You know how it goes… You buy a car and all of a sudden you start seeing dozens and dozens of the same kind of car. Well, the same thing’s true with moose!
Len’s been brewing his own beer again so he needs to have empty bottles. Great guy that he is, he’s more than willing to sacrifice himself drinking beer to get the empties. The other day he came home with what you see pictured above—Moose Drool beer.
Since then I’ve been seeing moose everywhere: Moosejaw outdoor clothing, Moose Munch popcorn, we even saw chocolate moose (yes, spelled that way) as a selection on the dessert menu at a local microbrewery and restaurant (as Len will tell you, we were there for “research” purposes)…
But the best moose I just learned about is Mooseheart Child City and School—a community and school for children and teens in need, located on a 1,000-acre campus, 38 miles west of Chicago. Over its 97-year history, Mooseheart has been home to nearly 12,000 young people, ranging in age from infancy through high school. It’s pretty cool—check it out.
Have you seen any moose on the loose in your neck of the woods? Take a peek in your freezer, you just may find some Moose Tracks ice cream!
“Whatever you are not changing, you are choosing.”
– Laurie Buchanan
www.HolEssence.com
Copyright © 2010 Laurie Buchanan — All Rights Reserved.
Tuesdays with Laurie 
Yes! Extreme Moose Tracks Ice Cream! Dark chocolate ice cream with tiny peanut butter cups and Denali fudge. The best summer lunch going.
Sandi – I was pretty darned confident that you have a moose or two in your freezer!
Here I am in Maine — Land of the Moose. I’ve been coming here for over 20 years. I have yet to realize one dream– I want to see a moose!
Maybe I’ll just have a brew with Len instead. Moose Drool sounds enticing. Yeah, sure.
Barbara – Ohhhhhh, I hope you’re getting exactly what you wanted/needed from this time away — whoohoo!
Good Moosing,
WOW, now Len is Moosing around a bit!
Looks like Big Sky Country Montana?? I went downhill sking there in my previous life, chaperoning 50 high schoolers.
What Micro Brewery we’re you referring to? Emmetts?..I am not sure of any others up your way.
I bet Mike could help with a few, let me know if you need any more bottles!
Kim
Kim – The name of the micro brewery is Prairie Rock Brewing Company. They used to have one in Elgin, but now they’re only in Schaumburg. PLEEEEEZE don’t have Mike save any bottles. If Len gets one more bottle, I’m gonna have to hit him over the head with it!
P.S
Thanks for the info about Mooseheart. I forwarded it to Amanda’s boyfriend, who is looking for work in his field of Psychology.
Laurie,
Wonders never cease in your neck of the woods! I think the only moose I ever seen was Bullwinkel ! If I saw one around here I much be drunk on that Moose Drool or on a shamanic journey.
It looks like the research maybe more fun than the making of beer. I am sure Len went to a local bar they would give him so empty bottles.
Jeff
Jeff – I’d completely forgotten about Bullwinkle until I got your comment. I used to love the Rocky & Bullwinkle Show when I was a kid. That was a fun memory, thanks!
Who were the vilians??
Wasn’t it something like Boris and Natasha???
Kim – You’re right. They were Boris Badenov and Natasha Fatal and I think they were Russian spies. Okay, next client’s here in 5-minutes so I’m back on deck.
How about the Moosewoods cookbooks? Hmmmm? Have you ever made any recipes from these?
I am wondering if maybe I’ll see a moose on the way to the meeting tonight. You’ll be darn sure you will be responsible if that happens!
Kathy– Len has made many recipes from his old, well-worn (tattered) Moosewood cookbook. His favorite, however, remains Cook’s Illustrated–that’s somewhat “sacred” to him.
Laurie….in his day, Rick also brewed a very fine ale so I absolutely understand the “sacrifices” that are made in honor of the process. In our house it was maybe more of a sacred ritual that a process 🙂
The Moosewoods cookbooks wonderful. Mine are tattered and splattered and one is missing it’s cover completely.
There were LOTS of moose in BC but we rarely saw them.
Colleen – It sounds like Rick and Len would get along famously! Len is the cook in our home. And while I can cook, but he enjoys cooking–there’s a huge difference. Another really good cookbook that Len enjoys working from (besides Cook’s Illustrated) is “Glorious One-Pot Meals” by Elizabeth Yarnell. Being on the receiving end I can tell you with authority that they’re delicious 🙂
I have a Bullwinkle keychain and a Rocky the Flying Squirrel keychain. I rock.
WOW, Barbara — You DO rock!
Yes, Kathy I have made recipes from the Moosewood cook books!
Yes Rocky and Bullwinkel where fun creatures to grow up with!
Ohhhh! There is a moose on Mayne Island after all. Of course I have a Moosewood cookbook:))))))) I was looking at it yesterday…. Moosewood Restaurant: low-fat favorites 1996. I had two of the original books but my son took the first when he left home. Then he replaced it and my daughter took that one when she left home. So now I have this newer one.
Thanks Kathy and Jeff for the reminder.
No moose on Mayne Island… that I have discovered yet anyway. I do have a moose story though. Well, actually I have many moose stories but I am only going to tell you one.
About 15 years ago I had two friends drive from Victoria up to Prince George B.C. which is moose country. On the way up they had seen deer, a black bear, geese, grouse and a skunk. We were out for dinner at a lodge on the last day of their visit and driving along chatting with a few silences that seem to come when it is getting close to saying good-bye at the end of a time with good friends.
After one of these silences my friend says wishfully “I sure would like to see a moose before we go home.”
I looked up just then from where I was sitting by the window seat on the passenger side of the vehicle. Back in the poplar trees about 50 feet from the road stood a moose. So I replied “Like that one?”
My partner, who was driving, stared at me to make sure I wasn’t joking. He stopped the car and backed it up the rural road. Sure enough there was the moose still standing in the trees.
My guests were beside themselves with glee at getting to see the moose and the fact that I had spotted it through the trees. We were doubled over laughing while the young bull moose watched us with its ears twitching.
Oh, I love it, Terrill, that’s a fantastic story!
Moose is found in the north of the medicine wheel, as is Buffalo. North represents the place of wisdom. Self-esteem is the medicine (energy) of Moose because it represents the power of recognizing that wisdom has been used in a situation and that recognition or a pat on the back is deserved.
Moose medicine (energy) is often found in elders who have walked the Good Red Road and have seen many things in their Earth Walk. Their joy lies in being the teachers of the children, and in being the first ones to give encouragement. This is not to say that moose medicine people do not use their wisdom to warn as well as to give praise, because they do. Moose medicine people know what to say, when to say it, and to whom.