Sunset Explorer

Radar Guy

2009-08-18T13:50:00.002-05:00

Radarguy.com is up and running. There are a good number of different radar detectors available with manufacturers like, Rocky Mountain Radar, Whistler and then you have Cobra Radar detectors as well. Don't get caught speeding out there when you're heading for your next fishing trip or camping trip. I know school is starting, so these items could help your teenager in high school maybe from getting into trouble.
For the fisherman or woman, there are a couple of GPS locators on the radarguy.com site as well. There is a fishfinder, I believe that one is a handheld, and then a boat mount GPS.
There is an excellent GPS for the truckers out there needing a GPS for their business, to find all those back roads that a lot of companies tend to be on. The gps's are the popular brand of Garmin and TomTom.
Check it out, you won't be disappointed. I especially like the red, white and blue theme they have set up on the site.

2009-07-14T13:18:00.003-05:00

I have to apologize for not keeping up with my blog site right now. Currently I am building 2 web sites and this is taking all my efforts and especially all my spare time. I will try my hardest to keep up with my blogs and giving you real time, interesting information.
The 2 sites that I am currently working on are www.radarguy.com where I will be selling radar detectors, GPS and soon more equipment items like camping gear, and car stereos. A lot of nice stuff for you.
My other site which will be handled by my wife is, www.sensualhairextensions.com. Selling hair weave/extensions, wigs, Remi 100% human hair. A large selection of the finest quality hair on the market.
Check these sites out in the near future.

Lose Those Fourth of July Cookout Calories!

2009-07-05T23:22:00.004-05:00

This July 4th weekend is all about freedom, so don't feel guilty if you exercised yours a little too much at your family BBQ! I hope you had that burger, beer, macaroni salad and whatever else was on the menu at your mid-summer party, and now you can make the necessary diet adjustments. Here are some simple steps to get back on track!

1) If you're Thirsty, Drink Water
Good old water is a better way to stay hydrated than those carbonated drinks —those tingly bubbles just end up in your belly, causing it to puff out more.

2) Cook your Veggies
A half-cup serving of cooked carrots delivers the same nutrition as one cup raw, but it takes up less room in your GI tract.

3) Season without Salt
You may be attracted to your saltshaker, but water is, too. When you take in higher than usual amounts sodium, you’ll temporarily retain more fluid, contributing to that sluggish feeling, a puffy appearance, and extra water weight.

4) Less Carbs and More Protein
As a backup energy source, your muscles store a type of carbohydrate called glycogen, and every gram of glycogen is stored with about 3 grams of water. But unless you have a vigorous exercise routine, you don't need all this stockpiled fuel. When you decrease the carbs, you'll temporarily train your body to access this stored fuel and burn it off. At the same time, you'll drain off excess stored fluids.

5) Season food with flavors that won't Bloat the Belly.
Feel the heat for one night, then lay off the barbecue sauce and garlic for a few days while debloating. Give dishes a flavor boost with in-season fresh or dried herbs like dill, basil, mint, sage, tarragon, and rosemary.

6) Chew Seeds, Not Gum
If you chew gum by habit try to reach for some nuts, like roasted or raw unsalted sunflower seeds. "Cause when you chew gum, you swallow air. All that air gets trapped in your GI tract and causes pressure, bloating, and belly expansion.

And please, Remember the Fallen, who sacrificed their lives for your freedom on this Independence Day!

2009-06-28T12:01:00.002-05:00

The following article, I feel, is very useful and helpful for anyone interested in radar and laser detectors. The article was written on detecttheradar.com

Radar Detectors

Radar detectors are devices used to detect speed sensing equipment used by law enforcement.There are three types of mounts available.

The first type of detector is a corded unit that attaches to the windshield using suction cups and "plugs" into the power supply by the cord.The second type of detector is a cordless unit. The detector is usually battery powered and is more easily transferred between vehicles.The last type of detector is remote mounted and is permanently mounted in the vehicle. It cannot be transferred between vehicles.

