Round and Round We Go

Third grade was a sleeping giant awakened. 

While we certainly traveled as much as we were able during the school year, Little Miss Sunshine mastered the art of snark, if you ever wondered if she would inherit my dry sense of humor. But beyond a quick wit and watching our not-so-little gamer grow more into her own independent identity, Caeli has grown by leaps and bounds - and is finding ways to remain my broke BFF. 

How did it go? 

AUGUST 

Thanks to how adult and swim schedules failed to align, there was no faraway summer vacation or science camp that would have doubled as a work trip for me. However, she got a new buddy: Rocky the chihuahua. 

The boy was everyone's spoiled little buddy

In unrelated news, practicing going to bed and waking up at a suitable time was akin to pulling teeth. Instead of trying to beat back academic atrophy so much, maybe I should have worked on Life Skills Summer a bit harder...but at least we finally got tying our shoes down.

SEPTEMBER 

One of the greatest things about dropping off and picking up Caeli is our routines of high-fives, daps, and hugs when she gets into the cars depending on which part of the fleet she rides in. Some mornings, she picks the vehicle to show up in (more in November), and some afternoons she gets ice cream after she gives me the highlights of her day. That Menchies special on Tuesdays started to wreak havoc on my wallet; therefore, the discovery of a rare Baskin Robbins inside Circle K made for a much tastier treat. Maybe I just admitted that I'm the weak link, but she is a daddy's girl. 

I just hope she doesn't outgrow this part of life and the pop-up elementary school lunches yet.

Give me skin. 🖐🏿

Give me dap. 👊🏿

Give me a hug. 🫂 

Go learn a lot - and have fun!

OCTOBER 

Our big girl gave volleyball a second crack, only with Mom as the head coach. Although the team fared a little worse than last year's runner-up squad losing in the first round of the league tournament, the Volley Queens looked good and played better as the weeks progressed. I got to reprise my role as ball man and fan.

Without getting my butt kicked for sharing the picture, each girl had her own pregame routine with both coaches. Volley Queens on 3!

Caeli and her teammate/friend from both volleyball and softball Paisli. Tell KC and Cami not to kill me

Back to school: The ever photogenic one did was expected in the classroom - we'll never be the parents to post our daughter's grades to social media. Picture Day is one of the rare days Caeli showed off her curls before she returned to the beads and braids, both of which call for way less maintenance than picking out her beautiful hair and avoiding what Erykah Badu sung about in an interlude back in the day.

"Pick your afro, daddy/Because it's flat on one side"

Man, her mama fine.

NOVEMBER 

Although volleyball didn't shake out the way we hoped for, the off-season was a welcomed relief. As we read nightly, learned cursive and the basics of multiplication, and played more Minecraft than a little bit, the gamer reminded me of myself at her age - and this included her fandom of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. [No one else comes close. Fight me]. 

Thanksgiving dinner at school: The one time of year when cafeteria food won't gag us. Seriously, the food is pretty good - and something the kid will reliably eat.

In further news, the new-to-us Dub Shack work truck 2.0 aka Big Grey entered our driveway just before Thanksgiving for work days, family adventures, and much, much, more 

Family is everything. Only missing Aunt Kricket and baby EJ

Caeli's Gigi, Big Mama, and most of her great-aunts and uncles

DECEMBER 

We were wrangled at the O.K. Corral. 

As par for the course, each grade level at Collegeville presents a musical play each year. Our cowgirl did not have a speaking part but she sang her little heart out. Thanks to Mrs. Hooper for rounding the third-graders up. 

Yee-Yee! (Oops, that should've been Yee-Haw!)

We made it to Christmas break without a hitch. 

JANUARY 

Happy New Year!

The start of 2024 marks the midpoint of our school year even if the report cards and attendance policies dictate otherwise. Thanks to the Bryant School District Board for having the foresight to build five snow days into the calendar - and that fall break, which our elementary school's retiring principal really appreciated. Another thing I am grateful for is how Ms. Kellam taught Black history - and honestly, the majority of subjects - to an affable group of third-graders. 

