First Rain Than Cold, Why not cook

A Cold Winters Day Means Comfort  

First it rained. I decided to read a book.
Then the cold. I decided to cook.
Read a more involved recipe in the Mafia Cook Book.
It sounded good  but I wanted more vegitables involved.
With what I could find in the house without stepping out into the elements.
1 pound ground Pork
2 cloves of garlic minced/chopped
1 small onoion chopped
Salt
Pepper
Butter
Olive Oil
Mozzeralla, Asiago, Parmesano Cheese.
Froozen Veggies  thawed(  1 bagItallian Garden Mix)
1 Froozen Pie Crust Thawed.

Pre-Heat the oven to 400.

Meat:
In a skillet over medium heat
Heat the Butter and oil ( 2 TBS of each)
Add onion and garlic and cook until soft .
Crumble the pork into pan and break up.
Season with salt and pepper.
Cook until browned through and no pink remains.
Taste
Drain and set aside.
( My thought was to add wine but I was out)


Drain the veggies and place in a seperate bowl.
Salt and Pepper to taste.
Incorporate 2 TBS of butter into the vegitables.
add meat and mix the ingredients thouroughly.
The heat from the pork mixture will help warm the veggies.

Carefully unroll the piecrust one at a time(package comes with 2).
Generously scoop the filling onto one half of the crust and cover with a handfull of the cheses.
Fold the Pie crust over the filling and seal the edges with a fork.
Using a knife make some vent holes.
I brushed a little melted butter over the top so it would aid in browning the crust.
Repeat this process with the other crust.
Note:
I just used what cheese we had in the fridge since it was bitterly cold and icy out.
therefore the three different cheeses in my case.
I did not want it too cook and crust  fast so I used a stone pizza dish which has remained idle in my kitchen for some time now.
Place on center rack of oven and bake for 30-40 minutes.
It was around 35 for mine to reach the desired browned crust look.
I ate mine without gavy but my daughter made some pork gravy and added to hers.
The balnce disappeared without comment.
I will assume since I was asked what it was I can make it again but will try some wine in the pork mixture.
Baisically a pot pie in pie crust. very good and not overly filling. left you wanting more.

I also think you could serve this with a red sauce side.

SHOT Show

Slightly disappointed in the coverage of the event by the official sight and the number of New products given to the organization to display on the site. Undoubtedly it was a good show for all and now we prepare for Spring and Fall Hunts.

Guns,Ammo and the accessories that go along with this category will remain strong as well as those items that allow you to enjoy and take advantage of the outdoors.

Part 4

The coffee carafe is rinsed and never washed so there is the remnant of countless pots of coffee which have been served marked by the stain which is amazingly near or at the same level indicating that the exact amount of coffee is brewed every time. Once the coffee is ready it is served in one of a variety of cups which lay underneath the bar and are used for the specific purpose of this daily ritual. Some are personalized with a name ,some with slogans and some ended up there from other establishments. The latest editing of the Hibbing and Duluth papers lays on the bar and are sectioned off so each member of the coffee posse can dissect the news and report it to the other. Opinions are often and expected to be interjected and it is noted that as one gets older the less worry of what other people will think of your opinions. Most guys will just nod their head in agreement or acknowledgment that it was heard.

Notes are compared and daily tasks are discussed. A trip to the drug store, grocery store and Doctors Off ices is the trifecta. All three even though up there in years pride themselves as being able to keep their driveway and walks clean and wonder about the ambition displayed by the younger generation which

is never and will never live up to or meet their expectations.

By the time most normal people are thinking of waking up or just rising the coffee posse is breaking up for the day. Nothing happened and all is safe on this watch. Rudy will walk home if the weather is nice or Jerry will give him a ride home and double check on the next days schedule.

Once in the house he will walk to the stove where the small sauce pan sits and fill it with water placing it back on the stove top to heat up. This always has been amazing to me since he is legally blind and out of habit or practice it is as automatic as breathing.No measuring devices or aides just do it.The water boils and he walks the water to the bowl placed at the table which already has the instant oatmeal in it and pours the water over it gradually while stirring with the other hand and arriving at the right consistency. A half a banana is on the table and this is eaten only after the oatmeal is eaten. The next course is toast and it will vary but for the most part two pieces lightly uttered with jam or creamy peanut butter for variety.

Once breakfast is complete the dishes are placed on the counter top to await washing or are washed at that time depending on how busy he may be.The table is cleaned up and the cards come out. Well worn and faded but the only deck that will satisfy his needs because the numbers are large. Solitaire is the game of choice and it is a daily battle to see if he can outwit the deck, At one time he kept track of wins and losses but the game is now beyond that and is part of his routine which for some seems boorish but for him means freedom and Independence.Just as the shoveling and the meeting of the coffee posse.He would rather be doing something else, hunting, cutting wood, building shelves and cabinets for his grand children, traveling, one of the many things he used to be able to do so freely but are now just part of his memory and the card game helps keep that edge so he can continue to talk of those days gone by.

