Temporary camping tables

Most people go to public campgrounds. Campgrounds will generally supply a picnic table. Camping in remote areas is a whole different experience. Most of the time no one has ever have camped there before so there’s nothing to use for a table. If you’re traveling by foot, boat or 4 wheeler there is a weight limit and/or not enough space for all of the things that you want to take along. One of the first things to get cut form the take along list is a table. There are plenty of camping tables available to buy but they’re either to heavy or bulky. No worries, make a table or two at the campsite. One to use for the kitchen stuff and maybe another for by the campfire or tent. It’s kind of fun and you don’t need to be an engineer to make something that will last for a few days. Temporary tables don’t need to be any exact shape but do need to be sturdy enough to hold the weight you’re about to put on them. Also a table for the kitchen needs to be fairly close to level for cooking purposes.  To level a table put some water in a cup or pan and set it in the center of the top shelf. Then raise or lower the corners or the table until the water level is equal distance to the top edge of the container. You can almost always get it close enough by pushing one or two of the legs into the ground.

Building and assembling one of these magnificent works of functional art is simple. It’s a square or rectangle with legs and made from sticks. Build the square, attach the legs, put on a countertop, level it and you’re done. Build the square for the top any size you want but leave the ends a couple inches long so that it forms a V at the corners. Use that V for attaching the legs into. After attaching the legs, if it’s still to wobbly tighten it up by attaching some horizontal cross members to the legs about half way between the ground and top. For a countertop lay a bunch of straight, uniform sized sticks the long or short way across the square top piece. This step will also add some sturdiness to the table. Try to make sure that the countertop surface is as smooth as you can make it. That helps keep things from tipping over and pissing you off. Fasten everything together with string, wire, fishing line or even vines. Start to finish it will take an hour or so depending on what resources are available. Even if it takes a little longer it’s time well spent because your supplies are away from the dirt and critters plus cooking on the ground is a pain.

Ice fishing the midwest in December

You want to have a pile of fun and bring home some good meat, go Ice fishing in December in the Midwest. I know, I know, most people think I’m crazy and they may be right but I can’t get enough of it. We go so often that even my dog is hooked (pun intended). She stares at the bobber waiting for it move like some kind of psychopath. I’ve learned how to catch’em and have the right gear to stay warm. My goal is always to catch at least one meal of fish per trip. Some days are diamonds and some days are duds. If they’re not biting or I get cold, I leave

Ice fishing tackle is pretty reasonably priced and you don’t need much to be successful.  For an initial investment of around $20.00 it’s possible to buy all the gear you’ll need and it can last a life time. The list is short. Get a couple of jig poles like the one in the picture, half a dozen different colored jigs, 2 or 3 bobbers, an ice auger (for cutting holes), ice scooper (for cleaning holes) and a 5 gallon bucket. However, fishing in less than 10F is pretty tough without an Ice shanty. So if you’re going to get hard core about getting out there I’d suggest buying one. There’s a number of really good new portable shanties on the market or get one used off the internet. Craigslist and Amazon usually have lots of selection to pick from. Also you can get everything you need at garage sales for pennies on the dollar.

The more often you go fishing the better you’ll get at catchin’em. Ignoring the entertainment value any investment you make in tackle and equipment will eventually pay for itself in meals. Fresh water fish caught in cold water are arguably the best tasting on earth. Just remember to take only what you need, leave the rest for seed and eat what you kill.

Fishin Dog

Beaver Dam Tip Up

Estimating meat for the year

Estimating your households’ needs for red, white meat (pork), poultry and wild fowl for the year is pretty straight forward once you decide what a portion size means to you. It’s generally accepted that a healthy portion size of meat is about the same size as the palm of your hand. I tend to agree with the palm size estimate for many entrees such as burgers and chicken breast. For the most part though I think it’s more like the size of your whole hand. Lets get real when was the last time you ate a steak that would fit in the palm of your hand, maybe if it was folded over a couple of times.  Other examples are that most people like to have two pieces of chicken or want to make stew, neither of these quantities fit in the palm of a hand. My point is that the size you want will vary depending on your activity level, size of yourself or if you really enjoy a particular recipe. . For the purpose of meal planning in our household we wrap most meats to equal one pack per meal. Burger is about 1 pound, Ring bologna is one 2 pound ring and stew meat is about a pound. Any other meats like chicken legs are done by the number of pieces.

It only takes a few minutes to figure how much meat you’ll need for the year. If you think about it you already know what your meal preferences and sizes are. Set up a meal spread sheet. It’s easy, just decide what type of recipes you typically eat and then you’ll know what the meat ingredient type and size is. All that’s left is about how many of each.

 Set up the left column for the type and weight of meat. Use the top row for the type of meal and then fill in the quantities below each meal type. Use the far right column to extrapolate the total quantity per line item. Do yourself a favor and don’t get carried away with the meal type or specific quantity of each, just keep it generalized. Combine meal types that use about the same quantity and type of meat. For instance casseroles, chili and spaghetti generally use the same type and quantity. The main focus should be on how much and what type of meat you’ll need for the year. Remember though that size, variety and number of meals are the keys to successful planning.  No one wants to eat the same thing day after day or run short. Also some people hate left overs, some want them for lunch the next day and still others just like to feed like a dingo in a maternity ward no matter what they’re eating. Just get as close as you can and don’t forget that fish is not included on this list.