Memorial Day Memories

Growing up in Hot Springs, Arkansas is the best....


Some of my best childhood memories are of my Mom getting us three girls ready for the big summer campout on Lake Quachita every summer.  I now realize that this was not her cup of tea, she much preferred a hotel and room service, but she put her all in it and we girls thought it was fantastic.

When my two sons came along, I was determined that they would have these same experiences of fishing, skiing and camp fire cookouts.  So many times we would pack it up and find a great camping area with my sister Ila and her husband Mike.  They were wonderful to be with and the boys loved it!!

Then I met Denny and my camping experiences changed..................quite a bit!!  It seemed that his style of camping was more in line with my Mom's ideas. He had a wonderful Houseboat on Lake Quachita and he loved to take me and the boys for fun filled weekends.  There is quite a bit to be said for playing in the sun and water all day and then coming in to showers and beds at night.  So, we were quickly spoiled.

I could go on for days about all our adventures ( I'll save some for later ) but one of our first big outings with Denny was Memorial Day and he, Rich and Chris all decided that the party would be better with chili dogs.  I wanted to make it as special as possible so I found this old recipe for hot dog chili and have made it every Memorial Day since!!

We added chips, slaw, crispy pickles and  lots of hot sauce to round out the menu.  And I made a fun dessert of cake batter cooked in small ice cream cones and then added their favorite icings and sprinkles.  

The best part of the chili dog sauce is it gets better every day so make it up early and enjoy the party!!

Sandy's "Sugar Daddy" Chili Dogs

Serves 16 to 18

Take two pounds of lean ground beef and put it in a heavy dutch oven with two quarts of water.  Simmer this and break it up.. you can use a potato masher if you want.  When it has lost its color then add the following:

4 onions, minced

4 Tbs chili powder (I always add lots more of this)

1 tsp crushed red pepper (I always add more )

1 tsp salt

1 tsp allspice

1 Tbs Lea and Perrins

1 tsp garlic (I always add more)

1 tsp cinnamon

4 tsp cumin

1  1/2 tsp vinegar

8 oz tomato paste (I add a little more)

Mix well and simmer on low for about 3 hours.  Stirring often. It takes a while for the flavors to mingle so don't get discouraged and then adjust by adding more of what you want.

I let this rest and cool off and then with my hand blender  I puree it to a smoother consistency.

This made the best chili dogs that evening and we had enjoyed an incredible day of fun that when we finished eating and cleaning up it was almost time to get our drinks and climb up on top of the boat for our ring side seat of the fantastic fireworks display that Mountain Harbor puts on every year.  The day, the night, nothing could have been more perfect ..we were all so content and happy.

The fireworks party died down and I realized that the boys weren't to be found so I went downstairs and found my two beautiful guys busily building another chili dog!! 

They said they just had to have one more Sugar Daddy Dog!  You see that was the name of the boat..The Sugar Daddy.  And you know what ?? That boat really was a Sugar Daddy to all of us.  It was our bonding time that will last a lifetime.


Happy Memorial Day weekend to all!


Sandy