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A white out

2012-01-29T19:11:00.000-07:00

A travelogue of a ordinary white out day....

The day started as many others have recently.

Hunter and I home alone.

I tried to wake up her up to enjoy some outdoor camaraderie. But my efforts, as usual, were futile.

So I went to the white house, aka the Temple instead.

Was feeling a bit woeful about the fact that I was alone and had no one to do anything with when I ran into two members of my ward working in the temple. It's good to feel familiarity and friendship just when you need it most. Typically, I am a loner and have no problem functioning solitarily. Sometimes I just need a little reassurance that I'm not alone.

And there I heard the chandeliers tinkling, something I've heard the local natives talk about.

And then I decided to make an impromptu trip to Zion.

I had a few hours of daylight and thought I might try to hike Angel's Landing.

But then as I was approaching Walter's Wiggles...there was a dead baby deer in the path. She had slipped on some ice from a cliff above and landed right on the trail.

And then Walter's Wiggles were icy. And going up them was scary enough. When I got to Angel's Landing it was covered in white as well so rather than take my chance with 1,000 foot vertical drops like the deer, I figured I'd scare myself enough just getting back down the Wiggles.

Feeling unaccomplished, I thought I'd foray to the east side of the park and look for some Big Horned sheep. Navigating through somewhat icy roads, I got a pay off. I saw two baby sheep.

So, for a white out day....it wasn't a shut out.

1. Got to go to THE white house.

2. Beat my personal best time...and everyone else I encountered on the trail to Scout's Overlook.

3. Made it down safely.

4. Enjoyed hiking without sweating or being too cold. Perfect temps.

5. Saw some of my favorite non-human species.

6. Didn't allow myself to wallow in self-pity.

End of white out travelogue.

Taking Aim

2012-01-27T09:02:00.000-07:00

I'm starting to feel the love of Valentines Day coming on. I used be better about decorating the house up for this commercial holiday...for my girls. But in the last few years I've sort of lost the love for changing out holiday decor.

There are so many cute things on Pinterest though. I get inspired.

So this year I'm aiming to make it Valentiney around here.

At least the front door.

The arrow idea was taken from Pinterest. I decided I didn't want to chop at any of the already practically non-exsistent foliage in my yard and used bamboo rods that I use in my garden to make the arrows.

The wreath is just a ceiling medallion, spray painted bubblegum pink and touched with some metallic gold.

Hot glue the arrows on, tie on some old ribbon from the jar and you're good to go.

Good choice for the Retro House.

What project shall I take aim at next?

I think I better work on my Sunday School lesson.

Unqualified Happiness

2012-01-24T16:21:00.000-07:00

I knew this morning as I was dropping off kids to school, that this would be a photographic day in Snow Canyon. While the city was enshrouded in fog, I could tell that in the higher elevations the fog was lifting and above the mists was a bluer-than-blue sky.

I was still in my pj's, so I hurried home, changed and headed back out to see if my pocket-sized camera could do justice to what I might see.

It was still completely fogged in where I parked in the canyon. As I was getting out of my car a hiking guide and his entourage were headed back to their van, having just spent two hours hiking in practical darkness. The man approached me and told me I was in for a disappointing hike. The trails were wet and slippery and there was no visual bearing due to the heavy fog. He thought it might be better if I tried again tomorrow.

I was pretty certain I'd seen blue sky earlier and wanted to be there when the grey burned off. Off I went through the mists. And only 30 minutes into my first part of the climb...it happened. The mists lifted.

It was then I knew I was unqualified to be trying to capture what I was seeing.

Swirling clouds and droplets of mist all around me. Pocket-sized, point-and -shoot camera is very inadequate.

Because of the damp air, the canyon smells incredible, unreal.

I wasn't out long...about an hour and a half. By the end of my hike the clouds had almost completely lifted and the midday-harsh sun had obliterated the best light. I kept thinking how unfortunate that the 5 or 6 van loads of people I saw leaving the canyon that morning had missed what I'd seen. If they'd only come a couple of hours later...

Happiness today was found in an unscheduled, solo hike in the translucent canyon.

Why is this true?

2012-01-23T16:34:00.002-07:00

Source: quickmeme.com via Cheryl on Pinterest

Source: someecards.com via Cheryl on Pinterest

Can someone explain to me why this is true?

If I watch one episode of Hoarders...I am up all night cleaning...thinking I'm a hoarder.

I thought this was just me, but Pinterest tells me otherwise.

I need to lay off watching Extreme Hoarders.

In Our Nation's Capital

2012-01-22T17:39:00.000-07:00

I never got lost. Despite DC's attempts at trying to confound, confuse and lose me, I prevailed.

Memories I never want to lose:
•Black suburban/van motorcades
•helicopter blades beating night and day
•a great melting pot of culture
•foodie heaven
•no lines
•enormity
•an underused temple and the workers who nearly cried at our being there
•daydreaming of Georgetown
•the smell of shoes of holocaust victims
•old stuff

I didn't take many pictures. I don't need much. Most of my memories will be the experiences...of smell, sights and sounds combined. And I decided that I since I am a very amateur photographer, the pocket size camera would do, and if I wanted better pictures, I could certainly buy them. Since these things have been photographed literally millions of times before me...I only wanted the pictures that reflected things as I saw them.

The gift of travel = incomparable.

We spent the first day from sun-up to sun-down walking the National Mall beginning at the Lincoln Memorial, past the National Monument, through a couple of museums to the US Capital and the Library of Congress.

We experienced no lines. No waiting. And almost had the entire city to ourselves. It was cold but sunny and we bundled up.

The last photos are of the "compass" stone, made of brass located in the crypt of the Capital. It is the literal center of Washington DC, as all roads are measured and assigned from this spot.

The Library of Congress will indeed need to be explored again. As with the Capital....truly spectacular.

And because it was on the way back to the hotel...we stopped by the White House. It's current residents were at Disney World.

A sweet experience welcomed us at the Temple the following morning. I'm always surprised at how different a temple looks in real life compared to the images and photos I've seen for years.

There's so much to see in Old Town Alexandria, but oldness was my favorite part.

And to see Mt. Vernon is to feel George Washington and the kind of man he was.

And then it was time to go but not without cramming in one more museum visit and a drive by in the fresh snow...I mean ice.

That's it. My entire photographic journey.
In our Nation's Capital, television is a priority--not a pastime, news is spontaneous and relevant, food is varied and flavorful, corruption and incorruption coincide, architecture is substantial and enduring and people live and breath the same way they do everywhere else.

Loved it. Love our Nation's Capital. I have a newly rediscovered appreciation and patriotism for our country.

Get lost

2012-01-16T20:28:00.001-07:00

It may seem to some that I've gotten lost from blogging. True, I don't post on my own blog nearly as much as I used to. And true, I don't check and comment on other's blog hardly ever any more.

In looking over the list of blogs that I follow...hundreds of them....over half of them are blogs about cupcakes. Yes. cupcakes. Cupcakes are not a priority in my life right now. Neither is anything that causes me anxiety. For so long I have loved to check out design blogs, decor blogs, crafting blogs...anything that sparked my creativity. I still like to dabble from time to time, but I find that sometimes my envy/anxiety level spikes after spending time perusing things that just aren't and shouldn't be a priority in my life right now. I also find that I'm feeling more content with myself and what I have when I spend less time peeking at other's eye candy. I do look. And I do comment on those posts that have uplifted me and given me a good perspective. It's not something to be offended by. After all...I'm still 'following' every blog in the world.

I just felt like I needed to get lost.

And it has worked for me.

And tomorrow morning, bright and early, I will be jetting off on a semi-impromptu trip with my hubby. A few days on the eastern seaboard in a history-rich city.

I've never been there. I know it's impossible to see everything there is to see in a short period of unplanned time. But I plan on getting lost trying.

Hopefully some lost moments will appear on my blog. Later.

Happy Sabbath

2012-01-15T12:09:00.001-07:00

Source: etsy.com via Cheryl on Pinterest

Not Resolute

2012-01-12T17:22:00.000-07:00

I wonder how everyone is doing with their resolutions.

I made some. But this year they are more specific than in years past. There are only 5. And I'm keeping track of my goals, jobs, appointments and plans every day with this chart...

Yesterday, I saw on another blog, how one gal listed the things she would NOT do over the year. I thought that was a great idea so I thought I might come up with my own list.

I will not beat myself up every time I overeat. My body punishes myself enough physically...I don't need the emotional trauma to go with it.

For another year, I will not allow my feelings to get hurt by people I know. I almost managed to completely avoid being offended the entire year, because I chose not to, even though some individuals gave me plenty of opportunity. I am secure that I am a partner with my husband. All that we own...we own together, the good and the bad, the tangible and intangible, the success and the debt. Everything. I am aware of more than I let on. I will not let it bother me that I am left out of the loop on certain situations, and will let my husband take credit for his generosity.

I will not throw a futile fit over things that I have no control over. My reactions justify other's bad behavior. I will also cease to react or be angry over other's temper tantrums.

I will not lose another toenail.

I will not accept a 4th calling at church.

I will not give up on dreams and desires, even if someone tells me I should just be grateful for what I have and stop wanting more...even if those aspirations are completely out of reach. A girl has gotta dream.

I will not have another viral ear infection. And I believe if I keep telling myself that, it will come true.

I will not give up on my bucket list...which consists of a list of all the temples I want to attend over my lifetime.

I will not buy a size up. Even if I end up look ridiculous. I won't do it.

I won't cave to my Diet Coke restriction. I will not allow myself to become addicted again.

I will not eat only Chocolate all day. While that is my favorite thing to do, I will practice moderation.

I will not go more than 3 months before I have Miss Mindi wax my eyebrows.

I will not cease my love for wanderlust.

I will not give up my drug of choice....hiking.

I will not stop being excited for the completion of the Kansas City Temple. Although, I have concerns about a 'let down' feeling once it is finished.

I will not allow myself to give up hope and faith, even if I have to remind myself every single day.

I will not allow my pessimistic "Oscar" side to completely take over.

I won't stop loving my desert surroundings.

I won't become envious of other's talents and accept that everyone is given gifts, including myself.

I won't be an ingrate.

I will not stop loving my Savior and striving to be obedient...even when I'm not seeing results, blessings or desires fulfilled at the moment.

I can't guarantee I won't fail at some of my 'not resolutions' but I am determined to not let myself feel like a failure if I do stumble.

In my head at Walmart in the Pharmacy line....

2012-01-11T16:12:00.000-07:00

Crap...the line for prescriptions is soooooo long. And everyone is sooooo old. I am really out of place here. All I want is my monthly prescription. Seriously. Why is this line always so long....

Holy crap...that old guy just almost took out that display in his cart....oh....wait...he just did.

Hmmmmm.....I wonder how many calories are in those protein bars over there. If they're under 300, I may just rip one open right now....do they have sugar in them?

Wonder if I'll hear from Chloe today....hmmm...what time is it in Spain? Wait. Chloe is in Spain. Holy freakin' cow...Chloe is in Spain. What the hey was I thinking? Oh crap...

I wonder if she'll remember to get me some Spain candy.

What the freak is taking so long? Doesn't anyone know how to use their debit cards? Seriously. I called in my prescription and it's just sitting there, can't someone just let me get my pills?

Don't forget the deodorant...don't forget the deodorant.

Check out that grandma in her jammies. Nice jammies. Wish I was in my jammies. Does she know she's in her jammies?

Oh my gosh...are those two old ladies twins? Wait...are they? Holy cow...they are twins. Hey....it's Brooke and Alexis' birthday today. I forgot to send cards....

I wonder why they never have more than one person working this counter. Every time I come in here there's a long line. Do these people all really need 14 medications? Come on....for the love of...

One person to go then it's my turn. It'll be my luck if the lady at the counter decides it's time for her break when it's my turn. That always happens.

Whoa...what is that smell?

Did I just say that out loud? I'm pretty sure the lady in front of me just heard me sigh.

Freak...it's about time...my turn....what? You want to know my birthdate...uh....I got nothing....

Snow Day

2012-01-07T08:44:00.001-07:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Things worth remembering...

2012-01-05T19:48:00.000-07:00

The vintage, 1950's china Boyd bought me for Christmas. An entire set...creamer, salt and pepper shaker, gravy boat...platters and service for 10. And it was the same pattern as plates that I'd already been collecting. Winner. He did a good job on Christmas this year. I'd say this one goes down in the list of things I'd like to remember...

I'd also like to remember forever, the perfect temperature on today's hike. Cold and frosty in the shade when we were working hard...and warm and sunny during the easy pace. When my toes are cold tonight as I tuck myself into bed...I'll keep this memory in mind too.

I'm also trying to remember how immature and disrespectful I was at 18 years old. It helps me get not get angry and use inappropriate words at children who insist they know more and insert their disillusioned opinions on social media.

It's also important to keep perspective on things that really matter....

like nunchuck skills, tetherball, training to be a cage fighter with Rex Kwan Do and chatting online with babes all day.

Now THAT is worth remembering and sooooo mature.....

