how not to skin a rabbit

Got another bunny during backyard bunny patrol with the 20 gauge. The last one was great eating. This one will be too, but cleaning it was a disaster. I accidentally punctured the body cavity while starting the skinning process and decided to go ahead and gut it before skinning it. Bad mistake. Always skin the rabbit first. Lesson learned.

Giving thanks, giving back

I am a teacher. I am probably a much better teacher than I am a farmer. I am certified in special education and English and am paid by the state, but I work with homeschool families with special needs children. It's a fantastic arrangement. I get to use the gifts that God has given me to be of service directly to the children and families. Teaching is such a beautiful calling. I feel blessed to go to be able to go to work each day. I begin each day's teaching thinking to myself, "how can I best be of service to these kids?" I work with the parents and children to decide what their needs are and try to meet them.

Kids with special education needs are so amazing to work with. They have such beautiful minds. They may be challenged in one way, but surprise you with their strengths in another. Watching a non-reading student make his first halting attempts to read, then growing into a kid who asks, "what are we going to read about this week?" "How many words do you think I can read in a minute?"

Every day I try to remember the prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi. Lord make me a channel of thy peace...that where there is error, I may bring truth...that where there is doubt, I may bring faith...that where there is despair, I may bring hope...that where there are shadows, I may bring light.

I am truly thankful for the gifts I have been given. The biggest gift of all is the opportunity to be of service to others.

venison bratwurst

Making venison bratwurst at the homestead today. Using last years venison and last years pork trimmings. I hope I am blessed with a deer soon because we are almost out of venison. We used to use the hand crank grinder, but when you are making 10 pounds or more of sausage at a sitting it really makes sense to use the electric version.

Recipe:
6 pounds venison
4 pounds fatty pork trimmings
2 cups milk
3 eggs
1.5 cups soy protein (as a binder)
4 Tbs. pickling salt
1+ Tbs Mace
1+ Tbs White Pepper
1+ Tbs Nutmeg
1 teaspoon ginger
hog casings

The most comprehensive book for beginning sausage making is the one written by Rytek Kutas, "Great Sausage Recipes and Meat Curing."

Went out stump sitting and watching for deer last night. Didn't see any deer, but saw a beautiful great horned owl. Saw a flock of about 20 geese too. They start to fly over the Palouse at about this time of year. They can be called into decoys as they pass overhead between the river valley and the wheat fields.

Dawn on the Palouse

I was sitting out on an abandoned homestead near my land and watched the most breathtaking sunrise. The deer didn't make a showing, but I sat out until I was too cold to stay any more. A half an hour before sunrise it was heart-stopping still. Not a whisper of wind, not a bird stirring. Finally an owl called in the predawn light. As the sun came up, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace. That I was one very, very tiny but essential piece of this amazing planet. I've never had it so good.

So, eventually I went home, warmed up in front of the stove, then went for a walk around the back of the property with my 20 gauge. Shot a nice rabbit. We'll be having Hasenpfeffer for dinner Wednesday night.

hunting in a blizzard

We went deer hunting in sort of a blizzard yesterday. Saw one deer and lots of sign of them chasing around. They are definitely in rut. The snow was absolutely gorgeous until we had to drive home in it. An hour and a half with chains on in a white out.

A shot and a miss

Went deer hunting at an abandoned homestead on my neighbors property. Four deer came in over the lentil fields. Took a shot and missed. Just got a little excited there. Buck fever.

The Muenster cheese tastes good, but it doesn't taste like muenster. It sort of tastes like feta only not as salty. Maybe I should just brine it and call it feta.

Wouldn't ya know it!

I was duck hunting yesterday and set up a blind on shore after hiding the boat. Didn't do very well duck hunting, but I was just quietly relaxing and saw the most amazing thing. A doe deer walked not 10 feet behind me followed by a grunting and snorting buck. They were so in love they didn't even notice me. I was sort of wondering what might happen if I shot a deer with #1 duck loads.