Out to Lunch

Actually, way out to lunch.  First thing this morning a walk in the woods was put into the plans for the day.  While Dick did his morning chores and tore a little more of the camp down across the road, I packed our lunch.  Simple but ya know when we are eating outdoors it all tastes good.  Especially after a long walk back in one of our favorite valleys.  Quincy was excited to hear the word "walk."  We don't mention it until time to go out the door.  Dogs are smart and he is no exception, the minute we start putting on our walking boots and clothes he gets all nervous pacing from me to Dick. 

11:30 was set for departure time.  An hour walk up the valley, lunch and home by 3pm. That gives us time to wander off into the woods for exploring.  The day was warming up close to 35 degrees and by the time we sat for lunch the sun was shining through the trees making beautiful long shadows on the snow.  Where we eat is almost to the end of the hollow, 3 hills come together to make a bowl shape.  It has long been my favorite spot, the view of the 3 hills is long and straight up.  If the day wasn't enjoyable enough we were in for a shock and awe moment.  Just as we got to the log (table for food) a huge bird took off  down the ravine  just 10 feet from us.  My first words "what is that" then I thought Turkey Vulture (Buzzard) and  knew immediately that is was an eagle.  It would fly maybe 20 ft and land, then take off again for another few feet.  I had my camera but what good is it when I am beyond excited?  It was an immature Golden Eagle, it's beak was black giving us the clue it wasn't an immature Bald Eagle.  Dick thought it might be injured because it didn't leave in a hurry and flew low to the ground.  Eventually as we started to follow it, it took flight and left.  Not hard to figure out once we looked to where it had flew from that the carcass of a dead deer was there.  Not much left of it.  The snow was well packed down from all the visitors coming to eat off it.  We had seen several coyote tracks on our way up in.  This is why we like winter walks when the snow in on, we get to see what is traveling in the area.  Nothing can compare to that Golden Eagle today, it looked too big to be flying much less between trees and branches.  Flight is amazing.  What a day!
*Just heard from my daughter adult Golden Eagles get white feathers mixed in during the winter months to help them blend in with the winter surroundings. 

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Sun shining down the hill, soon will be
setting then the woods will cool down.

My two guys leading the way.  Yes one is
packing, never leave home without it.

Ham & cheese with spicy mustard,
juicy little clementines, a few fresh baked
Oreo cookies (kidding) and hot cocoa.  One of
 the best restaurants around, with a view.

Last night was the hubs birthday and his choice for his celebration.....ham and bean soup, fresh baked buttermilk biscuits and peach cobbler for desert.  The ham bone with a little meat on it from last weeks dinner worked great for making the broth for the beans.  In the pot it went with some finely chopped onion, celery, garlic, a couple bay leaves, salt and pepper.  Once the meat had fallen of the bone it was discarded and the beans added.  This will be lunch or supper for a few days.  Dick likes to butter Salt Rising Bread and pour bean soup over it.  Remember I'm not a soggy bread kinda person so I pass on that, soup in the bowl works for me.  The peach cobbler was the way I always make it.  Pour 1 qt and 1 pt of peaches with juice in the bottom of a baking dish.  Put it in a 375 degree oven while mixing the batter to pour on top.  The batter is from a recipe book I bought in Mrs. Bosak's Home Ec class way back in 1965.  Ha, that is 51 years ago!  Seriously, it does not seem possible.  The cake is called Penny Wise Cake because it only takes one egg and not a lot of expensive ingredients.  This is also the recipe I use for Pineapple Upside Down Cake, Apple Cake and Blueberry Cake.  As you can see the page is well worn as other pages with recipes I use often.  Thank you Mrs. Bosak.  I do not use cake flour, just all purpose flour.  I bought cake flour once and did not see a difference.  The key is not to over beat cookie or cake batter, it makes the finished product tough.  Bread you have to knead and beat to get the gluten going, biscuits NO, lightly mix them for a light and fluffy biscuit.

Biscuits and beans, sounds like a cowboy
supper.  Apple butter and blueberry/rhubarb
sauce makes the biscuit almost like desert.

Who would have thought when I bought
this recipe book it would be so important
in my "housewife life"

A little worn by it does say Penny-Wise
Cake.

Peach Cobbler

The birthday guy gets a big bowl with
double vanilla ice cream!

Remember take time to "pass it on"