Whirwind weekend

This past weekend was a total whirlwind! After work on Friday, Jeremy and I headed down to visit my cousin Michelle in Mass. I did a toy party for 20-25 people, and had a blast! We were all up until about 3am, and slept until an ungodly time of 11:30. Can you believe I now consider that time ungodly!?!? I felt awful, it was not a good way to start the day. We made a killer breakfast and had a very relaxing afternoon waiting for Michelle to get done work.
Jeremy and I took a walk around a neighborhood across the street and found it sweet but very boring! There were a few houses that we really enjoyed, some with great landscaping, but for the most part everything was exactly the same, there was little to no creativity.
We went to bed at a much more humane time Saturday night, and while Michelle and Jared didn't get up the next morning until close to 11 (Michelle works a lot of over nights, so for her, its pretty normal) Jeremy and I got up about 8:30 and enjoyed the sun that was shining. I did a few sun salutations in the grass, Jeremy enjoyed a cigarette (YUCK).
When we got home on Sunday, we ended up going to Thunder Road for the races and fireworks. It was really nice to be able to see the fireworks after we missed them Friday night, and the races are always fun. However, we didn't get home till almost 11 that night. Good thing I didn't have to work until 10am on Monday!

Why I am taking part in Operation Beautiful

I elected to participate in Operation Beautiful because fat talk is a huge problem in our society. It doesn't just affect teens, but little girls and adults. Six and seven year olds shouldn't be walking around shirts designed to show off their navel, while girls of the same age group who are stronger shouldn't feel ashamed to go to run around on the playground.
If you go by the BMI, I am considered obese. I don't act it, I don't let it affect how I choose to live my life. I am currently working to lose weight to become healthier, I don't want to suffer from diabetes or heart problems if i can help it. I have healthy goals and healthy expectations. I don't look in the mirror and say "I look fat today," I look in the mirror and say "I look good today." I want other people to be happy with who they are, and to really take a healthy view to changing things that they are unhappy with.
We are all beautiful and don't need to be a size 2 to realize it, or even a size 12.
Operation Beautiful

Yoga!!!

With all the talk of wanting to be healthier, I am beginning to work yoga into my daily life. My goals are pretty modest, to find the time to fit yoga in 2 to 3 times a week, with an ultimate goal of finding at least 5 minutes every day to spend on myself with yoga.
Cori has lent me a DVD that she absolutely loves, and I am digging out my books on yoga and pilates. It feels so good to even spend 3 minutes on 2-3 different poses. It is all about me time!

Fathers Day

Fathers Day this year was a fun filled and exciting day. I am so sorry that is has taken so darn long to get it posted!

The day started out rather nice, Jeremy and I were able to sleep in, although both of us got up around 8ish. We spent some time cleaning and getting the apartment ready for company later in the day.

For Fathers Day, Peter, Jeremy's Dad, wanted to go fishing. They called us when they got home from church and we all met up to go spend the day at Silver Lake.
We had a great time, I continued my rein as fishing queen catching 4 fish that day!

Jeremy is pushing to become the fishing prince. It will take a while to earn the rank of king. Sadly, Peter didn't catch anything.

Alice and Peter brought steaks to grill for lunch and a salad, and we brought drinks and chips. The food was wonderful! Cooking on the grill in the rain wasn't so hot though. The coal got too cool, then too hot, luckily Alice likes her steaks well done and doesn't mind more than a bit of char.

We did end up having to move from the lake side were we had a sweet spot for fishing and a table to the pavillion to get away from the rain. It rained off and on all day, we got wet, but still had a lot of fun.

When we left Silver Lake we still had about a half an hour before we had to back to the apartment to get things ready for my dad, so we decided to swing into Peavine Park to do a little bit of fishing by the river. Alice and Peter both loved the spot, and Jeremy has already been back twice to fish there.

We were a little bit late getting back to the apartment so I had to jump in the shower while Dad and Deb where there but that was ok. I had already put the meatloaf in the oven. Potatoes were on the stove to boil, and salad was already made, and the asparagus was just waiting to be cooked.

Joseph and Mel were able to come for dinner and with some cards, a little Ice Road Truckers, Dad was smiling from ear to ear all night. He especially liked that the meatloaf had "crunchies" in it and that both of his kids were there to celebrate him. Sadly I didn't think to take the camera out to get any pictures.

The night ended with a Skinny Cow ice cream sandwich and it was time to veg out on the couch and start the new week.

*** Hannah's Meatloaf ***
(This recipe serves 8)

Preheat the oven to 350*

2 lbs ground burger
1 medium onion diced
1 pepper diced (any color)
3 cloves of garlic minced
1 egg
1/4 can of condensed tomato soup
1/4 to 1/4 cup oatmeal (more or less, you want it to stick together but not be too dry)
1 TBS butter
1 TBS olive oil
salt and pepper

Saute the onions, peppers, and garlic until soft. Mix the burger, egg, soup, oatmeal, salt and pepper together, mix in the sauted veggies. Spoon into loaf pan or form into log on cookie sheet.

Bake until internal temperature reaches 140* - 160*

Habits...

Why are habits so hard to form? And others so hard to break?

I have never been able to really form a good habit for myself. I love to eat healthy and love to be outdoors and active, yet I also love to eat junk and veg out in front of the TV. I do know that some of the habits have taken years to develop and that it will take time to break them and learn develop new ones, but its remembering to do something on a daily and weekly basis that always throws me for a loop.

My weight is a struggle for me. I am completely comfortable with who I am, but know that my weight is not healthy and is going to lead to problems in my future. I want to do all I can to avoid diabetes and asthma as well as heart problems and anything else that can happen being overweight. Knowing I want to be healthier would seem to be the best motivation to keep a healthy life style, but somehow I always end up falling a step back for every step and a half I make forward!

I cook and eat healthy, although I do have a problem with portion. I seemed to have killed my off switch through years of emotional/boredom eating. My head will get wrapped around the idea I am still hungry and so eat a bit more I do. Sometimes I can get interested in something after I eat the first serving and can forget about food long enough for my body to recognize and tell me it is actually satisfied, but that can take upwards of an hour.

I love to exercise and be active, getting out the door is the hard part though. I can have all the best of intentions, but unless I get out the door, they don't do me any good. I had friends in college who would be able to get me out the door to exercise but would soon tire of working out with me because I would just go and go and go.

I was at my most fit in highschool when I was attending Tae Kwon Do 2 - 4 days a week. I had achieved my red belt and was working towards my high red belt when I was in a car accident. Do to my injuries, although small, I was unable to participate and slowly stopped attending. I was also working as a lifeguard and swimming instructor, which helped keep me active and I was able to swim and work in the pool even with my injuries. Luckily at the time I was teaching a higher level class who didn't need to be hands on. In college I become a water aerobics instructor and would get a workout 3 times a week or more because you did the moves along with the class, only standing on water. When college ended, I kept that up for a year or so, but soon moved away and let all of my credentials expire.

