Fishing with Grandpa

I have many happy memories of fishing with my Father and Grandfather when I was young.
The sound of the water lapping the dock or boat, the quiet stillness while waiting for a bite, the stories my grandpa told while waiting, the smell of a spray grandpa used on the bait, the excitement that came with a catch, the anguish when it was time to touch the fish.  I can sit here and recall many feelings that have lasted as clear memories.
I have shared my favorite fishing tales with my boys. One story I share often is about the day I caught a 25 inch catfish at Indian Lake with Great Grandpa's help. This week my little guy was able to fish in Great Grandpa's territory with his Grandpa ( Great Grandpa is in Heaven).

They started out at Richwood Lake.  There were many bites but no fish.

Grandpa concluded that the hooks might be too big for the little bluegills.

Then we went to Indian Lake.

Grandpa set up a bamboo pole for my little guy. On one bite the poll broke making it the perfect size for little guy.  He decided he wanted to cast himself.  After one tangle in the dock and quite a few in and outs of the pole in the water, he caught a little channel catfish all by himself.

And that was the story of the week!!!

He was excited to share his experience with everyone and with much detail of how he caught a fish.

For me it was very special for him to have this experience with his Grandpa!!

One of many little lasting moments in his memory.

Strawberry Pie with a Coconut Almond crust

I converted this recipe from a Macrobiotic Recipe I love.
Not being a complete Macrobiotic at this time in my life I add butter, sugar, and white flour to the recipe.

Strawberry Pie:

Crust:
Mix: 1 cup flour  (can be a mixture of white and whole wheat pastry or all wwp)
1/2 cup of a mixture of almond meal and unsweetened coconut (if you do not have these grind your own nuts or replace with flour or flax meal.)

Warm in a small pan until melted and dissolved :
2 tablespoons coconut oil,
1 tablespoon butter,
1 tsp salt

Add to the flour mixture while still warm.
Form into a ball and roll out to a pie crust.  It may be so soft that you can press it into your pie plate like a tart shell.  Press to side of pie plate to create a slightly thicker side crust than bottom.  Prick bottom with a fork and bake 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

Filling:
Add to a saucepan:
 3 cups sliced strawberries and 1/2 cup whole strawberries.
2 tablespoons, barley malt, maple syrup, or brown rice syrup.
1/2 tsp salt
1 tablespoon agar flakes (These are about $6 at health food stores and $1 at Asian markets)
optional: 3 tablespoons raw sugar
Bring mixture to a slow boil and continue a low boil for 1-2 minutes.
Let cool slightly then add to pie crust.  You may add blueberries or other fruit on top for decoration.
It will set up as it cools. (at least 2 hours, if you are in a crunch for time put in the fridge to cool down)

Pea picking

We picked a few peas this weekend and ate them in the garden!! yum.

The peas are ready