The apple dumpling gang rides again
As you know, I’m not a hunter at heart. Nevertheless, weaimtoeatmorenaturalwhole foods at ourhouse, minus all the additives, artificial hormones, and the likes. Deer meat falls into the category and has come to be a staple atourhouse. Now, I’ve never been a big hunter and am extremely cautious and even skeptical about guns. Now here I was, we needed more venison, and Daniel offered to take me in our 60 acres of woods.
I weighed it this way and that. Grandma had gladly agreed towatch the children, and I could tell in my husband’s eyes just howmuch it wouldmean to himto have the time withmeand the satisfaction of taking me with him. It thrilled me to have Daniel all tomyself for a few hours.
Now imagine the scene this morning. It was breaking daylight. I sat on a buddy stand next tomy man, wonderinghowa ‘vacation’ could be so relaxing and rejuvenating, yet so nerve-racking as we kept waiting. Generally, if I’d be joining a hunt to only watch, I’d take a little snack along, but not this morning.
Iwas all eyes and ears for deer and merely soaking in my time with hubby. We chit chatted as we touched on long-ago memories, including the Sunday afternoon date we had in the wooded valley right next to our stand and howwemadewedding plans that afternoon.
Turning tomy left, I caught sight of a doe. Earlier I had asked Daniel if his heartbeat still quickens every time he sees a deer. I was a bit comforted to hear his assurance that it does. Now with Daniel’s instruction, I took careful aim and shot. “You smoked that thing!” Daniel exclaimed. NowI’m not a little girl anymore, but I was genuinely excited. We quietlywaited another 20 minuteswhen Daniel declared, “There’s a buck over to my
side!” Iwas the only one with a buck tag, so once more, with Daniel’s calm instructions, I bagged the deer.
The two of us were soon headed hand in hand toward the buck now laying right next to the creek where we as a family have spent many happy hours this summer. It was a nine point, nothing huge, but to me, itwas a trophy. Inmy way of thinking, a trophy does not have anything to do with the size of the dear, but howprized it is.
Now, hereIwas, taggedout and ready to head home to my dear little children after being in the stand for only an hour. I shook my head, could it be true? I thanked God, knowing that it will indeed be a blessing for us and others needing venison. The last couple of days had been on the rough side with special challenges I was facingwith the children. Tome, it felt like a touch of God, showing His provision. The verse, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee,” kept coming tomy mind. Daniel held out his hand for a high five, the clap rang through thewoods; at the moment, I did not mind the noise, the deerwere bagged, and Iwas ready to hike home while Daniel resumed his hunt on back yonder in the woods.
As I stepped inside the door aftermy 15-minutewalk home, Iwas greeted with six children happy to seeMama and thrilled to hear howGod provided for us. Theywanted to hear all bout it, as they gathered on all sides I told them the story.
Now we are all eager to join my parents and siblings as we gather for our traditional meal of apple dumplings and deer heart and then swap stories of the opening day of the shotgun season.
APPLEDUMPLINGS
2cupsofflour ¼ cupwhitesugar ¼ teaspoonsalt ½ cupCrisco(Iuselard) 1egg
½ cupmilk
3apples CINNAMONMIXTURE:¼
cupwhitesugar ½ cinnamon CARAMELSAUCE: 1cupwater 1cupbrownsugar ¼ teaspooncinnamon 2tablespoonsbutter
Mixfirst four ingredients until crumbly. Beat milk and egg togetherand pour neededamount in flour mixture until dough canbe presses togetherwithout crumbling apart. Mix only until lightly blended.
Roll dough out onto a floured surface and cut into six squares. Placepeeled and coredapple halves onto a dough squares. Fill cavity of apples with cinnamon mixture. Wrap apple halfwith dough and pinch shut. Place seamside downinto a cake pan.
For the caramel sauce, stir into a saucepan and bring to a boil over lowheat for5 minutes, then pourover the topand bake at400for30 minutes or until apples are tender. Servewarmwithmilk or ice cream.