I can go for bike rides, hikes, and while I might huff and puff, I am the little engine that could. I don't stop, ok thats not true, I take breaks, but I don't quit. I keep going until I reach the goal, whatever that might be, however challenging it might get. I just lack the motivation to get out the door!

Thinning out the garden... YUM

This past weekend Jeremy and I spent time with Mom working on the gardens. We managed to get a fence up around one of the gardens as the chickens just would not stay out of it. We had to plant the squashes a 2nd and 3rd time because of the chickens getting into it! We had just the right amount of fencing to enclose it, which was nice to not have to try to figure out what else would keep them out. The rest of the squash got planted so hopefully we don't have to try to replant everything again.
Once that project was done it was time to break for lunch. We had some fresh greens from the garden, we thinned the carrots, onions, parsnips, beets, chard, and lettuce, along with lettuce from the farmers market, egg salad with eggs from Mom's chickens, and homemade pickles! Even the bread we used to make the sandwiches was made just one town over. It felt so good to be eating locally. Holy YUM!

Planting Potatoes & Making Scarecrows

Finally getting some pictures from our gardening adventures posted! We spent one afternoon making scarecrows for some of the gardens. It was a beautiful day and they came out great. They really added to the gardens, making them feel ready for all summer has to bring.







Another project was planting potatoes. We have never planted potatoes before so this was an experiment. Newspaper, hay, and pro-grow were all needed to start the potato beds. So far so good, although we need more sunshine!

Quilt Squares

The 9 Patch Crazy Quilt is coming along nicely! I was finally able to take a few pictures to share.
As I said before, it is being made of fabric that my grandmother either had left over from quilts she had made or had made to go towards a new quilt. There are wonderful blues, purples, pinks, greens, and neutrals.


These are 5 of the twelve stacks cut and sewn together. Each stack is comprised of 9 squares and when cut, there are 9 different crazy patch squares. While some stacks are very similar, there are no 2 stacks that are exactly the same.

Operation Beautiful

Today I did something I have never done before. I left an anonymous post it with a note on it in the bathroom. It says "You are beautiful." I am hoping to life someones spirits and make them feel good!

I did it in support of Operation Beautiful. Operation Beautiful is something Caitlin over at Healthy Tipping Point started.

The goal of Operation Beautiful is to end Fat Talk. Fat Talk is very toxic! As Jillian Michaels said, "Fat talk is transcending.... It affects your reality and damages you professionally, personally, and physically."


Here are a few tips Caitlin offers for ending Fat Talk:
Don't compare your body to others.
Appreciate your body for what it can do.
Turn a negative into a positive. Instead of "I'm stocky," try "I'm strong!"
Never Fat Talk in front of your kids or friends.

9 Patch Crazy Quilt

I am getting very excited about my quilt. It is really starting to come together. After looking through a bunch of fabric my grandmother gave me when she stopped working on quilts due to her eye sight, Jeremy's sister Mary helped me pick a pattern so I didn't have to go buy fabric. It totally rocks, I only have to buy batting and backing.
The 9 patch crazy quilt is going together quickly and I have only been working on it for a total of 4 nights, including cutting. I cut 12 stacks of 9, each stack being a bit different from the next if only in one square, and will make a 90" by 120" (approximately) quilt when finished. Everything except the backing is cut out, and I already have 4 of the 12 stacks cut out.
It won't take but a few more nights to finish cutting and sewing the stacks into crazy patch squares then I can looking at arranging it and sewing it together!

Skippity Do Da....

With the weather finally getting warm outside, all I want to do is be outside. Nothing wrong with that at all, except I started a project that I want to get finished! I am making a quilt, and it was the perfect thing to fill the cold and dreary rainy nasty days we have been having for the last few weeks.
I am looking out my window at the sun and blue sky and wanting more than anything to be outside enjoying it. I want to get into the gardens up at Mom's pulling weeds and planting more lettuce and chards. I want to get on my bike and ride. I want to go to the river and fish, although a lake or pond will do!
I would even be content sitting outside with a book or a magazine, but something outside. Why do I do these things to myself?
It needs to be nice on weekends, Thursdays, and it can mix it up the other days. Wednesdays I want rainy and dreary, so I can work on my quilt. Is that too much to ask?

I love long weekends!

This weekend has been awesome!

Friday night Jeremy surprised me and took me to the drive in. He made sure to hang on to a bit of money from his previous paycheck so he could take me out. Not that hanging onto $14 to get into a double feature is very challenging :-)
Paul Blart: Mall Cop and Fired Up were playing and worth every penny! Paul Blart was a mall cop who got his chance at the big time in saving his mall when it was taken hostage by a group of thieves. Jeremy and I both laughed until our sides hurt, especially over his mini video on his segway.
Fired Up was your typical cheerleader movie, good team always placing last versus top teams, only there is a twist. Two boys who are only after tail sign up for cheerleading camp and end up loving the sport. There is also the requisite boy meets girl, boy falls in love with girl, girl avoids boy, then girl falls in love with boy, happily ever after.
We packed some blankets, a snack, and some iced tea and curled up on the grass with a radio. It was the perfect night.
Saturday we went fishing and for a cookout with Jeremy's parents. They had never been up to McIntosh Pond in South Royalton and it turned out to be the perfect place because we were able to have sun, shade, privacy, a great fishing spot, and it was a wonderful day. Burgers and dogs were cooked on the grill. Jeremy caught two pumpkin seeds, I caught a pumpkin seed and a dace. That was the extent of our catches for the day but it was still pretty exciting.
Sunday we did a bit of gardening with Mom, and I spent the afternoon feeling yucky! Not even a large glass of fresh veggie juice could get me feeling ok. We have almost everything planted finally. We will go back into the gardens and plant more chard and more lettuce because it grows so quickly and we want several harvests out of it.

Baby Chicks and Sweet Pickled Watermelon Rind

About two weeks ago the hatchling that was beginning to stretch its legs in the big bad world was killed! My moms dogs got ahold of the chick and played with it, ultimately ending its little life. It was really sad, and Mom was super pissed at the dogs, which I totally can't blame her for.
Sweetie, momma chicken, is sitting on a new batch of eggs, so hopefully we will get another baby chick or two.
This past weekend was also the arrival of our meat chicks and a few new layers. There were 35 chicks in all, 10 of them going to a friend of Mom and Lynda's.
On the other end of the spectrum is the garden, which is getting closer and cloesr each day to being fully planted. There is only 2 gardesn left to plant, the other 4 are completely planted, along with the seperate potato patch! YAY!
The strawberrys look awesome, we layed down newspaper and hay in between the rows to help keep the paths clear. As they have started flowering, we are pinching all but a few buds this year so that the energy is spent on the roots and the offshoots.
It was a busy day as Mom and I also prepped watermelon rind to make Sweet Pickled Watermelon Rind. She had two bags of rinds to be trimmed, and it was perfect for making a half batch. All of the fruit, the pink, had to be trimmed away, as well as the green part of the rind. We set them to soak in a salt water brine over night.
The next day at work, Mom surprised me with a jar of the pickles. She finished them Monday morning and boy were they super tasty!!! They were a little less sweet than what I buy in the store, a bit more clovey/cinnamony, but oh soooo good. I can't wait to wrap them in bacon for an appetizer, dice them up and serve over a baked potato! YUM.

