Sunday, November 18, 2012

~Taking the Time ~ with my husband's old childhood friend.


We were enjoying the beauty of a November Fall day this Saturday.  The air was crisp and still some color abound on the trees.

        
About two years ago, my husband built a shelter  in the back yard which he had planned to use for cooking out over the open fire and maybe get in some  sleeping out under the stars .
As most of you know, we get ideas and they do not always follow through as we wish.  

This weekend an old childhood friend of my husbands came and spent four days with us. They were in Boy Scouts together and both and gone into the Marines after graduating from school.  My husband thought this would be a good opportunity to take the old Boy Scout memories and share them with  his friend.  And he  decided to cook chili out over an open fire.

          
They were dressed warmly with layers of clothes and hot coffee.  Blaine prepared the fire to cook the  chili . This gave them the time to sit and chat and enjoy the time together.

     
He wanted the fire hot so he would have some hot coals in which to cook.

                             
Now the coals were nice and hot. And ready to put the cast iron pot over them .

       
      Now just have to sit back and wait  until the chili cooks.

       
They are all settled in in front of the nice warm fire, with the delicious aroma filling the air.  I had a friend in Virginia e-mail me and said they could smell it all the way down there. lol  So began their talks together about the old days of camping in their youth. And some of the dishes they cooked over the fire. Some good and some disastrous.


I sat outside with them for a while. Of course I was wearing layers and layers of clothes. But it was worth it to enjoy the pretty day and knowing I did not have to make lunch for them that day. It was being taken care of.!


As you can see we have a large wood pile near the fire. I am hoping this means there will be more meals cooked outside over the fire!  As long as we do not get heavy snow. Not counting on getting that many more meals, but it is a nice thought.  A lot of friends have shown an interest in coming over and sharing an over the fire cooked meal with us.



 
    
The chili is boiling and awwwwww smelling so good. Tummies are starting to grumble and growl.  Can't wait for it to get done.  We even had a Buzzard fly over us, guess he could smell it. He was circling around over our heads, but I could not get a good picture of him.


After a while, Blaine checked the chili with a spoon and gave us the proud announcement that  it was done and time to eat.!! yahoo!!!



  Yup it is ready to be taken off the fire and into the house to eat.  We would have eaten it outside, but the coldness prevented  us for taking it that far.


         
He made some homemade cornbread muffins from scratch. These were made in the house in the oven. Using the cast iron muffin pan for the first time. They turned out well.

Oh my, I am getting hungry just posting these pictures.!!!


     
The "Boys" each ate two big helpings! Believe it or not we had enough for at least 6 more large servings!  

          
We not only enjoyed the meal that was prepared but the time for them to share the memories. We live about 2 1/2 hours away now. But they find time to get together through out the year. And always enjoying the time with each other.

This is what life should be about....~Taking the Time~ to remember the good memories with those you shared them with. It is not always possible because of certain circumstances. But if you cannot share the memories in person, do it in thought and heart.   

Have a wonderful upcoming week.  Thanksgiving will be upon us in a few days. My daughter Jill and her family will be coming down on Wednesday night to spend the Holiday weekend with us. Our oldest daughter will be traveling to Kentucky to visit in-laws.  Hopefully at Christmas time we can all be together.
How will you be spending your holidays?

hugs , Eileen                           

11 comments:

  1. Good morning Eileen. That fire looked so nice!! I just love a wood fire! We camp and like to cook outdoors too. The chili looks so goooood! I think I could smell it all the way out here in California too!!! What is your average day time temp now? Oh, and that cornbread looked yummy!!! I like to cook cornbread in a cast iron pan. It is the Southern way!!
    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with sweet Jill and her family!
    xo Kris

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    Replies
    1. Good morning Kris,yes there is nothing like sitting in front of a campfire, whether to cook or just ponder. Our average day time temps have been in the low 50's with a few days in the 40's. The night temperatures have been in the 40's. With oil going up in price ( our heating method)it is making it hard on trying to keep the house warm at a reasonable temperature. Times like this wish we lived in a warmer climate. But truthfully we would miss our 4 seasons. It is a "no win situation".
      You have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family also. And hope your granddaugher feels better to enjoy it.
      hugs

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  2. Love everything about this post! Food looks delicious, great job dad and on the muffins too! So what is he cooking on our visit??

    Love,
    Jill

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  3. Hi Eileen, What a wonderful post and so much fun cooking outside over an open fire and the memories shared with a dear friend. Your hubby did a wonderful job and the chili looks so good. I am hungry now just seeing your pics.
    These are the moments in life that create such wonderful memories. Little blessings and time spent with special friends.

    Thank you for sharing and best wishes for a very Happy Thanksgiving with Jill and her dear family.
    Blessings to all~~
    Hugs, Celestina Marie

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  4. What a wonderful day for your husband and his friend. His chili looks awesome, and so do your corn muffins. Love your pictures.

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  5. Had to stop back over and tell you that you need to do a post! I'm missing them :-)

    Love, Me

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  6. Hi Eileen,
    Was thinking of you and wanted to stop by and say hello. I hope your new year is off to a good start and wishing you many blessings in 2013.
    Sending hugs, Celestina Marie

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  7. Behind in my reading. I enjoy cooking & eating outside. But we have snow these days.Your chili would warm us up around here. Looks yummy. Thanks for visits & prayer. I am slowly getting back into blogging. Blessings! Lara

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  8. Hi Eileen,
    Thank you for the well wishes and visit to my blog while I had the flu. I am a bit better but very weak and have pleurisy from all the coughing. Just going to take time and rest. Something I am not very good at. LOL
    Have a lovely week and blessings to you and yours.
    Hugs, Celestina Marie

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  9. Hi Eileen,
    Thank you for stopping by and your kind comment. It is always so nice to see you and have your visit. I hope all is well with you and yours with the flu bug gone from Jill's. Wishing you a special weekend and week ahead.
    Big hugs, Celestina Marie

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  10. Hey, Eileen. I am missing your posts! Hope everything is going well for you.

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