Categories
Food & Drink

Always In My Fridge/Freezer

assorted bottles and cans in commercial coolers
Photo by junjie xu on Pexels.com

Over the years I’ve honed in on my staple ingredients; those necessary to the majority of my recipes, those that my husband and I love and those that cut down on frequent trips to the grocery store when we veer off plan.

1. Milk
Why: Got Milk?!? Yes, indeed!

2. Cheese
Why: The end all and be all of the toppings. Ooey gooey cheese! Yum! The uses are endless and cheese on sandwiches are a must!

3. Eggs
Why: My husband makes killer omelettes for me and I go through a lot of eggs when I get on a baking spree; plus occasionally I have a hankering for deviled eggs!

4. Bell Peppers
Why: Stuffed peppers are frequently made in our house, added to salads, put in soups and gobbled up with hummus, tzatziki and tuna.

5. Berries
Why: Fruit salads, baking, added to plain yogurt, berries are a healthy snack rich in antioxidants.

6. Salad Dressings
Why: I use my Kraft Kitchen’s Dinner On Hand cookbook A LOT and many of the dishes use a variety of Kraft dressings (Italian, Catalina, Ranch, etc); so that is why this has become a staple fridge item for me.

7. Chicken
Why: The only meat we don’t harvest; I love chicken; so I buy it in bulk from Costco; drumsticks, breasts and thighs.

8. Wild Game Meat
Why: We harvest most of our own meat and have it ground, made into pepperoni and/or sausage. We substitute it for beef all the time.

9. Garden Veggies
Why: Home grown, blanched and frozen for use throughout the year. This includes: green beans for casseroles and soups. Peas for side dishes. Zucchini for muffins, loaves  and crustless pie.

 10. Bread
Why: This way we always have it on hand. Since I don’t go through it fast enough when I am on my own; freezing it has cut down on food waste.

Categories
Reflections & Lifestyle

Online Dating

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Photo by picjumbo.com on Pexels.com

Dating is tough, online dating adds a whole other dimension! This month marks EIGHT years since I met my husband through eharmony. I offer you some personally tried and tested tips to help you navigate your way online to a successful relationship.

Since I have re-watched every Iliza Schlesinger special on Netflix during this pandemic, I can’t help but quote her Elder Millennial special: “you gotta kiss a lot of frogs to…” get your happily ever after (ultimately).

Several of my friends have also turned to online dating and I have realized that it is super common for our generation. It is definitely an interesting journey but along the way we learned some very valuable lessons. Sorry, this is a LONG post; but it took me two years to find my prince!

1. The Right Mindset
Perhaps the most important is make sure you do what is comfortable for you! This means having a clear idea of what you want, what is important to you and what you expect from the other person, if you know, you are less likely to put yourself in a position or select a match that makes you unhappy. This also helps you focus on compatibility beyond physical attraction. Never operate from a place of uncertainty, never operate from a place of fear (fear of an activity or fear of being single for the rest of your life). Yes, it is important to be open-minded, flexible and try new things; without being super judgemental, however everyone (both you and your date) have non-negotiables/boundaries If you expect the other person to honour yours then you have to honour theirs as well. 

2. Finding The Right Site/App
Make sure you find a reputable dating site; there are some meant for people at certain stages of their lives, some that are faith based, some that are focused on helping you find a hook-up and some that are focused on helping you find a relationship. Your chances of getting what you want increase when you are on the site that matches your end game or situation. Don’t pick one because of the price tag/sale/promotion; invest in yourself! 

3. Setting Up Your Profile
Now that you have the mindset and set up an account on a site it is time to create your profile. What to do? What not to do? Those are the questions…

Post current photos of yourself...Trust me, it is natural to want to post some older photos where you may look better. But your potential suitor is not dating who you were (physically or emotionally) 5 years ago; they are dating the current you…Don’t deceive them or yourself. It goes both ways. Also, post what I call “action shots,” these are photos of you doing what you love to do…in these photos you also look happy…and that is attractive and provides back-up to what you outline in your profile. It also helps get the conversation started!

