It would appear that Dosidoe wasn't too impressed with my last post.
She is thinking that perhaps i should moonlight with the DMV.
Sorry Dosidoe, you truly are an attractive girl.
Everyone has a bad picture taken now and then.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Dosidoe and eodisoD
Meet Dosidoe and her cousin from a distant planet, eodisoD.
Just kidding.
Can you tell i am getting a little braver with the computer?
Friday, November 11, 2011
Holes
I have a blond child.
Some days she is more blond than others.
This is forgiven most of the time because she is such a hard worker.
And she is cute.
Ellie takes on chores that the rest of us are loath to do. Things like dealing with the chickens, untangling legs in a birth canal, or digging holes.
She was always the one to dispose of chicken carcasses, but Jed handled the big holes. Until, several springs ago, we lost a beloved guardian dog.
The Fair Lady Dulcinea, or Dulcie, as she was known (acquired about the same time as Donkey Xote and Sancho Panza--if we ever wind up with a horse it will be named Rozinante,) went out with her boots on, doing her job of defending the homestead. We are still not sure whether Dulcie tangled with the coyotes or the feral hogs, but at any rate, took a gash to the juggler and barely managed to make it back home. It was a sore loss, as she was a good guardian, and a great personality. She used to scare people that didn't know her, as her greeting was to bare her teeth...not in a menacing way, but in a doggy smile. But if you hadn't seen it before, it could be rather intimidating. Mostly because she was not a small dog.
Dulcie was half lab and half Great Pyrenees, therefore, she required a rather large hole. The morning she passed was cold and wet. A light drizzle added to the oppression of the task at hand. Ellie, Jethro and i got our shovels, loaded Dulcie on the trolley, and picked out her spot in the pasture. I don't remember how long we all dug together, but i remember being chilled and wet, and that my back hurt. Jethro was still a fairly little guy, and had used all his energy. I suggested we take a break and warm up, then dig some more in a bit. Ellie told us to go in, that she wanted to finish the hole herself.
And she did.
Jethro and i went back out to help lay Dulcie to rest, said our prayers, and then were dismissed, so Ellie could replace the dirt.
As i stood at the window watching my daughter deal with one of the hardest things about this life in her own way, i was reminded of a couple of things.
When Ellie was about three or so, she started asking questions about my mother, and wanted to see her grave. We went to the cemetery, and i sat there quietly while Ellie wandered around. After a bit, she put her hand on my mother's heart shaped headstone, looked me in the eye, and with all the maturity of any child i have ever seen, said to me, "Your momma's heart is here, but she is in heaven. Sometimes it just has to be that way."
A couple of years later, when visiting Paul Adeen's, she found a dead fish in his koi pond, and insisted on the two of them burying the fish together, under a cross in his garden. Paul came back in the house, and we looked out a few minutes later to see the child dropping rose petals on the grave. Yes, we both got all choked up. I get all choked up just thinking about it.
Death of something or someone beloved is one of the hardest things we have to face on this planet. I am amazed, and grateful, for my daughter's reverence for life, and the ability she has to cope with death.
To this day, most of the holes that are dug here, are dug by Ellie May, by her choice.
Which brings us back to the blond moment...
Ellie May and i were just discussing goatie issues, and she said something about Andy, our dear departed buck. As my brain is processing the fact that Ellie was gone for a large part of the decline and demise of Excellent Endeavor, she got a rather sheepish look.
Apologetically, she said, "I'm sorry. If i didn't bury him, i figure i must have misplaced him."
Some days she is more blond than others.
This is forgiven most of the time because she is such a hard worker.
And she is cute.
Ellie takes on chores that the rest of us are loath to do. Things like dealing with the chickens, untangling legs in a birth canal, or digging holes.
She was always the one to dispose of chicken carcasses, but Jed handled the big holes. Until, several springs ago, we lost a beloved guardian dog.