Jumping on the Bandwagon

This past weekend I decided to jump on the bandwagon and give the Green Monster a shot. I have been reading about it on Eat Live Run for several weeks now. I am trying to work on getting better about eating breakfast as well as getting more vegetables into my diet. This seemed the perfect way.
Here is my first attempt:
4 cups spinach
1 frozen banana
1 scoop peanut butter
soy milk
I used my immersion blender and it was a bit more textural than I really wanted, the pieces were small but I could still chew them. Flavor wise it was really good.

My second attempt:
4 cups spinach
1 frozen banana
1 scoop almond butter
1 scoop protein powder
soy milk
I used my moms blender this time and it was nice and fluffy, not textural bits in the smoothie. I really enjoyed the flavor that the almond butter added as opposed to the peanut butter, and the protein powder helped make it thicker and richer.

I can't wait to try it with a few added frozen berries for some extra color nutrients. I might also try adding some ground flax seed.

With all of the protein it kept me full for hours! On top of being so healthy and so filling, it was incredibly tasty to boot, gotta love that.

La Ronde!

The best La Ronde trip EVER! Between timing, the group, and flash pass, we couldn't have asked for a better day.
Ordering tickets ahead of time was key.
Bethany, Beth, Chasity, Kristie, Bridget, and I met up early Saturday morning and made our way across the border to Montreal.
We spent just under 9 hours in Montreal. Most of that time was in the park and we went on so many rides, took an hour lunch, a break for a snack, and were exhausted by the time we left.
Goliath was my favorite ride by far. Bethany and I rode it 4 times, and by the end it was nothing to ride the whole thing with our arms up in the air. The feeling of your butt coming up a little bit and the drop, it was intense and so free.
Can't wait to go again!

Amusement Park Fun

Tomorrow is the girls trip to LaRonde up in Montreal! We are so excited.
I love roller coasters, which is so funny because as a child, I HATED them with a passion, especially ones that went upside down. Now, that is what I am looking forward to the most. I'll have more details to share tomorrow and hopefully some pictures. There will be six of us and the weather is supposed to be wonderful.

I LOVE VOLLEYBALL!

Yesterday was the first Thursday I have been home in weeks that we didn't have rain. That meant it was officially volleyball night.
Jed cuts and sells firewood for a living, because of this he has a great field, the woodlot, that he and his wife Abby have set up a volleyball court. It is such great fun to get together and play.
Quite a few people were there, and had obviously had a chance to play before I had. This was my first night of the season.
I was a bit rusty, but so much fun. I couldn't believe how much my legs hurt this morning when I got up. I guess that is what I get for running around on the dirt in barefeet. I can't wait till next week. I'm planning on grabbing my bike from my Dads, which has been there since Memorial Day, and riding from Randolph to Bethel.

Sad Day

Yesterday was a very sad day. We had to put Cupcake, our 34 year old Morgan, down.
Mom was at home and noticed she was laying down in a very awkward position, she stopped to check on her and she couldn't get up. Mom called the vet, and spent the better part of the day with her, watching her struggle and in pain. As awful as it was, we were all SOOOO glad that Mom was able to be with her. The vet was able to put her down quickly and quietly, and she was in the ground by 2pm.
Iris, our other horse was frantic. She was tearing around the pasture and screaming. She continued on for the evening, winnying and crying, looking for her friend. My heart really went out to her as I was feeling the same way.
Cupcake came to us 15 years ago on a weekend I was away at a marching band event in the seventh grade. I loved taking her for bareback rides with just the halter and a lead rope down the road and through the woods at my Dads. I remember going to meet up with Katy and Gypsie, halfway between her house and mine, for trail rides. She never needed wooden fences or electric fences to keep her in, string worked just fine. I remember one summer I was having trouble catching her, I guess Cupcake just didn't want to go in, and so I asked my brother for help. Wouldn't you know it, she booted him, hard. Joseph had a huge bruise on his thigh for the rest of summer.
She was always willing to go for a ride, ready to jump out of the gate. She was also just as ready to go home, getting a jiggy walk when she knew we were headed back. She loved being brushed, especially rubs and scrubs on the forehead and between the ears. She hated, with a passion, the sadle being put on and the girth being tightened.
Cupcake loved snacks, carrots, apples, popcorn, popsicles, they were all great treats to her. We had to put her in at night because she would eat herself sick on the grass in the summer, and she would gorge herself on grain if the bin was left open.
She was my first horse and I couldn't have asked for a better one. Cupcake couldn't have asked for a better home than she got living with my mom either. I miss you!

Memorial Day Weekend

BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT EVER!
Ok, I might have recieved other gifts that have ranked right up there with it, but a weekend of camping with the family for Memorial Day is pretty darn high on the best ever list.

Silver Lake State Park and Campground is nestled into the small town of Barnard on Silver Lake. It is a small campground, with lots to do. There are horseshoe pits, volleyball, room to play kickball/softball, and of course swimming, boating, and fishing. It is my favorite place thus far to go camping.

There were 13 of us over 6 sites, with lots of visitors each day and night. Everybody took a meal, and there were some scrumptious ones to be had! I brought pizza, I was running way late coming back from the Cape, me run late, who knew ;-) There were bbq beef sandwiches, pasta salads, burgers and dogs, Dads' Famous Weber Roast Beef, french fries and blooming onions, and the final night was a killer wing off! The first of Silver Lake Annual Wing Off's to be had.

Jeremy and I borrowed a canoe from Mom and Lynda and went fishing twice, and let me tell you... I'M THE FISHING QUEEN!!! I caught more fish than anybody that weekend. The largest being an 8 inch bass. I can even bait my own hooks and take my own fish off the hook!

I can't wait to do more camping and fishing, and I especially cannot wait until next year to go camping Memorial Day weekend with family again.

Cape Cod

In for the long haul... This is going to be a long one, covering my week long vacation on the Cape!

Mary, Jeremy's cousin, and her husband Clint joined us for the week on the Cape. They had never been before, so it was great being able to experience so many of places and sites on the Cape that I love through new eyes.

When we arrived we were all pretty spent and after unloading the car and unpacking the perishables, a few minutes were spent checking out the new floors and the layout of the cottage and then it was off to bed!

Grocery shopping was our first item of business, and since we didn't to go shopping hungry, as everyone knows that will usually double if not triple the goods, breakfast was our priority.

When Mary asked us if we knew a good place for breakfast, Jeremy and I responded in unison! Grumpy's is the only place to get breakfast on Cape Cod in our opion. They always have some unusual choices along with the classics and we are never disappointed.


I love their homemade hash benedict, and get that almost exclusively. That and their french toast. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

The next few days were a whirwind of driving around and exploring the Cape and shopping. It was a great way to spend the rainy days we had. The majority of shopping was done at Cuffy's. We all got oodles of tshirts and sweatshirts. Jeremy even got a couple of pairs of pants.

