THANKSGIVING 2009

THANKSGIVING IN UTAH 2009

Thanksgiving Day is pretty much defined as a harvest festival celebrated primarily in The United States and Canada. Traditionally, it is a time to give thanks to God for the harvest and express gratitude to others for our many blessings........"WRONG, CRANBERRY BREATH!!!!

TO THE MEN CITIZENS OF MANTI, UTAH, THANKSGIVING IS A WEEKEND OF HUNTING!!!!"

Thanksgiving morning finds Spike and Sally running in the field with one thing in mind ....... fetching pheasants.

Sally returns from a long retrieve with a nice rooster.

My good buddy Marconi and his lovely wife, Polly, came to Manti for Thanksgiving primarily just to hunt. The above photo is of Marconi and his little buddy, Tagalong Cox.

Milo Rowen is ready for action along with other members of the Tucker contingent.

Wire Nut and his Tiny Terrors prepare to take to the field.

Spike retrieving.

Ready to hand off his prize.

The Wolf Clan after a successful day in the field. Milo, who up till now, has been somewhat less than impressive, made some outstanding shots. Wiley and Riot did likewise. Not to be outdone, the Wolf also added to the bag limit.

Chloe takes aim at a target while Riley gives advice.

Tiny Terrors taking aim at targets during a lull in the action.

Oil and Spike take a break in the hunting camp tent.

Back working the fields.

Little Dude.

Sally with another nice retrieve.

Big Dude and his pointing little buddy, Buzz Saw.

Buzz and Dude, among others.

Big and Little Dude with their daily take.

Spike

ditto.....

Marconi and friends chowing down lunch at the camp table.





TIME FOR THANKSGIVING DINNER


After the hunting was over, we journeyed to American Fork for a terrific dinner as the guests of Milo and Hailey AKA Minny Martha Rowen. Most of the family was there and it was a fantastic dinner.

Lem, Little Georgia, Little Ada, Mona Lisa,and Marconi pose at the table.



Milo and Shellie, The Cat Women, join the table.

More posing...

The Bomb Family
F Bomb and Cat Woman

It appears that Cat Woman may have had a little too much cat-nip.

Marconi carves the two turkeys that were so fabulously prepared by Little Martha in her world famous double oven kitchen.

Some of the Tiny Terrors load up on good grub.

Cat Woman and Little Martha tear the Rowan house apart trying to find the cork screw.

Mini Martha did an excellent job as hostess to the dinner. Maybe the smartest thing she did was arrange a table in a separate room for the Tiny Terror brats.

Mona Lisa Rowen gives Marconi a lesson in how to chew his food properly.

Later at Lem's house it's time for family photos. Where is Costanza?


The Wank family.


The Wolf Family.



Thanks to Little and Minny Martha and their families for such an outstanding Thanksgiving dinner and experience.




BACK IN MANTI

Sunday night and time to make gingerbread houses.

Tiny Terrors pose before their creation.

COOKING WILDLIFE WITH RANGER BOB

Howdy folks. I have a special treat for all of you readers this week. Yeah, that's right, real special. I have a guest chief who is none other, than the world famous Chef Marconi from Santa Fe, New Mexico. I had Chef Marconi flown in directly to the Manti International Airport for the purpose of demonstrating his prize winning method of cooking wild pheasants.

As you know, earlier in the week we harvested a few pheasants at Voo's farm. After cleaning them and boning them we ended up with an impressive pile of meat.

The first step in the recipe is to butterfly the breasts (after taking hours to dig out the BBs and feathers). Then pound them out to a very thin rectangle.

The second step is to saute some ingredients to roll up in the pheasant breasts. Chef Marconi used bacon bits, onions, mushrooms, cheese, celery, and secret herbs and spices. He cooled this mixture.

Marconi's lovely assistant, Polly, prepares an excellent side dish of roasted garlic potatoes.

When the mixture is cooled and the breasts are ready it is time to.........

stuff the breasts. After the stuffing is placed in the center of the breasts, carefully roll and tie the roll into a neat loaf.

The rolls were then browned and poached in a special pheasant broth created earlier in the day.

This pheasant roll was sliced and served with the potato side dish and this tasty cauliflower side. A large green salad rounded out the meal and added color.

Here is a photo of the pheasant rolls ready to serve.

Wirenut digs to the best pheasant dinner he has ever tasted.

Madi would rather have had chicken strips.
Chef Marconi had a hit. He is ready to submit his new creation to Martha Stewart soon. Everyone at the dinner had a wonderful time. We all owe the Marconies a big thanks.

IMPORTANT NEWS BULLETIN

Spike will be in starting his western tour next week promoting his new autobiography

"Spike
Going Rouge
An American Life"

He will be signing copies of his book at bookstores, pet stores, and city pounds throughout the intermountain area. Check your local paper to see when he will be in your town. Yes, the lines will be long, but be sure and take the time and effort to chat with Spike, shake his paw, and purchase the fascinating story of this most remarkable canine.

Next Week

Preparing for a Blue Christmas .... NOT

THANKSF OR TUNING IN

.......voo