by jphilo | Oct 11, 2013 | Family
The Oktoberfest version of Camp Dorothy is underway. Hopefully, the autumn weather means these two hot babes won’t sweat quite as much as they did in August. Besides, with so many onsite activities on the docket, we won’t need to go out on the town.
So what activities are planned…other than The Price is Right, Judge Judy, and Wheel of Fortune? I’m so glad you asked! Here’s a quick run down:
- Uno and Skippo tournies.
- Plenty of naps for the camps namesake, all taken under an afghan made by her mother.
- A drive through the Ledges to enjoy the fall colors.
- The last BLTs made with the last summer tomato.
- A bean soup eat-athon, followed shortly by a musical tootfest.
- A Harding County History, Volume 2* book read-athon.**
A few obvious things are missing from the Camp Dorothy version of Oktoberfest, namely beer, beer steins, and lederhosen. The first two because Dorothy’s deep German roots have always prospered best in a dry climate, and we don’t want to upset that applecart at this late date. The final item because lederhosen look pretty silly on grown-ups and we don’t want to give PETA a reason to picket on our gravel road.
So, what’s the camp director’s contingency plan if we run out of things to do before Oktoberfest ends on Saturday evening? I’m glad you asked. Since this is Homecoming weekend in our fair city, we just might join the younger crowd and tee-pee a few houses. Now if you’ll excuse the camp director, she needs to run to the grocery store to stock up on paper products.
Auf wiedersehen!
*The camp namesake had to begin with Volume 2 because the camp director is hogging Volume 1. But since the volumes are arranged alphabetically rather than chronologically, collateral damage is minimal.
**This began the minute Dorothy sat down in the living room. She’s loving the homesteading stories and read right through The Price Is Right.
by jphilo | Oct 24, 2012 | Recipes
While compiling the top ten chilly weather meals posted a few weeks ago on Down the Gravel Road, I was surprised to discover bean soup was nowhere to be found. Today’s recipe corrects that omission. Here’s a favorite crock pot recipe that makes a perfect fall or winter supper.
Crock Pot Bean Soup
8 ounces dried bean soup mix 1 ham shank
2 cups water 1 10 ounce can Rotel tomatoes
1 cup diced carrots 1 cup chopped onion
6 cups water
Soak bean soup mix in two cups of water overnight. In the morning, drain off water and rinse the beans. In the crock pot combine the beans and other ingredients. Cover with 6 cups of water. Stir and turn the crock pot to low for 10 – 12 hours or on high for 6 – 8 hours. Stir occasionally. About an hour before serving, lift the ham shank out with a slotted spoon and set on a plate. When the shank is cool, pick the meat off the bone. Discard the bone and put the meat back in the pot. Stir well. Makes 4 – 6 large servings.
by jphilo | Mar 27, 2012 | Top Ten Tuesday
Last Friday’s Debbie Downer top ten list was a rousing success. I’m not sure whether the response is an indication of the popularity of top ten lists or proof that every party needs a pooper. In an attempt to determine the real reason, Tuesday posts will be dedicated to top ten lists for the foreseeable future.
Today’s list tackles the top ten reasons to make bean soup before March ends.
10. March is the last, honest-to-goodness soup weather month.
9. Do you really want that half bag of beans cluttering the pantry all summer?
8. Ditto for the ham shank in the freezer.
7. Bean soup is cheap and healthy.
6. It’s one of those foods that tastes better as leftovers.
5. With St. Patty’s Day over and Easter in April, what else is there to do in March?
4. It’s an easy crock pot meal.
3. Bean soup in the crock pot makes the house smell delicious all day long.
2. Every kid needs to learn the lyrics to Beans, Beans the Musical Fruit at a young age.
1. Making music as a family is a wonderful, bonding experience.
Did you think of a reason I left out? Then add it in the comment box, toot sweet!
