This weekend we (Connie and I) treated ourselves to some deep dish pizza and it was fantastic. the best part about it was that it was homemade!

OK, Homemade pizza as good as the place on the corner? Yup, but better! Here's how.

What you'll need

Dough

2 cups warm water (not hot, you'll kill the yeast)

2 tsp quick rise yeast

1 tbs sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 cup oil (veg or olive)

1 egg

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp garlic powder

Flour ( white flour! If you're gonna use whole wheat stop reading now cause whole wheat flour is bitter and yucky!!)

Sauce

1 med can op tomato sauce

1 small can of tomato paste

2 tbs Italian seasoning

1/4 tsp onion powder

1/4 tsp garlic powder

First turn the light in your oven on... really!

In a large bowl, mix the water, yeast, and sugar and give it 5 minutes or so to dissolve.

Add everything else except the flour and mix till blended. I use a fork for this.

Start adding flour a cup at a time, until you get a very soft but still a little sticky dough.

Don't kneed to too much or you'll get the gluten all too excited and your crust will be tough.

Cover with a dishtowel and stick it in the oven. With the light on it's the perfect temperature for rising.

Next, mix the tomato sauce and paste, the seasonings in a bowl, set in the refrigerator to set.

You'll have an hour to wait for the dough to rise so go for a ride around the pasture, or better yet go have a few drinks with a buddy and invite him over for pizza. They gotta bring the beer!

Fun part!

pre-heat your oven to 425 degrees F

This much dough is gonna make 2 really thick pan pizzas, I used 2 cake pans this weekend and it was perfect.

After rising split the dough into two equal parts and spread into well oiled pans. Oil your hands too, makes it easier.

Spread the sauce liberally, but not too much of the toppings are gonna slide right off.

What do you like on a pizza? Well that's up to you.

We had onions, peppers, sausage, canned shrimp on one of ours and chicken, onion, peppers on the other. On the chicken pizza we used bar-b-que sauce instead of the tomato sauce and it was amazing.

Liberally topping the whole thing off with mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Bake on the rack  above the middle of the oven. That way the bottom won't be overcooked and the toppings will be just right.

Make sure to pre-cook any ingredients like sausage, or  beef, that wont have time to cook on the pizza.

Bake for about 15 minutes of so, keeping an eye on it. Once the cheese is bubbling. and the crust is browning around the edge, you're good to go!

Remove the pizza and let it set for a bit. Slice, serve and drink all your buddies beer!!

Happy cooking!

Cookie!

Under Threat!!!!

Hey Y'all, it's me again! Been a while BUT, after the message I got from Arizona, (something about a threat of being chained to a computer until I add to the blog), I figured I'd better add some new recepies for everyone.
Here's a dinner idea that is quick and simple. The unfortunate part is that I made this and took the picture a few months ago, (see I had good intentions), and I never measure when I cook so bear with me.
You will need:
1 bag of bow tie pasta
1 bag of frozen shrimp.(thawed) (I used a shrimp\scallop mix)
1 bottle of your favorite red wine (substitute white if you must.. Ick)
1 Tbs of olive oil
1 Tbs of butter (no margarine - it's BAD for you!)
1 onion coarsely chopped
2 cloves of garlic
1\4 tsp cayenne pepper (more if your brave)
2 Tbs parsley ( fresh is better but who the heck has fresh parsley in their refrigerator!!)
Pepper
Salt
3 oz Glenlivet Scotch (15 year)

First get a short tumbler with 3 ice cubes and add the scotch.
In a large pot, bring salted water ( Eh about 6 turns of the grinder or 1 Tbs.) to a boil and add the pasta. You gotta have a big pot cause you gotta give those little guys room to swim around of they'll stick to each other.
Open the red wine and let it breathe.
Have a sip of the scotch...mmmm
In a medium saucepan that's on medium high heat, add the oil and butter. The oil stops the butter from burning. Add the onion and garlic. Saute for a few minutes till the onion is translucent. Add the seafood,cayenne, and half the parsley.
Have another sip of scotch.
Ok, here's where it's all about timing! You got pasta boiling, you got shrimp that's gonna overcook on ya if your not on top on 'em.
As soon as the pasta is done, drain it and return it to the big pot, add the shrimp to the pasta and toss.
Add ground pepper to taste.
Then guzzle the last of the scotch cause you have a bottle of wine on the table to drink!
Plate up the seafood pasta and garnish with the remaining parsely. Serve with parmsean cheese and a smile!

 

Happy cooking!! and only a few more chilly months till we're back on the trail!!

Cheers!

Lost horses...

At the end of August we had a young bear get between our camp and the horses and spooked them off.  8 horses were lost for 2 days then 5 came back, but Ranger, Ringo and Chevyo were still missing and we searched!  With no luck we had to head back to the sale and then waited for snow.  My brother in law Brian, Ken and Vic along with me, we headed back and 2 of horses had been caught by hunters.  I was so happy, been a long 2 months of worrying about them but now on our last trip before the heavy snow they were found.  It was a stunning trip after knowing we had them and we snuck up to Lost Guide for a day trip before heading home in the snow storm.

Follow along on the...

