Dry-Rubbed Baked Chicken Wings

This recipe is pretty quick to assemble unless you have to make a trip to the grocery store to buy one or more of the 14 spices that make up the rub.  Just combine the spices, toss the wings to thoroughly cover then bake for 45 minutes at 400 degrees.  Lining the baking sheet with foil makes cleanup a snap.

https://www.thechunkychef.com/epic-dry-rubbed-baked-chicken-wings

Alligator Sighting

Thanks to an awesome telephone lens, our friend Grace was able to get this picture of their neighborhood alligator from a very safe distance.  While humans are not recognized as prey, it's best not to take a chance with any animal that weighs several hundred pounds and can run, even if for only a short distance, at over 30 miles per hour.  As this pond is on a golf course, it's best to leave an errant tee shot alone and call it a lost ball.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alligator

Osprey Having Dinner

Our friend caught this osprey, utilizing a telephoto lens, munching down on dinner while perched on a pine tree branch.  This is probably a piece of fish, given the information provided at this Wikipedia link, but could be another bird or other prey.  This was taken on Hilton Head Island, which is home to over 200 species of birds.

A big shout out to Grace for this awesome photo!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osprey

Hilton Head Country Club

This gorgeous par 3, the 14th hole at Hilton Head Country Club, measures 160 yards from the blue tees, made visually difficult by having to carry most of the way over the marsh and its grasses (and Lord knows what kind of creatures).  The course, designed by Rees Jones, is a beautiful challenge featuring sweeping doglegs and water on most of its holes.  It's a decent bargain with green fees in the $60-$80 range, depending on time of year and time of day.

https://www.clubcorp.com/Clubs/Country-Club-of-Hilton-Head

Rain Chains

With the appropriately sandy soil, these rain chains are a decorative way to enjoy a rainstorm.  Water is free to pour down at the end of the gutter, runs down the chain, gets refocused every 6-8 inches by the next cup, which directs the water back towards the middle and down to the next cup.  An example (not the same one) is included at the link below.

https://www.amazon.com/Monarch-Aluminum-Hammered-Rain-Length/dp/B0148K5FF2

My Big Fat Greek Burgers

This recipe is a permanent addition to our burger rotation.  Make two thin turkey patties, top one with a combination of onion, spinach, feta cheese, dill and black pepper, then place the other patty on top and press the halves together.  Place the cooked burger on your favorite bun (we like brioche) and top with cucumber slices, romaine lettuce and a sauce made with yogurt, oil, lemon juice, garlic, dill, and salt and pepper, which gives it the greek flair.  A bit more work than just slapping a hamburger on the grill, but more than worth the effort.

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ellie-krieger/my-big-fat-greek-burgers-recipe-1957474

Long Ice Cube Sticks

Sometimes you just have to go for the glam.  These long ice cube sticks don't do anything regular cubes do, but they're a nice conversion starter before the booze kicks in.  You can make them with water, of course, but making them with orange juice or your favorite mixer will prevent your drink from getting diluted.  Long live summer!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LYLM8JJ

Dayton NFL Field

The NFL funded this field, located at East Helena Street and Brennan Drive, just northeast of Kettering Field.  It would have been located at Triangle Park, site of the first NFL game, but a group found an “abnormality” and decided it might be an Indian burial ground. 

Triangle Park is located at the north point of the intersection of the Great Miami River and the Stillwater River, a location very prone to flooding, particularly before the construction of Englewood and Taylorsville dams in the years following the 1913 flood.  You couldn't pick a worse place for a burial ground, and I sincerely doubt they were dumb enough to do so.

Bose Portable Home Speaker

Here's the latest addition to our smart speaker collection, a Bose Portable Home Speaker.  We wanted a wireless speaker with enough power to fill the backyard with music and this fits both needs.  Even better, it comes with your choice of either Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa.  It's not cheap, coming in at $300, but the sound quality and features are worth the price.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/bose-portable-home-speaker-with-built-in-wifi-bluetooth-google-assistant-and-alexa-voice-control-triple-black/6370597.p?skuId=6370597

Classic Chicken Salad

The key to this deliciously chunky chicken salad is using packaged Costco rotisserie chicken.  The rest of the recipe is pretty standard fare, but we highly recommend adding the optional dill and take it easy on the seasoned salt, starting with half the suggested amount and adding more to your taste.

https://www.spendwithpennies.com/classic-chicken-salad-recipe