All types of radar detectors have the ability to detect some level of radar signals, but there are several different options available.One of the options available among radar detectors is the ability to detect laser signals. Some police officers use radar that has laser speed detection.

These speed guns are more accurate and can be used to determine speed from further away. The radar detector able to detect laser signals gives the driver the ability to determine that his speed is being checked by laser long before the laser gun can actually determine the speed of the car.

In some states, radar detectors are not legal and cannot be used. Some radar detectors have an option that makes it "invisible" to radar guns. VG-2 and Spectre protection is basic shielding that alerts the driver that radar detection detectors are being used by police officers.

Stealth mode, another option, alerts the driver and then shuts down the radar detector to prevent detection by law enforcement. Lastly, some detectors offer "invisible" modes that totally make the radar detectors undetectable by law enforcement but still allow the radar detector to function. The higher the level of protection from detection that is available, the more the radar detector will cost you.Another useful feature of some radar detectors is voice alerts.

All radar detectors have different tones for different alerts, but sometimes it is necessary to take your eyes off the road to check the detector. The need to check the detector can be lessened by voice alert. This feature actually tells you what the tone is for and allows you to keep your eyes on the road at all times.

The average police officer on flat terrain can detect your speed from ¼ mile away. It is important that your radar detector can detect impulses from law enforcement from at least 1 ½ miles away to as much as 4 miles away in order to be able to slow down and take in your surroundings.

While many people choose to have a radar detector to keep from receiving a speeding ticket, radar detectors can be used also to determine the presence of police activity in the area. This could be an indicator of an automobile crash or some other traffic incident that will result in a slow-down in traffic.

With all the options available, make sure you spend time reviewing your driving needs before you choose which radar detector you will buy.

Amelia's Cajun Jambalaya

2009-06-23T14:20:00.002-05:00

Due to our trip to New Orleans, I would like to add a new recipe that’s a definite favorite:

Amelia’s Cajun Jambalaya

Ingredients:
1. 2 boxes Zatarains Jambalaya mix
2. 1lb. ground sirloin
3. 1pkg beef or pork sausage link
4. 1/2stk real butter
5. 1 drop crab boil(secret ingredient)
6. 1/2Bell Pepper
7. 1 garlic clove
8. 1 celery stalk( not the whole celery stalk, just 1 stick)
9. 1 6oz. carnation chili peppers(an added variation if preferred)

Cut the beef or pork sausage link into approx. ¼ to ½ “slices, then sauté until fully cooked and set aside.

Combine the following in a skillet:

Ground sirloin, bell pepper (chopped fine), 1clove of garlic (smashed and chopped),
Celery stalk (chopped fine), can of carnation chili peppers.
Cook sirloin and veggies until sirloin is good and brown. Then, drain grease from sirloin.

In a large pot, add water(approx. 2 cups per box), the jambalaya mix, real butter; bring to a boil over medium high heat.

While rice is boiling, add 1 drop of liquid crab boil (just to give a hint of Cajun flavor).
When the rice is almost done add the ground sirloin and the sautéed sausage.
Cook until the rice is soft and done and the water is gone, stirring frequently.

Radar Detectors and Traveling

2009-06-19T17:21:00.007-05:00

Traveling is adventurous! My Family and I just returned last night from our summer vacation, and have I got news for you. Purchase a radar laser detector. We love to drive around the country, there are just so many things to see. We traveled through Kansas, Missouri( from Kansas City to St. Louis), Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia (to Atlanta), Pensacola Florida, New Orleans, Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma. Of course we had rests along the way, staying with family.
The news I have for you is not that the gas prices have gone up for summer trips(approx.$2.45 to $2.65 a gallon), but rather the highway patrol is everywhere! And I mean it. If you tend to have a lead foot or just try to push the 5 mile an hour unspoken rule, you had better be prepared with a little protection sitting on your dash. Meaning a radar and laser detector. Click hear to check out one that I know about, and it is neat. Or, for a little less, click here.
These babies will help protect you. These highway patrolman are not always seen, but with this early warning radar detector, you'll be as ready for the road as you can get. I hate to sound like a commercial and I know it does from my proof reading. I don't mean it to sound like that. But, it's crazy out there without a radar detector.

