Emulation

This is my emulation of Annie Leibovitz. She inspired me in her ability to show emotion in her subjects as well as bring out emotion in her audience. There is a vulnerability to her photos and that is what I was really hoping to achieve.
Here are some examples of her work. http://www.nytimes.com/library/photos/leibovitz/bourgeois.html

This is the photo I would like to submit for critique.

Winter Squash Mock Risotto

The other day Jeremy and I went up to help Mom take care of some of the gardens. The winter squash was ready to be picked, and I was itching to use one of them in a dish of some sort.
Dinner last night was Winter Squash Mock Risotto. I didn't have arborio rice, so I just used the long grain white rice I had at home. It has starches, they do develop, but not in the same was a aroborio. It was an almost exclusively local dish as we grew the squash, the garlic, and the shallots, and the collards that we put in were grown locally.

Winter Squash Mock Risotto

1 winter squash (I used Buttercup)
2 1/4 cups rice
2 bouillon cubes
5 cloves of garlic
1 large shallot
8 cups of water
Olive Oil
Butter
Cinnamon
Nutmeg
Ground Clove
Italian seasoning
Salt and Pepper
Parmesean Cheese
Peel and cube the winter squash, cook until soft. Mince the garlic and the shallot and saute with olive oil till soft and fragrant. Disolve the bouillion cubes in hot water. Add the italian seasoning and some salt and pepper, pour in the rice. Once everything is heated through, add 1-2 cups of the liquid and simmer until absorbed. Follow this process until the rice is cooked. Use only enough liquid to cook the rice through, if you have left over its ok, if you need more, go ahead and grab it.
Mix the squash with the cinnamon, nutmeg, ground clove, and butter. Once the rice is cooked, mix the squash into the rice.
Saute the greens with a touch of olive oil, then mix into the rice as well.
Season with salt and pepper to taste, serve with Parmesean Cheese.

Dinner tonight...

Trying to decide what to make for dinner tonight. I really want to use some greens and a squash from the garden, perhaps a winter squash risotto.... hmmm...

Cape Cod May 2009

London 2005

Ireland 2005

Bermuda 2005

Summer got away with me!

I can't believe that it has been over 2 weeks since I last posted!
A lot has been going on. Working of course, waiting for the big move. We are so close to being in the new space.
There was Paddle Power, fundraiser and awareness event for suicide prevention. Lots of fun, some rain, some shine, good food, good friends. It was a blast. Joseph won a kayak at the raffle, and he and Jeremy have been fishing non-stop.
Classes started for me, The Novels and Films of Stephen King at VTC on Wednesdays, and Digital Photography 2 through CCV online. Volleyball is going for just a big longer on Thursdays.
Jeremy, Joseph, Mel, and I all went kayaking and fishing in the pouring rain one Saturday, had a blast doing it. Had a BBQ on another Saturday, Mel and I cooked and relaxed, Joseph and Jeremy went fishing in kayaks. Jeremy got a nice 3 pound bass, we fried it up and HOLY YUM. Made great fish sandwiches for lunch the next day as well.
Another holiday party on Sunday, and then work for me early Monday morning.
I will be posting my assignments for Digital Photography 2 here. It will be fun to share my photos with a bit of a story to everyone.

Blight

I know I touched on the blight in my last post, but it has really been eating at me.

*************************

This year Jeremy, Mom, and I took on gardening. This is not a new task, but we took on some new ideas and steps. We wanted tomatoes, lots of them! Tomatoes were going to be diced, crushed, made into plain sauce, spaghetti sauce, canned and frozen.

There were romas, heirlooms, cherries, and now, we have none. Just the other day we checking out the plants looking for green fruits. It was so exciting to find them, small ones at first, then big ones, clusters of them, cherries and heirloom uglies, we couldn't wait for them to start turning yellow and red and orange.

Blight hit. It hit hard. It took out ALL of our tomatoes. We had them planted in several different locations, up at the house, down the hill, and by the pond, not even "close" to each other, and yet they were all destroyed.

It was very sad. We had to pull them all. Because blight is a spore, we can't burn them, it will spread the blight to others. We can't just compost/bury them, because that won't necessarily kill off the spores, and it could get reintroduced next summer. We have been working so hard to help lower our dependency on corporate farming, as well as finding ways to help keep things out of the landfill. With no tomatoes to put up, and the only way to get rid of the blight and the plants is to bag them up and take them to the landfill.

