Happy almost Thanksgiving!
I wanted to share a great Thanksgiving tradition I recently read about. A week ago I read an article in Focus on the Family's Thriving Family Magazine. The lady who wrote it said that some years ago she bought a big, white table cloth for the table at Thanksgiving. She put fabric pens on the table and during dinner everyone would write one thing they were thankful for with their name and the year. Then, every Thanksgiving, she would put out the same table cloth and everyone who was there that year would write something on it. She said that over the years the table cloth has gotten full and has a variety of friends and family members on it who have joined their Thanksgiving dinner through the years. There are elderly family members who have passed away and people they have not seen in years who have written something on the table cloth.
I thought it was a wonderful idea and am going to start it this Thanksgiving at my Grandmother's. What a great way to remember the things we are blessed with and to share that blessing throughout the years with whoever we might find ourselves with on Thanksgiving.
update: AFTER THANKSGIVING
Well, the table cloth idea went well. I accidentally bought a plastic one, I thought it was material. So, we couldn't use the fabric markers I had bought but instead used a permanent marker.
We plan on using the table cloth every time we have someone for a meal. It will help us remember all of the people we have met during our travels.
Smile!
Sheri's best Waffle Recipe!
My amazing hubby just loves his waffles - not as much as he loves me - but still a lot. Over the years I have looked for a better recipe but just can't seem to find one better than this.
Now, usually I try to put whole wheat flour in all our recipes. This recipe can be made with half white and half wheat but sometimes I just use white flour. I know - naughty naughty. I try to put the wheat flour in it for health reasons, but every now and then I get crazy and use only white!
3 eggs - beat in bowl until thick
1 cup milk
1/2 cup melted butter
1 tbsp vanilla
Mix all wet ingredients together.
In separate bowl mix the following dry ingredients:
2 cups flour - all white or half white and half wheat - sift into bowl. In a camper I have a small sifter just for these yummy waffles.
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp baking powder
2 tsp sugar - white or another healthier sugar
Then mix the dry ingredients.
Add the wet to the dry and stir quickly.
If you want to go healthy, add a tbsp wheat germ and some ground flax seed.
After adding this to the waffle iron, we add chopped pecans.
This is great served with sausage.
When we want to go "all out", we heat up berries, apples, or peaches. Put those over the top of the pecan waffles and put some whip cream on top. We used to make the whip cream from scratch, now I just buy it.
Otherwise we just put syrup on top.
A cup of coffee with some International Delight and, oh my, delicious.
Now I have to make it! It sounds so good!
Now, usually I try to put whole wheat flour in all our recipes. This recipe can be made with half white and half wheat but sometimes I just use white flour. I know - naughty naughty. I try to put the wheat flour in it for health reasons, but every now and then I get crazy and use only white!
3 eggs - beat in bowl until thick
1 cup milk
1/2 cup melted butter
1 tbsp vanilla
Mix all wet ingredients together.
In separate bowl mix the following dry ingredients:
2 cups flour - all white or half white and half wheat - sift into bowl. In a camper I have a small sifter just for these yummy waffles.
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp baking powder
2 tsp sugar - white or another healthier sugar
Then mix the dry ingredients.
Add the wet to the dry and stir quickly.
If you want to go healthy, add a tbsp wheat germ and some ground flax seed.
After adding this to the waffle iron, we add chopped pecans.
This is great served with sausage.
When we want to go "all out", we heat up berries, apples, or peaches. Put those over the top of the pecan waffles and put some whip cream on top. We used to make the whip cream from scratch, now I just buy it.
Otherwise we just put syrup on top.
A cup of coffee with some International Delight and, oh my, delicious.
Now I have to make it! It sounds so good!
Finally, the pancake recipe I told you about!
This is a pancake recipe I have used for years with my family. We tried bunches of other recipes and none compared to this.
1 1/4 cup white flour
1 1/4 cup wheat flour
(If you don't like wheat you could use all white)
4 tbsp sugar - you can use turbinado or another healthier type than white sugar. I also have used stevia, just about one tbsp as it is much stronger than regular sugar.
4 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp salt
Mix all above ingredients in bowl.
Put all wet ingredients in a separate bowl.
