SGGuestPost: Mocs In The Mud

For quite some time L.A.S over at Sartorially Inclined has been prepping for the launch of "the Bean Boot Project" which went live last week with a stream of great images and stories about the beloved boot.

You can check out my guest post which went live yesterday, below and HERE. The rest of the Bean Boot Project can be found HERE.

After years having duck boots of all brands except by the venerable Maine outfitter, I finally decided to start my collection of the real deal with the Bean Moc. Living in the South we don't get that much snow, yet tons of rain year round and figured I would wear them with shorts during summer thunderstorms, tromping around the country in the fall, through inch high snow in the winter and muddy puddles during spring showers.

Shortly after the Mocs arrived from Bean in the spring of 2005, horrible rain showers fell on Charlottesville, VA making Foxfield Races a muddy mess. Together with my friend Pamela, this picture was snapped to capture the moment. I remember it as the first of many fond memories I've shared not only with good friends, but my L.L.Bean Bean Boot Mocs.

Duck Tails

In honor of opening day of waterfowl season - whether just days ago or days ahead - wanted to share a few more spectacular images from Ducks Unlimited.

As a reminder from earlier this fall, you can help support wetlands conservation HERE.

Image Credits: Ducks Unlimited

A Side To Be Thankful For

For as many Thanksgivings as I can remember, we have had Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping. Smooth, sweetened custard topped with a nutty, crunch layer will convert even the biggest sweet potato cynic.


Over the weekend I attended a pre-Thanksgiving dinner and brought this along as my contribution. Instead of sharing the recipe by email with the few people that requested it, thought I'd share it here with all y'all.

Sweet Potato Custard:
3 cups baked sweet potatoes, skinned and mashed
½ cup sugar (white)
3 eggs, beaten
½ tsp. salt
½ stick butter, melted
½ cup evaporated milk
1 ½ tsp. vanilla

Pecan Topping:
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 stick of butter, melted
½ cup brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans (I used pecan meal from HERE)

Directions:

1. Mix yams, white sugar, eggs, salt and ½ stick of butter.
2. Add milk and vanilla; mix well.
   
3. Spoon into a buttered 1 ½ quart casserole dish.
   
4. Combine brown sugar, flour, nuts and 1/3 stick of butter.
   
5. Spread this mealy mixture on top of yams.

Bake at 350 for 35 minutes or until set. Serves 8.

AskSG: Palmetto & Cresent Shirts

Over the course of the blog, I've received a variety of questions from "Is that turducken really good?" to "What kind of boots should I get for all this snow in NY?" to "I'm coming to DC/going to New Orleans and would love some recommendations."

They are usually related to a post, so I'll respond directly if your address is in the comment field or answer back with another comment, but figured some would be worth sharing:

Andy said...

"So, there's a mens store or a shirt maker in Charleston that makes a button down oxford with the palmetto as its logo. Any ideas on where I can find these shirts? My friends from CoC [College of Charleston] and the Citadel rep them and I cannot find one anywhere!"

DAM said...

The shirts you are interested in come from M. Dumas & Sons at the corner of King & Society in Charleston. The venerable old men's store has a Palmetto Collection of kit from bow ties and polos to shorts and embroidered pants. You can find the entire collection HERE.

Image Credits: M. Dumas & Sons

Continuing The Heritage

Took Virginia Hunter Education with my buddy Brine (Brian) over a weekend in September. Besides actually learning things like:

• "Shoot/Don't Shoot"
• TAB:Treat every gun as if it were loaded, Always point your gun in a safe direction, Be sure of your target and beyond
  
• Don't fall out of a tree stand

We left with endless fodder for discussion, a great handbook, certificate (wall and wallet-sized) and the patch on the far left.
I'm thinking about ironing it on to my Bean Hunting Tote. What do y'all think?

Image Credit: Outdoortexan.com

Birds of a Feather, Stuffed Together

Several years ago shopping through the Harris Teeter, I came across the famed Turducken in the freezer section from Cajun Specialty Meats. Appearing much easier to prepare than self proclaimed inventor of the Turducken, Paul Prudhomme's recipe, we went ahead and purchased it for New Year's Day dinner.

