ness

Had to look up White Grill. Sounds like my kinda place! No real cooking lately — been on a whirlwind tour of eastern Iowa the last several days. I did take in three Iowa classics though. Hit the Machine Shed in Davenport for some excellent fried chicken, mashed taters and gravy. Nestled into the bread basket was something they call Applesauce Sweet Bread. Wow! Like a banana bread but a zillion times better. I know I’ve had something similar before, but this was outstanding! Paid fifty big ones and got the recipe ($0.50 😄). Took home a couple of their famous cinnamon rolls which are about 6x6x6 each. Next was Whitey’s Ice Cream where I had a chocolate malt - my first in years. They had a huge selection of flavors and concoctions including what they called a ‘Boston’ which is a shake with a sundae on top. On the way home stopped for a Maid Rite loose meat hamburger and sweet potato fries. Pretty good, but NuWay in Kansas beats it. They eat good up there. Sorry no food pics.

I grew shallots 4 years and never got very good size. I did French Red and Zebrune, and had better luck with the former, fwiw.

I’ve heard it referred to as ‘French Intensive’ gardening and other things. Plant dense in very rich soil, leaving little unplanted space at any time and do succession planting. That’s the foundation of square foot gardening, which is basically what I do. Family Tree is a good source for plants in JoCo too. Good variety. Good luck!

You’re and handsome dude! I guess I never thought about that before. wait...which are are you? 😄😄

I approve! You know why there are never Kalamata olives here? Because I’d eat every dang one in the car on the way home from the store.

Alright, last night I made this thing called a hamburger. I placed it on the last English muffin I had, because Ruby ate the second to last one while I wasn’t looking. Cooked indoors in cast iron with Montreal seasoning. I haven’t made a burger in forever and it sure tasted good with one of my favorite sauces. Continuing on the clean out the freezerr plan, I dug out some shrimp and cobbled together a shrimp and grits dish. Sautéed onion, added a few spices, then tomato paste and some chicken stock. Reduced it, then in went the shrimp with more of the seasonings. Swirled in some butter at the end. Grits with Parmesan, butter and a little cream. Pretty good for just winging it.

Thought this was one of the better ones I've seen recently.

That is one cool looking fly right there.

Alright, you're in. Please leave the tags on the new pair. I take a large. Not gonna discuss Kathy's size here. I'll PM you.

Alright, alright. At least 2? I’ll load in 2 more but the rules say name the fly. All I got at this point is some promises...

I don’t know what the heck that all means, but you’re in! 😄

Ok, ok. I’ll play. I’ve got a 9 foot 8 weight I’m awfully proud of and like to whip it out when nobody expects it. Hope Phil doesn’t ban me for that. 😄 BTW, Kathy’s answer was, ‘What?’ So, do you guys think this lively banter will attract more participants? Or, should I edit the original post and make it about something topical like Spring is here?

This is what’s wrong with America!! 😄

I just texted Kathy and asked her if she wanted to do a swap with a bunch of guys on the internet. I'll report back here with her response.

Oh, everybody’s all, ‘Lookie what I tied tonight’. But when it’s go time they’re all, ‘It’s too much work’, or ‘I’m too busy — it’s tax season.’ 😄 Makes me wonder if those supposed fly tiers are just scraping pictures off the web and posting them. 😄

Alright — four tiers, one buyer for two and an offer to help me move. Not what I expected. I thought Gavin might join, but he’s probably arm pit deep in 1040s at the moment.

OK -- I'll load you in with your other screen name, whitesnoop.

Second fly is SUCH a back-breaker. Wuss

Terms and conditions can be found here.

I’ll cover your postage, ok? Like I did the last time 😄

(Just tying to make it sound yuge. Swapmeister ain’t tying 100 flies either) C’mon folks — there are only 96 spots left!

You’re the reason we’re having it!

Well, I suppose I ought to run the idea past her for an o-fishul yes. But she's a sport and I don't think I'll have any trouble. She has tied them before. Maybe get her students to do it?

It's been a long time since we've done a swap, and even longer since I participated in one. So, I'm proposing we do a bass fly swap since things are warming up. Also, I need some bass flies -- in particular some from Flysmallie and BilletHead. Standard fly swap protocol will be observed. Here are the details and deadlines, which will be updated as we go along: (1) Sign up by March 31, 2018. Reply to this thread and name the fly you intend to tie; (2) Tie 8 flies, plus extras if you feel moved to tip the Swapmeister. It's nice to tag the flies with your screen name; (3) Send said flies to the Swapmeister by April 30, 2018 (address will be provided) in a container marked with your real live name, OA screen name and return address. Include a couple bucks to cover return postage or risk (a) getting no flies and/or (b) a special mention here. (I still remember the guy that stiffed me the last time I hosted); (4) Swapmeister will send one of each fly received to each participant who meets the provisions of (3) above. He will also photograph each fly and post the pictures here; (5) Receive flies and immediately return to this thread to gush over wonderful flies and heap praise upon the Swapmeister for putting this together; (6) Fish said flies, and post pictures of fish caught in this thread; OK -- everybody got it? I'm going to limit this to 10 participants, just to keep it manageable. So, hurry up, sign up, get up and tie up. I have taken the liberty to sign up a few that I know will be thrilled to be offered an opportunity to show their creativity and skill. I will update participants and flies in this post. Participants/Flies 1. ness (Swapmeister) -- Pencil popper; received 2. Flysmallie -- Marabou pig; received 3. BilletHead -- Predator X; received 4. Kathy S. — Woolly bugger; received 5. fshndoug —Streamer; received 6. Flysmallie — Garsite Gurgler; received 7. Flysmallie — Whiny John; received 8. ness -- funk #49 popper; received

Man, that was awesome. I think I'll do another come 2018!