The Fair Lady Dulcinea, or Dulcie, as she was known (acquired about the same time as Donkey Xote and Sancho Panza--if we ever wind up with a horse it will be named Rozinante,) went out with her boots on, doing her job of defending the homestead. We are still not sure whether Dulcie tangled with the coyotes or the feral hogs, but at any rate, took a gash to the juggler and barely managed to make it back home. It was a sore loss, as she was a good guardian, and a great personality. She used to scare people that didn't know her, as her greeting was to bare her teeth...not in a menacing way, but in a doggy smile. But if you hadn't seen it before, it could be rather intimidating. Mostly because she was not a small dog.
Dulcie was half lab and half Great Pyrenees, therefore, she required a rather large hole. The morning she passed was cold and wet. A light drizzle added to the oppression of the task at hand. Ellie, Jethro and i got our shovels, loaded Dulcie on the trolley, and picked out her spot in the pasture. I don't remember how long we all dug together, but i remember being chilled and wet, and that my back hurt. Jethro was still a fairly little guy, and had used all his energy. I suggested we take a break and warm up, then dig some more in a bit. Ellie told us to go in, that she wanted to finish the hole herself.
And she did.
Jethro and i went back out to help lay Dulcie to rest, said our prayers, and then were dismissed, so Ellie could replace the dirt.
As i stood at the window watching my daughter deal with one of the hardest things about this life in her own way, i was reminded of a couple of things.
When Ellie was about three or so, she started asking questions about my mother, and wanted to see her grave. We went to the cemetery, and i sat there quietly while Ellie wandered around. After a bit, she put her hand on my mother's heart shaped headstone, looked me in the eye, and with all the maturity of any child i have ever seen, said to me, "Your momma's heart is here, but she is in heaven. Sometimes it just has to be that way."
A couple of years later, when visiting Paul Adeen's, she found a dead fish in his koi pond, and insisted on the two of them burying the fish together, under a cross in his garden. Paul came back in the house, and we looked out a few minutes later to see the child dropping rose petals on the grave. Yes, we both got all choked up. I get all choked up just thinking about it.
Death of something or someone beloved is one of the hardest things we have to face on this planet. I am amazed, and grateful, for my daughter's reverence for life, and the ability she has to cope with death.
To this day, most of the holes that are dug here, are dug by Ellie May, by her choice.
Which brings us back to the blond moment...
Ellie May and i were just discussing goatie issues, and she said something about Andy, our dear departed buck. As my brain is processing the fact that Ellie was gone for a large part of the decline and demise of Excellent Endeavor, she got a rather sheepish look.
Apologetically, she said, "I'm sorry. If i didn't bury him, i figure i must have misplaced him."
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Fuzzy Cows
I am not a huge fan of cows.
Unless of course they are on a plate in front of me with a bit of potato and a nice little tossed something.
Then i simply adore them.
But i keep passing these guys, and i must admit that i am somewhat smitten.
I have no idea what kind of cows they are, but they are woolly and unusual.
I am sure they must be insanely expensive.
Not that i was gonna put them on my wish list, mind you.
They are, after all, COWS.
But they are kinda cute....don'tcha think?
Long ago and far away, in another life, i was friends with a cattle person that kept trying to teach me the difference between a "good" cow and a "bad" cow.
I, being me, tried to eek a little fun out of the process by making things difficult.
After listening to instruction, tips and pointers ad nauseum, and learning more about the loin, brisket, topline, the triangulation of the three points of blah blah blah blah than i really cared to know at the time, i was finally quizzed on the dissertation and asked to make distinctions between cows.
I said that the only common denominator i could see was that bad cows had fuzzy ears.
This guy hung his head and just shook it.
I was reminded of that friend today when i was taking pictures of the fuzzy oreo cows.
This old gal sauntered up to see what i was up to.
I would say that she has about the fuzziest cow ears i have ever seen.
Surely that doesn't make her a BAD cow.
Unless of course she is prone to playing pranks or doesn't show up for supper or something.
I mean, she LOOKS like she has tasty ribs, right?
Saturday, November 5, 2011
The Soup Sisters and Their Cousin the Hotty
I have been remiss.
For this, i humbly apologize.
I have just come to realize that i have failed to share the best chicken soup recipe in the world.