Create a profile of substance…I’d be lying if I said that photos weren’t the number one reason why people get drawn to a profile but ultimately it is. But it is the content you put in the profile that makes them ‘stay,’ ‘consider you,’ ‘send you a message,’ etc. Which means the information you include must be truthful. Say what you mean and mean what you say (applicable not only to profile creation but also when conversing with your matches)

4. Navigate The Site/Your Matches
Be active; don’t wait for them to come to you…if you see someone you like then go for it; send a message. They are probably just as nervous as you. This whole, ‘wait to be discovered or chosen’ is total crap. You are responsible for making yourself happy! 

I will admit that it is easy to swipe ‘No’ (I believe we are judgmental by nature). The perfect match is not truly ‘perfect’ no one is perfect; hopefully prior to registering on your dating site of choice you have debunked the myth of perfection. There are those who are obviously wrong for you and those can be easily weeded out. BUT don’t be afraid of the only 75% compatible rating; start a conversation first…just because you talk to them doesn’t mean you have to actually date them!!!!!!!!!! You owe them nothing. These sorts of matches/compatibility levels can give you a chance to refocus what you want it is also good for the practice of being open-minded. Dating sites use algorithms devoid of human emotion; there are things that you can assess that the site can’t. You never know that 75% on paper may actually be closer to your ideal than a 99% but of course don’t to try and make them someone they are not just to make it work.

Personally, I was utterly disheartened when match after match didn’t work out. The messages that went unanswered or the conversations that fizzled or the dates that didn’t pan out really got to me. There were definitely times where I thought that there was something wrong with me or that I would be single for the rest of my life; basically I felt like I was incompatible with every guy…unmatchable. Yes, I realize that was a total spiral; hopefully a little comic relief in a fairly serious blog post. My point is: DON’T BE DISCOURAGED! You won’t find him or her the first time..you may be on the site for a while (reconcile yourself with that fact). Anyone who is worth your time and affection is worth waiting for. 

5. Interacting/“Conversing”
Communicating online is tough! We all need to have a bit of patience. Give your match a chance to get the conversation going…the number of “Hi, how are you?” messages you will get can seem tedious but in person, you’d start the convo the same way. Not everyone is their naturally witty or engaging self over DM.  They are not going to open with: “Tell me everything about yourself!” “Let’s date,”  or “Will you marry me?” Be realistic!

Okay, so you took my advice about being active during your search; be active during the conversation. Never be afraid to ask questions. Conversations are two way streets; they will ask you stuff if you ask them stuff! I know that is revolutionary advice but for some reason we seem to forget this. It is important to give them something to talk to you about (which you have also done by including substance in your profile). For some weird reason, some women feel the need to be shy or coy as a way to be a demure damsel *insert eyeroll here* Those one word answers and being overly shy or coy can be read as not interested.

Take a look at your text messages; what do you see? EMOTICONS…use these sparingly…especially with those you are just getting to know. However, they can be helpful especially because we ALL suffer from the inability to ascertain tone during online communication BUT….double edged sword… they can be irritating if overly relied on.

Ever dated someone who was a “negative nelly”? I guess my question should really be: ever dumped someone who was overly negative? Well, as self explanatory as this may seem, use positive language as much as possible. Being overly negative is one way to ensure that the conversation wanes.

Yes, it is okay to be flirty but your opener should have more to it than “You are cute *winky face*  Remember to talk about both the superficial and deeper stuff. And while it is okay to be flirty it isn’t okay to talk about your ex too much…we all know why…

Now, that you have become comfortable with the dating site and messaging with your match, don’t spend all your time talking online. It is important to ACTUALLY meet and talk in person. You have to shelve your fear of rejection (as sucky as it is to be rejected after a date) you do have to put yourself out there…put your heart on the line a bit.