There's always Hope

2012-01-03T19:46:00.000-07:00

Source: flickr.com via Cheryl on Pinterest

I hope I can keep the goals I made.
I hope I can enjoy hiking every day as much as I already do.
I hope Chloe will update her blog while she's away.

Playing with Pinterest

2012-01-02T09:10:00.000-07:00

What is the point of pinning if you never play...right?

I usually try to make a recipe from Pinterest once a week. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't.

I did, however, have success with one recipe around Thanksgiving that will end up being a new tradition in gift giving. Homemade Brown Sugar. It really is quite easy if you let your kitchen aid do all the work. Thanks Noblepig.

Source: noblepig.com via Cheryl on Pinterest

I found that it worked well to make the sugar in large batches...like triple. Pour the sugar into the bowl and start the mixer on low. Gradually add the molasses and then increase the speed. I literally walk away from it and let it go, after checking to make sure the molasses isn't stuck to the side of the bowl. It does take awhile, but you can be prepping the jars or containers while it's mixing. I made 30 pounds of brown sugar over the holidays.

I also attached, to the gift, a brown sugar preserver that can be soaked in water and placed in the sugar to keep it from going hard.

I found that black strap molasses was the best and gave a richer flavor. If you want darker sugar, add another Tbsp per cup of sugar. The color is so beautiful and it tastes so much better than store bought brown sugar. You will never use anything else on your hot cereal, once you've tried this. I will be spending the next year on the look out for vintage jars and bottles for gifting again.

Another one of my favorite projects was the Christmas Card keeper book made from all the cards we received this year. I actually found these on Eighteen25 and then pinned them to my Pinterest.

Source: eighteen25.blogspot.com via Cheryl on Pinterest

Every year I have a sad moment when I take down the Christmas cards and put them away. I loved this idea of making them into books that we can look at every year.

You start by printing the free book cover from Eighteen25 and then let your own creativity take over from there.

I found chip board, cut it to the size I wanted, painted it with some blue paint I had and then I sealed it with DecoPage. I found that when I pack and store handmade books, they deteriorate over time, so I wanted to make this durable so that it would last for many years. I cut out one of the printables, circled the year and then DecoPaged it on to one of the chipboard pieces. I then punched holes, using the red strip as a mark for punching.

Using a pencil and one of the chipboard covers as a template, I marked each Christmas card where I wanted them to be punched. Punched them up and then used rings to put it all together. I chose not to embellish much because I've noticed that in packing scrapbooks, the cute things always fall off in time. I did tie a jingle bell on to one of the rings with ribbon.

Loved this project....it will be a yearly tradition from now on as well.

Every year, starting with the first card....usually from the Stephenson Family of Bend, Oregon...I hang my Christmas cards with clothes pins on ribbon wrapped around a door. This year AngryJulieMonday gave me an idea for making those clothes pins a little cuter. Of course, I didn't finish this project until after I'd taken down the cards this year and made them into a book. But I have them all bagged up for next year...ready to go!

Source: angryjuliemonday.com via Cheryl on Pinterest

I think they are self explanatory. I just needed the idea to get me going. I DecoPaged them, poured glitter on them and then sealed them in more DecoPage. They are practically indestructible and now that they are sealed up...I don't have glitter all over the place. I only had green glitter but they would be cute in any color.

Playing with Pinterest has been a way to get my creative juices flowing again. It's also been good for using my stash of unused supplies.

What's the point of pinning if you don't play?

I'll Be Working My Way Back To You, Babe

2011-12-31T09:23:00.000-07:00

Can't seem to get Frankie Valli and the 4 Seasons out of my head now....

That's because we went and saw Jersey Boys in Las Vegas the night before last.

I can't recommend it.

I'm embarrassed to tell you that the language content is FOUL. There is a warning sign as you enter the theater to let parents know that there are some inappropriate words. There are more than 'some'. And I did not get up and walk out. I am sort of in that frame of mind right now though so I won't apologize for the fact that I loved the show. The talent. The singing. The story. I haven't listened to live music done that well in....well I can't remember when. Those boys from Jersey had mouths on them. In order to spare your good conscience, I won't recommend you watching it. But my conscience is on the down low right now...so it was good for me.

Las Vegas, where mechanized, electric Christmas lingers, leaves you feeling a bit empty. The hotel rooms are fantastic, the shopping is unparalleled, the sunshine is soothing. I've never seen more homeless people. And the sights only make you want to go to the real places. Like, I'd really like to actually see Winter in Venice....in Venice.
But the beds are comfy. Oh. comfy. As in....I really need a new mattress.

I'm working my way back to the blog today. I can hardly believe that I woke up this morning realizing that tomorrow will be a new year. How dare 2012 sneak up on me like that?

If I hadn't had such a great diversion of hiking and a few other blessings this year I would probably spend the remaining hours of 2011 wallowing in some kind of self deprecating despair. I might even have to break out a bottle of sparkling grape juice....of the nonalcoholic persuasion of course.

We had/have buyers for our KC home. Closing date was this week and the appointed hour came and went without an actual close. Buyers financing fell through. Closure. I need closure. I need to not have to pay heating bills and mortgages in several states. I need for the anxiety in my chest to loosen and dissipate before I get carried off in a straight jacket. Buyers want another shot at nickel-ing and dime-ing us to death and will aim for another closing date in a few weeks. I can't shake this feeling that we will never see a closing date. I'm banking on the idea that the buyers just won't have the money. That'll teach me to never get my hopes up. "Big Girls Don't Cry".

"You're just to good to be true....can't take my eyes off of you...."
That's what I was thinking when I saw my first Big Horned Sheep in Zion. What a surreal day. We hiked, saw wild sheep, drove to Vegas, got dazzled by the lights, ate a ridiculously terrible dinner, watched an inappropriate show..."Oh, What a Night...late December back in '63"...er....2011.

I tell you...foray-es and visions of loveliness have saved the year. "My Eyes Adored You...though I never laid a hand on you, My Eyes adored you. Like a million miles away from me you couldn't see how I adored you: So close, so close and yet so far away...."

"Who Loves You, pretty mama...who's always there to make it right?" Well we shall see what 2012 brings. Maybe some good karma and a new attitude. Maybe I should have been "Beggin"for those for Christmas.

Going to spend some time today getting my mind out of the gutter of self pity and working my way back by counting my many blessings. Happy New Year.

Traditionally Speaking

2011-12-27T16:07:00.000-07:00

This year I tried to get out of keeping some of the holiday traditions that I've created and kept during my 21 years of marriage and raising children. Some of these annual good-tiding ideas are ones that I piggy-backed on from my youth, some are observed from other families and friends and some came from the nether-regions of my own brain.

And honestly, I think I'm the only one who really gives a darn about any of them.

I entertained the thought of breaking my own traditional habits this year and winging it, so to speak. I mentioned to my girls that I thought we might forego the wrapping of the presents and just leave the open gifts out around the tree for Christmas morning. No go. They wanted nothing to do with this lazy option. Of course not. And why would they? They are tucked in their beds dreaming of sweet you-know-whats dancing in their heads. Doesn't impact them one bit. Other than the fact that it breaks a long standing tradition of the element of surprise and giddy unwrapping.

So, I stuck to the traditions.

We had Nutcracker night.
We ate potato casserole for Christmas morning breakfast.
We watched A Christmas Story.
And so forth.

We never ventured far from the normality of tradition.

Except for adding a couple of things.

We opened presents AFTER church on Sunday at almost 1:00 in the afternoon. I myself, was pleased with that option and think it should be a new rule. Doing this takes the frenzy out of the process and creates a mood of savoring the moment.

And then there was the day AFTER Christmas, when I hatched another obligational tradition. The Day After Scones.

Yes, as if there wasn't enough sugar coursing through our veins, we reached higher levels of toxicity by having fresh warm scones for breakfast. And they were good.

Cacao and Milk Chocolate Scones

3 cups flour
2/3 cup sugar
1 Tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup cold butter, cut into pieces
1 cup milk chocolate morsels, or chopped up candy bar
1/2 cup cacao nibs or chopped toasted pecans
1 large egg
1 cup whipping cream
2 tsp vanilla

1. Preheat oven to 425ª. Stir together first 4 ingredients in a large bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or tool until crumbly. Stir in chocolate morsels and nibs or nuts.

2. Whisk together egg, 1 cup whipping cream and vanilla. Add to flour mixture, stirring with a fork just until dry ingredients are moistened and mixture forms a shaggy dough.
Using a 1/3 measuring cup, scoop dough into mounds onto parchment paper-lined backing sheets. *Brush scones with additional cream and sprinkle with sugar if desired.

3. Bake at 425 for 13-18 minutes or until golden. Serve warm.

I think I'll be keeping that tradition for sure.

Merry Christmas from the Anasazi

2011-12-23T16:20:00.000-07:00

Deep within this ancient slot are relatively unknown, fading messages left from Anasazi 600-1,000 years ago.

I had an early Christmas present yesterday during a hike. As our guests ducked out from the gale force wind and ate their lunch, I spent some time in refrigerating solitude marveling at the gift left behind for so few of us in this day.

People carved their lives on these sandstone walls hundreds of years ago. I'm just in awe.

It may have been a figment of my imagination but I thought I could hear a whisper...Merry Christmas my friend.

This year's best present.

2011-12-20T19:47:00.000-07:00

Holiday Cheermeister

2011-12-18T09:40:00.000-07:00

I'm just trying to get into the Holiday Spirit here at the Retro house...otherwise known as Whoville.

So I put out my best tink-tinklers...

And that was pretty cheery.

And then my house flooded. And that was not so cheery.

And then we escaped and went to Toroweap...or the north rim of the Grand Canyon, via 60 miles of dirt road.

And there we inspected jagged rock laden with a heavy case of crinoids.

And Hunter took on the weight of the world.

And Boyd rode his bike.

And then as if on cue, the whining commenced and it was time to load up and come home to stinky, wet Whoville, where the dank carpets lay.

And then to add to the holiday cheer, we headed for the red cliffs of Tuacahn to be lifted and enlightened by Alex Boye, where I forewarned Bridger that I might cry during his rendition of O Holy Night. And I did.

And just when I thought my tiny heart couldn't get much bigger, then Mr. Boye came into the audience and snatched up Bridger and a friend of ours, Montana to sing and dance with him on stage.

I think my heart grew 3 times last night.

And then what could be more cheerful than waking to the gift of toilet paper?

Nothing says "Merry Christmas" more than billowing yard art.

Cheerfulness abounds.

Even in spite of soaking wet carpets.

I'd especially like to thank my neighbor, the true Grinch of Whoville, who summoned the local deputy to our home this morning to ticket the car of a visitor, for facing the wrong way on our cul de sac. What a nice, peace offering gift. I think I would have preferred the Christmas shave.

Merry Christmas to even you Mr. Grinch...from the Holiday Cheermeister of Whoville.

40 gallons

2011-12-17T10:30:00.000-07:00

40 Gallons.

That's how much our hot water heater upstairs holds.

This morning I thought I heard the shower running upstairs.

It was a shower alright.

40 gallons of water came through the ceiling into my kitchen, dining room and living room.

I figure we sucked up about 35 gallons. That means there's still 5 saturated in the carpets, walls and ceiling.

Not exactly the plan I had for 7:00 AM on a Saturday morning. Gotta love the retro house.

Doggone Blogger

2011-12-15T19:43:00.000-07:00

Is anyone else out there having Blogger issues?

Here are a couple of mine...

No access to managing blogs I follow

Body text font won't show.

I think it may be time for me to make the change...the unspeakable change.

In Not So Many Words

2011-12-14T10:32:00.000-07:00

One of the hazards of hiking are the heights. I'm deathly afraid of them. And with my new found equilibrium issue, doubly so.

In not so many words, I'd like to share my experience on a 'baby' scary hike called Hidden Canyon in Zion. It's a "hanging" canyon, meaning it is suspended high above the actual floor of the canyon. The trail getting up to it has 1,000 foot drop offs on one side.

It's relatively short. And anchored chains are provided in the most dangerous passages.

Payoffs: Baby arch, talcum powder sands and scrambling.

In not so many words....I made it. I was utterly alone, not seeing another soul the entire trip up and back. Good and bad.
No one to see me clutching for dear life to the chain but no one to be with me to talk me down if I froze up.
I didn't freeze up.

Baby steps...in not so many words.

One Hit Wonders

2011-12-12T15:57:00.000-07:00

Last night we hosted a Christmas Open House here...at the Retro house from 3 -8 PM along with four other houses in our neighborhood. Thank goodness for a reason to get out the Christmas decorations this year! Otherwise I might have gone another year, much to Bridger's dismay, without trimming the tree.

But we had a reason and so it happened.

And as part of this open house tour we provided food for the merry tourists.

Two of the recipes I made this year were ones that I tried from some fellow bloggers. And I have decided that they have become new traditions for us. I got a lot of requests for these recipes so I thought I'd post them.

Cranberry Salsa from Kiki Creates

12 oz fresh cranberries
3/4 cup sugar
1 medium jalapeno, seeds removed
1 green onion
2 TBSP cilantro (I just tore apart some fresh cilantro to taste)
1/4 tsp cumin

Process all ingredients in a food processor (or VitaMix in my case) to coarse texture. Store in refigerator overnight. Serve over cream cheese, if desired. Eat with tortilla chips or crackers.