FEBRUARY 

Yippee, it's birthday month for Little Miss Sunshine!

Before the birthday party was the father-daughter dance. She wasn't much into the Taylor Swift marathon, and the one or two Michael Jackson songs played weren't quite enough to stay once the severe weather alert expired, so we got ice cream. 

Even Dad cleans up every now and again

Here are BFFs Caeli and Ja'Zelle

Because she had so much fun at Autosave Arcade at a classmate's birthday party, we decided to grant that wish to Caeli. A difference from past festivities is that this one was with mostly her class versus the ones with family and neighbors. Nothing against the latter groups, but kids' birthday parties are too expensive to plan and do only for parents (and other kids) to stiff the invitation. A rule of thumb that I've figured out regarding party time to prevent overspending and having to carry home a whole lot of pizzas, wings, drinks, and cake: Invite fifteen, expect twelve. By doing the 80% rule of satisfaction, it gives a realistic opportunity to either build upon success or improve some of the flops.

Guess who was Character Kid?

MARCH

Those nine weeks seemed like they dragged on and on, but spring break provided a welcome respite from the routine of morning car rides, sit for most of the day, roughly ninety minutes per afternoon of free play and additional help at the Boys and Girls Club (now Bryant Youth Association).

Speaking of spring break, the six days of Florida - five in Miami, and one very long drive to Destin - were the break we all deserved. Please believe leg day (or decades, for those who played basketball with me in the past thirty years can attest), finally paid off by pulling the three of us up and down hills throughout the Miami Zoo! 

I forgot to share the love letter to the Sunshine State from two months ago, so click on the link to read it. 

We scouted out Destin and Oskaloosa Co. for our next adventure. Depending on how many of you happy Arkansans go the week we decide to pop up, see you on the shoreline. That parking situation is all sorts of cusswords you've heard me say!

APRIL

Shout out to everyone who saw the eclipse. For what is supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, those few minutes of complete darkness during the middle of the afternoon confused pets and plants alike. 

With testing back on the horizon, it was time to buckle down and show off what we learned in third grade. 

MAY

We made it to the end! Not only are students, teachers, administrators, and staff tired but also they persevered in the Wildcat Way to the finish line! Whether is be promotion to the next grade or position, a much-needed break of about two or three weeks before returning to thoughtfully planning for the next academic year, a relief from the morning whirlwind of waking up and either getting to the bus stop or the carpool lanes, or an adios to a career in education, the 2023-24 school year has been one for the ages. 

The field trip to the Museum of Discovery, the kickball game between students vs teachers, and Field Day were the perfect ending to the year.

Building a butterfly feeder for Mother's Day

See y'all August 15!

Lifestyles of the '04 Rich

2004 was twenty years ago.

Dang, I'm old: From left: my cousin Kenny, my brother Alan, and the author

I suppose the nostalgia hits differently for some rather than others. For me - and two years after my own graduation from HSU, the year symbolized the first time I felt like I had a little bit of money in my adult life and as a result, I did some grown-up things. Who agrees or disagrees with that statement is fair in his or her assessment; as several of my friends were getting married, starting families, entering peak partying days, or working our asses in the ground (remember 100% Grind? Try to forget it) that particular year rings different bells for different folks.

Exactly, what is '04 rich?

'04 rich refers to the crazy modifications we did to our cars as well as the high-end ones we scraped two nickels together to purchase during the early 2000s that now look gaudy and ridiculous, such as the Pimp My Ride era of throwing spinners on everything; TVs in the headrests playing NC-17 content; and of course, trunk wars of multiple 12" subwoofers sometimes beating harder than the music at house parties. Mannie Fresh said it best in Real Big:

Look at the spinners on the '04 Escalade, he's 04 rich.