Weekend Fishing/Catfish Bait Recipe

2009-06-13T07:50:00.007-05:00

It's the weekend again, and you know what that means! Fishing! This weekend we (Mike and I) are trying for catfish and hopefully we'll catch some. Here are some tips you can try out on your fishing trip!

Rod and Reel

When fishing for catfish it’s good to have a nice strong rod and reel. An Eagle claw® Featherlight rod is pretty good. It’s got a 5-6 ft. rod with a 6 pound test line great for small catfish.

Fishing Line

You should always change your line about every six months; because of the sun and water your line may become weak.

Where to fish

When going after catfish you look for area’s that catfish may be in such as under water logs, reeded and rocky spots.

Bait

You have many different kinds of bait used to catch catfish. The one’s used most is hog wild and chicken liver. But you have many other kinds of catfish bait like meal worms, night crawlers, stink bait, marshmallows, cheese garlic balls, soft bait, blood worms, frogs etc. You can also make your own bait when fishing for catfish.

Catfish Bait Recipe

Take a can of dog food and mix it with 1oz of garlic, ½ cup of cornmeal, ¼ cup of cheese. Roll into little balls about the size of a marble, just big enough to cover what ever size hook you are using. Garlic is for smell, corn meal and cheese help hold the dog food together longer. After you roll the bait balls keep them in a cool place, it works better.

Weight
The weight is very important. Weight will determine how far or how short you will be able to cast your cast your line. If you’re near or over rocks use top action. Use 1/8oz weight and a float to keep you on the top of the water and out of the rocks. If you’re using any ounce of egg weight your weight will rise a little off the bottom. If you’re using 1/2oz or 1oz lead weight its best if you put your weight on the bottom and your rig above the weight.

Hooks
Be sure not sto use a hook that is to big for the bait you are using. If you’re using night crawlers you might want to use a 4 or 6 size hook. If you’re using chicken liver you might won’t to use a 2 or 4 size hook. If you’re using stink bait, soft bait, cheese or hog wild bait use a size 8 treble hook.

Mom's O'BRIEN KIELBASA SKILLET Recipe

2009-06-09T17:49:00.002-05:00

O'BRIEN KIELBASA SKILLET

INGREDIENTS - 1 POUND FULLY COOK KIELBASA SAUSAGE CUT INTO 1/2 INCH PIECES. We have used smoked sausage, and ham. Left over baked chicken would be
good also. We have also used Jimmy Deans fresh sausage)

1 (24 ounce) package frozen O'Brien hash brown potatoes
3 tablespoons cooking oil and olive oil.
pepper to taste

1. In a large skillet, brown sausage, remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Add potatoes and oil to sausage drippings. Cover and cook over medium heat until
browned. Season with pepper. Return sausage to the pan, cover and cook until heated through. (If any leftovers, its good with eggs for breakfast)

Love Mom

Radar/Laser Detectors

2009-06-08T12:16:00.006-05:00

Since we have brought up the use of radar and laser detectors, I would like to refer to an article written by Robert Grazian.