6. SAFETY
Okay, so maybe I lied earlier in the post… THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT piece of advice I can give you! Meet in a public place, have an arrangement with a friend and check in with them. 

Categories
Entertainment

What am I currently RE-Reading???

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Photo by Janko Ferlic on Pexels.com

I have always been a mystery novel nut and I find it really hard to find books that spark the same bookworm fire in me as my beloved Agatha Christie collection. I spent most of the summer though reading the Teacher Misery series by Jane Morris and lots of young adult fiction because I am an English teacher after all.

The Kinsey Millhone series by the late, great Sue Grafton filled the void in my life when I told my husband, “I literally have NO MORE books left to read.” I am starting to re-read them in the evenings before bed.

So far I have re-devoured…

A is for Ailibi
B is for Burglar
C is for Corpse
D is for Deadbeat
E is for Evidence
F is for Fugitive
G is for Gumshoe
H is for Homicide

And now currently…

I is for Innocent
In this novel we find PI Kinsey Millhone investigating the five year old murder of Isabelle Barney upon the request of her ex-husband, Ken Voight who seeks to prove that Isabelle’s widower did in fact kill her for her fortune. Kinsey is perplexed at the request as the widower (Mr. Barney) was acquitted by a court of law and his testimony still checks out; however suddenly the witnesses have changed their stories and more and more enemies of Isabelle are popping up, including her own twin sister. Kinsey has to find out who the real murderer is and avoid danger herself.

Remaining novels include…

J is for Judgement
K is for Killer
L is for Lawless
M is for Malice
N is for Noose
O is for Outlaw
P is for Peril
Q is for Quarry
R is for Ricochet
S is for Silence
T is for Trespass
U is for Undertow
V is for Vengeance
W is for Wasted
X
Y  is for Yesterday

*You can check out my Instagram stories for book recommendations for best mystery series overall and book recommendations for young adult fiction that I read this summer!

Categories
Design & Decor

Design Challenge: Home Office Edition

I spend evenings and weekends marking on the couch and I worked from home during the pandemic. My husband is the one who mainly uses our home office to run our waterfowling business. Our home office also doubles as a fourth guest room. After teaching junior and senior high school from the kitchen table, I spent a lot of time in the summer surfing the web about home office decor because I realized we really needed to revamp the home office so we both could use it and enjoy it.

According to Real Simple, “[A] home office is a place that should inspire the flow of creativity and allow you to get down to business. [However,] home offices can be the most neglected spaces in our homes—messy and [un-inspirational] environments driving us to work anywhere but in the actual office,” (2018).

Based on their 10 suggestions from noted designers and bloggers I decided to transform our home office. Check out how we did it!

*I really wanted to remove the guest room function from our home office because the half and half nature of the room isn’t ideal for the flow of creativity. BUT since it is a shared space, I had to incorporate his preference into the re-design. He pointed out that we have a lot of family and we really do need the space.

1. Think Chic
Accomplished by updating the outdated ceiling light from the 1980’s with the Mercer41 Waymire 3-Light Semi Flush Mount. It features a “chic delicate frame with gorgeous repeating patterns to add a refined touch to the overhead look.” (From: Wayfair)

2. Add Green
Plants have a calming effect, which means they are a necessity in any office to breath life into the space. Bouclair Home has some incredible greenery and florals that are reasonably priced. I selected three in various vessels to add variety to my home office. A eucalyptus in a stone planter, an agave in a gold pot and an apple succulent in a black pot. (From: Bouclair)

3. Get Artsy
We often go shed hunting and have been amassing quite a pile; I thought it would be neat to make something out of antlers to decorate the office. I thought about making three floral mounts hung in a triangle on the wall above the filing cabinet (opposite a gallery wall) would be a nice touch. This inspiration comes from: Ever After In The Wood Blog.

