Just like everyone else in this crazy world, I am working on living day by day trying to survive this mess. I decided to put together a list of short term goals last week so I could be productive with all this additional time on my hand. My shortlist for last week was to organize my pantry and my deep freeze in the garage. I am sure everyone has done the same based on all the shortages in toilet paper and other supplies. I guess people believe it’s important to have a six month supply of stuff in order to be prepared.
Anyway, I had more important things on my list which included smoking some BBQ and going to the DMV. Smoking some ribs and some pork shoulder seems reasonable since if I am forced to stay at home, I might as well have some fun, be productive and set up some meals for the next week. But what about going to the DMV?
My birthday is coming up in April and I got my notice to renew my California driver’s license. With everything that is going on, I figured I might as well get that done! Who knows, with all that is going on I may need that Real ID to travel from Temecula to San Diego to Los Angeles!
All the paperwork I received says I should get my Real ID which somehow allows me to use it as my identification to travel. I go online and upload all the special paperwork as required.
So, off I go to the dreaded DMV with thoughts of lines around the block. (If there are lines at the grocery store, is it that far off to think that the DMV would be any better?)
I arrive and no lines in sight. What! Are they closed? Absolutely not! Taking appointments only. I made no appointment, but since I uploaded all my documents, that was as good as making an appointment. I go into an empty DMV, get my license renewed and within 15 minutes I take my new picture and I am out the door. This would never have happened if it wasn’t for COVID. Nothing like putting a positive view on a negative subject!
Let’s get back to the subject of Smoking and BBQ! It was definitely a great day to smoke some ribs. I pulled out my #270smokers vertical smoker and got to it. I trimmed down some spareribs to a St. Louis cut.
For those who are not familiar; A St. Louis cut is taking the sparerib and cutting off the back flap and the top rib tips. I think the St. Louis cut is the way to go. More meat on the bone and less expensive than Baby Backs. Not that I would kick a rack of baby backs out of my plate.
The store I bought my meat from also had these chunks of pork shoulder, so I bought some of these thinking I would turn them into a pork-type burnt end.
It was time for a beer so, I had to set my space up while watching my smoker do its wonders. Social Distancing is now in play, so I set up my space accordingly!
I sat with my “Family” and we enjoyed great BBQ and the day turned out fantastic!
Just to put it out there; please support your local restaurants who are providing take out and delivery options. Thanks to you and all those in Health Care, and our First Responders for all you do! Be safe out there and stay away from the idiots who feel the need to race you to the bottled water and toilet paper, so that they can get the last ones in order to increase their pantry to hold their 6, now 12 month supply.
As always, thanks for Spending Time In My Kitchen!
