Tuesday, July 21, 2009

camp food for the soul...

Fresh Onion Chip Dip...

The chilling time for this fresh-onion dip is an advantage because it helps the flavors blend-and it means you can make it up to a day ahead and tuck it in the cooler. Serve it with sea-salt-and-vinegar potato chips, root-vegetable chips, and/or veggie dippers.

Prep: 15 minutes Cool: 20 minutes Chill: 1 to 24 hours
1 1/2 cups chopped sweet onion (such as Vidalia)
2 Tbsp. butter1 8-oz. carton dairy sour cream
1/4 tsp. celery salt or garlic salt
1/4 tsp. coarsely ground black pepper
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
4 tsp. snipped fresh chives
Milk (optional)
Snipped fresh chives and coarsely ground black pepper (optional)

1. In a medium skillet cook onion in butter about 5 minutes or until tender. Cool.

2. In a blender or food processor combine cooked onion mixture, sour cream, celery salt, 1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Cover and blend or process until nearly smooth. Transfer to a small bowl or totable storage container. Stir in 4 teaspoons chives. Cover and chill for 1 to 24 hours.

3. Before serving, stir in milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, as necessary to thin dip to dipping consistency. Sprinkle with additional chives and black pepper, if desired. Makes 1 1/2 cups.

saucepan baked beans...

1 16-oz. can pork and beans in tomato sauce
1 15-oz. can navy or Great Northern beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup ketchup 2 Tbsp. maple syrup or packed brown sugar
2 tsp. dry mustard
2 slices bacon, crisp-cooked and crumbled
1. In a medium saucepan, combine pork and beans, navy beans, ketchup, maple syrup, and dry mustard. Bring mixture to boiling on grill side burner over medium heat; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, about 10 minutes or until mixture reaches desired consistency, stirring frequently. Top with bacon. Makes about six servings.

A yum start to my outdoor inspired menu!

More tomorrow!!

Monday, July 20, 2009

be one with nature...

I'm dedicating this week to camping and the great outdoors...

I have had this thing with camping lately. Have no idea where it's coming from, especially since I have never been camping. But it sounds like a good time. I just need to convince someone...

So maybe you can't get a away but you have access to a grill! Is it my imagination, or does everything taste better outdoors?!

My outdoor-inspired week is simple but special, and designed to get everyone involved. Whether you're on a weekend retreat or enjoying your own backyard, you'll have time to savor some great food, the great outdoors-and most of all, the moment.





Thursday, July 16, 2009

create your own sleeping porch...

Imagine the rustling wind singing you to sleep. Now, imagine your indoor plumbing lies only steps away. What's not to love about a sleeping porch? I'd love to have one...

The sounds of nature, such as rainfall and wind, work like white noise, calming the mind. It's easy and inexpensive to transform a typical porch into a nocturnal nest. Purchase a folding cot from a camping supply store, and dress it with comfortable bed linens. Add a side table and a lamp for reading.

Sleeping porches first gained popularity at the turn of the 20th century. Many people believed that fresh air helped sufferers of tuberculosis, a respiratory system illness that was the leading cause of death at that time in our country's history. Health experts then also touted the benefits of fresh air for avoiding other illnesses.

While sleeping in fresh air may not be the medical cure-all people once believed it to be, it's still a great way to unwind, relieve stress, and improve sleep.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

collect thermoses...

We've all used them. The thermos changed the way people transported their hot and cold liquids to work, school, or a picnic. I carried mine to school in a plastic lunch box that sported strawberry shortcake...

Colorful thermoses in whimsical patterns, geometrics, and plaids are the most attractive for collectors. Vintage examples include inserts made of mercury glass, pottery, or metal. In the 1950s, the American Thermos Co. produced a Polly Red Top -- a stopper for its 10-ounce Thermos. The manufacturer's name and date is usually found on the body. Thermos prices have risen to $15 for a 1950s quart-size Thermos and $25 for a gallon-size bottle.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Making S'mores...