Despite the drizzles, we explored The Stony Brook Grist Mill and Herring Run [picture], took a trip to Chatham, and went thrift shopping!

When we got sun back, we took full advantage of it and went walking the beach. All beaches have tides, but Cape Cod Bay has a tide that goes out about a mile! The flats, the areas of sand where the water used to be, are a great place to explore. The feeling of walking where in just 6 hours there will be enough water to cover your head is pretty excilerating.
[picture]
While out on the flats, we waded into the water and toed for a few clams. We only found a few, and as the water was a bit chilly, we finally gave up and headed back to the beach. The clams would have been great for any number of recipes, but we ran out of time to cook them, and since they were still alive, back into the bay they went.

The next day we still had the same great weather, and headed off to Provincetown for a whale watch. The Dolphin Fleet has been offering outstanding whale watches for as long as I can remember, and is who I always choose. There were over a dozen whales, mamas and babies, and oh it was just wonderful. It is a breathtaking site to watch the whales eat, hang out, and play. Almost as exciting as watching the whales was watching Mary's expression when she saw them. Not as exciting was the girls standing behind us eiking and shrieking over and over and over!
[pictures]
Our second to last day was filled with beautiful weather as well, and we decided to go for a bike ride. We found the best location ever on the Cape for renting bikes. Orleans Cycle had the best rates, awesome service, and was perfectly located. I was very impressed and will do all bike business with them when I visit the Cape in the future. We had stopped the night before about an hour after close and they were still there and sold us the tubes we needed! How awesome is that?
Our bike ride was excellent, we biked from Orleans Cycle all the way to Eastham and took a little detour off of the Cape Cod Rail Trail onto the Nauset Bike Trail and down to Coast Guard Beach. It was a beautiful day and felt so good to bike along. We went just about 6 miles to the beach, and about a mile into the trip back, the crank screw on Jeremy's bike snapped! He was left walking his bike with Mary walking with him. Clint and I rode ahead back to the bike shop to buy a screw. When we got there, they gave us the screw that we needed and DIDN'T CHARGE us for it; even after I told them if wasn't their bike the part broke on. It really made me a loyal customer after all they did for us.
Clint and I started our bike ride back, and ran into Jeremy and Mary about 4 miles back from the bike shop. Jeremy got the bike fixed and we rode leisurely back to the shop. I was POOOPED but felt so good. I can't wait for the weather to clear up so I can get back to biking around home.
The last day was spenting cleaning and packing, and a final breakfast at Grumpies. Did I mention it is the best place to get breakfast on the Cape EVER???

Back from Vacation!

I am back from vacation, and taking the day to rest and get reacquainted with being home. Starting tomorrow, I am will be back to posting, and should have some stuff from vacation as well.

Water Consumption

Water is by far my beverage of choice. I like it flat or sparkling, room temp or cold, but find that I just don't drink as much as I should be. I have tried different water bottles to see if that helps me to drink more water, I have tried filling a jug and drinking off from it from the fridge, and I have tried filling small containers and drinking from them. Nothing seems to really help me keep track or get as much water as I need.
My favorite water bottle is a SIGG but isn't always the easiest to drink from, get water into (at least at work), and tends to warm up faster. However, I really like that it isnt going to leak anything into my water. Yet lately I have been using a water bottle, biking style, that I recieved from Noble Power because I can fill it quickly at work and its easy to drink from, but I don't know if it is BPA-free.
I drink at least 64 ounces of water a day, but feel the best when I am able to drink about 100-110 ounces of water a day. Going with the 64 ounces a day is what is recommended, but I like drinking half of my body weight in ounces a day.
So far, one bottle worth, at least 2 to go! I really don't know how many ounces the NoblePower bottle is, but I figure its at least 20 ounces, and if I drink 3 of them at work, the water I drink at home will at least get me my 64.
On another note, my camera is fixed and I get it back tomorrow night! Once I get it back, I am going to work on a food journal. I want to know what I am eating, what doesn't work, and what I want to change. It will start on Friday if I have internet on the Cape. If I do not have internet on the Cape, I will not start keeping a food journal until I get on the 26th!

Bike Ride

Jeremy and I are going to go visit my grandmother after work today. We are going to go via bike and this is our route!

Happy Mothers Day!

Today was a day full of celebrating Moms. Jeremy was up early to finish the Johnny Cash CD's for his mom. They came over for breakfast after they left church, and was thrilled to get the CD's. They were late following us to Rite Aid because they had a hard time picking out which CD to listen to She loved it!
Jeremy spent some time visiting with a few friends while I spent some time up at Mom's transplanting tomatoes.
There were A LOT of them! I can't wait until they start producing fruit :-)
I checked on the little chicken and (s)he isn't so little anymore. No longer covered in baby chick fuzz there are lots of new feathers coming out. Very cute!
I prepped veggies for roasted vegetables and minced garlic to saute with the green beans, and caramelized onions and peppers to mix into the meatloaf.
Mom and Lynda had been on the Cape this weekend, so I thought it would be nice to have a meal made for them when they got home. Mom did pick out the meal and it turned out to be the perfect meal for the chilly day we had!
I had made coffee for Lynda, and decaf ready for Mom. Not one to drink coffee in the afternoon, Mom felt like it was the perfect way to end the long drive home from the Cape.
Mom brought home some leftover juice she had made for the trip and it sure was TASTY! I could taste beets and carrots and apples, there was some cucumber and I am not entirely sure what else. Makes me wish I had a juicer at home, along with the money to buy produce to make the juice. Someday :-)
Mom also had some leftover kombucha from the weekend and it is so much better than anything store bought, and once you have your own culture, SOOOOO much cheaper.
It was a great day, the only thing that could have made it better was a bit warmer of a day.

Lasagna Stoup

Jeremy and I stopped up to Mom's for a little bit last night. Which was a great little visit, enjoying the view, discussing what I would make for dinner on Mothers Day when they got back from the Cape. I came up with some options, homemade potstickers with napa salad and sauteed green beans, meat or veggie lasagna, summer squash pasta, or meat loaf with roasted vegetables and green beans. Jeremy of course thought that I was talking about what to make for dinner that night, boy wasn't he disappointed when he realized I was talking about Sunday.
Mom decided on meatloaf with roasted vegetables and green beans. YUMMY!
Jeremy was so bummed that we weren't going to be eating any of the options for dinner that night that I decided to cave a little bit and make something close. A few weeks ago I made a batch of Lasagna Stoup from the Rachael Ray Magezine. The first time I made it I followed it to a T, minus the carrots (only because I realized I didn't have any at home and wasn't going to the store for just carrots). When I made it last night however, I changed things up a bit. It was even better!

