Why I Put Fish Back

Hi There!  

I have been out fishing a couple times this past week, for the first time on ice this season.  My first fish of the year was a bluegill!  I'm still waiting for that awesome day were they are biting like crazy!

I've yet to use my tip-ups this year.  When I hook into a fish bigger than a average bluegill, my first thought is--"What am I stuck on?", at least until I feel that fish pulling back!  The funny thing is I hardly ever get stuck on stuff (other than fish) while fishing through a hole in the ice.

This is Brian, him and his brother were fishing tip-ups and he got this beauty:

I caught a hook swallower gill, and Brain's brother gave me his bass.  Both fish, were decent in size and since I thought they were goners anyway, I'd take em home and clean them. 

Both the bass and the gill were frozen ice bricks as I put em in the bucket and left the lake.  I came home, dumped the icy fish in the kitchen sink, changed out of my snowsuit, played with Sophie, talked on the phone and generally piddled around.  Then it occurred to me that I should try out my new electric knife and take care of these fish.




So, I wash the new knife blades as instructed and put it together.  Then I rinsed the fish. As I placed the blades next to the basses tail, he CAME BACK TO LIFE and FLIPPED right off the counter top!



I jumped and recalled why I don't usually keep fish.  The bluegill (which mind you, was also froze solid before I rinsed em off) also began to flip.  I took it as a sign from God that these fish were to live.  I released them into private water near my house; they swam away.  True Story!!!

Sunny Saturday, I was fortunate enough to be the guest of honor at an auger party.  I got to try a black Strikemaster Laser, a baby blue NILS, and a green brand new electric ion auger!  It was a fun day out on the ice.  The bite on the main part of Loomis was tough, but I met an 8 yr. old that caught a bluegill.

Check out that sky^ 

Ice fishing totally makes winter fun!

3 Eating Light Ideas & My New Fish

Hi Ya'All!  

Does anyone notice the POPULAR widget I added?  It keeps track of the most popular blog posts!  How cool is that?--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------->

I've been experimenting with some new recipes; specifically, foods I normally do not care for much.

  

Now that sounds crazy I know, but it's all in effort to eat better.  Besides, the weirdest thing is that I have been CRAVING mushrooms!  Mushrooms-- for heaven's sake!!!  I don't even like mushrooms all that much.  I mean on a scale from chocolate to dirt, mushrooms are only second away from dirt!  Of course chocolate is completely at the other end of the spectrum.

Anyway, I had hopes of getting cute little button mushrooms, or something small, but all the grocery store had was big ole portobellos.  So, I loaded em with a mix of herbs and low fat cheese, natch.

I'm happy to announce that the mushrooms weren't half bad and I no longer have a craving for em.  I believe that reinforces my theory that cheese can make it better! ;-)

Another new recipe I tried recently is chicken lettuce wraps.  Now this one wasn't too daring, as I tend to have a tortilla wrap every so often.  Basically, it's the same concept only without the tortilla.

Seasoned grilled chicken wrapped up with your choice of veggies and a light dressing makes for a light and healthy lunch.  Boy, was it messy!

It didn't taste bad, but my shredded carrots, and tomatoes kept trying to escape.  Perhaps the romaine leaf was loaded to much.  Eh, at least I got some good vitamins in. 

Hey-- I got a new fish!  Incidentally, JC the cat has a new, calm and quiet home.  (Just thought I'd throw that in there.)

My fish is an American fish-- the package says so!

The house I live in has electric baseboard heat and is supplemented with electric space heaters.  It doesn't do much for keeping moisture in the air. Thus, in effort to hydrate the air so my family and I don't look like a batch of sun dried tomatoes, I use a humidifier. 

The fish swims around in there and cleans most of the bacteria that will build up over time.  

I put out a crocheted heart rug for Valentines Day.  This may be the extent of my decorating this year.  Hard to say, sometimes I make the house look all cutesy, and other times I don't. 

Today, I worked in Troy's bedroom helping him pick up his toys.  The little guy is fighting off a nasty cough.  I set up the vaporizer in there along with some refreshing eucalyptus and pine candles.  FYI-- candles and kids usually aren't the best match, but I was diligently keeping watch on both.  :-)

 

The third new recipe is a chocolate shake.  I know what you're thinking, but trust me, it's light.  It's made with a frozen banana, cocoa powder, PB2 powder, and almond milk.

The texture was good, it was even a bit frothy at first.  My opinion of the drink was so/so.  I think I actually prefer fruit smoothies over the chocolate and peanut butter flavors.  Nonetheless. it's a fast way to down some protein without consuming a bunch of calories.

Sooo, even though none of my recipe posts made the All Time Most Popular List, I will still continue to blog about cooking cause it's what I do.  And oddly what some folk's have requested.  Ya'All can expect to see some fishing posts in the near future as well. 

Peace Out!  :-)

Happy New Years!

Hiya Folks!

I hope Ya'all had a wonderful New Years; mine was rather low key.  I stayed home and played in a box with the kids!   Yes, boxes are still being played with more than the toys around here!  Troy turned one into his bed, and fell asleep watching tv.

 

JC, aka HideeBall, is the new cat here.  He is a Nervous Nelly!  I know in the pic below he looks relaxed with his foot propped up on Sophie, but the truth is, he still has not settled in here yet.

I'm actually concerned for his health.  He has gone on a hunger strike.  He refuses to eat and his cat suit is becoming very loose on him!  I know he is traumatized from the death of his previous owner. 
He is also very timid around the kids here and this place tends to be the hubbub of the neighborhood.
Thus, for the sake of this poor cat, I have begun to look for a quiet home for him.  He needs a place where he can unwind and deal with his issues without being terrified that a kid will pet him.  I wouldn't mind having a place to unwind myself...

 
I was hoping to be able to do so on the ice while fishing.  However, the local lakes have not iced over enough for my liking, and some not at all.  

In all fairness, I could have fished a few days in a shallow bay from the ice.  Unfortunately, I was tied up and couldn't get out.

I do think the weather will cooperate soon and when it does, those fish better be hungry!

In other news, the kiddies are in soccer at the church.  They have games every Saturday from now till March.  (Ughh)  It's a good thing they are so darn cute.  ;-)

In addition to soccer, Gladdie is also on the school basketball team.  Pics of her in action will be coming soon. 

Speaking of what's next-- I am planning on making some minor changes to the blog including adding new recipes.  Stay tuned! 

P. S. -- the husband is doing fair, according to the physical therapist.  He is well on the road to recovery and is currently able to walk with only the aid of his cane.