Category Archives: Still Life

Taco ‘Bout It: Ames Field Work

This post isn’t a new food adventure. This is a place I’ve eaten at frequently, but I don’t think I mention it enough and I feel like I should put on record that I love me some Rico’s Tacos! Sometimes I take them for granted and I certainly don’t hit it enough. But I’ve started to get it back into my regular rotation since I’ve been working from the Computer Mine for two months or so at this point.

Plus another impetus is that while I love tacos, I often forgot about Taco Tuesday. But in the last few weeks Elizabeth has taken it upon herself to remind me that it is Taco Tuesday. This isn’t because of Rico’s. And may God have mercy on your soul if you think Taco Tuesday means Taco Bell or Taco John’s whichever one of those hellholes does the Taco Tuesday thing. I don’t eat at either of them. Well… to be honest I occasionally (when I’m not eating healthy) will go through Taco John’s for a heaping bowl of Potato Oles. I’m not proud of this fact, but they always give Naima a treat in the drive-thru and if you think that doesn’t count big time in getting me to go to a restaurant you have not been paying attention.

But I digress…

When Elizabeth sends me a message about Taco Tuesday, she is talking about the taco special at Whiskey River. The fact that I have hit up the delicious Whiskey River tacos a few times in recent weeks is not what this food adventure is about. The Whiskey River tacos are great. Rico’s Tacos are better.

So when I went to Rico’s recently, I decided to document it and make a formal endorsement. There isn’t much that I have formally endorsed. I should compile that list some day. I know it goes deeper than Little White Lye Soap, but not much deeper.

Rico’s pictures:



Rico’s is a food truck, but it never moves.


You can get other things from Rico’s but tacos is in the name!


Note the Mango Jarritos.


They give you a beeper that notifies you when your food is ready.


So ready for some tacos!


I went for one azada, one pollo, one adobada, and one chorizo.


So good!


Making me so hungry!

Taco 'Bout It: Ricos Tacos
Mango Jarritos is the best and so few places stock it.

Taco 'Bout It: Ricos Tacos
I might have licked the container. No shame!

This is an endorsement, so you don’t even need to ask if I would pursue Rico’s Tacos. I pursue them on a consistent basis.

Rico’s Tacos can be found at:

624 East Lincoln Way
Ames, Iowa

They are currently open 11 AM to 8 PM Tuesday through Saturday.

The next food adventure will also involve a food truck.

Des Moines & Louisa County Aux. – Vol. 1

Tuesday has traditionally been the day I share images from Rodan139, but frankly I’m currently out of Rodan139 photos to share. I’m not sure when I’ll be able to take some more. My schedule this week with both work and getting free 3-D sculpted Iowa State artwork and hopefully trying some of Scottie D.’s new butcher paper brisket and the Boone County Fair and work party and little kid party and Movie Night is pretty dang full.

Ahhh… the Boone County Fair… this reminds me that I have yet to make an official announcement about Baby Got Rack. Baby Got Rack is taking the year off from competitive barbecue.

I know… I know… it is very sad. However, there is reason for hope. What I’m going to call Baby Got Rack: The Next Generation will be competing at the Boone County Fair’s barbecue competition this year. I thought about going with Baby Got Rack Jr., actually I’m workshopping both. I’ll let you know when I have decided which one I like better.

But back to the Boone County barbecue competition. While Scottie D. won’t be out their slinging ribs and pizza and the loins, his eldest progeny Austin will be entering the youth competition. He had a practice run at the porkloin on Sunday night and Scottie D. says that he nailed it!

My nephew Logan is also competing on Saturday as well. Logan (I don’t think I’m giving away any secrets) is competing in Pork and Turkey. He has practiced with 5 or 6 different recipes for his ribs alone. He also had a practice run on Sunday and while he wasn’t satisfied, I bet they were probably pretty dang delicious.

I’ll be out there at different times of the day helping both parties with anything they need. So while Baby Got Rack won’t be out there slinging that good meat, the next generation will and you should still come out and support them.

Have no fear, even if Baby Got Rack has retired for good, the barbecue community in Boone County is still in good hands.

