Necie

Tuesday made venison and noodles. Yesterday we polished off the leftovers. Tonight DH made venison burgers. Tomorrow, I think I’ll get the leftover sloppy joes out of the freezer to use up some of the leftover buns from tonight.

Went to pick up DS1 this morning and thought I’d stop by the Amish store near DS2’s house. It’s on the way. Found maple sausage 3#/$5. Got 12 of them to use making brats. DS1 and I went to another Amish store near him— highlights... I found 1/2 gallon jars $16/case- bought 2, gallon coconut oil $7.50 each- bought all 6 they had for soaping, 3# rolls of regular breakfast sausage $4.50 each- bought 4 for venison burger. Then we stopped at a small meat market. I got 2# frozen raw shrimp $6 each. Got back to mom and dad’s and the home health care aid was there today. Dad had an *episode*— stood up from his chair and passed out. The aid was right there and *caught* him... help him up between her and the chair til he came out of it. First time she’s seen him do it, she said now she understands what we’re talking about. They’ve upped mom’s help. The aid is coming 3x a week instead of two (5 hrs/day). They have a nurse coming in once a week, and an occupational(?) therapist... I’m not sure how often (these are new). AND they’ve approved dad for transport!! This is great for mom and DS1– no more having to load him in and out of the truck for appointments. Went to DS2’s and we skinned and quartered the doe. Not nearly as big as the buck. I took the hind and front legs, backstraps, and cut some meat off the neck and hip area. He kept the spine and ribs to feed his chickens. Told him to get busy... he owes me 3 more does for that buck, and if he gets the other buck he wants, then another 5 does on top of that. Got home, unloaded everything, DH made venison burgers for dinner, and now I’m sitting on my butt being lazy. and Necie

Got the venison burger mixed and bagged. 27#. DH ran up to DG and overpaid for a lb of sausage ($5.25) so I could get it all done. 🙄 I’ll find it cheaper tomorrow and stock up. Might even have some in the freezer, but I don’t feel like digging for it... especially not being sure that it’s even there. DH is still going berserk looking for bullets for reloading. I think he found some-2nds. He was grumbling about it all day. That and the cost of shipping. 😞

Got the venison ground up and weighed out into *batches*. 24#=3 batches. Am short 1# of sausage/bacon so it’ll have to wait til Friday or Saturday. Mixing and bagging up the other 2 batches today. Tomorrow am going to pick up DS1 and go do something... maybe find some cheap sausage/bacon?? Might walk through the cabin to check it out and figure out what I wanna do first in the spring. On the way home, will stop at DS2’s and pick up the doe he has hanging. Hopefully, he’ll get another one soon.

@Jeepers, it was late and I couldn’t sleep. Got up and this thread had been commented on new. Humor Me forum... talking about tp, bidets, clothes, etc... And you said BUTT instead of BUT. Hit my funny bone!

I haven’t even started. Buying gifts or decorating. Although, the only decorating that I do is to put up the tree. I do put lights and garland on it, but the box of ornaments sit there til the kids come down on Christmas Eve and they put them on. Christmas isn’t my favorite time of year.

WHOOHOO One of my pints of venison has a false seal this morning. So into the fridge it went. Now I don’t even have to think up what to make for supper tonight... VENISON AND NOODLES!!

We are still eating leftovers. 🥴 I think I need to make something new tomorrow...

Finished canning venison— 14 qts and 9 pints. Tomorrow I start grinding. Saw on FB that the company I order my lotion bottles/lids from was having 20% off today, so decided I’d better order for the year. I missed that they had 30% off on Friday. So I usually order the bottles in bulk (720) and the lids in bags of 48 (15 bags). It wouldn’t give me the discount on bulk. So I went back and changed it to 15- 48 pc bottles like the lids. It cost a bit more than bulk, but came out quite a bit less with the discount. Goofy!! Saved $86. Supposed to get more snow tomorrow. I hate snow. And cold. I looked at the weather app at 7:30... 19* with 8* windchill. Good thing I don’t have to leave the house for anything. DH is taking my van up tomorrow to have one of my new tires looked at— it keeps losing pressure. He thinks it’s the rim. Hopefully an easy fix. Gas is down in the area, so I gave him $40 and asked him to fill it up for me while he’s up there.

That’s a double whammy. Money not worth as much and less of it, and ammo more expensive or non-existent. DH has been looking for bullets for reloading. Can’t find what he wants anywhere. He’s not a happy camper the last few days.

Just turned the canner off. Another 7 qts of venison. Not enough left for another batch, so tomorrow I’m gonna finish it in pints. Hopefully, I’ll get 8-10. Then I gotta start soup and grind. Then start on the next one.

