More For The Pantry...

Venison

Well, I graduated from physical therapy Thursday morning. I was ready. It was a short session, without the bicycle, power tower, parallel bars or other machinery. It was mostly answering a questionnaire, and then questions from Jenna for her reports, along with a few feats of strength (mine) for good measure.

When we finished, she actually came outside with me to see our dogs, and a little retrieving demo from Handsome and Carly. When they were done showin' off, Jenna and I hugged and I said I'd see her again (hopefully in the spring) to rehab "BoB". That's how she refers to my bone-on-bone right knee now, too. 

Handsome and I made a side stop before coming home to pick up a few things at the grocery store, but were soon on our way back to the farmhouse, where I already had a plan for the rest of the afternoon.

I had started thawing out venison received from a friend last season so that I could pressure can it for the pantry. When that was finished processing, I had five pint jars of venison and onions, as well as one and a half pints of ground venison.

Mexi-Chicken Thighs

I also processed seven pounds of chicken thighs with a taco seasoning blend that I mixed up myself. Those seven pounds yielded eight pints. (I'd already put half of them away when I realized I needed a photograph.) 

I've done this before, removing the skin and any extra fat but leaving the bone in. When I'm ready to use a jar, the bones lift straight up out of the thigh meat, and then I just pour the rest of the jar contents into a bowl to mix with other ingredients, depending on what I'm going to make. 

Most of the time, these become chicken enchiladas or chicken burritos, but I'm sure I could concoct a casserole with them, too, layering all my home canned pinto beans, chicken, yellow rice, and then topping with lettuce, cheese and green onions before serving. Mmmmmm. I just might have to try that now.

I work tonight, so I'm going to relax and stitch today. I still need to take it easy so I don't get sore from overdoing it on my feet. By the time I've finished running around and standing for three to four hours at work, I still swell up a bit and am sore. I'm trying to avoid that.

So, here we are with another weekend...this being the first one in October. Honestly, where has this year gone? If you get winter like we do, I hope you'll do what I do and try to soak in every gorgeous day between now and when the snow starts to fly. Our leaves are beginning to turn, and now Mother Nature will show us just how much she loves to paint the trees. Enjoy!