Passing through Winter

As you probably have already guessed, I'm doing more reading than writing. That doesn't mean I'm not thinking, just pushing a lot of my thinking in the bottom drawer for now. 

I must tell you that my favorite reads are almost always 'who dun it' stories, mysteries and forensic leaning. 

A book was recommended to me by a friend who is also a dedicated  reader. She has suggested several others for me and I have returned with some for her. This one is a type that I seldom read as I do not like emotional stories, stories of struggles through everyday life, sad stories, love stories, and more. So, I am not at the end of the book as I will keep on plowing through it, but will be glad to return it to the library. 

There isn't going to be a review here. No way! Read it for yourself if you already haven't and decide for yourself if it was a good book to share or pass over to others. You can always Google the title and read reviews. 

The Giver of Stars by JoJo Moyes

Image from Wednesday’s Women website

Ham

Our son and his partner gave us and his sister each a 12 lb. spiral ham for Christmas. I just got around to baking mine before the "use by" date in February.  Now we have ham for dinner, ham for breakfast, ham for lunch, ham for brother, ham for neighbor, ham for trashman. I know slices won't freeze well because they go "watery" and I also know what fabulous split pea soup will be made from the bone when it is stripped of meat.

Hey! It's winter. What else could I better spend my time doing besides baking, roasting, cooking, preparing meals? You get my point, and I also read books. I like these activities very much.

My home is my castle. My kitchen is my favorite room.

(I believe my husband thinks there is a food fairy living here because he doesn't participate in this activity - ever.) 

LINKS:   Split Pea Soup

                Split Pea Soup Prep

Morning Project

I dug out the 1899 grinder from the cupboard, rinsed and clamped it to the countertop with a potholder protecting the wood. After all of the previously prepared chunks from the gallon bagful were ground, followed by a couple of Ritz crackers to clean the interior, I bagged some to share. Then I made ham salad from the portion I kept. My ham salad consists of mayonnaise, mustard and sweet relish. I must say it is tasty! Perfectly ground with minimal cleanup. I only rinse all parts of the grinder in very hot water and dry completely before putting it back together for storage. If we want more, I can always pull some of the packaged slices from the freezer and grind it for either salad or as an addition to scalloped potatoes or scrambled eggs, quiche, and more.

It goes from "catch" pan to large bowl as we go.

My salad is in a 3.5 cup bowl

and will last a couple of days.

please click on image to view larger

Sharing

Venison is very tasty and we love it. My brother just passed through with a couple of pieces for us as he just picked up his order from the processor.  We really appreciate receiving this treat as the Mister no longer hunts. 

From the menu showing Deer processing:

•Venison Bacon  $4.00/LB   1/2 venison & 1/2 pork.

Brother brought one piece, smoked and packaged incased. We sliced with electric knife and stored stacked in large container. Can warm or eat as is, cold.

•Venison Smoked Chipped Hindquarter  $17.00 leg.

Brother brought one package, 16 thin slices.

Can warm or eat as is, cold. He told us it tastes exactly like tender corned beef. (it does!)

Believe it - we already had tastes. 

Northeast PA's Custom Butcher Shop since the 1920's. Serving farmers, hunters and families throughout NEPA, the Endless Mountains Region of Pennsylvania and the Southern Tier of New York for four generations, Stepniak Beef offers professional butchering services with exceptional personalized service.