Ham Hocks!

Although they are not very pretty and not much meat these little hocks pack more flavor for soups than a great big beautiful ham.  I was so excited to find them at a store in Bradford for a great price of $1.87 for two.  As I type they are simmering in the pressure cooker with carrots, celery, onions and a quart of water.  In 30 minutes they will provide a very tasty broth for bean soup.  I will take the hocks out and blend the broth and veggies for a smooth base.  We had bacon for breakfast and of course the couple TBSP of grease will be thrown in along with a Bay Leaf, salt and pepper.  Remember, always wash the beans before cooking.  I have found little pebbles in the bags.  My kind of supper, bean soup (I use Navy Beans) and fresh baked Grandma's Buttermilk Corn Bread.  A day of laundry, quilting and the smell soup simmering. With the leftover soup tomorrow will be fresh salt rising bread buttered and bean soup pored over it.  That was a farm favorite that Dick now likes. .

smoked ham hocks

Ready to start pressure cooking.   They can be simmered a few
hours in a pot if you don't have a pressure cooker.

We had a nice walk this morning.  The sun was showing off the few oak leaves that are left on the trees, sky was blue with great big fluffy white clouds floating along.  One thing about walking on the dirt road in Clara, we also get a little break and good conversation when people stop to say hello.  It is tough to think soon it will all be gone for another year.  True saying, "the older you get the faster time goes by".  My best winters are when the snow starts in late November, actually Thanksgiving day is perfect  and doesn't leave until March.  Our winter walks are just as beautiful as fall walks, all white and fresh crisp air while looking for animal tracks.  It's always nice to see what has been traveling through the woods.  Hot dog roasts in the woods  on a cold day is something else we like to do.  I am getting way ahead here, never wish time away, enjoy the day.

It's turkey season now.  Larry and Dick went out most of the day Saturday, they heard turkey but those birds are smart and very evasive in the woods.  Of course they also know the days of the week.  Yesterday (Sunday) 5 big gobblers were hunting bugs in the back field.  They know there is no Sunday hunting.

Here is what I did while the guys were hunting.  Darned my grandson's hunting socks.  I had knit them last year and happy he has worn a couple holes in them.  That means he likes and wears them.  My mom had a basket with yarn, a variety of colors and weight for mending socks.  There was also an oval wooden darning egg she used to put in the sock as she darned them.  Now I understand why, it would make mending socks much easier.  My mission, start looking for one.

I read a folk lore today posted by the Farmer's Almanac.  "If the first snow falls on unfrozen ground the winter will be mild".  I'm keeping that in mind come spring we shall see if it is true.  Either way,  we will do our best to enjoy the great outdoors.  We plan on getting the pizza oven going a few times.  One thing for sure, the heat will feel good on cold days.   It was very hot on warm days to put pizzas in and out of the oven.  The temperature is above 700 degrees,  the pizzas baked in 30-90 seconds!

Pizza, bread and chicken wings in the outdoor wood fired
pizza oven.