Merry Christmas!!!!!

 Merry Christmas!  We were certainly busy the last few weeks. I did a lot of baking, cleaning, and wrapping presents.  On top of that, the weather has been yo-yoing like crazy.  We get snow.  Then it warms up and melts and turns to ice.  We may need to get a Zamboni.   

We took advantage on a 50-degree day to take Dollor out and see if this dog can hunt.  We did get a grouse, but not from Dollor's efforts.  He was overwhelmed with everything and wasn't quite sure what he was supposed to be looking for.  He didn't get to flush the grouse as they flushed long before we got near them.  Maybe next time.  

It was great to get out and walk somewhere different.  It was also nice not having to worry about slipping and falling.  The weather was perfect.  

He wasn't sure what he was supposed to be doing, but it was fun anyway. 

The sunrises and sunsets have been colorful.  Of course, a red sky in the morning is supposed to be a sailor's warning.

I made a quick trip out to my parent's ranch.  They had the Christmas lights up (more than I can say).  The place looked great. 

The sunset at home was double the pleasure as it reflected off of the river.  The turkeys were roosting all around me.  I enjoyed my time back.  I was able to deliver my parent's present, and we were able to visit.  It is always good to go home.  Even if for a day.  The best part was not stressing out about driving in wind, snow, or rain.  It was smooth sailing both ways. 

Christmas was a quiet affair for my husband and I.  We went for a nice long stroll, enjoyed good food, and drove around the area looking at Christmas lights.  

I hope everyone had a great Christmas filled with family and fun.  Is the weather as warm where you are?  Were you able to celebrate with family?  

Winter is here...

 Not much has been happening.  The weather is cold one day and warm the next.  These elk are keeping warm eating someone's hay.  

The sunrises have been pretty.  Dollor makes sure I am up early to see them.  

The full moon was sure something.  I didn't need a flashlight.  The reflection off of the snow made it seem like daylight.

Did you see the full moon?  Are you ready for the holidays?

End of the year...

 I don't have much to say or show.  I spent all weekend butchering a deer and making wine.  I am exhausted and my back is killing me.  It will all be worth it when next weekend I'm sipping some cherry wine and enjoying a meal made from venison.  In two days, I ended up with 16 bottles of sour cherry wine and 3 bottles of dandelion wine.  I had 5 lbs of jerky, 6 cans of stew meat, and 10 lbs. of venison burger.  

I am officially done processing food for 2025.  I've canned and frozen food from the garden.  Dried herbs and froze pesto.  Made jelly and preserves from fruits and berries.  Bottled wine from berries on our property.  Venison has been frozen, canned, jerked, and smoked. 

That super moon was really something.  I didn't need a flashlight walking Dollor at night.  Did you see the supermoon?  What did you process this year?  

After Thanksgiving Lefse...

 We had a quiet Thanksgiving at home.  Our meal was the traditional turkey (smoked to perfection), mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls, and stuffing.  My husband did a fabulous job smoking the turkey.  It was perfect.  For once my mashed potatoes turned out pretty good too.  Of course, the best part is using the leftover mashed potatoes to make my favorite bread... lefse. 

 

No, I am not Norwegian, but I love lefse.  Add some butter, cream, salt and flour.  Roll into balls, refrigerate, roll out as thin as possible, lay on a hot griddle until browned, then flip to brown the other side.  I can't think of a better treat. In an attempt to walk off the Thanksgiving feast, Dollor has been getting a lot of runs this weekend.  

He enjoys the snow.  His youth and exuberance is unmatched.  He keeps me active and helps me enjoy the outdoors.  Especially the sunrises and sunsets.

Lefse isn't the only leftover recipe we have.  Turkey, basil, and bacon pizza is a favorite.  Turkey pot pie is almost better than the turkey.  Almost.  

Did you have a good Thanksgiving?  What is your favorite part of the meal?  Do you have a go to leftover recipe?  

Hunter's paradise...

 I don't have much to say.  I've been hunting and butchering, so it has been pretty busy here.  