I actually made this over Thanksgiving with fresh jalapenos from my yard and it was amazing!! It's actually also very good by itself with tortilla chips.

And next....
Cheesy Cranberry Onion Ball from Life in Grace

8 oz softened cream cheese
8 oz shredded cheddar cheese
1 small can crushed pineapples
4 scallions
1/2 cup dried cranberries rough chopped
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion salt (I used onion powder and added a dash of salt)

Mix all together and let sit for a couple of hours.

I think I'll just eat this for every meal for the next two weeks.

I also made my stand-by hot artichoke dip.

16 oz marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1 cup mayonnaise
1 (4oz) can chopped green chilies
1/2 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese

Combine ingredients and place in a 8 x 8 inch baking dish. Bake at 400 for 25-30 minutes until hot and bubbly. Serve hot with corn chips or crackers.

So there's a few of the one hit wonders from last night.

As much fun as it was, I think I'll let my experience of hosting a Christmas open house stay a one hit wonder.

Happy Eating!

Go Tell It

2011-12-08T06:11:00.000-07:00

The first 4 miles of my hike yesterday I listened to my Ipod.

As I crested the Summit of Observation Point in Zion, I was listening to Alex Boye's delicious rendition of "Go, Tell It On the Mountain".

I nearly screamed, "Hallelujah!"

Go, Tell it on the Mountain,

Over the hills and everywhere.

Go, Tell it on the Mountain,

That Jesus Christ is born!

Oh, that I were an angel and could seal this testimony and truth into the hearts and minds of all those I meet.

Mr. Boye will suffice instead.

Cry Her Home

2011-12-05T05:26:00.000-07:00

I have been awake since 2:30 AM.

And 5 minutes ago my Mom left for home in her packed car with her two pups. She's been here exactly a month. I'm going to cry her home today.

20 years ago this month, I laid in bed, pregnant with Chloe, sick and unable to feed myself. I was 4 months pregnant and had already lost 20 lbs. My Mom packed up the twins and drove herself to Utah to nurse me to health. She literally slept on the floor in my house. The day she left, I relapsed and became sicker than ever.

Once again, my biggest supporter and nurse came to my rescue. When I became sick last month, she never hesitated. She was here within hours and has been at my side since. Boyd has traveled and been gone frequently. She has been our school carpooler, our errand runner, our cook and housekeeper. I don't know how I would have managed without her.

I don't know how I can possibly show my gratitude for all that she does for me.

I remember an instance when my baby was 4 years old that perfectly describes how I feel about my Mom. Bridger was sitting in her car seat in the back of our suburban and when I looked into my rear view mirror to check on her I could see tears streaming down her face. I asked what was wrong and if she was okay. She said, "I just never want to leave you Mommy, I want to live with you forever."

As my Mom ducked out the front door pre-dawn, I had a flash back....
I don't want her to leave, I want to live with her forever.

So, I'll cry her home today. I'll cry and pray that she drives safely. That her car will function properly. That the roads will be clear and the skies fair. That her pups will sleep soundly. That her knees and ankles will not swell. That she will be alert and attentive. That she will encounter wise and prudent drivers. That she will know how much I love her and miss her. That I will find a way to thank her and show her how much I appreciate all that she has done for me.

A month is not long enough.

Think I'll go cry myself to sleep now. I love you Mom.

In the Saddle again

2011-11-30T06:52:00.000-07:00

I'm back in the saddle again.

And I'll do it again today in Zion.

I get asked how I feel quite a lot. I describe walking like standing on a row boat in the middle of a choppy lake.

I still have substantial ringing in my ears. It sounds like the compressor of the freezer in my basement is running in my head and it's constant day and night.

But I feel sooooo much better than I did. And I will fight this thing until it's gone.

I use my vision to track and keep my world upright. But when I close my eyes or enter a dark room...my uncalibrated inner-ear still tells me the world is sideways. Funny thing, the inner ear.

My Mom is still here helping me. While I have been driving a bit during the day, I'm still not able to drive at night....at least not well enough that you would want to be on the same side of the road as me in the dark.

Today, I'll spend another few hours in the saddle of courage.

Good Gravy

2011-11-27T22:27:00.000-07:00

12 meals and four days later, the last of the Thanksgiving visitors left our house today at 2:00 PM.

Good Gravy! We inhaled 40 lbs worth of turkey in one day.

We gave thanks for everything, except for gross stuff.

We burned off calories by moving around as much as possible.

We were spiritually fed as well.

And four days went by quickly.

I'm thankful for:
kitchen helpers
foresight in planning for weeks
safe travel
my own bedroom to retreat to
the space to entertain
a golf course for a backyard
balmy, desert weather
& my Mom who stuck it out and carried me through.

And by the way....we also had good gravy.

Just Dance

2011-11-27T13:59:00.000-07:00

Some times you gotta....

just dance.

Still Sparking

2011-11-22T06:52:00.000-07:00

In October, I got Sparked.

Remember, I spent two days at the creative event where I re-stimulated my right brain.

Since November 3rd, I've been less-than-sparky. That's "D" day...D for dizzy. When my world tilted on it's axis.

On November 6th my Mom came. She's been here ever since.

She has done so much for me. I can't express enough, my gratitude.

I haven't driven a car in 3 weeks.

And although I'm still dizzy in the head and my ears are ringing like a rotary phone, I'm truly seeing the light. I feel much better than I did the day the earth tipped over.

I've gotten out and walked a bit and even tackled a few hills this week, including the easy-going Temple Quarry butte. I firmly believe that the blessing of previous months of hiking on uneven surfaces and terrain are what prepared me and enabled me to heal faster than I would have without.

And now as I contemplate the dozens of relatives who will begin descending on my abode and the quantities of turkey and cranberry consumption about to be inhaled...I feel grateful.

I wish I could say I made this piece of digital art. Doesn't matter though because I am still inspired by those who share their talent with the world. Fellow sparker Alisa made this one.

I may not have completed all the crafting, art and cleaning projects I intended this past month, but I'm still sparking.

Those creative juices are still flowing and channeled into a different kind of art....healing. Who would have thought that when I attended that little retreat with my ninja buddies, that it would carry me through a difficult month?

I am turning healing into an art.

I'm grateful to say I'm still sparking.
This little spark of mine....I'm gonna let it shine.

Today's day of rest

2011-11-20T19:54:00.000-07:00

Today was a quiet Sabbath. A day to reflect on what I know to be true.

As usual, we were uplifted and instructed at church. All of which pertained to me.

David B. Haight said, "Live so your memories can bless the full length of your life."

I wish I had had the maturity to know and understand this principle in my youth.

And then the speaker who shared this quote added, "Live so your memories can bless the full length of your life...and your posterity."

There's still time for that. And there's repentance. And while that may not completely take away the unpleasant memories, it an still bless our lives.

I have been thinking about someone I know who lost her 19 year old daughter to a terrible accident last Friday. I know this woman has cherished memories with her children that will bless the full length of her life. She knows where her daughter is and knows she will see her again.

I hope to have some wonderful shared memories of the upcoming holidays that I will be able to share with my posterity in years to come.

May we all be blessed and give thanks for those blessings....

Hug your babies tight.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Ringing

2011-11-19T08:35:00.000-07:00

Christmas bells are ringing early this year. In my ear.

For 3 weeks I have been suffering, managing and healing from an inner ear infection.

I have been fighting the urge to play my Christmas music for fear that I would tire of it before the holiday even arrived. But I'm losing the battle with the urge.

And so this morning as I listened to The Lower Lights new Christmas album, I began to notice a familiarity between the music and the sound in my head. Now I have a way to describe what I hear...Christmas in my cranium....24/7.

I guess that's not so bad. I could do worse.

Not to change the subject but here's someone I've been thinking that I should be grateful for...the person credited for being responsible for making Thanksgiving a national holiday in America as she wrote letters for 40 years to five different Presidents of our country to persuade her cause. Sarah Josepha Hale is someone I admire and think we might have been bff's if I'd known her.

Here's to ringing in Thanksgiving!

Talkin' Bout a Revolution

2011-11-13T07:35:00.000-07:00

I've been down but not quite out lately. More on that story later.

But I sense a revolution going on this year. People want their Thanksgiving. Christmas encroaches on our festive fall holiday ever more every year. And this year, people are taking a stand.

I for one am on board.

Shopping: still not done. I'm proud to to say....I'm a "latter day Scrooge"!

How Sweet It Is

2011-11-02T21:11:00.000-06:00

November 2nd: I'm grateful that none of my children are homeless.

I spent the afternoon in Cedar City yesterday, amidst temperatures falling by the minute, to secure housing for Hunter and a couple of her friends. Mission accomplished...along with a brief interview with the Spectrum's reporter. Now I have the occasion officially documented.

As I was driving home in a blinding blizzard, I kept thinking how much better it would have been to be homeless 45 minutes away in St. George were the sun was blazing away in the bright blue ozone when I arrived.

And today, Leanne and I set out on a short jaunt to escape the winds of Hurricane, down Pecan Trail, the entrance and exit of which is a street lined with heavy-laden pecan and pomegranate trees. And although we did chase down (not intentionally) a bobcat, I'd say the highlight of the foray was the conversation and my sticky-stained red fingers dripping with pomegranate juice. As Leanne is cracking her pecans, she says..."This is how life should be all the time." I agree...it doesn't get much sweeter than that.

Pocket knives come in handy.

And because I'm impatient I began my first tutorial from the online felting class I'm taking. Let's just say, my felt projects probably won't be featured on Pinterest any time soon. I can tell it is a skill that won't come easy to me. Darn. I was looking for a new easy hobby. I think my project may make an appearance on here tomorrow though.

And if I hurry and go to bed soon, then I can say I didn't eat any sugar today...nothing sweeter than a fresh pomegranate.

How sweet it is....life.

Halloween Hangover

2011-11-01T20:36:00.000-06:00

The Good:
"Hitch-o-rama", back to back Alfred Hitchcock episodes all day and night. I'm addicted.
Dixie weather.

The Bad:
No more trick or treaters. First time in 20 years that I couldn't raid my own kids' stash.

The Ugly:
5 lbs of extra baggage I've collected in my mid-section as a result of sampling every food within arm's reach for 3 weeks.

I think the sugar has finally taken a toll on me. It took me a Diet Coke to get me through the drive to and from Cedar City today. Otherwise, my eyes would have slammed shut within the first two miles out of town.

But, housing is secured for the T-bird.

And since it's November 1st and Thanksgiving is on the horizon...I'm playing a game to fool myself into feel gratitude, by listing something I'm thankful for every day this month.

Snickers. I'm thankful for Snickers.

And sunshine.

So there....2 things in one day.

I have got to get to bed.

Happy November!

This Is Halloween

2011-10-31T08:25:00.000-06:00

Talk about spooky.

Drama.

Crappy.

Chaotic.

and a veritable pain in the derrière.

Looking forward to the Christmas music to begin in.....17 hours......

And this is what the trunk or treaters will be getting from Sally this year... bats of chocolate.

Have a Happy All Hallow's Eve!

How to go through an entire loaf of bread in one afternoon

2011-10-27T06:40:00.000-06:00

You will eat an entire loaf of molasses wheat bread lickety split if you make and smear it with....

Pumpkin Jam
and budda.

And then you will put some in half pint jars, make tags for them from your left over Spark materials, and give them away....so someone else can eat an entire loaf of bread.

3 1/2 cups pumpkin puree
4 1/2 cups white sugar
1 Tbsp pumpkin pie spice
1 envelope unflavored gelatin

In a sauce pan, combine ingredients, mix well.
Over medium heat, bring to a boil.
Once boiling, stir constantly for 5 minutes.
Spoon hot stuff into jars and seal with lids.

Makes about 5 half pint jars. Or 4...and a bunch of left over for yourself.

And if you can make jam without burning yourself, you are the queen. Because who can make jam without burning themselves? Certainly not moi.

And don't be afraid of a little sugar. It's Halloween. Pour some sugar instead of eating your child's trick or treat stash. You know you'll do it.

Happy bread and jamming.

Anchored

2011-10-25T10:13:00.000-06:00

For many years of my life, expressing myself through creativity has been an outlet and a way to find specks of joy here and there. As a young Mom, there had to be ways, other than changing diapers and filling sippy cups, of declaring my individuality. Whether that was through painting and decorating rooms or learning to bake bread, crocheting or knitting or taking beading classes, sewing aprons, curtains and matching vests for my girls, scrapbooking, cardmaking...you name it, I've done it.

Or so I thought.

A year or two ago my creativity vanished. Gone. There was no desire to lift a paint brush, scissors or any other tool. The process seemed to daunting and tedious. I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed the stimulation and satisfaction of creating. The right side of my brain turned to mush and I went numb.

Lucky for me I have hiking.

Last spring, Kiera invited me to attend a crafting convention with her where my creativity would be "sparked". And so, for months now I've been gearing myself up (literally) to go north and jam myself in a convention with a lot of other creative Moms and learn some new techniques and get my creative juices flowing again. I'm not gonna lie...I was scared. Why should I be scared of creativity?