The children love this stuff, can make it themselves, and will eat it all year round...even when it is a hundred degrees outside!!
I usually set up a little assembly line and make the mix up by the dozen, putting all the dry ingredients into baggies, so when we are crazy bizzy i can grab a baggie out of the basket and get dinner on the table in twenty minutes. The other great thing is that a pot of this stuff will feed six or eight people, or more, if they are small, so it is handy to have around if you need to feed a crowd on the spur of the moment.
When celery and carrots go on sale, i buy massive quantities and run them through the dehydrator. The dehydrated onions i buy, if you recall. I also can chicken when i find a good sale on it, so that is what i use. I would think it would take at least a couple of the small cans of store bought canned chicken. Also, this is a good recipe to use leftover chicken or turkey.
When i make the mix, i go ahead and make up three or four fancy cello bags with cute ties, and put the mix, a jar of chicken and an instruction card in them. Then you have a really great bribe, thank you or hostess gift ready to go, or if a friend turns up sick you can leave a bag on the doorstep, ring the bell, and run like mad.
Here we go....
THE WORLD'S BEST CHICKEN SOUP
This is what you put in each baggie:
1 1/2 T chicken bouillon
1/2 t pepper
1/4 t thyme
1/8 t celery seeds
1/8 t garlic powder
1 bay leaf
1 T dried carrots
1 T dried celery
1 T dried onion
1 c uncooked egg noodles (we like noodles, so i double this)
When you get ready to cook the soup, combine:
1 baggie of mix
3 c diced chicken
8 c water
and then simmer 20 minutes.
That's it!! Give it a try. It is fast, easy, and delish!!
Since i am on a roll here, have another one.
I triple or quadruple this recipe, and store it in a half gallon jar that seals well. This one is lunch in less than five minutes, and ya can't beat that!
POTATO SOUP
1 3/4 c instant mashed potatoes
1 1/2 c dried milk
2 T chicken bouillon
1 t dried parsley
2 t dried onion
1/4 t pepper
1/4 t thyme
1/8 t turmeric
1/2+ t seasoning salt
1/2 c mix plus 1 c boiling water, stir smooth, top with cheese, bacon bits and sour cream.
Last one. This one also feeds a crowd, and i do the assembly line thing and make it up by the dozen.
(During the winter and kidding season, I keep several baskets all in a row on a shelf, each basket containing a different soup or meal mix, so i can just grab and go.)
JAMBALAYA
In the baggie:
1 c raw long grain rice
1 T dried onion
1 T dried bell pepper
1 T parsley
1 bay leaf
2 t beef bouillon
1/2 t garlic powder
1/2 t pepper
1/2 t thyme
1/4 - 1/2 t crushed red pepper (to taste, i use 1/4 for small peeps, 1/2 for big peeps)
To prepare, combine:
1 baggie of mix
3 c water
8 oz can tomato sauce
1/2 c ham or smoked sausage
simmer 20 minutes, then add:
1/2 c cooked shrimp
simmer 5 minutes.
For this, i humbly apologize.
I have just come to realize that i have failed to share the best chicken soup recipe in the world.
The children love this stuff, can make it themselves, and will eat it all year round...even when it is a hundred degrees outside!!
I usually set up a little assembly line and make the mix up by the dozen, putting all the dry ingredients into baggies, so when we are crazy bizzy i can grab a baggie out of the basket and get dinner on the table in twenty minutes. The other great thing is that a pot of this stuff will feed six or eight people, or more, if they are small, so it is handy to have around if you need to feed a crowd on the spur of the moment.
When celery and carrots go on sale, i buy massive quantities and run them through the dehydrator. The dehydrated onions i buy, if you recall. I also can chicken when i find a good sale on it, so that is what i use. I would think it would take at least a couple of the small cans of store bought canned chicken. Also, this is a good recipe to use leftover chicken or turkey.
When i make the mix, i go ahead and make up three or four fancy cello bags with cute ties, and put the mix, a jar of chicken and an instruction card in them. Then you have a really great bribe, thank you or hostess gift ready to go, or if a friend turns up sick you can leave a bag on the doorstep, ring the bell, and run like mad.
