Hardy Boys

Quote from Devin- "Mom can we go to Cali or Hawaii and go surfing? Mom, mom I have the hair for it so I can do it." 

Lunch time and the big boys all have iPods in their hands.

I LOVE MY BOYS!!

GLASS TIGER

Jeff loves music. Especially the music from his youth. Last year the band Glass Tiger came to play in Lethbridge during Whoop Up Days. He wanted to go but it never worked out. This summer he heard that the band was coming back to play in Lethbridge at Average Joes sports bar in September 2014. He talked about getting tickets quite a few times but I always discouraged him saying they were too expensive and the concert was on a Sunday. --GASP--

Last week, on Tuesday, they announced on the radio that they would be giving away tickets. Jeff really wanted to go to the concert and so he decided to try for tickets. He just got home from work on Tuesday when he thought they would do a ticket giveaway. Jeff was going to use the home phone to call the radio station but I was on the phone when he got home. He quickly went back out to the truck where it was quiet. Using his cell phone he called in but it didn't connect properly so Jeff stopped the call and tried again. The second time it went through. Jeff was announced as the winner of the tickets and had to sing the 1st four lines of the song My Song by Glass Tiger.

I was downstairs at the computer when he came back in the house and turned on the radio. I heard the DJ que the contest and then Jeff's conversation and his song aired. Jeff was grinning ear to ear about the fact he won the tickets. 

Jeff wanted me to go. He said he would find someone else to go with him if I wouldn't. I said I would go.

We left Raymond at 7:15pm Sunday evening. All the kids stayed home except Rebekka. We took her out to Cara's to be tended. Rebekka was a grump. Cara said whenever someone left the room, Rebekka cried. Cara had to take her for a 30min drive to settle her down and get her to sleep.

We arrived at the venue just after 8pm. After presenting our tickets at the door, we headed to see how close we could get seats near the stage. We were able to secure two stools near the front, about 40 feet away. Right away a waitress came to see if we were ready to order anything. We just each had a glass of water. I also asked for a lemon wedge. (She brought two so I offered one to Jeff.) Jeff and I chatted together and sipped our water as we watched the people around us.

The band got a quick intro and started about 8:30pm. There was no opening act. They played until 10:00pm. Lots of their famous songs. A few we weren't so familiar with. We decided to wait to get autographs and Jeff meet them in person. We got several close ups of the band members and a picture with the lead singer. It was a fun night. We didn't spend anything, although looking back, perhaps we should have tipped the waitress for our water with our wedge of lemon! The tickets were free, we didn't eat or drink anything and the music was great. It was a great date!

A picture of us together in the dark. (Poor lighting)

The lead singer and band members. (Can't see two members)

The lead singer Alan Frew

Poster on the wall of the band with the band playing in the reflection. Poor lighting. 

Waiting for autographs. 

Our picture with the lead singer of Glass Tiger!

Autographed tickets by the band members. 

Thanks goes to the radio station for the tickets. They were greatly appreciated!

And thanks to the Rasmussen girls for tending Rebekka.

Also thanks to our other kids for behaving themselves while we were gone.

I'm done this post now but I just want you to remember..............Don't forget me when I'm gone, my heart would break!!! 

General Woman's Broadcast Sept. 2014

I love the Woman's broadcast. I enjoyed attending with my lovely daughters. There were so many messages that I really needed to hear. I look forward to reading them again 

Afterward, I took the girls to Burger Baron for a treat. Cassandra had a M and M twister, Maren had a cookies and cream twister and I had a raspberry and pineapple milkshake. I really wanted DQ but I didn't want to drive into Lethbridge to get ice cream. Burger Baron was passable as a treat. Not a place I would go often.

I secretly wished to be with my sisters and nieces sharing treats and memories with them. We sent a few fun texts back and forth, so that kept us connected. 

In the hallway just before the meeting started. 

Waiting for treats at Burger Baron. 

7 more.

Several years ago we purchased the meat grinder attachment for the Bosch. The whole Rubbermaid container is full of meat ready for grinding.

