All the Pretty Ladies

One of the best gifts I received from my man this Christmas was a quiver full of brand new arrows. I've been busy making them all pretty over the last few days. I had ordered my wraps several months ago from Battle Drum and have been waiting to dress up my arrows ever since. These little beauties were added first. Then the fun part began... adding the fletchings.

I've never fletched arrows. So, the hubby gave me a quick lesson of how to use the Bitzenburger Dial-O-Fletch tool and I was off. I'll have to admit it was a very relaxing and enjoyable project. The only problem now that I'm done... I want to fletch some more. I'm already dreaming about new colors and designs for my next set. I'm thinking black and white would be oh so cool. Ah! I'll have to restrain that urge since a dozen of these beauties are more expensive than a new pair of shoes. So, maybe I'll just settle for new flip flops to line up in my closet next to my hunting boots.

We will be wrapping and fletching arrows for our friends in the next week or so, which may also help to squish that urge rising up inside of me for a second set of arrows for myself. I hope! Anyway, I'll post pics of how they turn out. I will also try and put together some tips and tricks to fletching arrows. I'm getting pretty good at this!

Pictures of Last Year

I looked through my picture archive recently. Snap shots reflecting bits of time over the past year stared back at me from my computer screen. Memories of the good times came flooding back simply by viewing the still scenes.

(3D Archery Shoot @ SnowBird Ski Resort)

As I sit here in my cozy little house drinking spiced cider with the knowledge that soft snow is falling down blanketing the pasture just outside my door, I'm dreaming of what the new year will bring. What new adventures are in store for me in 2010? Will I arrow my high altitude mule deer? What new opportunities will come my way? Will I live life well in all circumstances? It is the unanswered questions that give cause to hope, a reason to dream. How boring it would be if we knew what the next day held?

No, I wouldn't want it any other way. I'm thankful for a reason to dream, vision to have dreams, and health to live out my dreams. I'm hopeful that 2010 will bring little treasures, little surprises waiting to be discovered. After all - there are pictures yet to be taken of the adventures yet to be lived.

Antlers - good for fighting and...

I received this picture from my father-in-law and had to share. It just cracks me up!!

Merry Christmas!

"Fowl" Ball!

For all of you waterfowlers out there... I found them. The geese that is. They are out playing ball. Apparently all that you need to do to fill your limit is visit the nearby baseball field. Just about now I can hear the jokes about "fowl" balls...

Days of Archery and Pies

Yesterday, the Husband and I spent the afternoon at an archery shop in Denver. There was a fun indoor 3D archery shoot that we participated in. The shop also had some of the new 2010 bows available to test drive. Unfortunately, the muscles in my arms and back didn't allow me to pull back the bowstrings on these fancy new bows. (Note to self: do more push ups in 2010.) However, the Hubby was like a kid in a candy store since he was able to sample all the new toys. I think he is now in love with Elite's new bow, "The Judge."

Today, the house is filled with delicious aromas since I spent the day transforming the last of my garden pumpkins from this....

into that...

And the pears around the house were also transformed from this....

Into that...

(Note to self: in addition to the push ups, more sit-ups may be necessary in 2010.)

A Cup of Holiday Cheer

Just what the Dr. ordered for tonight:

Shiner Holiday Cheer beer

I was pleasantly surprised tonight when I found this little gem on the shelf. I'm not usually one to fall for shinny packaging or the latest marketing ploy. However, beer with a Christmas theme? I was intrigued and taken in.

The label on this bottle reads:

"... an Old World Dunkelweizen brewed with Texas peaches and roasted pecans. The malty flavors of this dark wheat ale are enhanced through the use of malted barley and wheat... may your days be merry and bright and your Shiner be cold."

"Tis the Season for Cheer"

My Badlands Pack

I have yet to do a product review on my blog. I'm not sure why. Maybe it is because I never really thought anyone would care what I thought. However, I'm feeling a little "punchy" tonight, so whether you care or not I'm going to give my opinion. I figure it is about time to give my opinion on some of the gear I use in the field. So... the first item up for review....

my Badlands Backpack

I LOVE this pack!

I purchased my pack with a hard earned bonus from work. My husband was a little jealous when I splurged on this item. I know that he has been wanting one of these badboys for himself, so I did feel a little bit guilty when I was the first one to get the goods. However, the guilt faded quickly. He did after all tell me to splurge on myself instead using my bonus to pay bills. Plus, I know he will be getting a new pack prior to our high altitude hunting adventure next summer, so all is well.

The Pros... Here are the reasons why I love my 2800 Badlands pack:

1. First, for the weight I'm able to carry on this pack, it is very easy to get around on a mountainside. I was pleased to be able to carry my heavy duty snow parka by just opening the two panels and buckling it in.
2. I loved having the H20 bladder built in so that it sits on the top of the pack. It seemed to distribute the weight well.
3. There is a built in rain shell for the pack - way cool!
4. I can carry my bow on this pack if necessary.
5. The Max-1 camo pattern matches my new GT500 bow. (I'm still working on having all matching camouflage at some point.)
6. It is built so that I can carry a quarter of an elk out if needed. However, I would be little sad to get blood on this pack. Don't worry - I would have no problems doing this when it comes down to it.
7. The padding on the inside of the frame was AWESOME! I called it my ninja turtle padding. Tell me you don't see the turtle shell resemblance...

The Cons... I have very little to complain about this product, but I will mention the few beefs I have:

1. It seems it was designed for a bit of a bigger waistline than mine. Even with the waistband fastened as tight as possible, I have quite a bit of room to breath. What does this mean? The weight isn't distributed the way it should properly be distributed. The pack sits more on my hips instead of resting on my waist / lumbar area. This resulted in my back being a bit sore. The good news is that the Badlands company has promised to adjust the straps for me at no cost. (Check out their great warranty.) Granted, there was nothing really "wrong" with the pack other than the fact that it didn't fit my frame. But they've agreed to make the adjustment at no cost. So, I will need to send off my beloved pack in the very near future so that I can get it back in time for hiking around in the mountains this spring to search for sheds.
2. Since I'm able to carry some extra weight now, I was no longer the fastest hiker in our group. (I think the guys secretly packed extra weight in my pack to slow me down.)
3. Maybe it is just me, but when hiking up an incline I am unable to look up the hill very easily with this pack on. In order to see ahead of me, I had to tilt my entire frame back from the waist. I was unable to move my neck back. I guess this is just another disadvantage of being female shorter than 6 feet tall. I've looked at the pics of other guys wearing the pack and it doesn't look like they would have this issue. Maybe there is an easy adjustment that could be made to resolve this issue. I'm open to any suggestions.

So, there you have it. I do love this pack and and am very excited to use it when we pack in at those high altitudes. I know that I will be utilizing every square inch!

A Good Day

I'm looking forward to a good day today. I did a little Christmas decorating last night finally. So, I'm now beginning to get in the Christmas spirit of things. On the agenda today: A good cup of coffee, homemade raisin bran muffins, shopping at Bass Pro, and then maybe a little dose of holiday cheer in the form of a parade of lights downtown with a cup of hot chocolate in hand.

Here's to wishing that you take a moment to stop and let the glorious mysterious wonder of Christmas invade your hearts.

Delight in it.

Decoy Love

A fellow Coloradan shot this video footage. Check out this great idea of creating realistic deer decoys. Danny named this one "Donna." The bucks sure do love her! Check it out...