Jason closes his journal... Thanks!! I love you!!

[modern_pioneer]

We arrived at camp yesterday around 1400 hrs, everything appeared to look fine as always. I have a gated private drive into the area, with a large ditch 80-100 ft either direction. It also has a remote alarm system (hard wired to a cell phone device) in case some one breaks in.

Opened the door and opened windows to get some fresh air in, kids got their stuff put away, DW did ours, and I filled the fridge and freezer.

I went to the shed where I found the padlock bust off, it was still locked on the clasp, the whole thing had been beaten off. I decided to stop what I was doing and have a quick look around the area after I cleared the cabin. Went in the cabin, told DW what I found, had a good close look around, everything was secured.

I got my atv out and had a ride around to see if I could find anything or see anyone. Than I drove over to Garys place because I heard his kids playing in the woods, asked if he had seen anything. First thing he told me that some one had broken into his trailer, they didn't trash the place but took all his canned food, pots/pans and his clothes. He had a locksmith out to fix his door. Wanting to get back to the family, I ended the conversation, and drove off.

Wanting to look into the shed, I said hello and walked around back. When I opened the shed I noticed all of our portable camp gear was gone, and only half the amount of firewood was left. I noticed that the firepit ring had been moved and used. Well at least the squatters didn't do any damage, I called the police to file a report for insurance purposes, the stuffs replaceable.

DS caught a HUGE walleye yesterday evening, nearly 5lbs... LOL... He thought he was hooked on something on the bottom and asked if I would come over and help him. When I got his pole I told him he wasn't stuck he had a fish on, quickly he grabbed the pole from me and said "hey thats my fish Dad" lil' bugger... so we ate that for dinner last night. We pass a summer veggie stand on the way up, as always we stop to see what they have to offer. We got some big yummy ripe peaches/plums, corn on the cob, and some Amish homemade fudge.

Last night Gary, his wife and kids joined us around the campfire for some catching up. They are very pleasant people, he is a coal miner and she works at a bank. He brought his guiter along for some picking and singing and played/sang a half dozen tunes or so. Their children are about the same age as ours, very nice kids.

In between songs, I told Gary about you folks and this site. I was rather excited to tell him when I remembered during one of his songs. What I do know about him and his wife, their not trying to be SS as much as they're trying to live off their land, make sense? His wife was excited about it because before we left she came over to speak with Danielle to get the information about this site.

So a big to Gary and his clan when they join us.

 

[TanksHill]

Pioneer, this was not your home but a camping cabin??? Sounds like you might find someone camping out near by with a new kitchen set up!! Kinda freaky, sorry to hear about it.

A walleye huh?? What family is that fish in?? My son had a similar experience last year in No. California. My dh reeled in a 30 lb salmon for him. Now that fish was good eats.

Can't wait to meet your friends, it will be nice to have some new folks around.

Have a great day!!

 

[modern_pioneer]

Pioneer, this was not your home but a camping cabin??? Sounds like you might find someone camping out near by with a new kitchen set up!! Kinda freaky, sorry to hear about it.

A walleye huh?? What family is that fish in??

Its more like a well built shanty. With only 110v wiring, solar water heater (I tried to use that design to build a solar heater for my pool last year) it holds maybe 25 gals. The shower has a spring loaded off/on switch, so its get wet, soap up rinse off. Its only 960 sq ft has three rooms and a bathroom/shower built off the kitchen area. It has a 110v well pump that is only 1/3 hp so the water pressure is about 2-3 pounds, but its water. It has a propane two burner stove with a very small oven. The woodstove heater is a pot belly type, and unless we're up there late fall/early spring, it doesn't get used.

It has to be winterized, solar heater removed, water lines drained, and shutters over the windows during winter. In my neck of the woods, rough sawed lumber is often used to build out buildings and shantys. It was built using said lumber, no insulation in the walls, wood framed windows, and the floor is tongue and grove.

Its a really primitive, cozy get away. Last year we spent 12 days in a row there, it was great.

We purchased the furniture from one guy who builds it from logs and his wife makes the cushions, very well built stuff. The beds are mass produced here in America, the sink is copper and is a apron farmhouse type. The cabinets have material pulled over because there isn't any doors.

Walleye- I duh no, its a yummy game fish, often fishermen prize the fish for its light tasting flesh.

 

[2dream]

I would be furious about finding out that someone took my stuff. I am kind of a ask me for it and its yours but don't try to take it person.

Sounds like you had a great time anyway.

We watch fishing shows a lot on TV - (I am forced to by my DH) lol

I have only seen walleye on tv but think it would be fun to fish for them. Unfortunately if they are not in our local rivers or either right off the coast in the marsh I will never be able to.

 

[modern_pioneer]

I would be furious about finding out that someone took my stuff.

I was upset, but nothing positive I could have done, it was gone, and not worth time and effort to worry or ruin some time with the family.

So far I have frozen 10 quarts of strawberrys, 2 quarts of wild black raspberrys, a couple pounds of peas, a few pounds of asparagus and almost two quarts of raspberrys.

Last year I made Sundae Jam, this year I will also make Strawberry Rhubarb pie in a jar.

The garden is doing great, tho my black beauty eggplant my japaneese eggplant looks great.

Water Lillys/Elderberry

 

[punkin]

The lily pics are beautiful!!

But, what I really want is that recipe for strawberry/rhubarb pie in a jar. Give it to me now and no one gets hurt.

 

[modern_pioneer]

Strawberry & Rhubarb Pie in a Jar

3 large granny smith apples peeled cored chopped finely
1 tblspoon orange zest
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
7 cups 1 inch cut rhubarb
2 cups sugar
4 cups strawberrys

In a Stainless Steel pot add everything BUT strawberrys, bring to boil, stirring constantly, lower heat to a slow rolling boil and cook until rhubarb is tender (11-13 minutes)

Than add strawberries return to boil, remove from heat fill jars leave 1 inch headspace. place lided jars into canner boil for 15 minutes.

makes five pints

Recipe can be doubled

Can make pies, tarts, over ice cream, and even use suger cookie dough to make a filled cookie.

Make sugar cookie dough, split in half, make and bake one half the dough for 8 minutes. Remove let cool. Add filling, place uncooked cookie on top pinch/press down sides bake until lightly golden brown.

 

[2dream]

The lily pics are beautiful!!

But, what I really want is that recipe for strawberry/rhubarb pie in a jar. Give it to me now and no one gets hurt.

Ok, we are now officially a gang. (Is 2 a gang?)

Waiting on that recipe.

Love the pics. That pond is wonderful.

You are right of course about not being worth ruining time with the family.

 

[Aidenbaby]

That sounds fabulous. Ya know, I've never in my entire life had rhubarb. Not entirely my fault. I was raised to believe that there were few veggies; iceburg lettuce, carrots, peas, green beans, corn, sweet taters and taters. Since then, I learned that there are few veggies I don't like and even then, it's usually to do with how it was prepared. I learned, today in fact, that young swiss chard leaves aren't bitter.

 

[modern_pioneer]

Wanda-

Hope Free doesn't whack me with her broom for not sharing on her rhubarb thread. I only found the recipe a few weeks ago in one of my books.

Mark made this last year and we swapped some goods, and I got one pint. WOW... Is it ever yummy, I also had some on pancakes one morning.....