2 eggs
3 cups milk
6 tbsp. oil - we use olive oil
Then by our taste and preference, we add about a cup of applesauce, a tbsp of wheat germ, and a tbsp of ground flax seed. You don't have to add these ingredients.
Sometimes I mash a banana and throw it in but I get a few groans when I do this.
1 tbsp vanilla - which is optional, too.
Mix all wet ingredients and then add them to the dry. Stir quickly so it doesn't clump.
We like our pancakes thinner so sometimes I add a little more milk to get the consistency that I want.
I then put the left over batter in the fridge and make fresh pancakes every morning for about 5 days. We try to make the batter on Monday.
Now, sometimes I just don't have time to fuss with two separate bowls for the ingredients so I throw it all in one bowl and stir right away trying to keep the clumps out.
Every now and then a put a few dark chocolate chips in it to surprise the kids.
We usually buy real maple syrup from Sam's Club. It is quite affordable there.
Enjoy!
P.S. Waffle recipe coming next!
1 1/4 cup white flour
1 1/4 cup wheat flour
(If you don't like wheat you could use all white)
4 tbsp sugar - you can use turbinado or another healthier type than white sugar. I also have used stevia, just about one tbsp as it is much stronger than regular sugar.
4 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp salt
Mix all above ingredients in bowl.
Put all wet ingredients in a separate bowl.
2 eggs
3 cups milk
6 tbsp. oil - we use olive oil
Then by our taste and preference, we add about a cup of applesauce, a tbsp of wheat germ, and a tbsp of ground flax seed. You don't have to add these ingredients.
Sometimes I mash a banana and throw it in but I get a few groans when I do this.
1 tbsp vanilla - which is optional, too.
Mix all wet ingredients and then add them to the dry. Stir quickly so it doesn't clump.
We like our pancakes thinner so sometimes I add a little more milk to get the consistency that I want.
I then put the left over batter in the fridge and make fresh pancakes every morning for about 5 days. We try to make the batter on Monday.
Now, sometimes I just don't have time to fuss with two separate bowls for the ingredients so I throw it all in one bowl and stir right away trying to keep the clumps out.
Every now and then a put a few dark chocolate chips in it to surprise the kids.
We usually buy real maple syrup from Sam's Club. It is quite affordable there.
Enjoy!
P.S. Waffle recipe coming next!
Cooking in bear country
So often I hear stories about campers, bears, food, and trouble.
But, what about in a hard sided camper? Is it a problem?
Upon arriving in Colorado Springs, our camp host told me to not even cook fish in the camper. There were two mother bears and cubs that came to the campground every day as well as a mother bear and twins and a male bear up the road.
I thought I would be fine to cook fish in the camper...not so. While we were at that campground, her home had a window broken by the bear, a neighbor had a male bear break into his home and truck, and another home was broken into down the mountain, all by the same group of bears.
The Denver news showed a hard sided camper that was broken into by a bear. It ripped the door right off!
Camping and cooking in bear country can be really tricky. I don't think we can be too safe. Bears are extremely unpredictable and ridiculously strong and determined. Add those three attributes together and you have a recipe for trouble.
One morning my husband and I were eating left over strawberry shortcake with cool whip and a cup of coffee. It wasn't long before we saw mama bear and her cub walking down the road towards our camper. Mama's nose was swinging back and forth as I'm sure visions of shortcake danced in her furry head. She made it down the road and turned towards our camper. It was at this point I got up and made a break for the camper. Shae stood up and watched as she came towards us and then changed her mind and went into the woods.
Cody, my 18 yr old, took the garbage out only to find mama and cub by the dumpster. She stood up on her back legs and gave him a good lookin' over. Cody hurried back to the camper with his heart pumping and adrenaline running on high.
A gentleman, who is a first responder, told us a bear had broken into his truck, opened up his center console, ate his granola/fitness bars, then continued to climb out the other door. The bear had to open both doors! They are smart creatures!
When we were in Yosemite, I was shocked to see signs telling us not to leave food in sight. There bears will look in the windows, apparently, to see if there is food in the vehicle!
