Morning chores-4 legged friends

I thought sleeping in on a quiet, dark Saturday morning sounded like a good idea, but my two, four legged friends thought different.The clanging of the cow bell on our back door has brought me instantly awake. George trained our dogs to ring a bell mounted near the back door when they want to go outside. They have rousted me at 5:45am, made their first trip out side to do the business they do first thing in the morning. Then they let me know that breakfast was next on the schedule. Gus ( 15 year old Weimaraner) when finished with his meal proceeds to the kitchen and standing in front of a certain cupboard  does his low howling bay that reminds me he is ready for his 3 morning pills lathered in butter. Out side one more time to do important business and chase a neighborhood cat that visits early each morning. It is now 6:15 and both dogs are  sound asleep on the couch close to the warm crackling wood stove. I would love to go back to bed but sleep would not come after this early chore detail. I would tease George that I did not really like dogs. I do not know many people who loved dogs more than George. He would say that dogs are always glad to see you, always want to do what you want to do and have this unconditional love for their master. But George was very good with dogs. He had a calmness and patients that animals picked up on right out of the shoot, and he felt that animals deserved all the patients a person could muster. I miss seeing George taking his afternoon naps on the floor with the dogs. I think Gus and Rascal do too.  This picture brought tears to my eyes and a feeling of overwhelming love as I know what a special time this was for all involved. Memories are truly one of the greatest treasures we have.    Have a special Saturday....Charlotte

Warn Winter Meal....

It has been several days since I have put my fingers on the key board. Time slows for no one.  Tonight I baked one of our favorite Mexican dishes called Sanchos. When George and I were first married and he was working for the National Park Service in La Junta Colorado we experienced some of the best Mexican food ever. One of our favorite restaurants was in a private home that was only open for evening hours. The business was run by a family and there was always a line waiting when it opened. Sanchos was a favorite on the menu. We both enjoyed them so much, that through trial and error we learned to make them. Sanchos are one of those meals that are even better as left overs the next night. Easy to make and delicious .

1to 1 1/2 pound game burger - browned

1 medium onion- finely chopped and fried

2 garlic cloves-minced and fried with onions or 1/2 tsp garlic powder

2 Tablespoon  chili powder 

1/4 teaspoon celery seed (optional)

Dashes of salt and pepper to taste

1  4oz can chopped green chilies 

1  19oz can green chile enchilada sauce

1   Package soft tortillas. 6-8

1   12oz shredded mozzarella cheese

Mix the spices, onions, garlic and green chilies with the browned game burger. Spread enough of the mixture on the tortilla shell so it can still be rolled up. Before rolling put several tablespoons of green chile enchilada sauce and shredded mozzarella cheese over game burger. Place rolled tort in shallow roasting dish.  We use a cast iron casserole dish that helps hold the heat during serving. If you like you can also make room on your dish for a can of retried beans.  Lastly pour enchilada sauce over the whole outfit, and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 35- 40 minutes.  Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. A dollop of sour cream when served can't be beat....ENJOY....

Prep time:  45 minutes

Serves : 6

Happy Birthday Son

This morning I rise with a light chill in the house. As I stoke the wood stove( in our house that means put some wood in the stove) I remember back 18 years to the day our last child and only son Christian Kelly Ainslie was born. Both George and I were in our mid to  late 30's when I went to him one day and said what do you think about having another child? I remember his tilted look and eyes that said "What"....his concerns were the same as mine so we decided to table it for now. But as time went by I just had this funny feeling that there was some one out there that we needed to meet. The day I approached the topic again of another baby - Yes or No - he turned to me with that tilted look and said " fine with me as long as you think there is only one somebody out there that we need to meet". It was so George, in after thinking on something, decision made, let's move on. We were not set on a boy or girl, but when he was born Dr Olson's exact words were "Oh a little blacksmith". We had a family joke for years that the first year of his life he was never put down. He was very welcomed and loved by us all and still is to this very day.   Off to Billings we go this afternoon to meet up with family to celebrate at Kit's favorite restaurant and enjoy one of his favorite pies (peanut butter cream). I have thought a lot about your dad today , how much he loved you, and know how proud he was of you and excited for your future he was. Have a special day.  Happy Birthday Dear Kit....Love Mom... 

New Beginnings

The day has come for me to begin where some one left off. I can honestly say it is a bit scary to think that I will be blogging to the world and with the help of my children and friends writing a biography and cookbook. It is a project my late husband (wow do those last two words come with a wave of emotion) George Ainslie had stated over 20 some years ago. He would be thrilled that I would take on the project of completing his cook book, but would not think his story was worthy of being told. Just like him to think that. See he did not think he was anyone special, but I know different. As you follow me through this journey (as I went on many with him) you will see and get to know, as I have been told by many friends, a modern day renaissance man. He was the writer and story teller in our family not me. But as I said earlier I will begin where he left off. Wish me luck and George in your very special way guide me.   Charlotte 1/8/2014