A new -ish tradition

Today was the day for what has become another Thanksgiving tradition... Driving to Iowa and picking up our side of beef for the year. My brother raises cows for beef and every year we buy a side from him. When it's ready, we meet halfway between our houses to do the transfer. We've done this for quite a few years. Last year, as we (me, J., my brother, and sister-in-law) were standing in the cold parking lot of a gas station, chatting and catching up, we had the (rather obvious in hindsight) thought that we could also combine this with lunch at a restaurant together. It would be easier to visit and make a nicer break before getting back in the car and driving home. 

So that's what we did this year and it was lovely. Even though we live just six hours apart, because we both have quite a few farm-type animals, it can be hard to get away. Our lunch at the state line was a perfect solution. It is a tradition we will continue. 

Once home, I stored the beef in the freezer rather easily. We had done a good job of eating down the freezer over the past couple of months, so there wasn't a problem.

I bet I could even fit in a turkey if our local store still has them in sale for $0.59/lb. I had to pass up that sale earlier in the week because I wasn't sure there would be room after the beef went in. I hate passing up on a sale like that.