Mom is usually up by this point and t she will assist him while he checks his blood sugar and tracks his pills for the day. errands may be discussed and than he will retreat to the recliner where the well worn remote will be used to turn on Emirle Live followed by The Price Is Right. Not the same as when Bob Barker ran things but still his favorite. The days can blend together until one sits back and realizes that this is not surviving but living. Everyday brings a purpose and regardless if it is mundanely routine or not it is living.

Home

Morning comes early in the house .

The floor creaks and shows its age as his feet slide into the slippers placed a the side of his bed that he has shared with the same woman for sixty four years.The house with a history as Rich as the man rising and the women yet laying, yet again another day has passed and a new one begins.

Lying in bed you are for warned that someone has awaken and is moving about the house.The carpeting muffles the sound of the floors creaking as you can hear the individual steps and movements starting his routine as he has so many times before with a trip to the bathroom.

Flushing the toilette has never been a private or quiet affair in their house as the sound starts as a low rumble and builds to a crescendo of volume that sounds is if it is a rocket being launched into space and in reality it is a launching but not of that magnitude. The pipes echo as if letting you know it is a long way to where ever it is going. One is not sure if every ones toilet sounds the same or if it is the nature of their house laden with cast Iron pipe copper wiring covered by cloth and insulation which includes paper and ground pellets of some unknown origin.

The floor is alive again as he walks to the sink and washes his hand and face to freshen up. He stares out the window overlooking the yard which is now covered with a blanket of snow. As a draft of cold air seeps through the window sill of the aging house one can only wonder what he is thinking as he pauses before pouring water

into a plastic cup. First to Rinse and the next drink is to wash down the morning pills which help his day to day existence.Than the floor comes alive again as he walks back to the bedroom to dress in the dark. He is used to dressing in the dark as to him and through his eyes it is the same thing he sees when the lights are on and that is nothing. Years of welding without protection is what he will lay blame for his restricted vision but on his best day he can see as good as any person with 20/20 vision. Call it selective vision just as he chooses to not hear and shuts off his hearing aid. Not now though as he places the hearing aides in turning up the volume as

makes sure his bowl,spoon,glass, banana, and instant oatmeal package are where he placed him the night before.

"Sometimes she moves this stuff around,I know it".

" I found my spoon on the other side of the table once."

Blaming it on mom is a common occurrence now as she is conspiring some how to toy with him and keep him from his routine. But now he moves again through the kitchen and into the living room where he can peer through the front door waiting for his friend Jerry to pick him up for the short ride to the bar.Jerry and he are about the same age and Jerry's driving ability could be challenged as his hand is riddled with arthritis that permanently keep his fingers clenched. His last driver also ailed and in the end had to quit driving as he drove down the highway the wrong way to their coffee haunt.

One might wonder as to the bar at five thirty in the morning.

The spot has changed over the years from Helen's Cafe, Country Kitchen,McDonald's and for those guys who get up way to late you can stop at Tom and Jerry's at 8 A.M. He would rather however be with what is left of his nearest and dearest friends the remnants of his youth of better days and good times that found them all meeting for Happy Hour not morning coffee. But coffee is it. They will unlock the doors to the bar if they are not unlocked already get a fresh pot of coffee going and place three cups on the bar as Rom's will soon be there to join them. Two cups are coffee only and one gets a little extra kick added to start the day. The TV is turned on and volume is turned to the highest level. No argument about what station it is the someone every time because it gives the weather report first. I have wondered why the weather is so important when there is nothing to plan for but as one finds it is always of grave local concern as to what might be able to accomplish if the weather is good.............

Too be Continued

ATA

Attended the Archery Trades Association Show in Columbus Ohio this past week.

For the first time in a few years I was actually excited.

The Bow manufactures took an aggressive look and amped up the designs.

Will cost you more in some cases but the bows were eye popping.

Lots of film your hunt accessories on the market for those Ted Nugent wanna Be's.

Camo, Camo, Camo

This category also had some really good entries.

Some new safety harness systems out that are less cumbersome than the vests and very durable.

Hard cases over soft.

I was not expecting to post anything about this show as it has not been worth it in my opinion over the last few years.

Sorry no pictures but I will post about GWS new Nova Sight in the near future.

Dancing with the stars

My other winter sport.

The Lakettes

Although all the rules are not quite clear.

The kicks must all be shoulder height or above and their are 60 in a routine,plus all the moves.

And louder than any Rock concert that I have attended .

More fans than at our basketball games .

Wild Game

Thanks to my friend Vicki for sending Merle and I to the game.

Wild win convincingly.

I got to see my first game since last season and the Wild won.

The seats are not bad either, fourth row from the ice, Nice!!!