Turkey Day

Happy Turkey Day!!

Jim and I had an unusual start to our Thanksgiving festivities this year - We actually killed our dinner!  We were introduced to a local farmer at a fundraiser back in October and reserved two heritage turkeys for the holidays.  We were invited to participate in the humane killing and preparation of the birds.  So on the snowy, wind blowy Sunday before Thanksgiving we went out to the farm for a lesson in Turkey Killing.  On our way we picked up another person in town to help, so there was five of us that day on the farm. (including the farmer)

Me & Jenny

I caught our first bird with ease.  "Jenny" (yes, I named her) was content in my arms to go for a walk.  I thanked her in advance for the delicious meal she would later provide for us.

Me & Jim

We hung the birds upside down.  This rushs the blood to their heads and they become very calm.

Farmer Ed 

After we pithed their brains, which numbs them by poking their brain through the roof of their mouth, we slit their throats and let them bleed out.  Then it was into a hot water bath and a "combing" of their feathers against the grain.  This loosens them for easier plucking.

 

We plucked and gutted outside with freezing hands.  Then I moved inside for the final rinsing and cleaning as instructed by the farmer's wife.

 

Our gracious farmer's wife had a delicious lunch of turkey vegetable soup with homemade bread and cookies waiting for us at noon.  True farmer style, feed the help!

 

He sells his birds to many locals who do not care to partake in the processing, so we helped him put up a total of seven turkeys that blustery day.  He said that was the farm record!  Usually, it is only him and his wife doing all the work.  He was grateful for the help.

 

The best turkey we ever tasted and it was nice to be involved from start to finish.  Someday we hope to expand the process even further by raising our own turkeys.

 

After a week and about a dozen failed picture uploads (sideways, upside down, lost connections, etc.) I decided to just post this story as is.  My guess is that it is the universe doesn't want pictures of us actually plucking, gutting or anything else that might be considered gross by some people.

 

Hope you had a memorable Thanksgiving!

Sixth Anniversary

I am a bit traditional when it comes to some things.  Wedding anniversaries is one of them.  So when our Sixth was approaching I did a little research and found out the traditional and modern gift options.

Traditional: Candy

Modern: Wood or Iron

So I set about planning and creating a gift that would combine all of these elements and have sentimental value as well.  I choose a very old (and large, draft horse maybe?) horseshoe which was dug up on the property where we will build our new home next year.  I gathered pine needles from the yard of our current house.  Then with the help of an Internet savvy friend ordered Jim's favorite candy.  Who knew that Peach Jolly Ranchers were so hard to find? ( I actually did not know this was his candy dish candy of choice until we were on our hike.)

I started assembling the candy dish on the anniversary of the day Jim proposed.  I carried it along and worked on it during our great Colorado Trail hike - which despite the weight of our packs anyway Jim teased me about bringing along a horseshoe.  I told him when he wasn't looking I was going to sneak it into his pack!  He watched me work on it and was unaware it was to become his.  I finished it just in time to fill it with candy and present it to him on the night of our anniversary. 

It turned out better than I imagined, despite a frustrating start trying to attach the pine needles to the horseshoe.  I struggled due to the lack of holes in which to stitch through.  There are patterns of 6 repeated through out the design.  He loved it.  (as always double click to enlarge pictures)

 

looking down into the basket

the bottom view

 

 

 

from the side

 

 

The candy is since gone but Jim uses it to hold his keys and wallet.  

problems......

     My apologies to all the family and friends who check in on my blog for fun stories and pictures.  Lately it seems to take FOOOORREEVEEERRR to upload pictures to the blog.  I don't know if it is a Blogger Host problem or an Internet connection issue.  So my many of my upcoming posts are in progress and I simply have to wait for the pictures.  There are times that I "upload" photos and walk away for over an hour in hopes of seeing a picture when I return.  As you can imagine this is a painfully slow process.  But, avidly I am trying to keep plugging forward.  Keep checking in - I will succeed with something soon!

Love to all!