Will I be able to keep up in the classes?
Will I remember techniques and skills I used to know?
Will I be able to use a restroom whenever I want? (Come on, there would be over 200 women sharing the same room)
Will I be intimidated?
Will I be able to learn something new?
Will I have anxiety about being crammed in a room with hundreds of women?
Will I enjoy it?

The weekend included playing with my dear friends from KC. Oh, I love those girls.

During the opening "ceremony", we were visited by the lovely Mindy Gledhill, whose music rings through our home daily. She sang some of her songs for us, including "Anchor", which was so fitting. I really feel exercising creativity in the past for me, has been an anchor. I couldn't resist loving on Miss Mindy.

We were warned that the exercises in creativity would challenge us in a way that might scare us and stretch us. Then I was scared. And I had every right to be.

I did things I'd never done before. I made art. So, because art appreciation is so subjective and undefined...there were no rules! Imagine...no rules!! No right or wrong way. Right brain clicked on.

I used pigment paints on canvas.

I felted merino wool around soap.

I used paints, stamps and stencils in a new way to create "She" art.

I hand sewed around reverse applique.

I made a birds nest from wire and pearls.

I hand-carved my own rubber stamp.

I brought home scads of free-bees, tools and samples.

It was all wonderful and a bit overwhelming.

I was well fed...and re-anchored.

Speaking of well fed. We ate. And ate. I have to say, my top foodie experience was the homemade organic soda. Lavender and honey....I will remember you.

What creative convention would be complete without a discussion on blogging? Since blogging has been my only outlet for any kind of creativity lately, it was perfect that I was able to meet someone who I admire in the blog world. Courtney Kendrick from C-Jane Run was there. She's as genuine and charming in real life as I thought she'd be. Truly a hoot. We'd have a lot of fun together, I'm sure. I offered to take her hiking if she ever comes back to Dixie.

I was stretched in every way possible...beyond exhaustion. But I can say, after a good night's sleep, that I am rejuvinated, sparked and anchored. The entire drive home, I kept thinking how grateful I was to have the opportunity to be dunked in creative juices all weekend, to see my KC besties, and to have been well fed.

It felt good to have the right side of my brain functioning again.

And it's a good thing because using both sides of the brain keeps me anchored.

Now I take the next scary step.... staying creative.

For when reality bites

2011-10-24T11:26:00.000-06:00

I've been away for a few days on a creative retreat in the north. There were times when I was more scared of what I was doing there then when I'm on a precarious hike. I'm saving that story for another time.

And then I came home.

Nothing like reality.

Talk about scary.

But anyway. Reality takes a back seat when I think about a hike I took the day before I left. Honestly, my favorite hike ever, I think. And on a day like today when reality is biting, I will turn my thoughts to the gloriously golden and fiery maples, oaks and aspens on the West Rim of Zion National Park.

I can't put my finger on what it is exactly about this stretch of 14 miles that I love the most. The unparalleled views? The solitude? The October brilliance? The camaraderie? The 3 arduous "hills"? The trail cut into stone? The privilege? The diversity? The bird's eye view of Angel's Landing?

Whatever it is, my new motto will be...West Rim, take me away.

And I'll tuck this memory in my belt of escapes from reality.

Gifford Canyon, I do adore

2011-10-19T12:16:00.000-06:00

It's always a good day when you can hike in Zion. But it's even better when you can go with a guide who knows the back country and can take you where there are no trails.
That's how I was able to see Gifford Canyon. Trusty guide, Nick Jorgensen, obliged.

Right now, the slots and canyons are luminescent with color...

And though we didn't see the Big horned buggers...the sheep were around...

No shortage of unique rocks here...

High on the mountain tops...making 'sand angels'.

Farewell Gifford...

See you next October.

Your requests are granted

2011-10-17T22:56:00.000-06:00

Source: jojofam.blogspot.com via Cheryl on Pinterest

So, I made these homemade Butterfinger bars....that I pinned on Pinterest....

Source: thesaltypineapple.blogspot.com via Cheryl on Pinterest

And they were di.vine.

The original recipe comes from here....I think...who knows after it's been posted on Pinterest though.

And they are so easy.

3 ingredients. Are you ready?

1 lb candy corn
16 oz peanut butter
1 bag milk chocolate chips (or other favorite chocolate)

Melt candy corn in microwave on high 1 minute. Stir and continue cooking in 15-second intervals until melted, stirring after each interval. Stir in peanut butter. Spread mixture in an 8 x 8 pan lined with parchment. Cool completely. Melt chocolate and pour over mixture. Cool.

So, that's it.

But I offer a few pieces of advice.
~My bars turned out very thick made in an 8 x 8 pan, which we loved but in if you prefer your bars more crispy, I suggest using a slightly larger pan.
~The original recipe says to cut the mixture after it has cooled and dip each bar individually into the chocolate. That to me is a big mess. I prefer to pour the chocolate over the entire pan.
~After pouring the chocolate over the mixture, I stuck the pan in the fridge to set the chocolate. Worked much better. Then I removed the whole block at one time and set it on the counter to cut into bars.
~Use a large, sharp knife to cut cleanly through the bars. Don't be impatient like me and use a jagged steak knife and hack away.
~Never go back to store bought Butterfingers again!!

Request granted.

It takes Tallant

2011-10-15T08:43:00.000-06:00

Our friends from KC, the Tallants, came to Dixie.

When someone comes from the land of Oz to the valleys of red-fire cliffs, we must tour.

And tour we did.

Snow Canyon
Zion National Park
Red Cliffs Reserve
Joshua Tree Forest
Rzrs in the desert
Cafe Rio
Santa Clara River Reserve, Rock Writings Trail and Anasazi Petroglyphs
and every where in between.

Dixie provided the usual perfect weather and back drops for Dave's camera appendage. And although the town was over run by the inspiring Senior Games, we made do....and headed out on the roads less traveled.

Thank you for coming Carol and Dave. We loved having friends here. It takes Tallant's to see the desert like you've never seen it before. We already miss them.

Children of the Corn

2011-10-14T14:14:00.000-06:00

We had some Kanenwisher kids here this week for a couple of days. We took them to a corn maze here in town.

Armed with flashlights, our 'guns' and a full moon....off we went.

Technically we never got lost, but we gave it a good try.

And then the children of the corn were gone...to greener pastures...in California!

Moqui Marble Madness

2011-10-12T22:39:00.000-06:00

Moqui Marbles being made in Snow Canyon.

They'll be ready to pick up in a few millennia.

Collateral Damage

2011-10-10T21:45:00.000-06:00

Two moves in one year.

I'm still opening boxes. Occasionally, I still find casualties of the packing war.

Here's the 'eye sore' from the Halloween box opened today. Broken eyeballs.

Collateral damage or Halloweenie?

And thank you to those who left nice comments on my last post. I wasn't able to respond to many of the comments but I wanted you to know how grateful I am for friendship and love from my sisters in Christ.

Don't settle

2011-10-09T16:17:00.000-06:00

It was Friday about 11:00 in the morning when we drove through snowy Beaver, Utah on the way to an afternoon wedding in the Salt Lake City Temple.

And it was only the 7th of October.

We made it into the cloud-laden valley and headed directly for downtown, and I wasn't necessarily excited to spend the next couple of hours with people that I didn't even know.

I've only known the groom a year. I've never met the bride nor anyone from either of their families.

But we went.

And I'm so glad we did.

I witnessed this couple joined for time and eternity and spent a fraction of time in a room crammed full of strangers, that felt like heaven on earth. The sealer assured us that angels were there as well. I have never seen a man more in love with a woman and the idea of being married than I saw there. The joy was indescribable. And I know that, "men are that they might have joy". Even though this couple were counseled and advised that joy wasn't necessarily a promise given in this life, I knew that in that moment, they knew true joy. I pray that the memory and spirit that attended that blessed occasion will be something that they will carry with them as they embark on a together-forever marriage....and carry them through those "might" have joy years of potential trial and hardship.

I have been struggling with my own testimony of womanhood recently. There in the SLC temple, it was made known to me of the love that our Father has for his daughters and for women throughout time.

When I saw my oldest daughter the next day, she asked me if I enjoyed the wedding.

I told her, "Don't settle." Only marry a man who adores you and your role as a woman. One who enters into the union of eternal companionship full aware of the responsibility and duty of being a father, husband and co-creator of children.

I think it is the most sincere prayer of every Mother, that their children marry someone who loves and honors their child above everything else. In addition, it is also my prayer that this future son-in-law of mine is worthy and willing to take my child to the temple so that I might have joy in being together with my posterity forever.

I have seen real joy. I don't want my children settling for anything less than that. Even if it takes awhile. Even if roommates and friends all around are marrying. Even if there is pressure to marry because another might not come along. Don't settle.

I'm not suggesting that my girls wait for perfection. Only that they wait for the person who is perfect for them.

My daughters, daughters of God, are worth it. Eternity is worth it.

Back on Track

2011-10-06T08:30:00.000-06:00

Chloe's back on her blog!

I was just thinking last week about talking to her about her blog.

Because......

She's going to SPAIN for 4 months!!!!

Not that we aren't excited....much!!!

And lo and behold...I check on my dashboard this morning....and there she is!!

Stop by and encourage her to stay on the blog wagon.

Speaking Words of Wisdom....let it be Chloe!

Seen it all

2011-10-05T22:11:00.000-06:00

These feet are always going places...

And I see a lot of great things...
Like the other side of Crater Lake,
Pumice and obsidian rock and sugar pine cones,
The summit of Mt. McLoughlin,
Slot Canyons,
The Grandest of Canyons,
and so many other unbelievable sights, sometimes all within the same week.

But during last week's adventures.... I could say, I'd seen it all.

The Narrows in Zion National Park

Petrified Swamps in the "Valley of Fire" east of St. George

And what "seen it all" trip would be complete without dinosaur tracks. Yes, a dinosaur stepped right there.

How many people can say they walk where dino-s walked just on any ole day...not requiring a plane ticket to get there and a week's worth of vacation time?

This "seen it all" stuff is good stuff.

The other side of Crater Lake

2011-10-03T11:29:00.000-06:00

It is said that over half a million people visit Crater Lake every year. Of the 100 or so tourists that my Mom and I saw the day we visited the National Park, only a handful of those actually ventured away from the rim of the lake itself.

One of the great aspects of this park are the trail systems that wind through diverse ecological formations and features. Many of them have the celestial blue lake as a back drop, some are off the beaten path a bit.

An enjoyable short hike is to the Pinnacles. It's only about a mile round trip to see the volcanic chimneys formed when hot ash cooled after the big eruption that instigated the creation of Crater Lake itself.

Being that I'm currently living in a red sandstone desert, these grey columns were a new marvel to me.

Even less known to many is the brand new trail to Plaikni Falls, a waterfall once hidden to tourists and only known to a few. It is a beautiful 2.2 quiet walk through an old growth forest to a waterfall surrounded by wildflowers, not far from the Pinnacles. One of the few places where moss and fern abound.

A drive around the lake is a must, and stopping at each vista is even more important. Don't rush your day at Crater Lake. Everyone must see Wizard Island and the Phantom Ship on the Sun Notch Trail. This is quite possibly the most spectacular lake you'll ever see in the world. I guarantee you will never see the shades of blue that exist there anywhere but in heaven. Pictures could never do justice. Just as heaven can't be captured photographically, neither can the brilliancy of this lake.

Boat tours closed about 2 weeks before I went.

Guess I'll have to go back again so I can walk all over Wizard Island!

Thanks Mom for taking me to see the other side of Crater Lake! A glimpse into the shades of blue in heaven.

Pumice, Obsidian, & Sugar Pine Cones, Oh My

2011-10-01T18:16:00.000-06:00

One of the unique places to visit near my parents is Glass Mountain, an entire mountain gleaming with shiny obsidian surrounded by acres of pumice. And the added treat to this moon scape are the Sugar Pine Cone trees which drop their forearm length cones all around.

I'm sure the baggage inspectors queried my stash of pinecones and pummie (our nickname) rock in my luggage. Pumice stone has a lot of great uses. Most people know it as the stuff we use in our showers to rid our feet of callouses.

But this floating rock is also great for making you look like you have super hero strength.

I chose to leave the razor sharp obsidian glass behind this trip. The last batch I brought home to put in the yard ended up leaving more then a few kids with cut toes.

One thing I never leave behind though....and always take with me...the memories of foraging for just the right pieces of pummie in a one-of-a-kind adventure with my Mom and Dad.

Never Enough Time

2011-09-29T21:00:00.000-06:00

To celebrate my Mom's birthday and my own birthday, last weekend I flew out to hike Mt. McLoughlin in Oregon with her. It's on Mom's bucket list.

In less than a week I've flown to and fro, hiked up and down, and pretended to play catch up.

There's never enough time.

Never time enough at Mom's house.

Never time enough to do all the things I want to do.

Never time enough to do all the things I need to do.

And I don't know if there will ever be time enough to do it all again.

But we made time to check this one off the bucket list!

