evolution of a self portrait

hmmm...... not quite
closer but still lacking

perfect - especially the cheeto smile

larry and brendan spent last weekend hunting. the results of the big hunt.... nadda. but they did have a lot of fabulous father son time and that counts for a lot.

be afraid - be very afraid!!

it's official. brendan can now legally carry a gun in the woods and hunt four legged creatures. he spent 12 hours last week in a hunter safety class and took his exam on saturday which he passed with flying colors. i still am not really sure how i am feeling about the whole thing. it's great that he has an interest in something that he and his dad can do together. however, those of you that know brendan have to agree that he still seems a little bit young to carry a gun and hunt prey. when i try to picture it in my head, all i can see is him at about the age of four, traipsing through the woods carrying a gun that is about 4 times his size. kind of like in "father of the bride" when the daughter tells her dad she is getting married and he visualizes her as a child the whole time. it's just really hard for me to believe that he is growing up so fast! the best part of this adventure is that when larry went to sign him up he asked me if I wanted to sign up as well! like i have any intention of hunting ever in this lifetime! that's an even funnier picture in my head. i am sure it would play out like the hunting scene from "new in town" - which is actually a pretty funny movie once you get past renee zellwegers plastic face that is no longer capable of moving. i should have larry watch that movie and then i'll bet he won't ever suggest that i go hunting with him again. besides, it will be a great father\ son - and i'm willing to bet someday a couple of girls will tag along as well - experiance.

pheasant - the new chicken!!

larry went pheasant hunting on saturday. to be honest with you i just thought he was going to have a good time and relieve a little stress. i didn't actually think we were expected to eat what he brought home! so imagine my surprise when he walked in with a beautiful pheasant, they are truly pretty birds, and announced that he was going to go and remove the breasts so we could eat them. seriously?!? we are going to eat it?? i questioned in my best supportive yet alarmed tone. you betcha was his reply - and off we went with kids in tow to clean it. one of the most surprising parts to me is that the kids watched the whole process and thought it was cool. when the tail feathers are dry bella wants to hang them in her room. one word comes to mind here - Gross!! but i have to wonder - are the girls going to be into hunting as well?? a whole little family of hunters? minus me of course

so last night we had said bird in one of our favorite family meals (mixed with chicken because we needed more meat) and it was really good. taste wise there was almost no difference between the two. maybe this wild game eating thing won't be so bad after all.....

here is the recipe i used. i got it years ago from my friend emma and it has become a family staple in the winter. it's really simple and yummy.

chicken and rice

3-4 chicken breasts (can be frozen)
1 1\2 c instant rice
1 can cream of chicken, cream of celery and cheddar cheese soup
2 c water + 1 1\2 soup cans water
salt and pepper to taste

place chicken in 9x13 pan. pour rice and 2 c water over top. in a medium sized bowl mix the soups and 1 1\2 soup cans water together until blended. pour over chicken and stir a little bit to mix. cover with foil and bake for 2 hours at 350. it will look a little soupy when you take it out but as you stir it will thicken.