Black Sturgeon Lake

Noble

Look at that fine young beast.

Movember

Show me the car. Do it.

Second Annual Bacon Log

Another year has gone by and with it the annual Bacon Log was a great success.  Drawing on our knowledge of year one we topped ourselves with yet another delicious and tantalizing creation.

Noted changes:
-increase total ground pork content to 2 lbs
-tie roast with one piece string wrap technique
-cooked in dedicated smoker for 3 hours
-finish cooked in BBQ for 40 mins
-final 20 mins on BBQ Sauce glaze
-20 mins wrapped foil rest

The Log was tender, smooth and very tasty.  Step by step guide:

1.  prepare the bacon weave and season the pork

2.  take a moment to appreciate your ingredients

3.  complete the weave. 

PRO TIP I

you will eventually need to roll the beautiful weave up into a log shape; the roll tecnique requires something underneath the weave like either a sheet of aluminum foil, a flexible cutting board, or in our case a piece of plastic wrap. 

PRO TIP II

when you forget about PRO TIP I mid way through the weave - after the weave has been completed use another cookie sheet or serving tray to carefully flip the weave onto the rolling assistant media of choice

4.  once the weave is ready it's time to spread the seasoned ground pork

Don't be shy with the pork now ....

5.  while this is happening have some bacon frying up in the pan to add to the center of the log; this makes a nice little treat for your guests

6.  the smoked needs some wood chips; have these soaking for as long as possible (24 hours is best) so they produce a nice even smoke and don't burn

7. by now the bacon should be fried to a crisp and ready to hit the pork deck; it's nice to season and sauce here just before the roll.  Beer is ok during all steps, as a precaution against dehydration.

8.  have a few hands ready; now it's time to roll this up like a big pork smokie

9.  the weave needs something to keep it together when the bacon is uncooked; use string and tie like you know what you are doing

10.  your rolled and tied log should look like a work of meaty art:

11.  it's time to lift that log onto the smoker - don't be hasty! 

the log is dog friendly - any dogs no matter how big or small will be ravenous at the smell of your hands after the lift

12.  resist all temptation to open the smoker lid more that absolutely necessary - here is our first peek 1.5 hours in:

13.  after moving the log to the BBQ for the final cook and saucing, let the meat rest for about 20 mins covered in foil

14.  open the foil pack and wipe the drool off your chin.  It's time to cut and serve!

Notice the center cooked bacon and the smooth cooked ground pork

Post dinner expect a relaxing evening and a few diners to fall into a meat coma.....

Zip Lining

Gage and B - Zip-lining at Manitou

Tube Rides

Always a good time riding the tube

Go Canada Go!

Some funny stats from the City of Edmonton during the Gold Medal game where Team Canada beat Team USA for the championship:

Canadians Love Hockey

Fernie Trip

Legendary Fernie - a great weekend and snow was in hiking range.  We scoured the best runs from both sides and by the end of the trip we were all exhausted! 

 

The snow was huge at the top of the Bear Chair - we went past Cedar bowl and hiked the snake ridge into Fish Bowl where we found tons of fresh and made our own lines 

 

 Beside the avalanche blasting hut

  

The Sun poked out a few times ... mostly cloudy all weekend

Timber Chair led us to White Pass that led us to Siberia - the snow was awesome and with a little hike we had a lot of fun going through the trees and into the 'pillows'  

 

Best Run: Timber Balls - White Ass - Lost Boys Club - Pillows - Falling Star

  

This officially became the Lost Boys Club - the perfect rest spot before cruising the trees

 

The Pillows - crazy covered rocks.

DM

Dragon? Dog?

Mango yawning in the sun

NYE at Lac du Bonnet

Happy New Years!

We had another great night at Lac du Bonnet with the family. Pond hockey and fireworks on the lake in -33 weather were great since the night was wind free, the moon was full and shining bright.

After the firework smoke settled we sang Gage his 12th birthday song! Can't believe he's 12 ... a young man and a built in babysitter.

Best for 2010 from all of us!