That Looks....

There's hunting here. Lot's of it. Subcontractors treat Adam's office to weekends out. You've seen the photos of the hog hunts. We've started parcelling out the hog that won't fit in our new freezer.
Adam brings it home in a giant cooler and lets it "bleed" for a few days. When the water drains out clear, it's time to quarter up the pork. (He and his friend are still learning how to make it look pretty. And I have to wash it three times over to be sure no bristles are left behind.)

When this batch was finished the guys shoved EIGHT hog legs into my giant pot. I sent this photo to friend and asked her if she'd like some to make broth. Her response, "No thank you. That looks scary!" So when I offered it to the next friend, I did NOT send a photo to go with my offer.

I took four legs and combined them with water and veggies and a bit of seasoning and boiled it all day.

Then strained it and I let it sit in the fridge for two days so the fat would separate to the top...

...spooned it out...

...and then strained it again and bagged up the broth to freeze.

Pork broth can be very mild so it can take on the flavor of veggie broth, or anything else you pair it with. So far I've made Mexican rice with it and this Sweet Potato Chili recipe as well as a white bean and sausage stew. We have enjoyed all three dishes.
Now it doesn't look scary at all—just delicious. Nothing beats homemade broth.

Cookbook Club

A couple of months ago I joined a cookbook club. Here is a description—the first meeting was fun. There were about 12 people and we spent almost TWO FULL HOURS eating.
We each chose a recipe from The Art of Simple Cooking, I went with clam chowder. So off I went to Sprouts to score some of these babies.

The fresh clams were about $4.99 a pound, I needed two pounds—and had to read up on how to store them so they wouldn't die until I needed them. (Keep them cold in the fridge and cover with a wet towel. If they come open, they're no longer alive. I had to throw a few out from the get-go because the guy at the counter packaged some for me and I didn't know.) Oh well. Can't blame someone else for my lack of knowledge. Plus I did this to learn something right? Right.

Fresh clam chowder is incredibly easy. I really like it so I don't know why I've never tried before but will certainly be making it again. I'm looking forward to another meeting—and perhaps there will be more photos to share!

She Made Aprons

For Christmas all the girls received aprons from Mom. She found a new tool that cuts zig zags from fabric...so she went all crazy up in that sewing room of hers.

And the aprons of course, were put to good use making Christmas cookies.

Game Time

Mom is retired! So this year instead of enduring her absence in the evenings, we enjoyed her company and contribution of games!

Each evening she had at least one kid friendly activity planned for the family to enjoy before the girls went to bed. Now, don't tell me you wouldn't enjoy this one—or haven't already. Adam and I have used it while babysitting as well. It's a wonderful babysitting tool, it keeps the kids busy for at least an hour.

I think though, Hayden had the most fun painting Michael's face.

Other games included a balloon popping game, quizzes, a game with dice, a tiny item hide and seek, and this one where the players fill up their bowl with cotton balls while blindfolded.