Deer meat. Some people like to call it venison. To be honest, I was a big kid, maybe even an adult before I realized that venison and deer meat were the same thing. It may seem like a crazy thing to say and I bet you didn’t expect to be reading about deer meat this morning…. but keep reading, this is going somewhere.

If you don’t know by now, Thomas and I live mountains of West Virginia where times are tough and folks depend on meat to survive. I know this might sound like we’re living in the 1800s still but I promise you we’re not. Lol (is it acceptable to put lol in a blog post?) Ha!

Thomas lost his dad back in 2016. It was such a shock to our little community. His dad was a coach, friend, an uncle, a son, a husband and a father. Thomas was only 18. Denny left for work one spring day and never made it home. He had a massive heart attack and it was truly the most devastating time in our lives.

I’ll never forget that following deer season how bittersweet it was knowing that my boyfriend at the time didn’t have his dad to go with him in the woods. I knew Thomas loved hunting, but he loved those memories with his dad even more. Now, over eight years later, I love seeing his eyes come to life again when he talks about getting excited for hunting season. The way he gets giddy over big bucks, seeing deer or turkeys in the woods, or even buying new arrows for his bow. I love seeing him getting excited for what’s to come.

The leaves changing and the cool crisp air has allowed him to find love in this season again. I guess that’s how it is with grief. It really does come in waves and seasons. I mean here we are, over eight years later and the death of Denny, who would’ve been my father-in-law, still hurts. It hurts more when I think about all the things he has missed out on. Our wedding day, seeing us buy our first home, thinking about he and Marcia not being able to be on earth to see their future grandbabies.

Every time I fix a home-cooked meal and we eat deer meat I think of him. How much he and I loved the same weird food combinations, and how much he loved hunting with his son. When we have children, I can’t wait to talk to them about how much their Granddad loved this time of the year; watching Mountaineer football, and how much he loved his deer meat. It might seem weird to you, but it’s a staple in many Appalachian homes and our West Virginia roots run deep.

I have a wonderful love for Summer, but there is something about the changing of the seasons. Decorating our home for autumn, seeing the beautiful fall foliage amidst the blue sky as we drive down the mountain. Watching our good ole Mountaineers and anticipating the big bucks we’ll get to see, antlers we’ll get to hold and deer meat we’ll get to taste in the coming months. It’s just another Tuesday in Thomas…

| Appalachian Chili Recipe |
2lb Browned Ground Venison
2 cans Dark Kidney beans
2 cans Light Kidney beans
32oz carton Chicken broth
1 6oz can Tomato paste (use this can to add 6oz of water)
1 12oz bag Frozen corn
Dash of sugar
Dash of Garlic Powder
1.25 oz pack Chili Seasoning Mix
Chili Powder (to taste)

Simmer in crockpot for 3-4 hours and share with your neighbors or family!

See you next week. If you loved this blog post, read this one next.

xoxo,
Zoe