Also, I will be out there as I am judging the Boone County Fair Photography Contest. It will be a full day!

(Also: Baby Got Rock Founding Father Scottie D. is in charge of the Pufferbilly Days Barbecue Contest this year. It is like we are slowly taking over the world. BGR 4 Life!)

+++++++

Since I don’t have any drone pictures to share, I thought I would start sharing auxiliary images I took while harvesting the town signs of Des Moines County and Louisa County. Both counties have some very interesting things in them. Some things I knew about and some things I did not know about.


Iowa County
Iowa County

Iowa County

Louisa County
Louisa County

Louisa County - Cotter
Cotter

Louisa County - Cotter

Louisa County - Cotter

Louisa County - Columbus City
Columbus City

Louisa County - Columbus City

Louisa County - Columbus Junction
Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction
I would love to see a picture of this original bridge.

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction
Love. Ain’t it grand?

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

Louisa County - Columbus Junction

When I complete editing and sharing all of the auxiliary images from THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT, I will put together an Iowa Bridge Power Rankings. I mean it is pretty obvious what is #1, but there is a pretty stiff battle for #2. The Columbus Junction Swinging Bridge is definitely in the mix for a good ranking!

Like A Big Pizza Pie: Homework

Recently I was given a gift of a Ooni Pizza Oven. Jesse felt some kind of obligation to give me something for letting him crash at my place for a few months last year. Completely unnecessary, but I won’t turn down the pizza oven.

One night Jay (who is a pizza chef of some note), Jesse (a pizza eater of some note), and I (also a pizza eater of some note) got together to take it for its maiden voyage.

Because we didn’t really know what we were doing, I tried to make it fairly easy and maybe went too low end on one of the ingredients.

Here are some pictures from the maiden voyage:



It is wood fired, but it can be modified to also run on propane.


The fire is at the back of the oven.


While I was making the pizzas up, Jay got the fire going with some old matches.


Good fire makes good pizza.


Pizza 1: Sausage, hamburger, white onions, red onions, mushrooms, and green peppers.


Inside the belly of the beast.


We badly underestimated how quickly it cooks. Lesson 1. Turn pizza at the 1 minute mark or under.


Pizza 2: Really more of the same.


Also learned to lubricate the peel to make it easier to turn the pizza.


Pizza 2 a touch burnt, but still delicious.

My one real regret with the ingredients for the maiden voyage was that because I was trying to make everything quick and easy, I went too low end on the sauce. I got Hy-Vee pizza sauce and it is trash. It is runny and bland tasting. Even after I tried to church it up a bit by mixing in some Italian seasoning.

I have a really good sauce recipe from some family friends that I’ll have to crack out someday. I also have their crust recipe as well.

Anyways, if you ask nicely, I may invite you over for pizza some night. I also have a tentative plan to take it camping some time. I just haven’t found the right camping trip yet.

Next Sunday’s food adventure is more of an endorsement. An endorsement that doesn’t need to be made. But I’m going to make anyways.

I Scream: Polk City Field Work

Today is Naima’s birthday! But you already know that because it is on the physical Photography 139 Calendar and because I have no doubt that many of you have shown up today to shower her with gifts.

Happy birthday Naima!


Colorful - Alternate

Naima's Dickcissel Adventure

Naima at Dickcissel Park

Naima at Dickcissel

Naima at Dickcissel

Naima Blue Filter Test

Yellow Filter Test

Naima vs. Mother Goose

The New Hotness

If You're Looking for Hope

Naima at Ledges

WPC - ANIMAL ALTERNATE

Lensbaby Velvet 85

Assemblage

You're So Good When You're Bad

I Wore Makeup When We Dated

I hope it was a great birthday! I hope we went for a car ride or to the park or you got some alley time or you got to poop in the neighbor’s yard or that Stan gave you treats or maybe even I even took you to church or out to lunch or we went to Dairy Queen for a pup cup or that I got you a new pig or a new hedge hog or a new area rug. I hope we did some or all of these things. But I know for sure you got more than your fair share of treats.

Happy birthday Naima!

