Rib-off

The two rib-off competitors Tyler Hansen and Dan Thomas exchange friendly banter before the ribs are tasted.

One night my co-worker Dan Thomas and Tyler began a discussion on who could grill up better ribs — so it's only fair that a competition had to take place. Since Dan is from the South, he had a lot of Southern pride riding on his shoulders.


Mr. Thomas tries to impress the judges with some appetizers before the ribs are done.

So we invited everyone we knew, and since my mom was in town she made her potato salad. We all feasted on ribs, beans and potato salad until we couldn't pick up another rib. It was glorious.


Mr. Hansen places his three-day cured ribs in the smoker.

We declared the rib-off a tie, so now Dan and Tyler have a new challenge ahead of them: Wings.

Nap time

Last year

A year ago today my Auntie Carol died. It's weird for me to think that it's been that long, and how much change has occurred in my life since that day.

My mom is taking a road trip from Portland, Ore. with our good family friend Beulah. My aunt, mom and Beulah always took time off during the summer to go on fun adventures — they started it when Zack and I were little, and they continued it when we got too old and had summer jobs. It's hard for me to think that they're coming down here without my aunt — because I know she would have been the first one to suggest it. I'm excited they're coming on Friday, but it's going to make me miss my aunt even more.

Those three always had too much fun together. We'd all laugh until we cried on all of the camping trips I ever went on, and I know they had even more uncensored fun when the kids stopped attending.

She'd be thrilled to know I'm actually employed in the profession I went to school for, that Tyler is doing well and that we have two puppies. She was very supportive of everything I did, and always took my side — only if I wasn't being a brat.

I will always keep Auntie Carol with me wherever I go; whether it's to New York, San Francisco or anywhere. I still have her house key on my key ring, and I always will.

And he's getting bigger

Aspen and Moses take a break by our front steps before coming inside. Moses weighs in at 25 lbs and is only 10-weeks-old. His sharp teeth are already making their mark on anything we leave out.

This week Moses learned to go up and down the stairs, which is great because he's getting a little too big to haul up and down the steps every time he needs to go to the bathroom.

Tyler's working hard at his creative, tasty specials, and once in a wile he'll bring them home. He cooked up a sea bass napoleon with beets, corn and goat cheese, accented with a red wine reduction and a truffle vinaigrette. It's was one of the most creative things I've seen him make, and one of the tastiest. I had planned to take a picture of it because the presentation was beautiful with all of the different colors the dish had, but the thought quickly my brain after my hungry eyes saw it.

My job kept me busy with celebrity golf the other week. It was a cool learning experience trying to figure out which celebrities would actually talk to me and give me good quotes. I learned Emmitt Smith is a jerk in real life (no wonder he played for the Cowboys), and that Joe Buck is a one cool dude who I want to invite to a barbecue sometime. And for all you Bronco fans out there, I saw Elway and Shanahan, but not Cutler.

We just signed a new lease to the place across the street from us, which starts in September. It has three floors, three bedrooms, a rec room, washer and dryer, two full bathrooms, lots of counter space and a GAS STOVE! Plus we have a great view of the Carson Valley, lots of deck space, lots of natural light and vaulted ceilings. Our current landlord owns the place too so he's just letting us switch over there — current deposit and all. Tyler's friend Quinn is moving down here, and he's going to live with us. Now we'll have lots of room to accommodate people when they come to visit us.

Sir Charles Moses Bigson

Moses is here!

It was quite a fun drive on the way home yesterday. Tyler wanted me to drive so he could hold Moses for the 2 1/2 hours it took to get home. Well Moses isn't used to long car rides, and he had a big breakfast that morning. As we rolled into Sacramento, Moses puked all over Tyler. We had to pull over and clean up. Tyler's shorts were too gross to wear, so he decided to just wear his underwear on the way back.

About 45 minutes later, Moses decided to puke on Tyler again, thus soiling all of Tyler's clothing. We managed to make it home without anymore incidents.

Aspen is getting along well with her new brother. She wants to play a little too rough sometimes, but she is liking her new playmate.

Executive Sous Chef Tyler H. Hansen

Tyler displays his herb marinated filet mignon with caramelized onion rosti, roasted portabella mushroom, accented with a pinot shallot demi-glace.

In spirit of our Independence Day

Could you pass the new U.S. citizenship test? It's fun for the whole family.

I barely scored an 85 percent — just earning my keep here in the country.

Many hikes and preparing for a puppy

Aspen and I check out Moses' crate.

So in preparation for Moses' arrival on Saturday, we decided to buy a crate for housebreaking purposes. I don't think it's going to be big enough. Tyler can fit in it too!

We've both been hiking a lot, but unfortunately not with each other. Because of our opposite schedules, we don't have time to go on trips together. When summer begins to slow down, we'll be able to go camping and hiking then — plus less people will be on the trails.

Here are the pictures Tyler and I took: