'Tis Hunting Time—A smallish blog

[Shelby]

19 hours ago, Smithy said:

First, a question: is this the first time that hunting and canning have overlapped because the garden has gone on later than usual? If that isn't the reason, what is?

 

 Aw, you are too kind!   Yeah, the garden has gone on a lot later than usual.  The flooding has delayed everything--crops included.  I still have green tomatoes and flowers on the plants.  Unheard of this late in the year.

19 hours ago, Smithy said:

Second, a comment: I enjoy and am impressed by your chalk drawings. You may think they're simple, but to this graphically-challenged soul your artwork is gorgeous and almost magical.

You are double too kind!!! The whole time growing up I wanted to be an artist....just didn't happen, but at least I have my chalkboard 😁

19 hours ago, Smithy said:

Third, another question: do I spy a melty cheese on that egg sandwich? If so, what cheese, liquid and proportions did you use? I'm about to try my hand at using the melty cheese calculator and am looking for ideas/encouragement.

No that was just a regular old cheese slice, but I think it would be so fun to make slices using the Melty cheese calc. and am planning on doing so.  Maybe this week would be the perfect time since I make breakfast sandwiches for the great hunters.

 

Well, today did not go as planned at all.  My dentist visit was far worse than I figured.  Had to get a tooth pulled (a very back one) and didn't get good news about my gums.  I won't go into it but needless to say, I'm not feeling so hot.  Ronnie went to Sam's for me during the appt.  thank goodness.  I made it through two other grocery stores and the other errands and then came home and had to lay down.  

 

I'm up now with a large glass of wine.  I hope that starts to cut the pain  

 

Anyway, I was going to take pics of the groceries but that didn't happen.  Came home with some pork loin and wings.  Some veggies and cheeses.  These two look exciting:

 

I think @Kerry Beal just tried some of this, so I couldn't resist.  

 

And then this one

 

I have much to do.  Didn't get near done what I should have, but tomorrow is another day.  Our guest arrives at around 10:30 and thankfully I think Ronnie is going to take him out to lunch so I get the whole morning to finish my chores. 

 

Oh, a pic of what I did yesterday afternoon.  I can't believe all the beans we're getting.  

 

 

I think I have over 30 pints now.  So, at least that's done for a day or so.

 

Be back later  

 

[Shelby]

20 hours ago, kayb said:

You ever try confiting any wild duck

I haven't.  I should.  

[FauxPas]

1 hour ago, Shelby said:

Well, today did not go as planned at all.  My dentist visit was far worse than I figured.  Had to get a tooth pulled (a very back one) and didn't get good news about my gums.  I won't go into it but needless to say, I'm not feeling so hot.  Ronnie went to Sam's for me during the appt.  thank goodness.  I made it through two other grocery stores and the other errands and then came home and had to lay down.  

 

I'm up now with a large glass of wine.  I hope that starts to cut the pain  

 

I hope so, too! Sorry to hear about your dental woes, hope the gum issues can be controlled/improved. 

 

Your green beans look amazingly good! What's your weather like these days, will your tomatoes ripen OK? 

 

[Shelby]

3 minutes ago, FauxPas said:

 

I hope so, too! Sorry to hear about your dental woes, hope the gum issues can be controlled/improved. 

 

Your green beans look amazingly good! What's your weather like these days, will your tomatoes ripen OK? 

 

Weather is pretty good for 'maters still.  Highs in the upper 80's to 90's.  However, I just saw a distinct change for next weeks forecast in that it's going to be highs in the upper 60's to 70.  Not so good for our red round fruits, but still ok for beans.  

[Katie Meadow]

34 minutes ago, Shelby said:

Weather is pretty good for 'maters still.  Highs in the upper 80's to 90's.  However, I just saw a distinct change for next weeks forecast in that it's going to be highs in the upper 60's to 70.  Not so good for our red round fruits, but still ok for beans.  

So.....next week it's time for fried green tomatoes, yeah?

[Shelby]

Good morning!

 

After Advil and way more than one glass of wine I got some of my mojo back last night.  I was instructed that I can't eat anything crunchy until Saturday.  I'm not very good at following instructions, but I'll do my best .  So, venison stroganoff, squash and green beans last night.

 

 

After picking the garden this morning

 

 

You can see why I'm canning green beans and tomatoes every other day 🤣

 

Still have some big guys in the watermelon patch.  

 

Then we went to our pumpkin patch.  I was worried that we wouldn't have any orange pumpkins in time for fall/Halloween but we do!   The plants got a very late start, but I guess they have a way to catch up quick.

 

 

 

I now have a date with my vacuum cleaner.

 

[Kim Shook]

 I’m so glad to see you blogging, shelby and so sorry to hear about the dental problems. I share your fear of dentists. And my sister-in-law is our dental hygienist so I cannot even neglect going to the dentist when I’d like to. I’m looking forward to everything you do this week. Feel better and have fun.

Edited September 25, 2019 by Kim Shook (log)

[Shelby]

Snacks --guys are supposed to be home around 5.  @Ann_T's board makes everything look good   I got it for Christmas a few years ago and I love it.

 

 

 

Left to right-the Harbison cheese that I'm still obsessed with.  I need to order more.  I hate being without it.  Venison sausage Ronnie made --spicy, but not super spicy, smoked gouda, venison sausage Ronnie made-spicy and a store bought cajun mix.  Those kind of mixes always remind me of my Grammy.  She loved stuff like that and always had it sitting out for us or her various club meetings like Eastern Star or bridge club etc.

[Shelby]

Happy Thursday!

 

The guys came home last night super excited because there were a ton of doves that have migrated in.  Hopefully they hung around and they are having a good shoot this morning.  Chum was very excited to go this morning.

 

As the evening went on, dinner got less complicated lol.  I was going to do a venison cheeseburger pizza and a pepperoni canadian bacon pizza.  But, I decided that was too much food and just went with the cheeseburger pizza and a big salad.  Seemed to hit everyone's spot.

 

It's a cool, almost a bit cold morning so the garden picking was quite pleasant.

 

 

 

[Toliver]

Chum! Let Ronnie know any Chum pictures would be appreciated!

[kayb]

My sympathies on the dental woes. I am psyching myself and my bank account up for some major work, myself.

 

Try confiting wild duck. I promise you will not regret it. I need to get in touch with my friend the duck hunter and put in a word for some this winter; I'm down to one duck half in the freezer right now.

 

I also have the winning duck gumbo recipe from the World Championship Duck Gumbo cooking contest at the Wings over the Prairie festival in Stuttgart, AR, if you're interested. Happy to send or post on recipe gullet.

 

I always enjoy your blogs, because they're so familiar. And you write so well! 

 

Adding my vote to @Toliver for some Chum pix.

 

[Shelby]

13 hours ago, kayb said:

I also have the winning duck gumbo recipe from the World Championship Duck Gumbo cooking contest at the Wings over the Prairie festival in Stuttgart, AR, if you're interested. Happy to send or post on recipe gullet.

 

 

Thank you, Kay! I'd LOVE to have your recipe when you get time    Also, any tips on the confit would be appreciated   So sorry about your tooth woes.  I feel your pain both in your mouth and your wallet.  

 

Chum appreciates the kind words @Toliver and @kayb.  She had quite a day yesterday and did phenomenal at finding birds.

 

First, the sunrise

 

Chum waiting for a shot to be fired

Searching for a bird

Found it!

Doves and I think a teal is in there too

Tired girl

 

I'm feeling more myself today, which is good because I have a million and one things to get done.  Need to can tomatoes or make spaghetti sauce, make bierocks, pick the garden, get some cherry tomatoes in the oven for @ElainaA's slow roasted sauce, bake some bread (last night the guys said they wanted BLT's tonight--I want homemade pasta and sauce.....wonder who will win?)figure out an appetizer (thinking about making @Kim Shook's pimento cheese sausage rolls, but need something to go with)....phew oh and somewhere in there, I need a shower lol.  I better get busy.

 

On to last nights dinner:

 

Snacks

Fried bass and catfish

with green beans from the garden, @Jaymes's squash, truffle cheese mac using the melty cheese calculator  and tomatoes

 

[Anna N]

14 minutes ago, Shelby said:

I better get busy.

 

 Between you and Chum I am totally exhausted and that’s just reading about what you’re both up to.

[kayb]

Fixin' to head out of town but will hunt down and post recipe when I get back. I should specify, it's not MY recipe, it's the recipe from the champion team at the cookoff a few years ago.

 

Tell Chum I said she is a Good Girl.

[Kim Shook]

4 hours ago, Shelby said:

 

 

Thank you, Kay! I'd LOVE to have your recipe when you get time    Also, any tips on the confit would be appreciated   So sorry about your tooth woes.  I feel your pain both in your mouth and your wallet.  

 

Chum appreciates the kind words @Toliver and @kayb.  She had quite a day yesterday and did phenomenal at finding birds.