It was such a great investment for us! Once we have detailed the meat, we send the parts that are less desirable through the grinder. The meat grinding is my favorite part of the meat processing. It is so fun. I love it. Loud but fun. We grind all our meat twice. It makes a nicer product.

On Thursday, I took on 7 more jars of meat for processing. This time I partly browned the ground venison first before putting it in the jars. I filled each jar to top leaving 1" headspace. Then I added a scant teaspoon of salt. (Add canning salt next time.)

Then wiped the rims, placed on warm snaps and sealed with the screw bands. The jars looked lovely!! Mom Hardy processed them Thursday evening. All sealed and they have nice broth in the jar. I can't wait to try it. 

Ooooooohhhhh

I love canning!!

Alberta Culture Days hosted by the library.

Opening ceremonies before the activities start. 

Maren participating in the cup song. She learned it at the library summer reading program. 

Evan painting at the painting table. They had cute little easel's to hold the canvases. M, C, E and S all painted. 

Maren showing me her loom bracelet that she was working on. 

I asked Tysyn to stop and smile. This is what I got!

Enjoying his Nutella snack! There was a table of snacks/refreshments that delighted the kids. (All "Costco" prewrapped snacks. Cheese strings, fruit snacks, ritz bits, Nutella dips, bears paws, crackers & cheese, and a few others along with bottled water. Stuff we hardly ever buy...)

Cassandra got her face painted. I never got a finished close up of it though. It was a row of orange flowers. Shucks. 

Savanna got a face painting. She wanted a dolphin. Cute. 

Even teenagers can have fun with the arts!

Devin and Boyd came over to the arena after football practice. After treats and walking around to look at all the activities,  they decided to make themselves beaded key chains. They had fun. 

I even made myself something- a keychain! Can't mistake who it belongs to now. 

Brandon showed up for a bit. He had a few snacks but couldn't be persuaded to do anything. Finally I told him I would make him a camo keychain. He stayed and sat with the littles while I created one for him. I think he secretly liked it, though he said little about it when I was done. I tried to make it masculine. Maybe I can get a picture tomorrow.

Aaren was slightly disappointed he missed the activities when he saw the remainders of the treats some of the kids brought home. He spent the afternoon golfing at the Raymond golf course with three of his friends. I think he mostly missed the snacks. 

14 Jars

These are the 14 filled jars of venison from Brandon's first deer that are waiting for lids.

We use the raw pack method to can our venison. Brandon cut off the fat, detailed the meat and filled the jars with raw meat.  One bowl of meat filled 14 quarts.  We hope to get another load or more of ground meat. 

This is what we use as seasoning.

In each quart jar, Jeff placed 2 beef flavoured bouillon cubes and 1/2 tsp of Montreal Steak spice.

(1 cube on the bottom, spice in the middle and then another cube near the top.)

He used the handle of a plastic "wooden spoon" to press the meat down releasing air pockets and filling the spaces leaving 1" headspace in each jar. We did not add any water. The meat will create its own broth.

After the jars were filled, I wiped each jar rim with a wet rag while the snaps were warming. Then I placed a snap on each jar and screwed on a ring. It was very late once the bottles were done and way too late to begin processing, so we placed them in the fridge overnight. Mom Hardy agreed to pressure can them for us. I took the jars over to her on Monday morning on my way to parent preschool. Brandon asked why I always get grandma to do it for me. I told him that she knows exactly how to do it and our canner doesn't work properly. It also scares me a little- OK, a lot! (Besides if someone will do the work for me, Why not??  Just kidding- actually I really need to learn!!! One day I will need to do it for myself!!) Thanks Mom. You're the best! 

This 13 of the 14 finished jars. One didn't seal. I was glad that one didn't seal. It gives me a chance to taste it and see if we like the quantity of seasoning and make any changes. I aways feel guilty about opening a sealed jar to do this. 

You can see the broth that is created. And because we spend so much time cutting off fat before hand, ---a job we all hate while doing it---there is very little fat in the jar after processing.

This meat is fabulous!! Now, what's for supper???

The reasons why I LOVE canned venison:

Quick and easy meal prep.

Tastes great!

Already cooked. Can be eaten right out of the jar.

Doesn't have to take up room in the freezer.