Here we go....
THE WORLD'S BEST CHICKEN SOUP
This is what you put in each baggie:
1 1/2 T chicken bouillon
1/2 t pepper
1/4 t thyme
1/8 t celery seeds
1/8 t garlic powder
1 bay leaf
1 T dried carrots
1 T dried celery
1 T dried onion
1 c uncooked egg noodles (we like noodles, so i double this)
When you get ready to cook the soup, combine:
1 baggie of mix
3 c diced chicken
8 c water
and then simmer 20 minutes.
That's it!! Give it a try. It is fast, easy, and delish!!
Since i am on a roll here, have another one.
I triple or quadruple this recipe, and store it in a half gallon jar that seals well. This one is lunch in less than five minutes, and ya can't beat that!
POTATO SOUP
1 3/4 c instant mashed potatoes
1 1/2 c dried milk
2 T chicken bouillon
1 t dried parsley
2 t dried onion
1/4 t pepper
1/4 t thyme
1/8 t turmeric
1/2+ t seasoning salt
1/2 c mix plus 1 c boiling water, stir smooth, top with cheese, bacon bits and sour cream.
Last one. This one also feeds a crowd, and i do the assembly line thing and make it up by the dozen.
(During the winter and kidding season, I keep several baskets all in a row on a shelf, each basket containing a different soup or meal mix, so i can just grab and go.)
JAMBALAYA
In the baggie:
1 c raw long grain rice
1 T dried onion
1 T dried bell pepper
1 T parsley
1 bay leaf
2 t beef bouillon
1/2 t garlic powder
1/2 t pepper
1/2 t thyme
1/4 - 1/2 t crushed red pepper (to taste, i use 1/4 for small peeps, 1/2 for big peeps)
To prepare, combine:
1 baggie of mix
3 c water
8 oz can tomato sauce
1/2 c ham or smoked sausage
simmer 20 minutes, then add:
1/2 c cooked shrimp
simmer 5 minutes.
Friday, November 4, 2011
How To End Terrorism
I can solve the problem.
I have a plan.
We will no longer need Homeland Security, Gitmo, The Czar of the Day, and possibly even the DOD.
Before going into the details of my scheme, let me state two things.
First of all, the pseudonyms contained herein were bestowed upon the subjects by his mother, and her boyfriends mother. I am merely carrying on what was started before me. As such, Susan Dear Susan's son Levi will heretofore be known as "Twist Off," and his lovely girlfriend will be known as "Pop Top."
Secondly, let me say that we are all enamoured with Pop Top. She is quite a hunny, and puts forth the best of what Texas Gals otta be...she is cute, smart, funny, courageous, and tough as nails (in a good way.) The only chink we can find is that she appears to really like Twist Off. Which is great, because, well, ya know, WE love him, but then WE HAVE to.
I would also like to make it known to Pop Top, that as a sign of my affection and sympathy, i did not use the camera that i brought and had sitting on the table all day long. I have not included pictures to help document my story, in the effort to help conceal your identity. I haven't even done that for my own family!!
So i am telling this story with love. Welcome to the family, Pop Top!!
Yesterday, Ellie May and i went to Susan's for the start of the Big Butchering Bonanza, which Twist Off came down to help with. Am thinking he felt sorry for us after we told him about the two fat, menopausal women trying to hoist the lamb carcass up the tree last time.
Twist Off brought his girlfriend home to "Meet Mom," and she got the double pleasure of meeting the "whole famn damily," which she handled graciously.
Especially under the circumstances.
BACKGROUND INFO: Susan grows these tiny little peppers she calls "Thai Peppers." I don't know what they are. Don't care. They don't need a name, just a spot in the National Defense Plan. They are about an inch long, and red or green, depending on age. Susan makes a stock pot of chili and drops ONE of these chilies, whole, into the pot to give it fire. It is discarded when chili is cooked, kinda like a bay leaf. These are dangerous little firecrackers, and Susan says she has never seen anyone actually EAT one. She gave me three of these little dudes last year, i used one and it just about killed my kids, so i let the others dry. Haven't had the nerve to use them. They are in a jar around here somewhere with a bio hazard sticker on them.