Boring day yesterday. Took longer than I thought to thaw out the venison. Did get quite a bit of crocheting done while I waited. Ended up getting 7 qts of venison done at 7:30 last night. Finishing that up today and may start a batch of soup to can tomorrow. Or... I might start it tomorrow. 😂 Winter is down time... no rush to do anything. Oh... and it’s snowing out!! Grrrr

Yesterday: turkey/stuffing potatoes/gravy green bean casserole candied sweet potatoes scalloped corn macaroni and cheese deviled eggs macaroni salad banana bread (with and without walnuts) rolls meat/cheese tray relish tray pumpkin and apple pies cookies ice-cream Tonight: cookies

Busy couple of days. Yesterday was a typical Thanksgiving... the Lions lost. 😡 😂 Actually, it was a very not-typical Thanksgiving. First time I’ve had Thanksgiving in probably 20 years. DD usually does it. She requested that I do it this year. Not sure why, but I’m glad she did. It was fun!! We had 7 adults and 3 kids. Although, DGD(12) keeps getting closer to being an adult than a kid. She was helping in the kitchen more than doing kid stuff. She sliced up all the summer sausage and cheeses and did that tray with crackers, and put together the relish tray for me. Then she helped DD make deviled eggs. DD had text me when she was half way here and said she forgot them, so I tossed a dozen in a pot and had them ready to peel when she got here. She said she felt bad about forgetting them, but was glad she did cuz she got to make them again with her niece. DS1 spent the night. On the way taking him home this morning, we stopped at a local meat market. Looking around we saw fish... perch— $20/lb!!! bluegill—$16/lb!!! I turned to DS and kinda whispered “omg... we got a fortune in our freezers!!” We both got a giggle outa that. Then we stopped at DS2’s and dropped off some stuff that DDIL forgot yesterday. Then we stopped at a local Amish store and found a couple of good deals. I’ll post about that in Pinching Pennies. Got him home and went in to visit with mom and dad. Mom had found an estate sale she wanted to go to. It was 1:00 and my youngest sister was supposed to be there at 2-2:30, so I said: If ya wanna go, let’s go so we can get back before sis gets here. She was really wanting to get out of the house, so DS stayed with dad and we went. Good sale... spent too much. Got back to mom’s and pulled in right behind my sis and BIL. Sis and I had a good visit. She came out and sat in my van with me *while I had a cig*. 😉 Talked about all sorts of stuff. And I did a thang... Will post about that *elsewhere*. Stopped back at DS2’s to drop off a pair of slacks that DIL had my mom sew up a ripped seam for her. Then... home!! Now I’m sitting on my butt being lazy! and Necie pics of: DDIL, me, DD and DD and DGD making deviled eggs 🥰

Ordered carry out tonight. Deep fried cod and *roasted* potatoes. They cut a BIG baked potato into 6 wedges and bread them in the same breading they fry the fish in... it’s a wet then dry breading. OMG!! SOOOOOO YUMMY!! 🤤 I drown the fish with lemon and TONS of pepper, slather the potatoes with butter and dip in sour cream. Every bite, I’m mumbling: “This is sooooo good!” DH laughs at me! 😂 We only get this 2-3 times a year cuz it’s a bit expensive- almost $30 for a lb of fish and one order of the potatoes. It’s plenty for both of us. We’re STUFFED! I could eat the fish every day... and used to! I was the bartender there from May 2000 til Oct 2011. 😁 After gaining 30# in the first 3 yrs, I learned to limit myself. 😉 But, it’s our tradition for Thanksgiving Eve. This is our 23rd year!! (Sorry... it was half eaten before I thought to take a pic. lol)

I’m pooped!! Crocheted this morning. This afternoon, made macaroni salad and banana bread, did dishes, finished cleaning up the kitchen. I love my kitchen, but it can be a disaster— organized chaos. It’s big (16x26), but I wish it were bigger. 😂 Or maybe a second kitchen. ?? I do have a stove and sinks in the basement, but I mostly use them for soap/lotion making. We will use the second oven tomorrow. 😉 Everyone is planning to be here tomorrow by 12-12:30... in time to watch the game. DD is bringing the turkey and deviled eggs, DSIL is making green bean casserole, DS1 made 2 pumpkin pies and cookies, DDIL is making mac and cheese, DH is making the potatoes (instant)/gravy and stuffing (stove top), I’m making sweet potato casserole and scalloped corn. So, with everything here early and we won’t eat til 2-2:30 (halftime 😉), we’ll need both ovens to get it all done. Anywho... didn’t get everything done and straightened up and final touches til about 7, so ordered carry out for dinner. Called my mom at 8 (I do every night)... sometimes she’s exhausting. Tonight was such. I just try to remember that she’s dealing with a lot with my dad (dementia and heart failure) and just try to listen. But she can tend to *exaggerate* and make up stories herself... which can be frustrating. I either don’t know what to believe or what not to. Or if I correct her, then she gets flustered and confused. Most of the time, if it’s not a big deal, I just let it go. Hoping everyone has something to be thankful for this year!! and Necie