4. Find the Rug
Personally, I am not a fan of hardwood or laminate in a bedroom; I like the feel of carpeting when I step out of bed; since the office doubles as a guest bedroom I picked a soft rug from the Stevens Omni Luminato collection to put the bed on and to add some pop and excitement to the room.

5. Practice Hygge
I had no idea what hygge was and I learned that it refers to: a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being (regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture). I was able to incorporate this into the office with the bedding using the Andanza taupe bedding set. (From: Hygge & West)

6. Hang A Gallery Wall
Our guest bed runs along the wall; there is a lot of boring empty space so this Grönby picture (blue landscape) set of 9 is a perfect solution. (From: Ikea)

7. Mix Old & New
Filing cabinets are really ugly so I wanted a piece that would of course keep us organized, maximize space by extending our work surface for a printer, and extra office supplies that didn’t fit on the desk, etc.; but also that looked a little bit more like a dresser. There is a closet for guests to store their items.This Shelby 2-drawer lateral filing cabinets fits in with our overall rustic home because the manufactured wood features a weathered finish and beadboard accents on the doors. It looks old but really is new. (From Wayfair)

8. Let Light In
This was easily accomplished because there is a big window at the far end with wooden blinds that match our laminate flooring. And by keeping the wall colours on the lighter side.

9. Work In Colour
I fell in love with this desk chair when I was perusing a new desk. It is a Three Posts Eckard Task Chair; it looks super comfy which is essential for any desk chair. (From: Wayfair)

10. Optimize Space
This home office/guest room isn’t conducive to larger pieces of furniture so I updated our flimsy corner desk with this compact yet fairly spacious Sardis desk. It features a drop-front keyboard drawer and two open lower shelves for more storage. (From: Wayfair)

Categories
Food & Drink

Sweet Potato Pie

American journalist, Regina Brett remarked once that, “[i]f baking is any labour at all, it is a labour of love. A love that gets passed from generation to generation.” I couldn’t agree more. I have the fondest memories baking both sweet and savoury delights with (and for) my family. With Thanksgiving here in Canada, I thought that I should share a delicious pie recipe with you. At our house we have swapped the classic and traditional pumpkin pie with sweet potato pie. The first time I made it, it was a HIT! I hope it is a hit with your families as well.

Ingredients
1 pound sweet potatoes
1/2 cup butter 
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup milk
2 eggs
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract

1 pie shell (9 inch)
*If you want you can use a Tenderflake frozen pie shell or use your own handmade one. This recipe turns out well using either one.

Optional: whipped cream and pecans

Directions

1. Poke whole sweet potatoes with fork, then boil in water for 45 minutes (or until done). 
2. Run cooked sweet potatoes under cold water and remove the skins.
3. Mash sweet potatoes in a bowl.
4. Add butter and mix well using an electric mixer.
5. Stir in remaining ingredients, beat until smooth.
6. Pour the filling into an unbaked pie crust.
7. Bake at 350F for 55 minutes (or until toothpick comes out clean)

*When serving; garnish with whipped cream and pecans for a little bit extra flair and texture.

Categories
Reflections & Lifestyle

Childhood Memories: Appreciation Post

Childhood has a profound effect on adulthood; I had the incredible good fortune of having a very happy childhood, something I realize not everyone has the luxury of enjoying. This blog post is not meant to brag rather it is meant to give you a glimpse into my life as well as express my gratitude. It also stems from the fact that I recently spent time at my childhood home…. and of course the photo albums came out therefore stirring up very fond memories.

For me, any moment with my dad is a treasured memory. I am not sure if I can limit myself and chose only one or even do it justice so I selected something else.

Although, I don’t quite remember meeting my cousin for the very first time because I was so young; but the number of photos I have of us together when he is only a few months old abound. Overall, it is difficult to find a photo without him in it.

