Thursday, February 15, 2007

Posted on Thursday, February 15, 2007 at 06:45

Good morning everyone. Yesterday morning when I left it was only -7 and got up to around 10 above. This morning it's around -9. Not sure what the high is. Still no new snow which is really hurting the economy up here. Many resorts, hotels, bars, and retail depend on the large amount of snowmobilers that come up here to use our trails and the ski resorts. Many are needing to make their own snow which is costly. It's not as bad by me as about 30 miles north of here in Eagle River. The trails are just not good and tourism is way down.

I managed to get the kitchen floor scrubbed yesterday. Took Taffy to the vet and got meds for her ears - poor baby. He said there's a LOT of yeast in them causing the inflamation and pain. Hopefully the medicines will kick in soon and give her relief. I had my MRI on my foot last night as well. The radiologist will read it today and my doctor should get a report in the next couple days. I'll hear from him next week I'm sure. I think he's on call for us on Tuesday so maybe then.....

I pulled out a package of venison from the freezer last night. I'll toss it in the slow cooker when I get home this morning. Mmmmmmm, I can just taste it already. Haven't decided whether to BBQ it or cook it with a pkg of onion soup mix, a little water, can of cream of mushroom soup, potatoes (I use yukon gold) and carrots. Hmmmmmmm decisions, decisions. If I do the later, I'll mix up a batch of buttermilk biscuits to go with a bit of strawberry-rhubarb jam I made last summer. Man oh man does that sound tempting. Top that with a broiled pear and a meal fit for a king. I'm blessed that a good friend loves to hunt and often shares his bounty. His wife insists that if he is to "go have fun" he have a place to share the wealth. I don't think I've been without fresh venison in a good 8-9 years. He skins and quarters it for me then I cut it up as I desire and freeze it. I then pull out any left from the prior year and can it for quick and easy meals. I haven't gotten the hang of making jerky tho - perhaps because I'm spoiled that my cousin makes the best, most tender venison jerky in the northwoods!! Ok, maybe I'm a little biased, but it is of excellent quality.

I recently watched the PBS series that aired a few years back. Our library has it on VHS. It's the one with the Homesteaders. I found it quite enjoyable and very thought provoking. Could I do it? Live like the 1700's? I'd like to believe I could although it would take a LOT of hard work and a family that worked together. I found it very interesting watching the family from Malibu and how they just couldn't completely let go. Yes, they did have some good ideas and the Mom adapted to the kitchen very well but just what were they thinking? The whole series made me think of how far we've come yet how far we slip backwards. Take for instance nutritian. Back then it was all worked for - you worked the fields, planted the seeds, hauled water for those seeds if rain chose not to show it's face, hoed the weeds, harvested (by hand), dried the wheat, ground the wheat (which I've seen many of you blog that you do ),mixed up the bread, baked it then enjoyed it. Whew, all that for a wholesome, truley natural loaf of bread. It works for all nutrition of the day. You couldn't just go to the grocery store and pick something quick for supper. You couldn't go thru the drive thru. Obesity wasn't a problem because folks worked hard. We now consume as much or more per day as our ansestors that did 2-3 times the labor as we do now.

I do plant my own garden, I make my own laundry soap, use vinegar, baking soda, and borax for all my cleaning, I've recently fashioned a simple quilt out of old sweat pants. Not much to look at, but so very warm and soft.I just cut the pants into squares and sewed them together until it was large enough to fit my full size bed. I'm not a seamstress by any means - my Grandmother (God rest her soul) use to laugh at my attempts and would say how lucky I was that I didn't have to rely on my stiching to cloth my daughter and myself as otherwise we'd be running around naked.   I've got a bag of cloth strips to braid into a rug. I love to go pick wild berries and then process them in either jams, jellies, butters or simply can or dry them.

Well, sending out those Toasted Warm Fuzzies. May your day be safe and healthy. God Bless!!!

Michele