+++++++

A few Sundays back Teresa, Andy, and I went out for lunch after church. After lunch, which we ate at Jester Park, Teresa and I went looking for ice cream.

I saw this sign hanging in a Jester Park bathroom:


I Scream: The Creamery

But when we showed up at the Jester Park Outdoor Recreation & Wellness center, they didn’t have any ice cream. They had sold out the previous day. However, since we were near Polk City, we busted over there to try The Creamery.


I Scream: The Creamery
Located on the Polk City Town Square, it is easy to find.

I Scream: The Creamery
The day we were there, there was a long line that extended out the door. But the staff was efficient and we got through quickly.

I Scream: The Creamery

I Scream: The Creamery

I Scream: The Creamery

I Scream: The Creamery

I Scream: The Creamery

I Scream: The Creamery

I Scream: The Creamery

I Scream: The Creamery

I Scream: The Creamery

I Scream: The Creamery

I Scream: The Creamery

I Scream: The Creamery

If I remember correctly, I went with Ultimate Brownie. What I do remember for sure is that it was delicious! I believe they serve Ashby ice cream, which always hits the spot.

Of course, you know I subscribe to the Ted Lasso philosophy on ice cream:

Ice cream is the best. It’s kinda like seeing Billy Joel perform live. Never disappoints.

I would definitely hit up The Creamery if I was near Polk City again. But I would get something different than my standard cone. I saw this kid get some kind of bubble gum ice cream thing and it looked amazing. I don’t know what it was, but I want one.

You can find The Creamery at:

221 West Broadway
Polk City, Iowa

It is open during the summer from 12 PM to 9 PM seven days a week.

For next Sunday’s food adventure, I didn’t even leave my house.

Week 407 Theme Reveal

If you are reading this message, I’m either in Minnesota or on my way back from Minnesota. Either way, I’m not in a position to correlate, upload, categorize, label, and code all the images and a “An Artist’s Notebook” post of last week’s submissions. I will put those together either later tonight OR sometime tomorrow.

However… that doesn’t mean you can’t get started on this week’s theme:


WEEK 407 - TIME
TIME

TIME! What a great theme for Year 10 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what is a TIME photo? In theory, the idea of this theme is to convey TIME in on of two ways. First, you can freeze a moment in TIME by using a fast shutter speed. I would say a shutter speed that is faster than 1/1000th of a second. OR you can make time more fluid by using a slow shutter speed. I would say a shutter speed slower than 1/30th of a second.

Now I realize that most people use a cell phone camera so they don’t have the power to adjust shutter speeds in a meaningful way. You will have to find a creative way to figure out a way to take a TIME picture. Possibly just taking a picture of a clock like the theme reveal image. Or taking a picture of a distinctive TIME of day. You’ll figure out.

While considering possible subjects for your TIME submission, meditate on the following quote:

The two most power warriors are patience and time.
-Leo Tolstoy

I look forward to seeing your interpretation.

RULES

The picture has to be taken between 12:01 PM today and 11 AM next Monday. This isn’t a curate your photos project. This is a get your butt off the couch (unless you are taking your picture from the couch) and take pictures challenge. There is a limit of 3 submissions per participant. To be considered the photographer, you have to be the one that takes the picture. Don’t be stealing the work of other artists. You can submit pictures for other photographers that took pictures with your camera or phone, but give credit where credit is due.

You can send your images to either bennett@photography139.com OR you may text them to my Pixel 5.

That is it. Thems the rules!

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will all be sharing your idea of TIME in this place that hopefully has passed all of its test thus far next Monday.

Tenderloin Trail 2.0 – Graettinger Field Work

A pox upon me for a clumsy lout. Yesterday I forgot to wish Jen a happy birthday in this forum. (Don’t worry I still wished her a happy birthday in another forum. It is called text messaging. Kids, ask your parents what that is.)

So happy birthday Jen!


June 24
Happy birthday!

I know you were on the road for a good chunk of the day, but I hope it was still a day full of joy and wonder.

+++++++

After we left the bakery in Sioux Center, we drove east to Graettinger for lunch. In Graettinger there is a restaurant I’ve long wanted to eat at. It is on Tenderloin Trail 2.0, it was once the runner up for best tenderloin in the state of Iowa (meaning the world), and it was one of the 10 finalists for best burger in the state of Iowa this year.