You had to be there for it. #LifestylesOfThe04Rich pic.twitter.com/SwzdWe8rHV

— A. Cedric Armstrong (@cedteaches) May 13, 2024

Why did I think about this beyond looking at my obviously bad choices such as investing in Texas rap CDs instead of the stock market or buying land in Friendship before the developers cashed out on my stomping grounds?

When lessons about gentrification finally began to make sense pic.twitter.com/cQo4E6d3sm

— A. Cedric Armstrong (@cedteaches) May 13, 2024

There is a neighborhood in town I sometimes drive through to bypass the normal half-mile morning traffic line on Springhill Road that embodies my post: The house in mind has a Navigator, an Escalade, and a BMW M6 [E60 fans know about that V10, and if it wasn't for the homewrecking reputation for unreliability, I might be brave enough to try one. Rod bearings should not be a part of routine maintenance] in the driveway of the era. All rimmed up, ready to kill 'em cruising up and down Colonel Glenn on MLK weekend yet I periodically glance respectfully at the owner's presumably massive effort in keeping that fleet alive. 

Watch the video to Daft Punk's One More Time

As I worked my ass into the ground and found the time to party in the interim at most LR bars and nightclubs, what was the endgame?

Was I still getting over a breakup that devastated me?

Was it from basically getting fired from my first real job after college? I did give a two-weeks' notice though the sentiments were the same.

Was it having a pair of come to Jesus moments of 1)I better learn how to save some money if I ever wanted to escape my childhood bedroom, and 2)being awakened to be told of my next venture from God versus mere survival?

Even, was it trying to chase a hoop dream via recreation leagues and Sundays at the park that should have been silenced a decade prior in junior high?

Nostalgia makes 2004 seem like a carefree period that in truth was everything but as proven by the Bush tax cuts from the prior year expiring to an unexpected bill Uncle Sam had his outstretched hand out for, the slow return to normalcy for some following September 11 and the tech bust, and the early stages of R&B music's demise. For the dope albums Lyfe Jennings, Kanye West, and Usher dropped [my 2K4 albums of the year] and movies that get more airplay than they should like Hustle & Flow and Soul Plane, my so-called 100% Grind mode caused me to miss much of the year - and for that matter, my twenties - working every day and night trying to make two nickels rub into something tangible beyond a red Hyundai Santa Fe and its 60 monthly payments at an interest rate I would almost love to have today.

In effect, love me when I'm gone like Three Doors Down before the band was overplayed on rock and pop stations everywhere. 

So, here's an Incredible Hulk toast to the illegal club in Rixey, the blazer and jeans combo with or without a striped Polo button down that needed cufflinks as a default party uniform, the orange cooler full of PBR bottles that traveled so well across the state from Jonesboro to Rogers, Arkadelphia to Dumas, and all points in between, traversing the mud bottoms of Faulkner Lake Road for Edgefest '04, childhood friends lost and somehow reacquainted with, and some other stuff I probably forgot. 2004 wasn't just a swimming pool full of fun memories as I was still trying to figure out how to adult properly yet it was not quite the dumpster fire a soliloquy might unintentionally infer. 

At least it was unofficially the last year of life before social media forever skewed our perceptions of each other and the world at large.

2004: What a time to be alive!

Bargain Hunters, Rejoice! Dub Shack BBQ Presents Grilled Picanha

I like picanha - but do I love it enough to replace tri-tip as the midweek go-to protein of choice? Keep reading to find out if this is the case.

INGREDIENTS 

Beef picanha, around two pounds

AC Barbeque's The MVP rub*

STEP ONE. What is a picanha, dear friendly pitmaster? Our friends from People's Choice Beef Jerky  provide a great answer to this value cut below: 

Picanha (pronounced pee-kahn-yah) is a cut of beef that is popular in Brazil. The cut comes from the top of the rump cap muscle. The closest cut in the United States is a Top Sirloin Cap with the fat cap left on. The Picanha cut is also known as Coulotte.

The Picanha steak packs a lot of flavor and offers a great value. Picanha is less common in the United States, but is growing in popularity with the spread of Brazilian steakhouses.

