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