Cause for Pause....or is it Paws...or is it both

A cause for pause…. or is it paws….. or both?

It was time to push the “reset” button for me.  I enjoyed a mini sheepdog vacation in early July.

I treated Sally, Zeke and I to a sheepdog shedding clinic. Lots of information to sift, sort and process as I look at how I will train and communicate, the inner workings of learning to shed.  The value of understanding and clear communication with your dog is imperative in herding but it is especially important when it comes to shedding.  One paw, foot or even one of  you leaning in the wrong direction puts unwanted pressure on the sheep and you are starting this “dance” over.  We've given the shedding a go at home and we've got work ahead of us, well let's be honest, I'VE got some homework to do.  Sally definitely gets the task at hand as she has been here, done that, before.  Then there is Zeke.  I’d like to say he gets the very start of the concept but we’ve obviously got work to do.  As an extra bonus the handler needs to do her homework too, she has her fair share of learning as well.  Big grin.  Thankfully my dogs are patient with me.  I getting the concept.  Just gotta practice to get the basics down then, I can get to those nuances and finer points,  It's quite enjoyable when it comes together… what a great feeling of partnership with your dog

I went to the annual Sheep Thrillz sheepdog trial in Scio.  Phew, yikes, smiles and a sigh. That was a brainful of opportunities for learning and challenge.  This is my third trial at the pro-novice level.   I roll my eyes now because what I thought I walked on to the trial field in knowledge with each dog was clearly not the case.  I shed some tears, but not because I was upset with Zeke, but disappointed with myself for thinking I had more understanding between the two of us about the task at hand than what showed up on the field.  I retired him mid-run for both of our goes, it was just not going well.  He bumped the sheep at the top and never got a hold of them to say the least.  This handler felt she was drowning at the post, not knowing how to help or handle him.  I just felt blank.  Lots of replaying the situation in my head, reviewing the video of my run, thinking how I could have handled it different and discussing with those I admire and deeply respect  have given me ideas on how I can improve and learn from this opportunity.   So…. Mr. Zekie, off we go to further our understanding and practice more.

Sally had an opportunity for challenge, she had me for a handler  J  It’s all good, as I learned so much from that little girl that I am still processing, even over a month later.  I’m seeing what I can take and move to increase Zeke’s understanding as well as my own.  Sal is a gold mine of information and I know she is here to help deepen our understanding.  My goal for this trial with Sally was very very basic.  Get a hold of her at the top,  get her on a line and don’t mess with it, even if it means missing our panels.  Without boring you with the details, I didn’t get a hold her at the top and because of that it didn't look nice and tidy as I think it should have.  We or should I say I…. definately missed our panels and I’m certain we looked more novice than pro.  I will tell you what I am most proud/excited is that I finally got to feel what it’s like when a dog “gets a hold” of the sheep.  I describe it like a ‘tractor beam", you know, like the one from your favorite sci-fi movies.  We got to the pen and we started the dance to pen our sheep.  All at once I felt Sally lock in and tell those sheep…. no, you’re not going anywhere but in that pen.  I actually said it to Sal, "We are getting those sheep in the pen.  WE can do this girlfriend."  Magic I tell you, it felt like magic!

This is an amazing feeling when your dog “has” her sheep.  I felt on top of the world but so grounded and connected to my dog at the same time.  Knowing that we did this together, in harmony is an exhilarating feeling.  It's the partnership that I've been hearing about for years from other sheepdog handlers.  I honestly didn't understand what they where talking about, I didn’t know it was possible for me to acheive this.  How does it get better than that?

Friday found us at Kenleigh Acres taking a nuno felting class.  We made wool and silk tank tops, what an incredible process.  Very fun and very labor intensive.  I think I will stick to scarves for now as I hone my skills at this wet felting process.  My top didn’t quite turn out ready to wear so I will be making some alterations.  Once complete, I’ll post it up here. Lots of laughter, jokes and fun.  What an inspiring day with an absolutely great group of ladies!!!  I'm ready to have more fun!!!

 

Remember

To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.

Heather Cortez

Rememberance of Hawaii.....

I found this when going through my files and with all this warm summer we are having, I thought this would be fun to share. Getting the coconut meat separated from the shell was a bit of an opportunity for challenge, but in the end, I found a way to coax it from it's shell to make the best coconut pie I've ever had. I hope you enjoy.  Now to find the picture of the pie.  I was sure I took a picture, but now that I think of it it might not have lasted long enough to take a picture.....

Hawaii Fresh Coconut Cream Pie

January 2012 –Vacation recipe

 Ingredients

· 3/4 cup sugar

· 1 1/2 cups unsweetened coconut milk

· 1 1/2 cups whole milk

· 1/3 cup cornstarch

· 5 egg yolks

· 1/4 teaspoon salt

· 1 cup grated, fresh coconut – 1.5 coconuts

· 1 teaspoons vanilla extract

· 1/2 tsp coconut extract

· 1 tablespoon butter

· 1 (9-inch) baked pie shell, recipe follows

· 1/3 cup toasted coconut

· Whipped cream, for garnish

Directions

Extracting the meat from the Coconut

Once getting to the inner coconut, break in quarters and microwave each piece for 30-45 seconds. Work one piece at a time. This loosens the meat from the coconut and makes it much easier to remove. Grate on a medium grater

In a nonstick 1-quart saucepan, combine 3/4 cup sugar, coconut milk, and 1 cup milk. Scald mixture.

In a small mixing bowl, whisk the remaining 1/2 cup milk and cornstarch together to make a slurry. Whisk egg yolks with salt in medium bowl. Temper yolks by adding 1/2 cup scaled milk mixture to yolks and whisk well.

Add yolk mixture and slurry back into milk mixture and whisk vigorously over medium heat until thickened, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and add coconut, vanilla, coconut extract, and butter. Whisk until incorporated.

Pour the filling into the baked pie shell. Cover the pie with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator. Chill the pie completely, about 2 hours.

To serve, top with toasted coconut and a dollop of whipped cream.

Pie shell:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling out the dough

• 1 tablespoon sugar

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 3/4 cup solid vegetable shortening

• 6 to 7 tablespoons ice cold water

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Mix well. Add the shortening and mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the water and let sit 1 minute. Either using a fork or your hands, carefully press the mixture together to form a soft ball. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 30 minutes.

Remove the dough from the refrigerator and place it on a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough into a circle about 12 inches in diameter and 1/4-inch thick. Gently fold the circle of dough in half and then in half again so that you can lift it without tearing it, and unfold into a 9-inch by 2-inch deep-dish pie pan. Crimp the edges and chill again for 30 minutes before baking.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Bake pie shell until golden, about 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool completely before using.

Yield: 1 deep-dish pie shell