Playing with Fire

Building a cooking fire.

In order to cook camp fire food, you need a camp fire. Now we all know what can happen when you play with fire - you wet the bed. Not sure where that old tale came from but it you still have trouble with it, don't drink so much while sitting around the camp fire and see our other blog - http://pottytrainingsite.blogspot.com

Always plan your camp fire site well and make sure it is on a clear space and that all the combustible material is removed from the ground around where the fire is to be.

Also, beware that sparks can travel long distances so if it is dry out, don't build a fire. Use a propane stove or cook on the dashboard instead.

But always remember that if you worry about stuff that can go wrong, it will. Try to think only about your goal of having tasty food prepared in a safe and enjoyable manner. Take whatever precautions you feel are necessary to make you feel safe when working with your fire.

Read more about the consequences of worrying about what all can go wrong in this article on mikestrawbridge.com

scary campfire stories

Short campfire ghost stories

Scary campfire stories are a long standing tradition in our family. My Granddaddy Straw had the best short campfire ghost stories that I have ever heard.

I remember one camping trip when we were boys when it rained all night so we were all huddled close around the fire. Daddy Straw told us a series of short ghost stories that had us all too scared to go to our tents. We just stayed huddled close to the fire all night.

One of his favorites was about walking down a dusty road and meeting a man who did not speak. As he and his friend discussed the man they disagreed about which side he had passed on. They decided to settle the argument by going back and looking at their tracks.

When the turned around, they could not see the man. And then much to their surprise they could not see his tracks in the dusty road. Only their two sets of tracks were visible.

You can make your own version of this scary campfire story to match any occasion. If is quite good if told correctly.

Cookies on the Car Dashboard

Recently I needed a batch of cookies. However, the temperature outside was so extreme that the power company was turning off the electricity for periods of time. I had heard about cooking in the car when the temperature is 95 degrees or above, so I decided to try it. Here are the results. The texture was not as crisp as oven baked and they were not browned, but they were delicious. The recipe is: 1/2 cup butter creamed with 1/3 cup honey. Beat 2 eggs very well and add to butter mixture. Add 1 teaspoon almond flavoring. Mix in 2-1/2 cups whole wheat flour and 1-1/2 teaspoon baking powder. Mix well and drop by teaspoons onto cookie sheet. Set on car dashboard for at least 1-2 hours. (Note: Make sure car is free of insects or pests and dashboard is clean.) Check after one hour for desired doneness. Moral of story is: If you can bake cookies in a car; what does the high heat do to children or pets that are left in hot vehicles?

Beans on the Grill

Beans on the Grill: Place beans in black pot. Add 4 cups of tomatoes, 1/2 cup on honey, 1/2 cup of molasses and enough water to cover beans. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Chop 1 onion and 1 greem amd 1 red pepper and add. Cook 1 hour and test for doneness. Cook until desired taste.-between 1-4 hours. Add water as needed. Happy campfire cooking.