Wednesday, and down in the Low Country

Wednesday was a great day weather-wise. It was warm and sunny, with low humidity and, in the morning, a great breeze (it got a little windier in the afternoon, but still nice).

This was good, because today I moved from Building 73 to Building 3 and switched from being a Project Manager to being a Business Analyst. It took me two trips and four small file storage boxes (I have learned to travel light) but, by 1:00 PM, I was all moved in.

I did get a phone and my PC was moved so, other than an annoying file cabinet I keep banging into with my knee (I put in a Maintenance Request to have it removed) I’m all set. I had one meeting in the afternoon and spent the rest of my time trying to get my few remaining projects closed.

Back home, I changed into shorts and a tee shirt and watched the news. It was so nice out, I had most of the windows opened. When the news finished, I went outside and took the wheelbarrow that was full of the dirt from the grille hole out back and dumped it. Then I used the wheelbarrow to transport the top unit of the new grille out back.

I installed the top unit on the pipe (Man, that sucker is heavy!) and went in to get the locking pin. But, I couldn’t remember where I put it! I know I put the instructions on top of my dresser in the bedroom and thought I put the pin in one of the drawers (so I wouldn’t lose it). A long, fruitless search ensued with no positive outcome. I gave up when I realized I could always just buy a long bolt and nut and put that in.

I thought about re-cutting the grass (at least the front) since the warm air and wind probably had dried the grass clumps out enough. But, I knew I had to make that Low Country Shrimp Boil tonight or pitch the shrimp (which I damn sure didn’t want to do!) So, I did.

I combined two recipes (one from Food Network and the other from Bon Appetit). So, here’s what I did:

I got out a small stockpot and put in four quarts of water. Then I added 1/2 cup of Old Bay seasoning, halved two lemons and, after squeezing in the juice, threw the rinds in as well. Next I added two whole (small – one big one would have worked as well) garlic heads I just cut in half, horizontally) unpeeled, a red onion, peeled and quartered and about five good slugs of Frank’s red Hot sauce. I tied together 6 sprigs of fresh thyme with kitchen twine and threw them in as well.

I covered the pot and brought it to a boil. I reduced it to a simmer and let it get happy for about five minutes. Then I added a pound of baby red potatoes and cooked them until just tender (maybe 10 minutes).

While they were cooking, I shucked four ears of Florida sweet corn and then snapped them in half. When the potatoes were ready, I threw in the sweet corn and cooked them five more minutes. Then I added the unpeeled shrimp and cooked that until the shrimp curled and turned pink (about two or three minutes).

When the shrimp were done, I immediately cut the heat off under the pot and added four cups of ice cubes (to stop the cooking process and keep the shrimp from getting rubbery). I let that steep about five minutes more.

I used my spyder to dig everything out and put it all on a half-sheet pan lined with paper towels (you are supposed to use newspapers, but I don’t get newspapers). I sorted through everything and filled a plate with shrimp, a few potatoes and two pieces of corn.

I went in and ate watching the Pirates of the Caribbean. It was messy (the food, not the movie), but excellent. It reminded me of a New England boil Jake and Carla made a few years ago (minus the lobster, crab and clams). I do admit to eating too much!

When they were cool, I put the leftover shrimp, potatoes and corn in the fridge and threw away the rest. I went to bed at 11:00, after closing all but two of the windows (I would regret that in the morning).