Saturday, December 20, 2014

Another Love the Clara Valley Day

The snow is still with us but settling fast.  Of course I had to check the 2 week weather forecast.......even though I do not believe the guys and gals predictions.  Still I am hoping for temps in the high 20s with snow.  Looks more like rain and mud!  It was a perfect few days for the hunters in Clara Valley.  Fresh fallen snow and hunters are best pals when it comes to tracking and spotting the ever so evasive deer.  As big as they are they can be the ghost of the forest, now you see the and poof they are gone.  Without snow it is pretty tough to spot one if it is standing still and if it's running tough to hit.  My guys teamed up with our Canadian friends for a couple hunts.  One doe was taken by the young Canadian and 2 buck missed by 2 guys that will remain anonymous.  No sense in rubbing salt in the wound of the two dead eyes!  It will be another good story for the 2015 Hunters' Supper.  It's not been too bad of a year for the family.  The NC son and grandson each got a buck in their neck of the woods.  Both grandsons from Clara downed deer, one buck and one doe.  Can't complain on that, meat in the freezer is always welcome.  It won't be long and the deer will be safe to do their winter foraging and circle of territory.  Most wild animals have a territory they travel which can be quite a few square miles.  For example coyotes.  If we are awakened with their calls during the night I can almost guarantee, Christine Austin Gibble will have a good nights sleep.  This will go on for a week or two and then Christine will post her middle of the night visitors and that means the Bryants will get sleep with no howling, yipping and barking.  Christine lives over two  hills from us on Canada Hollow.  The crow could fly it in a minute,  we can drive it in 5-8 minutes.

Yesterday was Hazelnut Balls and yes it is a German cookie recipe.  Another good one for a hot cup of coffee, tea or cocoa.  Light on the sugar and lots of ground hazelnuts that provide flavor over sugar.  You can also use pecans or walnuts.  They would also be delicious with dark chocolate drizzled over them.

It's a good thing Christmas only comes once a year!

~38 little balls of goodness~
Tomorrow the famous cookie recipe, date and nut goodies by Aola Maxson, plus my cinnamon roll recipe again.   Back by popular demand, happy, happy, happy so many are requesting the recipe.....they are worth it.  Also I am very excited to be cooking/baking next week with a great Venezuelan guy that is following his desire to be a chef.  We will be sharing and teaching each other our favorite recipes.  You know that will be a blog with plenty of photos.  We will both be "Passing it On"!