Picanha is triangular in shape and can range in size from six to fourteen ounces. It’s fairly close in size to a New York steak. The large fat cap brings tremendous flavor and helps keep the steak juicy and flavorful. 

AC BBQ is comedians Anthony Anderson and Cedric the Entertainer's creation. Can't take credit 

The first thing that we should all do after taking the picanha out of its packaging is to blot it dry with paper towels before seasoning it. Most people usually choose salt and pepper for grilling steaks; this time around, I went with AC BBQ's The MVP rub seasoning it on all sides for not only flavor but also color. Remember, we eat with our eyes first. 

STEP TWO. Let the pichana hang out and reach room temperature while we light the grill and its two-zone fire for this cook. Today, the Weber kettle got the assignment because 1) I had just cleaned the PK, and 2) it is what I use for quick cooks. Once the kettle is ready - one can do the wave test over the hot side - place the steak on the indirect side and let it come up to 120 degrees before searing on both sides for one minute each. Once seared to perfection, the picanha should end up at a perfect 130 degrees or your preferred doneness. Give it about fifteen minutes to rest before serving.

STEP THREE. Slice into it, serve, and enjoy!

If that isn't a thing of beauty, then I don't know what is.

In the title, I stated that this is a barbecue item for bargain hunters who desire more than ribs, hamburgers, and hot dogs. In part, the $17 I paid for this picanha and the $2.50 spent on AC BBQ rub in effect feeds a family of three quite easily and makes for leftovers within a day or two. For those who do not feel like doing the math, this recipe comes out to a grand total of $19.50:  Try feeding your family at any drive-through or sit-down restaurant for that price in 2024. I cannot go much further and not salute Walmart for stepping up the meat cuts; to find picanhas, a trip to the specialized meat markets can be cut if you know which of the retail magnates they can be found. [Truth: Sometimes the best meat can be found in places we would avoid. The picanha I cooked came from the Baseline Road WM in Little Rock, so don't be afraid to venture out. I'm also betting someone's next tank of gas that the local supermecados have it as well].

Save money, live better. Right?

Is it incredible? Yes.

Does it cook better than tri-tip? Depending on the day, yes.

Will I do it again? You best believe it!

Rocky gives it the paw of approval 🐶

As always, thanks for reading this post. If the weather holds off or if the newly finished shack/man cave is open for business, go outside and cook something awesome! Be blessed, be safe, be good to each other, and tell everyone that every day is a GREAT day for Dub Shack BBQ!

Sunshine Days in the Sunshine State

Dear Florida,

Thank you for the warm days last week and the hospitality that does not always make it to the front pages of our newspapers and media sources. You've got me wanting to throw my hat in the ring and franchise a Pollo Tropical except for the fact that central Arkansas is severely inundated with chicken joints on darn near every corner: the Miami version of the Cuban sandwich is worth every bit of $8.49 that I paid the other night. For my fellow barbecue addicts, I'll make sure to replicate the recipe and compare it to the Tampa one I shared to the blog a few years ago soon. Either way, someone is going home full.

When it comes to the food, I would be remiss if my inner Mikey did not make an appearance. As always, the conch fritters were on point and fried perfectly; I need to find a supplier to ship me a case to batter and fry at home. What surprised me is the barbecue game in the Sunshine State: Next time you find yourselves close to Wildwood, there is a walk-up BBQ joint called M&M Smokehouse Bar-B-Q that absolutely needs your attention! Their rib tips are going to send me back to the lab, their OG sauces is a bit spicier than my own, and the Florida Gator Gold mustard sauce is a whole lot sweeter than my Dub Shack BBQ’s The Ancestors. The hours are short (11-5 most days), so get there quickly!

