Grippo’s Potato Chips

If you are a regular reader of my blog, you know that food is a big part of my life experience. I love food and I love to collect special things to eat….especially those things that are specialties of certain parts of the country. 

Grippo's - The Very Best BBQ Chip Ever

I grew up in Evansville, IN. One of the things that I love about visiting Evansville is the chance to eat at places that I really love with my family. There is a list of places that I have to try and eat every time I visit as well as some things I have to grab from the grocery store and bring home with me. At the very top of that list…..Grippo’s BBQ Potato Chips.

I love BBQ Grippo’s. They are absolutely addictive. The BBQ flavor is unlike any bbq chip I have ever had. It is bold, spicy and awesome! I have to confess that I am addicted. Seriously addicted! Kim and I both have to be very careful when we have them in the house. One of my favorite things to do when I get home from work is sit down with a bag and watch ESPN. Usually, before I even realize it, I have made a serious dent in the bag and have ruined my dinner. 

I have had the chance to test this theory many times over the years. We try to always keep a stockpile of Grippo’s on hand just in case friends come over or we have some kind of impromptu get together. Let me tell you the story of one of our friends….we’ll call this person “MJ.” I remember this friend being at our house for a meal where we served Grippo’s. “MJ” really enjoyed them and even took a bag home. As the story goes, “MJ” even took them up to bed for a late night snack before going to sleep that night.

I have tons of stories just like that one.

Grippo’s are produced in Cincinnati. OH where the company, billed as “The Original Fun Food Company” has been family owned and producing these good treats since 1919.

On a recent trip to Evansville I became aware of another Grippo’s story. Growing up there were always rumors that some of the chips were “double dipped” in the spicy coating that makes them so special. I had always put that story in the same category as Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster. But, on this trip I can tell you that my friend Sam confirmed that this is not just a myth but also a truism of Grippo’s lore that he has seen with his own two eyes. Grippo’s come in foil bags or boxes. Apparently some of the boxes are given this special treatment in production and though there aren’t very many of them, the occasional Grippo’s box is emblazoned with the “Double Dipped” stamp right on the bottom of the box. They are extremely rare and hard to find though. If you are interested I would encourage you to develop a friendship with your local grocery store manager to test the theory and see if he or she can hook you up with a box of double dipped goodness. 

Grippo's New BBQ Spice

I am also pleased to say that Grippo’s is now offering their BBQ spice all on it’s own. You can purchase Grippo’s New Gourmet BBQ Spice on their web-site or anywhere that Grippo’s are sold. I bought 7 of them and intend to try it out as soon as I possibly can! If it follows in the form of the chips I can only imagine what it will do to burgers & steaks!!

Have you tried it yet? If so, give me some feedback in the comments section.

In the meantime, thanks for reading. If you have never had Grippo’s before you can order them online through their web-site or you can make a trip to Evansville on Cincinnati or some other place where they are sold.

Worship Matters – Easter Weekend 2009 at MPCC

 

Easter Sunday, 2009, Mt. Pleasant Christian Church

I do not have the words to fully express my gratitude for our team for their hearts & leadership this past weekend. I have been involved in worship music for most of my life and I have never, ever been a part of a more exciting and vibrant worship experience!!!!! On all fronts…each and every one of you did a fantastic job of leading the people in a dynamic worship experience. Thank you for your positive attitudes and flexibility too.

As your Worship & Arts Pastor I can tell you today that Kim and I could not be more proud of each of you. As we drove home yesterday we spent most of the afternoon recounting moments from the services that just made us smile from ear to ear. There are pictures posted on Facebook that Chris Williams took. They are great and I hope that you get a chance to see them. As we looked at them Kim kept saying, “Wow, look at those expressions of worship & communication!” You guys literally reached out into the pews with your smiles and worship and engaged those people in a dynamic and life changing worship experience. 

I am so grateful for each of you. Both on the platform and behind the scenes you knocked it out of the park!

I don’t know if most of you have ever been involved in planning worship services or not. I can tell you that as a planner, you may work for weeks or months on creative ideas or moments that you feel very strongly about. It takes an entire team working together to pull those off. The musical elements are the things that everybody sees and understands. But, behind the scenes there are countless hours of meetings and hard work that go into making all of the technical aspects of services “go.” I thought our tech team did an absolutely outstanding job this weekend. These services were as complex and coordinated as anything I have ever been a part of and they made it happen!!!!! Thanks to these behind the scenes folks for doing outstanding work!