I am an only child so perhaps this is why being with my cousin literally from the get-go is such an important time of my life. I never got the opportunity to be an actual ‘big sister,’ I never got to experience that excitement of mom and dad bringing home a new baby. However, I did feel that “big sister” responsibility and I was very protective over him.

We lived across the back lane from each other most of our lives and were babysat by our grandmother and each other’s mothers meant we were inseparable growing up. He really is like a brother to me. From sitting together in my dad’s recliner chair, opening Easter baskets on the living room floor, to running across the yard kicking a beachball and sitting on the swingset, to playing with our freshly unwrapped Christmas present on Christmas Eve, wearing matching outfits, always being invited to each other’s birthday parties, and  getting into trouble (usually because we were ganging up on his younger brother)….it was a wonderful time.

It is because of our childhood that we are still close today; I still feel like he is my brother rather than my cousin and I am so incredibly lucky to have him in my life. 

Categories
Entertainment

Who To Follow Feature

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Photo by Tracy Le Blanc on Pexels.com

Who do you like to follow? Personally, I love the following accounts and blogs; in no particular order

@Kensington Royal
*For an accurate and legitimate look into the lives and work of Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge.

@bored_teachers
*This is great for a laugh; and let me tell you…each and every meme, quote and video they feature is true. #teacherlife

@thepioneerwoman
*My ultimate woman crush. Ree Drummond is a rancher’s wife, mother of four, entrepreneur and kitchen maven. You’ll follow for the food pictures/recipes and stay for Pioneer Woman’s endearing personality and lifestyle.
 
@evashockey
*The true Canadian huntress, Eva is a trailblazer in the hunting/fishing/outdoor industry. Her adventures will leave you envious.

@amandakloots
*This woman is an incredible inspiration. During her husband’s fight with Covid-19 she was the ultimate champion, after his death she selflessly shares her journey with grief to help others.

@kathbum
*As die hard Katherine Ryan fans this is a MUST follow. You’ll laugh till it hurts courtesy of her Insta-Stories and adorable photos of her trusty four-legged companions. She also interacts FREQUENTLY with her fanbase.

@padmalakshmi
*Not only is she the host of Top Chef and Taste of the Nation she also uses her platform to raise awareness for important issues.

@carly
*Formerly, The College Prepster; my bestie and I have watched the newly minted Mrs. Riordan go from university student to successful blogger, all while coveting the amazing fashions and dreaming about her featured locales. Safe to say this is the ultimate lifestyle blog and instafeed for millenials.

Categories
Fashion Reflections & Lifestyle

Sitka Stockpile

Every hunter or outdoor enthusiast needs good gear; otherwise enjoying your beloved hobby or pastime can become a miserable experience due to weather and the elements. I have turned to Sitka gear; although it can be pricey it is worth every penny. The company has been working on increasing the gear options for women; which is a huge relief because I don’t know about other women hunters but I struggle to find gear. Anyways, since I just put in another order I thought I would share with you my Sitka stockpile…

Jetstream Beanie
My go to beanie for hiking and hunting in the fall. The “lofted micro-grid fleece backer delivers warmth, while the WINDSTOPPER® membrane blocks frosty drafts. A ponytail port keeps things streamlined and a four-way stretch, air permeable band warms the back of your neck and ears without impeding hearing.” Colour: Optifade Subalpine.

Fanatic Beanie
The perfect winter headwear. Just like the Fanatic Jacket it is made of Berber fleece. Designed with women in mind, this beanie has a ponytail port. It keeps your head, neck and ears warm and you can still hear the deer moving through the trees. Colour: Elevated II

Ascent Glove
Also known as my “bow hunting gloves!” I say this because the gloves, “provide essential protection and ultimate precision. This lightweight technical shooting glove features an Ax Suede™ synthetic palm for maximum stealth and conductive technology in the index finger and thumb for one-handed operation of a touch screen GPS or phone. Cordura/Nylon back is breathable and durable.” Colour: Optifade Subalpine

