Turkey Season 2011 - In Video

Our turkey hunting tags went unpunched this time around. However, we sure had fun trying! Here's a short video I put together that pretty much sums up why we were unsuccessful. I think you are supposed to be quiet and unseen in the woods in order to sneak up on a Turkey. Or so I've been told. (Oh, and I've also included some video shots of our Spring Elk!)

*Usual disclaimer: These clips were taking from my photo camera which means the shots are often grainy and sometimes out of focus. We are by no means trying to be professional here folks. Videos here on ScentFreeLipGloss are purely just for fun.

Turkey Hunting 2011 from Emily on Vimeo.

Going Fishing... In the Dark

Last weekend we enjoyed a lazy few days camping and fishing at a reservoir in the South East corner of Colorado. It was wonderful!

My favorite part was night fishing. As the evening sky fades to darker shades of gray, the stars begin to peer through a black velvet canvas above. The myriad of twinkling lights dance across the now still water's surface. The wind quiets and the cast of a line causes the only ripples on the water.

Each of our fishing tags read, "extra rod stamp" which the shoreline proudly announced by the display of fishing rods planted in the ground. Like stakes claiming our spot if only for the evening... Some firmly anchored in the shore. Some propped between rocks. Others with bells attached to announce "Fish on!" in style. I quickly learned that while fishing in the dark, you had better pay attention to your rods - or you may be swimming after your pole!

A few snap shots from our time at the lake...

I received a package in the mail today from TakeMeFishing.org which included all sorts of fun Take Me Fishing gear. (Thank you TakeMeFishing!!)

The fishing rods are going to be put to good use by my niece and nephew this year. And the white boating flag I'm taking to work since I don't have a boat. However, I plan on putting it to use in a different way. I am in the middle of a huge project and therefore may have to raise my white-surrender-I've-had-enough-take-me-fishing flag in the near future.

It's Official - Take Me Fishing

Have you heard? There really is a national fishing week and it is fast approaching. The official fishing / boating week this year is June 4-12. During the designated week-long fishing frenzy, you will be able to find all sorts of fishy events across the nation. Check out the takemefishing.org website to find out what is going on near your city!

In preparation of the upcoming holiday I will be fishing THIS weekend. I know - it is a couple of weeks early, but I figure I need the practice. I'm pretty sure that my fishing line tangling skills are still intact, along with the art of snaring trees, shrubs and anything floating on the surface of the lake.

I've been watching fishing shows on the little tv hooked up to the treadmill on the gym. It has helped to pass the time as the miles count by on the endless track to nowhere. (Ugh. Have I mentioned how excited I will be to actually run my first race? This treadmill crap gets old!) Anyway, I'm not sure if simply watching fishing tournaments can help to improve fishing skills any more than falling asleep with a textbook on your head and hoping for an osmosis miracle before an exam. One thing is for sure, even if I don't catch a darn thing I am looking forward to the experience of it all. For me, it is about being with good friends, soaking in the tranquility of the lake and just slowing down from the day-to-day rat race. I'm getting off the treadmill for a couple of days and plopping my butt in a chair by the lake. Here's to tight lines - free of tangles and tree branches.

If all goes well, I'll be ready for National Fishing week.

And if not, I'm going to jerry-rig my old bow and go bow fishing!

This is my National Fishing and Boating Week contest entry sponsored by Take Me Fishing and the Outdoor Blogger Network

Simply Stew - Elk Style

Today was a good day for staying home, lounging around in my fuzzy slippers, cooking up elk stew along with some homemade whole-wheat biscuits, all while leisurely sipping coffee. Ahhh... Sundays!

I know comfort foods like elk stew and biscuits are reserved for snowy winter-like days. However the cloud-filled sky has been threatening to drop it's snow laden bounty from above all day. So it just felt right. Plus it is snowing up in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. According to my Mom, "It's snowing up here to beat the band." (LOL)

If you are fortunate to have game meat in your freezer, and need a good recipe to magically transform it into a delightful dish, here is how I filled my house with elk stew aroma that caused my dogs to go into a drooling frenzy:

1. Start with choice pieces of game meat (My butcher did a fabulous job and the meat came out of the freezer paper looking just like the picture below. No trimming necessary!)
2. Season. (I used McCormicks steak seasoning, salt & pepper to taste)
3. Brown in a tablespoon or so of butter
4. As your meat is browning, sprinkle with a little floor to coat
5. Mince one clove of garlic - brown with meat
6. While your meat is cooking (on a med-low heat), chop red potatoes, celery, carrots and one ripe tomato
7. Add to your stew pot with some water
8. Toss in browned meat
9. Add worcestershire sauce (1 Tbl or so), sea salt (to taste), and some Minute Tapioca (2 - 3 tsp)
10. Throw in some frozen corn (1 cup?)
11. Cover and let boil on a med-low heat for an hour or so.
12. Eat with some home-made whole wheat biscuits and watch the dogs drool

Enjoy!