Cooking shortribs with a reflection of me in the foreground.

A good day for Jacobhouse.

1 Comment / Jacobhouse / By

12/20/19

(Above: A reflection of myself on the front pane of the smoker. Foil-wrapped short ribs can be seen beyond the glass.)

Active Summary: This morning began with my starting the chip-burn on the electric smoker. I next performed my daily calisthenics, about 30 minutes of writing, and then placed yesterday’s spice-rubbed shortribs into the smoker. A ride around the beef pasture followed which in turn was ensued by the preparation of calf-treatments*. The next portion of the morning was spent tending to Jacobhouse maintenance which included: giving the garden a thorough weeding/raking, re-placing the doorstop on the front deck, performing the weekly cleaning inside, and taking out the trash for the first time (for the first time while living here… apparently, I don’t generate much refuse). After maintenance was complete, I wrapped the shortribs in foil to keep them moist for the remainder of cooking, I took pictures of Jacobhouse to compile into a virtual ‘tour’ that will be placed on the front of Find Walden, and I wrote for an additional 35 minutes.

(6:06 Update:) The afternoon activities consisted of tending to a Master Blend beef order**, venturing down to the Harbison Farm Market to procure produce, putting away said produce, and then returning to Jacobhouse where I did a short rest before venturing out to perform a beef pasture check with Padre.

TIL: Today I learned how to smoke shortribs in the electric smoker.

Method:

  1. Initiate chip burn and set the temperature to 225 F.
  2. Place the spice-rubbed short ribs directly onto the smoker’s central rack (after the machine says to).
  3. Cook for 2.5 to 3 hours uncovered, spritzing infrequently – every 30-50 minutes – with a mixture of red wine vinegar.
  4. Spritz one last time at the 2.5-3 hour mark and then wrap the ribs in foil.
  5. Cook for another 2.5-3 hours on the same temperature of 225 F.
  6. Pull the ribs out and let set for 5-15 minutes.
  7. Unwrap and enjoy!

Commentary: Fridays are a good day for Jacobhouse. I know this because whenever I am done cleaning my abode it looks and smells almost exactly as it did when I moved in two months ago – shiny and neat with a scent that can only be described as ‘clean and fresh’. It still only takes about 25-35 minutes to clean this place, and I have a feeling that the duration will not become any longer so long as I maintain a regular schedule (which I very much intend to do). Here are the pictures I took for the slideshow that will go on the front page of Find Walden:   

  • The front of Jacobhouse.
    The front of Jacobhouse, complete with its unique expanded metal deck, robust wooden rails, and steel-reinforced sail-shade.
  • The North side of Jacobhouse.
    The north side – home to the utility pole and to the garden entrance.
  • East side of Jacobhouse.
    East side – the office window that allows for an excellent view of the garden.
  • The garden.
    Jacobhouse’s flourishing garden.
  • The north side.
    The north side is plain, because it becomes extremely toasty in the summertime.
  • Jacobhouse kitchen.
    The kitchen within Jacobhouse is home to most of the abode’s appliances: air-conditioner, washer/dryer combo, instant hot water heater (under counter), full-sized electric range, full-sized fridge, oven hood, and microwave. The stainless steel table on the left makes for an excellent preparation and eating surface (though I still need a stool or two!).
  • West side of the bathroom.
    The west side of the bathroom is home to the toilet and a wall-closet.
  • Bathroom, east side.
    The east side of the bathroom belongs to the shower-pod.
  • Bedroom from the west side.
    A glance at the bedroom from the central hall (looking east).
  • Another glance at the bedroom.
    Another glance at the bedroom, this time looking west. (The pocket door seen halfway down the hall belongs to the bathroom.)
  • Slide-out wardrobe west side.
    The slide-out wardrobe allows me to store almost all of my clothes in a compact area.
  • Slide-outwardrobe from the East.
    This pull-out can also act as a privacy barrier for getting dressed!
  • The last room.
    The final room within Jacobhouse is the office – a chamber that can feel completely open with the presence of such sizeable windows, yet can also be made to feel cozy if the curtains are drawn shut.

Final Note: Sunday or later today, I will be venturing to the Farm Market. I say Sunday-or-later-today because I intend to take an ‘inside morning’ tomorrow where I will be able to enjoy some creative writing and playing some Path of Exile. Also, if the weather is anything like today’s, I will be able to open the screen door.

*Whenever there are fluctuations in weather/temperature, it is beneficial to have extra calf treatments on-hand.

** An exceptionally hefty order of filet and picanha (both of which I sold for $25.00 per pound to a happy customer).

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