About The Authors

What can you learn about Dutch Oven cooking in 37 years of married life? Just ask Larry and Jeanie Walker, who have been married that long as the grateful parents of nine children and three foster children. Add to that twenty-two "awesome grandchildren" and you have the recipe for learning a lot, according to Grandma Walker. In the process of raising these children and providing wholesome family activities to keep them all close and with the desire to learn, grow and enjoy one another, the Walkers have found certain things that work very well-and home-cooked "vittles" seem to be at the center of it.

Larry, a recipient of the prestigious Silver Beaver Award, has provided service and leadership in the scouting program for all his married life and enjoys sharing his enthusiasm for the outdoors with the youth and their leaders. He has been on countless camp outs, special events, and Mountain Man outings and has willingly taught others the skills for success. Through many positions of leadership on local, district, and regional levels, Larry has learned what is important in life.

Jeanie has worked with young women for many years and her heart is always touched by the quality of young people in our society. Although she has held numerous positions in their church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and enjoys her relationships with other adults, she is always happiest serving with the youth.

With the help of their daughter, Robyn Heirtzler, they compiled their first cook book, Dutch Oven and Outdoor Cooking in 1999 and it became an instant success among the many friends and associates whose requests over the years became sufficient to justify its publication. Nearly 10,000 copies of that book have been sold. Their continuing penchant for collecting "all the good recipes people give us" has led to additional requests from friends and others involved in Dutch Oven cooking through Scouting, girls camps, and family cookouts.

Consequently, the cook book Dutch Oven and Outdoor Cooking Book Two Homespun Edition was created, again with help from Robyn and Amber Allen, another daughter, and features all new recipes (many submitted by family and friends), as well as special sections for low-calorie recipes, recipes for diabetics using specialty foods, and "super simple" recipes for the would-be chef of the house. Recipes for over-the-fire tin-foil meals are also included in this edition. Additionally, this new book contains time-saver recipes for quick meal preparation and a special section on preparing jerky using beef, venison, and other game meats.

Residents of Highland, Utah, for over 27 years, Larry and Jeanie find time to ride their horses in the mountains and deserts, to camp as often as possible, and to travel to new places, admitting that "meeting new people and forming new friendships" makes life a joy and an adventure.