How to Build the Best Campfire

My husband will appreciate this post, just for the mere reason that we are forever discussing how to create the best fire. And as campers we know that our camping experience isn't quite complete without it. There's nothing better at the end of the day then pulling up a chair and gazing into the wispy, blue, hot flames licking at the air, as you slowly turn that juicy, sizzling frank as it turns bubbly and brown.

To build a great fire you must first consider the fire triangle.

The triangle consists of fuel, oxygen, and heat. The best fuel for your fire is dry wood, but I have proven to my husband, with the right tools; building a fire with damp wood is even possible. It's also good to have a manufactured fire starter, some dryer lint, or some rolled up newspaper. We usually use some like these starter logs.

Next gather an armful of twigs, about the size of your pinky finger, and continue to gather larger twigs and sticks, until you have enough to make a decent pile.

This along with your fire starter is your tender/kindling. Now choose your source of ignition. I prefer lighters that have a long tip for lighting my fire, however matches, cigarette lighters, and even flint will start a well built fire structure.

Now that you have supplies needed here's how to build the best campfire.

1. Place your fire starter in a place designed for a fire, such as a fire pit, fire ring or a place where stones are positioned in a simple circle.
2. Now break the twigs into 5-7 inch pieces and arrange them teepee style on top of the fire starter. The teepee shape will encourage your fire to breath, giving it the oxygen it needs.
3. Continue to build up the teepee with the next sized sticks.

4. Add your logs starting with the smallest logs first and adding the larger ones once your fire is burning well.
5. I like to sprinkle a little lighter fluid on my built fire to speed up the ignition process a bit, but it isn't necessary.
6. If you aren't using lighter fluid, light the fire stater. If you have chosen to use fluid, light the part of the structure closest to you.
7.Sit back and enjoy your fire! And when you need to add more wood just be sure it's also propped up teepee style with the rest and your fire will continue to provide you enjoyment!

If you've ever had an interesting campfire story please share.

There Must Be Horses in Heaven!

Proverbs 21:31
The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD!

The Best Crockpot Recipes for Camping

Crockpot Chicken Catcciatori

2 boneless chicken breast
1 jar of spagetti sauce
1/2 large onion
1 green pepper
2 TBS minced garlic
8 oz. of fresh mushrooms sliced

Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of the crockpot. Cover with spagetti sauce. Dice the onion, slice the mushrooms, and chop the pepper. Place the garlic, peppers, onions, and mushrooms in the crockpot and mix with the sauce. Cook it on low for 6-8 hours or 2-4 hours on high. Experiment as if you cook it too long it will burn. Add parmisan cheese if wanted. Serve over spagetti or eat alone. A salad is a nice addition!




Stuffed Green Peppers

4 large Green peppers
1 lb of hamburger
1/2C of ketchup
1 can tomato sauce
Dash of worcheshire sauce
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 large onion diced
1C of rice

Wash peppers and cup off the tops. Set aside. Brown hamburger and add diced onion. Drain. Mix in ketchup, tomato sauce, worcheshire sauce,rice, salt and pepper to the meat. Spoon into peppers and close tops. Place into crockpot. Cook in pot on low 6-8 hrs. or 2-4 on high. Add mozerella cheese if desired.

It's Officially Riding Season!

Ah....I sit down deep in my saddle, my horse and I head up the trail and join my husband and Skeeter. I begin to let my mind relax. My therapy begins the second I begin to take it all in...music to my ears...the rhythmic beat of hooves,the horses blow intermittenly, sweet songs of countless song birds, the occassional frog or insect, and leaves whispering as it reaches my senses. I inhale deep the earthy aroma of mother nature, sprinkled with a poutporri of wildflowers, last years autumn leaves slightly warmed; courtoesy of the sun, added to the very distinct smell of horse (that we horse people feel is the best smell ever!). I take in the eye candy...a turtle basking in the sun, the occassional snake slithers into the woods, lovely flora scattered throughout the forest floor, and many other sights painted by mother nature.

"How can anyone not be refreshed and rejuvienated by all of this?" I ponder. I know that Keith often wonders what is wrong when I am quiet, but if only he knew I was just taking in the pure enjoyment of life with him and the horses at this frozen moment in time. The only worrisome thought that crosses my mind during moments like this is, "How soon will we be able to do this again?" He often comments while on rides like these, "This is a day you never want to end, isn't it?" I told my friend Lori about this recent trip and she replied, "I am glad that you and Keith can do something together and enjoy it!" And you know she is right...maybe this is truely the biggest part of my enjoyment. I have someone to share these moments with, who also understands it's value to me.

The only thing that can make this ride any better is to get back to camp to a wonderful meal and build a campfire. To end my therapy session for the day I settle in to a comfortable chair and stare into a crackling fire and occasionally look over at God's wonderful creatures as I listen to soothing sound of their contiuous chewing of fresh, aromatic, sweet hay. The only thing that interupts this serenity is my husbands soft voice recounting the events of the day and of the ride to come.

This was one of the best, first rides of the season! Our ride lasted 4 days and 3 nights and we are already planning our next trip! Please come back and join me later. I will be sharing great camping recipes and tried and true tips to help you make your next camping trip the best!

