Fabulous Food Fridays

Have I mentioned my hubby’s a fabulous cook?  And he loves to experiment with food.  Because I have problems eating gluten, he’s always modifying recipes.

My favorite pull apart pork – had to twist his arm to get his recipe.

1 pork shoulder roast or pork loin

Make some narrow slits through the fat layer in the meat about an inch apart – this helps the fat render.  Rub with with salt, pepper, and garlic.  Add a shake of Tabasco and little Worcestershire.

You can change up the seasonings with barbecue sauce, applesauce, chicken stock, brown sugar – you name it – all different options.

Place the seasoned pork fat side up in an airtight baking container – we use a large stainless steel stew pot with a glass lid.  Wrap foil around the edge of the container to seal in moisture.  A little water or broth can be added to the container – we don’t.  The rendered drippings in the sealed container keep the roast moist.

Bake at 200 degrees for 1 hour per pound.  Let it rest 30-45 minutes.

I love this with everything – pulled pork and eggs for breakfast, pulled pork over veggies, pulled pork rolled up in a corn tortilla, MMMMM.

I love having a husband who likes to cook!

 

Taxes are done…

I’m really glad six years ago I decided when I became a landlord / business owner I was going to pay someone to do my taxes.  I’ve always done my taxes before – never been complicated enough not to do it myself.  But being both an owner occupier and business owner changed things.  There’s itemized business expenses, basis points (still not sure how they work) and such.  Every year I’m glad that I don’t do them – but I do spreadsheet all my expenses – utilities, advertisement costs, loss, profit, etc. and just take it to my tax preparer.  So I do the leg work and she fills in the right blanks to get us the best return.

But I have to admit – I’m looking forward to not being a landlord in a few years.  Nice change.

Yep Aunt Judy – We will try to sell the fourplex.  If we’re unable to sell, we may put it into the hands of a property management company.  The building will pay for itself.  We’d initially put any profit into a maintenance savings account, it’d be awhile before we had “profit” but it would continue to generate equity.

Okay that’s enough.. I’m tired.    Still working lots of over time.  I had a real good day today – I think I’m helping to improve my company.  We work hard at our site to educate our CSR’s to really use critical thinking when disecting an insurance claim.  I spent an hour on the phone with my supervisor in MN today going over 3 months of questions I’ve tracked that my team asks me and my answers.  It was good conversation – gave her a real idea of where there may be room for more education across the company.  I don’t think they realized that a lot of CSR’s just pass the buck – but I try to hold my crew accountable – if you don’t know the answer, you need to ask.  They’re going to implement some training and I’m glad – should be a good thing .

Probably TMI… I’m looking forward to a break sometime this summer.  Hoping to do some camping.  I can use a break.  Night all.

What’s new? What’s not….

 

Hmmm… what am I up to now?  I’m not happy unless I’m outlining the next 5 years of my life and making sure I’m on track.  Ha.  Luckily I have a husband who likes to cease the day and can always bring me back to the here and now.

What's new? 

I’m a great aunt to Jaylin Griffith, born the same day my wonderful Grandmother left this earth.

I’m pretty sure I’m getting a 4% raise, not bad for this economy, no complaints here.

We’ve torn out the flooring in the kitchen and I think I like the reddish marbled linoleum underneath – does that make me retro?

My husband likes guns – well that’s nothing new.  We have a few new home protection items that make my husband feel secure, but also provide enjoyment on the weekends.

I might be moving in a few  years to the lower 48, I’m thinking Utah right now, but we’ll see where we land later.

What’s not?

Well we have an upcoming vacancy in May – that’s kind of new.  But it’s the same old thing – irresponsible tenants, this one a single military man.

Taxes – nothing new there, finally done and submitted.

Kitties still cuddly.

Parents still fun to be with – love to play cards with them on the weekends, trying to twist their arms for a weekend camping trip.