Pizza Casserole and Sad Goodbyes

An abundance of coffee syrups to choose from

 TJ and his family were preparing for an up-and-coming camp which meant that coffee machines had to be prepped. Getting your coffee just right can be a very meticulous procedure due to the variables involved. (Just ask my friend, Jodi!) Grind, bean strength, water levels, temperature, etc. However, the upside meant that there was a lot of testing... There were some fantastic syrups too. English toffee to Amaretto. I was offered to try an Italian Soda for the first time but I must say I'm a big fan of white chocolate and butterscotch frappuccinnos and french vanilla lattes. What are your coffee habits?

A very happy me!

 For lunch I had what was called "Pizza Casserole" cooked for the camp staff by the amazing Margie. It was a baked pasta (conchiglie I think) with a bolognese and then pepperoni on the cheese, served with salad and ranch dressing (of which I have become quite fond though I never used to like it) and garlic toast. I also got to try pumpkin cake which is made much like carrot cake and, if you like carrot cake, just as delicious.

Prepping the coffee area

 One evening we had a bonfire and, of course, that meant s'mores! Oh, yes. Toasted marshmallows and melted chocolate. I couldn't wear my cool hoodie properly due to a carpet burn from an intense game of "crab-basketball" but that's another story...

S'mores!

 Sadly, the time had come for me to leave and continue in my adventure across the States. However, during my stay I had made new friends, gathered inspiration, tried more foods for the first time and learned how to swing dance thanks to TJ and his sister. Guys, you made my stay so special and I won't forget a moment spent with you all. I look forward to spending fun times together again!

Seasoned with Expectation,

Jacob

P.S. Sorry for breaking that guitar string, TJ!

Trying pumpkin cake

Pizza casserole

Seriously, would you drink this? Only in Montana...

Yep, I found some very
cool glasses!

...how to swing dance.

Learning from the best...

I am really going to miss this kitchen

Saying goodbye to the wonderful kitchen staff

"To glorify my Savior, Jesus Christ, the Creator 

of the universe and spread further abroad His glorious gospel." - Yours Truly

An All-American Rodeo

  Yep, you read it right. I had the chance to go to a Rodeo and TJ got to come too. It was an absolute blast and potentially a once in a lifetime experience. Because it was so late in the year, I had thought perhaps that the whole 'rodeo season', as it were, was over but I was gladly proved wrong. It turned out to be a championship so it was very competitive and great fun to watch. (If I had a little less regard for my pelvis I'd happily give it a go!) There were buckin' broncos, barrel racing and then a wife carrying contest. So, all in all, a fantastic night out!

Do yourselves a favour and eat just before you go out!

 From the angle of food, I discovered that there can be some unusual to just plain gastronomic treats at rodeos for the spectators to enjoy. If there is an excuse for a cookout then Americans will find one! BBQ cook offs including 2 foot long sausages and 4 lb burgers and then deep fried everything from cinnamon rolls to pop tarts! I dread to think what they'd get up to at a Texan rodeo...

Seasoned with Gastronomicalness,

Jacob

"Ride like the wind, Bullseye!"

Disgusting... You just don't do that to
cheesecake!

A buckin' bronco

Fast and furious barrel racing

I'm lovin' Montana!

The hilarious wife carrying contest!

"To glorify my Savior, Jesus Christ, the Creator 

of the universe and spread further abroad His glorious gospel." - Yours Truly

Watermelon Carving and Cookies on My Face

Prepping the watermelon for carving

Here's the finished result!
TJ took this one on his phone

 Revisiting places and people you love is always fantastic and getting to spend more time with TJ (See previous posts "TJ Tries Marmite - Special Edition Post" and "New Friends, New Recipes") and his family was no exception. The first day I was invited to have lunch with a lovely group of people who were also staying on the camp. Being invited to share food with someone is something I try to never take for granted.
 Just for a laugh, I thought I'd try a watermelon carving. It was great fun though it wasn't my best piece of work and I did manage cut myself. No, it wasn't any of the blades that I was using but rather some of the watermelon skin found its way under my nail... Do try to avoid that where possible!

Quite a display! Presentation always helps with any buffet

Of all the things that I could injure
myself on...

 That same evening, TJ and I made chocolate-chip cookies for everyone. Oh, yes! We made an absolutely giant one too with the last of the mixture! Great fun. However, we couldn't wait for them to cool down so they fell apart a little as we were trying to eat them. TJ and I were having our photo taken for this post but our cookies were crumbling so, out of the blue, he smears melted chocolate on my face! Hilarious, thanks a lot, TJ! You've got it coming, mate...

Trying to just take one,
simple photo...

...but it's not like we can take anything
seriously, right?

 For lunch the following day, I had yet another first: a corn dog. We're talking serious junk food and I'd seen these everywhere since being here but hadn't yet had one. Squiggle on some mustard and ketchup ("tuhmayduh saws" over here) and there you have it! I'd personally describe it as a poor man's toad in the 'ole on a stick though. Whatever happens, I wouldn't recommend consuming these regularly. I read that the schools in the Los Angeles region where Jamie Oliver went in the "Food Revolution" TV series actually agreed to ban corn dogs from being served! Go Jamie!

The audacity of it!

Seasoned with Audacitatiousness,

Jacob

That's a big cookie!

There's something about the smell of freshly
baked cookies...

At last, something healthy! (Thanks, ladies)

Minestrone and cans of "Minute Maid"

Corn dogs and pizza sticks. However, the soup for me wins
every time!

My first (maybe last!) corn dog

Chilled pink lemonade

"To glorify my Savior, Jesus Christ, the Creator 

of the universe and spread further abroad His glorious gospel." - Yours Truly