With all of the sunshine, nonexistent state income taxes, and throngs of visitors clogging both Interstate 75 and Florida's Turnpike plus the women flying into the 305 for BBLs, one would think an encounter with Florida Man was to be a standard part of the trip but...ol' Gertrude tried to put an ice cube in my hot morning coffee by asking us where is a wheelchair every freaking morning like she had suspected every Black adult in our hotel was withholding a mobility device as she pillaged the yogurts, cream cheeses, and items that could be refrigerated. Needless to say, bless her heart. 

The Miami Zoo was nothing but phenomenal even as the bike carts that had a three-hour limit really gave us a workout the final hour!

Parakeets enjoyed feeding time

Caeli also got to feed the giraffes

It's safe to say that skipping leg day is never a good idea. 

Although I didn't take enough varying snapshots for those who find themselves living vicariously through my family - and sometimes living in the moment trumps standing behind a camera as the person capturing the memory is often the one missing out. Big up to the cousins who welcomed us back after five years away, Levar for dropping gems while watching the Heat come from behind to beat Cleveland, the kin we missed this time around, and the new Fortnite teammates Little Miss Sunshine picked up.

Whatcha know about Garcia sausages?

Do I have criticisms? Only a pair: Y'all got to be kidding me with the gentrification of Miami. I know big bank takes little bank,  yet forcefully uprooting residents who have been a part of the neighborhoods' fabric for half a century if not longer is not cool and whitewashes Perrine. My other beef is with the traffic on both the Turnpike and I-75: Where are the exit ramps to avoid sitting still for up to fifteen miles from the original incident? 

From Suwanee where I got my Sun Pass to Miami, Alligator Alley to the missed manatee park and fenced in panther crossings along I-75 in addition to crossing the Apalachicola River to re-enter the Central Time Zone, thanks for the warm days and cool stuff. We'll make it to Key West one day, I promise. Destin and the rest of the Emerald Coast shall possibly be the source of our next adventure depending on cost and climate - literally and politically. 

Til the next time, three Arkansans

I Feel Like Chicken Tonight: Dub Shack BBQ Presents Chicken Parmesan

This is another long-awaited recipe that makes short work of the PK plus serves as another midweek classic: Just don't tell my mom that we're eating chicken more than once a week in Springhill Manor.

INGREDIENTS 

Chicken breasts 

Parmesan cheese

Marinara sauce

Italian bread crumbs, can be toasted*

Fire and Smoke Society's Sweet Peeper rub

Italian seasoning of your choice

STEP ONE. If frozen, thaw out the chicken breasts per packaging instructions. For the rest of us, open the package of chicken from the grocery store and trim off the ugly bits such as excess fat and the jagged pieces that will dry out way before it finishes.  Give it some Sweet Peeper love and set aside while you grate your own Parmesan cheese. [Sidebar: In the quest of cooking dinner, you may bypass shredding a whole block of Parmesan cheese and pick up the already shredded bag from the dairy department. Not many people are going to notice the easy call for a random Tuesday night meal - and to take food to the next level, save the magic for date night.]

STEP TWO. Light the cooking vessel of your choice and do so in a two-zone fire fashion. Once ready, place the chicken on the grill first over the coals for that extra pop of char before moving each breast to the indirect side. Chicken breasts are ready at 160 degrees, but...at 150 degrees, go ahead and add both the marinara sauce and parmesan cheese atop the chicken to continue cooking until the cheese melts. Rest for about fifteen minutes, and in the time it takes for pasta noodles to be al dente, dinner is ready!

This is such a great twist on a comfort food classic that I might not do it any other way! For the vegetarians/vegans among us, substitute the chicken for eggplant and get that special vegan cheese from Whole Foods or wherever the vegan aisles exist in Kroger and other slightly finer grocers than Wally World. Remember the Italian bread crumbs? I forgot them. Next time, I'll toast them and add them along with the other seasoning for an additional pop.

Thanks for reading this post. Although I joked about not telling my mom that we are eating chicken multiple times in one week, she can have this the next time she and Dad come down. As always, y'all be blessed, be safe, be good to each other, and tell everyone that every day is a GREAT day for Dub Shack BBQ!