I subscribe to Bake from Scratch magazine, and last year they featured a recipe for "Atlantic Beach Pie" as their "Pie Recipe of the Year" in their May/June 2022 issue. Basically a key lime pie but with these variations: Regular limes, and more lemon juice and zest than lime. Saltine cracker crust (which tastes like … Continue reading Bring on Summer, I’m Ready (At Last)
Food
Fix Goo
Dear Weird Al, Do you know what everyone can relate to, but nobody has ever written a song about? Cake fails. Do you know what solves almost all cake fails? Whipping cream. Just in case you wanted to right this wrong and write that song, here is some inspiration, by way of Coldplay's, "Fix You." … Continue reading Fix Goo
Camping Cuisine: Apple Rings
At my current job, all the snacks come wrapped in plastic. Here's my favorite: I haven't tried preparing or eating these while camping yet, but they seem like an obvious choice. Healthy, filling, portable, shelf-stable, and delicious. Please sign me up! There are actually two rings in the one ring pictured, and the peanut butter … Continue reading Camping Cuisine: Apple Rings
Christmas Cheer
I promised to tell you about a Campfire Tales tradition. A few years ago, on a river cruise down the Danube during December, I discovered the joy of gluhwein at the Christkindlmarkt. (Translations: mulled wine; Christmas Market.) Once home, I sought out a recipe (this one, I think it was) and now I make it … Continue reading Christmas Cheer
The Goes Wrong Holiday
The job I was hoping would be a career stepping stone went (to put it nicely) belly up about a month ago. Splat! To mentally get through the end of this year, I doubled down on my Thanksgiving plans, filled with travel and friends and food and fun. ...Can you guess what happened next? Yup. … Continue reading The Goes Wrong Holiday
S’moredom
Remember how the Smurfs insert the word "Smurf" into everything like, "That's smurf-tastic!" or "You're smurfing!"? Yeah, me neither. However, if you're starting to think Campfire Tales is getting a little "smurfed up" with the s'mores references, all I can say is, "I'm s'more-y." I made this Coca-Cola Cake because the accompanying photo looked delicious, … Continue reading S’moredom
S’more for You & Me
As a child, I would have eagerly pulled the arms off my Stretch Armstrong in exchange for a s'more. (OK, so maybe I pulled his arms off for no reason, and then let him ooze to death into the carpet under my bed -- what's it to you, Judge E. Pants?) As an adult, I … Continue reading S’more for You & Me
Survive-aversary Party!
Eleven years ago today I found myself undergoing emergency surgery. "Elective surgery," I might add, considering the surgeon gave me two choices: have the surgery and possibly die, OR don't have the surgery and possibly die. I chose: Surgery, and to Live. (More of that story here.) From that day on, I joyfully observed my, … Continue reading Survive-aversary Party!
Fall Guy
I woke up this morning to the sound of rain on the roof. "Uh-oh!" I thought. "Better hurry and post those leaf photos. I can't get TWO seasons behind!" Speaking of "Falling," I've traded in my wristband. I'm still a Fall Guy, but not in "that way." Not that my hikes are worry free, but … Continue reading Fall Guy
Camping Cuisine: Campetizers
Perhaps you prefer to keep camping cuisine simple: hot dogs and canned beans. (Plus fruit cocktail for dessert. Look, pals and gals, you chose "simple." Enjoy your syrup-drowned, hard chunks of fruit. Live with your choices.) Conversely, maybe you want to keep meals gourmet: you probably aren't camping. We are! Having gone over the basic … Continue reading Camping Cuisine: Campetizers
Campfire Tales 