What Did You Do Today?

[Eric Krewson]

We had our fall muzzleloader get together this afternoon, great friends, great food and always fun when these like-minded folk get together and share knowledge about gun building and shooting our relics. The newest reproduction models we shot were probably from around the 1870s, the oldest was a hand cannon designed after one shot in the 13th or 14th century. I brought one that was a replica of a 1750s fowling gun (shotgun) as well as an 1810 version of a Tennessee squirrel rifle. I made both of my guns.

[Pappy]

As you said always fun with friends and like minded folks. 😊 Pappy

[Eric Krewson]

My son and granddaughter came up from Austin for Thanksgiving, we had an early Thanksgiving dinner so my granddaughter could get back to Austin for UT's last home game of before she graduates this spring and heads out into the world to make her fortune.

Everyone in the picture is a great cook so we had some amazing food, I am vacuum sealing and freezing the left over ham and fried turkey today.

My son, granddaughter and my special friend Carol;

[Eric Krewson]

Time to wrap up the part of the garden that can't stand the heavy frost that is coming tonight.

I dug a lot of Daikon radishes, they grow to china and I have found the long spade it the best way to get them out of the ground without breaking them. I ended up with 2 gallon bags packed full of washed and trimmed radishes.





Next I picked spinach, not because the frost will harm it but because I needed some in the frig. My bulging disc back issues wouldn't let me bend over to pick last week, with my old man knee stool I could manage it today, I picked two gallons of really nice spinach. I put up the rabbit fence this year, I tried trapping them in the past but couldn't catch any, they ate all of my spinach last year. This is the patch after I picked, I forgot to take a before picture.



Lastly I pulled my beets, there is a lot I don't know about growing them, this is my first attempt. They germinated very slowly and the grass took over, the beets were small. I wanted to pickle some, again my first attempt, I may have enough to fill a couple of pints.

[Pappy]

Looks like a pretty good late harvest to me .
 Pappy

[Eric Krewson]

I finished up cutting up the small deer I killed a few days ago, I had a little more than 30# of boned out meat not counting the ribs. I vacuum pack everything, with what I have left in the freezer from last year, I am in good shape until next year's season.

I have a friend that wants a deer, any I kill after that will go to hunters feeding the hungry if I can't find someone that wants one.

The last of the burger grinding;

[Pappy]

Looking good Eric, the problem with Feed the hungry around here is you have to have it professionally processed or they won't take it, they won't take some I process or I would do that on 1 or 2 a year, so it cost you 100$ or so to give it away. I just just give some to my friends that haven't been as Blessed as I. They like my processing. 
 Pappy

[Eric Krewson]

Here the hunters feeding the hungry organization pays for the processing, as far as I know only one butcher shop in town is aligned with program. I have donated deer before and it didn't cost me anything. I found that you can keep part of the deer you donate as well and pay a processing fee for the pounds you keep. I think you have to bring the gutted deer in with the hide still on, I don't think they take cooler deer.

This is for Tennessee, looks like donations are free if you use processor that is part of the program.

To donate a deer, hunters bring a field dressed deer to a participating processor free of charge, confirm the harvest confirmation number and other contact information, and the processor takes care of the rest. Deer donations can also be made by the pound or pack (excluding Unit 1).

I found this for Alabama donations.

How Hunters Helping the Hungry Works

Hunters field dress the deer and take it to a participating processor. It does not cost the hunter any money to donate the venison, but hunters may voluntarily pay processing fees to provide more venison for food banks to distribute.
Processors grind the venison then contact their nearest participating food bank. The food bank will pick up the venison. Processors receive $2 per pound from the Alabama Conservation and Natural Resources Foundation.
The food bank will distribute the venison to those in need.