 

First, the sunrise

 

Chum waiting for a shot to be fired

Searching for a bird

Found it!

Doves and I think a teal is in there too

Tired girl

 

I'm feeling more myself today, which is good because I have a million and one things to get done.  Need to can tomatoes or make spaghetti sauce, make bierocks, pick the garden, get some cherry tomatoes in the oven for @ElainaA's slow roasted sauce, bake some bread (last night the guys said they wanted BLT's tonight--I want homemade pasta and sauce.....wonder who will win?)figure out an appetizer (thinking about making @Kim Shook's pimento cheese sausage rolls, but need something to go with)....phew oh and somewhere in there, I need a shower lol.  I better get busy.

 

On to last nights dinner:

 

Snacks

Fried bass and catfish

with green beans from the garden, @Jaymes's squash, truffle cheese mac using the melty cheese calculator  and tomatoes

 

Girl, I am exhausted just reading all this and all I've done today is make a double batch of @caroled's baked beans for my FIL's BD tomorrow.    You and Chum will have both earned naps at the end of the day!  I'd give anything for that plate of fried fish!!

[Shelby]

It's a dark, chilly Saturday morning--feels like fall.  

 

Got everything that I had planned to do done yesterday except Elaina's cherry tomatoes which I will start on here in a bit.

 

The guys worked hard on duck blinds all day--it was HOT.  Thank goodness a cold front came in today.  No hunting happened yesterday due to the work that had to be done.  Today, they are hunting again.

 

Anyway, on to yesterday.

 

I tackled the bierocks first.  I am pretty sure somewhere I've posted about these before, but I'll do it again here

 

Cook chopped onions and garlic in a bit of olive oil until soft.  Add in diced cabbage (or in my case, a bag of cole slaw mix.   It's easier), some sauerkraut (not traditional, but it gives it a kick that we like), a couple diced tomatoes (again not traditional and I wouldn't do it if I didn't have garden tomatoes) and venison burger.  Season with Lawry's salt, black pepper and ground caraway (you can use the non-ground type, too, I just don't care for it).  Cook until done.  Cool completely.  I had a lot of filling left over so I vac packed and froze it for future bierocks.

 

 

For the dough:

 

1/2 C. milk

1/2 C. water

6 T. butter

1/4 C. sugar

3 1/2 C. flour

1 T. yeast

1/2 t. salt

1 egg, beaten

 

Combine milk, water, butter and sugar in a  sauce pan and heat on stove until 110F.  In mixer, combine, 3 1/2 C. flour, yeast and salt.  Slowly add milk mixture and the beaten egg.  Mix for about 3 minutes.  Increase speed to medium on mixer and mix for about 5 more mins. until dough is smooth.  Transfer dough to greased bowl and let rise until doubled.

 

Then roll your dough out until it's square-ish

 

Cut into sections and using your fingers make each section as square as you can.  Spoon the cooled mixture on and sprinkle with grated sharp cheddar cheese (my grater was in the dishwasher, hence the non-grated cheese lol).

Grab opposite corners of the dough and pinch together and make sure all the seams are sealed

Bake @  375F for 20 minutes (I use the CSO bread setting)

 

Excellent along with some mustard

 

I baked a couple loaves of bread during this time too.  Forgot to take pictures, but ya'll have seen that before.  This was just plain french type bread.  I will be getting back into milling grains soon.

 

Then I tackled the tomatoes

 

For appetizers last night I made @Kim Shooksausage and pimento cheese balls .  SO good.  I baked about a dozen for last night and the rest I froze on a sheet pan and I'll vac pack them later.  They will be perfect for the December deer hunt.

 

Along with some spicy mustard

 

On to dinner.  The guys won.  I made BLT's.  I guess it didn't seem very fancy to me, but our hunter said these have to be on permanent rotation whenever he's here and we have our tomatoes.

 

Fries to go with

 

Tonight is "game night".  We have quail (our friend brought them frozen from a previous hunt), doves and teal.  I'm doing the quail in the CSO.  Doves and teal will be on the grill.  They want scalloped potatoes too.  So, I gotta figure out appetizers and something veggie or a salad......Like I said, last night I feel like it wasn't super special, so I'll try to be more creative today  I don't have to can, so I'll have more time.

 

 

 

Edited September 28, 2019 by Shelby (log)

[Smithy]

Those bierocks are the brightest stars in a sparkling layout...it all looks so good! Thanks for the tutorial on the bierocks. I have to download this page and save it to try.