Camping & Tomato Blight

Friday after work, Jeremy and I took off for a weekend of camping at Stillwater State Park at Lake Groton. The trip was fantastic! Lots of paddling, fishing, relaxing, good food, and even greater company!
We took Sammy (Dad's dog) for the weekend, as Dad and Deb were going away as well and couldn't bring him with them. Sam had such a good time, he was acting just like a puppy.
****
Yesterday I went up to help Mom with the gardens for a bit and we had to finish pulling ALL of the tomato plants. The late blight hit them, and while we were able to salvage some of the green tomatoes for Mom to make green tomato relish. It was incredibly sad. We started the plants from seeds and were really enjoying the process of watching the seeds grow into seedlings, into plants, putting them in the ground, and watching the fruits begin to grow. Probably the hardest thing I have ever had to do gardening.

Finally Friday

Strangely this week has passed at a snails pace, but FINALLY its Friday. The theme is following through quite nicely as it is taking forever for today to pass as well.
Extremely excited about camping this weekend with Jeremy, Mom and Lynda, and Joe and Mel. Gilligan, Sophie, and Sammy will be with us as well. Looking forward to lots of kayaking, fishing, swimming, hiking, and game playing.
Got stuff for s'mores, can't wait to sit around a fire and relax.

Mountain Biking

I have really missed mountain biking! Biking to Bethel on the main road is just not the same. It is a great workout, I enjoy it a lot, but biking in the woods is a blast.
We went up to explore Milstone Hill in Barre. Knowing I am slow and inexperienced with biking in the woods, Jeremy's brother Vince made sure to go up ahead of us and log a good 6-7 miles before we got there. I had to do a fair share of walking, but was able to do some of the hills, up and down, but corners and rocky passes got me. I would say I was able to bike half of it.
Next Monday we are planning to go again!

Enduro!

Lately, Jeremy and I have been finding ways to use the abundance of swiss chard we are getting from the garden. Our favorite way thus far seems to be to wilt it down with a bit of EVOO and fresh garlic and topping a pizza or stuffing a calzone with it. It has such great flavor!

Today was day 2 with Jeremy not smoking. He is on the patch, and going strong.

Tonight was the M&M Enduro at Thunder Road. My favorite race of the year! Can't wait till we have the money and time so I can race it too. Approximately 130 races went 250 laps vying for a $5000 purse! Very exciting. A few flips, a few fires, lots of excitement.

I don't work tomorrow or Tuesday, great for me, sucky for the pocket book. I can't wait to be able to sleep in and have nothing on the schedule for a change.

Advance Directives

Here's the deal. I am not old, not even close. Yet I have a legal document in my possession that many people who are 3 times as old as me do not have.
An Advance Directive is a legal document that lists and a health care agent as well as your wishes should you become unable to do so. I have pretty specific wishes that I really want carried out, and don't want it to be left to chance.
They then get filed with the Vermont Advance Directive Registry so that no matter where I am my wishes can be followed.
I urge you to do the same within your state.

Links for Vermonters
Vermont Advance Directive Registry - http://healthvermont.gov/vadr/
Vermont Ethics Network - http://www.vtethicsnetwork.org/

Camels Hump

Saturday, Mom, Jeremy, and I embarked on an adventure. We took on Camels Hump in all its glory.
With all the rain we have, it has been wetter than ever. The streams had water in them, there was a beautiful little water fall. It made it extremely buggy as well.













This was a little more than a third of the way up the mountain. We were still feeling great at this point. There was another couple who we were going back and forth with in the "lead."




The closer we got to the top, the harder it became. Breathing was harder, muscles were getting tight, we could really feel the burn. It was totally worth it when we rounded the corner and were at the summit.


It as a bit hazy, but the view was magnificent. I have been to the top one other time and was clearer but cold and windy. This day was breezy, very light thought, and warm! We put long sleeves on due to the breeze on our sweaty skin.

We had a great snack, spent some time wandering around looking from each angle, and marveling at the beauty. We had to be careful to stay on the rocks, because the alpine vegetation is very delicate.









The hike down was just as challenging! I managed to somehow tweak my knee just as we started the hike back down, which slowed me down. It hurt, the pain did not make the hike down as much fun as it could have been. We all slowed a lot the farther down the hill we got, all but limping to the car at the end.










The hike was fantastic. Jeremy had been up multiple times, I had been up one other time. Mom had never been up Camels Hump which made it all the better. Can't wait to do it again, only from the other side this time.

