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!

Colorado Trail Series

Back in August of this year Jim and I took a seven day backpacking trip along the Colorado Trail.  The entire trail connects Denver to Durango and is a total of 483 miles long.  We only had a week or so of time off so the entire trail was out of the question.  However, the last 75 miles were totally doable.  Besides, traveling through beautiful mountains with no cell phones, computers or crowds was just what we envisioned as a perfect getaway.  A second honeymoon of sorts in celebration of our upcoming anniversary of 6 years of wedded bliss.  So, with much planning, calculating how many miles a day (based largely on water sources), days of preparing homemade meals (dehydrated and baked treats), pouring over our gear and finally hoisting up our 70 (plus or minus depending on the day and water needed) pound packs we set out for our hiatus from society.

 

What is to follow is a series of posts covering our wonderful adventure.  They will come as I have time to pour over the hundreds of pictures taken and find the ones worth sharing.  Grab your water bottle or coffee and share with us the miles, views and blisters of the next 7 seven days!

 

~ As always, double click on any photo to enlarge ~

 

Disclaimer: All mileages and elevations are based on guidebooks and not actual GPS readings.  GPSs were not carried on this trip. 

 

Colorado Trail Series

Day 1

Little Molas Pass to our first night's camp
 

Hiked: 8 miles
 Camp: 11,700 elevation

 

 Terri
 



Much thanks to our dear friend Terri who got up extra early to meet us in town and drive us to the trail head on our first morning.  This would be the last car we would see for days and the last person we knew until we would arrive back in town 7 days later.

Me & Jim
 

Before we turned our backs on the civilized world for the
 next week, Terri snapped this photo of us next to the trail map sign.



Fly Agaric 

 

There was an abundance of these brightly colored mushrooms along the trail.  Of course, we would never dare eat anything we could not positively identify.  Once we got back home Jim did identify these gorgeous fungi - positively poisonous!

 Me

 

Let the views begin!

While the trail turned to the west, we couldn't resist stopping and admiring the views to the North.

 

Jim 

 

 I love the simplicity of camping.  We each had our "chores" to be done when we arrived at camp each day.  Jim's was to set up the tent.

 

Me

 

 As Jim set up the tent and arranged the bedding, I took a few moments in the sun to work on a pine needle basket project I had brought along.  Our camp "living room" had such an amazing view.

 

 

Jim

After getting his chores done, it was Jim's turn to kick up his heels and relax after the first day on the trail.
 

Me

My turn!  Of course, I was the designated camp cook.  Only tonight's dinner was a surprise, so Jim was banished to the "living room" until our dinner was ready.

 

I love my husband but he was sure he would starve on this trip.  So imagine his surprise when I served up a plate like this for our first night on the trail!

New york strip, potatoes-onions-broccoli and a Parmesan roll.

 

Unfortunately, I might have set the bar to high for myself for the rest of the trip.

  I kept hearing, "Did you pack any more steaks?" for the next 67 miles.

 

 

Good night from Day 1.

 



 

sewing project

  Summer Sewing Project

A friend of mine sent me these great overalls that she found in a yard sale or thrift store or where ever.  A patchwork patterned fabric that was super lightweight and perfect for a hot day working in the garden or lounging on the deck.  However, me being a tall woman, overalls and I have never really gotten along.  I can only let out the straps so far and they still tend to give me a bit of a rise up when I bend over.  Not the most comfortable clothing design I have worn.  So I decided to get creative and turned them into a dress.  Thankfully the busy pattern lent itself to not so perfect sewing skills.

 

Before

 

After

 

My "new" dress was perfect for slipping on after work or for a lazy afternoon on the deck.

 

Thanks for the inspiration Peggy!

 

 

WE'RE BACK!

A YEAR IN REVIEW... NOVEMBER 2012 - 2013

 

 Barb & Me

Friends have moved away.  We still love you Barb!

 

 

Stown expanded his cooking skills.  He cooked the ENTIRE Thanksgiving dinner last year - from scratch.  Perhaps that's why he looks so delirious after 8 hours in the kitchen.  Behind him from left to right: Turkey with garden herbs, garlic smashed taters, gravy, roasted sweet potatoes tossed with brown sugar & fresh ginger, stuffing from homemade bread, green bean casserole & pumpkin pie from a fresh from our garden pumpkin and handmade crust.  Everything was from "scratch" and a lot of it from our garden.  Way to go Stown!

 

Cousin Debbie & Great Uncle Bob's Avocado tree

 

Family was visited and shared their bountiful harvests.



Me & Mom (Patty)

 

More family shared beer and horses.

Me & Sam

 

Friends appeared in plays.

Stown & Me

 

Birthdays were celebrated.

17 - Stown stop growing up!

Cocoa Bean & Scrappy

 

New additions were made to our clan.

 

Canoe camping was to be had on the Wisconsin river.

Jim - self portrait at 65 mph

 

Motorcycles were ridden.

 

Me, Erin & Eric - Lake Havasu

 

There were paddle board lessons from friends.

 

Corbin, Me, Tanner, Jim & Erin

 

Cocktails in the shade to celebrate the Summer Solstice.

 

Bread making skills were learned (but not mastered).

More birthdays were celebrated.

 



Jim & Me 

 72 miles into our trip and only 3 miles from cold beer & hot pizza!

 

 

All in all it was a good year.

 

A lot has happened in our personal lives. 

Family passed away, some friends got married, some friends had babies, new friends were made and old friends lost touch, people got sick and people got better, jobs came and went but through sickness and through health through richer and through poorer we have survived another year on this spinning rock we call Earth.

 

All that matters in the end is that we have each other because we learned that when it all comes down to the nitty gritty that's all you have - Each other.

 

Love Always!

 

 

This is the first post in a long time.  I needed to simplify my life and refocus on the more important things - blogging was not one of them.  Things are more stable now and I am able to share things with everyone again.  I hope to continue regular postings and look forward to sharing our little corner of the world with everyone again. 

Until next time, Peace, Love & Understanding.