Early warning radar detectors minimize chances of getting a speeding ticket. People who spend lots of time in their car visiting, vacationing, commuting must show some sensibility and make their lives secure and safe as far as possible. Early warning radar detectors alert you to emergency hazards vehicles, simultaneously reminding you that you are driving at a dangerous speed. Life is really busy these days. Due to such busy life it is simply not possible for people to avoid the speeding rules. Every place has a different set of rules for speed limits. One has to drive according to these rules. But situation does not always allow people to drive according to the speed limit situations. Speed limits are to be followed, but in certain situations people are not able to do that. In this situation, people prefer to have a radar detector in their car. In this way the radar detectors help them in speed reduction when radar is closer by. In this way one can drive at full pace where there is no speed detector. Once you get nearer to radar, the detector warns you and you can always slow down to avoid the speeding ticket. The earlier you get the warning of this radar the better it will be for you.
This device has a accurate level of reading signals and also determines how far they are. It does not radiate signals that can be located by the police gadget. Thus it gives the driver highest protection. The voice alert allows you to concentrate on driving and on the road. This device prevents false alarm, protects the vehicle from all direction, alerts against hazardous roads, rail road crossings and emergency vehicles. It helps to determine the distance between the police and the driver.
Speeding has become a norm and is commonly accepted. Early warning radar detectors have become a necessity for the drivers since it helps to get away with the law. When the driver is alerted in advance, he gets ample time to adjust his speed. All these are basically help to evade speeding tickets.
Radar detectors will let you drive confidently with pressure and stress. This is what your investment will give you. Detectors are available in 3 varieties: cordless, corded and remote mounted. Cordless detector is generally easy to install. Corded detector provides the supreme limit of detection and is usually installed on the windshield. Remote mounted detectors are undetected by thieves. This device is useful in urban areas.
We can only conclude that early warning radar detectors can be beneficial to people who drive long distance daily and unable to check the speedometer constantly. Occasional travelers must drive cautiously within the speeding limits and save the expense of buying a radar detector.
Robert Grazian is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about early warning radar detectors visit Best Radar Detectors for current articles and discussions.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Grazian

A radar detector that would be excellent could be found here.

Weekend of Wii and Pizza

2009-06-08T07:28:00.007-05:00

This weekend I got to spend time with Mikes nephews. There was a lot of junk food and video game action over the duration! We don't get to spend too much time with the kids but now that school's out, we'll be able to see a lot more of them.

The only drag is the drive to pick them up. They live about 40 minutes away. Its not that far but it is that boring. Like a flat sea of nothing to look at! On that drive, it's easy to get a heavy foot if you know what I mean. I dont get too worried though, it's a flat stretch with not a lot of patrol on it. Plus I have one of those handy dandy radars that let me know if I should ease up on the gas pedal. I haven't had it for very long and but it does come in handy! It alerts me if there's any road hazards, emergency vehicles, railroad crossings and if someone's on patrol! If your ever traveling it is something I would definitely recommend having, and using.

*Travel Tips* -

Pack a "Car Kit" for each child. Choose age-appropriate items including crayons or markers, pads of paper, bandanas, personal travel pillows, games, small toys, a few treats
Pack electronic devices. Consider a Radar Detector, portable DVD player, GPS receiver, and audio books. Electronic entertainment devices can be helpful if you're stuck in a traffic jam or you've exhausted all other options.
Pack good eats. Though the kids may argue this point, it is not necessary to stop at every fast-food joint along the way. In fact, it is possible to get good nutrition on the road. Make sure everyone drinks twice as much water as they might at home. Take a good cooler along and eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables

Well aside from the drive the weekend was a lot of fun. The kids brought their Wii, and we rented a fun game, and bought some Take N Bake pizza.

(*Tip for when cooking pizza- After baking on the tray for 10 minutes, slide it directly onto the rack for a few minutes to crisp it up!*)

I know the kids had fun and so did we, so it was tough having to take them back home. We, once again, made that 40 minute drive (radar protected drive that is) both ways and stopped off for Frostys to end the weekend on a high note.

Eco-Friendly Candles

2009-05-31T10:27:00.010-05:00

Today the crafty side of me came out and as I stood looking at my closet full of sewing items, latch hook kits etc etc I finally decided to try something different. Today I would try to make candles. I've made candles before but today, like I said, needed to be different. So I hit up the local craft store and bought eco friendly supplies. I ended up making beautiful non-toxic, soot-free candles. It was easy and a lot of fun! It's easy to make eco-friendly candles. One of the highest goals of making less-toxic candles is to make them free of petroleum products, such as synthetic fragrance. You can even buy vegetable wax in craft stores. One brand (that I used) offers microwaveable soy wax and the process was very, very easy. Beeswax is another pure wax choice, although it was expensive. I personally just love the smell of pure beeswax candles, but today I was on a budget.