Did my town trip today. Rural King, Aldis, Walmart. Left at 11:00, home at 2:30. I hate shopping. Will have to do Christmas shopping in December, but shouldn’t have to go for *grocery* type stuff until at least January... hopefully February. Tomorrow I just have to prep some stuff for Thursday and finish cleaning up the kitchen. and Necie

I remember hearing this before. Also, that when the national bird was being chosen that someone (don’t remember who) wanted it to be the turkey. 🦃 If that had happened, nobody would have turkey for Thanksgiving as it would be protected just like the eagle. 🦅

Finished the venison up and all in the freezer. Won’t have to process until after Thanksgiving. We ran down to the church for a viewing for one of DH’s old buddies. He passed 4 days ago, but we didn’t know until yesterday when DSIL called. Then she called again this morning and a lady we’ve known for years passed yesterday. Sux getting older and losing more and more people. Going to town tomorrow. Hope I don’t forget anything. My list is a mess. 🥴 I do a running list and just keep crossing off and adding to it. After tomorrow, I’ll flip the page and start over with anything that’s not crossed off. DS2 said he was hunting at my mom’s tonight instead of the farm. Haven’t heard from him, so guess he didn’t get anything there.

I know a few people down there. They’ve had a rough year with weather. Prayers of safety for all in the area.

The cost of fishing, for me, is irrelevant. It is my peace and joy. It is my HAPPY PLACE!! 🎣 I could fish every day! As long as it’s not cold or windy... but light rain is fine. I am even happy to be woke up early to go fishing. (I’m a VERY grouchy not-a-morning person.) Y’all wait til next spring/summer/fall... I will drive ya nuts with all my posts of fishing. The refrigerator freezer in the garage is dedicated to fish only... and it is FULL!!

I hadn’t had them till about 5 years ago. Started finding them at my mom’s out by her woods... in the yard, under her hammock of all places!! I had to really read up on them before I’d even try them. These are red boletes. There is a lookalike that causes stomach upset. But everything I read says that even the lookalikes are ok if FULLY cooked. So I fry them in butter nearly to death!! lol They still taste wonderful! DH won’t eat them... he doesn’t like mushrooms. Again... picky-@$$!! MORE FOR ME!! I got 5 pints of them this year and left plenty to spore out.

Management is a huge part of hunting and something that many of younger hunters don’t truly understand. My grandpa lived through the depression. I remember all the stories about how country people had family from the cities just show up to stay with them. My great grandparents had family from Detroit with them. They hunted... A LOT! After the depression, my great-grandpa and grandpa would NOT take a doe. Bucks only. The deer population had been decimated. For over 70 yrs, my grandpa would not take a doe. Only my youngest uncle and my DS2 knew that my grandpa did start taking a select few does in the last 5 years of his life. The deer population has exploded in the last 10+ years. Yet, he still felt the need to *preserve* the herds. Nobody else was allowed to take does on his property... only him. And he didn’t let others know that he did. After my grandpa passed and my DS2 decided he wanted to start hunting again, he, my uncle and myself had a discussion— I wanted him to take does (me not knowing that my grandpa had started to). The deer on the farm are overpopulated. They’re tearing up crops, gardens, getting hit in the roads, etc. We don’t allow coyote hunting because at least they take fawns to keep the deer somewhat in check. Boy, was I surprised when I said that I wanted 5 does for every one buck, and uncle and DS2 just smiled and agreed. This year, we are doing 3:1 because EHD was a problem 2 yrs ago. It cut numbers a bit... but there are still too many. Oh... and every other buck has to be a *management* buck... there are some funky ones out there. 🥴

For my grandpa, it was the cost of a shotgun shell. So, to him it was all but free. He never bought a license for on his own property. He always said, “I’ll shoot all I want! They’ve been feeding on my corn and alfalfa all year.” So I guess he also considered the loss of some of his crops as a cost also. Now, my DS2 is a different story. He does put money into (deer) hunting. Blinds, stands, cameras, clothing, plots, gas, bows/guns/ammo, licenses, etc. (no beer). Also for DDIL and DGD(12)... and DGS(6) and DGD(4) when they’re old enough. But he loves it and it’s also a hobby that does provide food. It’s a family tradition that is being passed down to the next generation to respect the land and animals it provides to us. Then there’s small game— both sons hunt... mostly rabbit and squirrel, some turkey and fowl. They don’t put all that into it— just licenses and ammo. We all fish. Licenses and bait. Everyone has their own boats/tackle. DH and I have the cost of a gas motor. DS1 uses a trolling motor. DS2 uses a kayak.