On Saturday morning I was up at 5:30AM even though I’d not gotten to sleep until 1AM. It took me forever to get my post up. My brother got up around 8AM and helped me get the kitchen cleaned up.
A junco
I had opened the windows a little on the porch to cool it down. When I went out to check the stock, a junco had flown in. When it saw me it tried to fly out and hit the windows and fell to the floor, stunned (I hoped).
I opened the biggest window and waited to see if it would recover. It eventually stood up and seemed okay. So I went out to put it outside but it flew right out the window and over to the trees. So I guess it was ok.
I rested and watched videos all morning. The back porch was right around freezing at 32F but the stock had not cooled down enough to harden the fat. By noon it finally did, so I brought it in and skimmed the fat off while it was solid.
Then I had to strain out all the solids. I strained the solids a second time because liquid had gathered in the bottom of the bowl. I got another quart from that. I ended up with 14 quarts for the freezer.
I had to go down and straighten up the freezer to make room for it. My son brought the baskets of containers down and I got it put away in the freezer. Round 1 was done, except for the cleanup.
Male cardinal and a junco
The birds have found the feeders. I may have a day or 2 more before I have to fill them again.
After resting for a while I went out to clean up the roasters. One drawback to them is the stuff on the edges cooks onto the liner really badly. I got the easier stuff washed up then tackled one of the liners. I never did get the black stuff off but at least you can’t feel lumps. The stain will have to stay.
I was too tired to tackle the last one; it will have to wait until Sunday morning.
I made some supper and watched 2 Christmas movies before getting the candles turned off, the shades pulled and one of the 2 stoves burning well. The masonry heater had decided to not burn well. I left it to my son to deal with and was in bed by 9:30PM, hoping I would sleep better.
On Sunday I have that roaster to deal with, and a Christmas present to make. It’s to be cold and snow some.