So, while it's no secret to some of you that we're on a competition BBQ team with my brother, Chad and his wife Nicole, there are some of you who wanted more information on this subject, so here ya go..........

This is where the magic happens

A few years ago, Chad started to develop an interest in smoking meats which turned into an interest in building smokers, which led to mass amounts of delicious food being cooked over at the Backerman house. Soon, it was decided that a team needed to be formed in order to begin to compete around our region. The name Caveman Cuisine was created after we all were sitting around after feasting on ribs, pulled pork and brisket- my husband said we had eaten like cavemen (all meat, no veggies!).... and the name Caveman Cuisine was born. It's kind of turned into a "family thing" and we all go to as many comps as our schedules allow. This year we're trying to go to at least 10 events over the spring and summer....and we've launched the 2009 season in a BIG way!


Our first competition of the year was in Pleasant Hill, Missouri (near KC) where there were 47 teams. We won the Grand Champion!! Individual category rankings were: 4th in chicken, 2nd in ribs, 7th in pork, and 15th in brisket.Here are some pics:

(Keep in mind we were all looking a little "rough" around the edges because we'd been cooking all day, it was cold and windy, and we were exhausted!)

The next competiton was in Rogers, Arkansas where we placed 2nd overall, snagging the title of Reserve Grand Champion! Our individual rankings in each category were: 1st place in chicken, 3rd place in ribs, 3rd place in pork, and 3rd place in brisket. (Note to Nicki: I need a pic of the trophy to post on here!!)

Our 3rd comp was this past weekend in Bixby, Oklahoma where we placed 5th out of 89 teams.....(for those of you who were told 5th out of 91, sorry....my mistake. There were a few teams that must not have showed up.) We placed 1st in pork and 3rd in chicken- and here are a few photos from Bixby...

(Nicki accepted the award for 1st place pork!)

Brett and Nicki on the trailer

As of last week (the results from this past weekend aren't included yet in overall rankings...) Caveman Cuisine was 54th in the State of Missouri out of close to 1300 teams! Not shabby for a team that's only 3 years old! Our next competition is the first weekend in June in Sallisaw, Oklahoma. Anyone up for a road trip? If you would like to check out the Caveman website, go to www.cavemancuisinebbq.com .

Here's our tentative schedule for 2009:

1. Pleasant Hill, Missouri (Smokin' on Big Creek)
2. Rogers, Arkansas
3. May 8-9 Bixby, Oklahoma (Bixby BBQ & Music Festival)
4. June 5-6 Sallisaw, Oklahoma (Diamond Daze Festival)
5. June 12-13 Joplin, Missouri (2nd Annual Braggin' Rights)
6. July 18 Fort Smith, Arkansas (Bordertown Bash)
7. July 31-August 1 Iola, Kansas (Riverside BBQ Classic)
8. August 14-15 Springfield, Missouri (Cattleman's Ozark BBQ Challenge)
9. September 11-12 Butler, Missouri (Bates County BBQ)
10. October 1-4 Kansas City, Missouri (American Royal)
11. October 9-10 Golden City, Missouri (Rock n' BBQ)
12. October 23 Lynchburg, Tennessee (Jack Daniels Invitational)-- if we qualify

We'd LOVE to have you join us if you're looking for something fun to do and enjoy great BBQ!

Absence makes the heart grow fonder?

As cliche' as it may be to apologize for a blogging absence, I'm doing it. Emilee (my 17 year-old baby girl) is to receive the credit for pulling me out of the depths of "blog-neglect"! I guess I figured that I'd been away for so long that I couldn't possibly come up with any worthy excuse for not posting new material...so I'm not even going to try! I WILL tell you we've been busy...we've:

1. Entered the season of BBQ competitions (you'll be hearing a LOT about that)

2. Had quite a bit of company recently

3. Experienced some sadness/grief due to the loss of a family member on either side, as well as a family friend

4. Started planning the garden

And 5. Of course I've been doing my "Walgreen's Thing".

This week I plan on blogging about the Caveman Cuisine competition BBQ team that we're on with my brother, Chad and his wife, Nicki....as well as post a schedule of our upcoming competitions- so if any of you are in the area and would like to come chill and experience for yourself the wonders of the grillmaster, you can! You may think I'm biased, but the numbers speak for themselves- this is the BEST BBQ you'll ever taste!

I'll give an update on what I see as the best bargains around town to help your pantry grow...

And hopefully I'll have my garden planted, weather permitting, and post some pics of the great things happening in my yard. Flowers are blooming all over the place and the lilys are looking spectacular!

As always, if there is anything I can help you with while you're planning your shopping trips- leave your question as a comment and I'll do everything I can to address your request!

I promise to be back soon...

Stomach flu....and the disappearance of KFC.

Ever since I was a little girl
If I didn't feel well Mom would fix
Mashed potatoes and gravy.

Homemade, with lots of love
Until realizing how easy it was
To just visit the Colonel.

"I need a large potatoes and gravy, please."
She'd say through the speaker
Money paid, change returned, comfort on the way.

Colds and flu, aches and pains, wisdom teeth
From small girl to almost grown
That steaming red and white container held medicine.

Now thirty-eight years old, I have the flu.
First thoughts are of Mom and long ago
She'd come if I'd call.

But KFC is gone- no explanation except a sign
That states but one solitary word
"Closed"... only a memory remains.

Haven't left the house in days....(What's going on at Wags this week?)

Unfortunately, due to the inclement weather and the fact that my husband thought it best to take the car to work the past few mornings (rather than his usual "beast" affectionately known to all as Big Sexy), I've found myself stranded at home....unable to shop. I DID get out on Sunday afternoon to take advantage of a few of this week's bargains. Here are the things I was most interested in:



Colgate 2-N-1 toothpaste- $2.99
Use $1.50 Colgate coupon= $1.49 (out of pocket)
Receive $2 Register Reward, resulting in .51 cent overage!





Garnier Nutrisse Hair Color (clearance)- $3.19
Use $2.00 manufacturer's coupon= $1.19
Use $2.00 Easy Saver coupon= .81 cent overage!
(I bought several of these for the Valentine's gifts for Lafayette House)





Excedrin 20-24 count- $3.99 BOGOfree
Use 2 $2 manufacturer's coupons= .01 cent overage!





Dove deodorant- $1.99 (with ad coupon), buy 2, = $3.98
Use $1.50/2 manufacturer's coupon= $2.48/2
$1.24 each





Reynolds Foil- .89 cents (with ad coupon)
Use $1/1 manufacturer's coupon= .11 cent overage





And that's just about it for me! I plan on stopping by Walgreen's this evening, or maybe fit it into tomorrow's schedule, but all in all, I'm not just dying to get to the store for this week's sales. But! This is the last week for the January Easy Saver catalog, so I am thinking I should take advantage of the "Free After Rebate" items for the month. By purchasing them at the end of the month, I don't have to wait so long to get my money back! I dunno....it's just so hard for me to pass up free products.........