Busy days of winter

You would think with my not working anymore that I would be posting like crazy.  I don't know if it's writers block, or I am just too busy with life but I have had nothing to write about lately.  Christmas is creeping up on me so quickly, final exams are in a week and a half, and the kids are busy with school programs and basketball tournaments.  We are also trying to squeeze in some of the local holiday festivities.  I have to give our little town some credit, they know how to bring the community together.  It seems every holiday has some great community activities.

I have one project I have been working on.  This last month I have been making child and toddler aprons.  I wanted to have my online shop up and going but I am still working on it.  Last weekend I was a vendor at my first craft show.  It was through the kids school and was very small but it was perfect for me to get my feet wet.  I sold quite a few aprons and made a profit so I think it is something I will expand on.  I really enjoy making them and they are so cute and versatile.  I still have quite a few aprons available if any of you know of a little one that likes to bake, garden, paint, or just play pretend!

Spencer modeling an apron

Taylor's basketball team has made it to the tournament.  They finished off the regular season with 7-3 record. I am really proud of how well she has grown as a player and that she has found something she really loves to do.  We will have about a month off and then it will be time to start a round of AAU basketball.  She is really excited to be playing AAU.  It will be a bit more competitive than the inter valley league she has been playing. 

Taylor has had a pretty exciting year overall.  She turned 12 this year which meant she could now go hunting.  She and her dad spent a couple of weekends searching for her trophy deer and she came home successful.. She shot a really nice buck and had a great experience with her dad.  I am sure it was something she will never forget.  It's also nice having some game meat in the freezer.  I have learned that I prefer meat that has been shot or caught rather than bought by far.  I have been using my gramma's old cast iron skillet to cook up the deer steaks and they are delicious!  Brent has also been doing a little bird hunting and ice fishing will be upon us before we know it.  There's nothing like a freezer full of deer meat, chukar, and trout!

Taylor's first buck

These next weeks will be busy with baking, basketball, school and Christmas.  I will be so happy to have a month off before I have to start back at school.  I learned that I need a few more classes in order to graduate so I will have to push graduation out another semester.  I am pretty bummed-out about that but I have come too far to just quit.  I really wanted to graduate in the spring but it wasn't meant to be.  I will just keep on trucking until I get that diploma.

I have some planned culinary adventures that I hope to report on.  I am a lot more comfortable in the kitchen than I was when I began this blog but I still feel I have so far to go.  We are trying to eat more locally and conscientious as we were before since we have slipped a bit with that.  It really is a transition and with rising food costs and financial road-blocks, it doesn't make it any easier.  Having a flock of chickens that aren't laying due to fewer  daylight hours and their untimely molting doesn't help matters either.

I'd like to give the blog a face-lift and do some regular posting this coming new year.  I know I could make it more interesting than it has been this past year and that will be my resolution.  I love to write and this is a great outlet for it.  In case I don't make it back before the holidays, then I wish all my readers a very Merry Christmas and I appreciate you all taking the time to read my thoughts.

My table at the craft fair