Saturday Snapshot

Simple Marinade for Deer Loin

I like love game.

And I’m not afraid to say it.  I grew up with very few relatives, particularly of the male species.  When I say few, I mean, I can count them on one hand.  What the heck are “cousins”??  I most definitely was not subjected to hunting, except for one bizarre time when I was about 6 .  My dad went squirrel hunting with friends, and it was quite the occasion because it had never happened before, and never happened again.  I never had the opportunity to eat game until I was an adult.  I can’t believe I married a hunter.  Seriously, even my parents were freaking out about what I was getting myself into.  Imagine their response when their southern daughter, who loved high heels, announced she was marrying and moving to Alaska, all in one fell swoop.  Hum. . . .   I keep trying to forget the reactions.   Oh, I also don’t wear high heels anymore!

I respect those who do not hunt, and all I ask for is respect in return.  Our freezer is filled with all kinds of game, none of which contains hormones, is clean and fresh, and tastes better than anything I’ve ever purchased in a grocery store.  I am filled with incredible gratitude toward the trout that live in the river below our house.  The fact that I can crave trout and in a few hours be eating something people would pay big bucks for, is thrilling.

Whatever you choose to eat, enjoy it with gusto!

Simple Marinade for Deer Loin

¼ cup soy sauce
1 T brown sugar
1 T rice wine vinegar
1 t olive oil
1 pinch Chinese five-spice powder
1 clove garlic, minced

Whisk together all ingredients in a small pan and marinate deer loin (turning meat over occasionally) for at least 6 hours, or (preferably) overnight.  Delicious  grilled as kabobs alternated with onion and served with sautéed kale.

What a Jerky!

What the heck is charcuterie?

I’ve noticed a new buzz word when browsing through magazines such as Food & Wine:  charcuterie.  Okay, let’s get something straight–we Pioneer Girls (and Guys) have known about charcuterie and been eating it for years.  However, we like to use more rustic terms:  Jerky.  Sausage.  Slim Jim.  Okay, I’m kidding about that last one, but seriously, charcuterie?

When I married Better Half, I quickly learned that it would be in my best interest to learn how to cook wild game and fish. Along the way I discovered that I love not only figuring how different ways to cook wild game and fish, but preserving them as well.  Last year during a pheasant hunting adventure, one of the game cabins we stopped in had a beautiful bowl sitting in the middle of the dining table.  This bowl was brimming with pounds of the most delicious homemade deer jerky.  We stuffed our pockets (and mouths) full of these delicious morsels so that while walking the rows of corn to flush the pheasants we would have the energy to actually make it to the end of the row!

I love experimenting with brines, rubs, mixtures, herbs, spices, etc.  I made five pounds of deer jerky this past week, and in the words of my brother-in-law, it’s good and good for you!

Because the taste of jerky is such a personal thing, I’m not going to include my recipe here.  However, if you have ever toyed with the idea of making your own jerky, sausages, etc., I highly recommend you do so.  It’s fun, super easy and very satisfying.

For The Love of Fall

You Gotta Love Fall

I love bonfires.  I love s’mores.  I love shivering and then warming up next to a fire with a glass of wine or champagne.  I love burnt hot dogs.  I love orange.  I love pumpkins.  I love the yellow and red leaves falling, ever so gently, from trees reluctant to part with their beauty.  I love seeing Better Half wearing flannel shirts and chopping wood.  I love sitting in my deer stand (yes, I really do!).  Wait; let me clarify that last statement.  I love sitting in my deer stand not shivering and not getting wet.  I love seeing deer grazing casually through the woods.  I love scampering squirrels gathering nuts.  I love that my cat gets to come inside and cuddle with me by the wood stove.  I love gathering and decorating with bittersweet.  I love going to Better Half’s home town and visiting with family and friends that I love so much.  I love chili and stew.

I love knitting pumpkins like that cute ‘lil pumpkin above.  For a free pattern, please visit This Cosy Life Patterns.

I love autumn.