Typical Thursday

Yesterday was a wondeful typical Thursday. After work, I changed and hoped on my bike and took off for Bethel. The sky was blue, the sun was warm, a gentle breeze, I made the best time ever! Normally I would say it takes me approximately 55 minutes to ride the 7.5 miles from the hospital to the woodlot. Yesterday I made it in about 40 minutes. I was flying. It was wonderful.
At the woodlot, Jed was mowing and Abby was getting the volleyball from the camper. I was the first one, that never happens! It took a little while for people to show, but when they finally did, we had some great games of volleyball.
I tried to take a picture with my phone, only to realize the card was full! It took me a minute to get in and get some space freed up and by then it was too late to get a good picture, as the sun had just dipped down behind the trees. Next week!

and the Tree falls down...

Yesterday with all the wind and rain, a tree fell down in the back of the house. Not on any cars or buildings, but enough to be heard in the apartment.
The storm didn't start until just before 5pm, of course. I had been looking out the window all day dreaming of a walk or bike ride, some swimming, and while the person I was going to go with had to cancel last minute (which worked out really well considering), it was such a let down!
We did end up going swimming later in the evening, it was still sprinkling, the river hadn't risen a whole lot yet, boy did it feel good. Especially after spending so long in the kitchen with the oven and the stove going. Of course in the heat and humidity we would decide to make pizza for dinner. My pizza was excellent! A smear of red sauce, some ricotta, sauteed zuccini and tomatoes and swiss chard, with mozzerella cheese. YUM YUM YUM

I had leftovers for lunch today! Work is a bit slow, although never boring.

OMG I need PICTURES

Last night Jeremy and I went up to Mom's to visit. There were no less than 5 times I wish I had brought the camera with me. This means that I have no photos to show you the new miniature ponies they got, Miss Dixie Chick and Humperdink. No photos to show you how big Mr Top Hat, the baby chicken, is getting and how big his top hat is getting. No photos to show you all the CHERRIES we picked (more than enough for a pie). No photos of us swimming in the pond, thanks to all the rain, it was full enough and fresh enough. A couple more days and it will be a bit too slimy and stagnant for any swimming. And lastly, no photos to show the onions, garlic, and shallots we harvested from the garden, along with the beats!

Needless to say I was a bit disappointed in myself, but thrilled at the same time for all that we got to do last night.

Pictures will be coming of the new ponies next time I am at Mom's. Miss Dixie Chick also drives, so I cannot wait to spend some time learning to drive.

Dinner and Fishing

I have totally been slacking on my posting! With a goal of once a day, I am barely making once a week!

Last night Jeremy and I got subs from McCulloughs Quick Stop, our favorite place for subs, and went fishing.

Jeremy got his usual turkey bacon, and I decided on a BLT. What really makes their subs so good is the rolls that they use.
Forgot to take pictures of the subs, but man were they good.

We also tried this new juice drink.

Incredibly tasty. Not overly sweet, no carbonation, and very thirst quenching for a juice beverage.

Fishing was great, although neither of us caught anything. I had a couple of bites, and they ate my worms, but no catches. Towards the end of the evening we were watching them jump left and right, but still no catches. Oh well, another day perhaps.

View of were we where fishing. I love my phones panaramic option.

Cape Cod Weekend

The last summer Mammam was with us was the last time I ventured to the Cape in peak season, 3 years ago. I forgot how wonderful and awful Cape Cod is in the summer time. I love the heat, walking out on the flats and swimming in the channel, Sheeps Pond, and the quiet of the early mornings. I forgot how awful the traffic is and how rude some of the vacationers can be, although those are the only downfalls.

My cousin was getting married, and my Mom got all of us kids rooms at The Old Manse Inn. It was a 4 day weekend that was an incredible amount of fun.

Thursday I had to get up and work a 3 hour shift, then Jeremy and I hit the road! He picked me up and we stopped for a visit with Mel before venturing onto the highway. We set cruise control and leisurely made our way to Michelles (until she called and told us to step on it and step on it we did). We stayed perhaps a half an hour too long as we hit traffic going through Boston. It wasn't stop and go, it was all go, but at 5mph.

We "left" Vermont at 10am, and arrived at The Manse at 7pm! Longest trip to the Cape ever I do believe, but lots of fun was had in between.

We arrived at The Old Manse Inn and were greeted by Richard and Karen and made to feel right at home. I have driven by The Manse countless times over the years, and would often give it as a landmark if I was giving someone directions, however I had never been inside the Inn. We were given a quick tour and shown to our room. Our room was BEAUTIFUL! I loved it, especially the toile wallpaper.

Not long before midnight, all of us had arrived. There were 7 couples staying at the Inn for the first few nights (all of us for the wedding) and over the next few nights, there were other random guests and for one last night we had another couple over for the wedding.

It was wonderful to see Uncle Jack and Aunt Abby, Cousin Jane and Chris, Uncle Scott and Mary, Auntie Lynne and Uncle Craig, and of course Mom and Lynda, and Joe and Mel.