So Twist Off and Pop Top arrive at Susan Dear Susan's late in the evening. Family comes together after a long journey, and all are in celebration mode. In the interest of keeping the story honest, because y'all KNOW i don't embroider my stories, it must be stated that adult beverages were involved, although Susan assures me that no one got trashed. Just loosened up and laughing and having fun.
In the wee hours, for a reason unclear to me at this time, someone opened a jar of Susan's peppers. Pop Top grabs one and takes a bite of it, turns red, and says, "Wow, those are hot, look I'm sweating!" Then eats the other half.
Then she ate another one.
For those of you that are counting, that is Two.
Please refer to earlier mention that Susan has never seen anyone actually EAT one.
By the time Ellie and i got there, early in the morning, Pop Top wasn't feeling too well.
She was such a good sport, made a great showing, but it was way obvious that she wasn't at her best.
Over the course of the morning, we were getting reports from Twist Off about the state of the state, which were not good, and periodically, Pop Top would come out to be social and friendly. A real trooper. I was quite impressed. We all swapped stories, laughed at and with Pop Top, and kinda got to know her, within the confines of her present situation.
We love her.
Now, here is how we solve the terrorism thing.
Send all suspects to Queenacres for interrogation.
Turns out Pop Top just got out of the military three months ago.
Did a tour in Afghanistan. Didn't phase her.
Did a TDY in Iraq. Was injured in an explosion, but that hasn't stopped her.
But twelve hours with the Queens, and she went to the mat.
I have a plan.
We will no longer need Homeland Security, Gitmo, The Czar of the Day, and possibly even the DOD.
Before going into the details of my scheme, let me state two things.
First of all, the pseudonyms contained herein were bestowed upon the subjects by his mother, and her boyfriends mother. I am merely carrying on what was started before me. As such, Susan Dear Susan's son Levi will heretofore be known as "Twist Off," and his lovely girlfriend will be known as "Pop Top."
Secondly, let me say that we are all enamoured with Pop Top. She is quite a hunny, and puts forth the best of what Texas Gals otta be...she is cute, smart, funny, courageous, and tough as nails (in a good way.) The only chink we can find is that she appears to really like Twist Off. Which is great, because, well, ya know, WE love him, but then WE HAVE to.
I would also like to make it known to Pop Top, that as a sign of my affection and sympathy, i did not use the camera that i brought and had sitting on the table all day long. I have not included pictures to help document my story, in the effort to help conceal your identity. I haven't even done that for my own family!!
So i am telling this story with love. Welcome to the family, Pop Top!!
Yesterday, Ellie May and i went to Susan's for the start of the Big Butchering Bonanza, which Twist Off came down to help with. Am thinking he felt sorry for us after we told him about the two fat, menopausal women trying to hoist the lamb carcass up the tree last time.
Twist Off brought his girlfriend home to "Meet Mom," and she got the double pleasure of meeting the "whole famn damily," which she handled graciously.
Especially under the circumstances.
BACKGROUND INFO: Susan grows these tiny little peppers she calls "Thai Peppers." I don't know what they are. Don't care. They don't need a name, just a spot in the National Defense Plan. They are about an inch long, and red or green, depending on age. Susan makes a stock pot of chili and drops ONE of these chilies, whole, into the pot to give it fire. It is discarded when chili is cooked, kinda like a bay leaf. These are dangerous little firecrackers, and Susan says she has never seen anyone actually EAT one. She gave me three of these little dudes last year, i used one and it just about killed my kids, so i let the others dry. Haven't had the nerve to use them. They are in a jar around here somewhere with a bio hazard sticker on them.
So Twist Off and Pop Top arrive at Susan Dear Susan's late in the evening. Family comes together after a long journey, and all are in celebration mode. In the interest of keeping the story honest, because y'all KNOW i don't embroider my stories, it must be stated that adult beverages were involved, although Susan assures me that no one got trashed. Just loosened up and laughing and having fun.