I met up with some hikers on the summit of the mountain and told them a Grandma was about to come up and they agreed to cheer for her as she came over the rim. They stood up and clapped and screamed for her when she came up.

We had a hard time discerning the trail at some points. People get lost hiking here almost every summer. But we found our way up and then followed the strict directions from other's to stay on the ridge coming down.

The official brochure from the USDA Forest Service for climbing Mt. McLoughlin said, "You'll need to be in good physical condition, though not a "technical climb" (crampons, ice axes, or ropes are not required), climbing the mountain is more than a walk in the park. You will be gaining nearly 4,000 feet in elevation over a span of 5.5 miles, climbing all the way over mostly rocky terrain."

I might add, the first 3 miles covers 700 vertical feet. The last 2.5 are the remaining 3,300 feet.

There's not enough time to sit and enjoy the 360º view from atop the mountain. (Mt. Shasta in the distance.)

I love my Momma, I'm proud of her, and I'm grateful we got to share her bucket list experience of climbing the mountain.

And after an almost week break, I can say I'm ready to do it again....next year.

I hope there will be enough time.

The Miracle of Human Flight

2011-09-22T15:55:00.000-06:00

Tomorrow I'll travel what normally takes me 12 + hours by car in a matter of a few hours. I'll be at my destination by noon.

Now that I live in the 'west' I don't travel by plane very often any more. This will be the 3rd time since I moved to Dixie in fact.

So because of that and the fact that spent the entire 9/11 weekend watching tributes on t.v., I'm a little nervous.

It didn't help that I was awake all night last night thinking about being attacked by bears.

I really don't like animals.

But anyway, I really do like the privilege of flying. What a great miracle.

Remember this video? A little unorthodox, but I like it too.

See you from a chair in the sky.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-09-21T16:20:00.000-06:00

Sublime

2011-09-20T07:46:00.000-06:00

There are some things I never get tired of on our hikes. Even when I've been on a particular hike several times before, each time I experience it in a different way.

Yesterday we hiked Camelback, above Gunlock. Yes, I've been there. Yes, I've been there as the sun was rising. Yes, I've seen my shadow over the vortex before. Yes, I've already scaled the Dragonback. Yes, I've climbed the "extreme" leg of the hike. Yes, I've seen the moose impression in the arch. But each and every time it's been a bit different.

Yesterday was a bit unreal. Same clear blue sky. Same surefooted sandstone. Sameness abounds.
Except for the feel of it. There was not even a hint of breeze. No wind. There is almost always air movement on Camelback, even at dawn.

When I stopped moving and held still there was absolutely no sound. It felt like I was suspended in a vacuum. The temperature was sublime. Not hot, not cold. I was enveloped and floating in perfection for one brief moment. For a speck of time, I think I felt heaven. Honestly. That is the closest way I know of comparing it. All I know is that if I could create my own heaven, it would feel the way I did then.

Heaven is sublime.

Best Bars

2011-09-19T14:27:00.000-06:00

Good thing my sister and brother-in-law introduced me to a recipe from a book that I already had! Last April, while festifusing (my word) at my other sister's wedding...they made these bars. They are from the Lion House Recipe Book...and they have a boring name. Oatmeal Fudge Bars. Boring. Doesn't really describe how fantasical (my word again) they really are. That probably explains why I skipped over that recipe.

But I've made them several times since and people FREAK over them. Freak, I tell you.

So after playing around trying to design a Best Bars tag...a play on Best Buy...I decided to just get on and post the dang recipe and stop pretending like I have all the time in the world.

Best Bars.

1 cup margarine (I use butter)

2 cups brown sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

2 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 salt

1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 pkg semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/4 cup margarine (again, I use butter)

2 tsp vanilla

1 cup chopped walnuts (optional...I opt out)

Grease a 9 x 13 pan, set aside. Preheat oven to 350º. In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar, add eggs and vanilla. In a small bowl, sift flour, baking soda, and salt, add to creamed mixture.

Mix in oats.

In heavy saucepan, mix sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips, 1/4 cup butter and heat until just melted. Add vanilla and nuts and stir in.

Spread two-thirds of dough in prepared baking pan. Spread with chocolate mixture. Drop remaining dough on top by spoonfuls. Bake for 25 minutes. Cool, then cut into bars.

The recipe says it makes 36...that's only if you like wimpy bars.

These bars are slightly undercooked, which makes them even more to die for.

In fact, yesterday...all I ate all day, was BEST BARS!!!

Enjoy.

Vice Grips can be Good

2011-09-18T08:06:00.000-06:00

I think every one has moments where they feel like spontaneously yanking out their hair. At least I hope others do too...that's it's not just me.

I have a volunteer job at the high school this year that has left me feeling like I'm groping in the dark. No training. No previous experience other than my observation of others in this capacity. The woman I work with and I have been thrown to the wolves, so to speak. This other gal, however, did not grow up known as Oscar the Grouch....as I have heretofore recounted about myself on my blog. She's quite a bit more perky and plucky than I.

The other morning I woke up in a panic, like my heart and head were in a vice grip. I just didn't think I could even get out of bed. I was still reeling from a lecture I'd received the night before. I checked my phone to turn off my alarm clock and there was a text waiting for me...a sort of greeting to the day, from my comrade at school.

The Real Work

It may be that when we no longer know what to do we have come to our real work, and that when we no longer know which way to go we have come to our real journey.
The mind that is not baffled is not employed.
The impeded stream is the one that sings.

~Wendell Berry

It's true. I've observed that the greatest singing streams are those who have been forced within the vice grips of slot canyon walls. The pressure of water running against stone creates the most spectacular sounds.

So this vice grip to the brain is good for me. Complications, studying, conflicts...these are all things that have baffled me this week...but my brain is employed. I'm going to have to work at this, and that's alright folks. I will be stronger in the end. Don't expect me to never complain about it again though!

And just for good measure...another picture from this week's adventure at "hole in the rock"...

To remind me that I have the greatest outlet for my vice grip dilemmas...

Fresh air.

Blog Interface

2011-09-16T16:49:00.000-06:00

What's this? What better way to try out the 'new interface' than by testing it on a post.

I've been spending quite a bit of my time outside, obviously.

With summer coming to a close, it's time to say hello to Snow Canyon....

and unless we have a massive heat wave, good-bye to Kanarraville.

The sun is hanging low in the sky, making it dark and colder in the slots. It hasn't helped that it's been raining heavy in the mountains and the temps have dropped. Yesterday's jaunt left us with numb feet and the shivers. All is well that ends well though.

I'm looking forward to being reunited with this hike again next spring. I will miss it.

In the mean time, we'll be hiking closer to home and I'll be blog interfacing.

Having a Grand Time

2011-09-15T07:27:00.000-06:00

Hiking down to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and hiking back out in 5.5 hours is an entirely different experience than just visiting the North or South Rims. Each twist and turn and vista on the trail leaves you literally gasping. Not to mention....gasping for breath as you work your way on strenuous terrain.

The day started at nearly 9,000 feet and 47 degrees with jackets on and wishing for hot cocoa.

Within the first mile the jackets were shed.

By the time we reached the bottom at Roaring Springs, it was almost 70 degrees.

With every step of the 3,500 foot descent, I kept thinking in the back of my mind..."that's another step I'm going to have to take...up."

As grueling as it was for me, I wouldn't change a thing about that perfect day and adventure. Perfect amounts of sun, perfect temps, perfect company of friends....with my less than perfect calves.

It was a good thing I took over 100 pictures on the way down because my concentration and desire to photograph was gone to survival mode of getting back up.

When we reached the top and started back down the mountain in our car, it was 42 degrees and we encountered patches of snow...INCHES deep on the road. Snow. In September.

For several days now it's been raining on our palm trees here in Dixie. But at the higher elevations, skiffs of snow are being reported. In September.

I would be lying if I said this hike was easy or that I wasn't sore beyond sore today. But it was oh-so-worth it.

It was Grand.

Sparking

2011-09-10T11:33:00.000-06:00

Creative expression is one of the ways I've kept some semblance of sanity in the last 20 years. I think the spark to create has been obsolete for me though for the last couple of years, especially the last 12 months in particular.

One of the things that has recently helped is: www.pickyourplum.com

I joined the mailing list and periodically I find little nuggets of artistic juice in my inbox.

A couple of weeks ago the offer was 2 pairs of unassembled earrings for $1.50. That's right. $1.50...so 75¢ each pair of earrings. All I had to do was put them together. So I dusted off my jewelry tools, that somehow managed to survive the purging of moving, and assembled the earrings. I bought two kits, each with silver and copper colored leaves and got 4 pair of earrings. They took 5 minutes to put together.

Little sparks...little steps.

I'm going to really get sparked in October when I go here....

to the mother homeland of creativity that is northern Utah.
Where I'll be joined by a few of my spark starved friends and we'll inspire one another and get our artistic juices flowing once again.
I'm feeling sparky.

Wish list

2011-09-08T17:27:00.000-06:00

Thank GOODNESS for Pinterest. I don't know how I ever knew what to wish for before this waste-of-time website came along.

Seriously.

I'll take one of each of these....

Source: crochetconcupiscence.com via Cheryl on Pinterest

One tree cozy...
I have just the dead tree for it.

Source: perpetualkid.com via Cheryl on Pinterest

Better than Russian nesting dolls...Lucha Libre style....

Source: google.com via Cheryl on Pinterest

Perfect for my mornings of driving Bridger to school...with this I could take a short cut across the desert AND get great gas mileage.

Source: vi.sualize.us via Cheryl on Pinterest

Of course, everyone needs a thneed...or a crocheted Star Wars set....

Source: holytaco.com via Cheryl on Pinterest

I just gotta try this one...

And to top off the old blood sugar...

Source: thesaltypineapple.blogspot.com via Cheryl on Pinterest

Bring on the homemade butterfingers.

For real.

What's on your Pinterest Wish list?

Safety in Numbers

2011-09-04T08:54:00.000-06:00

From Wikipedia:
"Safety in numbers is the hypothesis that, by being part of a large physical group or mass, an individual is proportionally less likely to be the victim of a mishap, accident, attack or other bad event. Some related theories also argue (and can show statistically) that mass behaviour (by becoming more predictable and "known" to other people) can reduce accident risks, such as in traffic safety - in this case, the safety effect creates an actual reduction of danger, rather than just a redistribution over a larger group.

Evidence often advanced for this position includes the flocking of birds and schooling of fish. In both of these instances, by being part of a large group, individuals face less risk of falling victim to predators than they would if traveling alone."

This photo of the mountain lion print found on yesterday's hike, clearly illustrates why I started hiking "in numbers".

It just never gets old

2011-09-03T14:04:00.000-06:00

Zion National Park

No matter what, a day in Zion always makes me feel good.

Septemberbringiton

2011-09-01T19:55:00.000-06:00

It's September!

And I felt it on today's hike in the Spring Creek slot canyon. It's still in the triple digits here in Dixie but there was something different in the breeze today. The light is more angled. Shadows are longer, colors are deeper and smells are richer. Several people today told me they actually opened their windows last night.

I think we've crossed over. We're all awaiting the 'cold front' that should move through this weekend leaving us with temps in the 90's.

Normally this is the time of year I start feeling excited for autumn and the holidays but dreading the impending winter. It almost gives me anxiety to have to say good-bye to the long days of sunlight knowing the days of darkness are near. I keep trying to remind myself that I need not mourn for a season that doesn't really exist here in the desert. It's a new concept I'm still trying to wrap my brain around.

September will bring:
All three chicks under one roof for 48 hours.

Hiking on old familiar trails too long abandoned for higher elevations and cooler temps.

A little bit of time to nap after I take the carpool on early seminary mornings. Hiking will start later soon.

The anniversary of the BYU/Miami Football game, which happens to coincide with my wedding anniversary.

Another year older and wiser.

Hopefully the desire to give a darn about my appearance and using make-up for days other then Sunday. Maybe fix my hair a time or two as well.

The ability to learn at least one new, previously unknown hike.

Lofty ideas, I know.

I hope September brings sereneness and that time will slow to a crawl.

Happy September...bring it on!

It's like a heat wave

2011-08-28T21:55:00.000-06:00

Burnin' in my heart...and the rest of me.

It's been a hunk of burning heat here in the desert the last week or so. I'm not complaining. I'd still rather take a few weeks of scorching ozone over the grey 6 months of winter offered elsewhere.

And with a few brief flashes of lightening, the hills are aglow with the embers of brush fire.

You still gotta get out. And so that's what we do in the remaining minutes of the day before the sun sets. We head to the river to skim board. It's a treat to wade through ankle deep water on sand.

And then we dig the Rzr out of the sand that the teen has managed to sink.

But lickety-split we have to rush home. Momma has two lessons to prepare for Sunday and a couple of other assignments weighing on her mind. Talk about feeling the heat.

Good times, living in the heat wave.

The Tough Job

2011-08-26T20:18:00.000-06:00

...that someone's gotta do....

Paid hiking.

Spent the last two days attempting to beat the heat in higher elevations at Cedar Breaks National Monument and Pine Valley Mountain on Gardner Peak.

Just under 12 miles in the last couple of days in the mountains.

