Little Deer Returns (I think)

Last month I wrote about a Poor Little Deer who had come into our yard.  The deer appeared to be injured.

http://www.thecabincountess.com/2015/01/poor-little-deer.html

I hadn't seen it again and feared the worse.  Today I looked out and saw a small deer trying to eat from our bird feeders.   It looked like the same deer, although all deer look pretty much alike unless they have antlers.  Then it is easier to tell who is who.  This deer seems slightly larger than our little deer, but I suppose it could have grown a little in a month.  She still had a slight limp and some scars on her back.   She was all alone.  I snapped a few pictures until someone pulled into the driveway and she ran off.

For those who were as concerned as I about the Poor Little Deer's welfare.  I want to say (or believe) she is fine.

I really like this time of year.  The deer are hungry and they aren't as afraid, so we see them often.  There must be safety in numbers because we see larger groups than we do after the young are born and the yearlings are sent off to fend for themselves.  I know some communities are sick of them, and I understand not wanting them roaming in metropolitan areas.  We have the perfect habitat, so we can enjoy them instead of worrying about them causing damage.

Enjoying Another Missoula Theater Performance and An Honors Concert

A couple of fun and exciting things happened while I was away from blogging.  While my dad was in the hospital, my sister and her husband spent time sitting with dad.  He was beginning his recuperation so all of us didn't need to hover over him constantly.  My husband and I were then able to attend another Missoula Children's Theater program.  I have written about Missoula before.  http://www.thecabincountess.com/2013/01/missoula-childrens-theatre.html  and http://www.thecabincountess.com/2013/06/missoula-childrens-theatre-snow-white.html

Our granddaughter was in the play and was one of the merry men in a production of Robin Hood.  They always do such a good job especially since they audition, practice and perform in one short week.

The group of Merry Men even though most of them are girls.

Melissa in costume and makeup.  

Sheriff of Nottingham, Prince John and Robin Hood

 

Yes, that is Prince John's real hair.

One week later dad was out of the hospital, but I didn't want to leave him alone.  My husband volunteered to stay home so I could see our granddaughter Melissa and our grandson Dylan in a Middle School honors concert.  Several schools participated in a band and chorus concert.   The students arrived early in the morning and met with the guest conductors.  The band conductor was from Lakeland College and the chorus conductor was from Ripon College.  The individual schools had the music in advance and helped prepare the students, but putting it all together was a big task.  They had a complete concert in the afternoon.  I was so impressed how well they did.  Kids can develop their potential if they take advantage of the opportunities presented to them.

The students were very respectful and I didn't notice any disruptions.  Then when the show was over and everyone was exiting, I saw a heart warming sight.  Just ahead of me was an older woman trying to navigate the bleachers we were sitting in.  A man asked her if she needed help.  He took her hand and helped her down to the floor.  I heard her ask him if he had a child in the performance.  He said he did and asked if she did as well.  She pointed out her grandson.  This nice man held her hand tight the entire time.  Usually you see impatience and pushing in these situations, but the whole mood of the day made everyone happy and grateful.  

When I returned home, my husband had done a wonderful job of taking care of dad and his needs.  It was a wonderful day.

Holy Yum Chicken

Last Tuesday I was sitting in the hospital ICU with my dad.  I wasn't able to post a Tuesday recipe.  I can't believe it is Tuesday again.  I am so busy with oxygen, nebulizers and doctor appointments, I had no idea what I was going to post today.  Then my daughter emailed me a recipe she tried.  She said it was delicious.  I have not tried this recipe myself, but I will take her word for it.  She got it on Pinterest from a blog called Table for Two.  I see the source is actually the I Love Trader Joe's cookbook.  She didn't take a picture of her own creation, this picture came from the blog.  I can't wait to try it myself.  I am sure it is good.   My daughter is an excellent cook.