In the wee hours, for a reason unclear to me at this time, someone opened a jar of Susan's peppers. Pop Top grabs one and takes a bite of it, turns red, and says, "Wow, those are hot, look I'm sweating!" Then eats the other half.
Then she ate another one.
For those of you that are counting, that is Two.
Please refer to earlier mention that Susan has never seen anyone actually EAT one.
By the time Ellie and i got there, early in the morning, Pop Top wasn't feeling too well.
She was such a good sport, made a great showing, but it was way obvious that she wasn't at her best.
Over the course of the morning, we were getting reports from Twist Off about the state of the state, which were not good, and periodically, Pop Top would come out to be social and friendly. A real trooper. I was quite impressed. We all swapped stories, laughed at and with Pop Top, and kinda got to know her, within the confines of her present situation.
We love her.
Now, here is how we solve the terrorism thing.
Send all suspects to Queenacres for interrogation.
Turns out Pop Top just got out of the military three months ago.
Did a tour in Afghanistan. Didn't phase her.
Did a TDY in Iraq. Was injured in an explosion, but that hasn't stopped her.
But twelve hours with the Queens, and she went to the mat.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
'Possum Pie
When Jethro was still a half pint, he came to me one day, and asked if he could change rooms with Ellie May. I was befuddled, as we had just decorated his room in leopard, and it was very cute. Or rather...manly. Suitable and appropriate. Whatever. It was cute.
I questioned him and was told that he wanted Ellie's room because it was closer to the kitchen.
This boy is DEFINITELY my baby.
Not too long after that, Jethro was traipsing through the kitchen on his way out back, and that particular day he was wearing a 'coon skin cap and boots, carrying his "rifle" and a belt that served as a bandoleer, or as he called it, his "got bullets." As he headed out the door, i asked him what he wanted for dinner, and, with a very serious face, and without skipping a beat, he replied, "opossum pie and deviled hawk eggs."
Being the indulgent mother that i am, for dinner that night i served deviled (chicken) eggs and chicken pot pie.
From that time forward, at this house, chicken pot pie has been known as opossum pie.
There are some people in our world who are always interested in what we are doing, in a kind of gawking at the sideshow freaks kind of way. They like to hear stories of what we are doing on the homestead, but have absolutely no desire to live this kind of life themselves.
I have found that the concept of butchering our own meat is the topic that consistently and simultaneously astounds, amazes, disgusts and interests people the most.
The lady that cuts our hair is one of these folks. She always asks what is going on with the animals, and the children regale her with stories of our goings on, and some of the stories have been about butchering.
As we were taking turns sitting in her chair today, the conversation went to this weekend's upcoming "Butchering Bonanza," which i will detail in a moment. There was some discussion with one of the new stylists, who stated that she preferred her meat to be wrapped in cellophane and laid out in the meat counter. She didn't even try to hide her disgust with our desire to eat meat that had come from an animal that had been fed a clean diet; was not filled with vaccinations, hormones and chemicals; was loved and treated well; and then killed humanely.
Imagine her face when, a couple of minutes later, Jethro mentioned something about having Opossum Pie for dinner the night before.
If only I had had a camera.
Sorry you missed that one, fellers!
Whirrled Peas.
On to the Butchering Bonanza, in which Susan Dear Susan and her son Levi are set to send about 20 ducks and a couple of lambs to freezer camp. Susan and I have had a couple of lambs on order, and as luck would have it, they are set to arrive on a weekend when i have to be in seven places over the course of about 48 hours. True friends that they are, Susan and Levi have graciously offered to do the hard part for us. We will be heading in to help with ducks tomorrow (NOT Isabell and The Bobs, btw) and then back on Sunday to do the fine cuts on the lamb.
OH!! I haven't gotten a chance to tell you all about Snippy going to freezer camp last week.
This is the first time we have put one of our own goats in the freezer. Susan has helped us ease into it by keeping Snippy the last couple of months, and then "doing the deed" for us, in exchange for bedding hay. There have been many goats that i never would have been able to make this leap with, but Snippy is not one of them. He was an objectionable little brute.