Great Western Boot Adventure brought to from Lisa's boots...

Lisa has owned these boots for 20 years and Cara and I thought she needed to step into the present so with that said...we took her boots when she bought a new pair.  WE came up with a boot adventure, Cara will be taking one boot and I will be taking the other boot and they will be going on adventures!  The very first adventure they will be going to together before they are split up is our annual Wild Deuce Thank you Dinner at the Kingman Hall November 17, 2012 where there is a chili cook off between Chuck and Terri!  This dinner is put on as a thank you to our sponsors and our volunteers!!!  So watch all winter as the boots go on quite the adventure...there is sand and elephants in the future for these boots!  For all you bloggers, this adventure will only be on the blog and NOT on face book...wink wink!

Horses All November issue...

http://www.agcanada.com/issue/horses-all-11/

Here is the link to the latest edition of Horses all, this month I talk about how to shop for a mountain horse!  Thoughts???

Keeping you updated...this is for the non facebookers!

I weaned my 2 crop foals from our stud and our mares Jessie and Gracie two days ago.  They are with Studly while they are learning about life with out mom.  The mom's are just across the fence so weaning is going good.  I am so excited to getting riding these foals...the wait is going to kill me.  My first foal Sierra out of Studly and Jessie is coming 3 in the spring and I have been on her once last spring and without round penning, I threw the saddle on and got on.  That is not normal for me and she just went...so yes the excitement to ride these foals is almost too much!

With  the arrival of November the Canadian Finals Rodeo is in town and we headed to the city with friends.  Here is Carmel, Chuck and Verna.  Great time to see friends and family and enjoy when the west hits town.

 

2012 Sale results...was another great sale!

2012 Wild Deuce 8th Annual Working Mountain Horse Competition & Select Sale - Kingman, AB - Sept 30

Wild Deuce's 8th Annual Working Mountain Horse Competition & Select Sale a HUGE Success best one yet!
Rafter Ruff Ryders 4-H Club welcomed everyone to Wild Deuce's 8th Annual Working Mountain Horse Competition & Select Sale. Wild Deuce welcomed everyone, not just buyers to their family farm where Terri is the 6th generation. This is not your average sale or weekend and folks are noticing the quality and enjoyment you can have on a horse. It is a weekend you will mark on your calendars each year. This year we noticed way more fun and games despite the bad run of luck Wild Deuce has encountered in the last month. After a bear chased out 8 of Wild Deuce's horses at their high camp in the Rocky mountains, only 5 came back 3 of the horses are still lost in the mountains. On one of the search parties Terri's sale horse Kita died of colic and her other sale horse Kat received a puncture wound due to rough bush country. Consignor Brenda Miller broke her arm while Craig of Two C Ranch cut his hand through to the tendons. Despite the twists and turns life threw at Wild Deuce and there consignors the show went on. The 25 horses were narrowed down to 9 amazing sale horses.

The honesty was spoken each day when Terri addressed everyone with how their summer and fall had gone. She wanted to make sure everyone understood where she was coming from. From having great guests, to their horses going to Calgary Stampede, she addressed the facts

• If the horses are not ready for the sale they are pulled period
• This is not a 60 day wonder or prospect sale, the horses have minimum a year under their belts
• Honest hard miles not a few ditch miles or circles in the arena, Wild Deuce horses see 1500 miles a summer!
• A safe place for buyers to buy honest, using, seasoned horses with the honesty told to you on each.
• She commented on how many people came to her for horse training ,being sold the wrong horse & how it added fuel to her in starting this sale.
• The proof is in the pudding she quoted from her dad and that is why we want you the buyer to do your homework for a lifetime of awesome miles on your horse. They do the miles and training for you the BUYER!

It was great to see this mountain girl speak from her heart and hold nothing back. The feel of the weekend left you with the feeling you were a part of something and not wanting to leave. Wild Deuce and there family and friends are sharing something with us besides great using horses but the courage to try new things with our horses and the thought you don't need a field of horses for all the events, you need one!
After Terri spoke then we watched the line of sale horses stand quietly while a dog ran over the front of the horses while their wrangler/consignor Pam Didier and their daughter Taylor (11) ran across the horses bums. The point was bold and the crowd loved it.