If you are unfamiliar, we're talking a partially de-boned turkey (rib cage gone, legs and wings intact) stuffed with a de-boned duck and de-boned chicken with dressing between each layer. It's delicious and right up there with the Bacon Explosion as a Southern Delight worth writing home about.

Found across the internet, the Wall Street Journal says Cajun Grocer is the best after reviewing 6 different mail-order companies. For about $100 bucks all in, this is certainly more than your average 15 lb. Tom Turkey, but will be significantly more memorable as well.

Image Credit: CSM box photo is from fellow DC blogger, Capital Spice and Turducken image is from Cajun Grocer.
Title Credit: WSJ Article

Billy's Beer Goggles

Happy Birthday WJR!

Tag Your It

As you may remember from Hunt Club: The Kit back in October, I had to go on quite the hunt to find the right gear for the start of pheasant season.



When the Cabela’s vest arrived, I took one look at the tag and knew it was the right one; full canvas, over 500 sq inches of blaze, bellow pockets and tri-load game pouch.


But it was the well designed tag that reinforced the value of the product; compelling copy, accuracy of the line drawings and pictures that captured the mystique of upland shooting.


Image Credit: Cabela's

Pecan Harvest

Several Christmas parties ago, my buddy Ben introduced me to Abita Pecan Harvest. Being the thoughtful gent he is, Ben remembered my Louisiana roots and affinity for pecans and knew I'd enjoy it. Unlike other seasonal brew's that can be overpowering, this is delicious - it's smooth, nutty and heavy enough to remind you it's fall.

Each year I go on a scavenger hunt trying to find it with varied success. Last year it wasn't until Mardi Gras - back in New Orleans - and we stocked up for the weekend on an arguably out-of-season beer.

However, the word must be getting around because it seems a bit easy to acquire this year. The pictured six was found in Hyde Park, NY and I have been told it's at Cleveland Park Beer & Liquor here in DC.

Along the pecan theme, pictured above with the pumpkins I acquired HERE, are the savory pecans Mrs. Guedri of Richmond, VA makes throughout the year. I usually freeze the gallon size bag and ration out small handfuls at time. It's running low at the moment and I'm hoping to try the sweet version she makes only in the winter due to southern humidity in the summer.

Another Abita combo I couldn't help but to include is this Saints/Abita commercial from January 2007. With last nights 30-20 win over Carolina, the New Orleans Saints are 8-0 for the first time in franchise history.

Who Dat! Who Dat! Who dat say they gonna beat them Saints! Who Dat!

Try Abita Pecan Harvest, watch a Saints Game and enjoy fall.

Image Credit: Abita

$75 Gourmet Tailgate for 15

Washingtonian Magazine's "The Frugal Foodie" challenged Firefly restaurant chef, Danny Bortnick to create a tailgate for 15 for less than $75.

• Open-Faced Roast-Beef Sandwiches
• Chicken Wings
• Homemade Hummus
• Peanut Butter Cookies and M&Ms
  

Check out how he did these three pretty delicious courses HERE.

Thanks to DC Rogue for the topic tip.

Image Credit: Washingtonian.com

Bean Mocs & Wool Socks

There are many indicators that we are right in the middle of Autumn and Winter is just weeks away - Halloween has past, the football season is in full swing, the leaves along Rock Creek Parkway are shades of orange, yellow and red, and the temperature is crisp during the day and cool at night.

But the real indicator for me is when the temperature drops enough that I can wear Bean mocs and wool socks.

I got these as gift last Christmas and while I too couldn't ever get the bows to stay tied, I refused to double-knot them and cut off the excess. Remembering those Eastland Bluchers I had as a kid with the barrel knots, this would be the perfect solution (clearly not alone, L.A.S seems to feel the same way).

Knot Credits: Thanks to Ledlie for tackling the blood/barrel knots in the wee hours of a celebratory Friday night.

Bayou Battle

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS:

vs. Detroit Lions (45 - 27)
@ Philadelphia Eagles (48 - 22)
@ Buffalo Bills (27-7)
vs. New York Jets (24-10)
vs. New York Giants (48-27)
@ Miami Dolphins (46-34)

And for the first time since 1991 a 7-0 season start...

vs. Atlanta Falcons (35-27)

WHO DAT! WHO DAT! Who dat say day gonna beat dem Saints!

Image Credit: Chuck Cook/Times-Picayune