Big Cliff

Thanks, I'll give that a try this weekend

I think I just learned the secret to solving a problem I have had. I tried for years to make something similar to a blooming onion that we get at the Outback. I got the flavors pretty much bang on but I could never get the batter to stick properly. After reading the above posts I am thinking that I should have refridgerated the onion to allow the batter to set before frying it. Got to give that one a try!

Always looking for a better recipe, this does sound good! I have to give this one a try but......

Cajun style cat fish OMG it is so good. Sue and I both love almost any kind of fish but each one gets cooked differently. I think I have as many "tested" recipies for fish as there are types of fish LOL.

I always get up early, someone has to let the rooster out to wake up the sun LOL.

I usually use vegetable but both the others will work.

You have to understand; ANY time I have ever needed help in anyway with anything, members of this community have been here so fast and helped so much it was overwhelming at times. It is an honor and a pleasure to be able to do something in return!

We tried to get health insurance for Sue so we could go down South for a few weeks this year. The best price we could get was over $1000.00 A DAY! Even then there were so many exclusions there is no way we could afford to take the chance. As an alternitave, we just go away once a month for a weekend (in Ontario) Stay at a nice place (usually with a spa and a fireplace), eat what ever we want, and just pretend we are somewhere warm LOL.

No my friend, just doing what almost any other member of OFC would do, offer to help someone in need. We all do what we can, that is what makes this place so special.

You want a FANTASTIC batter, here is the best one I have ever made. it is nice and light (or heavy) depending on the amount of liquid you use. 1 cup all purpose flour 2 tsp baking powder 1 1/2 tsp salt 2 tsp sugar 1 Tbsp salad oil 1 cup water Mix dry ingredients in a bowl. In another bowl add oil to water then pour into a well in the dry ingredients. Beat until well blended and smooth. Makes enough for about 1 kg of fish. Pat the fillets dry, dip them into the batter, drain off any excess and deep fry until golden. Over the years I have tried a lot of different batters, some pre made, beer batters, you name it. This one is a beautiful, light batter (but you can make it much thicker if you want, just cut back on the water). Of all the ones I have ever tried this one is by far my favorite. You can add onion powder, garlic powder, or just about anything your heart desires to it if you want but I really like a light crisp batter that seals in the flavour and moisture of the fish, this one does that for me.

Just heard from a friend that there are about 12000 without power in the Kawarthas. He tried to find out from Hydro when it would be back on but hasn't been able to get an answer yet. If you know anyone in the area that needs a generator, I have a 6500 watt one sitting here ready to go and will loan it to anyone that needs it but unfortunatly I can't deliver it, my trailer is frozen into the ground. I will help deliver it and set it up and I have two full cans of gas, just replace what you use. If you know someone that needs it please call me cell # 705-928-8899, it is going to be a cold night.

A combination of several of the above: Check for water and refill with distilled water if necessary Hooking in parallel to a fully charged battery can sometimes re establish polarity, if your battery is so dead that your charger can't detect polarity, most won't try to charge. Use a charger that can detect and desulphate a battery. If all of these things fail, take it to a scrap yard or use it as a trade-in for a new battery.

Well, I am running out of places to put it. Our deck is down to a pathway now and the snow is piled higher than the railings. First time in the 15 years that we have been here. It seems that this year if it isn't snowing, it's drifting and all too often, both.

Wayne, I don't know how you do it, my problems seem so trivial compaired to what you and your family are going through. My prayers for you all!

As long as you weren't hurt, that is all that matters!!!!!

They ALWAYS lie Beans, the do it to give you SOME hope!

I'm with the "enough of winter" crowd I'm afraid. I didn't mind it so much when I was younger and more mobile but so far this winter my first and only ice fishing trip resulted in me getting a concussion, that sort of took the desire out of it for me. The rest of the time I'm either clearing the driveway or trying to think of excuses to not bother cleaning the driveway. It's pretty bad when you look at the forecast and start to cheer because it's going to get up to -15 next week and they are only calling for another 30cm of snow tomorrow with winds only gusting to 50 or 60 K.

And this morning the sun did come up and I chose to make it a good day and it is! The problems of yesterday are in the past, the problems of today seem much less daunting now that I have had time to think on them, some I can fix, some I can't. The ones I can fix I will, the ones I can't fix I'll have to trust to God and the Dr.s to do what needs to be done. Thank all of you for the kind words, support, and understanding, sometimes that is all that is needed to get you to the next day!

And I thought I had bad luck!

If I tried that the way things are going, I'd probably hit a water line or burried hydro cable LOL! Tomorrow the sun will rise, it will be a new day, I will choose to make the best of it. Today, I thank all of you for your support!

Oh and it just keeps getting better. Went out and cleared the driveway, backed my car in after but forgot the trailer tounge sticking up in the air, yup right through the back window. (should have cleaned the back window off and not relied on the mirrors) Walked in the house and the wife informed me she had just done the laundry, yup, missed a pen in a pocket, all the sheets and towels are now sporting big blue stains. If it weren't for bad luck!!!!!!!!!

Oh crap Lew, I thought it but didn't have the heart to say it!

The past little while has been filled with challenges for me; wife is having serious heart problems, it’s one day at a time thing. Hardly ever drinks, always eats healthy, did smoke but very casually but hasn’t touched one in over 20 years. Health care system has been a challenge to deal with. Wake up in the middle of the night and reach over to make sure she is still breathing. I have to be honest, it is rough sometimes. Daughter diagnosed with non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. It’s a hold your breath thing every three months when she has to see the oncologist. Did smoke for a short period, will have an occasional glass of wine or a drink but very rarely. Eats all the right foods and tries to take care of herself. She has a wonderful husband, a beautiful daughter and grand kids on the way. Son in hospital with severe ulcerative colitis, there is no cure, best we can hope for is control with medications or it is surgery and a bag for the rest of his life, he is only 44. Hardly ever has a drink (might have 2 or 3 beer in a summer). Smoked but not heavy, always watches what he eats and is built like a body builder. Has been told by the Dr. that he can’t go back to the work he has been doing and loves. Going to be a real life changer for sure. Brother with prostate cancer and heart problems, he has never smoked, does enjoy a beer, always worked hard and is younger than I am. Eats healthy, has a good job and a fantastic wife. 19 year old granddaughter just announced she is pregnant with twins, dad is no longer in the picture, oh joy, what are these kids thinking today? Then this morning I get a text from a very good friend to let me know that his father-in-law (and a wonderful man and friend) passed away last night. I have smoked since I was 12 (well I did quit a long time ago now), chased women since I was 13 (ok, so not when Sue is around anymore unless it’s Sue and she knows better than to make me chase her too far). Drank off and on since I was 13, never worried about what I ate, treated my body like crap and at 69 I am still able to hold down a job and apart from a few things not working quite as well as they use too (but I know how to compensate) pretty much as good as I was 50 years ago! All this and I have never felt so helpless in all my life! I have always been the “could fix anything man” and now I can’t seem to fix anything. WHY?

Wow, rough way to start a day of fishing! Perhaps it is time you had your own machine too, might come in handy. Hope you feel better really soon!!!!!!!

It is always so nice to see the thought and craftsmanship put into projects like these. I really like the way you used the valve springs, what a smart idea! I believe that the canted runners on the original sleds were to make the sleigh run true which isn't an issue in your case because you have a draw bar. Beautiful job!