The McConnell family lived across the street from us for many years. Joe and Anne had three children – two boys and a girl – who were near the age of Perfect Daughter. They were great playmates.
One year Joe decided to offer his boys a penny apiece for each sweet gum ball they would pick up out of his yard. Now I don’t know what your experience is with sweet gum trees, but suffice it to say that while beautiful especially during Fall, they produce millions of these prickly 
little seedpods that are tremendously painful when stepped upon. I’ve busted my rear on more than one occasion just by stepping on them. Joe figured he had found a way to entertain the boys for the day while Anne and I were out shopping and saving money. It was a perfect plan until it wasn’t.
Graham and Russ decided to subcontract part of the job to Janet and Perfect Daughter who were the really diligent workers of the four. Hubby and Joe left the kiddos to their task and went in to watch the latest football game on TV. They were certain that their babysitting freedom had been assured.
I’m sure you are already starting to guess the ending to this 
cautionary tale. Between the four of them, and the other neighborhood recruits that became part-time employees, the Sweetgum Magnates managed to fill every bucket, pail, box and basket they could lay hands to. Joe McConnell paid up handsomely! (I wish I had pictures but Hubby and Joe were a tad too embarrassed to take any.)
The McConnells were transferred to Texas a few years later, and we missed seeing them so often. They left with us their recipe for a barbeque sauce for chicken, however, that we absolutely love. I’ve used it on pork and burgers, but it is best with chicken. It makes quite a bit but it keeps well in the refrigerator for several weeks. I usually just freeze what is leftover as it freezes well.
I like to make it up in the slow cooker and let it keep warm all day. The flavors improve as it ages. It’s awesomely good! We really don’t care as much for BBQ chicken prepared any other way.
Ingredients
- 12 tablespoons butter
- 20 ounces ketchup
- 10 ounces Heinz 57
- 5 ounces Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 4 ounces fresh lemon juice (I use Minute Maid frozen Lemon Juice.)
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1-3 large bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon (or more) freshly cracked black pepper
- 1/4 cupTabasco (to taste)
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- In a large stockpot, heat all ingredients over medium heat until the butter has melted.
- You may allow this to simmer for about 30 minutes or refrigerate until needed.
- Begin basting the grilled chicken during the last 20 minutes of grilling time.
- Baste and turn frequently.
- This chicken is delicious leftover. We will eat on this for lunch all week.
I am linking it to Lunchbox Love on Ultimate Recipe Swap.
It’s time to sign up for Crock Pot Wednesday. I’m eager to see what you have to say. Enter with Mister Linky below.
Linked to:
Labor Day, September 7, 2009 only
Wear your sports team logo to Chick-fil-A
from 10:30 a.m. to close, and get a
FREE Chick-fil-A Original Chicken Sandwich.
I love the story, buy your recipe really caught my fancy. It sounds delicious.
Oh I loved this post. OMG I can just imagine your husbands’ surprise when he came back and saw all of those sweetgum balls in buckets, bags or boxes. What a surprise it must have been. That’s what happens when they go to watch a football game, they get so involved in the game they don’t supervise what is going on. I bet he paid several pretty pennies. I too have had experiences with those darn balls. My in-laws had one of those trees, and they were the pits to have to go around pick up. Just the pits. I took several falls that I can remember, but they sure do look pretty painted and in potpourri arrangements. Love them for that. Have a wonderful Monday Labor Day. Country hugs sweetie, Sherry
Thanks for inviting me to Crock Pot Wednesdays! Wednesday nights are a rare night with my husband so he wil often cook or we will go out, but I think I might be able to try adding a crock pot meal once a week, maybe on another night. With a baby coming in a couple of months, I’m sure it will be a welcome change! Thanks again!
Thanks so much for coming by my blog & for entering the giveaway!
Sorry for the confusion on the twitter button. The big button is a download from shabbyblogs.com, to follow me on twitter click on the phrase *follow me on twitter* at the bottom of that section on the sidebar. That is confusing, I apologize:)
P.S. I’ll definitely be back for your Crockpot Wednesdays!
Thanks for inviting me to Crock Pot Wednesday! I’ll will definetely keep that in mind when I have a recipe to share. I tend to be the kind of cook that just throws things together, so I don’t know the exact ingredients.
Thanks for inviting me to participate in Crockpot Wednesdays. I linked up a crock pot recipe from July that I had that is delicious. I hope that’s okay. I don’t have any others that I’ve done recently to share or link up right now. As it continues to get cooler I’ll be doing more in my crock pot so I’ll keep this in mind when I have recipes to share. It might not hurt to remind me if I forget! 🙂
Your sauce sounds divine! I will definitely try it. Finally posted a crockpot recipe to share:) Have a blessed week!
Debbie, The story is so cute, I have never been around a sweet gum tree, but love the balls for decorations.
I haven’t been around on Wednesday, Roy is on a strict diet and I am trying to help by eating a lot of the same things he does.
I will be back when we lose the weight.
Barbara
What a cute story. When will men learn they can’t outsmart kids. Your sauce sounds great. We’re partial to a red tomato sauce too.
Stop by my kitchen when you get a chance. I’ve got a little something for you – my way of thanking you for your posts on Arkansas.
Sam
Sounds good!
Если врач знает название вашей болезни, это еще не значит, что он знает что это такое. Никогда не приписывай человеческой зловредности того, что можно объяснить обыкновенной глупостью. Человек может долго жить на деньги которые он ждет. Реальность это иллюзия вызываемая отсутствием алкоголя. Женщины едят за разговорами, мужчины едят заедой.
The sauce looks good. I often make BBQ sauce on the stove top, but have never tried in the crock pot.
Ok, what is my experience with sweetgum balls? Ummm… what is a sweetgum ball?
I know what a gumball is– you get those out of machines and chew on them. But sweetgum balls? Not for this New Jersey girl. 🙂
The BBQ sauce looks amazing; I’ve never made my own, but I may dig out the crockpot and give it a try!
Cass
Great story and the sauce sounds delicious! I am trying to make more things from scratch, so this could fit the bill for bbq sauce!
What a fun story…wonder how much their industriousness cost Joe? LOL
! I finally found time to play in your blog party…what fun! Your BBQ sauce sounds wonderful…I’ll try it soon.
Hi Debbie, sounds like a yummy sauce… I’ll be over when I get my crock pot out, it’s still so hot here!
Thanks for sharing that cute story and your delicious sounding barbecue sauce recipe! My hubby loves most anything barbecued so I will have to try this one! 🙂
The recipe looks delish! Thanks for inviting me over, I posted a roast beef recipe that I made yesterday:) I’m relatively new to the posting on others blogs, but I am sooo enjoying it, lol!!
Blessings,
Cara
Thanks for hosting, all the recipes look so good!
Sorry Debbie, I am pretty new to all of this and haven’t figured out Mr Linky- not even Ms Linky. I will get it together some day.
Great recipe! Thanks for sharing.
We love BBQ chicken, we will definitely have to try this sauce. As for my Monkey Brains recipe, you can definitely sub any brand of sausage that you can get locally.
Thanks for inviting me to crock pot Wednesday! Wednesdays are normally my day for slow cooker meals, but I did not even update this past Wednesday. I’ll try next week.
I love BBQ. This recipe looks great.
I’ll try to send my mom over here to read that story about your husband and neighbor.
What a great post — a funny story served with a great BBQ recipe! Thanks for sharing.
XO,
Sheila 🙂