[heidih]

I sent your hunting pics to a former employee who landed in Wichita. He would love a hunting connection, He  is from Michoacan, Mexico. So you globally inspire

[IowaDee]

Shelby, a tad off topic but are the deer in your area suffering from Blue Tongue Disease?  It is a disaster around here.  A friend was creek walking, looking for arrowheads recently and found eight dead deer.  Just sickening.....

 

As usual, I'm loving your hunting blog and seeing Chum.

[lindag]

51 minutes ago, IowaDee said:

Shelby, a tad off topic but are the deer in your area suffering from Blue Tongue Disease?  It is a disaster around here.  A friend was creek walking, looking for arrowheads recently and found eight dead deer.  Just sickening.....

 

As usual, I'm loving your hunting blog and seeing Chum.

Is BTD the same or similar to Chronic Wasting Disease?   That"s happening around here and it"s just horrifying.

[IowaDee]

Nope,  we have CWD  here as well.  BTD is caused by a midge.  Usually the deer is dead three or so days after the bite.  They say the 

meat is safe to eat but.......not sure I would.  Also spreads to goat and sheep easily and cattle as well.  Very scary.   Had a beautiful

buck die at the edge of the southern end of the pond from CWD several years.  I so agree, it is horrifying..

[Shelby]

16 hours ago, IowaDee said:

Shelby, a tad off topic but are the deer in your area suffering from Blue Tongue Disease?  It is a disaster around here.  A friend was creek walking, looking for arrowheads recently and found eight dead deer.  Just sickening.....

 

As usual, I'm loving your hunting blog and seeing Chum.

Oh man, not that I know of.  I've never heard of this!  How awful.  I'm sure, though if it's up there, then it will be down here soon  

[Shelby]

Chum had a huge day yesterday.  Ronnie sent me this picture about mid-morning

 

 

They shot something like 24 doves and a couple teal

 

 

Meanwhile, I started prepping for dinner around 11 in the morning--along with getting a big ole pan of Elaina's cherry tomatoes in the oven.

 

The point of starting that early was so that I could sit outside while the grill was going and just hang out with some wine.  It never happens like that though lol.  Had to be in the kitchen right up until the birds were done.  I need to hire a chef 

 

 I did some putzing around in between, but I swear these days it takes me a heck of a lot longer to get things done than it used to.  I think I've developed ADD.

 

The quail were brought by our hunter friend from his hunting club.  They clean the birds and package them for you.  Not complaining, just pointing out that I kind of like them plucked --leaving the skin on --better.  Easier to stuff and ...just well I like it better.  I decided to go ahead and act like the skin was still on.  Stuffed with a lemon and onion wedge, then I used a toothpick to keep it kinda closed.  Rubbed with butter on top and seasoned with salt, pepper and bit of garlic.

 

 

Then I started on the doves and teal.  Same as in the past years--stuffed with jalapeños and onions, seasoned with pepper and garlic and splashed with Dale's.  Wrapped with Benton's bacon that I sliced down the middle to make thinner.

 

 

I put all of that in the fridge to marinate.

 

I set out that Jasper Hill cheese that I pictured above.  Good stuff.  I like it almost as well as the Harbison.  

 

A tip:  When you forget to set the cheese out early enough, put it on top of your Keurig coffee maker.  Speeds up the softening  

 

 

Dove and teal just off the grill

 

Quail done in the CSO.  I heated the CSO up using the broil setting at 500F for about 30 mins, then switched it to steam bake on 450F and put the quail in.  Took about 10 mins. to get them done.  I was shooting for just under 160F for the meat so that it would still be tender.  I think they turned out pretty good.

Scalloped potatoes started on the stove and finished in the CSO

Greek salad

Plated along with green beans, tomatoes, onions, garlic and Benton's bacon done in the IP

 

I don't think Chum moved off the couch for several hours last night.  Had to wake her to tell her it was time for bed.  Her sleepy self could barely make it upstairs lol.

 

 

And, that's it for this trip  Guys are out rebuilding our front porch steps.  They are a bit rotted.  My foot went clear through the bottom step on Monday.  Oooops.

 

See you back here in early December and as always, thanks for keeping me company  

 

[Anna N]

3 minutes ago, Shelby said:

See you back here in early December and as always, thanks for keeping me company  

Fabulous blog. Please send some of those scalloped potatoes my way. Can’t wait for your next one.

[Shelby]

4 minutes ago, Anna N said:

Please send some of those scalloped potatoes my way

It's going to take until December for me to get that pan clean lol.