Since I prefer scented candles, I used only pure essential oils and only about 5 drops for 2 cups of dried wax flakes. Just added the essential oils after the wax had melted and was removed from the heat. Many aromatherapy candles are very soft due to overuse of fragrance, and these candles cause problems with candle soot. Making your own helps you control how much fragrance/essential oil you include.

Lastly I bought wicks without lead. Although I chose wicks without any metal inside, there are now lead-free wicks available in craft stores.

So I finally have some beautiful eco friendly candles to use with my beautiful Renaissance- esque candle holder thats been a center piece on my dresser for months now. The candle gives the room a romantic glow and the way it illuminates the Renaissance candle holder makes it look really elegant.

Titanium (The Space Age Metal) vs. Steel

2009-05-31T08:37:00.006-05:00

It's a beautiful day here in the mid-west. Might just have to take the boat out and do some fishing. But, that's not all that I want to talk about right now. As promised in an earlier blog, I wanted to speak about the titanium knives and their qualities. Although I am not an expert, this is some of the information I have been able to find.
Titanium has a much better structural strength. Titanium is as strong as some steels, but 45% lighter. Against the competition titanium wins hands down. Steel is vastly more plentiful and thus much cheaper. That would explain why, for instance, the Titanium kitchen knife set that I had suggested in an earlier blog is more expensive than other cooking knives. The two most useful properties of this metal are corrosion resistance, and the highest strength-to-weight ratio of any metal.
Titanium is used in drill bits, aircraft, armor plating, naval ships, spacecraft, missiles, fishing line and leader, for diver's knives, many sporting goods, designer jewelry. Because it's also non-toxic and is not rejected by the body titanium is used in medical applications such as, hip balls and socket used in joint replacement. Because it is not magnetic, patients with implants can be safely examined in MRI's.
Conclusion: Titanium is the ultimate material for light weight, long life, and corrosion free performance used in some of the best chef knife sets.

Sweet, Sweet Music.... From My Car!

2009-05-29T15:31:00.023-05:00

So, today I'm really excited because I got my new stereo system for my car! It's a Kenwood KDC-138 AM/FM/CD-RECEIVER. I've been waiting about a week for it since I ordered it online. Turns out that installing a Kenwood car stereo is actually not as hard as I was dreading. Well, I did have help from my personal auto body tech (Mike :P).

A little background on my car and why this Kenwood stereo is so awesome: I love to listen to music when I drive and I feel like I am constantly driving somewhere. So, when I bought my 1981 Mustang (awesome car by the way), I was more upset that it didn't have a stereo system than I was about it not having A/C! So I finally ordered my stereo and can enjoy my car rides again, even if I am dying in the heat! Now, I know that, not everyone is as into Kenwwod receivers, so, I know of a couple other links for you to check out. This one also has a 7" screen that's a DVD player and receiver. Or check this one out. Hurry though, I'm not sure how long they'll be there.

I decided to post a how-to for anyone who might purchase a new car stereo and need some help installing it... that way you don't have to pay a small fortune for someone else to install it.

*(A Step by Step How-To)*

http://www.ehow.com/how_866_install-car-stereo.html

*(A Visual Resource)*

Removing the Holding Screws for Car Stereo Installation -- powered by eHow.com

Good luck and enjoy your new (or old) car stereo!

Reflecting on Memorial Day

2009-05-27T15:33:00.013-05:00

Okay, so by now I guess it's pretty obvious, Mike and I love to fish! So, naturally, this Memorial Day was a perfect day to do some fishing!

Mike, his dad, and I went to our "secret" fishing spot, set up the BBQ and started fishing. The guys were all excited because his dad just got his new Featherlight Spinning Rod fishing p ole that he ordered off of the Internet. It's a nice fishing pole and it apparently did the job 'cause his dad caught 4 fish! But, we'll get to that later.