There is no way to hide it. This was one of the best tenderloins I’ve ever had and one of the best burgers I’ve ever had. I ordered a tenderloin and Jesse ordered a burger and then we cut them both in half and swapped. Like an old married couple. Or like is somewhat expected when you go on a food adventure with me. Unless you have a notoriously unrefined palette.

I would say, not only was the burger great and the tenderloin great, so were the fries, the cheesy fries, the cheese curds and the brownie. Also, equally awesome was the owner/manager/chef Barry. We must have talked with Barry about food for close to an hour.

Here are the pictures:


Birdies, Burgers, & Brews - Graettinger, Iowa
That is an inexpensive tenderloin. 9 bucks and a side????

Birdies, Burgers, & Brews - Graettinger, Iowa
I wanted Jesse to go for the Peanut Butter Burger, but he pussed out and got the The Hole in One Burger. But I can’t say he made a mistake.

Birdies, Burgers, & Brews - Graettinger, Iowa
So many starters I want to try here.

Birdies, Burgers, & Brews - Graettinger, Iowa
Cheese balls.

Birdies, Burgers, & Brews - Graettinger, Iowa
Hillcrest fries. So delicious.

Birdies, Burgers, & Brews - Graettinger, Iowa
That is homemade beer cheese sauce.

Birdies, Burgers, & Brews - Graettinger, Iowa
Homemade ranch dressing.

Birdies, Burgers, & Brews - Graettinger, Iowa
You don’t let any of that cheese sauce go to waste.

Birdies, Burgers, & Brews - Graettinger, Iowa
Those are sweet potato fries and they were the only miss. But easily forgivable.

Birdies, Burgers, & Brews - Graettinger, Iowa
The Hole in One Burger.

Birdies, Burgers, & Brews - Graettinger, Iowa
Their Award Winning Fries.

Birdies, Burgers, & Brews - Graettinger, Iowa
Nader got the Wisconsin Rancher.

Birdies, Burgers, & Brews - Graettinger, Iowa
1st bite of the tenderloin.

Birdies, Burgers, & Brews - Graettinger, Iowa

Birdies, Burgers, & Brews - Graettinger, Iowa

Birdies, Burgers, & Brews - Graettinger, Iowa
Jesse first bite of the burger.

Birdies, Burgers, & Brews - Graettinger, Iowa

Birdies, Burgers, & Brews - Graettinger, Iowa

Birdies, Burgers, & Brews - Graettinger, Iowa

Birdies, Burgers, & Brews - Graettinger, Iowa

Birdies, Burgers, & Brews - Graettinger, Iowa
Jesse’s first tenderloin bite.

Birdies, Burgers, & Brews - Graettinger, Iowa

Birdies, Burgers, & Brews - Graettinger, Iowa
Last bite of the tenderloin.

Birdies, Burgers, & Brews - Graettinger, Iowa
My first bite of the burger.

Birdies, Burgers, & Brews - Graettinger, Iowa

Birdies, Burgers, & Brews - Graettinger, Iowa

Birdies, Burgers, & Brews - Graettinger, Iowa

Birdies, Burgers, & Brews - Graettinger, Iowa
View from our table.

Birdies, Burgers, & Brews - Graettinger, Iowa
The brownie. More on that later.

Birdies, Burgers, & Brews - Graettinger, Iowa
PrairieMoon on Main in Prairieburg won in 2020, I haven’t had it, but I will someday soon.

Birdies, Burgers, & Brews - Graettinger, Iowa

Birdies, Burgers, & Brews - Graettinger, Iowa
Hometowns of people that have eaten there from Iowa.

Birdies, Burgers, & Brews - Graettinger, Iowa
From the United States.

Birdies, Burgers, & Brews - Graettinger, Iowa
From the world.

Birdies, Burgers, & Brews - Graettinger, Iowa
They also have a hot wings challenge that only requires you to eat one wing.

While this might cost me a little bit of street cred on the tenderloin circuit, but I confess that I liked the burger better than the tenderloin. But I would knock down either one in a second.