So, I knew our van would be able to supply them with enough food for the winter! I shouldn't have been surprised when mama bear and cub came out from the back door to surprise Cody, once again, as he was getting into the drivers door.
I have said all of this to remind everyone just how serious this issue can be. It is important to NOT throw food outside, anywhere. If we do, it is like inviting the bears to a party at your camper!
We do not leave coolers outside with food in them.
When we walked around, I always had a bear bell and bear spray. Usually black bears aren't aggressive so if they can hear us coming, they will run.
But, there are hundred of stories of black bears attacking people. They are not cute, furry pets, but instead strong, fast, and protective animals.
Where we are camping now, there is a bear that comes to the dumpster at night. I try to be very careful not to leave any food outside. At dawn and dusk, no one walks alone.
Now, I must admit, they are amazing creatures to see. The cubs are so cute I just want to snuggle with them. Mama bear isn't so cute, I know she will rip my head off if I get between her and her baby! We have been thankful to see so many bears in somewhat safe environments, but I have no desire to see one again. I prefer safety over excitement!
But, what about in a hard sided camper? Is it a problem?
Upon arriving in Colorado Springs, our camp host told me to not even cook fish in the camper. There were two mother bears and cubs that came to the campground every day as well as a mother bear and twins and a male bear up the road.
I thought I would be fine to cook fish in the camper...not so. While we were at that campground, her home had a window broken by the bear, a neighbor had a male bear break into his home and truck, and another home was broken into down the mountain, all by the same group of bears.
The Denver news showed a hard sided camper that was broken into by a bear. It ripped the door right off!
Camping and cooking in bear country can be really tricky. I don't think we can be too safe. Bears are extremely unpredictable and ridiculously strong and determined. Add those three attributes together and you have a recipe for trouble.
One morning my husband and I were eating left over strawberry shortcake with cool whip and a cup of coffee. It wasn't long before we saw mama bear and her cub walking down the road towards our camper. Mama's nose was swinging back and forth as I'm sure visions of shortcake danced in her furry head. She made it down the road and turned towards our camper. It was at this point I got up and made a break for the camper. Shae stood up and watched as she came towards us and then changed her mind and went into the woods.
Cody, my 18 yr old, took the garbage out only to find mama and cub by the dumpster. She stood up on her back legs and gave him a good lookin' over. Cody hurried back to the camper with his heart pumping and adrenaline running on high.
A gentleman, who is a first responder, told us a bear had broken into his truck, opened up his center console, ate his granola/fitness bars, then continued to climb out the other door. The bear had to open both doors! They are smart creatures!
When we were in Yosemite, I was shocked to see signs telling us not to leave food in sight. There bears will look in the windows, apparently, to see if there is food in the vehicle!
So, I knew our van would be able to supply them with enough food for the winter! I shouldn't have been surprised when mama bear and cub came out from the back door to surprise Cody, once again, as he was getting into the drivers door.
I have said all of this to remind everyone just how serious this issue can be. It is important to NOT throw food outside, anywhere. If we do, it is like inviting the bears to a party at your camper!
We do not leave coolers outside with food in them.
When we walked around, I always had a bear bell and bear spray. Usually black bears aren't aggressive so if they can hear us coming, they will run.
But, there are hundred of stories of black bears attacking people. They are not cute, furry pets, but instead strong, fast, and protective animals.
Where we are camping now, there is a bear that comes to the dumpster at night. I try to be very careful not to leave any food outside. At dawn and dusk, no one walks alone.
 |
| We found these bear tracks right out side our camper. It was a cub, where is mama? |
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| Bear prints by our camper. |
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| Our first time seeing mama bear and cub at the campground. |
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| The cub was so cute! |
 |
| I took all of these pictures from our van. |
Eating Up All Our Food
When we owned our 2800 sq. ft. home I bought food in large quantities. We were members of two food co-ops that we were able to buy healthy food for much cheaper. Now, in a camper, I don't have much room to store food.
It is quite amazing how I am able to cram food in the oddest places. But recently I decided to eat up all the food we have. I have had to buy milk, eggs, butter, and bread. We are eating everything else and sometimes without the usual condiments, because we are out, and without paper plates or much seasoning.
