I’m not saying we’re as rugged as the homesteading families of the 1800’s, however we do have a streak of pioneering spirit running through us.  After Don started smoking a ham this morning, he lit a fire under the lard kettle and set up the press.  Time to render some lard.   It was a boiling hot chore usually reserved for the fall season, however an opportunity to get some free pork fat came our way and we just couldn’t pass it up.