The Hunter's Supper

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday with the Sunday after being my second favorite day, I call it the "day of the hunter" with a Hunter's Supper.  Today is the day the hunters of our family and our friend Larry, from Canada joins the guys to talk stories of long ago and anticipated strategy for the first day of buck tomorrow.  No snow this year which will make it tough for the lucky hunter to drag his buck from the woods. 

Everyone carries walkie talkies and I keep one at the house to listen  to the action or announce to the guys who are deep in the woods or high on the hill of the deer running through our field.  Truthfully I see more from my comfy stand (house) than they do in the woods.  Always the way but being in the woods is the only satisfaction a true hunter gets.  The clean fresh air, with the quiet of the woods only to hear the rustling of the branches or leaves when something is near.  Some like to stand watch while others would rather stay moving.  Dick is the mover, "up" is his game.  Up that hill so he can watch down over.  Many would rather not hunt with him because of his technique and desire to keep moving.  Our grandson Kent is a mover and keeps up with his granddad.

Back to our Hunter's Supper.  It varies but always consists of a few different meat dishes.  Today is pulled pork, Venison Pastrami (made by our son, Bart), little smokies, salami, ring bologna, roasted potatoes, our home canned pickled asparagus, pickles and beets, dinner rolls and deviled eggs (thanks to the hens). No fresh baked desserts today, way to hot for this cook to light the oven for very long.  Instead I bought a Golden Pineapple, if the weather is going to be tropical we shall eat Island Fruit.   Oh, there will be some last minute throw on the table food, one thing for sure they will have plenty to eat while telling their stories that get better each year.



Gramps and his grandson, Kent.

Dick, Kent, Ricky and Larry.

Only the best for my hunters.
Homemade dinner rolls, soft and chewy on
the inside, crusty on the
outside and rubbed with real butter. 

We have had quite a mild fall at Cook'n by the Creek, which has allowed Pine boughs to be cut and put around the porch rail, no gloves needed this year.  The inside is going to get the Christmas Season look tomorrow.  That keeps me busy while listening for a shot and hear deer down on the walkie talkie.  Once the decorations are done we always set back in the evening and think how beautiful and cozy it looks.  Then in about a week I see dust settling in and it doesn't look so fresh and cozy, only after the sun goes down but during the day, ohhhhhh the dust!  Such a pain to dust under that "stuff".  Soon after Christmas the "stuff" all comes down and the cleaning begins.  Again, I will sit and say how nice it looks to have the house back to normal, funny how the cycle of seasons prepares us for the next one. The next important ones, leek digging, fishing and spring gobbler.  After that the garden and lawn work begins.  Geeeeeez, I just flew through winter in one minute!  I have to remember enjoy the day, the season and never wish time away.

To all the hunters out there may your tag be filled while you enjoy the great outdoors.