It has made it a little more difficult to make tasty meals out of few ingredients. Creativity is my middle name when it comes to cooking, though.
I was always told to rotate our canned goods so we always have fresh ones on hand. So, we are eating up the peas, beans, sweet taters, fruit, tuna, chicken, etc.
Typically, I like to have a sizable stash of food on hand. If there were an emergency or natural disaster it is recommended to have two weeks of food.
And now with the tenth anniversary of 9-11 coming up, I am a little nervous. I think I'll run to the store tomorrow just to get enough bare essentials to last a couple weeks.
Large grocery stores are almost an hour a way. We are camped way out in the mountains and the two smaller markets are quite expensive and really don't have a large selection.
Do I spend the money on gas to go to the larger store or just spend more on fewer groceries around here?
It is quite amazing how I am able to cram food in the oddest places. But recently I decided to eat up all the food we have. I have had to buy milk, eggs, butter, and bread. We are eating everything else and sometimes without the usual condiments, because we are out, and without paper plates or much seasoning.
It has made it a little more difficult to make tasty meals out of few ingredients. Creativity is my middle name when it comes to cooking, though.
I was always told to rotate our canned goods so we always have fresh ones on hand. So, we are eating up the peas, beans, sweet taters, fruit, tuna, chicken, etc.
Typically, I like to have a sizable stash of food on hand. If there were an emergency or natural disaster it is recommended to have two weeks of food.
And now with the tenth anniversary of 9-11 coming up, I am a little nervous. I think I'll run to the store tomorrow just to get enough bare essentials to last a couple weeks.
Large grocery stores are almost an hour a way. We are camped way out in the mountains and the two smaller markets are quite expensive and really don't have a large selection.
Do I spend the money on gas to go to the larger store or just spend more on fewer groceries around here?
The other day I saw we had three over ripe bananas that were starting to go black in the fruit bowl. It looked like the perfect amount to make some banana bread. So, I dug around in our cook books until I found our write-in recipe book with the recipes given to us by family and friends.
This recipe for Banana bread was given to my mom by my Grandpa Pat, Grami, and Aunt Crista when she went into the Navy.
BANANA BREAD
1 1/2 c. white flour
3/4 c. wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/2 c.
There was no explanation for what exactly the half cup was. I figured it was probably sugar so put some in hoping that was right.
2 eggs
1 c. mashed bananas
There wasn't a temperature for the oven or a time for how long to cook the muffins so I had to guess on that also. 350 seems like a good temperature for about anything so I put them on that for about 15 minutes and thank goodness they came out of the oven fluffy and golden!
The kids love to eat them as bed time snacks. My Dad also likes them as his late night snack at 10pm...11...and 12...
This recipe for Banana bread was given to my mom by my Grandpa Pat, Grami, and Aunt Crista when she went into the Navy.
BANANA BREAD
1 1/2 c. white flour
3/4 c. wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/2 c.
There was no explanation for what exactly the half cup was. I figured it was probably sugar so put some in hoping that was right.
2 eggs
1 c. mashed bananas
There wasn't a temperature for the oven or a time for how long to cook the muffins so I had to guess on that also. 350 seems like a good temperature for about anything so I put them on that for about 15 minutes and thank goodness they came out of the oven fluffy and golden!
The kids love to eat them as bed time snacks. My Dad also likes them as his late night snack at 10pm...11...and 12...
Too many canned goods
I stocked up on canned goods. I mean really stocked up. Yet, I have to consider the weight issue. Campers can only haul so much weight on the inside and food can take up a lot of it.
So, today I dug out all the food I had stashed under the cushions and cabinets around the camper and my family began the process of eating it all.
I was always told that canned food will last forever. Then I was told it is better to eat in within six months. Now, we are eating everything we have to help with weight and to eat it up while it is still nutritious.
Our meals aren't quite as fancy, but still delicious.
So, today I dug out all the food I had stashed under the cushions and cabinets around the camper and my family began the process of eating it all.
I was always told that canned food will last forever. Then I was told it is better to eat in within six months. Now, we are eating everything we have to help with weight and to eat it up while it is still nutritious.
Our meals aren't quite as fancy, but still delicious.
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