Birdie’s, Burgers, & Brews ranks the highest on my restaurant scale, it gets the rating of:

I would pursue eating at this restaurant!

I would gladly eat there again. It is over 2 hours from my house and I would gladly drive it to eat there again.

A note, I bought the brownie, but I did not eat it there because I was full and I had plans for ice cream on the trip home.

After Graettinger we stopped in West Bend because Jesse and Nader had never seen The Grotto of the Redemption. I thought there was an ice cream place in West Bend, and there is, (Homestead Country Store) but it was closed. Which means I will have to get back to West Bend to eat there at some point.

Instead, we stopped in Fort Dodge and ate at The Dariette. The Dariette isn’t a new experience for me. I’ve eaten there a few times and it is a favorite of longtime Photography 139 supporter Michelle.

Here are a few pictures:


The Dariette - Fort Dodge, Iowa

The Dariette - Fort Dodge, Iowa
Blue raspberry.

The Dariette - Fort Dodge, Iowa
Delicious blue raspberry.

The Dariette - Fort Dodge, Iowa
The crew.

You know I have the Ted Lasso policy on ice cream:

Ice cream is the best. It’s kinda like seeing Billy Joel perform live. Never disappoints.

The Dariette’s specializes in soft serve ice cream. The flavors change weekly. Michelle recommends their peach, but I’ve never had it. I’ve never had anything that disappoints…

You can find The Dariette at:

17 S. 12th Street
Fort Dodge, Iowa

It is a little tricky to find and get to, so if you miss the turn a few times. Don’t feel shame. If you do, the ice cream will wipe that away once you figure out how to get to it.

But back to the brownie…

I might have left Birdies, Burgers & Brews without the brownie, but it comes with a great story. Well, I think it is cool. Barry (the owner/manager/chef) uses a lot of recipes from the 1920s that he learned when he was a cook in a hospital in Kansas. I know there is a stigma with hospital food, but maybe not from the 1920s. Or at least there shouldn’t be.

The brownie recipe isn’t from the hospital though. It is his great, great grandmother’s recipe:


Birdies, Burgers, & Brews - Graettinger, Iowa

Birdies, Burgers, & Brews - Graettinger, Iowa

His great, great grandmother could cook, cause this brownie slaps, as they say. I even ate it when it was at least a day old and it still slaps!

I can’t say enough good things about Birdies, Burgers, & Brews!

You can find it at:

701 South Cedar Avenue
Graettinger, Iowa

It is located on the grounds of the Hillcrest Golf & Country Club. I confess, I’ve been surprised on my food adventures that so many golf course serve an excellent tenderloin. I’m blue collar as it gets and I come from a blue collar background. The tenderloin is a blue collar sandwich. Ain’t nothing blue collar about golf. But if golf courses keep turning out food like this, I might change my tune on golf courses.

But right now I’m still in the George Carlin camp on golf.

Next Sunday’s food adventure will involve ice cream.

But I Don’t Think That’s True

Another chance to clean up the backlog. These pictures were taken in October of last year but never really fit into any “An Artist’s Notebook” entries. Some were alternate images for THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE. Some, I just took when I was out and about.


But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

But I Don't Think That's True

Always feels good to get a bit of backlog out of the system.

Flapjackin’: Orange City Field Work

Back in mid-May I loaded Jesse and Nader up and hit the road for my annual birthday road trip. This time, the main thing I wanted to see was the Orange City Tulip Festival. I’ve been to the Pella Tulip Festival a few times, so I wanted to see how Orange City’s Tulip Festival compared.

My main reason was I wanted to do a little flowertography, but I also just wanted to enjoy the sights and sounds and of course the food!


Orange City Tulip Festival
These 2 old guys and their bad backs…

Orange City Tulip Festival
The craft market.

Orange City Tulip Festival
Windmill!

Orange City Tulip Festival

Orange City Tulip Festival
Tulips!

Orange City Tulip Festival
Canal!

Orange City Tulip Festival
Tour of Orange City!

Orange City Tulip Festival

Orange City Tulip Festival
We didn’t eat here, but I love the name!

