Woodcutting 101

I've decided that although wood-cutting is a hard, dirty, long, and laborious job, it can be fun despite the sore hands, feet, and dirt caked into every orifice one has. When "The Man" and myself set out to cut wood, we set out in style.  This past Saturday we headed out into the woods(the burn area from one of Arizona's largest fires in history.

This particular wood-cutting run we had some mighty fine food (if I do say so myself!).  Always, always I pack a lot of fruit, when your mouth is parched and dry, oranges and melon seem to quench and perk up the ol' tastebuds. 

To start our morning off "The Man" made some incredible fresh ground "joe."  We always take a thermos of "joe" out for that initial cup on the tailgate of the ol' Ford.  Nothing nicer than a warm cup a joe and cool, mountain mornings.  I brought along a nice, warm coffee cake for the occasion, just out of the oven.  While we nibbled on coffee cake, sipped some joe, we eyeballed some dead oak, fortunately, the dead oak was in the middle of a young, new grove.........fires are good for one thing for sure....... Arizona's overgrown forest floor.  Fires are great for incubating fine, new growth, once it's raged through an area.

"The Man" said he really liked his coffee cake and "just how long has it been since you made this?" "When our kids were lil'?"  Overlooking the obvious sarcasm, I told him "I've never made you THIS coffee cake."  We then set to work............after about two hours of cutting we decided to take a break for some water and fruit.  Always, we sit and admire the wood we've cut.  I have to say, we did well in our scouting efforts this trip.

Now I personally think you can turn any arduous task into a much better time with a good attitude and a belly full.  It's good exercise, it will keep you warm in the winter (we heat strictly with wood), and I love to look at the striations and coloring of different wood types.......Juniper, Cedar and Oak, all hard woods.  When we're about half way loaded, we stop for lunch.  This particular wood-cutting trip I made sandwiches...........not just any sandwich either.  I took some very good, roasted turkey, smoked Fontina, fresh red onion, avocado and homemade fig jam.  Now put that all on some good homemade bread..............heaven opened up for us!  These were not "dainty" sandwiches mind you, these were "drizzle down your arm" sandwiches, the best kind to eat. 

Once finished with our task of wood-cutting (which takes us six hours), we head for home..........tired, satisfied, and one cord closer to our goal.  We cut throughout the Fall using two or more permits to "stock up" on the wood supply.  One day every week-end and the chore is done. 

When wood-cutters are selling wood in the "peak" season (Winter), they make $200 + a cord.  Personally, I can think of a million and one things I would rather spend $200 dollars on................like saving for a vacation next year. 

As we pull into the drive-way, weary but happy to be home, the three dogs greet us with wagging tails.  They LOVE to smell our pants and boots, like, "where have you two been?"  "Oh come on, let me guess!" 

Now is the time to unload and stack the wood.  Once that task is done, we crack open a cold one, sit on the tailgate of the ol' truck, and admire our efforts.  The day has come full circle, it's getting late, the sheep are bellowing for food, and the dogs want to come inside and visit with us.  The smell of the pork roast packed full of garlic, simmering in homemade sauerkraut, apples, onion, potatoes and spices(oh yes, and a good stout ale) infuses the house, we are soooo ready for a hot bath, P.J.'s and a glass of wine to unwind this evening.........until next week-end when we do it all over again.

Shepherdess Kat's Coffee Cake

3/4 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

2 eggs, at room temperature

8 oz. carton of sour cream

2 cups King Arthur all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon cinnamon

3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 cup toasted, chopped walnuts

Combine butter and sugar, cream until light and fluffy, add eggs and sour cream, mixing well.  Combine next five ingredients, add to batter and mix well.  Pour batter into a disposable, greased and floured 9x13x2-inch pan.  Combine brown sugar, walnuts, and cinnamon, sprinkle on top of batter.  Cover and refrigerate overnight.  Uncover and bake at 350-degree oven for 35-40 minutes.