Topic: Weenerhausen - Let's Ween!

[jed]

OK, how many Weenies remember the mouth-watering rambles on the old site about roasted peppers, Phil's Salmon, Cyote Cornbread, Zero-Calorie Chocolate Cake, etc.?

Now's the time, and here's the place, to talk about the fun Weenies are going to have again when we get to PT, during Pre-Soak and during Workshop Week.

SeaTac arrival times, carpools, pots and pans, knives, ladles, grills, instruments, strings, MD batteries, flasks - whatever we need to get straight before turning the crankshaft, boarding the bird, crossing the channel, rolling down the hill - this is the place to get all those things together!

Here's a memory-shaker for review if you want (new and old Weenies will need to log onto the old site).  You'll find recipes, transportation info - and complete dinner menus (!) here:

http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/Weenie/database

Whether or not you go to the old site, we've got 5 (five) days, man, before Pre-Soak starts, and 8 (eight) before Worshop Week!  Who's bringing what - who needs what - when is Khu Larb Nite?  So let's get ready already!

Cheers,
Jed

PS - Has anyone heard from Dirty Red?  He hasn't been able to make it since PTCBW moved to its current
schedule...

[waxwing]

Alright jed,
I was just perusing last year's planning thread in the Recycle Bin. I'll be driving from SF so I am going to squeeze in my vintage Kamado, a Japanese ceramic Smoker/BarBQ (which the Big Green Egg is modeled on). Miller and I were discussing taking responsibility for grilled vegables while we work out guitar/mando duets. I have a great perforated, enameled sheetmetal grill that makes veggies a snap. It'll also do a mess of firecracker shrimp one night with no problems (I never do brochettes any more, just toss the stuff on). I'll also bring a fairly extensive camping mess kit (for large parties) with utensils etc., and some mixing bowls, not to mention my BarBQ utensiles. Gre's worried the kitchen will be bare while I'm at camp. I could bring a couple little Smokey Joes as auxilliary grills. Around here, where I BarBQ about 4 nights a week, before shutting down the coals, we often will slow roast a chicken after grilling our dinner, and then refrigerate for lunches. Thought this might work for Weenie lunches as well. Potato salad made during the dinner prep would be good, too.
Looks like I got a pretty good response on the oatmeal breakfast so I just ordered a 50 lb sack of organic steel cut oats from my local natural foods store. Guess I'll be gettin' up early to boil all that water. May have to go back on espresso for the week. Yeeehaw!
Oh, and the Belly Meat guys and I started our own Khu Larb tradition last year (not to mention a late Friday night Salmon BarBQ by the dorms) so maybe they'll join us.
So, I'm about to depart on a trip back east for about 12 days. I'm hoping to see both Frank and Ari. I won't have much web access, but I'll check in from time to time. Less than 3 weeks!!!
All for now,
John C.

[jed]

John,

That sounds barely adequate for starters!  What kind of space will you have left - should a couple of other Weenies work on an extra 'cue or two?

Cheers,
Jed

PS - Say hey to Ari and Frank - make sure to tell them about your talks with Miller!

[waxwing]

Well, as I was reading the thread from last year, I thought there were already some Qs that had a continuing commitment, from some of the more local Weenies. No? But I was figuring Miller and I could crank out veggies while some of the more macho types held down the meat grillin'. Not that I don't warm a steak or two now and then. Or some pork tenderloins, or some lamb top rounds, or how 'bout a slamon fillet with ginger/fennel rub, or some whole trouts stuffed with lemon and garlic and wrapped in dill? Oops, I'm droolin' on the keyboard. I just wanted to add my capabilities to the mix. Miller and I seem to be of a like mind about veggies. Charred with a little herb or spice. Hope we can still get asparagus. I'll be there Friday eve for the serious planning soiree.
All for now.
John C.

[Peter McCracken]

I have a couple webers I'm bringing over on Friday. One is weenie owned, or however you say it.

If anybody needs anything, please let me know - best at this point is an email to peter@centrum.org.

Soon, Peter

[GhostRider]

Hi all:

Just a reminder, I'll be leaving the Vancouver Intl. airport via car +/- 11 AM on Friday, on route to Pt. Townsend via Whitby Is. and the ferry. Anyone (one) who needs transportation in that area and timeframe need only let me know. Is anyone flying into Bellingham (which I'll be driving right by)?

I'm perfectly willing to cook a group supper one or two nights, to lighten the burden on Frontpage. I have a strong spicy bent. If you have any ideas for meals in that vein, let me know. Have Pequins, will travel!