Traverse Glove
I haven’t had a chance to test these out; I got them from my husband because of a sizing issue. However, I do know that these gloves can be worn on their own or with other gloves. Just like the Ascent gloves; the index finger and thumb have conductive technology. Colour: Optifade Subalpine

Mountain Jacket
I must confess that this item hasn’t made it into my hunting tote yet. I have been wearing it when I am out and about; mainly because it fits me really well and is surprisingly flattering…which I wasn’t actually expecting from hunting gear. The jacket offers protection from the wind and light rain. It comes with zippered chest pocket, and two zippered hand pockets. The Sitka site claims that it won’t bunch up when wearing a backpack with a waist belt. Colour: Optifade Subalpine

Fanatic Jacket
Perfect for those November days here in Alberta when the temperature drops to -40 with the windchill. Since it is made of Berber fleece it doesn’t make annoying swishing sounds when walking to the hunting stand or blind. The Primaloft Silver Insulation technology traps body heat; keeping you warm but not overheated. A unique feature is the diagonal zipper design which keeps the wind out. I have to say my favourite part of this item is the front muff… it is so freaking soft! It also comes with a removable hood, a pocket with magnetic closure, safety harness pass through port and internal gasketed cuffs. Colour: Elevated II

Fanatic Hoody
I wore this heavyweight fleece piece when my husband and I journeyed to southern Alberta in May for a turkey hunt and it did all that Sitka promised; it was comfortable, allowed me to hike and scale the steep hills without feeling constricted, I didn’t overheat or sweat excessively. The face mask stayed in place allowing me to stay concealed (did you know that turkeys have really good eyesight?!?). The flip-over hand mitts (with thumb holes) came in handy as well! I know I am mixing two different types of camo but I have worn it under the Mountain Jacket; it is a piece that works great for layering. Colour: Elevated II

Core Lightweight Hoody
Originally this belonged to my husband but he ordered the wrong size so I inherited it. The long sleeves end with thumb loops; I LOVE sweaters and shirts with thumb loops. I don’t know why but I do. Often times I wear it in the bush when I’m helping put up tree stands or ripping off the beaten track on the quad to put up trail cameras before hunting season starts. The hood is form fitting which is greatly appreciated because it actually stays up and doesn’t flap around. I really like the built in face mask as well.The front zipper allows for ventilation; it also has a small chest pocket. Colour: Optifade Subalpine

Grinder Pants (mens)
My husband raved about these pants! He literally lives in them for the months of September and October. So I had to order a pair. I haven’t had great luck with women’s camo pants from other brands so I went with the men’s because I knew how they were cut and how they would fit based on trying on my husband’s. These pants “feature a 4-Way stretch nylon outer fabric that improves durability while remaining lightweight. Articulated patterning optimizes mobility, and an offset waist button reduces bulk and bunching when worn with additional layers or a belt. Doubling as a comfortable insulation layer under waders and bibs.” Colour: Waterfowl Marsh

Equinox Pants (mens)
These are my deer hunting pants. They are comfortable to wear while sitting in the stand or blind and comfortable to trek through the bush in because the fabric breathes but keeps you warm. They also don’t get hung up on trees and brush. Colour: Elevated II

Five Feathers Tee SS
Literally THE MOST COMFORTABLE T-SHIRT I have ever owned. I loved the material so much I am ordering the four other women’s shirts they have available. The Drirelease technology wicks away sweat and moisture and dries 4 times faster than traditional cotton tees. Colour: Lead Heather

Categories
Design & Decor

Home Reno: Front Entry Way Edition

Your entryway is the first impression your guests get and I believe it should be a memorable one. After moving into our forever home, five years ago, we left pretty much everything as it was from the last owners. I diverted a little money from the travel fund to spruce up a few areas of our home.

