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Friday, December 30, 2011

Happy New Year

Hope everyone has a safe new year's eve and a great 2012!


I've had camping and fishing on my mind lately, must be spring fever setting in early. :)
Before Christmas I checked out two small lakes someone had told me about...
the first one had plenty of trees, the camp sites looked a bit crowded but I suppose that's to be expected in this area. There aren't many lakes or bodies of water here to choose from. :)





I have not heard how the fishing is but it might be worth a try.





The little lake had a cafe. The first thing I spotted was this old cooker parked behind the building. I had to check it out. lol







The second lake I checked out was covered with birds. (not the best pic, it was taken through the pickup window).



Due to the drought, the little lake was pretty low. There were more trees in the lake than around the shoreline.



The water line (where the logs are)... at one time the lake must have been fairly deep.





I'm not quite convinced it would be a good fishing/camping lake but it would be a great place to spend the afternoon skipping rocks. :)



Thinking back, 2011 was an interesting year... Quite a few highs and lows. Good friend Chris says "The pain and joy let me know I am alive." :)
I'm thankful for my family and friends, and will never take anything for granted.
No matter how bad things seem, they could always be worse. I am thankful for all I have.
Life's too short to sweat the small stuff and as another friend Chris said the other day "Remember, the potential to smile is always here with us." :)

I plan on smiling a LOT in 2012. :)
Hope everyone has a good one!

Monday, December 26, 2011

Christmas Day

It was a beautiful morning... :)



The blanket of snow covered all but the dried sage, yucca and plum thickets.



I had my heart set on smoked crab legs but needed to come up with a side dish.

The twice baked potatoes were easy to put together. I baked the potatoes early and let them cool, then scooped out the centers leaving just a shell. I sauteed minced scallions and garlic in bacon drippings, added the cooked potato, butter, milk, seasoning and shredded cheese. Whipped until fluffy...then filled the potato shells and topped them with shredded cheese and crisp bacon.



The only king crab legs available in my area are frozen... so I thawed them out.



I wasn't sure how many would be here for supper.... so I put three steaks on the Hasty Bake to smoke too.



added the stuffed potatoes, a pot of spicy shrimp and the crab legs last....



The crab legs just need heated through. They take on a great smoky flavor. :)







While supper was smoking I noticed a trail of deer slowly making their way across the pasture...



They're not easy to see... just above the top line of brown sagebrush.



There were 5 whitetail does, heading south......



When the steaks had taken on a bit of smoke, I gave them a quick high heat sear.









I did make a salad, but I couldn't get those smoked crab legs off my mind. :)





I tried a few spicy shrimp.. ate about half of my tatoe, didn't make it to the steak.....



This was what I had been dreaming of all day. lol



I spent most of the day talking to distant relatives on the phone. It was bittersweet to hear their voices but not be able to spend more time with them. Hopefully things will change next year. :)

Hope everyone had a wonderful day!

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Merry Christmas!

Hope everyone has a safe and happy Christmas!
Remember, it's not about presents and Hallmark cards...
Give your loved ones extra hugs and kisses while you are able to too. :)

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Some Deer Camp Food

Deer season was fun again this year. We ate too much...also spent many late nights enjoying the stories and laughter.
It was nice to see everyone again.

Seems like we were constantly eating... I skipped making lunches but made a few breakfasts and supper every night.

We had fun on beef cheek taco night...





Dined on biscuits and sausage gravy...It's so easy to make when you're in a hurry.





A beef short rib meal.... with baked potato and smoked pepperjack cheese.



Smoked ham....



with smokey potatoes and bacon wrapped bacon...







Canadian peameal bacon on biscuits...



Pan fried chicken...



Lots of pancakes...



with beef cheek hash and eggs.



Thanksgiving dinner... right in the middle of deer season.











I put a little of everything on my plate....



and didn't make it very far.



More biscuits and sausage gravy....





Smoked meatloaf and garlic smooshed potatoes....



also some cayenne/brown sugar/whiskey smoked spam.



The smoked meatloaf, garlic smooshed tatoes, fried hominy with bacon...





I don't think I ate for a week after deer season! Overall it was a nice to see everyone. I'm looking forward to next year. :)