But he grew up to be quite tasty!!
Susan smoked hocks and shanks for us, and made some awesome Snippy Sausage, which got three thumbs up at this house (Ellie May hates all things goatie, except for Dusty, and sometimes Maud and Splendora, so her vote doesn't count.) Susan roasted and smoked some Snippy Ribs last weekend, and said they were fabulous.
We have decided that perhaps we do like Snippy after all. When he was in the barnyard he was an obnoxious little toot. But we love him now.
Susan posted pictures of the "fine cuts" portion of the butchering process on her blog at http://www.queenacresonline.blogspot.com/ . I was showing the pictures to Ellie, and she responded, "Poor Snippy, it looks like he went to pieces."
Heartless child.
I questioned him and was told that he wanted Ellie's room because it was closer to the kitchen.
This boy is DEFINITELY my baby.
Not too long after that, Jethro was traipsing through the kitchen on his way out back, and that particular day he was wearing a 'coon skin cap and boots, carrying his "rifle" and a belt that served as a bandoleer, or as he called it, his "got bullets." As he headed out the door, i asked him what he wanted for dinner, and, with a very serious face, and without skipping a beat, he replied, "opossum pie and deviled hawk eggs."
Being the indulgent mother that i am, for dinner that night i served deviled (chicken) eggs and chicken pot pie.
From that time forward, at this house, chicken pot pie has been known as opossum pie.
There are some people in our world who are always interested in what we are doing, in a kind of gawking at the sideshow freaks kind of way. They like to hear stories of what we are doing on the homestead, but have absolutely no desire to live this kind of life themselves.
I have found that the concept of butchering our own meat is the topic that consistently and simultaneously astounds, amazes, disgusts and interests people the most.
The lady that cuts our hair is one of these folks. She always asks what is going on with the animals, and the children regale her with stories of our goings on, and some of the stories have been about butchering.
As we were taking turns sitting in her chair today, the conversation went to this weekend's upcoming "Butchering Bonanza," which i will detail in a moment. There was some discussion with one of the new stylists, who stated that she preferred her meat to be wrapped in cellophane and laid out in the meat counter. She didn't even try to hide her disgust with our desire to eat meat that had come from an animal that had been fed a clean diet; was not filled with vaccinations, hormones and chemicals; was loved and treated well; and then killed humanely.
Imagine her face when, a couple of minutes later, Jethro mentioned something about having Opossum Pie for dinner the night before.
If only I had had a camera.
Sorry you missed that one, fellers!
Whirrled Peas.
On to the Butchering Bonanza, in which Susan Dear Susan and her son Levi are set to send about 20 ducks and a couple of lambs to freezer camp. Susan and I have had a couple of lambs on order, and as luck would have it, they are set to arrive on a weekend when i have to be in seven places over the course of about 48 hours. True friends that they are, Susan and Levi have graciously offered to do the hard part for us. We will be heading in to help with ducks tomorrow (NOT Isabell and The Bobs, btw) and then back on Sunday to do the fine cuts on the lamb.
OH!! I haven't gotten a chance to tell you all about Snippy going to freezer camp last week.
This is the first time we have put one of our own goats in the freezer. Susan has helped us ease into it by keeping Snippy the last couple of months, and then "doing the deed" for us, in exchange for bedding hay. There have been many goats that i never would have been able to make this leap with, but Snippy is not one of them. He was an objectionable little brute.
But he grew up to be quite tasty!!
Susan smoked hocks and shanks for us, and made some awesome Snippy Sausage, which got three thumbs up at this house (Ellie May hates all things goatie, except for Dusty, and sometimes Maud and Splendora, so her vote doesn't count.) Susan roasted and smoked some Snippy Ribs last weekend, and said they were fabulous.
We have decided that perhaps we do like Snippy after all. When he was in the barnyard he was an obnoxious little toot. But we love him now.
Susan posted pictures of the "fine cuts" portion of the butchering process on her blog at http://www.queenacresonline.blogspot.com/ . I was showing the pictures to Ellie, and she responded, "Poor Snippy, it looks like he went to pieces."
Heartless child.
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