Holy Yum Chicken

• 1 1/2 pound(s) Skinless, boneless chicken thighs Fat discarded
• 1/2 cup(s) dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup(s) Pure maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon(s) Rice wine vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon(s) salt
• 1/4 teaspoon(s) ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon(s) cornstarch
• 2 teaspoon(s) Rosemary Garnish

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a 8×8″ oven-proof pan with 2 layers of tin foil.
2. In small bowl, whisk together Dijon mustard, maple syrup, rice wine vinegar, salt and pepper.
3. Place the chicken thighs in the foil layered pan then pour the mixture on top of it. Turn the chicken around in the sauce to make sure it gets all coated.
4. Bake, uncovered, for 40 minutes.
5. Remove from oven and let chicken sit for 5 minutes then transfer to a plate. Do NOT discard the liquid.
6. Immediately after plating chicken, whisk in the 1 tbsp. of cornstarch into the liquid in the pan. You’ll create a nice, thick sauce to drizzle over your chicken. You need to do cornstarch mixing immediately because the liquid needs to be hot in order for it to thicken properly. If it’s still not thickening after 1 tbsp., you can add a little more.
7. Sprinkle rosemary on top before serving.
8. Serve with rice or potatoes or vegetables.

My Dad's Super Bowl Ad-A Fan For Life

It is Super Bowl Sunday.  We have been looking forward to this day for a couple reasons.  The first ended as a disappointment on January 18, 2015, when the Green Bay Packers lost a heart breaking game to the Seattle Seahawks.  I know it was exciting for Seattle Fans, but coming from a family of long time Packer fans, it was sad.  The Packers were so close.  My Dad has been a Green Bay fan for as long as he can remember.  The Packer organization was founded in 1919 and dad was born in 1924.   He was still in high school and getting ready to listen to a Packer game with his grandma when the news came of Pearl Harbor being attacked.  The Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers were tied in the Western Division and playing a playoff game.  Chicago won that game, but no one cared because the United States entered World War II the very next day.  He is also a Chicago Cub fan which has also been a source of disappointing seasons, but he never wavered.  Wisconsin didn't have a major league baseball team until 1953, so his Chicago allegiance stuck with him.  Sports are a big part of Dad's life, and that is why we were so excited when a large media company from New York contacted us.  They were looking for Fans for Life and came across one of my blogs talking about dad.

http://www.thecabincountess.com/2013/12/dad-and-his-lucky-sweatshirts.html

These were the photos they were interested in.

For two months we corresponded.  They wanted image releases and forms signed.  I was suspicious at first because now days you can't be too careful.  I researched the company and had others do the same.  I made sure all correspondence was through the company.  When I learned through the contracts that it was a project of NBC Sports, I felt better.  Then last week we learned that his image had made the final edit.  They still wouldn't divulge the exact project but said it would be shown in a large media event taking place on February 1, 2015.  Wowza, that was the Super Bowl.  There was a confidentiality agreement so I couldn't speak of it to anyone.  Then Dad's illness happened.  He was so close to death but has made such a remarkable recovery.  I thought there must be a reason.  It must be that his picture would be shown to millions of people.  Up until two days ago, we were sure it would be shown somewhere or somehow on Super Bowl Sunday.  Then last night I discovered a preview of commercials.  I looked up the You're A Fan For Life promotion.  It was there on Tumblr and another website.  So much for confidentiality.  It was a minute long video and there was no picture of dad.  I thought his image must be sitting on the cutting room floor.  At first we were disappointed.  It would have been nice, but it wasn't to be.  I guess Dad survived for an even bigger purpose or maybe it's just that is wasn't his time.  Mom died three years ago yesterday (January 31).  He was sure she would grab him up and he still isn't sure why she didn't.  I guess we need him here with us for now.

Imagine our surprise when we turned on the Super Bowl pre-show.  My husband set the DVR just in case.  I was talking to my sister on the phone with the television muted.  I looked up and saw dad's photo.  There at 1:39 was my 90 year old father in a Super bowl ad.  He couldn't believe it.  We can't either.  How many of us will ever be able to say that.