CANNING GREEN & YELLOW BEANS!

The whole idea of canning green beans started last year when a colleague of mine brought a jar of beans for me to try. At the dinner table my wife and kids licked the jar clean because they were that good. So this year I asked for the recipe and here it is:

Ingredients:

4       pints or 2 quarts (2 lbs) of green/yellow beans

1/4    cup of canning salt / kosher salt

2 1/2 cups vinegar

2 1/2 cups water

1       tsp cayenne pepper

4       cloves garlic

4       heads of dill

Best place to get some nice beans is to go the local farmers market. Most of the time the deals are much better than in the store. 

I doubled the green bean portion and decided to try using the same recipe for yellow beans. It will probably be a month or two before we open the first jar.

1. Combine the salt, vinegar, and water in a large saucepan and bring it to a boil. While it boils, the beans can be prepared. My wife gave me a hand in prepping the beans since we had 12 quarts and it does require some time to individually cut each end of the bean. 

2. Prior to working on the beans, the jars and lids were washed and placed in the oven to be sterilized at 200 degrees for 20 minutes.   

3. Also set the canning pot filled with water to be heated up to a boil sometime prior to preparing the beans because it does take a few minutes to boil that much water. 

4. Wash the beans nicely. Trim the ends of the beans. When trimming the longer ones, trim them so that there is 1/4 inch from the top of the lid. I also learned that its easier to if you sort and separate the short and long beans right away. Its easier to pack the jars later.  

5. Pack the jars with 1 clove garlic, 1 head of dill, and instead of adding 1/4 tsp of cayenne pepper to each jar, I divided it up among 4 jars.

6. By this time the vinegar marinade should be ready by now to ladle into each jar. Fill each jar to 1/4 inch from the top. After each jar was filled I closed it with the lid. 

7. This time I decided to go about the proper way of canning. I bought a large pot with the jar holder and an individual jar holder. Make sure that about 1-2 inches of water is covering the top of the jars. Boil the jars for 10 minutes. 

Remove the jars and place on kitchen towels. Allow them to sit for 24 hrs so that they can properly cool and then be stored. 

BLACK BEAR MOUNTAIN ATTEMPT

We hiked Bald Mountain (Rondaxe) so many times in the years past, I was ready to try a new peak with the kids this year. Black Bear Mt. is only 4 miles from Limekiln campground. The only thing that I didn't know was the distance. To my surprise it was 2.2 miles one way, making it a 4.4 mile round trip. With the youngest 3 years old and the oldest 7, we decided to give it a try anyway. The weather was favorable with overcast skies, low 70's and a bit humid. Most of the kids were excited about the hike so off we went. One hundred yards into the hike we heard the first complaint and wishes to be carried were quickly expressed. But we kept moving and we were making good progress. 

A little over half a mile into the hike we came to this intersection, but we decided to stick to the yellow trail even though it was a bit longer. 

Around this area we also ran into a couple that was also camping at Limekiln, originally from Manilus, NY. The kids really got excited and started to chat with them and basically tell them everything about their family. While hiking together, the guy spotted a toad in the leaves and held it up for everyone to touch and look at. 

It didn't take very long after the toad petting experience, it started to drizzle. We continued to hike even though the drizzle had turned into a more steady rain. We also came across some muddy sections in the trail, and the kids being unexperienced hikers got themselves pretty dirty. It wasn't terrible but we knew some cleaning was needed when we returned to camp. 

With the rain coming down hard at this point, we decided to turn around at the 1.5 mile mark and head back. Mike and I let the youngest kids ride on the shoulders so the the could make better process on the way back. 

During the return trip we really learned who the true hikers were in the hiking party. Mike and I made some mental notes for future hikes. Three out of 5 were definitely troopers, Adrian was one those. He was a bit disappointed when we had to turn around. He enjoyed getting rained on, getting muddy, and of course ridding on daddy's shoulders. 

All in all we hiked 3 miles total. It was great little hike with some experiences that I hope they will treasure and I hope they learned some new things for future hikes. I'm super excited to take my little man hiking to the high peaks in a few years. 