Rough life huh.

I'm glad I have this life.

Day Break

2011-08-24T20:53:00.000-06:00

Twice a week we head out for the hikes at 6:00 am. And as the days grow shorter this means we are now witnessing sunrise on the trail.

Day break today found us on one of my favorite hikes...Camelback, near Gunlock.

If you didn't know better, you'd think we were walking on Mars.

And as the sun crests the sandstone walls from the east....we arrive at the legendary formation called the "Vortex"...or the "cowboys toilet" known to locals, just in time to make shadow shapes on the slick rock.

Camelback is the perfect place to be at day break when you want to "flush" away all your cares.

The tide is high, but I'm holding on

2011-08-23T09:06:00.000-06:00

The tide is high.

Yesterday as I was transporting $750 worth of food to feed a crowd of 400 on Thursday, I backed into a retaining wall at the school.

Never even saw it. But I heard it.

To the tune of $2100.

I have heard so many quotes and scriptures over the last week relating to having faith and overcoming adversity. Even yesterday I was thinking that something big and bad must be coming. And I don't mean a dent in the Cadi-wagon either. It's just a car.

I think it can get worse. Way worse. And I think maybe I just want a break instead.

Helaman said, "And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall." (Helaman 5:12)

I think I've seen a few mighty winds in my day and I'm positive I've yet to see more. But I'm promised that I cannot fail if I build myself upon the rock....His rock.

So, I'll keep clinging to the rock. I'm afraid if I let go, the tide will pull me away.

Dorm invaders

2011-08-21T08:57:00.000-06:00

Just because we can, the whole fam made a trip to Cedar yesterday to visit Hunter in "Juniper".

After putting down a memory foam pad, Bridger tested the bed...

And Hunter took us over to the bookstore for school gear...and we stopped by the forum rock, which gets painted with "news" regularly.

We ate fabulous BBQ at Sonny Boys. They claim to have the best BBQ west of the Mississippi. Lofty ideas of grandeur going on there. But none the less, good.

We played I.T. computer super hero for a couple of hours and then gave up.

Hunter exterminated the "Hairy Potter" pest last night. Video on my Facebook.

So far so good for the Freshman.

I think I've had enough dorm invading for awhile.

A House Divided

2011-08-19T10:35:00.000-06:00

We are down to one chick in the nest.

I may live in Dixie but my money goes to Provo and Cedar City now.

We are officially a house divided.

I deposited my 2nd born and all her worldly possessions into a box for a room, with glittery popcorn asbestos ceilings and hair clogged bathroom drains across the hall.

Way more information than necessary.

The R.A. had decorated the hall in a Willy Wonka theme. Chocolate. Always a hit with freshman college co-eds.

I was amazed at all the teddy bears and cartoon bedding being loaded into the dorms by Moms and Dads with giddy/sorrowful eyes. Excited to be sending their children off to college and sad to see them go.

Of the checking in process: amazing. It took all of 5 minutes to get a key and be escorted directly to Hunter's room. And when we parked the car in front, a crowd of volunteer students descended on us and scooped up every-little-and-big thing and in one fell swoop and one mass trip up 3 flights of stairs, we were unloaded in 5 more minutes. The unpacking was done within a 1/2 an hour.

Hunter's roommate is a friend from high school, which is a great blessing. She was grateful that Hunter's only fetish was the color "green" and not teddy bears or elephants or dolls. No kidding. Everything Hunter owns is various shades of green. But one glance into neighboring rooms and you can see that even when a girl is an adult, you can't take the 10 year old out of her.

It all felt so completely right. I can't explain it other than to say, she's right where she's supposed to be.

After Bridger got home from school yesterday, I asked her if she was going to miss Hunter. Not so much. She's been looking forward to being the single chick since she was about 3 years old. But, I have to admit, I had a moment of panic last night before going to bed when I realized my middle chick wouldn't be coming home to our nest. It's a surreal feeling. I'm already looking forward to the holidays when I can have them under one roof again.

This morning is "flight school" (orientation) for the incoming Freshman Thunderbirds.

My chicks are flying.

And now we'll be watching football....double time. Joy.

Off to fly our new colors on the house door.....Cougars and Thunderbirds together.

Namesake

2011-08-18T17:00:00.000-06:00

The Wildcat Canyon Trail got it's name from these:

Bobcats...who leave their prints on the trail itself....along with bobcat scat, of which I will spare the vision of what is hairy doo-doo.

Cindy, Nick and I started early yesterday morning, high on the west side of Zion National Park with temps in the 40's. We hiked the Wildcat Canyon Trail and Northgate Peaks Trail for a total of 8.2 miles. And then we crashed through a-mile-round-trip field of brilliant golden oats to explore a cave. Easy terrain on Wildcat, but some very foreign plants that Nick thought looked suspiciously like cannabis, leaving a stinging and throbbing sensation in Cindy's hand after she touched it to investigate what it was.

While hiking through a meadow, I thought, "If I were a deer or an elk...this is where I would sleep at night."
And about two minutes later, we found a bed...while investigating a porcupine that turned out to be a skunk!

(flattened, grassy area on the left)

After finishing up our adventures in Wildcat Canyon, we made our way through the field of sunshine to explore a cave.

The best part about this part of the excursion is that I've been dying to get into that field of gold since we moved to Dixie! I vowed a year ago that someday we would take our family picture here. But the bonus is....there's a cave too!!

Which turned out to be totally awesome....to the point that it couldn't even be photographed properly.

I like these namesake trails.

Divine Signatures

2011-08-17T19:23:00.000-06:00

I started reading a beautiful, uplifting book today, called....Divine Signatures by Gerald Lund.

A divine signature is also known as a "tender mercy". These are things that happen to us and around us that are of divine origin and not coincidence. Instances and opportunities that make you aware of the fact that there is a God and that He knows us and has a hand in our existence. Things don't just 'happen'. Once in awhile He gives a a glimpse into this knowledge...of His role in our lives and His love for us, by gifting us moments whether miraculous or subdued in nature, of reprieve, protection, revelation, guidance as well as physical and tangible blessings.

I believe this.

I can't discount the numerous times I have felt the divine signature of my Father in Heaven this year.

Most of these 'tender mercies' have involved my children.

I sent Bridger off to school on Monday. It felt like any other day. Nothing special...almost like we never had a summer and she was just starting another week of school. This year I'm back to driving to school every day. I found a gal that I can carpool with but it still means that every morning I drive a car load of girls to school. Sometimes we leave our house at 6:10 am. Feeling a little resentful about this on Monday morning, in the pre-dawn hours, as we crested the first hill on our 25 minute one-way drive....there silhouetted in the golden sunrise were the tops of the West Temple and other peaks in Zion National Park. How many times have I seen those spectacular shapes? Hundreds of times. And yet, I am still in awe on a dark Monday morning and literally overcome with gratitude for the gift of beauty that surrounds and inspires me...every day. I know that the Lord granted me the privilege of living in and witnessing stellar scenery to buoy me up and sustain me while I scramble in the dark trenches of what is, living life. It was like I could almost hear Him saying, "I know driving an hour each morning isn't your favorite activity and that the inevitability of having to do it for 9 months may seem daunting, but for your sacrifice and for your efforts....I give you this....solitude and time for contemplation and inspiring landscapes to view along the way."

Tomorrow I will take my 2nd born to college and deposit her and her worldly belongings in a tiny dorm high in the mountains.

I am in awe of how this year of difficulty and an uncertain move has lead her to the perfect college for her, including in-state tuition, a scholarship and a built in group of talented, smart and kind girlfriends. Professors and college staff who know her abilities, talents and desires and want to help her succeed are a bonus as well. None of which, would be possible without a fresh start.

The Lord knows my girls. He has put our family in this place at this time to provide for them. And though our vision is sometimes clouded with doubt and concern, we know a window that was once a brick wall, is now open.

I thank Kiera for recommending the book. I had already felt the hand of God in my life manifest but now more then ever I am convinced that those things I've felt are true.

Counting Divine Signatures in Dixie.

Knock Off

2011-08-15T13:54:00.000-06:00

I've consumed my fair share of Clif bars in the last few months and decided to take a break from being the number one supporter and fan for awhile. I thought it might be healthier and easier on the wallet if I learned to make my own. So I googled homemade Clif bars and decided after looking at the list of options, that the first website listed was the most authentic recipe I found.

From here....
Enlightened Cooking...sounds like just the enlightenment I need.

I only slightly adapted the recipe for my purposes and ingredients and I'm totally impressed. And regular. If you know what I mean, as in....regularity. Enough said.

Knock-off-Clifs

1 1/4 cups crisp rice cereal...Rice Krispies will do.
1 cup uncooked quick-cooking oats
2 Tbsp ground flax seed. I buy mine as seed and grind them myself.
1/4 cup finely chopped fruit (cranberries, raisins, dried cherries...ect.)
1/4 cup finely chopped nuts or seeds (I used pepitas)
1/3 cup agave (not quite full 1/3 cup)
1 Tbsp black strap molasses (to fill the remaining space in the 1/3 cup of agave)
1/2 cup nut butter (I used organic sea salted peanut butter but any kind of peanut butter would work.) Almond butter would be yummy as well.
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Combine the rice cereal, oats, flax seed meal, dried fruit and nuts in a large bowl.

Combine agave, molasses and peanut butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until melted and well-blended. Stir in vanilla and cinnamon and blend well.

Pour syrup mixture over cereal mixture, stirring until coated. You can start by using a wooden spoon but will need to use your hands to get it completely mixed. It's sticky...but yummy. Press mixture into an 8 inch square pan that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Use a large piece of wax paper to really tamp down the mixture. Cool in pan and chill at least 30 minutes to help it set. Cut into 9 bars. Wrap bars tightly in plastic (I put mine in ziplock bags) and store in the refrigerator.

Variations:
Replace the dried fruit with an equal amount of mini chocolate chips.

You can use brown rice syrup in place of the agave and molasses.

These worked out to being 7 points a piece on the new WW point value system, even with mini chocolate chips instead of fruit!

Problem is....I could eat the entire 9 bars in one sitting.

Yay for Knock Offs....

2011-08-12T21:05:00.000-06:00

I don't even know where this came from....
but I love it....

Lost and found in the waste of time that is Pinterest....

Today turned out better then it started.

I thought it would be a good idea to wake the kids at the crack of dawn and make them clean the house as punishment breaking curfew. Turns out it was a great idea. Breaking the rules = a clean house. It helped that the computers and cell phones were turned off for the entire day as well.

I'm still not convinced that any of this will make a difference long term, but at least I feel better cause I have a clean house...and I didn't have to do it all!

I need to take a hike. Time to get out again.

Never post on no sleep

2011-08-12T02:08:00.000-06:00

I should know by now.

Emotions are higher when you are tired. Reality is distorted and irritability is heightened.

I spent a tiring/rewarding night working at the Back-to-school night at Bridger's school. I came home feeling generally positive toward the teen generation but at 1:30 this morning I'm wondering how and if I'll ever survive any more.

Honestly.

I am a parenting failure.
I'm just so tired.

I think at 1:43 am this morning, I became the Evil Cyborg parent.

But seriously. If you think you can raise decent young adults without following the counsel of the Prophets to the letter, you are dead wrong. Even if you do, I still believe it's a crap shoot. Not really, but really...I do.

Anyway, I'm tired.

Monday Marathon

2011-08-08T11:27:00.000-06:00

Do other 40+ year old women still wake up with a pimple on their cheek in the mornings, like me?

This is the week we get ready for school. Sending one off to her freshman year in a dorm at college and another to her sophomore year of high school. Oldest will be moving apartments next week as well.

I thought it was hard having kids in 3 different schools, in the same school district. That was a piece of cake next to this. At least now we're all in the same state.

Don't get me wrong, I am excited for this phase of our life....I'm just not sure it will really be a break! This is the season for me when I'll have to work to afford school.

And then there was the moment of insanity last May, when I volunteered to be the Vice President of the Booster Club for this year. Talk about getting me out of my comfort zone. And this Thursday is back-to-school night, where we will hit every parent up for money that they don't have and look excited about a new school board position that I know nothing about! Good times.

I feel like I'm running a marathon, without the health benefits.

Happy Monday Marathoning....

Series of unfortunate/fortunate events

2011-08-06T23:32:00.000-06:00

This is a story about a hike.

So, if you aren't interested in hiking, or stories about hiking, or my adventures in general...skip this post.

If you do, however, lurk about my hiking posts....you may find this sojourn experience to be quite different then any other I've documented.

It all began yesterday, Friday after a lunch at Nap's Grill, two hours after ingesting the largest, greasiest meal known to man. Unfortunate.

Within two hours Boyd and I were headed up the mountain with our day packs ready to the Canyon Creek Trailhead, which is listed by the forest service as 5 miles up and back. Fortunate.

As we parked our car under sunny blue skies, the forest around us was full of thousands of butterflies. All kinds of butterflies. Just as we were getting ready to take off, I checked my watch for the time and a butterfly landed on my wrist. Fortunate.

Note the time....2:00 pm. Still full from lunch and headed up on a long hike so late in the afternoon. Unfortunate.

