UGH~1 Year Anniversary

[smokin relaxin steve]

I feel kind of weird sharing this with people I only know via a Forum, but I spend a heck of a lot of time here and everyone is great and I see many of you as friends! It is coming up on the 1 year anniversary of the loss of my best friend AKA my Dad… (I know the whole “he was my best friend” may sound a bit cliché, but without a doubt he was my best friend)… He Passed away April 17, 2009 suddenly and without warning at the age of 56 the day before my mothers Birthday (go figure)… My old man taught me everything from how to treat a woman, an extreme work ethic (he was factory man), all the way on to how to cook… In fact a week or 2 before he passed he and I grabbed a couple cases of beer and had a fish fry cook off LOL!!! We both looked forward to Friday nights as that was our night we would get together with a couple cases of beer and would cook while he told me the same old stories over and over (did I say OVER) and over again LOL (I would give anything to hear any of them just 1 more time)… we did this Friday night tradition for the past few years all the way up the week before his passing… I miss that man more and more each day… I’m sure it’s bound to get easier, & time will heal… I could go on and on about him, but don’t want to kill the up beat mood of this Great Forum!

April 17th falls on a Saturday this year so I was going to do some grilling and smoking w/ my Mom, my Bro (his family), and sis… and of course some memories shared over a few brews!

He loved backyard BBQing, but Unfortunately he passed before he had a chance to try the home made smoked food so I figured I would make his favorite type of meat… PORK… I will do a pork butt and pull it, and I was thinking a Brisket (mom hates pork LOL)… and a few burgers on the gill for my nephew and sis-in-law… Just asking for some prayers and thoughts for my family (especially my mom) so that we can continue to stay strong over the coming year and continue to heal from his passing… Oh & I hope to do a nice QView of the food that day!

 

[jjwdiver]

17th is my birthday and I'll celebrate your Dad's life that day too. If something glitches on saturday while you're cooking and smoking - just maybe someone is reaching out to let you know he's there! (it happens to me every now and then and I'm sure its not my doing)

 

[Dutch]

Steve, I know how you are feeling. 6 years ago I lost my father. He was the best teacher I ever had. He taught me his trade-meatcutting and from his example I learned how to be a great husband to my wife and a great father to my kids.

There are still days when I wish that I could just pick up the phone and call him.

 

[jak757]

Steve -- My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Your post really got me. I lost my father when I was a kid. I'm 52 now -- and I still miss him, and miss all the things we never got to do together. I know you feel the pain that comes from loss of a father, and a best friend. You and your dad were blessed to have one another. And reading your post, seeing the things he taught you -- I have to believe he is very proud of you. Hold on to that, and all those wonderful memories. Let yourself feel the sadness that will be there...as well as the joy the memories will bring.

Saturday celebrate your dad's life, and his impact on you and your family. Set a place at the table for him, and pour him a beer. He's still there with you in a sense, and always will be in your heart.

Thanks for sharing -- take care and God bless.

 

[smoke 2 geaux]

Man, I know how that feels. Over the last couple years I lost my Grandpa and my Brother In Law. Both were outdoorsmen and cooks like me. We shared a special bond becase of that. I hardly ever go hunting, or fishing, or fry up some fish, or fire up the smoker without thinking of those guys.

 

[bayouchilehead]

Steve,I hope the cookout you have with your family on that special day, turns out to be the best ever.

 

[caveman]

Steve, I don't know what to say because I've not been in that type of situation. My father is still alive, although he did abandon me when I was three & the 16th of April puts me at 48. The only thing I can think of is checking in on Saturday & checking out your qview & have a virtual beer with you pal. I hope MGD will do, as that is my flavor. I will spill a little for your pops. I think the reason he told you those stories over & over was so that you would not forget to repeat them to your own son & or nephews, over & over. LOL. Leaving his legacy through you without you knowing it until now. Yes, I think I will have two beers, one for your pops, pouring out his share & one for you, to celebrate a new chapter in your life & the legacy that you are about to pass on to the next generation. Be well & keep the memories because with them, your father lives on through you.

