Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Christmas Gift Idea, A Childhood Memory And Sweet Stuff

My son and I returned last night from our 30th annual Pennsylvania deer hunt. This was one of our finest. We have had better years in terms of harvests but like fishing success is not measured in terms of catches but instead in terms quality. Neither one of us filled our buck tags, which does happen and while that can be disappointing it did not lessen our enjoyment. There were several firsts that happened on this hunt and I'll tell you about that in a later post.

Christmas is coming and I'd like to toss out a possible gift request. John Gierachs' book "A Fly Rod of Your Own"...I have not read it but like all of John's books I'm sure it will be good.


When I was growing up we had a ground meat sandwich filler called "ham and pickle", truth be it actually never had much ham in it, more like balogna and veal loaf. It was ground together with pickles and them mixed with mayo. It was served on white bread it was so good. I still make it today but I use more ham and less bologna. I also like it with crackers.


Blueberry coffee cake...lots of blueberries and cinnamon and brown sugar, now bring on the coffee.
I promise I'll have a fishing report in my next post along with some thoughts on "tails"






26 comments:

  1. keep me some Alan, am sure by the time I get there you would have scoffed it though...lol

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    1. George
      Thanks
      It's going to be here for a day or so, not enough time though.

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  2. "ham and pickle". I've had it when I was a kid too. Forgot all about it. Wow, shades of yesteryear.

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    1. Mark Kautz
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      Mark childhood eats, it's so nice to bring them back and taste them again.

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  3. Alan - I drove through PA last week on my way to Kentucky. What a beautiful place, it'd be nice to fish some of the streams there. Blueberry anything, delicious.

    Chris MaineFly207

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    1. Anonymous
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      Chris I have fished many beautiful streams in the Poconos. Many have wild brookies, browns in them.
      In agreement on the blueberries.

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  4. Alan
    You sure know how to make a person hungry!!!! Both dishes are winners---thanks for sharing

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    1. Bill Trussell
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      Bill seeing good food has such a wonderful effect on us.

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  5. Ham and pickles! I can still taste them today. My yearly quest to take a picture and talk to John Gierach is coming up in January. This year I'll buy his latest book and get it autographed.

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    1. Howard Levett
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      Howard your a lucky guy. John does have a way with words and a life style that many envy.

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  6. Alan, I haven't read any of his books, but I will make a point to being I read his writing is excellent. That ham and pickle on cracker is right up my alley. I would enjoy bologna too!
    Best,
    Sam

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    1. Parachute Adams
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      Sam you have to read Trout Bum, as well as Fishing Small Streams, they are my favorites.
      That meat mix may not be the healthiest but is sure taste good. Big fan of bologna also.

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  7. "Ham & pickle" brings back memories Alan. We sometimes (often) made it with Spam (smashed with the back of a fork) and sweet pickle relish, from a jar. American peasant food at its, arguably, finest.

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    1. John Dornik
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      John Spam is another one of those "treats" we consumed as kids. I love it 'til this day. Your recipe is a simple one that achieves the same basic taste.

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  8. Our version of "Ham and Pickle" was made with bologna and for lack of a defined name my brother and I called it "Road Kill". The name stuck within our family and to this day it's still considered a treat when the bowl of "Road Kill" is brought to the table.

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    1. Chuck K
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      Chuck the name roadkill could describe balogna. Also in my younger days bologna was made with "stuff" that was never determined. It's great that these treats still have a place with us.

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  9. Hi Alan,
    John Gierach is such an amazing author, his works have even made it to deepest North Yorkshire! Reading one of his works, as the saying goes, 'is the next best thing to fly fishing'!
    I hope Santa delivers your x-mas wish - you will not be disappointed with his latest book.
    BTW the cake looks so good, I may have to have a go at making it in the holidays.
    Regards
    Alistair

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    1. Anonymous
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      Alistair the works of John Gierach mingling with the likes of Pruitt in North Yorkshire.
      The cake is simple and delicious.

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  10. Alan
    Ham and pickle sandwiches were staple in my house back in the day. I still make it today. That blue berry coffee cake looks to be delish!! Nice job.

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    1. TROUT1
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      Pete we are of the same generation. The foods we loved back then still hold a place in our hearts and stomachs.

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  11. if you want a great book that features an essay or two on small stream angling- read James Baab- former editor of Grays sporting journal. his recent book and the other 3 are terrific and worth a spot in the anglers library. James is one of the best writers out there. his other books are still in print.

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    1. Anonymous
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      I believe I have one of his books, the title escapes me now.

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  12. Just read that book Well....listened" to it on Kindle audio during my last round of flights. Great book.

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    1. Ralph Long
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      Ralph I may start reading it tonight, or I may wait until our first snow event.

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  13. That meat... wow. Pasteurize it, put it in a toothpaste tube, and you've just created the best thing for a fly fishing vest since the zinger!

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    1. Casting Across
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      That's a great idea, now if we could get someone to help us do it.
      I would love to know your first name.

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