I am in the woods in AZ the temps are 15 degrees lower than in the midwest.
I'ts not going to warm up enough to go hike "natural bridge" but I did go to p
Potato Lake at sunrise to see the elks. There were hundred of elk drinking there at sunrise. (can you picture them bellying up to the bar?)
I took a ride in my new (to me) toy up the "widowmaker" (AZ 87) and through some of the paved roads in the Tonto National Forest. Talk about grown up fun, with the SO hanging on, for life, to the grab bars, putting the new to me super car through the paces,Early this morning there were no cars(park rangers, HP, or local LE) to be to ruin my Christmas morning.
My SO prepared breakfast (German farmers and frozen mimosas) and soon I will start the smoker and prep the full bone-in prime rib roast (USDA PRIME @ $35lb) on the smoker with apple and cherry chunks. We will have 12 for dinner tonight. All near homeless people who live in campers and trailers in the national forest. Most are VN vets who have lived there for years. Most pack up and move into the valley as the parks turn off electricity and water when it turns colder. It was 22 degrees last night here and will be for a week. All of these people will be forced to leave just after Christmas. We included Shell gas cards in there stocking so they can make it to shelters for the winter.
We will stuff stocking, boxes of food, and local gift cards for our guests. there is lots of cooking to do, and yes the copper is dusted off and going to be put to work, the living room has to be transformed into a dining room as we can't eat outside as it will only be 38 for a high.
vac.JPG
It's going to be a busy day but with the help of some alcohol, and god knows what else, we will have a day that exemplifies what I hope is the true meaning of Christmas
.
I wish you all the best this Christmas. I just started the smoker now It's time to find of of my prized ales!!! At 15% I only get 4!!