 

[bill in mn]

Well said, I would give everything I own for just one more conversation . But I know we will be together again. Bill

 

[mama's smoke]

I'm sending you strong thoughts to get you through the weekend. He obviously lives on through his son.

 

[Bearcarver]

Steve,
Keep doin' what you're doin'. I'm sure he's proud of you. You'll never stop missing him. My Dad left on Easter night, 1994, and I still think of him every day, especially when I pick up a tool or a gun or a fishing rod.

Wish he was here to try my smoked bacons, pork chops, and Salmon,
Bearcarver

 

[northern greenhorn]

My thoughts and prayers go out to you, I lost my father in law, Last April, also, Cancer, he was a great man, and we shared a lot of common interests, I wish he was here to learn this new hobby with me, for I'm sure he'd love it, I'll tell you what, I'll drink a beer for you and your dad, and you can drink a beer for me and my father in law

 

[triplebq]

Just keep doing what you guys did . He would want you to keep going . That is why us old guys teach you young guys ... to pass on the name sake and the skills . All us old guys want is for you young guys to have it better than we had it .

I do understand as I lost my mom when I was 18 and she was 45 . i still feel the same as you only time has dulled the pain .

God speed to you my young friend ..

 

[smokin relaxin steve]

I just want to say thank you to ALL of you... i really appreciate the sympothy and the words of encuragment... one of the reasons I LOVE this site... On the 17th I will def be having a Drink to my dad and one for eveyone on this forum who may have lost someone...

& Greenhorn I will def toast to that!

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[blue]

Hey Steve, I lost my Dad on 2/21/2009...not a day goes by...

 

[smokin relaxin steve]

Thank you to every one again for your support... 2 of my Uncles (Dad's bros) and families ended up coming over as well... The QView is a pretty beat i was trying to entertain, watch the food, & most importanly drink LOL... i was able to snap a few photos... I did how ever 4get to take a pick of the beef ribs and all of the finished photos (i was pretty well drunk LOL)...
So I rubbed the Brisket & Butt in my own Rub (Brown Sugar bassed) and yellow mustard and into the the fridge till 4am... woke up threw them in the smoker (Oak & Apple wood)...

Checked on them at 8am and again at 10am

Made some homemade Pepperoni Bread

And well ummmm after several of these and sharing old stories about the old man i kind of forgot to take more pics LOL... so sorry..


This is my 1st QView w/ Photobucket so fingers crossed... thanks again for your thoughts and prayers!

 

[caveman]

And they look fine Steve.

Thank you for sharing. Specially that bread. When you head clears, throw out that recipe.

 

[smokin relaxin steve]

Thanks Caveman!
Hey its pretty simple... My GF's mom taught me... Just activate your yeast in warm water... and mix with quarter bag of flour (depending on the size of loaf you want)... mix with warm water till you get pizza dough texture... let it rise... flour a pan spread it out and layer some provolone slices over the surface (i like cheese hence the explosion on mine LOL) (oh and you can use mozzarella)... next put ur pepperoni over entire surface (i like turkey pepperoni because way less grease and the bread wont get sloppy)... roll it like a giant Fattie & bake at 350/375 or i guess about an hour (i just do it by eye checking for cheese leakage and a golden crust)

 

[caveman]

Excellent

.

for something I am going to like. Hope your feeling better.

 

[jjjonz]

Steve.....thanks for sharing that with us.I am 67 and me and my son use to do the things you and your dad did.Years ago he married a girl fron northern Virgina and move from here in suth Alabama.I do miss those days.

God bless..........JJ

 

[smokin relaxin steve]

You got it brother... it is awesome i try to make it for all my gatherings, but it gets torn apart within min (no matter how much i make LOL) hope you enjoy! & yes i am feeling a lot better! thanks for asking!

& God bless to you... those are memories i will keep forever and tell my kids one day as I am sure is the same with your son... thank you!