Tag Archives: venison

Single’s Night

In my old single days I would’ve done a dry (no oil in the pan) quesadilla with Monterey Jack inside, flipped it to brown on both sides to crisp the flour tortillas and melt the cheese, then topped it with Trader Joe’s salsa and a sliced avocado from the fruit and veg guy outside of Trader Joe’s.

Tonight my husband had his monthly meeting with fellow nerds so I got spicy tuna sushi from Whole Foods and cooked absolutely nothing. It was a great break.

There’s a little trepidation going into Thanksgiving, we’re going to Nanny’s and I’ve agonized over what to bring but came back to the basics and what they count on me to bring, because these days we’re flying in so aren’t supposed to bring anything but I can make my spiced almonds and cashews, put them in a zip bag and they’ll go into our suitcase. No we won’t carry on, as we’ll share a bag.

This morning I organized all of Jim’s balloons (he’s learning how to twist balloons, all from not having candy in his desk for the kids who visit their parents at work), because there will be at least 25 kids at Thanksgiving, plus he always entertains kids at the airport gate. Now he has to load them into the apron, his coat and hat so that he’s prepared in any situation to delight a crying toddler.

It’ll be good to see his family again. Margie and I will cook up a storm and hopefully brother John will not find a deer this year. Well, if the weather’s warm I hope he doesn’t find one because they’ll have to break it down in the house. This time my husband and I will leave for 6 hours because the gaminess became unbearable. Or maybe I’ll just take a really long walk. I’m “game” to eat game but venison may not be my thing after this encounter a few years ago.

Ten years we’ve been together and nine since the first Thanksgiving with 50 family members. We’ll be married nine years in January. We’ve lived in four homes and enjoy the mountains and the West. This year, with new additions there may be 60. Who knows.

Tomorrow’s Friday, must be pizza night. My dough will remain the same but I may change up the toppings. Cheers, Dee

ps Did I give you my dough recipe? I’ll have to do that.

Just Another Day

But today, I get to go to a local amusement park where all my husband’s co-workers are bringing their families for what is essentially The Company Picnic. Lunch starts at 2:00 so I’m picking Jim up and we’ll do lunch on our own then join the picnic.

This is our first year at this event. Last year he was on contract, so he would have lost an entire day’s pay plus pay for tix to the park. An expensive option we opted out of. This year he’s on staff, he gets a paid 1/2 day off and free tix for both of us. So we’ll go. No scary roller coasters for me!

Let’s hope it doesn’t rain! Otherwise I’m getting ready for guests next week and hopefully will have snow tires removed as well. I hope to get to the store downtown that has Zoe’s frozen food. Right now she’s eating raw venison and loves it. Next is elk, I guess. Hey, she looks great and loves frozen raw meat, what can I say? I cooked for my first dog and swore I wouldn’t do it again, and I did for months until someone told us of the raw food diet. She took to it like a fish to water. Her lamb medallions include squash and blueberries and all kinds of good stuff, and no grain whatsoever. All I do is add a splash of organic chicken broth because she doesn’t drink enough water.

This weekend I look forward to getting plants and container-izing them. Perhaps a tomato plant, definitely basil, sage, thyme, rosemary, oregano and chives. Then a few flowers for color. Hopefully it won’t freeze again because our first tomato plant died of frost. It’s wonderful to have fresh herbs ready for any meal.

Did I ever give you Don’s maple-rosemary marinade? I need to do that, after making it and fussing with it numerous times I made a 5 lb. pork roast that marinated for 36 hours. All I got was a forkful to taste and it’s the best pork I’ve ever made! Thanks Don! He’s my butcher. Next post, promise. Cheers, Dee