BOATING ON BIG MOOSE LAKE, NY

A few years ago, my family enjoyed a wonderful dinner at the Big Moose Inn, which is located next door to Dunn's boat service. When hanging out at the lake's edge, we enjoyed the views and casually discussed possibly renting a boat sometime the future when camping at Limekiln. This year while camping with our friends, the Marano family, we spent most of the day on Big Moose Lake. 

From the time the reservation was made to the end of the day when we returned the boat, Dunn's boat service was wonderful. They had a nice selection of pontoon and speed boats. We got a 2014, 13 seat pontoon boat. It had more than enough room for all of us to hang out, including the dog! 

During the course of the day we spent some time fishing with the kids. Actually catching a nice big mouth bass and a couple perch. We also spent some time anchored near the shore for some swim time and lunch. It was also nice to cruise around the perimeter of the lake and the nice homes and camps that dotted the shore line. Although you could see the other end of the lake, it's a decent size lake that could easily take a full day to explore and enjoy. 

Back at the dock for a bathroom break

All the kids took turns driving

Hanging out with my boy

Lesya enjoying a comfy spot and some shade

Captain Adrian

Jumping off the boat

Mr. Mike trying to get some smiles

First time driving the boat!

Wasn't super powerful, but got us around!

Relaxing after the swim

This kid loved the boat

Mike teaching the kids how to properly hold a fish he caught

She's a pro!

(LS Photography) Some coloring time

Everyone fished! 5 kids with rods made it very interesting 

At the wheel! I got enough driving time to not want my own boat! Its so much better to just rent and give it back!

Master fisherman! 

LIMEKILN STATE CAMPGROUND: MANY FIRST'S!

Although I have been to Limekiln Lake State Campground many times over the past 13 years of camping, there are many "first's" from time to time. This year for the first time we had the opportunity to go camping with the Marano family. Interestingly enough both families own crew cab trucks and we still had a difficult time packing everything in the back. But with some rearranging we were able to bring everything that we needed and a little more than we needed. It was still very nice to have truck because of the ease of packing the stuff in the bed and placing the kayaks on the top rack.  

Campsite set up

Michael Jr. first time on kayak

Mother's hanging out

Adrian pretending he is a dino

Duke enjoying the swim

Alexis first hand stand in the water

Owning the beach

Camp food is always best

Spent some quality time chewing

Alexis getting ready for a nap

Settling in for a midday nap

Duke loved by many

Mike's first time fishing from a kayak

Michael Jr. learned to cast for the first time

Like a pro

Camp chef stove is best for a quick meal prep or back up during bad weather

Enjoying the Merry-Go-Round

Some swinging time with Adrian

Little play boat time at the Inlet Pier

Inlet Pier view

Water gun fun!

Best cell service across the lake in a little cove

Mike and I had the pleasure of cooking all the breakfast & dinner meals (great to give the wives a little break)

Marano special-venison tenderloin and flank steak cooked to perfection

The few pieces were licked up really fast!

Chilling after ice cream in Inlet

Girls chilling and Duke had to do some cuddling

Some kayaking on cloudy day

Boys watching a loon

The kayak pulling challenge

Duke napping with Adrian

Nap Rebel

The joys of a power nap!

Enjoyed a lobster pizza at Slickers in Old Forge

Inlet pier sunset couldn't be more perfect

Michael Jr. asked to fish about 100 times a day until it finally paid off!

Best campfire dessert: fire roasted pineapple with cinnamon, brown sugar, and a splash of rum

Another Marano special cooked to perfection--pork chops!

Duke had his own bed just in case he missed it

Morning sleepy head!

First time ever, enjoying the baked goods at Mary's bakery in Inlet, NY. I don't know how we missed this Inlet gem all of these years! My favorites were the custard filled eclairs, jelly donuts, cream cheese pastry, maple walnut pastry, and raspberry filled cookies. We happened to be there 2 time when the line was very reasonable. Other times the line was going down the street. 

We also decided to try the cinnamon and regular donuts at the donut shop! I do have to admit the Mary's bakery donuts were superior. 

A few days into the trip, the ice cream truck finally came and everyone flooded to it. It was a refreshing treat on a hot and humid day. 

Adrian with his Minion ice cream

While boating earlier in the day, Mike caught a 16-17 inch bass and Michael Jr. and Adrian insisted on eating him. So the fish was eaten later after dinner.