After the tour we hit the first snack of the day. Poffertjes!

Poffertjes (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈpɔfərcəs] are a traditional Dutch batter treat. Resembling small, fluffy pancakes, they are made with yeast and buckwheat flour. Typically, poffertjes are a sweet treat, served with powdered sugar and butter, and sometimes syrup or advocaat. However, there is also a savoury variant with gouda cheese.

I’ve had poffertjes before in Pella at Krestmarket. They are delicious!


Orange City Tulip Festival
The poffertjes magicians.

Orange City Tulip Festival

Orange City Tulip Festival

Orange City Tulip Festival

I could have eaten 5 or 6 of these baskets and not even given it a second thought. If you have a chance to knock down some poffertjes, do it. You will not regret it.

After the first snack, we headed to the Dutch Market to find more delicousness.


Orange City Tulip Festival

Orange City Tulip Festival
Fried Almond Patty

Orange City Tulip Festival
The fancier poffertjes.

I should have taken more pictures of the Fried Almond Patty. I should have taken more pictures of the booth that made it. It was a church booth that had three “buildings”. The first one is where you ordered. The second one is where they made your food. Then at the third one, your food was delivered by conveyor belt. Finished off and handed to you.

Don’t get me wrong. The poffertjes were fantastic. But the fried almond patty was a revelation. I sometimes lay await at night thinking about it. Then when I finally go to sleep, I dream about it. I should have bought more, but I was saving room, because after we left Orange City, more food adventures were on the way!

On our way out of town we stopped at a local meat market and store:


Orange City Tulip Festival

Orange City Tulip Festival

Orange City Tulip Festival

Orange City Tulip Festival

Orange City Tulip Festival

Orange City Tulip Festival

Orange City Tulip Festival

Orange City Tulip Festival

Orange City Tulip Festival

Orange City Tulip Festival

Orange City Tulip Festival

Orange City Tulip Festival

Orange City Tulip Festival
The line for poffertjes wrapped around this corner, down that walkway, then around another corner, then in the back of the building, and then all the way through the building.

Orange City Tulip Festival
Windmill.

Orange City Tulip Festival
On our way to the call we ran into a Dutch chorus.

Orange City Tulip Festival
A sweet float.

Orange City Tulip Festival

Orange City Tulip Festival

When I was rooming with Tony in Chicago I told him that I was hitting up the Orange City Tulip Festival. Tony was from this area and he asked me if I was in the area, could I go up to Sioux Center to Casey’s Bakery and grab some Almond Patties for him.

Sioux Center was sorta on the way to wear we were going to lunch, so we hit Casey’s Bakery:


Orange City Tulip Festival
Turned out they were out of almond patties, so I had to buy him a frozen case so he could bake them himself.

Orange City Tulip Festival

Orange City Tulip Festival

Orange City Tulip Festival

Orange City Tulip Festival
Kolaches have become a part of my life lately and these resemble kolaches, so I considered buying these to bring back for my kolache people, but they aren’t kolaches. So I passed. But I thought about it.

Next Sunday’s food adventure will actually be a continuation of this road trip. There was quite a bit of food adventuring that happened this day. Spoiler: It was all good! Actually all great!

Food Truckin’: Ames Food Truck Showdown Field Work

Today is Bethany’s birthday, so happy birthday Bethany!


Pufferbilly Days

I hope your birthday has all the happiness you can handle!

+++++++


About a month back, Kim and I met Elizabeth in downtown Ames for a “Food Truck Showdown” after a hard day of swinging the pick at the Computer Mine. Then after Jesse laid down his pick for the day, he joined us too. The event consisted of about a dozen food trucks that were competing to win some kind of prize. It was WAY busier than I expected. I had hoped to try multiple food trucks, but the place was packed and the lines were crazy long. In fact, I don’t think Elizabeth even got to try any food before she had to take off to do some adulting.

After making a loop around the place I decided on a place called Hotsy Totsy*. A food truck, that in addition to having an amazing name serves a wide variety of loaded tots. They serve other stuff, but when going to a food truck called Hotsy Totsy, you get the tots and you like it!