Colour Palette: Rosamilia Green 592
Why: Green is synonymous with nature or the environment and therefore connotes growth, vitality and renewal. It fits nicely in a country home.This colour is great for a feature wall.
Source: Benjamin Moore


Bench: Seo Solid Wood Flip Top Storage Bench
Why: The dark brown stands up nice to the green paint. It’s a sturdy piece and functional, as built in storage reduces clutter in your entryway. Plus it’s nice to sit down and put your shoes on.
Source: Wayfair

Coatrack: Monarch Contemporary Coat Rack
Why: Inspired by nature without being cliche. It holds lots of coats; and trust me we need a heavy duty rack. It comes in both black and white; either would work in the space.
Source: Lowes

Mirror: Aycock Country Distressed Wall Mirror
Why: This beautiful mirror is feminine and has a vintage feel; the white stands up against the dark bench. The details add some interest to the room.
Source: Wayfair

Decoration: Butter Yellow Throw Pillows
Why: These pillows placed on either end of the bench are perfect accents. With the detail on the mirror a solid coloured pillow is better than a patterned one to avoid a ‘busy’ feeling.
Source: Zazzle

Categories
Reflections & Lifestyle

Outfitter Wife Musings

Some of the MANY things you come to realize or become part of your life when your husband is a professional outfitter and hunting guide…

1. You need to be prepared that a simple shopping trip together can turn into a spontaneous scouting expedition for the next great shoot; and the binoculars better be in the console!

2. Every time you drive passed a field and see birds, you pull over and drop him a pin.

3. His eyes light up like a kid on Christmas when you tell him that you found a ‘Landownership Map’ for the counties in your allocations; online…and for free!!

4. When you hear geese or ducks at home… it’s probably your husband practicing his calling…don’t go running to the window with excitement to see if a flock is flying over…you have been fooled many times before… and will continue to be fooled.

5. You enjoy hearing the stories of your incredibly kind landowners; some who proudly still live and farm on generations old land. You also look forward to meeting and getting to know your clients.

6. Your heart melts when you watch your husband passing on his love of hunting, the outdoors and conservation to your young nieces and nephew. Whether it is explaining how to process birds, sharing the delicious meals and jerky he makes from wild game or letting them quack and honk away on a spare call.

7. Never try to tune his calls…ever… They won’t sound the same after that… (Or so he says).

8. You will never be rid of the feathers and down after processing hundreds of birds for clients…it gets everywhere …just deal with it till the season is over.

9. He meticulously searches for the ‘right’ camo to use…for clothing and for the blinds…And as a result you have been educated on all the types available…Realtree MAX-5, MAX-4, Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Blades, Duck Blind, Cabela’s Seclusion Backwater….and the list goes on. Sometimes it seems like he is the Goldilocks of Camoflague: ‘This one is too dark for corn, this one is too light for peas…but this one is just right for barley.”

10. When setting up you will hope that your ‘brushing in’ abilities pass muster. You will be amused when he curses over there not being enough stubble straps on the flaps of the blinds…and then you realize he’s got a point.

11. That small deceiving looking box wrapped so nicely at your birthday will never be a piece of jewelry…instead it’ll be kickass Lynch Mob Goose Call. Also, the standard gifts you get each other will be gift cards to hunting stores. Everything on your registry for your wedding will be from Cabela’s. He’ll also buy you your own 12 gauge Mossberg as a Christmas present. (To be honest, you are MORE than okay with this!!!)

12. He makes you a better hunter, each and every time he takes you out; and he will ALWAYS, ALWAYS have time to take you hunting even if he is exhausted from back to back groups of clients.

13. You thought he was obsessive compulsive about the camo….just wait till he sets up the decoys, and then continually tweaks the set up…he is up and down out of his blind like a Yo-Yo! But he wants to make sure that everything is perfect!

14. He will be gone before you get up for work in the morning; because he has to get the jump on the birds –sometimes it seems he lives in his truck.

15. You wouldn’t trade this lifestyle for any other out there.