Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot.
That's right, Guy Fawkes Day was this week. As crazy Anglophiles we dressed Bennett in his Spurs shirt and Union Flag arm/leg warmers. Bennett apparently liked the arm warmers so much that he wanted to wear them again on Friday.
Saturday was the first skating class of the session but we missed it for our weekly OSV trip. Yeah, I know what you're thinking, but we really wanted to be there on Saturday right when they opened.
The reason? They were butchering a sheep and it had been suggested to us that we should plan to get there right when they opened. More on this later, after the warning.
Uncle Andrew and Aunt Gentry came along as well. This worked out well to have a couple of extra people to help keep an eye on Bennett, especially when things were going kind of slowly.
Since things were going a little slowly we went back and forth from the farm a few times. Plus it was cold so we needed mulled cider to warm up.
When we stopped in the tin shop we were talking with Phil about how almost daily Bennett shoots his "musket" and how the other day he was saying that he'd forgotten his powder and his earplugs. When we asked him where they were, he said they were in the tinshop. Phil also gave Bennett a musket ball.
Another fun moment was when Dave started to fill the woodbin. Bennett asked if he could help. Sure! Dave then had to go and do something else, but when he got back Bennett made sure to tell him that he's filled the woodbin.
On Sunday we went to Uncle Andrew and Aunt Gentry's house for a brunch and hand turkey craft party. Bennett had so much fun cutting paper that he wanted to do more after his nap.
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| His finished hand turkey. |
Now is the time of year where he sells lots and lots of his Nativity Advent Calendars. I know, it's crazy early to be thinking about Christmas, but if Santa can be at the mall already I guess it's not too early.
In years past he hasn't been able to keep up with the demand for them. This year he worked a bit harder to have more of an inventory. Only time will tell if it's enough. What I find exciting is that I've been able to find lots of these pinned on Pinterest!
If this particular puzzle isn't of interest to you, he has lots of other designs available in his shop, plus even more that aren't listed. And if you are local, his work (including puzzles, ornaments, and pens) is available for purchase at Sign of the Dove Gallery in Newton at The Mall at Chestnut Hill.
In other shopping news, I’m having a thirty-one catalog party,
open until the 22nd. If interested, you
can peruse and order online at https://www.mythirtyone.com/beckythackston. Go to “My Parties” and then select my
name.
The special for November is a limited edition Medium Utility
Tote for only $7 (with $35 purchase). It’s
also available at the regular price for $30.
There are lots of great items for organizing your home, car,
etc or plenty of items that would be great hostess/teacher/whomever gifts.
Also, if you would be so inclined to click on the ads on this site it would earn me a few pennies. Not a lot, but every little bit helps, right? And I'm not kidding about it only being a little. Last month there were 6 clicks which earned a whopping $2.05. Only you have to earn $100 before they will send you a check. Hmm, this could take a while. :)
And now for pictures of the sheep.
Here's my warning for Mel and other people who are squeamish that you may want to stop reading. These are a bit more gruesome than last week's turkey photos.
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THIS IS YOUR FINAL WARNING!
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Sturbridge opens at 9:30. Just before they opened they shot the sheep. We were there right when they opened and headed straight back to the farm. When we got there the sheep was lying on the table. They then sliced the skin on one of the legs and hung the sheep up to better be able to work on it.
We were the only ones there (other than the interpreters) for at least a half hour, but it was nice because Bennett was able to run around a bit to check on the other animals, see what was going on inside the farmhouse (not much), etc. Lots of back and forth running. Also most of the people working know us as regulars so they knew that Bennett would be ok. Plus if he went into the farmhouse we were usually right behind him.
As you can see below, Dave is taking some notes about the process. Since this type of event doesn't happen very often it becomes an educational experience for all of the staff as well.
It was taking a while to remove the skin so we went to get warm drinks and visit some of the other buildings. When we came back it had been skinned and the organs had been removed. Victoria asked Bennett if he wanted to see the organs, mentioning that they were similar to the turkey he'd seen the week before. Dave is working here on the heart and lights (lungs). The other useful organs are in the pan.
Here it is about to be brought inside.
Inside Victoria starts by removing the "hams". Apparently this is the name of this cut of meat- the legs. She had to ask one of the guys to come in with an axe to help break it apart.
And that's all the butchering pictures I've got. We went away for lunch and when we came back it was pretty much all cut apart. They cooked up the loins right then, but the rest was going to be saved for other cooking presentations.
Ultimately a sheep is pretty small. The amount of meat would only be enough for 3-4 meals.
It was interesting being there for so long and hearing different parts of the process and also learning about Victoria's transformation from a vegan PETA member to the head of the butchering program.