We reach the first trailhead sign right away. 5 miles to the summit....verified. Should be fortunate.

A mile or so into the hike, we reach the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness. Fortunate.

Grilled onions on my 6 oz burger are creating chaos in my stomach. Nausea abounds. Unfortunate.

The hike is inclined the entire way. At the 5th mile we reach a steep area....there's no lake. We can see the summit in the distance and keep on the trail. For another 1.8 miles, climbing 1,000 ft vertically in that span of time. Forest servicer's are liars. 5 miles to the lake....AS THE CROW FLYS...not hiking. Hike ends up being 6.8 miles. Budgeting for time has been ruined. Unfortunate.

Meanwhile black clouds are building. Unfortunate.

We reach the summit at 2,500 feet higher than when we left the trailhead, and arrive at the most pristine beautiful lake I've ever seen. With crystal clear, down to the very bottom, water. Glaciers surround in the mountains above. Fortunate.

Luckily, before we left we had managed to stop at a local grocer and found Off bug repellant with 90% Deet. No lie. I'm almost positive the stuff is illegal in most states....like Agent Orange. Bought us a can of it and brought it with us. Fortunate.

Once at the top next to the lake we are swarmed with hungry, flesh eating mosquitos. We were fresh meat. Unfortunate.

We whipped out our Deet poison and gave ourselves a quick spray. The bugs literally swarmed around us but didn't dare touch us. We looked like the character Pig Pen from Peanuts, walking around with a cloud of bugs surrounding us. Thank goodness for Deet poison. Fortunate.

Thunder starts clapping...lightening starts flashing and hail begins to fall. Unfortunate.

We figure we can practically run down this mountain and be home in a couple of hours, so we take off in the now-pouring-rain and lightening and head back. Within 1/2 mile....we lose the trail. Gone. Unfortunate.

Temperature drops 20 or more degrees into the high 40's. Unfortunate.

We know we're not lost but now it's very dark from the storm and instead of backtracking and finding the trail, we decide to push on and hope to intersect with the trail at some point. Unfortunate.

We hit sheer granite cliffs and rock slides. We still find no trail. We want off of those rock faces immediately to avoid being struck by lightening. No lie. The rock has become slippery as snake snot (as my Mom would say) and so we begin stumbling and slipping over boulders the size of Volkswagon Beetles and sheer granite faces (think...Last of the Mohicans) as fast as we can to get into a tree line. Unfortunate.

In our haste to avoid lightening, I forget to put on my rain poncho until I'm already soaked. Unfortunate.

After falling a couple of times, not finding the trail and shaking from the adrenaline caused by crashing lightening around us....I'm mad...and I think Boyd is actually worried. He says a prayer. Fortunate.

We decide to head straight down the mountain to the creek far below and hike out along the creek until we meet up with the trail again. We plow through neck high foliage and over rocks for another hour, falling, scraping our hands and knees, through the still-pouring-rain....finally reaching the creek. Fortunate.

Once we reached the creek, we were able to rejoin the trail. Fortunate.

We were soaked to the bone, walking in squishy shoes and still a bit shaken from our literal hair-raising experience. But we were still very adrenalized and decide to make up for lost time by getting down as fast as possible. Which was a great plan until the pain starting setting in. Unfortunate.

The trail is mud and slick rock. When you mix those elements with urgency to get down...you are guaranteed falling....which I did several more times. Unfortunate.

I had on new hiking shoes which felt perfect going up. Fortunate.

On the way down my fingers were too numb to tighten my shoes and so my toes were rammed up against the front of the shoe the entire way down. Unfortunate.

Between the falls and the toes....I was spent. Boyd was exhausted and sore. We had warned our kids that if it got dark and we hadn't returned home, they were to call someone to come and find us. We were driven to get out of that canyon and make a phone call home before they called search and rescue...so we pushed on, through pouring rain and dark skies. Unfortunate.

Before we thought we would....we reached the parking lot and to our car, where we immediately called home and told them not to call search and rescue. That was at 8:51 pm. Fortunate.

We discovered that we shaved off almost 1 1/2 miles of trail by stumbling down the mountain....not something I'd recommend, but became the silver lining in our dark cloud of the hike. Fortunate.

Hiking time total was: 6 hours 5 minutes...not including the 20 minutes we spent at the lake. Fortunate.

And when we walked out of the canyon to the car, the clouds lifted and disappeared to completely clear blue skies. Unfortunate.

Supposed forest service hike: 10 miles total.
Actual hike total: 13.6 total
Our hike with mountain mishap: 11.9 miles.

A fortunate experience with lasting unfortunate consequences today. I will be lucky to keep my two big toe nails. Couldn't sleep at all last night due to flash backs of falling and sore toes. I have holes in my pants, scraps all over my body, and sore muscles but I've also lived to tell about it. And that's fortunate.

After this series of unfortunate/fortunate events, I can honestly say...I'd do it again. But not until after I've had a series of ONLY fortunate events on a hike for awhile.

Unfortunate: Eating Naps, staring a long hike late in the day, incorrect mileage posted, mosquitoes, summer mountain thunderstorms, losing the trail, slippery granite, skinned knees and arms, soaked clothing, numb fingers, losing toe nails.

Fortunate: butterflies, Deet poison, preparedness, exquisite scenery, prayer on a mountain, gps tracker, cell phone technology, physical capability, warm and dry clothes, Advil.

Unfortunate + Fortunate = worth it.

One day

2011-08-04T16:34:00.001-06:00

One day Bridger and Hunter hugged a bear....

And then we saw the Bingham Copper mine.

And we couldn't fathom the bigness of it...

And then Lydia and I visited Carl and Ellie Fredrickson's "Up" home.

One day....that was a good day.

Greetings

2011-08-02T09:30:00.000-06:00

from 8,500 ft this morning.

O Babylon, O Babylon

2011-08-01T12:03:00.000-06:00

Today's 2 hour work out took place at Babylon. True to it's name only in the fact that it was brutal! But the Mars-like landscape and challenge make this Babylon...more like Zion.

Ye elders of Israel, come join now with me
And seek out the righteous, where'er they may be:
In desert, on mountain, on land, or on sea,
And bring them to Zion, the pure and the free.

The harvest is great and the laborers are few;
But if we're united, we all things can do;
We'll gather the wheat from the midst of the tares
And bring them from bondage, from sorrows and snares.

We'll go to the poor, like our Captain of old,
And visit the weary, the hungry, and cold;
We'll cheer up their hearts with the news that he bore
And point them to Zion and life evermore.

O Babylon, O Babylon, we bid thee farewell;
We're going to the mountains of Ephraim to dwell.

Written by Cyrus H. Wheelock

Until next time, O Babylon...farewell.

What do you get....

2011-07-30T09:12:00.000-06:00

when you mix $1.99 pillow form from Ikea with scraps of yarn and a couple of hours?

A $1.99 pillow, worthy of Lola's dog kennel.

It was worth a try! Think I'm ready to tackle another project.

2011-07-29T14:12:00.000-06:00

Hail to thine earliest welcome rays....

Beautiful, bright Snow Canyon Day.

Break time

2011-07-28T20:10:00.000-06:00

Cedar Breaks National Monument is the perfect place to escape triple digit heat. Plus, the views aren't too shabby either.

At 10,400 ft, it's a little easier to become winded but the 70º temps make up for it.

I learned about the Bristlecone Pine Trees....some of which have been around long before Christ was born on the earth. I can't believe I live so close to something this old, and didn't even know about them.

We strolled along the Alpine Pond and through meadows full of incredible flowers...

The hardest part of break time? Coming home.

Summertime

2011-07-28T08:46:00.000-06:00

Glad I got at least one of these in this summer!

This has been one of the most unusual summers for me. I've been set in a summer routine for almost 20 years now and this was the year of change.

And chocolate.

Summer will aways be about chocolate.

Great Expectations

2011-07-26T19:52:00.000-06:00

R&R = Rockin' Reunions.

I spent 4 days, reuniting, reunion-ing, rejuvenating, recollecting, and remembering.

How can I put into words, the feeling of heaven as it briefly touched earth? I believe when you are prayerful and prepare to open your heart, your ancestors will speak. And if you are attuned, you will hear.

I am more aware than ever that I am a social recluse. But I am also more aware of where those tendencies come from. With gratitude, I appreciate the family I come from and the space they allow me.

I stand all amazed at my ancestors. Amazed. And then last night I heard a line in a movie portraying the Willie-Martin Handcart Company, that came as though spoken directly to me.....

"It will all be worth it if my posterity remains faithful."

My heritage has been handed to me on a silver platter. I am not required to make the sacrifices of those who came before. All they ask, is for me...for us....to remain faithful. Shall we not go on in such a great cause?

And for one short weekend, I felt a bit of heaven. I'll admit...waking to reality and the 21st century, with a broken air conditioner, a stack of bills, a list of appointments, a schedule, callings, emails, phone messages, responsibilities....my first thought wasn't about going on with this 'great cause'. But, I do feel an extra motivation because I know I have a lot to live up to.

Sarah Frost Argyle, and Ida Mae Hogan Argyle, Thurza Tingey Adams, Joseph Edward Corbett, Louisa Gorringe Corbett, Josie Corbett Argyle, Ellen Taylor Holroyd Argyle, Helga N Hogan, Eric G.M. Hogan, Joseph Hogan, Sarah Ann Ellis Hogan, Jane Finch Argyle, Joseph Argyle, Fanny Burgess, Ben Holroyd Argyle, Thomas Tingey, Thurza Amelia Randall Tingey, John Quincy Adams, Alfred Randall....Budd Corbett and Faelela Adams Argyle and so many more...have GREAT EXPECTATIONS of me. They believe in me. I believe in them.

The Budd and Fae Argyle reunion...my grandparents...

The Joseph Edward Corbett and Louisa Gorringe Corbett Reunion. Celebrating Joseph's and Louisa's 150th birthday. Their daughter, Josephine (Josie), is my Great, Great Grandmother. Josie's descendants wore orange. I thought the reunion in general was under-attended, but not for Josie. She was represent'n! There were several siblings who had no one there to represent for them.

I've never wondered at my own posterity or considered what I expect of the generations who come from me. And yet, everything my ancestors did...they did for their posterity, expecting greatness.

I enjoyed seeing the budding family genealogists, who were busy gathering and photographing. I thank my cousin, Jennifer Dietrich for her enthusiasm, my Uncle Jim for his years of diligent archiving, my brother-in-law, Taylor, for his attention to detail and desire to learn of his wife's ancestry, my Mom for her passion and love for her ancestors.

Great Expectations....fulfilled.

24 hours

2011-07-21T22:18:00.001-06:00

Little Mermaid at Tuacahn
Centerville
Waterfall hike
Sunset Silhouettes.
Time for bed.

- posted from my iPad

2011-07-19T20:24:00.000-06:00

Time to make a Walmart run...

Malicious Mayhem

2011-07-16T08:46:00.000-06:00

I moved in to the Retro House on February 8th of this year. And since I've been here, the police have been called on my family and visitors to my home, no less then 10 times.

I have a neighbor who thinks he should call and report every time a car is parked the wrong way on the street or when he thinks any other perceived crime is being committed.

This is the very neighbor who professes to hate children. Who is surrounded by an entire neighborhood of children. Trampolines are noisy and dribbling a basketball is the end of the world! Giggling and laughter is prohibited. And I'm not even kidding. Every single parent-of-a-child and owner-of-a-vehicle has had the police called on them at some point while living on this street.

The other night we had our flatbed trailer in our driveway as we were preparing for Girl's Camp. Every few minutes a car would pull up and a girl would jump out and with her parents, they would load their gear into the trailer and leave. Total time = 30 minutes for the entire process.

Later that evening after we had already turned off the lights, put everything away and locked down for the night, a police man showed up on our doorstep.

Our neighbor had called the police and said that there was "malicious mayhem" going on at the house across the street from him and that it was 'increasing' by the moment and 'alarming'.

Loading the trailer for Girls Camp IS alarming, I suppose.

Anyway.

I wonder what our busy-body watch-dog thinks of us now! We have 3 more children staying at our house! Oh the maliciousness of it! Oh the mayhem!!

We took the kids for a night on the town, to the newly opened carousel and shaved ice.

By the way, apparently no sooner had we finished our rides and loaded the kids into the car, a portion of roof on the carousel collapsed, injuring someone. Talk about mayhem. And you better believe there were police involved. Wonder if my neighbor sabotaged the carousel!! I should call the cops and turn him in for malicious intent!!

Bring on the mayhem!!

Aunt Cheryl is the Boss

2011-07-15T14:35:00.000-06:00

Boss said it was swim time.

I'm so bossy.

Road trippin'

2011-07-13T18:41:00.000-06:00

For about as many years as I've been married, I've been taking road trips every summer.

Now I'm only a day's drive from family and I don't get to go.

I miss those whiney road trip days.

Good thing I have a family reunion next weekend, otherwise I might just bust outta here.

Got Zucchini?

2011-07-11T11:55:00.000-06:00

Then this is the recipe for you.

By far....the very best recipe I've found of it's kind.