Alex

[Johnm]

Hi all,
To Alex and all the rest of you who don't live in the area but will be driving in for the Port Townsend Blues Workshop, I will just pass along the fact that every recent time I have gone to Port Townsend from Seattle (most often the Edmonds-Kingston ferry, then up the peninsula, once in the past couple of years on the Keystone-PT ferry from Whidby Island) the roads have been swarming with cops.  This includes "off" times like early or very late on weekdays or week-end mornings.  Look out in particular around Chimacum and around the Keystone ferry landing on Whidby.  It may seem a little obvious to say, "Don't speed", but the fines are steep, as is the fine for not wearing a seat belt in the state of Washington.  Just figured you all don't need some whopping traffic fine to top off your Blues Week experience.
All best,
Johnm

[Sudsbury]

I'm in for KP duty, a case of dishpan hands, overall gopher, and whatever else it takes to justify my presence at the table .  Will  be in Friday eve for agave-driven planning sessions Fri/Sat.  Won't bring kitchen hardware, but will have wheels and more than happy to go fill a few shopping carts, pick up tools, etc.
Sudbury

[uncle bud]

Alright jed,
I was just perusing last year's planning thread in the Recycle Bin. I'll be driving from SF so I am going to squeeze in my vintage Kamado, a Japanese ceramic Smoker/BarBQ (which the Big Green Egg is modeled on). Miller and I were discussing taking responsibility for grilled vegables while we work out guitar/mando duets. I have a great perforated, enameled sheetmetal grill that makes veggies a snap.

A Kamado! Cool! We should smoke some pork.

I just ordered a 50 lb sack of organic steel cut oats from my local natural foods store. Guess I'll be gettin' up early to boil all that water. May have to go back on espresso for the week. Yeeehaw!

50 lb bag of oats?! You bringing Trigger in that microbus of yours, John?

[waxwing]

Smokin' pork is good by me. I just did a turkey on July 3rd. Once you get the temp pretty set you can trust it for a while, like the length of a class. I only had to add charcoal once all day. Kept it at about 250 F. Yummmmm!
As to the oats, there's already quite a few signed up and I figure there'll be a few others who'll be interested. And I'm gonna be on the road for another week, myself. Steel cut runs a little heavier than the rolled style. I'll eventually use it up, and Pheobus (the VW Squareback) can take the load, hell, it's mostly gonna be full of empty wooden boxes. Well, maybe two of them will be metal boxes.
Two weeks 'til presoak!
All for now.
John C.

[Desperate Stevens]

Hi all,

I'll be there Sat. afternoon and I'll bring down a frozen homemade lasana that will feed about 20.? Other than that, I'll help out as much as the old body allowws.

Anybody know if radar detectors are legal in Washington State?

Shelley

[jed]

Howdy:
As a first time attendee arriving +/- mid-afternoon Friday, I have one question: How do I get from the Fort Worden front gate to where we're staying? Where are we staying?
Also (I guess this makes two questions) what cooking utensils, pots etc. are availible chez nous?

Okay, where were we?  Oh, destructions:

From the entrance, go to the next corner and look at the big house on the right, about 75 feet away from you.  That's the Bricks (16), where we'll be inhabiting 16A and 16B (you'll see big letters on the back stairs).  You'll want to park in the back.  But, even though it's so close, don't turn there, because you'd be driving in the Wrong direction on a One-Way Street.

Instead, coax your vehicle further down the hill and turn right at the next corner.  Take a leisurely drive down Officers' Row (you may see a few Weenies and/or other tourists sitting, drinking, playing and napping in front).  Turn right at the end, and turn right again.  Then, drive all the way - the Right way - down the One-Way Street to the back of 16.  Park.  Exit your vehicle.  Stretch.  Have a beer.

The accommodations open at 3pm.  A few of us should be there between 2 and 3, in which case you should see a vehicle or two already behind the Bricks.  And you'll hear talking (Weenies), gulping (beer) and creaking (bones), and maybe even some music (depending on whether guitars are unpacked and restrung).  IF NOT:  either hang around there and tune your guitar - we'll be along soon - or take a leisurely drive through the Fort.  You might want to stop at the Centrum office and ask if any Weenies have shown up, or maybe just toodle around for awhile, to breath the air for a bit before stopping your engine.

The houses have minimal but nearly adequate cooking stores.  Various loans and cartage of Real Cookery will help - if you've got a favorite pot, pan, or chopping block, by all means, bring it along.  Is there anything particular you have in mind?

