We have always been partial to serving deserts with a huge dollop of real whipped cream, and we’ve always been a believer that the extra trouble that it takes to whip it fresh and keep it chilled is totally worth the effort.  And it is.  Except that we’ve figured out how to skip the chilled mixing bowl and the 5 minutes of whipping and splashing and we’ve totally avoided having to toss out the runny melted cream when too much was whipped and it just doesn’t save.

What’s the secret?  Let me introduce the iSi Cream Whipper.

Now, I realize that this is a total luxury item, but as one who detests ridiculous kitchen gadgets – even I think this one is a keeper.  Fresh whipped cream, with no prep time or dirty dishes and a refrigerator life of several weeks mean that I can always have whipped cream on hand.  No sugar, no artificial ingredients.  For this Southern host, that sounds just about perfect.  I’m calling this a must have.  Brides – put this one at the top of your registry list!

So with fresh raspberries from our garden and some blueberries to boot we are only minutes away from dessert.  Summertime berries and whipped cream.  Perfect.

post and pictures by Sunshine

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Rubber knee-high boots (wellies), known for keeping your feet dry, fall short as an all-around “good boot.”  Rubber boots are uncomfortable for walking, do not “breathe,” and are typically poorly insulated.  Muck Boots solve these issues.  They are designed to actually fit your feet and are extremely comfortable.  Pete claims Muck Boots are the most comfortable boots he has ever worn!

Muck Boots – they work, they fit, you love them, and you’ll buy them again.

post and pictures by Sunshine

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Cooking with cast iron is preferred by many cooks because the skillets can go from stove top to oven and they also conduct heat evenly when cooking.  Cast iron is considered a much healthier and natural alternative to “non-stick” cookware which use chemicals to create an easy to clean surface.  I love that cast iron skillets quickly get sizzling hot – which means crispy fried okra and golden cornbread crust.

If well cared for – cast iron skillets can last for generations!  Remember our friend, Kathy, who is still using her great-grandmother’s cast iron pans!?

The Lodge skillet comes pre-seasoned, which is a pretty big deal.  Seasoning cast iron involves penetrating the cookware with oil to create a natural non-stick finish and protect the cookware from rusting.  Seasoning a pan isn’t impossible to do, but the fact that Lodge skillets come well seasoned from their foundry is a pretty nice feature for most cooks!  The Lodge two handle design is a great feature for easy pouring and carrying.

If you haven’t ever used cast iron, it can certainly feel like stepping out of your comfort zone… it’s heavy, it’s different, and it can feel a little bit tricky to figure out the do’s and the don’t of this product.  Rest assured – the unchartered territory of cast iron cookware is easy breezy and once you have this basic skillet in your kitchen you’ll be grabbing for it every time the stove is on!

Don’t:
Don’t ever use soap to wash your skillet.  Soap will strip away the seasoned surface.  If your pot needs more than just wiping out, use kosher salt and a rag to scrub away any tough stuck-on food.  Don’t ever put cast iron in the dishwasher!

Do:
Wipe out your skillet with a damp cloth and then rub the surface with a small amount of cooking oil (on a wash rag or paper towel) after each use.  Make sure it is totally dry before storing to prevent rust. If your pan does develop a rust spot, just scrub it clean and then rub oil into the area to re-season and seal it.

Use your skillet often, it only gets better with time!

Here is a link for a great source for more tips on loving and caring for cast iron cookware.  Lodge care tips

Tell us, are you a believer in cast iron?  How old is your skillet?

post and pictures by Sunshine

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Traits I look for in a Rabbit Gun

Gauge – one of the great things about rabbit hunting is that you can hunt with just about any shotgun in your closet or gun safe at home.  I have hunted rabbits with everything from a single shot .410 to a semi-automatic 12-gauge.  I only rabbit hunt over dogs so I will rule out .22 rifles.  They certainly have their place for stalk and jump rabbit hunters, but they are too dangerous when dogs and other hunters are involved.

The goal in choosing any hunting gun is to match the gauge or caliber of the gun to the game animal and terrain you will be hunting.  In my opinion the 20-gauge matches up very well for cottontail, snowshoe hare and swamp rabbits.  Additionally, the shells are readily available and priced affordably.

The .410 is a great choice for young hunters and those looking for a bit more of a challenge (and don’t mind missing a few shots).  The 12-gauge, used by many is certainly a fine rabbit gun, but I would speculate for most it would not be their first choice.  However, the 12-gauge should not be regarded as “too much gun.”  When shooting low brass field load there is really not much difference between the 20-gauge, 16-gauge and 12-gauge.  The next time you are buying shells compare the amount of lead and velocity statistics on each box and you will see they are fairly comparable.

