdoor talk show on Saturday mornings from 6-8 a.m. 1250 AM,
topics include politics and sports, This show would fit in well in northern Minnesota.
Fromm time to time yours truly is a guest of the show.
Back to the Musky guys though.
I used to think Steel Head guys took the cake for arrogance and self absorption until I met Musky guys. Ego's abound as in every sector of the business but a few observations to be noted.
You must earn your stripes in the Musky world.
Number of boated fish is equivalent to the NFL rushing title.
Follows are not counted but are weighted into the equation if caught on film.
The Musky Guide Fishes and if the client can keep up he/she may stand a chance.
Lures are Bigger than life and expensive but guys will fork the coin over to buy five.
I have seen lures run as high as 75.00 but am told they can cost more.
Some lures are as much as two pounds.
And allot of lures use the images of sexy bikini clad ladies to sell product.
The nets are huge. We sell the TS116Y at the shows which is an impressive 116 inches and length and sports a 36x38 inch net but folds to mere 19x50.
Rods are all 8 feet and more.
A far cry from 5'6"-6'6" ten or so years ago.
Lamiglas has a Nine foot tower of power which was designed by the late Rick Meverden of Green bay Wisconsin. Those 2x4 with hooks I was talking about before.
Yeah, this is what you throw them with.
and finally,
The age old debate of steel leaders vs. fluorocarbon which pretty much reminds me of North vs. South.
The truly unique portion of Musky fishing to me is the Row Trolling aspect.
Since trolling is prohibited on most Wisconsin lakes row trolling is an approved alternative on others.
The guide rows the boat while you leisurely sit back in the boat and fish or drink or what ever.
It seems to particularly big in the Eagle River Area , where it is an excepted practice.
Baits, Guides, Boats, Beer and Brats.
I will continue this post in later and have another recipe to post.
CPU went on the fritz and I am at the mercy of another computer.
Since the last post I spent two weeks traveling.
My trip started off making archery related calls across Wisconsin's Central Corridor.
The first day was a 400 mile marathon with a dozen stops.
Stayed at a good friends house in Redgranite WI, which happens to have a large Italian population and rich in dago history.
Jim's wife served pizza as they had been on the road all day also.
The following day was line reviews and product presentation to Mills Fleet Farm.
Meetings went well and I was able to visit several other accounts including Critters, Located in Winneconne, WI. New shop and located in a great little town outside Oshkosh on the Winnebago Chain.
If you ever go you need to check out the Bridge fishing.
Jim's wife Lee cooked another fantastic meal. Roast Beef with Gravy, homemade mash potato's a veggie side and a wonderful salad which I never had before. I will see if she will let me post it. and we watched some TV and drank domestic Wisconsin brew.
Wednesday and Thursday found me visiting dealers in between Redgranite and Milwaukee.
Fri-Sun was the Milwaukee Musky Expo.
Some true characters the Musky Crowd and one of my favorites is John Laimon of Smokey's Musky Shop. The unofficial second largest Musky Shop in the World. With Gordy a.k.a Bait boy by his side it is a destination stop to view history and see one of the truly unique shops.
The shop is located on the shores of Pewaukee Lake and is located in a transformed home which includes a conference table that bank execs would flip over.
John also hosts an outdoor talk show on Saturday mornings from 6-8 a.m. 1250 AM,
topics include politics and sports, This show would fit in well in northern Minnesota.
Fromm time to time yours truly is a guest of the show.
Back to the Musky guys though.
I used to think Steel Head guys took the cake for arrogance and self absorption until I met Musky guys. Ego's abound as in every sector of the business but a few observations to be noted.
You must earn your stripes in the Musky world.
Number of boated fish is equivalent to the NFL rushing title.
Follows are not counted but are weighted into the equation if caught on film.
The Musky Guide Fishes and if the client can keep up he/she may stand a chance.
Lures are Bigger than life and expensive but guys will fork the coin over to buy five.
I have seen lures run as high as 75.00 but am told they can cost more.
Some lures are as much as two pounds.
And allot of lures use the images of sexy bikini clad ladies to sell product.
The nets are huge. We sell the TS116Y at the shows which is an impressive 116 inches and length and sports a 36x38 inch net but folds to mere 19x50.
Rods are all 8 feet and more.
A far cry from 5'6"-6'6" ten or so years ago.
Lamiglas has a Nine foot tower of power which was designed by the late Rick Meverden of Green bay Wisconsin. Those 2x4 with hooks I was talking about before.
Yeah, this is what you throw them with.
and finally,
The age old debate of steel leaders vs. fluorocarbon which pretty much reminds me of North vs. South.
The truly unique portion of Musky fishing to me is the Row Trolling aspect.
Since trolling is prohibited on most Wisconsin lakes row trolling is an approved alternative on others.
The guide rows the boat while you leisurely sit back in the boat and fish or drink or what ever.
It seems to particularly big in the Eagle River Area , where it is an excepted practice.
