Where do you begin?

Hmmmm good question. Where do you begin? This is my first attempt and being a terrible self critic and OCD I'll probably do this over several times before I feel I've gotten it right. But then I thought, is that what it's really all about . . .getting it RIGHT? Or is it just putting your best foot forward everyday and doing the best you can with whatever life throws at you. We all have our good times and not so good times. We all second guess ourselves throughout life always wondering if a different choice would have really made things any different. But, through it all is it not our faith, family and friends the measure of who and what we really are?

Well our dear friends and neighbors of 15 years moved on to Tulsa ,OK and I can tell you it sure is mighty quiet around here since then. I can't help opening my garage door and peeking over to see if my buddy Chase is out ready to come over and help mrbob. One cannot help but love that little fella because he sure can light up the day with the cutest little smile and a terrific laugh.

Meeting the next group of missionaries and learning where they all are from and swapping a few stories of my adventures in their home town or state. Michelle, my trusty taste tester as I put together another home receipe for some yummy venison fixin's. Venison tenderloin wrapped in bacon seasoned and cooked slowly on the grill. Mmmmmmmm good !!! A little piece of heaven. :)


This year I didn't get to do a lick of deer hunting but have 7 in the freezer. Yep, you heard it correctly. Fellow hunters looking to cull out their herd didn't want the meat so brought them to me to process. Sometimes 3 at a time . . . now that's some work for a fella who does it all in his garage.

Several of the neighbors came over, to my surprise, to watch and sometimes help. I tried to keep the big door closed or would warn others approaching in case it would offend them. As I said to my surprise they were interested in the process . . . .from skinning or caping the hide to deboning the meat. Little Aerial (sp?) was a big helper and had lots of questions . . .I think she's a pretty smart girl. Michelle, I know you're out there listening . . . lol!!! I'm sorry you were not here so I could share some of this delicious meat. I even got into making summer sausage, bologna, salmi, pepperoni and polish sausage links ( my favorite ). Oh, no I didn't forget . . .I made Venison Jerky too . . . about 15 lbs of it. Three different flavors, Hickory, Mesquite and Teriyaki. Unfortunately it didn't last long and I have had several requests for MORE! It is a lot of work and I do enjoy it but I sure do miss all my dear taste testers . . . .Michelle when are ya'll coming back for a visit! LOL!!!

At the end of the day and a nice full tummy nothing is better than snuggling up with my grand-daughters puppy . .Tater , a miniature English Bulldog. . . .who's about 9 months old. She is a bundle of love and is just soaking up all the attention . . . . it's going to be hard on all of us when she has to go back home.