Lasagna Stoup
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO)
1 pound ground beef sirloin
Salt and pepper
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 carrots, peeled and grated
3 to 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
One 32-ounce container (4 cups) chicken broth
One 28-ounce can Italian crushed tomatoes
1 pound lasagna noodles, broken into jagged pieces
1 cup basil leaves, torn
1 cup whole-milk ricotta
Grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese, to pass around the table

1. In a soup pot, heat the EVOO over medium-high heat. Add the beef, season with salt and pepper and cook until browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the onion, carrots and garlic and cook until softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in 2 cups water, the chicken broth and tomatoes; cover and bring to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 15 minutes. Stir in the basil and season with salt and pepper.
2. Serve the stoup in bowls and dollop with the ricotta. Pass the parmigiano-reggiano at the table.

My Changes!
1 pound ground beef
Salt and pepper
Italian Seasoning
Dry Basil
1 large onion, finely chopped
5-6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
One 32-ounce container (4 cups) chicken stock
3 14.5-ounce can Italian Style diced tomatoes (purree one can)
1 pound rigatoni
whole-milk ricotta to dollop on
Grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese, to pass around the table

Brown the beef, season with salt and pepper, italian seasoning, and dried basil, cook until browned. Stir in the onion and garlic and cook until softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Dump in the chicken broth and tomatoes; cover and bring to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 15 minutes.
Serve with ricotta and parm!

This is even better the next day when it has had a chance to sit and absorb juices and become almost a caserole!

Fiddlehead Festival

Saturday was a great day spent with Mom. We went to the Fiddlehead Festival at Vermont Technical College in Randolph Center. It was the perfect start to the growing season!
When we got there, we spent a bit of time walking around checking out the tables and vendors set up, watch the tractors drive through on the tractorcade, and bought our lunch tickets. There were many different types of vendors from food vendors, Integrative Health, Woodsong Herbals, Habitat for Humanity, a local coalition working to get ride of the Wild Chervil naturally, and many others.
Mom decided to sit in on the gardening workshop, and while she said she didn't learn a whole lot new, she found a great tool! The CobraHead Short Handle Tool! We both have already tried it, and if you are going to only own one hand tool for gardening, this is the tool!
I sat in on the wild edibles workshop, and learned a few things. I already knew I loved fiddleheads, but that was the only wild edible that I had ever really had. The one time I had dandelion greens, they had been cultivated (strange I know). I was able to sample ramps, a sweet spicy young wild onion, which was incredibly TASTY! An onion, who knew ;-) Japenese knotweed, also known as red asparagas, was another tasty wild edible. I would have liked a bit more information on more edibles and where to find them and a little less of the politics of foraging/gathering.
Mom and I met up after our workshops and had a fantastic chili lunch with cornbread, salad and ice cream. Everything was made with local ingredients from the butter and cheese, to the vegetables and the meat, the butter for the ice cream!
It had been a bit dreary in the morning, but the afternoon brought wonderful sunshine. We spent the afternoon watching some sheep dogs work some sheep. Watching the men with their dogs was pretty incredible, especially getting to see the dogs at different levels of training. The amount of control a single dog has over a small group of sheep is pretty intense, and with just whistle guidance, they dogs can move the sheep anywhere!
All in all it was a great day and I can't wait until next year.

Walking and Fishing (oh yeah and lots of animals)

Yesterday morning, I got up early and went for an awesome walk with Mom. We went through the fields behind her house, up to the fields next to the interstate. It was a great walk, and I didn't overdo it. We planted the phlox that Jeremy and I gave her for her birthday and got some plants watered.

For lunch, we made a killer juice. It was my favorite by far! Beets, carrots, apples, celery, cucumber, ginger, and cranberries! Very filling. Mom made some coleslaw while I started on the hummus. It was SOOOO tasty.

Hummus
3 cups chick peas
3 TBS tahini
1/2 cup lemon juice
4 cloves of garlic
2 TBS olive oil
2 pinches of salt

Place all items in a food processor and blend until smooth. ENJOY!
You can add anything at all to enhance the hummus, sundried tomatos, fire roasted peppers, roasted garlic, olives, etc.

I covered work for about 45 minutes while people had training, then was off with Jeremy to pick up my fishing license at his sisters and go fishing! On our way home from his sisters we almost hit a moose! It was getting ready to walk into the road and I screamed at Jeremy to stop. It just stood in the road adn looked at us before turning around walking away. Just down the little slope into the field was its baby.

While at the river, Jeremy jumped out of his skin when a beaver slapped the water. He told me it sounded like a kid doing a canonball, when we heard it again not 5 minutes later.

With all the fun and all the animals, the one thing we never saw was a fish. Better luck next time!

Walking and Riding

Yesterday before going shopping with Mom, I took part in the March for Babies. It was a 5.2 mile walk and it left my legs feeling like jello! I haven't walked farther than a half a mile for several months now, it felt so good to be so active. I was sore the next day though! I only raised $20 but it was better than nothing, and it was a great cause.


Then today, after work, I decided to go for a bike ride. I have really missed biking, but I bit off a pretty big challenge! I decided to bike from home, down in town, up to Mom's. The ride is only about 4.75 miles or so, but within a half a mile of leaving my apartment, it is all up hill till I hit VTC. Then I get about quarter of a mile downhill to Mom's.


I probably stopped 15 times going up the hill, it really pushed me beyond my limits, but I did it! I can't wait to get out and bike again, however, I think I will select a few milder rides before I attempt Route 66 again!

Hanging Planters

I got two different gift certificates to Dandelion Acres for my birthday, $55!!! I was super excited to go down and spend money on something I really wanted. I wasn't sure what I was wanting, but realized that hanging planters for the living room was really going to help my living room become cohesive.
Mom and I spent a lot of time looking at the different styles of hanging planters, putting them side by side, and here is what we came up with!

This is planter number one.

This is planter number two.

This is the last planter.
I bought the different sizes with the plants that are in them in mind. Here is what they look like hanging together.

B-day Dinner at Moms

Tonight was my birthday dinner up at Mom's. It was fantastic! We had filet mignon on the grill with sauteed onions and mushrooms, baked potatoes and a killer salad. The meal was ended with angel food cake, strawberries, and vanilla ice cream.
Joe and Mel were there, and they got me this really neat watering can planter with cala lily bulbs! I cannot wait to get it planted and watch it grow. I love all types of lilys so it couldn't have been more perfect.
I got money from Lynda, which is always a hit, and a hilarious card!
The best came from Mom. There was a print titled Cape Cod Summer with a mermaid and an octopus entwined hanging on the wall at the cottage on the Cape that I have always loved.

My cousin Launi and I both wanted it, so it was decided to leave the print at the cottage. As much as we both wanted it, we knew to be fair, neither of us should have it. For the past 3 years I have been looking online trying to find the print; a couple of months ago I actually found it! It is done by Winnie Fitch, and while it is a poster, and not an original print, it is still amazing. My mom got it mounted on a board with a black border and I have it hanging in my living room as I type! I was super stoked. It evokes such memory and emotion for me.

Launi's birthday is coming up, and Mom had an identical one made for her! I can't wait until she gets it. It should be soon as Mom already mailed it to her.