Don't have to worry about losing meat in the freezer if the power goes out. 

Looks great on the storage room shelf. 

Adds to our home storage and year supply.

Great feeling of accomplishment!

Archery Hunting

Brandon went out hunting with Joseph near Magrath on Friday evening. Brandon was successful and was able to get a mule doe with his bow and arrow. Dad Hardy went to pick them up but because the cellphone the two boys had died, dad was unable to communicate with them as to which vehicle would be necessary to pick them up in. Mom suggested that if he took the car then they would likely need the truck. And mom was right. Brandon shot a deer and they only had the car to bring it home in. ON. 

They put the deer on the trunk of the car with the legs facing towards the front. Brandon and Joseph both sat in the back of the car and each held a set of legs through the window. No tie down straps available.

Once in town, they brought it to our house where it was unloaded. Dad then hosed down his car of the blood. 3 of Brandon's friends happened to stop by after the high school football game looking for Brandon and were still at our house when dad pulled up. Brandon got to show off his kill.

The friends didn't stay very long because Brandon still had work to do with the deer (and work in the morning at Keeler's). When they left, Jeff and Brandon set to work at getting it hung. They finished late!

Saturday afternoon Brandon set to work at butchering it. I was SO IMPRESSED at how he just started and dillegently worked until he had it all cut off several hours later. He filled my two biggest metal bowls to heaping. Meanwhile I washed 14 canning jars. I'm sure we will need more. We plan to process nearly all of the meat we get this year by this method. (I hope I have enough jars!)

Brandon says it is so much nicer to butcher when the air is warm and your hands are not freezing! He hopes to get a few more before the weather turns cold.

On a side note, the bow belongs to Jeff. Brandon has gradually taken it over and has even had it adjusted to his draw weight. I wonder if Jeff will ever get it back?

I'm grateful for Brandon's efforts. This meat will be a great addition to our home storage. 

Football

Devin loves sports. Football is the current sport. His jersey is #55. Go RAYMOND COMETS!

When Devin is playing on the field, I can hardly ever find him or know where he is. But when the game is over and the helmets are off, Devin is super easy to spot! His WHITE hair is a dead giveaway. He stands out in a crowd! It's getting long and shaggy and he almost has flow out the bottom of his hemet. And nope, he hasn't dyed a strand. It's all completely natural. 

Tomatoes

I've been canning tomatoes again this year. This year I had a new willing helper. Her job was to cut the tomatoes in half and then put them in the jar. Together we worked on 14 quarts. 

Is it Vanna White or Savanna, who is white, showing off her work?

I love my little assistants!

In the spring I planted 25 tomato plants. I was hoping for a bumper harvest. We likely will only get about 35lbs of tomatoes from our plants. Maybe..... 

So a few weeks ago I ordered tomatoes from the OK Hutterite colony. I purchased 100lbs of tomatoes for .80cents a pound. They were beautiful red nice sized tomatoes, but they weren't REALLY ripe so I left them in the storage room to ripen a bit more. They are now ready and so I have been doing canning over the last few days. I told Jeff that next year I think I will order about 300lbs of tomatoes!!! Yum.

I'm going to save some for eating fresh because there is nothing better than a tomato and bacon sandwich!

I have 2 more boxes to go! Wish me luck for tomorrow!

Can't wait for winter!!

So who thinks Devin can rock the hill with this retro boarding jacket??

He was out Sunday evening dreaming of snowboarding. He was jumping and rocking while strapped to the board. He had on a hoodie, jacket and snow pants and boarding boots. It was about +20 degrees out and after just a few minutes he exclaimed "I'm really hot! In both ways!'

This is starting to happen more frequently

This sweet baby is nearly 10 months.

She has just recently over the past few days experimented with standing unassisted. She is quite proud of herself when she realizes she is standing by herself. I'm sure it won't be long before she does it all the time.

I am so grateful to see her healthy growth and development and reaching development milestones. But a big part of me doesn't want to see the transition from the infant stage gradually slipping away. That leaves me feeling sad. Sad to know that our family dynamics are shifting and will never be the same. I love this stage as I love all the stages of development.

Yay baby!!