Thanksgiving 2017

Deer Hunting - a defining cultural ritual of the Copper Country. During deer season men greet each other with "You get your buck yet?"  The fortunate few casually remark,  "Yeah, I got a little (2-4 )pointer / a nice (6-10) pointer."  Anything above 10 points you only say "Yeah, I got one" and wait until you are asked "How many points."  Unsuccessful hunters have to stifle their envy and try to look happy for another's good fortune.  Etiquette dictates that you never  appear too pleased or displeased with your luck. 



First ski of the season.

Story time.



David skating in his WWII vintage army coat.

Breakfast.

Goldilocks.

 

 

Hmmm...this tastes funny.

 

Thanksgiving meal - turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, cranberries, etc, etc.

Some were selective

Getting down to some serious eating.

All six in one  picture.  They didn't stay still very long.

 

Uncle Sam and Aunt Amanda reading a story.

 

Coming back from the sheepyard.

 

The pond was covered with a sheet of water after a rain.

 

After many unsuccessful years I finally got lucky.

 

Sledding on the Pond

Times have changed

 

We used to play hockey on the pond

 

But then these little girls all came along

 

And now we have even more fun

 

 

Whoopeee!

Sometimes we pull

 

Sometimes we just give a hard push

In a few years we'll have a new hockey team.

 

The Streak Continues - Six of Six!

The picture says it all.



This little girl made her mother work real hard,

But she sure was worth it!

After five sons Marja-mummu now has six grandaughters. 

The best job I've ever had.

Big sister was so excited that we had to close the door to avoid disturbing the other mothers.

Butchering Lambs

Each year we butcher a few lambs at home.  In case you are wondering, I dispatch the lambs mercifully, without stress. 

 

The lambs are hung from hooks on a 2x2

After skinning and gutting them, I hang the lambs in the garage and then cut and package the meat the following day.

It was a cold day, but when you are working on a hot animal your hands stay warm.

 

Once I have skinned the animal to this point I tie a rope around the hide

 

And back up the tractor.

 

The hide peels off cleanly with much less effort - this is trick that a lot of deer hunters use.

 

First Snow

And so it begins.....

One of Santa's elves

Someone doesn't like to wear socks indoors.

Sure feels good to lay in front of the stove after a hard day.