I had to input my username and password to get into TypePad this morning. I didn't think I had been gone that long but my sense of time appears to be distorted. :D
I'm making bean soup this morning for consumption during deer hunting week. The beans looked so pretty after rinsing them this morning, I had to take a picture. (See, still a blogger at heart.) I'm using Bob's Red Mill 13 Bean Soup Mix and soaked the beans overnight. They're simmering right now and I'll add vegies and chicken later. We'll probably have this for lunch some day when we are processing and packing our catch.
I've been working on a project at work for the past two months that has just been eating my shorts quite a b**** been difficult for reasons I can't go into on the blog. Thursday, I completed the major segment of it and now it is off to another coworker for their part. Fortunately, that project is not normally part of my job duties and that is good because I feel so really good, mentally, today, that I know doing that type of work all the time would Not.Be.Good.
Of course, feeling good is also because I am on vacation (Whooo!) through the weekend after Turkey Day. My brother and his two sons (say hello to Dr. E) are at the Farm with our DM. Wilson and I will be joining them this afternoon. The Wisconsin gun deer hunting season starts Saturday. We'll all be in our trees tomorrow morning before dawn on the family farm and with luck and skill have a full freezer by Wednesday. The weather looks decent in that there is no rain (which I find to be miserable when I'm in a tree) but there's no snow forecast either which would be good for this type of hunting. Even if you are a vegan/vegetarian, I recommend sitting in a tree in the woods for a day or three. It is an excellent time for mental adjustment and decompression, even if you didn't think you were compressed. :D
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I while on the topic of hunting........
I present our handsome and dashing hunter, Blue, and his catch.
I have never used beans for cooking that needed to soak first. One of these days I'm going to try. Your furry little hunter is very cute although his little gift he left for you makes me a little sad!
Posted by: Jessica | Friday, November 20, 2009 at 10:38 AM
Yay, Blue! He looks so proud.
Posted by: kmkat | Friday, November 20, 2009 at 12:20 PM
Hai Dr E! :D
/well trained blogger
The beans look great! I look forward to hearing they were. I'm always looking for new soup ideas this time of year.
Good luck with the huntin'! Remember to wear wool socks.
Blue did great! He's going to clean it himself, right?
xo
Posted by: Cookie | Friday, November 20, 2009 at 12:29 PM
He knows you understand the importance.
Posted by: Angie | Friday, November 20, 2009 at 12:38 PM
Nothing like a gift from your cat.
Posted by: Judy G. | Friday, November 20, 2009 at 01:09 PM
Blue looks soooo proud of himself.
Deer Jerky? :D Really? Happy hunting and big hugs to Dr. E and Mom. (waves hi to both)
Posted by: Stacey | Friday, November 20, 2009 at 01:23 PM
My kitties' catches aren't usually so... intact. ; )
Good luck to you all for a successful season!
Posted by: Vicki | Friday, November 20, 2009 at 01:37 PM
Hi Dr. E!
Have fun in the tree, Ang, but stay warm. Happy Thanksgiving!
Posted by: Carrie | Friday, November 20, 2009 at 02:29 PM
Welcome back to bloggin', we missed ya. :)
I would make bean soup weekly if I wouldn't get lynched. I love it in all it's variations- yours sounds faboo.
Ha, Blue looks so darn proud. Ages ago we stayed in a rental house in Hawaii for a week complete with adorable black cat. She would leave a brightly colored song bird on the mat every morning. I wonder what visitors who don't know cats thought?
Posted by: Julie | Friday, November 20, 2009 at 03:09 PM
Yay Blue - at least it's dead! Our cats would rather play with their catch ... good hunting!
Posted by: Joy | Friday, November 20, 2009 at 04:32 PM
Go, Blue! Is he giving it to you or just showing it off?
Yum, bean soup. Pefect to take off after the chill of sitting in a tree all day long, not hurting any darling deer.;)
Posted by: Carrie K | Friday, November 20, 2009 at 05:39 PM
Yay for bean soup. There's a big bowl of split pea soup sitting in our fridge waiting the arrival of family tomorrow.
That picture of Blue is perfect, the proud hunter and his prey. It takes an experienced hunter to bag a mouse.
Welcome back to blogging by the way. We misses you.
Posted by: Diane | Saturday, November 21, 2009 at 07:56 AM
Mmm, beans. Tell Stacey that venison jerky is delicious. (We like venison landjaegers in my homeland.)
The kitty and mouse are too funny. In a sick way.
xo
Posted by: Nora | Sunday, November 22, 2009 at 06:34 AM
Kitties are always so proud of the gifts they bring you. Our little one has left pressies for us that we didn't even know what they were. (And they were intact. Not mice, not moles...)
Good luck with the hunting. My Madman has spent a good part of the last 10 days sitting in a tree, but hasn't seen anything yet...
Posted by: gayle | Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 07:36 AM
Good job Blue! He looks so proud of his dead mouse.
The soup bean looks beautiful and will make a delicious soup.
I actually ate some fresh venison this weekend (although maybe it was frozen from last year) at a friends house. So yummy! Bambi is like buttah!
Posted by: Kim | Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 12:21 PM
That kitty is so super cute!!
Posted by: KnittyOtter | Saturday, November 28, 2009 at 05:18 PM