Mush!

Are you the dog in the front?
Tongue out and bug eyed?

Everyone is waxing philosphical lately on the merits of Thanksgiving. Don't get me wrong, I've much to be thankful for, just wishing things would slow down a BIT so that I could savor some of it. My studio brushes have been dry for months (fixing that this weekend) and some weeks I don't see my hubby until Friday. Feeling like the second in line dog, getting pulled/pushed along at top speed, but not in the drivers' seat. By Tuesday, I am swearing it's Friday already. My new archery-busting gym routine has been done once exactly in three weeks. Sad indeed.

This weekend I am spending with my hubby who has the ginormous task of keeping me sane of late (Thanks, babe!) I am not in jail, so he's doing a good job. Most of the stuff I am tackling is completely new every, single day and challenging in a way that I have not experienced before.  For the next four days I am grateful to just have fun, hang out with people I don't see often, cook and create some stuff.

Am also mucho thankful for all of you that keep reading this nonsense and stopping by on occasion. Hope you have time to enjoy things such as they are in your world today as well. Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Bona Fide

Jess and the universal search for back connection.

So this past weekend was girl time. Hubby went fishing and my sis and I went up to YMCA Camp Arrowhead in Rochester to take the Level II instructors course. We learned to set up a range properly - complete with 8 point buck strolling directly behind the arrow curtain. Apparently there is no hunting allowed on camp grounds. That would explain the whitetail middle finger while walking 20yds away from 10 people pointing bows at him. Seriously, I wish I had my camera for that one.

We covered A LOT of material in a day and a half. As a result, I finally understand the end of the B.E.S.T. shot sequence to the point where I think I can explain it to someone else now.  Also, if you have not been woken up at midnight to explain why the wingspan method of measuring draw length makes sense (typo in the book - you have to divide by 2), you haven't lived my friend.

The group had some archers and some Y directors that had never shot before, so a pretty mixed group. The non-shooters were pretty excited after the hands-on part. Funny how fast people decide this is cool thing to do. Like after 3 arrows. :)

Yes, we both passed the final with a lot of giggling and whispering. We find the same things hilarious and don't see each other enough. So yeah, guess we are lucky we didn't end up in detention. Giggle.

Yes, that is a real dog.
Rizzo hung out with us all weekend.

What have you done lately?

Yup, that would keep most people
in the woods for a bit longer.

About a year ago, my sis wrote this very funny post on her take on bowhunting 101, Big Hat, No Cattle.

Now that she's had some time to bask in her camo glory, she's back out in their Wisconsin property checking trail cams and seeing some monster bucks. Still no cattle, but hopeful and excited.

Archery = confidence
Ave is also a fantastic ballet dancer. Who says you
can't be a girly girl and shoot, too?

In the past week, I've gotten some pretty awesome texts about her promoting archery in their corner of the world. Just past Chicago where the cornfields start up, she's taking her daughter and girlfriends to shoot for a little "girl time". 

Getting her neighbor hooked on this sport, check.
And I quote, "GIRL POWER!" Nothing more fun than getting someone into something you already love to do.

Getting a lesson on back tension releases, check.
BTW, apparently we both yelp when those suckers decide to go off. I think it's genetic.

Who have you taken out in the field or to the range lately? Show of hands if you took a newbie out.

All Things Curly

... and a sammie.

Yes, I know those are not really related, but it's been an enlightening and tasty day.

First, the curly part.                                                       

Marwari horse from India. Note the recurve style ears.

It all started with this very detailed and funny story about a bowyer.  Not only does the subject himself have an interesting job (there are people who get paid to do this?!) I have been lately lamenting my lack of time to do the things I love most and trying to sort out what I would do if I actually had the guts to change careers. My ability to create anything other than email has been pretty much at a standstill.  Anyhoo, this led to another article by the above mentioned author, Nils Visser, which got into the whole historical English longbow vs eastern style (recurve!) discussion here. If you are a history/ archery buff, you will enjoy his writing tremendously. Note, the curliness continues.

This just has me written ALL over it. 
Does a girl celebrate her mid-life crisis with one
of these beauties instead of a cabana boy?
Just need to train the pony to haul ass at a slower pace now.

 
This led to the Saluki Bow Co. Handmade, handpainted, unbelievably gorgeous creations with equally inspired quivers (my heart be still!) made by Lukas Novotny. Not only does he make custom horse, longbow, and horn bows, he flies all over the world competing in horseback archery. I missed the brochure back in high school for this one, I'm telling you.

And now to the sammie portion of our story. My friend Alli recently returned from Germany with a recipe for almost heaven.  Good crusty bread, ham, brie and sliced pear. I made ours with crusty bread out of the oven, ham and soft buttery brie and local pears along with a NYS reisling. You're welcome.

Note the absence of aforementioned sammie photo. All crumbs left.

Keeping the round side down

That time right before hunting season is always fun. The shops are full of kids getting their first bow (so exciting!), the ranges are full of people sighting in and tweaking their set ups. You run into people you haven't seen all summer. Everyone's been off racing their cars or weeding gardens or getting married. All good stuff. :)

Watching the rain bounce on the water.

Still loving our kayaks. Took them out in the rain yesterday because we both had the itch to get out there. It poured and was about 60 degrees. Hello rain gear! I was taking pictures with my phone in the rain. No, I didn't drop it, but was, kinda sorta hoping the rain might, ya know, kill it so I can replace it with one that works.

Kayaking in the rain is really cool. It's almost as fun as shooting in the rain. You aren't hot and sweaty, there is a breeze and there are fewer boats out there. Well, I guess there shouldn't be boats where you are shooting anyway. Eskimo rolls are next, but maybe in a pool to start, eh? Oh, and sort of in that vein (loosely) try this yummy "Quick, Turn Me Right Side Up" cake from my friend Steph this week.

Shooting more this week. Put my heavier limbs on just to see how they felt. Haven't used them since March and I felt pretty wimpy. I can't believe I was putting 100+ arrows a day through that bow last summer. Sooo, back on the SPT program to get back up there. Paddling is good for core and upper body, plus somehow my legs are tired by the time we get back, so that's definitely a plus.

More non-archery nonsense.

Have a great week guys!
A

Back in the Saddle Again

The word of the day is "Cleeker."
Inessa shoots from the hip.

We had a redneck party a few weeks ago with assorted bows, air guns and fun targets so people could try them. Fun was had. The best part may have been the slushy machine, though. :)

I love the warm weather and everything that comes with summer, but seriously I am ready for jeans and sweatshirts and wearing socks again. Ok, maybe not that last one. But loving the cool nights with the windows open and no humidity. Oh, and applesauce. We live next to a huge orchard and the drops make great cinnamon applesauce.

Went back to stretchy band and mirror work this week with some serious tuneup help from Doug on tap for the next few weeks. Need me some muscle asap. Starting to think about some serious fall practice at this point, new gear, new goals.

Archery is back in season.
Aerosmith's Back in the Saddle Again

Stringwalkers in France

What does rugged terrain, uphill targets, and pumping Euro-tech music have in common?  The World Archery Field Championships.

Yup, this stuff looks challenging.