Five Days, Man,
Jed

[uncle bud]

Howdy:
As a first time attendee arriving +/- mid-afternoon Friday, I have one question: How do I get from the Fort Worden front gate to where we're staying? Where are we staying?
Also (I guess this makes two questions) what cooking utensils, pots etc. are availible chez nous?

Okay, where were we?? Oh, destructions:

From the entrance, go to the next corner and look at the big house on the right, about 75 feet away from you.? That's the Bricks (16), where we'll be inhabiting 16A and 16B (you'll see big letters on the back stairs).? You'll want to park in the back.? But, even though it's so close, don't turn there, because you'd be driving in the Wrong direction on a One-Way Street.

That's right, and them little park rangers don't take kindly to that. Just ask Peter. Or maybe they thought he looked kinda funny in his leopard-skin pillbox hat.

Instead, coax your vehicle further down the hill and turn right at the next corner.? Take a leisurely drive down Officers' Row (you may see a few Weenies and/or other tourists sitting, drinking, playing and napping in front).? Turn right at the end, and turn right again.? Then, drive all the way - the Right way - down the One-Way Street to the back of 16.? Park.? Exit your vehicle.? Stretch.? Have a beer.

In other words you're doing a big long hairpin turn around the row of big old houses. At 15 mph. (The rangers again).

The houses have minimal but nearly adequate cooking stores.? Various loans and cartage of Real Cookery will help - if you've got a favorite pot, pan, or chopping block, by all means, bring it along.? Is there anything particular you have in mind?

If you're driving not flying, knives are always good. The knifery in the houses sucks and we've been fortunate to mooch off Joan, but can always use a good chef's knife and paring knife.

Five Days, Man,
Jed

In-freakin-deed!

[Johnm]

Hi all,
I want to come in on Sunday, and have been advised by Peter that faculty housing will not be available until Monday at 3:00 PM.  Okay if I crash on a couch or roll-away Sunday night in 16A or 16B?
All best,
Johnm

[jed]

Johnm,

No problem; come on down whenever you want, and we'll get something ready for you.

Cheers,
Jed

[Bluesapprentice]

This is my second PTCBW and will be my first as a weenie.

I'm local a local boy and plan on bringing an ice chest and my popcorn pot.  It sounds like we may have enough BBQs.  I have a Weber if any body thinks we need another one.

Anything else we need that I might have at home?

I live in Bremerton, which is 15 miles due west of Seattle, across the Puget Sound.  Bremerton is half way between and one hour away from PT and SeaTac.  I have a small Nissan pickup, which is comfortable for me plus one.  If someone needs a ride Friday Pre-soak evening I could pick them up at the Bremerton Ferry terminal (but the Seattle side is a hassle to get to from SeaTac),  or the "Kitsap Airporter" has a shuttle service from SeaTac to Bremerton with hourly departures until 11:30 PM.  I could pick them up at one of Kitsap Airporters' drop off points in Bremerton.

Ken

[jed]

Hey Ken,

It's sounding like we've got enough Q heat going on at the Fort.  Always in demand are good sharp knives, large pots, booze, heavy pans, booze, two hands and a heart for helping with various cooking tasks and other things that Weenies help with during the week.

Four Days, Man,

Jed

[GhostRider]

Hi all:

I've got half a dozen sharp knives in my car, enroute to PT. See you all Friday!

Don't mess with me,
Alex

[uncle bud]

You're the man, Alex.

If anyone feels like bringing some chiles (guajillo, ancho, hot new mexican, chipotles etc.) bring 'em on. They'll be good for rubs, beans etc. Sometimes they're available at Safeway in PT. Other times, not.

[waxwing]

I'm bringing some smoked chipotle powder and some chili powder, all organic, of course. Actually, I'm bringing about half the spices and herbs from our kitchen, a big pot for the oatmeal that can double for pasta or whatever, several knives, some big chunks of mesquite charcoal I've been savin' (several kinds of woodchips, too) for slow smokin' and a variety of smaller pots and utensils. Oh, yeah, about 4 bottles of 2 buck Chuck (merlot), a couple sixes of Anchor Steam and 750 ml of Black Bush. Did I mention 5 guitars and a mando? The party starts at noon on Friday gentlemen. I take off up the 5 tomorrow morn. Skeebo!
All for now.
John C.

[Johnm]

Hi John C.,
I approve of your notion of hospitality!  I will see you all out there early-mid-afternoon on Sunday.
All best,
Johnm

[waxwing]

I'm Off !!!!!
See Ya There.
All for now.
John C.

[uncle bud]

Safe trip, John! See you tomorrow...

To those of you staying behind: we expect to see you next year.    We'll be having a tremendous time and will taunt you with photos and stories upon return.