There have been a lot of birds around here.  Probably the coolest one I've seen is this Shrike.  It took me a while to identify him as he wouldn't sit still.  I've only seen them one other time.  

Even though the weather has been warm, one still gets cold.  It is because you have to sit still for so long.  Something I look forward to after a hunt is a bowl of  Rommegrot.  It is a Norwegian comfort food and a hunter's warm up.  

Rommegrot

2 c. Milk
1/4 c. 2 T. Flour
2 T. Sugar
Pinch of Salt
1/4 c. Butter or Sour Cream
Cinnamon Sugar

Heat milk to 195º. At the same time melt butter in a separate pan. Add flour, sugar, and salt to butter to form a thick paste. When milk reaches 195º whisk in flour and butter mixture. Heat to boiling then turn heat on low. Whisk for five minutes. Serve with a pat of butter and cinnamon sugar.

Number Of Servings: 1-2 bowls

I love being outside.  Nature can sure put on a show.  Today, I saw two big bucks fighting it out.  The bigger of the two got rolled.  He had enough and stayed clear of the the other one.  I saw deer all day.  It was a parade of bucks chasing does all weekend.  It was better than watching tv.  

Add birds, squirrels, and the colors in the sky it was a beautiful weekend.  Then there is the fresh venison from my husband's harvest, and it was very fulfilling.

What is your favorite thing to do outside?  What nature activity do you enjoy the most?

The moments that take your breath away...

 I don't have much to say.  I am sharing all of the photos I took on Veterans Day.  Dollor started my morning bright and early.  Just in time to see the sunrise. I'm not a morning person, but I do love a good sunrise.  Lately they have been breathtaking. 

Then at about 5:30 pm the light show began....

After running around like crazy getting photos with the cabin, I poured a glass of wine and sat on the upper deck watching the show.  I could hear our mountain lion below and the geese flying overhead.  Could it get any better than that? 

I'm thankful I live in a place where I can enjoy natures beauty.  While others had to drive to get out of the light pollution I just stepped outside my door.  Did you get to see the lights?  Have the sunrises been as amazing where you are?  I don't think Mother Nature could have done a better job of thanking our Veterans.  

A little of this and a little of that...

 I had to laugh today.  I was busy doing stuff in the kitchen when suddenly I realized it was quiet.  Too quiet.  Immeadiatly, I started looking for Dollor.  He was just watching me from the couch.  I looked all over then realized he was still on the couch.  He was at the other end and pulled a blanket over himself.  I guess he was miffed that I shut off the fire.

Everything is eating around here.  I guess the snow has all the creatures in bulk up mode.  This chipmunk found it much harder to get out of the feeder with filled cheeks, compared to when he got in. I am amazed at how many seeds they can get in there.  

My husband tossed the giant pumpkin down to the deer.  It didn't take them long to find it.  Most of it is already eaten.  

Earlier this week our friend from Minnesota came out to deer hunt.  We went to his cabin last year bear hunting.  I'm afraid he left empty handed, but it sure was nice having company.  His note says it all.

I was hoping to see the northern lights this week, but it was too cloudy.  

Who was the last visitor you had?  Do the deer eat your pumpkins?

Another day another Dollor...

 I was pretty busy last week.  The weather was perfect.  Dollor is growing by leaps and bounds.  

We got some snow this week.  Luckily it didn't stick.  I'm bummed I missed his first snowfall.  My husband said he got the zoomies.  

The sunrises and sunsets have been beautiful lately.  

I have always wanted to try making Danish pastries. It is an all-day event, so I set aside a rainy day to make them.  You roll out the dough, spread butter over it, fold everything up, re-roll, refrigerate, roll, fold, refrigerate, roll, fold, and bake. They didn't turn out as I had hoped.  They looked good.  If you are interested in giving it a try this is the recipe I used. 

Danish Dough Recipe - Simply Home Cooked





Despite the bad Danish it was a good week.  I took most of it off and just enjoyed the fall weather. 

Did you have a nice week?  Did you get any trick-or-treaters?  We live too far so we never see any.