Friday was a beach day. We couldn't have picked a better day. The sun was shinning, the tide was out, PERFECTION. We walked the mile or so out to the chanel, stopping to check out the crabs burrying in the sand and a lobster in the bay. Swimming in the chanel was great, the current kept pulling us farther and farther from our starting point, but we were able to get back to the start with no troubles. On the walk back in, we used the tide to float and carry us a fair amount of the way back.

Friday ended with a family dinner back at The Manse. Dana and Gayle made lasagna and man was it GOOD. There was a vegetarian and a meat, and the veggie was the best!

Saturday was a hot muggy day with a walk, cleaning the cottage, and a swim before getting ready for the wedding.

Mel helped me with my hair, and my makeup, no way could I have gotten it up looking that good. Both of us look fabulous, obviously!

The highlight was Melissa driving in on a tractor before walking down the aisle to Jason. The wedding was short and really sweet. The reception was awesome. Raw bar, open bar, lots of dancing, incredible food, and not a single Condit Family Feud!

Launi we missed you!

Sunday was pack up and head out day. I didn't want to leave! We stopped and helped Dana and Gayle pick up the tables before hitting the road back to VT.

Sunshine and Weekends

It was a beautiful weekend, with actual blue sky and sunshine. The weekend started early on Thursday with blue sky and sunshine and a nice breeze. I biked to volleyball, 7 miles with ups, downs, and flats. Volleyball went until 8:30 and I played every game. It was awesome!
Friday afterwork I spent some time with Mom, picking peas, and visiting. Sitting on the porch and relaxing was wonderful.
Saturday, Jeremy and I headed up to Camp Rob Mac for the rest of the weekend. We hiked to the pinnacle and were eaten alive by bugs on Saturday. We made dinner for us and Jeremy's neice Sara and her husband Brent, and Jeremy's parents. Joseph and Mel stopped to visit, as did Dad and Sammy. Sunday, Mom came up with Gilligan and Sophie and we hiked to the pinnacle again, this time remembering the bug spray. We didn't follow the trail home, instead bushwacking through the woods. It was something none of us had done in a while and it was so much fun.
The weekend ended with a fun cookout up at Moms.

Camp Rob Mac here we come!

This weekend Jeremy and I are going up to camp. We hope to go hiking, fishing, relax by a fire, and just enjoy being away!

It is only 20 minutes from home, but without electricity or running water, it is a great getaway.

Hopefully we won't get rained out!

Lethargic and HATING It

With my history of depression, I take a lot of care daily to get what I need to remain healthy.

I make sure to get enough sleep, but not too much. Once in a while getting too little or too much doesn't hurt me, but when it becomes a pattern, I get in trouble. The prime amount seems to be anywhere from 7 hours to 8 hours.

Eating right is another big one for me. While my mood is impacted more by the choices I eat than the amount I eat, both do affect me. The more fruits, vegetables, and meat I eat, the better I feel. The more dairy and grains I ingest, the worse I feel. I am strongly challenged with dairy and grains because I love them so much. Push come to shove, I will select a steak and greens over a bowl of spaghetti, but its a very close margin.

Exercise is another big part of keeping myself healthy. It can be a simple walk around the block, or a full blown workout. Being active is integral to keeping healthy. I am working on getting yoga into my daily routine, and have really enjoyed walking and biking when the weather allows. I'm trying to find a way to add videos to my daily workout, but I just seem to lack the motivation to pop it in and give it it a go.

The other big key factor in keeping myself healthy is getting enough sunshine. With all the rain we have, I am sorely lacking in the vitamin D department. If we could just get a few days each week of sunshine, I would be way happier and healthier. I know there are alternatives such as taning, but if I can at all avoid that, I prefer too.

I am keeping my fingers crossed today that the blue sky stays out and I can bike to volleyball. I am ok with clouds, as long as their is some blue sky and a bit of sun peaking out once in a while. The plan is to head up to Moms after work to pick some veggies and visit for a few minutes, before biking off to Bethel. The route is a bit different biking from Moms as it is from my place, although I feel like it is an equal workout either way.

Yay for Yoga

I spent a wonderful few hours with Cori yesterday afternoon in a mini yoga class. She has been practicing yoga for years and has taught it many times in her past.
Having never really practiced yoga, I only knew the little bits that I have gotten from workshops and books. To be able to work with someone and have them explain how to properly work the body was amazing. My body really felt it, in a good way.
I am working my way to integrating Yoga into my weekly life, then perhaps daily. It feels so great to be barefoot and connecting with the earth. The grounded feeling is very powerful!

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.

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

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.

***********

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