Did you know the S'more was introduced by the Girl Scouts in 1927? One is never enough...

If a toasted gooey-on-the-inside, crispy-on-the-outside marshmallow sandwiched between melting milk chocolate and flaky graham crackers gets you reminiscing about your camp days, make s'mores.

Try personalizing your s'more with a banana slice, Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, Nutella, or Peppermint Patty in place of the chocolate.

Toasting marshmallows indoors? Set stovetop burner on low heat, place your marshmallow on a metal skewer, and toast to golden brown. Or place the s'mores (without the top cracker) in a 350°F oven for two to three minutes; remove and top with graham cracker.

Not feeling so creative? Check out these cool kits from Laura's Candy, and Cozi.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Glamping, it's all that and s'more...

Camping? Yes. Roughing it? Not Quite...

Forget pitching a tent, and leave that lumpy sleeping bag at home: These glam campsites allow travelers to embrace their inner outdoors man — without actually roughing it.

The Resort at Paws Up - Want to explore the outdoors and sleep under the open skies but covet creature comforts? Welcome to the world of "glamping": for those who only want to sleep under 'five stars'. When was the last time you went "glamping"? Come, experience it at The Last Best Place in Montana.

El Capitan Canyon - Perched on the rocky coast just north of Santa Barbara, this nature resort offers all manner of creature comforts, including 26 spacious safari tents with queen-size willow beds and electric lamps, plus bathhouses with hot showers.

Dunton Hot Springs - Experience the Wild West in your own private tepee at this luxurious resort and spa in a restored ghost town.

Huckleberry Tent & Breakfast - With just three tents on 52 acres, peace, quiet, and some of the starriest skies imaginable are all but guaranteed at this wilderness retreat in the Cabinet Mountains. The tents feature quilt-covered iron beds and wood-burning stoves.

Friday, July 3, 2009

4th of july events...

Find a place to celebrate red, white and blue near you...

WASHINGTON, D.C.
Smithsonian Folklife Festival National Mall, July 1-5 (202) 633-0653.
America’s 2009 Independence Day Parade Constitution Avenue, July 4 (1-800-215-6405).

VIRGINIA
Harborfest and Fourth of July Great American Picnic & Fireworks Norfolk, Town Point Park, July 3-5 (757) 441-2345.
Liberty Celebration Yorktown Victory Center, July 4-5 (1-888-593-4682).

MARYLAND
Fourth of July Celebration Baltimore, Inner Harbor, July 4 (1-877-225-8466).

sweet treats...

Stay cool on the 4th of July with this patriotic ice cream sweet treat.

INGREDIENTS

6 waffle-cone bowls, such as Keebler Waffle Bowls
1 pint(s) raspberry sorbet
1 pint(s) blueberry sorbet
1 pint(s) vanilla ice cream
Whipped cream or whipped topping, to taste
Maraschino cherries and star-shaped sprinkles (optional), for garnish

DIRECTIONS

In each waffle bowl, place one scoop of raspberry sorbet, one scoop blueberry sorbet, and one scoop of vanilla ice cream. Top with whipped cream, a maraschino cherry, and star-shaped sprinkles, if desired.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

stars and strips...

Dress up your house for the 4th of July with American flags of different sizes and red, white, and blue banners!

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

american flags...

Collectors hold a very special place in their hearts — and homes — for antique American flags.

Small parade flags, or hand-wavers, have been a part of American life since the 1840s.

Examples from the 19th century start at $200. The 48-star variety, made between 1912 and 1959, can be found for about $5 to $25 each.

This cheerful cluster dates from the 1940s. Be on the lookout for other flags including:

The 13-STAR flags that have been made throughout our nation's history. This mid-19th-century piece is extremely rare; medallion patterns that feature one or no stars in the center are more common.

The CIVIL WAR flags are a popular category with collectors. Most from this period were made for military use. A red-and-white fringe distinguishes this c. 1865 36-star artillery battery flag.