Baits, Guides, Boats, Beer and Brats.
I will continue this post in later and have another recipe to post.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
New Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Famers
Good news today for two good guys.
Tommy and Bob were both inducted to the fresh water fishing hall of fame.
I know what you are thinking.
Stats.
Who did they play for?
How many All-Star appearances?
You have got to love fishing because you are truly rewarded for how hard you work for the industry. It is not about how many fish you have caught and how many people you guided. It truly is about the impact you made with your peers,industry leaders and of course those who watched you and or used your service.
I think of all the people that I have been introduced to and often thought they should be in the Hall of Fame.My dad for one for introducing me to the outdoors,but then I think, he was just doing what he knew how to do and made sure I had that chance.
I look at Uncle Alex, Dads brother, who took me under his wing on Long Lake and Side Lake to pass along his knowledge. And I saw that they were stewards of the resource.
Who can forget Alex In the SAVE OUR LAKES signs around Chisholm.
Tommy and Bob embrace that and more.
In my business we call it: LTD, LIVING THE DREAM!!!!
I personally know Tommy and How hard he works for his sponsors.
Last year at the Duluth Show, Tommy had a tough Autumn and could barely walk but was at the show ready to go.
Bob, well he is a fanatic, When I met with Bob to go over his new line of baits it was the most intense lesson on blade baits for Musky/Pike that I have ever been involved in, unless you talk to Larry Dahlberg about why he eats Jerky and only Jerky on his international trips these days.
They now are part of an elite fraternity that I can only hope to be part of down the road.
Hats off and everyone have a good week.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Recipe Day
Welcome:
Spaghettiman Recipe Suggestions.
I would like to make this a regular segment of the blog.
2 easy recipe that are easy and simple to make.
Formaggio Fritto ( Fried Cheese)
3/4 cup of bread crumbs
1/8 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp salt
2 cloves of garlic minced.
1 egg (beaten)
2 tbsp milk
2 tbsp veg oil
6-10 oz of hard cheese, cubed( Cheddar,Jack, Colby and my fave mozzarella)
3/4 cup of flour
1. Mix breadcrumbs,oregano,salt and garlic in a bowl.
2. In a separate bowl combine egg and milk.
3. In yet another bowl some flour.
4. Heat a oil in a deep skillet over med to med high heat until hot.(350)
- While the oil is heating up.
5. Dip the cheese cubes in flour.
6. Dip the cubes now in in the egg wash.
7. Cover in bread crumbs
repeat process if necessary to ensure the dredging has mated with the cheese cubes.
8. Once the dredging process is complete allow the cubes to sit for 10-15 minutes.
( Enough time to enjoy some of that Paisano wine you poured before you started)
9. place or slide cubes into the oil bath, Fry until golden brown turning once.(1-2 min)
scoop out and allow excess oil to drain and place in a paper towel lined basket/dish and serve while hot.
Goes great with that buttered Italian bread and wine.
I have made it as a precursor to dinner or for NASCAR snacks.
This recipe is pretty much the one listed in I Cantatori
The fried cheese also reminds me that it
also goes well with the following dressing.
1/4 cup of veg oil or e.v.o.l. ( extra virgin olive oil)
1/4 cup of red wine vinegar.
Salt
Pepper
Mix the ingredients in a bowl tasting. add seasoning as dad says ;"to taste"
You can also add garlic or fresh parsley.
Lemon juice can be used to cut the oil and vinegar mixture and add more flavor.
I like the vin/oil alone though.
Serve on Romaine ,but actually at the shack a head of everyday lettuce.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
I would like to see my brother Fredo peddle his bike through this.
One of my factories sent this to me.
He said the pictures came from Orillia Ontario.I don't know if this is Orillia or not.
Orillia has 30,000 people!!
Maybe they are all buried.
I especially like the interior shot.
Would it make a good insulator?
The electric bill would be one to see.
How about fuel oil delivery?
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
The Day The Music Died
A long, long time ago...I can still rememberHow that music used to make me smile.And I knew if I had my chanceThat I could make those people danceAnd, maybe, they'd be happy for a while.But february made me shiverWith every paper I'd deliver.Bad news on the doorstep;I couldn't take one more step.I can't remember if I criedWhen I read about his widowed bride,But something touched me deep insideThe day the music died.
-Don Mclean
Monday, February 2, 2009
Visit to mom and dads
Left:
The plan was to take a few pictures on this 3 mile walk.
Wasn't happening.
This was the only spot out of the wind.
On the other side of the Island was a Bobcat clearing snow for Polar Bear Days.
Did not even care to take his picture.
Right:
This is me walking and freezing the you know what off.
Or it could be me changing the battery on my vehicle which fell victim to the cold.
Thanks to Black though for the Birthday gift of Tom and Jerry's Drink chips.
They came in useful.
Closed the bar down that night.
Reading Fredo's blog I think he has finally lost it.
He really was normal at one point.
He has a great blog with some really good tunes.
Check it out.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)