Bear and I go to market
Bear LOVES to go in the Jeep. If I say we are going in the “car” or if the garage door is open, I am hard pressed to get him into the woods for “business” before we go and mostly I don’t try as there are walk venues not too far down the road no matter which direction we head.
Saturday or Sunday mornings we typically head out on a supply gathering mission and depending on where all I go, we walk in one or more of the favored spots. Bear knows where there are usually cows or horses on our various routes and he keeps an eye out. Thankfully, he is no longer barking in my ear at full volume but he does move from side to side in the back of the Jeep to watch as we pass and sniff at the window to get their scent. Going anywhere in the Jeep in the weeks after Karl’s passing and before Bear arrived was too quiet, too lonely, not much fun and often I ended up in tears. Bear watches everything with a look of grand expectation and like Karl, makes sure to give me a kiss now and again!
This morning, we had a new destination: Kalispell Farmer’s Market.
Kalispell Farmer’s Market is in the parking lot of the Mountain Mall on the edge of downtown Kalispell.
Vendors line 6 aisles of parking lot in the back of the mall and include purveyors of doughnuts and kettle corn in case you arrive hungry.
My reason for this trip was to buy specifically from Farm to Market Pork, a local hog farm, that uses the Farmer’s Market as their summer Saturday “store”. And even more specifically, I had phoned ahead to request a package of fat to render for fresh lard.
Before you go running and screaming from your computer…and maybe you already know, but I didn’t….fresh lard as opposed to hydrogenated lard or even worse, shortening… is a healthy fat – in moderation. Healthier than butter! And rendering lard from fat is a simple operation: heat the fat over low heat, strain the result for the first rendering of the white lard used for soap and baking things like pie crust. Keep going and you have cracklins and a darker lard for savory baking. Good bye Crisco!! If all goes well, I will be making fresh tortillas with fresh lard next week.
On my way to the pork booth, I spotted this local honey supplier – oh, YES!
I was a little later than I intended, it was getting warm and although the Jeep was in shade, I didn’t want Bear to be waiting long so will return earlier another day and see what other treasures the Kalispell Farmer’s Market holds.
We continued on with a quick stop at the grocery, the liquor store, and a Bigfork cherry stand….
The loot: The pork fat, a beautiful bone-in ham, lean bacon, sweet cherries, a bottle of balsamic vinegar infused with cherries and other good stuff, 3 pounds of raw honey, and a bottle of Jack Daniels “Honey”…a new offering from Dr. Jack – liqueur infused Jack Daniels whiskey using Tennessee honey.
It was cloudless, breezeless and hazy as it moved into the heat which is forecast to reach 90 today. Everyone I spoke to and dealt with was pleasant, relaxed, enthusiastic about the day and/or what they were selling. It was an idyllic morning of simple errands in the company of Bear and with Joy all around us….AND, we were home by noon :)!
Weekend Miscellany
Friday morning perfection.
Between the sunshine, blue sky and perfect for us temps…who could NOT roll in the snow for the fun of it ? :)! ?
Feelin’ good.
I finished my work day mid-afternoon. Karl and I headed west to Kila and Calm Animal Care for Karl to have a spa treatment: a chiropractic follow up and a first time acupuncture. Yea, I was a little envious but actually it is a treat for me as well. We arrived early enough to have a long leisurely walk on the “Rails to Trails” path that looks to the view in the photo above. Dr. Calm’s office where we both wait and get treated has 2 1/2 large picture windows that look out on this valley view. Small trees just outside the windows were full of small birds chirping gaily in the almost spring sunshine.
The clinic is in an old house and exudes the same calm as Dr. Calm herself and all of the staff and even the other patients. Karl and I relaxed while waiting. Karl nearly falls asleep on his feet during the massage/chiropractic and he did fall asleep during the acupuncture part. I shared the foam mattress that serves as the dog bed and managed nearly falling asleep myself! Once home we were both feeling rejuvenated and had a wonderful evening walk around the loop as the sun started down.
Friday was to be the day to go to Great Falls and meet Ree Drummond (Pioneer Woman) but I had made the decision two weeks ago that I wouldn’t try to do the trip. As it turned out, the weather would have held me back as well.
…both the northern and southern pass options – snow, ice and or both.
But Friday here, was sunny, clear and beautiful – a beautiful evening and a good night’s rest all around after a good work week.
Saturday’s weather was a wintry mix which didn’t stop us from a morning grocery run and dampish walk in town and a lazy afternoon in front of the woodstove.
This morning. Misty, foggy, damp…another fire to keep things cozy until the sun started burning off the fog…
…and we headed out for another round of our home loop.
…while Bob relaxed at home: Weekend Miscellany.
Thursday
Thursday already!
We three members of the fambly Summers all “rise and shine” in our own unique ways…
Late yesterday afternoon, the temperature rose above freezing and stayed there overnight making everything a drippy, soggy mess. So, while not really cold enough to send a bear dog to his pillow, it is wet enough. And no, he doesn’t want to come in – he is free to come and go at his choosing.
Bob has the same freedom and chose a spot indoors.
It should be noted that both of them have been out on their morning rounds…
Me, I start with checking food and water bowls, loosing the boys to the outdoors and then coffee and a nibble: this morning, homemade rustic rye toast with peanut butter and my own cranberry-orange marmalade.
The snowthrower arrived home in working order (HEY, they had given me an incorrect belt – I feel a little bit vindicated in my repair efforts :)! ), a big storm is due with the forecast being 4-10 inches of snow, my pantry and frig are full, the work project deadline was met.
It is Thursday – hope all are having a good week!
Back in business
A little Gorilla Glue ( Snowshoe Surgery ) … a little bracing and my Salomon snowshoes are back in business!
