Well, Pat, if you're ever the recipient of a road-kill moose, here's a recipe for jellied moose nose Jellied Moose Nose.

It sounds quite disgusting!

She's gorgeous! Congratulations on the adoption!!!

Pat - I saw your post on FB about signing up for Medicaire, so I'm going to cross pull and ask if maybe your funk is about your upcoming retirement? How are you doing so far today?

The recipe's the same as making head cheese - just different meat. Head cheese is such a disgusting name - why not just call it jellied pork? Great with dark rye bread and a splash of vinegar!

Is it still legal to hunt moose? My BIL hunts quite a bit - deer mostly - but I don't talk to him that often about what he kills.

I have sampled moose meat - yummy! Buffalo, beefalo, venison too - all lean, dark and delicious.

Dagmar (unrepentant carnivore)

I believe that in some of the Western states, people do pick up roadkill deer, elk, etc. But I don't think it's a community effort--more an individual thing.

Jay

Hi all,

A very busy week for me here too, which is why I haven't been online. I've been out on the boat every day at work (except yesterday when I spent all day judging a local middle school science fair), then run to the gym to work out for as long as I have time for, then to rehearsals for this play I'm working backstage for, home, bed, repeat. I'm breathing easier today because the weekend will be busy but not as crazy. Opening night is tonight and dress rehearsal went great last night. This weekend I'll be at the theatre, working out, or sleeping!

I'm really proud that I've stayed OP and made sure to give working out and sleeping enough priorities - makes me enjoy my many activities instead of being stressed out by them, though I'm glad it will be over after the weekend and I'll get a little break. I've been so glad I have yummy, healthy meals and snacks packed every day wherever I go.

Meg, count me in with those curious what you think of The Female Body Breakthrough. I also considered buying it. I really enjoyed NRLW and when I finished the program, thought "now what?" If it's got similar workout ideas I'd like it. I like to make this simple sweet potato recipe:
Sweet Potato Apple Bake

4 microwaved sweet potatoes
1 cup sliced tart apples (Granny Smith work well)
2 Tbsp water
1/4 cup tightly packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Original recipe calls for 1 teaspoon salt - I tried this once and it was gross, but add some if you want. Original may have meant kosher salt, I used table.

Peel and slice potatoes. Place layer in greased baking dish, sprinkle water in over the bottom layer (will help keep everything juicy and more stuck together). Cover with 1/2 the other ingredients, continue layers and finish with potato slices and few dots butter or margarine.
Bake, covered, in 375 F oven 30 minutes; uncover, and continue cooking
until apples are perfectly tender and top potatoes nicely browned.
Serves 4.

Why would one want to eat jellied moose nose? *shudders* My friend from New Hampshire says her dad is on some "deer list" where the police will call people on the list if they have a freshly killed deer. I don't know if we have a list here in Florida but I know that there are many people around here who would bring that deer home if they hit one! Admittedly I might too (or, call BF or a friend to bring their truck to pick it up, as it wouldn't go well into the trunk of my Civic). I love venison!

Amanda, how wonderful! Congrats on the new addition to your family!

Pat, sorry you're in such a funk. Maybe to get to the gym, just tell yourself "I'm going to go and walk 1 mile" or something simple like that. Give yourself permission to leave after that if you want. I have a "just go do 30 minutes" rule at the gym when I don't want to go. Sometimes I leave, but more often than not, I stay longer and feel good about it. Hope the B vitamins and happy light help too!

Jessica, hang in there and stay strong! Just take everything 1 day, 1 meal, 1 decision at a time. Don't get overwhelmed.

I'm going to run along and do some work now. I'll be around today and should be around more next week. Have a great, OP weekend everyone!

I have to share a great mantra that I heard on the nightly news last night. They were doing an article about obesity and diabetes, and they interviewed a diabetic man who said that when he wanted to eat off-plan food, he repeated his (also diabetic) mother's mantra to himself: "Don't dig your grave with your teeth."

another INSANELY busy day here. I swear...when are things going to calm down???

The cats are now coming out into the same room as the dog, unprompted, and don't watch her all the time, so they're getting more comfortable. She really doesn't care about them, and gets lots of praise when she relaxes and settles when they're in the room, so I think this is going to work out well. I expected at least one of our cats to be in hiding for a month or more, so it's a really good sign that he's out here already, IMO.

Shannon - quite the opposite, I'm very much looking forward to retirement. It's all I can do at work to keep from thinking "what is the c**p? I could be home doing something I enjoy" Don't get me wrong, I really love the library part of my job, and don't dislike the other administrative stuff, it's the whole politics of the city and the infighting/back biting that goes on in any workplace but somehow seems worse in a governmental setting where we have to deal with elected officials. Thank goodness I'm not physically located in City Hall.

Thanks for all the good thoughts. I'm still feeling blah, and not getting stuff done, but I've given myself til noon Sat to get over it. I have a work related meeting Sat morning (ick) at 9. When it's finished I will go straight to the gym, not pass go or anything. And I got a call yesterday from the local swimming pool. They have put together an adult class for Christmas break, so I think I'll sign up. I need a change. I've also started sharing the SAD light with DH so hopefully that will help too.

Oh my yes - it's quite popular. The state is divided up into game districts, and you have to get a license to hunt (free if you're over 60). There are also "special" hunts for female deer when the population gets too dense. Moose meat is really good, though it's very lean, so it can be dry is cooked improperly.

Take a look at this from the front page of the Anchorage paper. Moose Photos Okay, I tried this after I posted it and it does work

If that doesn't work go to www . adn . com and click on the photo of the moose and it'll bring up a photo gallery of 16 photos of it. This is a very impressive moose even for here, and right in midtown Anchorage.

Hi everyone!

Spent a long morning at the DOL for an unemployment appeal. Tired. Got a kick out of the moose pix!

Pat - I imagine that the 'pre-retirement-itis' is similar to the lethargy that a lot of people get before vacation. Setting a deadline for your funk seems like a good plan.

Amanda - glad your cats are starting to come out and play with the dog!

Jessica - I like that quote.

Megan - good job with the OP!

Dagmar - ick. Head cheese.

Good day everyone!

Too cool! Front of the fridge!

Pat Love the moose photos - he's a big'un! Have to wonder at all of those people within 10 feet of him taking photos. I guess it's not mating season so he's pretty calm?

I'm sitting here starving, waiting for DH to come home so we can eat dinner. He said he'll be here by seven. I think I'll let him take his coat off before the food hits the table .

Have a great evening all! TGIF!!!

Dagmar

Ladies I truely hope you enjoy those recipes as much as I have.

So many exciting things going on in here, I couldnt possibly keep up with it all. lol

YaY for each and everyone of you!!

pat - great moose pics! thanks for the link. Also fascinating to get a peek at Anchorage. it is only slowly thinking in that it is COLD out there...there is snow on the ground...Our trees are bare, lots of leaves on the ground, but luckily we'll typically be well above freezing for most of the winter!