Almond Butter

I much prefer almond butter to peanut butter, although both are wonderful. There is a company called Barney Butter that makes almond butter from almonds grown within 20 miles of their facility. They don't process other nuts, making them a safe almond butter for someone who might be allergic. I heard about them through EatLiveRun.com.
When I visited the site, I found that I could order a sample! This almond butter was creamy, smooth, and super tasty. I cannot wait to order some to have at home!

I am nearing the end of my fall semester, and while the work load is not heavy, I am feeling it weigh on me as I find myself wanting to be outside more.

Weekend

All week long I have felt like I have been left out of enjoying the sun, getting my hands dirty, and really enjoying spring. Not this weekend!
I got the car cleaned, inside and out, which felt so good since it hasn't been done since before winter. While I cleaned my car out, Jeremy helped Mary at the carwash and earned a few bucks which was nice.
Then, today, I got to play in the dirt. Mary decided to dig up an old garden that had been over run with weeds. There were some big nasty roots from trees that were sending out root babies, and it took a lot of shoveling and yanking to get them out, but when we did, she has a nice beginning to a new garden. She is hoping to fill it with lots of different vegetables, and a few flowers.
Oh yeah, and we spent several hours shooting guns. I was super excited about how accurate I was with both the 22 and the 30-30. I am really looking forward to taking Hunter Safety and being able to go hunting hopefully this coming fall.

Tomato Plants

I cannot wait to put them into the ground and watch them GROW!

Baby News!!!

With so much spring in the air, it is the perfect time to announce the new life that has crept into existence!

I can't wait to find out if it is a boy or a girl, although I am really pushing for a girl.

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WE HAVE A BABY CHICK! Mom has a chicken that has been sitting on a few eggs for a while now. At least one egg broke, 3 eggs either were never fertilized or got too cold when she got off the nest one day, but there was one little egg. One egg was fertilized, never got too cold, and was ready to meet the spring.
It's little cheep cheep cheeps were so cute, and while Mom was struggling with how to handle food and water, it was so busy exploring its little home. In the past, when chicks come through the mail, she always picked up the chicks and one by one dipped their beaks into the water and food. She wasn't sure if she should do that, if the chick would figure out how to eat and drink on its own. Moments later, after watching the mama chicken eat and drink, the little chick was drinking water and eating food. It was amazing to watch the chick learn to eat and drink without human help.

Plants

My plants are all starting to look so good. One of my trays of lettuce got too tried out, there was water in the bottom, just not enough. Other than that, I have mesclun mix looking vibrant and yummy. My roma tomatoes are starting to poke up, moved them to a more well lit spot. My heirlooms have been moved into the living room to get more natural light.
The peppers and eggplants have a little bit to go as they were started later than the tomato plants were.
I am getting so excited to be putting things into the ground, making use of what we do get, and knowing what works well and what doesnt.
Out of the tray of heirloom tomatos, only 2 seeds that I planted didn't grow!!!

I am going to try to take a picture with my phone when I get home, see how it turns out :-)

I have been trying to eat a healthier diet as of late, and my new FAVORITE snack has become Chobani greek yogurt with a drizzle of honey. It is creamy and yummy! I have also fallen back in love with the peanut butter and banana snack. The things that you grow up with, and forget about!

Dunkin Donuts

Ok, so I decided to look for free samples online. I found the best one ever :-)
FREE DUNKIN DONUTS!!!

I will never understand...

In Memory

Maddie

&

Thalon

Mucking

This weekend was spent house sitting at Mom and Lynda's while they went to the Cape. They had the dogs, so it was a matter of keeping the kitties and horses fed, and making sure the chickens got in each night.
Jeremy and I had planned to try to get the garden beds weeded and turned and ready for planting, along with a load or two of manure to each location. That got waylaid when we decided to muck out one of the horses run-ins. During the winter, Cupcake gets closed into the run-in because Iris bullies her away from her food. Between the snow and freezing, it is difficult to clean out daily, so in the spring, Mom mucks it out, laying lime, sand, and fresh sawdust.
Since the run-in was where we were taking the manure from, we decided to just keep going and muck out the entire space. It took us a little over 2 hours to clean out, lime, and sand. Mom said she would get sawdust when she got home to put down.
After hoeing out, before lime and sand.



Today, we were supposed to tackle the garden beds, but with the temperature in the 20's and SNOW, it has to wait for a bit warmer of a day.

We celebrated April birthdays yesterday at Dad's and had a great meal. Spent some time with Jeremy's sister and her kids, and didn't make it home (Mom's) to go to bed till midnight! It was a late night, and I am glad we stopped at Mom's before we went to his sisters to feed the animals.

Today was brunch with Jeremy's parents at The Steakhouse on the Barre-Montpelier Road in Barre. The food was ok, nothing great. Then we had an awesome Sunday drive home.

Beef Stroganoff

I finally made beef stroganoff. It was DELICIOUS! Keep in mind, this is my version of beef stroganoff, made how I like it.

I will have a few tweeks at the end that I plan on making next time!

I used my left over roast beef for this, although you could brown up beef or burger if you don't have left over roast beef or steak. Amounts are negotiable!

Beef Stroganoff
3 cups diced left over roast beef
1 16oz package sliced mushrooms
1 medium onion
2 large cloves of garlic
3 bouillon cubes
3 cups water
2 tbs flour
1 cup sour cream
1 lb egg noodles
1 tbs butter
1 tbs olive oil

Boil water and cook egg noodles till al dente.

In sauce pan, melt butter and olive oil and add mushrooms, onions, and garlic. Saute till brown and soft, season with salt and pepper. Pull the mixture off of the stove and place into food processor and blend with one cup of hot water and bouillon cubes. Meanwhile, toss the beef with the flour and add to the pan to heat through. Add the pureed mixture to the beef, add 2 cups more water and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat, add in the sour cream, and mix with the noodles. Let sit for 5 minutes and serve!

I puree the vegetables as I really like the flavor of mushrooms, but have not been able to get past the texture of them. If you dont want to puree, don't, won't hurt my feelings!

Next time I would omit the flour and use 1-1 1/2 cups less of water, and up the mushrooms and the onions and the garlic. I would also add fresh parsley at the end.

Enjoy!

Personality Tests

Thanks to Katy I took the Meyers-Briggs personality test again. After reading how she has grown and changed since then, and finding that her results were the same, I was intrigued as to how I have or have not changed.

In high school, I was an ENFP. ENFPs are initiators of change who are keenly perceptive of possibilities, and who energize and stimulate through their contagious enthusiasm. They prefer the start-up phase of a project or relationship, and are tireless in the pursuit of new-found interests. ENFPs are able to anticipate the needs of others and to offer them needed help and appreciation. They bring zest, joy, liveliness, and fun to all aspects of their lives. They are at their best in situations that are fluid and changing, and that allow them to express their creativity and use their charisma.

Today, when I took the test, I have changed. I am now an ESFP, which is only one letter difference, but a pretty substantial difference.

