Great BBQ real close by

A while back, I bought an issue of Minnesota Monthly magazine to read on an air flight. The cover and feature story was on the best BBQ places to eat in Minnesota. Imagine how surprised I was to find that #5 was Louie's Bucket of Bones in Ironton, just 16 miles east of Brainerd!

Well, Peggy and I put this adventure on our list of things to do....


After our day at the beach of Lake Mille Lacs, walking around Aitkin, enjoying coffee and great scenery, we was a hungering.

We decided to head back home to Brainerd on 210 and go through Ironton to this little gem.

It is small in size, but not in attitude!

We were greeted by the owner, and she explained, since this was our first visit, her preparation techniques, let us smell the rub blend used on the meats and then explained the different styles of ribs and bbq offered.

It smelled fabulous in the place!... we had Scooter and Charlie along, and they were happy to seat us on the patio with them, gave them water and turned up the blues so we could hear the music outside.

I had 1/2 rack of St Louis style ribs, sweet and sticky with spice, the best Texas Toast ever, Jo Jo's and baked beans. Peggy had a similar platter with their special Catfish.... it was all beyond delicious.

The owner soon came out and gave me a lesson and demo "Jo Jo's 101" on how to cut, fluff and fill the potato delights with sour cream and her "bistro sauce".

We had a messy ball eating and watching the traffic go through this small town... we were brought big moist towels to wipe ourselves as we ate... awesome.

As we prepared to leave, I went inside, hugged the owner and said "we'll be back", to which she replied "everyone comes back"....

I've got bread baking, the AC is keeping the house comfortable, and just finished hooking up and installing our printer. I'll be picking green beans too, a quick check in the garden this morning revealed LOTS ready.

I made pulled pork, a Waldorf salad and blueberry bread puddin' to share at Oak St Chapel last night, and we'll be enjoying leftovers tonight!

I went outside a few times this morning, the grass with the heat and rain we've had, needs mowing again, and it is like a pressure cooker out there... moist heavy heat with no breeze... whew, we'll be drinking lots of cool water today! I've got some work and putzing to do in the garage, then a work-out... a cool shower later is gonna feel great!

Life and our Love continue to be blessed as we grow together in our Faith......

Peace!