We BBQ'd up some steaks and my favorite, BBQ chicken. It was nice to just relax and chat about all kinds of things, relevant or not. We all got some good laughs at our dog's expense. He's afraid of the fishing poles so he kept running to the car every time someone cast out. It was good family quality time that we haven't shared in a while. I even learned a few pointers on grilling, like how to gauge cooking time by the thickness of the steaks. (I'm good in the kitchen, but grilling is really Mike's thing!)

*If you need some grilling tips, I found this great video on You Tube you can check out.*

Not only was the grilling going good, the fish were biting good too. As I said, Mike's dad caught 4 bass with his new fishing pole and Mike caught 3 himself. I only got a few bites here and there myself since the fish seem to avoid me. It was a catch and release kind of day, nothing sizable enough to take home.

Of course, Memorial Day isn't just for grilling and fishing. It's to remember the ones who made the ultimate sacrifice to make our great country free. Monday I remembered my brother, a heroic soldier. PFC Richard DeWater, 21, made the ultimate sacrifice April 15, 2009 in Korrengal Valley, Afghanistan. He was a good man and a great friend to all who knew him and he was most certainly a hero to be remembered this Memorial Day.

All in all, it was a good Memorial Day. A good family day full of fishing, food, stories, laughs, and, of course, memories of our beloved Rick. I hope your Memorial Day was as full of love and laughs as mine!

Amelia's Cajun Shrimp Boil Recipe

2009-05-27T12:41:00.006-05:00

Shrimp Boil For 2 Lbs.

Ingredients:
Crab Boil 1 Bottle per 2lbs
Whole Garlic Clove 1 smashed and chopped in half
Celery 4 to 5 sticks 1 ½ to 2 in.
Salt 2 tablespoons
Sugar 1 tablespoon
Lemon 1 ½ whole lemons cut into halves

In a 16 quart pot, fill ¾ full of water. Add ingredients. Allow to boil until water is rolling. Add 2lbs of shrimp. Cook for a minimum of 4 min. to a maximum of 6 min. No more.
Remove from heat, cover and let sit for 15 min. to allow for the shrimp to absorb the spices. Remove from pot and enjoy.

After removing the shrimp, for an added Cajun flare, add corn and or red potatoes and let boil until done.

After using the secrets of on-line dating for women, and you find that someone you would love to impress, use this special cajun recipe.

Comments and Posts

2009-05-26T19:32:00.006-05:00

The comments section can now be accessed by just clicking on the word 'comment' below the specific blog that you want to make a comment on.

Happy Memorial Day.

2009-05-25T19:38:00.001-05:00

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY

Great Fish Recipe!

2009-05-25T13:17:00.015-05:00

It's getting hotter and the fish are biting! The Pecos River has been stocked with trout and Mike brought one home to prove it! I made a delicious trout dinner and I just wanted to share the recipe.

Honey Mustard Grilled Trout

Ingriedients

1/4 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
1 tablespoon honey
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
4 large onions, cut in 1/2 inch slices
6 (6 ounce) fillets trout

Coat grill rack with nonstick cooking spray before starting the grill. In a bowl, combine the first five ingredients. Place onions cut side down on grill rack with sides touching. Arrange fillets on onion slices. Cover and grill over medium-hot heat for 5 minutes. Baste with mustard mixture. Cook 5-6 minutes longer or until fish flakes easily with a fork, basting frequently. Discard onion slices.

*Now I know a fishy smell on the fingers can be hard to banish, but it must be done! There are a few different ways:

Simply wash your hands with the juice from a lemon.
There are some proprietary products about 2in long, made from stainless steel that claim that they will rid your fingers of fish and onion smells. Simply wash your hands under running water, treating the product like a bar of soap. Surprisingly, I find that they do indeed work.
Save yourself the cost of purchasing the above item and simply rub your wet hands vigourously against the inside of a stainless steel kitchen sink! Again, much to my surprise - it works.*

The trout was delicious! And not to mention that now would be the perfect time to bust out your best cutlery set and fillet knives and show of your true cooking skills! If you don't have a good set or are in the market for some, Titanium Pro Chef Cutlery is the best and most reasonably priced set I've seen out there thus far. They come with the Cyclone kitchen shears, a utility knife and a fillet knife, perfect for cleaning and filleting those fish! Hurry!! You won't regret it.

