One Tuckered Tucker(man) – Memories & Maple Fennel Sausage

We like, wait, I should be clear here, we  ♥LOVE♥ , the White Mountains of New Hampshire.  I mean, L♥ve.  This includes Drin, Tuck, Layla, & Me.  Before we were blessed with Layla, it was just the three of us. 

In the Summer of 2008, Drin and Bry went backpacking, which left me and Tuck to fend for ourselves at the campsite.  It was awful.  I mean, torture.  We were forced to have lunch together on the patio of Flatbread Company in North Conway.

Tuck finds the perfect table:

Tuck orders from his seat:

He orders Jay’s Heart with Maple Fennel Sausage:
(we’ve attempted to recreate this at home, and OF COURSE it’s not as good, but still, it’s pretty Damn good – recipe to come!)

After lunch, he’s ready to take the ride to get Dad & Bry:

We stop to dip our toes in the Saco River:

While driving along the Kancamagus, Tuck feels, Sleepy…

But tries to fight slumber…

…and ultimately loses the battle:

He wakes to find himself at The Basin where we walked and took in the gorgeous scenery:

Finally it was around the time we were expecting Daddy and Bry to descend.  Tuck waits in angst:

They’re spotted and we drive back to the campsite where Tuck embraces his boy, Bry:

What a place – can’t wait to do it all again this year – with Layla! ♥

Maple Fennel Sausage
     Inspired by Flatbread Company

Ingredients
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh black pepper
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 pound ground pork
2 tablespoons maple syrup

Directions
Combine salt, pepper, fennel and pork.
Mix to combine.
Saute for a few minutes, breaking apart with a wooden spoon.
Drizzle maple syrup over pork when almost finished cooking.
Drain on paper towel, cool, and use as pizza topping.

You have no idea how good this is!