Kim, ending the Easter service with "In Christ Alone"

As Kim and I talked yesterday we have come to a realization: God plans to build something extraordinary at MPCC! I think that this weekend gave all of us a glimpse into just what can be possible as we head into the future together. We are thrilled to be here and look forward to making this journey with each of you!

THANK YOU FOR A FANTASTIC EASTER CELEBRATION!!!!!!!!!!

You Are Loved,

Brian & Kim

Easter Worship at MPCC, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Praise Team leading in worship

 

 

 

The MPCC Choir Singing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leading Easter Worship

 

 

 

 

Chris Philbeck, Sr Pastor, sharing God's Word

Worship Matters – 4.6.09

Yesterday at MPCC was the final day in our “Cross Words” sermon series on the words of Jesus from the cross. We dealt with the death of Jesus as He said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” This has been such a sobering study and I am grateful for Pastor Chris’s leadership and teaching.

Given the dramatic theme of the day we chose to go unplugged with our worship set, using piano, 2 acoustic guitars, percussion & a string section along with 4 vocalists. It turned out to be a powerful worship experience for those of us on the platform and, I trust, a moving experience for the congregation as well. 

One of the songs we used is called “Grace Flows Down,” which was new to me. I have been singing the lyrics in my mind all weekend. It paints a powerful picture of an aspect of the cross that we probably don’t think about all that often. It was so moving to listen to the congregation worship through this song.

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound.
Amazing love now flowing down;
from hands and feet that were nailed to the tree,
as grace flows down and covers me.

It covers me.
It covers me.
It covers me,
and covers me.

This song, has given me a refreshed perspective on the cross that I really needed to be reminded of. At the center of the Easter drama with all of its’ violence and emotion is Jesus, simply loving us by His grace and mercy. He is doing what He came to do, for you and for me.

I am amazed and I am grateful. From an overwhelmed and grateful child to a loving Father…..Thank You.

You can check out the video of us doing “Grace Flows Down” from this past weekend by clicking here (video is in the lower right corner).

My Random Thoughts – 4.2.09

Here are some random thoughts on a cool & rainy April day in Indiana.

Greek Belly Dancer, Santorini's Greek Kitchen - Indianapolis

I think that for some reason I am becoming addicted to Greek food. No idea why, I just can’t seem to get enough. Check out the moves from this belly dancer from last Friday night at Santorini’s Greek Kitchen in Indy. Seriously, put that up there with one of my all-time least favorite jobs. There is literally no way I would do this.

I think that the beach is calling. I just seem to relax on the beach at levels that I can’t reach in other places. Heading into Easter the work pace is catching up with me.

I think that it is time for baseball season and I am stoked. Go Cards! Go Pujols!

I think this weekend at MPCC is going to be dynamic and powerful. All acoustic with strings, acoustic guitars, piano & percussion. I am excited about it and am praying that God will us it to impact lives as we talk about Jesus’ final words from the cross.

I think that I love spring. I cannot wait to play golf. There is something very healing about time outside chasing a little white ball around.

I think well, actually I know that I could eat an entire bag of Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs in one sitting. That is horrible and I know that I would feel horrible physically after doing it. But still, it calls to me!

I think that good friends that you can trust with your innermost thoughts are very rare and hard to find. I am grateful for mine.

I think that this lyric is just about as good as it gets (from “This Is Our God” by Travis Cottrell):

Who is this One who will not condemn us? Why would He come to shoulder our sentence?
Nothing we’ve done will keep Him from giving us grace.
Who is this One? We watch and we’re speechless. God’s only Son embracing our weakness.
He overcomes all death and He frees us to live.

This is our God, suffering an dying. Call Him the Hero redeeming the lost.
This is our God, love sacrificing, all that is holy accepting our cross.

Hallelujah, this is our God!

 I think that the longer I live the more important my family is to me.

I think that time management is a crucial skill to learn in ministry. Without it you will not survive.

I think that this dude is scary talented. I mean a genuine freak-of-nature and God given musical genius. I leave you with Raul Midon singing, “State Of Mind.” Enjoy and if you take the time to watch it you will not be sorry (total run time is 3:45).