Any shotgun will work, but if I were buying a new rabbit gun I would pick a 20-gauge.

Lightweight – rabbit hunts often mean spending the better part of the day in the field on your feet carrying a gun.  I want a light gun that is enjoyable to carry for hours at a time.  I often have  my hands full as I manage the hounds – the last thing I want is a heavy shotgun adding to the load.

Compact – not only do I want a light shotgun, I want one that is compact and able to be shot quickly – not bulky and slow to the shoulder.  Barrels in the 22″ – 26″ range are preferred, 28″ and longer barrels are better suited for hunting other game.

Workhorse – leave your pretty, shiny shotguns in the display cabinet.  When rabbit hunting I often find myself in the middle of thickets and briars and don’t want to worry about putting a scratch on my gun.

Adjustable Chokes – with the exception of the .410, which should stay with a full choke, I want to be able to change chokes to match the terrain I’m hunting.

Action – single shots have certainly been responsible for adding many rabbits to the game bag, but I personally prefer to have a follow-up shot!  Pumps and auto loaders are fine choices, but I like the ease and speed of loading and unloading double barrels.  I typically leave my gun unloaded until a rabbit is jumped and running.  Throughout the hunt, I unload and reload my gun numerous times.  I also like double barrels because I am able to use two different chokes – one barrel set-up for close range shots and one for extended range.

My rabbit gun of choice is a side-by-side 20-gauge with adjustable chokes.  It is light and compact with 24″ barrels.  I typically, have one barrel with a I.C. choke for closer shots and a Mod. choke in the other barrel to extend my range.  I typically shoot low brass #6 shot shells and occasionally use a high brass shell in my Mod. barrel if I am hunting an area with  long shot opportunities.  I prefer the side-by-side to the over-and-under because they are typically lighter and more compact…and I just like the look and feel of a “granny gun.”

If you only have one shotgun, and it’s bulky, heavy and has a fixed choke, take it and don’t feel bad about using it!  The main thing is that you get out in the field, enjoy yourself and be safe!  My grandfather exclusively used this single shot 12-gauge with a 30″ barrel!  It wouldn’t be my first choice for a small game gun, but he knew how to shoot it and he was able to keep his game bag filled!

 pictures and post by Peter

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After a morning of sitting at the table reading and doing schoolwork, there is nothing better than “shooing” the children out the back door!  They love taking off through the back door and running through the woods – climbing fallen trees, jumping over holes and swinging from the vines – burn off that energy little monkeys!

These are our Hanna Andersson Christmas pajamas that the children having been wearing hard for 2 years.  Their clothes truly last through washing and wear, they pass down from child to child beautifully and they seriously do not wear out!  Take a look at these pictures and you’ll see what kind of testing we put our clothes through!

bonus: check out the major semi-annual sale right now!

Are you a fan of Hanna Andersson?  Do you sometimes stay in pjs all day too?

post and pictures by Sunshine

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This good-looking knife fits perfectly in my hand.  It has a comfortable weightiness that makes it feel substantial and is useful for going through tough cartilage and thick hides.  Yet, it is compact enough to not be cumbersome or awkward, especially when field dressing a deer.  I have been impressed not only with the look and feel of this knife, but also its ability to hold an edge and endure rigorous use.

I have been a fan of Buck Knives ever since I was a boy.  When I was ten years old my father gave me my first knife of significance, a classic lock-blade Buck 110, along with a Buck sharpening stone.  You can imagine  how important I felt to have a “real knife.”  I spent hours trying to perfect using that sharpening stone.  I still have this knife and continue to use it frequently in the field.  Often a big job such as quartering an elk or boning out a deer requires more than one knife, and the Buck 110 is a great second blade!  It also fits comfortably on the belt whenever I need to wear a knife.

I also like Buck Knifes because they are Made in America.  It’s frustrating how much of my hunting gear is made overseas.  It just doesn’t seem right!  Buck Knives are a great investment as the company has a “Forever Warranty” on all their products.  The packaging for Buck Knives always includes a scripture verse…and I love that!

by Peter, pictures by Sunshine

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Our children need boots – hardworking, waterproof, play in the mud kind of boots – even the baby.  These are the shoes that get worn everyday.  I love having special clothes and shoes to dress the children in, but I do not like stain treating or worrying about ruining new shoes every time we go outside.  These tough boots are waiting to be pulled on to run feed the dogs, say hi to the cows, play in the creek, or to splash in the puddles.  These are our everyday boots that go with our everyday uniform of play outside clothes.

Muddy creek water here we come.  In stylish black, the Walmart chore boot – $15, what a steal.

post and pictures by Sunshine

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