ESFPs are friendly, outgoing, fun loving and naturally drawn to people. They are quite enthusiastic and exuberant, and are usually well liked by others. They are good at meeting people and helping them enjoy themselves. They are sympathetic toward people and generous with their time and money. At their best, they are able to realistically meet human and situational needs in a fun and lively way.

Part of me is really surprised at the change, as the description of an ENFP seems to fit me really well. Part of me is not surprised as I seem to fit the ESFP description as well.

A Slow Day

After a slow day of doing nothing, I ended up not making dinner tonight! We ate at Jeremy's sisters so the beef stroganoff is going to have to wait until tomorrow.

Last night, or should I say early early this morning, I didn't hit they hay till almost 2am. Not something I should have done, but we got sucked into the show Intervention. It made for a rough morning, early afternoon, as I didn't get out of bed till about 12:15. I havent slept in like that in over a year and the last time I was SICK SICK SICK.

I have been left feeling overly lethargic with an unusually low lack of motiviation. I think I will be off to bed early tonight, so that I can get up and feel good to go to work tomorrow. I know how important sleep is to my health, but I had forgotten how important until today.

I have found a new favorite snack! A plain Chobani drizzled with honey. The thickness of greek yogurt is so much more satisfying than the thin oozy yogurts I grew up with. Greek yogurt also has a bit more tang to it which I find I enjoy more than the sickly sweet of light yogurts.

Leftover Dinner Mess

After last nights awesome roast beef dinner, I had to come up with something to do with the leftovers. I have plans for the roast beef, tomorrow night it will be turned into some sort of beef stroganoff!

Tonight I made a pasta dish with the left over broccolini and sweet potato.

The pasta water was put in, and in the meantime; I cut up and lightly sauteed the left over sweet potato, and set it aside. I had a chicken sausage in the fridge which I sliced up and put in the pan to warm up; I also tossed in some pepperoni for a little bit of spice.

The pasta went into the salted boiling water, and I started on the cream sauce. A little butter, a little olive oil, and some flour started off a roux. I added a bit of 2% milk, so it wasn't completely unhealthy, a generous amount of salt, pepper, and garlic and herb seasoning.

When the cream sauce got thick, I dumped the chopped broccolini in with the pasta to heat it through. After draining the pasta, I mixed everything together and was more than pleasantly surprised at how good the dish tasted.

I called it leftover dinner mess because it looked like a big mess in a bowl!

Roast Beef Dinner

Under the impression we might have company for dinner, I decided to make a roast beef for dinner. The days are back to being a bit cool (IT WAS SNOWING TODAY) and a nice hot meal was just what was needed. I served it up with baked sweet potato and steamed broccolini. (Company never came.)

The roast went into the oven at 325 for just over an hour and a half. It was a 4lb roast, so it was a little over 20 minutes a pound. While still tender and tasty, it ended up being a bit tougher and over cooked for my taste. I poked several holes into the roast, filling each one with a small clove of garlic; sprinkled the top with salt, pepper, and a dusting of flour. The flour mixes with the melted fat and creates a beautiful crust.

The sweet potatoes were rubbed down with olive oil and baked with the roast. Normally sweet potatoes take about an hour at 425, but since the temp was a bit lower, the longer time was necessary. Since they were so huge, Jeremy and I split one. The two leftovers will be used somehow for dinner tomorrow night. The broccolini was simply steamed, with plenty left over for dinner tomorrow night as well.

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On a different note, I spent several hours yesterday taking the hard drive out of my old computer and placing it in Jeremy's parent's computer and getting all of my photos and music off of it. That felt so good, as I was extremely scared I had lost all of those photos!

http://www.vt251.com/user/sirenical

Today I signed up for one of my summertime goals. Being a native Vermonter, I would like to be able to say I have visited every town in the state. Some of these towns I have already visited, but would like to take on the challenge of visiting all 251 this summer and documenting it through pictures.

If you would care to join me for a day, please let me know! I will be biking, hiking, driving, and walking depending on the day and location.

http://www.vt251.com/user/sirenical

Pizza Sauce

I made two homemade pizza sauces the other day. Both were delicious! I don't think I will ever make pizza with bought sauce again.

I had four tomatoes that were about to go bad and I knew I would never have the chance to eat them fast enough. So I cut each one in half and placed them in a greased pie plate cut side down. I wasn't sure what I would ultimately use the tomatoes for, so I kept the seasoning fairly simple. They were drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt and crushed time. After setting the oven to a low 250 degrees, I placed them in and let them slowly cook. After about 4 or 6 hours, I really don't remember how long, but when I pulled them out they had collapsed and looked like bright red cow pies. There were caramelized spots, and the smell was heavenly.
Once they cooled, I didn't know what I was going to use them for, so I threw them into the freezer.

To make the pizza sauce, I pulled the tomatoes from the freezer and let them thaw out. Once thawed, into the mini food processor they went along with several small garlic cloves and a pinch of salt. I thought about adding a little bit of fresh parsley, but decided against it. The sauce got spread over the crust and was perfect! It was a bit loose, but really infused the crust while baking. It could have been placed into a sauce pan and reduced a little bit to make it thicker if that is your preference, but I didn't want to wait.

We also made homemade pesto sauce! I had used store bought wilted basil to make a recipe the other day and it was only so so. Jeremy went shopping at GTG Hydroponics looking for fertilizer for our tomato plants, and they had herbs growing in AeroGardens to show how they work. He was able to bring home a beautiful, fragrant, bunch of fresh basil. The difference in color, texture, and smell was unbelievable. I will never make the mistake of buying basil in the store again.

Back to the pesto! The basil went into the mini food processor along with a handful or so of parmesean cheese, several cloves of garlic, and a glug of extra virgin olive oil. I forgot to add the salt and pine nuts, but it will still delicious.

My camera is finally getting fixed, so pictures will be coming soon!

Getting Ready for Spring

Spring is just around the corner and I am ready for it. I have some seeds started, anticipating the ground thawing out soon. Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, along with lettuce that I am hoping I can harvest from inside.

Stitchi-n-Bitch

I have been knitting and crocheting up a storm.
I finally finished a scarf I started, it was really simple but I ran out and had to go buy a new skein to finish it.
The felted bag I am in the middle of making is knitted and just needs to be felted, so next time I am at Dad's I should be able to finish it!
I just started a Grannie Square afghan for myself in really pretty purples, green and taupe.
When I finally get my camera fixed I can start posting photos of things I am making.

Apples and Pork

For dinner the other night I made a really simple, comforting meal.
I started out by carmelizing some onions, mixing in some sliced apples, a bit of chopped garlic and salt and pepper. I then pushed it all to the side, added a bit more oil and browned up some pork steaks that I sprinkled with salt and pepper.
I also boiled up some diced potatoes that I mixed with butter and salt and pepper after they were drained. Some peas on the side, and it was so simple and so tasty!

Apple Sauce and Pie Filling

Today was supposed to be a rainy nasty day and it turned out to be beautiful, so I went apple picking with Bethany. Adams Apple Orchard in Williston was doing pick your own apples for a decent price. I got a whole bushel for $26 (a bushel is 40lbs) and spent the rest of the day making apple sauce and apple pie filling. It was great, my mom came up to help and brought some stuff that I didn't have to make it easier.
At the end of the day, I came away with 11 quarts of homemade apple sauce, and 7 quarts of pie filling. I can't wait to do it next year, and to make some fruit jams and perhaps some pickles and relish!