Friday had a record number of open competitors from all over the province with 24 in the adult division and 8 in the youth division. The overall consensus was that Wild Deuce made a fun weekend and the course was a challenge! This year one of the new obstacles were getting off, setting a camera then running back to your horse who is ground tied, leap on and smile for the camera. There was a new judge fellow outfitter from Anchor D, Jan Matthews along with Rachel Troughear and back for his second year was the original MANTRACKER Terry Grant.
Friday had demo's with a new demo done in the UFA demo ring was from John Pouliot on how to trim your weanling for the first time, it had a huge crowd. Wild Deuce through this weekend want to offer free demo's for everyone to watch & learn, they plan on expanding this for next year. Vet checks were done in the open by Stockyards vet services for all the buyers to watch. A free delicious Pig Roast sponsored by Curty's Oilfield and Tofield Packers was enjoyed by everyone. Later in the evening Wild Deuce & their consignors once again thrilled the crowd with their "Fun relay race" which showed you the versatility and speed of each sale horse & a sore belly from laughing! The evening was enjoyed around the fire with a great father/daughter Wally Glimm band singing great old country.
Saturday greeted the day with warmth and excitement for anyone wanting to buy a horse. A free pancake breakfast by Food with Flair. Walking through the STARS silent auction and the Backcountry Tradeshow which had for the first time MINI DONUTS!!! The items in the STARS silent auction and Tradeshow made for great shopping and for a great cause.
Terri while riding her stallion invited everyone to walk the course so the buyers could see the difficulty in the course and the footing the horses go over. With the sale horses going through the challenging 16 obstacles ,the demo ring and kid's corner were busy. Wild Deuce's fun hunt began early for the open competitors. MANTRACKER was busy taking photo's with folks with full proceeds going to STARS. Kayla Burrington and Cindy Schafer were busy taking pictures and selling them with full proceeds going to STARS. STARS is Wild Deuce's charity of choice after Terri taking a flight when a horse stepped on her head. Cousin Kerry made fresh homemade cookies that of course everyone loved and full proceeds went to STARS! Neil Dimmock who normally does his impressive 6 horse hitch was un able to come due to work commitments. Did this stop Wild Deuce from filling in the gap…no. Wild Deuce and their friends jumped into Earl's wagon (the horse taxi) and did a spoof race with a bouncy horse, falling out of the wagon, falling off of horses and Taylor, Chuck and Terri's daughter dressing in costume on her sale horse Farmer. It reminded everyone of the fun you can have with horses and the fun they have with each other! Again not like any other weekend and not just for buyers but for horsemen from all skills. At 5:00 the thank you began before the catered BBQ.

In the Open Competition the sponsors and winners are:

1. Champion Russ Shandro sponsored by Wild Deuce Retreats & Outfitting
2. Reserve Champion Susan Wall sponsored by Total Orthotics
3. Ken Pohl sponsored by Lammles Western Wear & Tack
4. Donna Bellerive sponsored by Wild Deuce Retreats & Outfitting
5. Jessica Cumming sponsored by Summit Outfitters Supplies

In the Sale Horse Competition the sponsors and winners are (Wild Deuce is not in the prizes):

• Champion Craig Reesor on Lot # 6 DV Hollywood Chex 08
• Reserve Champion Cynda Dider on Lot # 10 Bubbles
• 3rd in points was Wild Deuce riding Lot # 11 Lynx
• 3rd in prizes Dawn Didier on Lot #13 A V Beau Heza
• Over all buckle donated by Ken McKinney was Russ Shandro

The youth consisting of Shawnee Williamns, Taylor McKinney, Jessica Simmonds, Shelby Coupland, Mckinley Wall, Justine Pouliot and Meagan McCoy were all given prizes from UFA, Richmond Stock Farm and Wild Deuce. Great to see such great interest from the future riders. I noticed that Craig Coullaird the Editor of Horses All enjoyed the weekend along with Cavalia coming out to check out the event.

Saturday night wrapped up with Wild Deuce heading down the lane in two wagons with guitars going and voices belting out the tunes. Wild Deuce treats the VIP's the sponsors and media with an evening wagon ride while the consignors ride along as the outriders. The fire was enjoyed with the guitars, visiting and a moustache contest!
Sunday anxious buyers were geared up for the 8th annual sale. Wild Deuce provides a great weekend for the buyers to watch, learn and get informed about each and every horse. This sale offers honest keeper type horses with no lines or stories left under the carpet. It was obvious the word has spread about this sale and the honesty behind Wild Deuce after watching trailer after trailer roll down the lane. The caliber of horses shown throughout the weekend is setting a bar in the horse sales of today and it showed in the double amount of buyers arriving from BC to Ontario from the previous year. Church service and a breakfast started the day and then the buyers were able to try the horses. Tack started at 10-30 with long time friends Ted and Deb Deagle selling over 40 years of horse gear. Before the sale STARS final total was released of $4747.00, another great total for such a great cause. Wild Deuce and the consignors then entered the ring where Terri "commented on the caliber, miles and the foundation in each and every horse. They then let the dog and wrangler run across the horses bum and with that introduction the sale began. The results were all 9 horses were sold.
The top selling horses were:

• Lot #9 Edge consigned by Johnnie Gillis $17 500.00
• Lot #11 Lynx consigned by Wild Deuce $15 000.00
• Lot #6 DV Hollywood Chex 08 consigned by Two C Ranch $14 000.00
• Lot #8 Farmer consigned by Wild Deuce $11 000.00
• Lot #4 Bugaboo consigned by Pam Didier $9000.00

Wild Deuce gave away to John Anderson and Kelly Hirsch one free 5 day pack trip for buying the high selling horse. John Anderson happens to be an elite show jumper winning Spruce Meadows and going to the Seoul Olympics. He commented when Terri gave him the certificate of how impressed he was with the horsemanship shown.
Average Selling Price on the 9 horses sold is $10 411.11 ,an all time high and the buyers are showing their appreciation for great using, well trained horses. The word has spread and is spreading about this great weekend.The dates for next year's sale are September 27-29 2013 at the same location.