I was born and raised in Texas. I spent my summers camping and boating on the lake with my family. Up at sunrise, a boat ride at dawn, skiing on water that was as smooth as glass, wind in my face, basking in a glorious day that promised to be HOT, HOTTER, HOTTEST; returning to camp, I would hit the beach HUNGRY, HUNGRIER, HUNGRIEST! My mother was a great camp cook. She kept us very well fed, using a fire pit and a cook stove. Bacon & eggs for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch. But the best was always dinner. There might be burgers or stew or grilled steaks, with fried potatoes or pinto beans. And probably some cornbread. I know it was hard work, keeping all those meals cooked. Looking back, I am amazed at all she did — and marvel at how much easier her camp life might have been if we had known about solar cooking back then.
Time has a way of passing on, and I grew up, married my sweetheart, and we eventually moved to Arizona with our two young daughters. As the circle of life continued, they, too grew up, married their sweethearts, and started families of their own — one daughter living close in town, but the other following her heart and her husband to the other side of the country. Now we are empty nesters enjoying our grandchildren when we are fortunate enough to see them.
I have a bachelor’s degree in Accounting, and have spent much of my career as a public accountant. Currently, I work in the Finance Department for the City of Mesa, Arizona and my husband works in the Transportation Department for the Mesa Public Schools. We also run a small craft business, Desert Scrolling. He cuts beautiful, custom clocks from exotic hardwoods, many of them are our own custom designs, and in the fall and early spring, we travel the craft show circuit on weekends, setting up our tent and selling our clocks.
And that is where I first starting thinking about solar cooking. The days were long and hot. I just kept thinking there must be a way to capture and use that heat to cook — after all, my car routinely gets hot enough to bake cookies! Solar tea has long been a staple of summer – both in Texas and Arizona. And everyone has heard the saying, “It’s hot enough to fry on egg on the sidewalk”. So I began researching solar cooking, and quickly became aware of the many benefits of using solar. I soon had to have one, and now I have eight. I love all of them. And yes! I do take my little solar oven to the craft shows, where it never fails to draw a curious crowd.
Thank you for stopping by to visit. I hope that you will love solar cooking as much as I do. Stop by often, Merry [email protected]
Just ordered my mini solar oven. Can’t wait to get it. I know you are saying what took you so long. Be chatting with you soon.
So glad you ordered one. And yes! what took you so long. Thanks for the comment, Merry
Hi txazlady! I was looking for a way to email you. I would like to discuss some reciprocal links and perhaps have you write an article for us or allow us to write an article for your site.
SolarOvens101 is new website and in the development stages, but should be a great resource for basic solar cooking and solar oven information. I hope you’ll check us out.
Hello Solar Friend, Thanks for stopping by. My e-mail addy is [email protected]. Would love to hear from you.
seen you reply on the solar cooking group. with the little girl cooking for a school project. I noted that you were from Texas, so am I and i just got started in solar cooking with my homemade 60-30 plans I got from the group. Just wanted you to know the resipies you have here are great i am going to cook some of them.
take care
Paul Love East Texas.
+1
Hello,
I found your website about solar ovens interesting and I thought you could be interested to exchange a link with my website where I talk about very similar things.
I propose you to place a link to my website that can interest you: https://www.solarcookingatlas.com and I’ll be glad to add you to my pages in exchange.
Best regards,
Romain
Hello Solar Friend, I’m so glad that you stopped by. I’m always looking for new solar friends. I really liked your website and I have put a link to it on my site. I look forward to visiting with you often. Txazlady
I am so happy you left me a comment~
I am brand new to solar cooking. Was just an experiment but we are having a lot of fun…and I could use a lot of tips on meal prep.
I’ve got lots to learn.
nice to meet you!
🙂
Hello,
This Summer we organise a solar oven contest for children with the Swiss television.
The contest aims children and teenagers and is not limited to Switzerland at all .
As your organization promotes solar cooking, would it be possible to inform your contacts and members about our contest ?
Hope to hear from you!
Best Regards.
Martin Reeve
The consest site is here : do-it-yourSciences.org
Hello Solar Friend, Thanks for stopping by and thanks for promoting solar cooking. I have added a link to your solar contest website. I hope you have great participation. Txazlady
seen you reply on the solar cooking group. with the little girl cooking for a school project. I noted that you were from Texas, so am I and i just got started in solar cooking with my homemade 60-30 plans I got from the group. Just wanted you to know the resipies you have here are great i am going to cook some of them.
take care
Paul Love East Texas.
Hi Paul. I’m Texan born and raised. I have relatives in East Texas (Paris), West Texas (Lubbock), and in the middle of Texas (Wichita Falls). And I have a “Don’t mess with Texas Women” sign in my cubie at work. So glad that you have gotten into solar cooking. And am glad you like the recipes. I’ll be waiting to hear how your cooking goes.