Speaking of Camping...

2009-05-24T17:14:00.007-05:00

I just recently celebrated my first Anniversary with my boyfriend Mike. We decided to go camping at the Lake close to town, Brantley Lake. Well, we booked a month in advance to get the best camping spot. It had a gorgeous view of the lake and was really private compared to the other spots. I loved that this spot came with an electrical outlet, a bar-b-q and an awning covered picnic table. Friday morning we went and got all the stuff we would need (we had our tent already), food ice, and of course charcoal. We love to bar-b-q and we got some Angus beef to make killer hamburgers! By Friday afternoon, we were set to go!

Well, naturally, things didn't go as smoothly as planned...

A.- The weather was bad. Windy, cloudy and a light drizzle.... swimming was out.
B. - Worst of all things, NM had put a FIRE RESTRICTION in effect!!! A pretty pink tag that was tagged to our Bar-b-q read "No Charcoal, No Firewood" Great now how were we supposed to eat!

Needless to say we were a little distressed. Here we had booked a month in advance and now we couldn't even eat those oh so delicious Angus beef burgers we bought especially for our bar-b-q! Well after running around the campgrounds to see what other campers were doing, we noticed they had an advantage, PORTABLE STOVES! Why didn't we think of that?

Our fellow campers suggested we talk to the Campground host. (We called them the permanent campers!) Luckily the campground host was as down to earth as we had hoped someone who lived at a campsite would be haha. He told us he didn't even know those tags were there, he made a phone call and then informed us that the fire restrictions went into affect that morning and he was even a little bummed because he was preparing a bonfire of his own!

So how did we eat your wondering, right? Well luck was on our side this time and the campsite host told us that "as long as you don't burn the place down, I won't say anything." WooHoo! We bar-b-qued that night and the next day, thanks to that down to earth campground host. Next time we vowed not to chance it though, we did some research and bought our little portable stove like the other campers had! We bought the Nature's Quest Portable Camp Stove. Just click on that link to see it. It works great and was cheaper than a lot of other stoves we saw online. A definite recommend to anyone who is planning a camping trip, or just needs a portable stove!

So, the moral of this story... don't go camping unprepared!

Camping and Cooking

2009-05-24T10:06:00.009-05:00

Initially, I want to go way back to establish relevance or at least some history that generated my interest and made me want to gain more knowledge. From back in the days of growing up, going on camping trips with Mom, Dad and my brothers, then, on to camping with the Boy Scouts of America, I have used or had learned to use the essential tools required of cooking. Preparing the food, which always required a good set of knives and other utensils. The Coleman portable camping stove, which took some doing, pumping it up and throwing a lit match at it. That was always fun to watch.
I really have always loved a camp fire. Setting around, enjoying some well cooked marshmallows or maybe just to stay warm during the early morning or late evenings. Loved that smell, too.
My interest in cooking grew even more when I was in high school as I was asked to become a cook at the Hillcrest Country Club, in Kansas City, by the chef and sioux chef. I was working as a dish washer there at the time and I guess they liked how hard I worked. So, one of the first things I had to do was to get a good professional knife set. All I could afford at the time was a chefs knife and a boning knife. A good set of knives that would last and keep a good edge didn't come cheep.
I worked hard to learn the business and get as as good as I could. I really enjoyed cooking. After working there for quite some time , the sioux chef told me we were going to be hired as a team, him being the chef and me the sioux chef at the Waikiki Beach hotel in Hawaii. Unfortunately, the chef, who was his dad, took ill and we were not able to go. Too bad, we were a good team. Soon after graduating high school I went into the military and made it a career. I worked as a precision electronics measurement technician, which I also really loved doing. Even in the military, though not a cook, I was always faced with the need to have to cook and I've always had a good kitchen cutlery set. One set that I can recommend is at: http://titaniumknives.totalwarehouse.com/. It's a titanium set, something that I'll blog on later.