Amazing Encounters

I guess it is true what Keith is always telling me..."When you are around horse people if you are willing to speak you will meet some interesting people." That is exactly what happened on this ride! My husband never knows a stranger and is never afraid to walk up and strike a conversation. Sometimes it makes me a little uneasy, but at times I am glad he took the extra step to make conversation with people we run across on our trail riding adventures. On this nice warm spring day (after the rains had settled) we saddled up and found ourselves at the Blue Hole (foot note: Laura Furnace Creek empties into Blue Hole, a deep spring that most of the year is a rich blue color. Located on the south end of the horseback riding area, it's a favorite spot for riders because of the peaceful scenery, cool water and proximity to many historic sites. You will notice the abundance of shiny blue rocks on the ground, which is slag, evidence of the Laura Iron Furnace, which ceased operations more than 100 years ago but left its mark on the landscape.) Because it is a hot spot for riders, there were several horsemen and horsewomen taking in the scenery here. A beautifully hand crafted shiny black buggy accompanied the rest of us. Two elegant, graceful coal black mixed breed horses stood as sentinels holding their positions in front of that magnificent piece of transportation. A quiet older gentleman rested in his seat. Keith began the conversation with assurance. "Now that is a very nice buggy." he complimented. They exchanged horse and buggy stories, which eventually led to Bob's history with horses. I was so intrigued by what this man had accomplished and experienced I had little to do but listen. His stories began about how he broke horses to pull. He demonstrated how his team were familiar with "gee" and "haw". This is how buggy and carriage drivers tell their teams to move left or right. But the most interesting parts of his conversation fell on how he belonged to a Buffalo Bill Wild West show and that he would drive 6 leopard Appaloosas at full speed while pulling a stage coach and come to a screeching, sliding stop!
He also discussed a friend he knew that was a trick rider whom in years gone by owned a palomino horse that Roy Rogers borrowed to ride in a parade, which was the same parade that Roy proposed to Dale Evans!
He ended his conversation explaining The Great Circus Parade that he was a part of many times and how extravagant and expensive it was to put on, and that sadly because of cost is no longer being held.

I had never heard of this and was very intrigued...so once I returned home I began researching this Great Circus Parade and what is was like. I am sad to say that I have never witnessed this wonderfully extravagant event, with its beautifully preserved wagons and carriages. I have never seen anything like this and long for another day for the event, so that I too might be one of the lucky ones. Not only did I find great information and pictures about the parade, but I also found really detailed information about the Wild West Shows that he spoke of.

So today was a lesson learned...never pass up the opportunity to meet people...you just might have a learning experience and go away with a story worth retelling!

I am also going to include the websites where I found this information. Feel free to browse them for yourself! You can find these links under "Horse Stuff" on the right.

A Fall Ride

Well here it is...the weather every cowboy and cowgirl dreams of...fall! No more insects, burning hot sun, or sweaty horses. I know it doesn't last very long, but it is definitely the best ride of the season! A few weekends ago we decided to take one last three day weekend, camping trip. We loaded up the horses and headed to the Land Between the Lakes. It isn't my husband's or my favorite ride, but with good company and the cooler weather, any place is enjoyed on the back of a horse. Some of our "Bucksville" friends had stated that they were going to be there and with the Big South Fork campgrounds being full we decided to head there and join them. With the beautiful weather and the color fully covering the trees it was no wonder that primitive campsites were all that was available. Once we arrived, got over the initial irritation of being without electricity, and settled in we knew we were in for a really nice weekend. The smell of campfires filled the air and the feel of autumn lightly kissed my cheeks, as I started building my first campfire for the weekend with my step son. After getting the camper organized, eating a quick supper of brats, and the horses comfortable on the picket line for the evening, we headed over to the Gregory campsite to see what was transpiring in the way of entertainment for the night. For those of you who do not know "Big Kenny", let me say you are deprived. Let me explain..."Big Kenny" as we know him isn't only a cowboy, but a true cowboy in the sense that he is very talented with his voice and a simple string instrument. He can belt out old and new country songs as smooth as velvet; wetting the appetite of the ears, with strong melody rooted deep with country. And most times his humor is salted throughout, keeping his audience entranced the whole evening. I guess that's why so many come back to his campfire evening after evening. Complete strangers often pull up a chair for the evening.

The next morning came, along with old fashioned cowboy coffee over the gas burner...but it was a little late for our usual rising. Oh the joys of vacation! We were saddled and ready by 10:00 and heading down the trails. We made our first stop or break about an hour into the ride. The smell of fall filled was tinted with the aroma of spicy leaves, baked by natures heat and the temperature was a delight to the outdoors man's soul. Not warm enough for short sleeves, but yet not cool enough for a jacket. The trees were breathtaking and the lake worth taking note. Complete with the migration of pelicans. But best of all the memories created with family and friends....this is the stuff that is priceless! And we still had one more day of riding and one more night of camaraderie! Oh, and food tastes so much better outdoors, my husband reiterates...he is so right! We cashed in for another night at the Gregory campfire, but Kenny was a little under the weather...we actually thought we might not be as lucky as the night before, but once he got pluckin and singing it was as if he faked his illness all along. I just can't imagine life without horses! Life is good!

Wintery Days

The Simmons' aren't people that like to stay home and off of the horses, but when winter weather doesn't cooperate we find other avenues to suffice our range roaming hearts. Often times we will take off on a road trip to parks and places of nature to at least capture in our hearts a little bit of the outdoors and talk and dream of greener pastures and times of hitting the trails again. Other times we will load up and hit the antique malls searching for old relics that remind us of our favorite past time and cowboy times of old. On one of our recent jaunts I came across this really neat old game board. It looks to be from maybe the 40's to 60's according to the pictures and colors that were used. At any rate I thought it was a great find for our collection. Hopefully one day we can finish our dream of having a "pool room" above the garage where we can spend some of these snowy days! Meanwhile.....we along with an old friend are already planning a summer of "Back in the Saddle Again"....Virginia is looking pretty good....or maybe even one of my favorite places....Big South Fork, TN..........Rollin, Rollin, Rollin, Keep those doggies Rollin........Happy Trails!