And I did! In fact I more than liked the tots. I loved them. I ordered the Buffalo Chicken Tots. Kim got the Gyro Tots. Jesse didn’t get anything. Can’t take him anywhere.

Here are some pictures:


FOOD TRUCKIN': DOWNTOWN AMES

FOOD TRUCKIN': DOWNTOWN AMES
A picture of Elizabeth bailing that I didn’t realize I had taken.

FOOD TRUCKIN': DOWNTOWN AMES

FOOD TRUCKIN': DOWNTOWN AMES

FOOD TRUCKIN': DOWNTOWN AMES

FOOD TRUCKIN': DOWNTOWN AMES

FOOD TRUCKIN': DOWNTOWN AMES

FOOD TRUCKIN': DOWNTOWN AMES
How can so much goodness exist in such a little container?

FOOD TRUCKIN': DOWNTOWN AMES

FOOD TRUCKIN': DOWNTOWN AMES
I may have licked the paper. It is hard to say.

Kim couldn’t finish off her gyro tots, so she twisted my arm and I finished those off as well. I did love the Buffalo Chicken Tots, but I think I like the Gyro Tots even more. It’s a real Sophie’s Tots Choice.

After letting the tots settle we ambled down the street to get some ice cream being made by a John Deere, I don’t really know exactly what it is, thing. It doesn’t matter what it is. If it is John Deere, I’m onboard.


FOOD TRUCKIN': DOWNTOWN AMES

FOOD TRUCKIN': DOWNTOWN AMES

FOOD TRUCKIN': DOWNTOWN AMES

FOOD TRUCKIN': DOWNTOWN AMES

FOOD TRUCKIN': DOWNTOWN AMES

FOOD TRUCKIN': DOWNTOWN AMES

FOOD TRUCKIN': DOWNTOWN AMES

FOOD TRUCKIN': DOWNTOWN AMES

FOOD TRUCKIN': DOWNTOWN AMES

FOOD TRUCKIN': DOWNTOWN AMES

I stand by the old Ted Lasso quote:

Ice cream is the best. It’s kinda like seeing Billy Joel perform live. Never disappoints.

It wasn’t the best ice cream I’ve ever had, but it was still ice cream.

I’m not sure how much my tots cost because Kim bought them for my birthday. The ice cream was $5.00.

I can’t tell you much about Hotsy Totsy because their website isn’t the best, but it is definitely a food truck I would pursue if they were in my area!

The ice cream… there are better options around.

The next food adventure I’m going to share involves a bunch of Dutch nonsense. Delicious Dutch nonsense.

*Hotsy Totsy was heavily endorsed by Clevenger. This is historically a strike against it. I’ve never met anybody with such bad taste in food as Clevenger, but with Hotsy Totsy I think we may have turned a corner and found some common ground.

Methodist Men Pie Auction – 2023

2019. 2019! That was the last time that the Methodist Men held a pie auction. A lot of lasts happened in that year. Most things have come back. But the Methodist Men Pie Auction was not one of them. Until last Sunday. For the first time in 4 years the congregation of the Boone First United Methodist Church gathered in Fellowship Hall and bid on pies made by other members of the church.

I confess to having had limited expectations. Our congregation is considerably smaller than it was before COVID. But I have to tell you, I was blown away. Absolutely blown away.

Here are some pictures of the event. The pictures taken during the auction were taken by Teresa:


Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023
I tried hard to guilt Jason into coming to bid on his mom’s pie. It did not work.

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023
Somehow Shannon ended up with a piece of this and I did NOT!

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023
So many people requested that Teresa make this pie with my Mom’s recipe. Teresa practiced this for months. Strange thing is while Mom made this pie for many people it wasn’t one she made for us. I don’t know if she made it ever for us. My favorite pie my Mom made was rhubarb. But every pie she made was good.

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023
Andy told quite a tale about these brownies. And he wasn’t lying, they were delicious.

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

Methodist Men Pie Auction - 2023

The pie auction raised $2,500 for our youth ministry program. Now we just have to get our youth ministry program going again. Rumor has it there might be a float trip this summer. That would be a good start.