It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

There is construction down the road.  We are not the least bit excited about having neighbors.  It was great being the end of the road.  There is only one positive to this... Somebody will actually see our Christmas lights.  We are super excited because nobody ever sees our lights. In fact, we even added a few more lights.  Now if they would just drive by when the lights are on.

 I've never been very good at taking photos of Christmas lights.  The camera doesn't quite capture the true feelings lights evoke.  Anyway here is my attempt.  The brilliant blob in the corner of the porch is our one horse open sleigh.

We have always wanted an outdoor Christmas tree.  Our cabin is too small to have one inside.  My wonderful husband stomped down the snow and put lights on our new little tree.  It is out in the middle of nowhere, but it looks fabulous.  I also made a wreath for our door.  We really got into the Christmas spirit. 

 We saw the bighorn sheep for the first time in a long time.  We were on a four lane highway with nowhere to stop.  I wish we could have as they were so majestic jumping around on that sidehill.  You have to look really close to see them.  Below are Mother Nature's Christmas decoration.  Isn't it a beautiful little nest?  It is stonger than it looks.  It is in there pretty solid.  It amazes me they can weave it on there so we'll using only their beak.

That is all I know this week.  Do you have your Christmas lights up?  Do you have an outdoor Christmas tree?  What is your favorite part of the Christmas celebration?

After the harvest...

I'm afraid I don't have anything special to share.  My husband harvested two deer, so I spent today butchering.  Yesterday, I spent the whole day hunting.  I wish I had taken a photo of the two rainbows against a pink sky.  There was just a lot of deer movement, I was afraid a huge buck would go by while I was piddling around.  My monster did go by, but too quickly and too far away for an arrow.  He looked like a king surveying his territory.  I haven't shot a deer yet,  but what an amazing day.  

I am glad my husband was able to shoot two bucks, as we were out of venison.  Today I made chislick with the tenderloins.  Wow. Amazing.  Just roll tenderloin chunks in a mix of flour, seasoned salt, pepper, basil flakes, and oregano flakes.  Fry in butter.  They melted in our mouths.  It feels pretty good to eat what you have harvested.

Life is pretty good.   I may not have put any meat in the freezer yet, but I have enjoyed the sense of peace sitting in the woods watching the world go by.

What is your favorite way of eating venison?  Have you ever had venison?

That's why they call it hunting....

I have been hunting for nine days.  Until yesterday, I haven't seen anything to shoot.

Yesterday was different.  Within an hour of entering my blind, a tiny little fawn ran and bucked in the field behind me.  Although I was confident that a buck would stick to the trees alongside the river in front of me, I would turn my head occasionally to check what was happening at my back.

It was during one of these checks that I turned my head forward to see a monster buck staring at me through the trees.  He had seen my movement.  Drat.  Now it was a waiting game.  They don't get that big by being an idiot.  I stayed calm and studied the situation.  Only his head was showing.  The path he was on provided me one shot and one shot only.  We stared at one another for what felt like forever.

I had to wait until he turned his head to pull back my bow. Then I had to pray he took a step forward soon after.  Time stood still. I had to stare at his antlers, so I would know when he turned his head. If you look them in the eye they will know you aren't a tree, but a hunter.  Finally, he looked forward.  I pulled my bow back.  Then he focused on me once more.  

Again time stood still.  My arm started to shake.  I had to shoot while I could still be accurate.  I tried to find him in my peepsight through the brush.  I aimed and let loose.  The arrow flew at the perfect height.  It went right in front of him.

He never moved.  He didn't even flinch.  We stared at each other.  I grabbed another arrow.  I got it in the nock.  I raised for a second shot. He continues to stare. 

Just as I start to pull back he bolts.  He was even bigger than I thought.  In a second he is gone.  I am certain that was my one and only chance.  They don't get that big by making the same mistake twice.

That's why they call it hunting and not shooting.  It wasn't a complete loss.  I will forever have him etched in my memory.  He was truly regal.  It was worth it.  Even if I didn't harvest him, it was worth every minute.

Always moving forward...

Despite snow every other day, it was a great week.  I celebrated my birthday and we celebrated 25 years of marriage.  Life is good.

 My husband made our traditional birthday cake.  Chocolate cake with a raspberry jam filling.  He also smoked some steaks for the occasion.  I made homemade bread this week, along with cinnamon rolls.  I made cucumber and raspberry jelly.  Let's just say we ate well.  Winter is a time to fill the kitchen with comforting scents.  Today I made a wonderful bear roast.  It went great with with the homemade bread.

We spent a lot of time outdoors.  Shoveling, hunting, and running Ella.  I tried to get a quilting pattern and material, so I had something to do during these snowy evenings.  Everything had to be ordered.  I guess I'm in no hurry as it looks to be a long winter.  I found a very useful quilt planning checklist at www.hellomellydesigns.com .  It is great for figuring out how much material needed, a color scheme, and a timeline.

 Despite the fact our cabin seems to be in a snow zone, I love where we live.  It is a place of peace and quiet.  We are surrounded by woods and wildlife.

Ella is happy to sprint through the snow while I plod along in snowshoes.  

Many people say marriage is work.  I feel that ours is a vacation.  I am thankful for everything we have built together.  I look forward to what the next twenty-five will bring.