Felted Bag - Finally Finished

Ok, so the bag I started back in March for a birthday present for Katy, whose birthday is in April, is finally finished! It has taken me a long time from start to finish, although there was a lot of time in there that I wasn't actually working on it.

I was originally going to add a liner to the bag, but after three attempts at making the liner, each time making some sort of large error, I gave up and decided to finish the bag!

Happy Birthday Katy! :-)

Turkish Beef Stew

Ok, so I forgot to take a picture of what I made yet again! I really need to remember that part.

For dinner last night I made a version of Rachael Ray's Turkish Beef Stew.

This is the recipe as it reads on her site.

3 1/3 TBS butter
1.5 lbs stew beef
1 cup canned chopped tomatoes with juice
1 cup beef broth
1 TBS white wine vinegar
1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground cloves
salt
pepper
1/2 lb wide egg noodles
1/4 cup chopped parsley

1. In a large saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat, add half of the beef and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a plate. Repeat with another tablespoon butter and the remaining beef. Set aside.
2. Stir the tomatoes and beef broth into the saucepan, reduce the heat to low and stir, scraping up any browned bits. Add the reserved beef, the vinegar, cinnamon, cloves and 1/8 teaspoon pepper; bring to a simmer over low heat. Cover and cook until the meat is fork-tender, about 1 hour.
3. About 10 minutes before the stew is ready, cook the egg noodles according to the package directions. Toss with the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons butter and season to taste with salt and pepper. Stir the parsley into the stew and serve with the noodles.

The changes I made were substituting a can of crushed tomatoes for the diced, and completely taking out the beef broth, instead using a bouillon cube. It made for a thicker, heartier sauce.

All in all, with having the spices at home already, it only cost me a whopping $3.87 to buy the stew beef, the noodles, and the crushed tomatoes. I took advantage of beef that was going out of date the next day so it had a discounted coupon on it! Great way to save a bit of money if you know you will be using the meat that night or freezing immediately.

Womens Beginner Mountain Bike Clinic

When I started biking last summer, I spent a lot of time riding on roads with my friend Bethany. Towards the end of summer, we decided to take a shot at mountain biking. The weather was perfect! Rainy drizzle, wet and muddy trails, it couldn't have been a better way to get introduced to mountain biking. After breezing up the 90 degree hill, the roots and rocks were a snap, the turns a bit curvy. You sensed my sarcasm right? I had to walk up the hill, had to stop and climb off the bike to get over some of the rocks, and on one sensational curve, went ass over tea kettle. In the process of falling, my calf took my saddle and turned it sideways. I had to hobble out of the woods, had trouble walking for a few days, and a contusion that lasted the rest of summer into the fall.
Last week, a week ago today actually, I participated in a womens specific mountain bike clinic with the Bellaship at Catamount Family Center. It was the hardest two hours of my life! Ok, so that is an exaggeration, but my muscles got quite the workout. This getting back on the horse experience was the best one yet. I rode in the woods, I rode over rocks and roots, I learned how to approach and lift over a larger rock or a small log in the way. Speed became my friend, brakes my enemy, and that looking where I wanted to go applies to everything I seem to enjoy doing.
I cannot wait for another clinic, and another mountain ride!

Sausage Biscuits and Gravy

I am still on the Cape and made sausage grave and biscuits for breakfast. This is a meal that is so satisfying, so warming, so UNHEALTHY, and should only truly be indulged once or twice a year. Of course, Jeremy loved it and wants me to make it again sooner rather than later.

Sausage Gravy and Biscuits

Jiffy Mix
Milk

Follow recipe on box :-)

1lb bulk breakfast sausage (I used McKenzie)
4-6 TBS flour
1 quart half and half
salt
pepper

Brown and crumble sausage in skillet, when cooked scoop with slotted spoon and set sausage aside. Add flour to the pan and whisk to form a loose paste or roux. When a nice light brown color is achieved whisk in the half and half and cook for a few minutes till it thickens. Season with salt and pepper to taste, I do recommend a fair amount of each though. Mix in the reserved sausage and spoon over biscuits and enjoy!

Deuces Wild Chili

I am at the cottage on the Cape, enjoying some rest and relaxation. With the cool weather, its the perfect time to make chili. It is one of Jeremy's favorite meals.

I was originally planning on making a small batch of chili, just enough for one meal and a serving or two of leftovers. That plan went right out the window when I started shopping! I made enough to serve a small army, or a large family.

Deuces Wild Chili
2 lbs ground beef
2 onions - minced
2 red peppers (or color of choice) - minced
2 cloves of garlic - minced
2 6oz cans of tomato paste
2 23oz cans of crushed tomatoes
2 14.5oz cans of diced tomatoes
2 14.5oz cans of whole tomatoes
2 14.5oz cans of kidney beans
2 14.5oz cans of black beans
2-Alarm Chili Kit
1-2 tsp black pepper (to taste)
1-2 tsp salt (to taste)
2 tsp garlic powder
olive oil

Sweat onions, peppers, and garlic in olive oil till soft. Add ground beef and brown. Mix in tomato paste, 2 alarm chili kit, garlic powder. Stir in crushed, diced, and whole tomatoes, and beans. Bring up to a simmer, lower the heat and simmer at least 3 hours, stirring occasionally.

*** Sometimes I like to add 2 diced carrots as well!!!

Final Project

Graveyards have always drawn me in. I can spend hours wandering through them exploring. For this final project, I decided I wanted to show them for what the stones can be: art. I chose a day with blue sky, but some overcast shadows so there wasn’t a lot of glare. My favorite technique for this shoot was from the hip, and while that meant using automatic features, I was able to get some angles and points of view that I might not have gotten otherwise as I tend to over think my shots.

I wanted to keep the lighting as natural as possible, but used the shutter speed to help blur the background a bit. Editing was simple, I used curves to help balance out the light and dark, and saturation when I wanted the image in black and white.

Barbara Kruger - Homage

Born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1945, Barbara Kruger is considered a conceptual artist. Her use of photographs and existing images with bold aggressive statements is the trademark of her work. This is seen with black and white images with the statements written in red, or white on red bases. Working as a graphic designer, art director, and picture editor rounded out her career. Her work questions her audience on ideas of “feminism, classicism, consumerism, and individual autonomy and desire” (http://www.barbarakruger.com/biography.shtml).

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My favorite shot in the series.
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Journal 5 - Documentary Day by Day

With the idea of taking a photo each day, and telling some sort of story, I decided to take pictures of what I put on my feet each day.

Wednesday - Hanging out at home
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Thursday - Out to dinner with Jeremy
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Friday - Bookclub
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Saturday - Dancing with the girls
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Sunday - Couch to 5k Run
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Monday - Work
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Tuesday - Work Again