Happy 4th of July, and happy 125th birthday to Lady Liberty!

Dear Readers,

Happy 4th of July, and happy 125th birthday to Lady Liberty!

For your enjoyment, Brad Paisley's Welcome To The Future. 

When I was ten years old
I remember thinking how cool it would be
When we were going on an eight-hour drive
If I could just watch TV
And I'd have given anything
To have my own Pac-Man game at home
I used to have to get a ride down to the arcade
Now I've got it on my phone

Chorus:
Hey, glory, glory, hallelujah
Welcome to the future

My grandpa was in World War 2
He fought against the Japanese
He wrote a hundred letters to my grandma
Mailed them from his base in the Philippines
I wish they could see this now
The world they saved has changed you know
'Cause I was on a video chat this morning
With a company in Tokyo

Chorus:
Hey, everyday's a revolution
Welcome to the future

Hey, look around it's all so clear
Hey, wherever we were going, well we're here
Hey, so many things I never thought I'd see
Happening right in front of me

I had a friend in school
Running back on the football team
They burned a cross in his front yard
For asking out the homecoming queen
I thought about him today
And everybody who'd seen what he'd seen
From a woman on a bus
To a man with a dream

Chorus:
Hey, wake up Martin Luther
Welcome to the future
Hey, glory, glory, hallelujah
Welcome to the future

[Thanks to Branden & Ashley Kittle, Alexandre Silva for lyrics]

[Thanks to Mike Mc Donald, Dan Kelly, Rue for corrections]

Kosher Tex-Mex Barbecue Craving

Every once in a while I get a serious craving for barbecue. Not because I love it so - no. More because I'm a nut job. Anyway, that's another story altogether. Back to the food. I'm always craving this food, but know that I generally have only a handful of options since I don't eat pork and eat chicken every once in a while. I wanted ribs so I begged the hubby to find a good restaurant within a reasonable driving distance from our place *aka a maximum of 10 hours ;)*. He delivered with Smokey Joe's Kosher Tex-Mex Barbeque.

I. Kid. You. Not. Kosher Tex-Mex. Even if I wasn't in the mood for ribs, there was no way I would have passed up the chance to experience Kosher Tex-Mex.

We took the drive to Teaneck, NJ barely able to contain our excitement - when I say we, I really mean me. Hubby's not as easily impressed. Anyway, it was as interesting as I thought it would be. Outside of the waitstaff, we were the only non-Jewish individuals in the restaurant. Nothing new. We're used to being "the only ________" almost everywhere that we go.

Dinner was good, but the experience was better. The best part being listening to the yarmulke-wearing-20-somethings singing Rihana's Umbrella as they left their table. I. Love. America.

Cornbread and Onion Jam Spread. Oh this was so tasty --- especially if you're like me and like the chunks of corn in your bread.

Appetizer: Sausage Sampler. We chose the Lamb Merguez and the Turkey Sage. I'm still salivating over the lamb. According to hubby, we're going back just so he can get a Sausage Sampler as his main course.

Dinner (Mine): BBQ Sampler Plate. I chose the Brisket and Chicken option and added the Rice and Beans as a side. Hubby at my chicken because I didn't really like it. I enjoyed the brisket, although I would have preferred the traditional Jewish one (they were out). I would not recommend the side.

Dinner (Hubby): Homemade Meatloaf. I pretty much devoured his meatloaf. I loved it so.

Next time we go, we're taking the whole family - on my hubby's side. Maybe, he'll wear his Star Wars shirt again. We can only hope.