The "Our Best Bites" ladies have never failed me. Every single recipe I've tried from their cookbook or website flat out, always works.

This is technically a bread but you could classify it as a dessert as well. Doesn't matter how you label it...it will be g.o.n.e, gone. It may seem like a tedious recipe compared to other quick breads, but believe you me, it's worth every step. Follow exactly and you won't be sorry.

Chocolate Zucchini Bread

2 cups flour

2 tsp cinnamon

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup canola oil

1 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

3 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup sour cream

3 cups shredded zucchini

3/4 cups mini chocolate chips, or chopped regular chocolate chips

Topping

2 Tbsp brown sugar

2 Tbsp granulated sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 350º. Butter and flour 2 loaf pans and set aside. (You can use 8 or 9 inch pans, the smaller will just be fuller)

2. Mix topping ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.

3. Place flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt and cocoa powder in a small bowl and whisk to combine. Set aside.

4. With a stand or hand mixer beat oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar and eggs until combined and slightly fluffy 1-2 minutes.

5. Add vanilla and sour cream and mix until combine. Gently stir in the zucchini. Take a spoonful of the flour mixture and stir in with the chocolate chips (that will help keep them evenly distributed.) Stir remaining flour mixture into batter and mix until just combined. Add chocolate chips and stir to combine.

6. Divide batter between the two pans and sprinkle topping over each.

7. Bake for 50-60 minutes. Set your timer for 45 minutes and then keep an eye on the loaves for the remaining time. When they're done, a toothpick or skewer should come out without goopy batter on it and the tops will be gorgeous and cracked with sugar. Remove from oven and let them cool on a rack for 5-10 minutes. You will love this warm with butter and cool for breakfast the next morning.

Enjoy your gardens! Eat your veggies and your chocolate too!

Perspective

2011-07-09T16:11:00.000-06:00

I wish everyone had the opportunity to see life from another perspective.

Today we hiked high above Zion National Park near the Northgate Peaks. The views were stunning. It was fascinating see the familiar domes, cliffs and peaks of Zion afar, from another point of view. I really felt like from the higher vantage point and looking back, I gained a new appreciation for the creation, depths and heights that we take for granted from our more familiar view points.

I think life is a lot that way.

After our jaunt, we stopped at a nearby campground/viewpoint for a lunch break. As we approached a fork in the road, we came upon several large tour busses, Park Rangers and several other back country emergency vehicles with lights flashing. Standing around were pedestrians, many of them wearing pioneer clothing, embracing each other and crying. I knew at once we'd come upon a Trek.

After navigating our vehicle through the small crowd and scene we inquired about what had happened to one man who was standing a ways off. He said that a man on their Trek had just died of a heart attack.

We continued on, passing all the youth and their leaders....from the Las Vegas area who were already mourning and scared by what had just happened.

I immediately called up in my mind, the Trek I recently participated in. For a split moment, I asked myself, "Why Lord?" I couldn't help but think how devastating the news would be to his family and the members back home. Why did this happen?

On the way back from lunch the emergency vehicles were finishing up their work and the youth and handcarts were parked in a meadow away from the scene. I watched the youth as they embraced each other and their leaders and I felt the Spirit. This would be a bonding, unforgettable experience for this little flock of our Savior. I saw His sheep gathered around each other and knew that He was comforting them. Who could ever imagine that such a tragedy and hardship could strengthen and uplift a group of people? I knew that these young saints would be forever changed and linked to those first pioneers who trekked and sacrificed all to reach a place where one day they would be thanked, honored and revered. The spirit bore witness to their hearts of the love of those who came before and of a Savior who loves them even more.

That's perspective. Seeing amidst the turmoil that there is another way to look at suffering. I'm so blessed to have had a glimpse into eternal perspective today.

Take the time to look around from another point of view and find what perspective waits for you.

My message to you...oooo, oooo

2011-07-07T10:32:00.000-06:00

Only about once a day now... I use Mr. Marley's song to cheer me up.

My message:
You ought not spend your extracurricular time contemplating judgement on others. You think you may understand or know someone's situation and find it alright to discuss other's plights amongst your circle of confidants. Beware...appearances are deceiving and not only do you have no conception of the reality of someone's situation, you also have no authority, right or privilege to drag, defame or harm another's name by addressing or hashing out their issues with others.
You may even sit back in your own smug cloak of perfection and think that someone's suffering is something they deserve or that they've brought it upon themselves. And because of that....you are not Christ-like.
I've heard it said, What comes around, goes around....so don't be so quick to judge. Your control will slip through your very unkind fingers someday.
I'm just sayin'.

Other than that....carry on my war torn friends.
Why in this world when we all are in need of friends, would anyone want to burn a bridge?

It makes me sad.
But "every little thing's gonna be alright."

2011-07-06T20:28:00.000-06:00

I'm happy to take someone's over abundance off their hands....

I can't grow diddly squash in the desert.

Miss Z

2011-07-05T08:51:00.000-06:00

Two years ago this day began another journey witnessing the adoption roller-coaster through my best friend. It was an emotional week. The fruits of their labors brought home this tiny, rose-bud lipped beauty, whose eyes melted souls. I will always be grateful for the glimpse into eternity that this girl brought with her when she came home...where she belonged.

I can't believe I've been gone for a whole year of her life. She doesn't even know me.
She obliterates the theory that boys are more destructive and active than girls.
She's spunky and sassy.
She's capable of scaling all things vertical.
She prefers living on the edge and standing on tables.
She can kill with her eyes.
She smells divine, sweeter than sweet.
She has the most patient hair stylist Momma, who has perfected her poufs and beads.
She has her family wrapped around her finger.
She is loved more deeply than could possibly be imagined.

Happy Birthday to the girl who has taught me so much.
Aunt,

This is My Country

2011-07-04T08:14:00.000-06:00

I spent many years dreaming that I would one day live in a quaint European village. Sometimes I feel an ancestral tug pulling me across the "Pond" where my genetic make-up began.

The older I get, the more I realize how much I love and appreciate the land of my birth. I have had the privilege of traveling to the distant places I've desired so much to see. And while I could see myself aboding well, nestled in a primitive, ancient villa, I am a Yankee through and through. Each time I return, I count myself blessed to call this country home. And I know, while my ancestors want me to see the lands of their birth, they also want me to know of their love for the country that they sacrificed all for to reach her shores. Not content with their countries, their laws, and their oppression....they longed for freedom. And not only did they want it for themselves, but they were thinking of their posterity...me.

It's in my blood, this love for my country. It is woven into my genetic make-up from a long line of migrating pioneers, who loved America before me...and for me. I am in awe of the privilege I have of being born and raised here. I am blessed beyond measure to be an American. With deep and humble gratitude I say...

Happy Independence Day, to My Country.

The hills are alive...

2011-07-02T17:23:00.000-06:00

with cooler temps and wild flowers galore.

Headed for 10,500 feet in the air for an evening away. Road the 4 wheelers in 70 degrees and watched Richard III at the Shakespearean Festival.

I go to the hills
When my heart is lonely.
I know I will hear
what I've heard before.
My heart will be blessed,
with the sound of music,
and I'll sing once more.

Head for the hills to sing once more....

Reprieve

2011-06-28T20:29:00.000-06:00

Every once in awhile I have a day where the weight of the world just gets to me.

I think for the most part, I live in denial. But there are times when life just gets me down.

I'm having one of those days....or weeks.

And for the first time, the last couple of days' heat is getting to me.

I'm grateful for the reprieve from scorching rays and weighty matters.

Today I spent 3.6 miles in the slots of Kanarraville Creek. In the creek.

Wading through refreshing mountain spring waters and gazing up through red sandstone marvels sort of has a way of taking your mind off of things. Like a mini-vacay. My brain and spirit are especially grateful for these reprieves.

Stuffed

2011-06-26T05:38:00.000-06:00

Is it just me or do stuffed bell peppers remind anyone of their childhood? I seem to recall eating the occasional green pepper stuffed with red rice. I wonder if bell peppers were as proportionally expensive then as they are now.

I've been on a bell pepper kick for the last couple of months, buying the multi-color pack of yellow, red and orange from Costco. We slice them up to eat like apples sometimes. And the other night I had a hankering for eating these peppers the old fashioned way.....stuffed.

So I perused recipes online. Believe it or not I couldn't find one stuffed bell pepper recipe in my entire collection of cookbooks...including the vintage ones! But most of the recipes online required ingredients not found in the Dixie Mom's fold...or pantry.

And so...I made up my own recipe. And it was good.

First, I set some brown rice to cooking on the stove....the old school way...for 50 minutes. Let me say, this wasn't the quickest dinner in the world.

Second, I cut the tops of 4 peppers off and scooped out the seeds and insides. Then I steamed them on the stove for about 10 minutes until barely tender. I didn't want to over cook them and have them turn out mushy.

As all that was cooking, I took the remaining pepper tops, removed the stems and chopped them up into small bits.

In a large bowl, I combined 1 pound of hamburger, the chopped peppers, 1 Tbsp of Italian seasoning, 1 tsp of salt, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1 Tbsp of Worcestershire sauce and a dash of pepper. When the rice was finished cooking, I added 1 1/2 cups of cooked rice to the mixture and mashed it together...with my bare hands. Aggressive.

Then I stuffed the steamed peppers with the hamburger mixture and heaped them up nice and tall. I set them in a 9x9 pan. Mine stood up fine but I saw online that you could trim the bottoms if you needed to. I drizzled them with a little olive oil and rubbed it into the sides of the peppers. Then I sprinkled the tops with paprika. Oh, shiny peppers...you are so be.u.tee.full.

I cooked them in the oven at 350 for almost an hour. Other recipes I'd seen said to cook them 35-45 minutes...I just didn't feel like that was long enough to cook the hamburger well enough. And so...I was right. They were perfect.

I decided that stuffed bell peppers are completely All-American. A little bit of everything....Italian, Mexican and Chinese. Jumbled and mixed all together, that's what makes them so yummy!

One pepper per person seems to be perfect....not too stuffing.

Code Red!

2011-06-25T06:00:00.000-06:00

Alert! That purple-leaved tree in my back yard is full of edible cherries!

So, cleverly discovered by my nieces last week when they were here.

I almost wish they never found them. Because with that kind of knowledge, guilt will not allow you to let fruit rot off the tree. And I've been up to my elbows in cherries.

Only...I guess they aren't really cherries. I've been pitting, freezing, dehydrating, cobblering and jamming berries by the pounds for the last week. They look like cherries, taste like cherries, cook like cherries, smell like cherries.

And now I find that these plump, tart, fleshy, purple-ly-red beauties are not cherries.

They are a type of plum. Flowering Plums.

Just so you know....they behave in every which way like a cherry, these plums.

Who knew? Not me. And not my nieces who packaged these delicious nuggets up as pie cherries and sold them in my front yard.

So, it's Code Red at my house as we have bathed the entire kitchen in sticky red juice and pits. And every morning we make a mad dash for another giant bowl full before the heat kicks in. I'm only devoting an hour a day to these babies.

Here's a recipe for Plum jam....that works well for my Cherries too.

3 lbs of firm plums, peeled (only I didn't peel these little guys), pitted
1/2 cup water
1 Tbsp lemon juice
7 1/2 cups sugar
1 (3 ounce) package of pectin

Place plums, water and lemon juice in a large non-aluminum stockpot. Stirring often, bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fruit is soft.

Stir in sugar. Return heat to high and bring back to a rolling boil while constantly stirring. Add pectin and return to a boil while stirring. Continue to stir for about a minute then remove from heat. Let rest for a minute then skim off any foam.

Pour even amounts into sterilized jars, leaving 1/8 - inch of space at the top. Wipe rims and seal with sterilized lids. Process in boiling water bath for 5 minutes. Remove, let cool and date jars.

Mine made 5 pints, but I had enough to make 7 pints but only have 5 jars. You see, when I moved, I naively thought I was giving up canning for the rest of my life. Not knowing that I would have a surprise berry tree in my backyard, I gave all my canning jars away. Yes, gave them away. So now I'm resorting to freezing all my berries until I can get more jars to make more jam.

Moral of the story? Don't give away all your canning jars or you'll have a Code Red because of your clever nieces.

The end.

Oh the Places We Go

2011-06-24T14:07:00.000-06:00

Me and Osprey headed for the hills yesterday.

To Pine Valley Mountain to be exact.

Where the temperatures are in the double digits...not the triple digits, all day.

To the Mill Flats trail where the quakies live and the air smells of fresh cut pine.

At the 7,900 ft elevation...it's a world away from the world.

Osprey likes it that way.

Osprey Day

2011-06-22T06:22:00.001-06:00

Me and my Ospreys are going places.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

To Noah:

2011-06-21T09:53:00.000-06:00

I hear you are a big boy now!!

Here's a picture of Aunt Cheryl when she was learning to go potty.

Don't you wish you had a personal sized potty in a gold bathroom with damask wallpaper. I do!!

I'm still not all the way grown up yet. I mastered the potty but still haven't conquered bed making.

Oh well.

I think I'm okay with that.

But, I'm pretty proud of you buddy. I miss you.

Love,