The kids have been enjoying their new sleds at home. The driveway is well packed down and they can get a pretty good run going.
Little Mister has been learning to ride Lil’ Bit’s snow machine. He’s doing pretty good. Takes it nice and easy so far. His Dad packed down a trail around the cabin so he could get some practice laps in. Then he took him out on the trail for a longer ride.
Today we started working this moose up into sausage. Our two mainstays are country style sage breakfast sausage and Italian sausage. I took some time this morning to figure out my seasoning mixes before heading to the store to pick up a few necessary items.
It took me a lot longer than planned to get my shopping done so Dean prepped the grinder and started working on the moose before I got home. What a guy! He and Little Mister we’re ready to get grinding by the time I got my two sausage mixes ready.
Little Mister was very helpful but the grinder was too loud for him so…
He and Dad got the first grind done then he helped Mom second grind and package our breakfast sausage. We got 10 lbs.
My country sausage blend was a tad on the salty side. Note to self to adjust blend a little for the next batch.
We ended up with 20# of Italian sausage. I think there’s about 10 more pounds of meat left to process before getting the dog food started. Tomorrow we’ll do it all again.
#AKfood
#mooseisgood
With a little jazz and speakeasy flair we welcomed the new year alaskan style, of course.
Hopefully 2021 has better things in store for us than last year.
#alaskafireworks
#newyearseve
#happynewyear
The high was a balmy 29° F today so we decided it was a great day to smoke a turkey.
Dean got the grill going with an indirect heat set-up. I spatchcocked our little turkey. Oiled it up and put on a a Spice Island turkey rub. And then we smoked it for 4 hours.
After four hours I put it in a moderate oven for about 45 mins while I finished the sides.
I made a potato salad reminiscent of Grandma’s but not quite as much mustard and not totally mashed. Then I worked super hard to open the can of Bush’s baked beans to round out the meal. BBQ sauce and an olive/pickle tray and bam, dinner’s ready!
#AKstylebbq
#familyaroundthetable
#itssogoodimfullbutkeepeating
Well maybe not 10,000 but certainly a lotke of latkes.
We had our favorite everything bagels latkes, plain latkes with sour cream, Reuben latkes, pizza latkes and chili cheese latkes. Plus tater tots, which are basically mini latkes. And more plain latkes.
This was the year for latkes for us. And donuts, don’t forget the donuts.
Happy Hanukkah!
#AKlife
#hanukkah
#winter
Way back in October, Lil Mister asked for a pumpkin when grocery shopping. I asked him why did he want a pumpkin? And he replied because he wanted a pie. So of course we got a pumpkin. It sat on the table for fall decor until Thanksgiving.
He had bugged me almost daily for a month as to when we’d make his pie. When I told him we were getting the pumpkin ready for pie making he got really excited.
I honestly expected him to reach into the seeds and “guts” as we call the pumpkin insides and declare it too gross for him and quit. Well he did say that it felt gross and weird but he persevered. He emptied that pumpkin with some assistance from Lil Bit.
Then we started the peeling process, which took a while. He helped until the whole thing was peeled and chunked up. It filled the instapot to the max line. Mom set it to cook and then started in on the rest of Thanksgiving dinner.
Needless to say, Mom had way too much to do for Turkey dinner and we decided to let the pie wait until the next day (Mom’s birthday) for pie making.
Lil Mister was bright eyed and bushy tailed the next day, ready for pie making. Mom had to go work on a tile project so Big Sis took the reigns and she and Lil Mister made two pumpkin pies, one gluten free.
They did an amazing job, the pies turned out nicely, even after a last minute adjustment, Big Sis forget eggs in the wheat pie… But it all turned out good.
Sadly, I didn’t get any pics of the finished pies. Trust me that they were delicious and didn’t last long. Mom rather likes pumpkin pie for her birthday. And Lil Mister was super proud of himself for making pumpkin pie from scratch!
#thanksgiving
#kidsinthekitchen
#scratchcooking
No work for me today so the kids and I spent some time outdoors. We took a little walk to the sawmill. Little Mister wanted to go help Dad at work. So we leashed up Panda and went for a walk. Once there, Lil Mister went to work shoveling sawdust while Panda explored these new surroundings.
Then Lil Bit and I went berry picking for more lingonberries. And a botany lesson for good measure.
Just a regular day.
We got about one cup of berries this time, they are slowing down. Might get out once more for a few more. We’ll freeze these for making cranberry nut bread for Thanksgiving dinner.
#alaskalife
#lovealaska
#wildcrafting
Four years ago my Seester came to visit me. Seems like yesterday and yet so long ago! I told her last week that it’s her turn to come visit me!!
Tu me manques.
Thing 1 is a junior this year and we decided to try something a little different for her Language Arts. Instead of some boring composition program she wanted to try blogging. This way she gets to do a lot of composing and writing practice.
Plus she shares her creativity in art and her budding culinary skills. Go over and check in on her at Sketchbooks & Dandelion Jam.
#alaskalife
#homeschooling
Since I never made that follow up post about their visit, I thought I’d share a few highlights.
Alaska on my mind... 