Cozy Camping--Indoors

When the winter weather is at times way too bitterly cold and snowy to even think about a real experience like camping in the great outdoors, a bit of improvising can make camping indoors just as fun.

Here in Wisconsin, we have our snow and very cold weather.  So let's do some cozy camping -- indoors.........  First, let's set the table----camping style.

It just wouldn't be camping without some red, white and black plaid placemats and candles.

Some pine cones for fire starters and a homemade, red and black buffalo plaid hand warmer to slip into woolly mittens are a necessity for gathering some wood for the fireplace.

And with all that snow.....we may need some snowshoes to go outside.

Definitely, a thermos of hot coffee is needed to combat the chilly morning.

Now that the table is set and the fire is going, lets use our cast iron skillets and have a hearty breakfast before the day unfolds.

Lets start with some Breakfast Sausage on a Stick.  This fast and easy dish is perfect for camping whether it is indoors or out.  It starts with fully cooked breakfast sausages that are skewered, dipped into a thick, buttermilk pancake batter, fried in oil until golden brown and topped with a shake of powdered sugar.  Served with some warm maple syrup for dipping and some hot, steamy coffee and breakfast has you feeling like a lumberjack.

One other recipe that makes for a grab-and-go breakfast for camping is some peanut muffins topped with a peanut butter glaze  (recipe provided below).  It has just enough sweetness to provide energy to start the day or to play in the snow.

Peanut Muffins

2 C flour
4 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 C brown sugar
1 C peanuts, coarsely chopped (If using salted peanuts, omit or reduce salt from recipe)
2 T butter, melted
1/4 C peanut butter
1 C milk
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp. vanilla extract


Mix together flour, baking powder, salt and sugar in a bowl. Add chopped peanuts. In separate bowl, mix butter and peanut butter. Add milk, egg and vanilla extract. Add peanut butter mixture to the dry ingredients and mix until blended. Fill muffin tins or foil muffin paper almost full (about 3/4 full). Bake at 375 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Let cool and drizzle with peanut butter glaze (recipe below).

Peanut Butter Glaze

1/4 C creamy peanut butter
3/4 - 1 C powdered sugar
1 T corn syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 T or more, depending on consistency, whipped cream, half and half, or milk


Mix until smooth and drizzle over cooled muffins. Top with chopped peanuts.

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An end to a busy day deserves a yummy campfire cake and some fun, classic games such as checkers and tic-tac-toe.

Now does anyone know a few campfire songs before it is time to slip into a warm and cozy sleeping bag? 

Happy Camping!

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Just another note to mention....The Little Yellow Corner Store now has a a Pinterest page.  It is work in progress, but for now, you can see a collection of tablescapes throughout the years.  Pop in and take a peek at https://www.pinterest.com/thelittleyellowcornerstore/

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