These guys are not going to be dinner any time soon.
It's a moral dilemma. Since we're too attached to these turkeys to eat them (though not to any of the other food animals around here), do we (a) pay big dollars for a locally grown fresh turkey that still isn't as humanely treated as our own animals or (b) pay $.49 a pound for a factory-raised frozen bird that still tastes pretty good even though we feel a little guilty about it?
We go with (c): forget the turkey and roast one of our own meat chickens, raised this summer, thus getting good flavor at no additional cost and still eat something we raised ourselves. Our chickens go over 10 pounds and there will only be four of us for Thanksgiving dinner.
Problem solved.
Not much else going on now that all the harvesting and canning and freezing is over. The weather has been eerily mild so it's been tough to get into the oncoming winter panic; there are still windows to be sealed up and all that stuff. I've done a bit of knitting. A Very Braidy Cowl is done:
Either I knit way too loose or I have a really tiny head because cowls are always a bit roomy on me. Go figure.
Milo is carbo loading in light of the oncoming winter.
As are we.
That's from the latest batch of Lazy J home brew, a yummy Canadian ale. I need to make more soon; we go through this surprisingly fast.
More Milo, hanging with the man.
Last week:
This week:
And Sophie, the free-ranging sheep.
It's been a good run for the goats and the sheep; they've had their freedom for several weeks now. But it's time to fix the gates and build a higher perimeter on the fence (Who are we kidding? Sophie can't jump. But the goats sure can). Today I received two calls at work from drivers passing by our house and panicking that the goats are out in the yard. Two weeks ago someone even stopped and tried to corral them back in their pen out back. We were home but didn't notice the commotion and the would-be shepherd (who didn't notice our car) gave up after a few laps around the yard. It's better for all if we get them under control. We know.
Since I don't have much excitement in my own life, I will leave you with a pretty funny video you have no doubt seen, if you are a knitter. If you are not a knitter, watch and learn. Or not.
Thanksgivings were often just my mother, daddy, and I because our extended family celebrations were for Christmas. We always had a hen, and I find that I really prefer chicken to turkey. Since I've been married, dinners have been bigger, and I haven't had a hen for Thanksgiving in years. Our family celebration for Thanksgiving is cancelled due to a childhood illness hitting all the grandchildren at once, so I'm thinking that I may try to locate (not easy) and cook a couple of hens for the Christmas celebration.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
Posted by: Panhandle Jane | November 21, 2011 at 10:05 PM
We are a small group for Thanksgiving this year and I'm surprisingly ok with that. I've done the large gathering and for some reason, small feels good this year.
I always wondered how farmers dealt with animals they came to know as family. Your turkeys are definitely family. It would be hard for me. Especially having seen them grow from poults.
I hope you and your family have a safe and healthy Thanksgiving.
Posted by: donna lee | November 22, 2011 at 07:57 AM
I don't know, Jessie. Those turkeys look pretty tasty! I'm hoping to have a couple next year of our own (food, not pets!); this year we're buying ours from a farm down the road from us.
Nice cowl. Personally, I like cowls a little loose. If they're too tight, I'm constantly tugging it away from my throat.
What kind of sheep do you have?
Happy Thanksgiving!
Posted by: Jennifer | November 22, 2011 at 09:14 AM
Maybe you could just get a bunch of those "invisible fence" signs, and then people wouldn't worry? ;)
Posted by: noricum | November 22, 2011 at 03:13 PM
Knitting Hubby and I celebrated turkey day Sunday, and Monday, and tonight (just oyster dressing, turkey breast and cranberry relish) Wednesday early AM we (plus Juneau our Great Dane) leave for the Oregon cosst for 5 days. Cold and snowy yes, but the beach. Our son and his wife are late honeymooning at the beach too. Cape Cod. 3259 miles away.
Posted by: SusanS | November 22, 2011 at 10:02 PM
Milo is too funny! Even if you offered my cat the open bag, she would only eat it very dainty like.
And lucky turkeys!
Posted by: Mia | November 23, 2011 at 08:35 AM
My very braidy cowl is loose too, but then again I made an error in the middle portion where I knit too many rows between the cables thus making the cables squish down a bit. Saw the video last week. A howl!
Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!.
Posted by: Manise | November 23, 2011 at 09:57 AM
Turkeys are some of the nicest birds in the poultry world. I just posted a turkey memory myself.
http://heideho.wordpress.com/2011/11/23/thanksgiving-memories/#comments
Did you ever discover what happened to Milo's mother or siblings after they moved on? Is he getting along with your new kitty? All it takes to herd goats is a pocketful of molasses-coated oats.
Hope you and your family enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Posted by: heide | November 23, 2011 at 06:52 PM
My in-laws raised turkeys this year, but might have let them go too long - the one we had for dinner today was 41 lbs (dressed out). (And it wasn't even the biggest one!) MIL started cooking it at 9:00 last night...
I can see where folks would be a little concerned about the free-range sheep and goats!
Posted by: gayle | November 24, 2011 at 04:52 PM
I'm glad your turkeys are still living the life of Riley the day after Thanksgiving.
Posted by: Kristen | November 25, 2011 at 06:51 AM
your turkeys are
Posted by: Cheap Nike Shox | November 26, 2011 at 08:06 AM
Just two people come see me during the holidays, that's all I need!
Posted by: Tamika | January 09, 2012 at 10:34 PM