We have a fireplace in our living room that we never use because
it does not put out any heat. We thought about putting in a fireplace
insert, but the cost was to much when you add in the cost of the insert
and running a gas line. We could put in logs, but wanted something a bit
different. What we did was hang a bracket inside using cement screws and
then we hung our cast iron dutch oven on it. It gave a very warm feel to
our living room. Now if the power ever goes out in our house, we will still
have a place to cook.

I just receive a cast iron bell for a present and seeing as
I have one outside I decided to hang the new one in my
T.V. room downstairs. My thought was when I was watching
the game and I needed another beer, I would just ring the bell
and my wife would come a running to see what I need. Well I
rang the bell and nothing happened, so I thought maybe she
isn’t home. I went upstairs to get my beer and she said did you
hear a bell. I said yes I did, I was calling for you. She just laughed.
The next day, I got up and the bell was gone. I went into the kitchen
to make coffee and read the paper. Next thing I know, I hear the bell
and follow the noise. I went into the bedroom and my wife was there
and said, good, you heard the bell, please get me a cup of coffee.

If you like finding great treasures for next to nothing, try garage sales.
You may have to go to several to find a deal and try to show up early.
My wife found an old cast iron tea pot at one a few months ago. We think
it is over 100 years old, but have not verified that for sure. It really does
not matter, because she is using it for a flower pot. She put in fake flowers
because she didn’t want to put standing water in the pot. Going to garage
sales can be a lot of fun. If the weather is a little off when you go, less people
show up and you can even bargan more on the price. Just be sure to look
closely because  the treasure may be behind something else.

It’s winter time and your stuck indoors due to the weather.
Your bored and you can’t find anything to do. What do you do.
Why not take this time to go through your camping gear and
get it organized so you are ready when the weather gets nice
and it’s time to go. You don’t have to set up your tent, you can
wait for better weather to do that, why not check everything
else. Clean and check your camp stove and make sure all parts
are in it. Put new wicks in you lantern, check to make sure you
have matches or that you lighters work. Pull out all your cooking
stuff including your old mountain cast iron cookware, plates, cups
and silverware. Make sure it’s good and clean and organized so when
you head out you have everything.

If you’re like me, you have plenty of hooks and hangers in your house
to hang up your coats, hats and scarves. But what about outside. What do
you do when you are outside and you need to take off your jacket, sweatshirt
or other item. You put it on a chair if there is one nearby and if there isn’t, you
probably just put it on the ground where it will get dirty. So why not hang some
rustic wall mounted coat hooks around the yard. Just because they say “wall mounted”
does not mean you cannot mount them on a tree, a post or the side of your house.
It’s a lot easier to get when you need it, because you are not bending down every
time you need it. Try it, you’ll love it.

Back in the 1860′s one of the most treasured and useful
items for a camp cook on a cattle drive or a cowboy traveling
across the prairie was his cast iron pots and pans. Built tough,
cast iron lasted a long time with minimal care. Today, cast iron
is as good as ever with a large selection of pots, pans and dutch
ovens that the cowboys did not have. Seeing as you won’t have to
store your cast in a chuck wagon or your saddle bags, the skies the
limit on what you can store in your house.

If you like to do one pot cooking in your dutch oven, you really
should consider a cast iron trivet. That way you can take the meal
right off the stove or from the oven directly to the table. The trivet
will protect your table from the heat of the pot, skillet or dutch oven.
If you were to put the pot directly on your table it could discolor or
even leave burn marks on you table. Even when using the trivet, it is
a good idea to check the heat underneath to be sure your table is not
getting to hot.

Farmers have been sitting in them for over a hundred years
plowing their fields and growing their crops. Now you can
get nostalgic cast iron tractor seats to put on your deck or
patio. Not only are they comfortable but they make a great
conversation piece. We put them around our fire when we
have friends over. The height is perfect for sitting on and roasting
marshmallows. Because of the rugged look and color, they will go
with almost any decor you have. One of our friends who has a John
Deere tractor uses them for bar stools in his basement. It’s a great
touch to conventional bar seats that you see everywhere.

You don’t have to have a country kitchen or even live in the country
to enjoy cast iron farm bells. Even if you have a modern kitchen the
cast iron look goes good with any color of wall or cabinets. Instead
of yelling all over the house that dinner is ready, just ring the bell
and save your voice. You can yell at the kids when it really matters
then. Bells have a nice tone that seems to make everyone happier.

Simple Chile Recipe that can be cooked in 1 container.
What you need:
1 pound ground beef, 1 large onion chopped, 1 green pepper chopped
1 pound 12 oz canned tomatoes, 8 oz tomato sauce
2 teaspoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon cayenne red pepper, 1 can 15.5 oz kidney beans drained.

Cook your ground beef, onion and green pepper in your cast iron dutch oven
until onion is tender and meat is browned. Drain off fat.
Add all ingredients except kidney beans and bring to a boil, then reduce heat
to a simmer. Cover and simmer for 2 hours, then add kidney beans and serve.

For added flavor put a dollop of sour cream on top.