'TIS THE SEASON...

Tis the season...cut down a tree on Thanksgiving day at Pine Creek Tree Farm, and got it decorated tonite(after Nanc & I struggled mightily to put up the new baseboard yesterday). Now, if we only had any ideas on what to put under it?!?!?!

Sutton haming it up for the camera today at Rollie & Vernetta's for our family Thanksgiving meal.

And, also is the season for meralgia paresthetica(?)...pinched nerve in my back that radiates forward in the form of my right top thigh having "falling asleep" feeling, burning sensation, and stabbing pain when I roll to my left to get out of bed. So, its back to sleeping on the recliner for me till I can get this straightened out....:-(

SUNDAY'S RECIPE-STEAK SOUP

Steak Soup:

I start out with 3/4 to 1 lb grilld leftover steak, I
like to use flat iron steak. We usually buy as close to a 2 lb steak as we can, that way we get 2 nice meals out of it...marinated and grilled medium rare the first meal, this soup or stir fry the next. Slice the steak cross grain real thin, then cut slices into 1" pieces. Into a crockpot put 4 cups hot water and 5 tsp beef bouillion. Add steak, 2 large potatoes cubed to 1/2", 3 large carrots peeled and diced 1/2", 2-3 slices onion, fine chopped. Add 1 TBSP of steak sauce (i like A-1 myself) and 2 tsp Worcestershire, turn crockpot to high and cover. After 2 hours, add optional 1/2 small can tomato paste and 1 cup frozen/fresh green beans. After 4 hours total cooking time, uncover, season with s & p to taste.

Blend 2 TBSP cornstarch with 2-4 TBSP cold
water, stir into soup and let cook another 5 minutes
to thicken. Hmm great hearty soup for a cold day!

More Fall Colors

Came across these pictures today in my file...thought I'd share them with y'all, even though the leaves are now pretty well all off the tree. We spent a lot of time yesterday blowing out bushes/vacuuming up a lot! of leaves.

Random thoughts: -bought 2 turkeys yesterday...a big 19+ lb bird for the Funk gathering next Sunday and a 12 lb'er for us, I LOVE turkey and its really cheap this time of year. Picked up a nice bone-in ham on sale to for eating sometime in the next month...wow, is our freezer full!

- overdid it yesterday working outside in the yard...I want so bad to be able to do the things I need to be doing(dealing with all the leaves, cutting down a Christmas tree, puting up new base moulding in the house, working on woodworking projects) but its really hard and very taxing on me with my right shoulder out of commission.

- I love my new mixer so much...just can't understand why I didn't buy one years ago! Making loaves of bread like crazy...got a lot of people that I want to bestow a loaf on.

-today is the last Sunday for our Sunday school class at Tabor Church, and I'm teaching. Its been very interesting and I'm going to miss it (both our parents believe we are going to join that church...I don't think so)

-my KSU Wildcats, a.k.a. the Cardiac Kids, pulled off another win last nite! makes us 9-2 for the season...after pre-season critics didn't give us a chance of going more than 6 and 6. Hats off to the kids...they never give up. Maybe the Cotton Bowl will send an invite??? SWEET!

-I'd be remiss if I didn't mention how thankful we are for our kids at this time of the year. Every one of them is so responsible, has found a good occupation to work/enjoy, loves their hobbies & pastimes, and loves the Lord! I am a very rich man indeed! And we can't forget our precious grandson...what a joy! Michael & Sara have found a house to make their home, we are so happy for them.

SUTTON AND HIS "HOG"

Here's Sutton on his "inaugural" ride on the "Hog". Grandma had to help him a little with the gears & shifting, but he caught on real quick. After a couple of turns around the block he was done. He'll need to grow a bit more to reach the pegs before we let him take her out onto the interstate and "open her up!"

*gotta get the boy a Harley shirt before he takes his bike out in public!

FINALLY, AFTER 32 YEARS....

Lets see...yup, we've been married a little over 32 years. And for most all of that time, especially after my stints as chef at the Old Mill Restaurant & the Red Coach Inn, I have wanted a KitchenAid mixer. Nancy says its a "spur of the moment" yearning...I'm not sure where that came from, I think 32 years is a little more than a "spur of the moment". Anyway, here she is, a Professional 450 watt model in color coordinating to our dinnerware. Anyone need bread made, cookies, or noodle dough, I'm ready to roll.

p.s.- my wife informed me in no certain terms to check my math...its been 33+ years!

'Tis the season....Deer Jerky!

Getting a start on the 2011 deer jerky making season! Here ar the tools of the trade...bowl of meat mixture, jerky extruder, and dehydrator. I prefer ground meat for my jerky...its easier to chew on. And my seasonings are no secret...I use Oster Seasoning packets plus a few of my own "additions". This batch of 1 lb. deer meat and 1 lb. 73% lean hamburger has a 1/4 cup of pineapple-teryaki sesame seed marinate (store bought) and 1/8 cup soy sauce. Sometimes I even make up my own seasoning mix using Morton's Tender Quick salt and some spices...it always turns out good.


I usually use 1/2 & 1/2 mix of deer & beef, makes for a nice lean jerky. I need some more fruit leather liners, so since I was short I piped a tray of deer sticks instead. 24 to 48 hours later and you have a great snack. A buddy of mine got me a bunch of deer meat, so I'll be making several batches this season