1000 word excerpt
HiIm Jeni. I wrote a cookbook to help those who want to learn how to cook. I formatted the recipes differently than most others, so that they are easier to follow and much less aggravating. Then I included a journal of the first year I learned to cook, so you can better understand my circumstances at the time. Back then I lived in the Cheslatta Valley, a wilderness area of British Columbia, where my family owned and operated a Guide Lodge.
My three brothersmentioned in my journalhelped keep life even more exciting then frequent bear attacksbut I generally found a way to get even.
June 11, 1966 Still
Its evening now. We have just lit the Coleman lanterns and kerosene lamps. I am writing this by the light of a lamp on the table. We have already washed the dishes, cleaned the kitchen and mopped the floor.
We heat two metal dishpans full of water on the cook stove while were eating, and by the time were done, the water is hot. We always use the rinse water to mop the floor. Its the only room with linoleum, and were still proud of it. The great room, which was the original cabin Dad grew up in, has a plank floor, but it has been sanded and varnished so many years its really very pretty. Many of the hand make throw rugs were make by Gramma, but there are some Mom and I made. Rug weaving can take up a lot of time during the long winter months too, as can quilt making. We never get bored, thats for sure. Winter is also when we make soap and candles.
Before the real hard cold takes over, we operate the sawmill, and that keeps Dad and the boys busy. I like to help too. We make ties to sell to the railroad, and cut lumber, which we sell to the lumberyard in Burns Lake.
Its easier for the horses to skid logs to the roll-way when the trails are packed snow. Dad puts boots on them, which he makes from old tire rubber so they wont slip going up the roll-way. The workhorses are good at what they do. They know a wood log from a sawmill log, and they pull the heavy green logs up the roll-way and take the drier logs over to the flat bed truck. Some of these drier logs are hauled to Burns Lake and sold to people who need fire wood. Dudes who didnt take care of their wood getting in the better weather.
Sometimes we cross on the ferry; called the Jacob Hinkle, but often after the ice forms we drive the truck the two miles across the lake. You have to know when its alright to do that. Theres a pile of trucks at the bottom of the lake, or so Ive heard.
I now live in Idaho with my husband. Our children are grown. I am still cooking for hunters and painting wildlife, and I am working on my second cook book, Cheslatta Valley Recipes. This book will have the same easy to follow recipe format with a lot more recipes.
You can write to me at P.O. Box 23, Payette, Idaho 83661, but to order books please call toll free 877-BUY-BOOK (877-289-2665) or order online at www.buybooksontheweb.com.
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