1.) DParker - 12/17/2018

We finally got around to getting another dog to keep our old chow/golden mix company. She's a rescue from a local agency, and is allegedly a ~4 year-old lab/golden mix (though she's awfully small for that combination). She weaned her first and only litter of pups a few months ago, and was spayed just last week. We were worried about her feeling "at home" with another larger, older dog already in residence...but after her first day here it appears that's not going to be a problem.

Quite the proper, modest lady here. She looks like the aftermath of a horrible accident of some sort.

2.) bluecat - 12/18/2018

She doesn't look friendly at all. What's her name?

3.) DParker - 12/18/2018

[QUOTE=bluecat;57501]She doesn't look friendly at all.[/QUOTE]

Clearly she's not comfortable in her new surroundings yet. At least, not comfortable enough to have laid claim to every seat in the house...yet.

[QUOTE=bluecat;57501]What's her name?[/QUOTE]

Bailey. Not what I would have chosen, but she's had it long enough that we decided against changing it and confusing her.

4.) bluecat - 12/18/2018

Glad she found a good home. I know she'll be loved.

5.) DParker - 12/18/2018

[QUOTE=bluecat;57503]Glad she found a good home. I know she'll be loved.[/QUOTE]

I'm just hoping she can find it in her heart to tolerate our use of her furniture.

6.) bluecat - 12/18/2018

Lol! Spoken like a true pet owner that loves their pets.

7.) DParker - 12/27/2018

It looks like she's going to fit in just fine here. I'm a little miffed though that she's now officially having a better hunting year than I am.

8.) Jon - 12/27/2018

HAHA, looks like she's going to fit right in!

9.) DParker - 12/28/2018

So...which of you ne'er-do-wells predicted that I'd sous vide that tree rat? Pat yourselves on the back. After a light dusting with salt, pepper, garlic powder and Italian seasoning, and then sitting in the bath overnight at 167F, it was so fall-apart tender that I had to use silicon tongs to get the carcass halves out of the bag. Then when I tried to use a fork to scrape the meat off they both just fell apart. This made separating the bones from the meat quite tedious (especially the ribs and vertebrae), but the end result was worth it. The meat was a level of tenderness I didn't think possible from an adult fox squirrel. And the Italian seasoning, which I threw in as an afterthought, made a big difference in the flavor. This is easily the best damned squirrel I've ever tasted. But only a taste (for QA purposes, of course), with the bulk of the spoils going to the huntress and her partner in crime. Some thumbnails, followed by links to the much larger original photos:

Is it ready yet? (Full size: [URL="https://i.imgur.com/T1xuov4.jpg"]https://i.imgur.com/T1xuov4.jpg[/URL])


Tell me this doesn't make your mouth water. (Full size: [URL="https://i.imgur.com/rHfyTUi.jpg"]https://i.imgur.com/rHfyTUi.jpg[/URL])


De-boned. (Full size: [URL="https://i.imgur.com/91o7FbC.jpg"]https://i.imgur.com/91o7FbC.jpg[/URL])


One satisfied customer. (Full size: [URL="https://i.imgur.com/2QhqGsz.jpg"]https://i.imgur.com/2QhqGsz.jpg[/URL])


What do you mean there isn't any more? (Full size: [URL="https://i.imgur.com/OyqFYNG.jpg"]https://i.imgur.com/OyqFYNG.jpg[/URL])

10.) Swamp Fox - 12/31/2018

[B]"Who's a good girl?"[/B]


Now that you mention it, Sue V. seems just right for a big squirrel. I have a pressure cooker method that I far prefer to anything else, unless I'm doing a stew anyway. With skwirls, it's all about breaking down the muskells ...

Texas has some BIG squirrels. California has some weird ones ... LOL ... They don't relate to trees the way I think a squirrel should ...LOL

11.) DParker - 12/31/2018

My SIL gave me one of those Instant Pot multi-function cookers for Christmas, so I think pressure cooking is going to be my next experiment in squirrely deliciousness.

12.) Swamp Fox - 12/31/2018

I don't know about all that new-fangled cauldronry --- All I know is I sorta enjoy the layer of excitement keeping a eye on that rocker, never knowing if I'm about to blow a hole in the ceiling.

13.) DParker - 12/31/2018

There is a bit of a thrill factor associated with it.



The Instant Pot is just an electric pressure cooker with some smarts for automatic time and temperature control, and the ability to cook with or without pressure. That combination makes it really flexible and simplifies a lot of things. The first thing I did was make yogurt (the wife eats it every day, so she volunteered to be my Guinea pig). Pour in 1/2 gallon of milk, press a button and it will scald the milk. When that's done it beeps. Take off the lid and drop a spoonful of starter culture in. Replace the lid and press another button. 8 hours later you have 2 qts of plain yogurt. So easy even I can do it.

I thought they were a silly gimmick at first. But the more I get to know it the more sense it makes.

14.) crookedeye - 12/31/2018

speaking of pressure cookers i cooked some wings in 8 minutes then put some franks hot sause, molasses, and butter on them....then under the broiler for 5 minutes..you talk about good.

15.) crookedeye - 12/31/2018

billy dont believe all this new"tecnolgy"stuff..with my new pressure cooker and Dparkers french tickler adue cooker, things have come a long way..

16.) billy b - 12/31/2018

[QUOTE=crookedeye;57569]billy dont believe all this new"tecnolgy"stuff..with my new pressure cooker and Dparkers french tickler adue cooker, things have come a long way] things did come a long way and are headed for the terlet!!!!

17.) Swamp Fox - 01/01/2019

LOL ...

18.) bluecat - 01/02/2019

Hilarious. Send more dog pics please.

19.) DParker - 01/02/2019

[QUOTE=bluecat;57572]Hilarious. Send more dog pics please.[/QUOTE]

My beer gut makes a great pillow. (Full size at: [url]https://i.imgur.com/L9mK80A.jpg[/url])


She was worn out from the stress of having guys with jackhammers tearing up our family room floor in order to repair the hot water pipe that sprung a leak under the foundation last week. (Full size at: [url]https://i.imgur.com/2JBjpyr.jpg[/url])

20.) bluecat - 01/02/2019

Love those pics. Sorry about your floor. Damn.

21.) Swamp Fox - 01/03/2019

[QUOTE=DParker;57575]My beer gut makes a great pillow. (Full size at: [url]https://i.imgur.com/L9mK80A.jpg[/url])
[/QUOTE]


I think she lliikes you ...


You said she was a rescue. What's her story? Idiot/unlucky previous owner? One of those wanderers who is not lost? Really did get lost? Hurricane dog? Refugee from Austin?

22.) bluecat - 01/03/2019

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;57566]I don't know about all that new-fangled [B] cauldronry[/B] [/QUOTE]

+3 lol

23.) DParker - 01/03/2019

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;57587]I think she lliikes you ...


You said she was a rescue. What's her story? Idiot/unlucky previous owner? One of those wanderers who is not lost? Really did get lost? [B][COLOR="#FF0000"]Hurricane dog?[/COLOR][/B] Refugee from Austin?[/QUOTE]

Bingo...probably...maybe. She was a stray who had a litter of pups while she was living on the street in southern Houston, and the rescue agency assumed she was a casualty of Harvey from last year. But, there's no way to know for sure.

24.) bluecat - 01/04/2019

[QUOTE=DParker;57557]It looks like she's going to fit in just fine here. I'm a little miffed though that she's now officially having a better hunting year than I am.

[/QUOTE]

She's bright eyed and bushy tailed.


I'll let myself out.