I took a walk one recent afternoon and saw some interesting early signs that spring is not too far off! There was a small pool of open water along the shore where dozens (maybe hundreds?) of tiny bullheads and a couple larger ones were hanging out. A pair of Trumpeter swans flew in just before … Continue reading Late Winter on Phantom Lake
It was a beautiful sunny day today, perfect for a winter walk. The snow is too deep for my short-legged companion Annie to accompany me on an off-road snowshoe hike, so I took advantage of the marvelous gravel roadways on Crex Meadows, not far from home and blessedly unplowed after the latest 3-4 inch snowfall … Continue reading Wolf Sign on a Winter Walk
I recently bought a case of pears from my daughters school fruit fundraiser. They were not yet ripe when I got them (this is normal for pears), but they all ripened at the same time earlier this week. We can only eat so many fresh pears, so the best way to make them last is … Continue reading Canned Spiced Pears
Each year around Christmas time, groups of birders across the country and around the world participate in a winter count of the birds in their areas. They spread out over an area 15 miles in diameter to count their observations. The data is compiled by the Audubon Society and a report is issued each year. … Continue reading Christmas Bird Count
I had a pound of hot Jimmy Dean sausage in the fridge that I had planned to make wild rice pie with, but my son said he would prefer some wild rice soup. So, I adjusted my plans to accommodate his wishes. (I still plan to make that pie soon!) The results were fantastic, with … Continue reading Spicy sausage wild rice soup
I cooked a chicken in the crock pot the other day with the thought we would have chicken tacos for dinner. I added chili powder and taco seasoning, a whole chopped onion and some minced garlic to the pot that morning so the chicken would have the right flavor at supper time. By the time … Continue reading Tortilla Soup
Every fall thousands of Greater Sandhill Cranes gather near Grantsburg Wisconsin to beef up in preparation for their annual southward migration to the warmth of the U.S. Gulf Coast. And every fall, hundreds of folks visit the area to view the cranes for themselves. I had the opportunity last week to lead a group of … Continue reading Crex Crane Tour
The cold weather and the sniffles had me craving soup today, but I didn't have any meat thawed and I did not want to go to the store for chicken or beef. I dug around in my freezer and found a tube of hot seasoned sausage and saw that I had a few potatoes, and … Continue reading Spicy Sausage and Potato Soup
I spent an afternoon last week sauntering with my shotgun through the woods. It was a windy day on the nearby prairie but in the woods it was still and calm. White-crowned sparrows flitted in the underbrush, and yellow-bellied sapsuckers called from the oaky over-story as they flitted from trunk to trunk, but nary a … Continue reading A fall walk in the woods
The great thing about venison is that it is very similar to beef and can replace it in just about any recipe. The first time I harvested a deer my kids told me there was no way they would ever eat venison. So I started by combining the venison with beef, about half and half, … Continue reading Venison Nachos
