Well...I've been wanting to blog for a while but have nothing.....seriously....NOTHING to blog about. I feel boring compared to others who have blogs and frankly......I'm okay with that. I've never been much of a writer anyway....just know my mom and a few others liked to hear about my hiking journeys. I enjoy hiking but have not been going as often as I used to now that its cold outside. I feel like I need to kind of put my blog to sleep for the winter and re-visit it in the spring.
So....unless I have anything spectacular to share...I'll try and pick this back up in the spring :)
Until next time!
Friday, November 18, 2011
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Can't think of a title for this......
I felt the need to blog but really have nothing "Hiking" related. My hiking adventures have been slowing down as the weather gets colder. I still am going....just not as often. I really don't have as many stories to share about it either.
One thing I HAVE been doing on a regular basis is knitting. Yes......knitting. I am actually even signed up for a advanced knitters class that starts this Saturday. I know how to knit but I need to learn different patterns. Something besides the "grandma" knit dishcloths and scarves. Those I know and those are easy now. I need to learn something more challenging. So....we get to pick out ANY pattern we want to do and buy the materials. We get to do that project with the instructor who will teach us how to read the pattern as well as guide us along the way to finish it. I have chosen several different patters because just one won't last the entire length of the class...which is a little over a month. I will post pictures of my new creations as soon as I'm done with them.....have to admit that I'm pretty excited about it. I know that sounds so OLD LADY! Oh well....it is another thing I enjoy. However...I only enjoy knitting during the cold months. I knit from October through March.....haven't knitted in the summer at all.
Anyway....this is what is new in my world. I will still continue to post pictures and any stories worth sharing regarding my hikes......pretty soon the snow will fly and make the landscape look magical :)
Until next time....
One thing I HAVE been doing on a regular basis is knitting. Yes......knitting. I am actually even signed up for a advanced knitters class that starts this Saturday. I know how to knit but I need to learn different patterns. Something besides the "grandma" knit dishcloths and scarves. Those I know and those are easy now. I need to learn something more challenging. So....we get to pick out ANY pattern we want to do and buy the materials. We get to do that project with the instructor who will teach us how to read the pattern as well as guide us along the way to finish it. I have chosen several different patters because just one won't last the entire length of the class...which is a little over a month. I will post pictures of my new creations as soon as I'm done with them.....have to admit that I'm pretty excited about it. I know that sounds so OLD LADY! Oh well....it is another thing I enjoy. However...I only enjoy knitting during the cold months. I knit from October through March.....haven't knitted in the summer at all.
Anyway....this is what is new in my world. I will still continue to post pictures and any stories worth sharing regarding my hikes......pretty soon the snow will fly and make the landscape look magical :)
Until next time....
Monday, October 24, 2011
Mashed BOO-tatos Recipe
I actually was watching the food network and got this recipe from there. GREAT usage of Kale.
MASHED BOO-TATOS!
Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the pot over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the green onions and the kale. Saute until tender, tossing with tongs, about 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the milk and butter and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Let the milk warm and the butter melt.
Put the potatoes into the pot and mash with a potato masher. Stir in the sour cream and the Parmesan and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve.
MASHED BOO-TATOS!
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, scrubbed well, cut into eighths
- Water
- Salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 scallions, thinly sliced
- 1 bunch kale, stems discarded, and leaves finely chopped
- 3/4 cup milk
- 4 tablespoons butter
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
Directions
Add the potatoes to a pot of cold water and salt the water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook the potatoes until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain the potatoes in a colander.
Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the pot over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the green onions and the kale. Saute until tender, tossing with tongs, about 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the milk and butter and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Let the milk warm and the butter melt.
Put the potatoes into the pot and mash with a potato masher. Stir in the sour cream and the Parmesan and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Long time no Hike
I'm becoming increasingly bummed out about our weather. I know fall is the time for rain and wind and cold weather. I was looking forward to the cooler weather and wind but non-stop rain?? Its getting old.
Because I have not hiked since last week, and during that hike.....nothing exciting or worth sharing happened. I still love it though....I just am needing to do more of it. My boots are calling my name everyday and I feel so bad like I'm neglecting them!
I have planned some pretty cool hikes as soon as the sun comes out....or at least when it stops raining. I have the trails mapped out and how far I plan on going.
In the meantime...I have been knitting. Yes, knitting. I enjoy knitting though so its okay....I create cool things with my hands. I have even gone as far as joining a class to learn out to knit socks. Not the super thick ugly socks that people never wear but the thin, super-cool kind of socks that you can wear everyday. I am anxious to learn a new pattern and this was the best way for me to learn how. I've tried watching the tutorials on You-Tube but don't have the best luck...figured it would be easier with a real teacher :)
Not much else is new except for the GREAT fact that Sam and I have been cleared to start fertility again. With my sugar being under control, they gave us the go-head to begin treatments again. Hopefully we'll have better luck this time. I was taking a pill medication for my diabetes that was a huge aid in keeping my sugar levels under control...that along with diet and excersie that is. Bad thing about this whole thing is I can't get off my medication but I can't keep taking it while trying to get pregnant or if/when I do become pregnant. So...I am now giving myself injections of insulin on a daily basis. Its a little trickier and I'm still trying to get used to it. Its not so much giving myself the shot that bothers me but the keeping track of my levels, making sure I'm eating small meals throughout the day....which I normally have no issue with but its the "how often" I have to eat. I need to eat sooner than what I normally would otherwise my sugar levels drop and I get super dizzy, hot flashy...feel like I'm going to pass out kind of thing. I have to carry the glucose tabs, or (smarties candy, thank you Jenny!) on me at all times. I guess I never fully realized how the whole insulin thing works but now that I am diabetic, and I'm paying attention to what goes into my mouth, and how much insulin I'm giving myself.....it makes me fully understand what a pain in the rear this really is. I don't wish any of this on anyone.....I wish my health wasn't as awful as it seems...I know it could be worse but I also feel that I could have done a lot to prevent this years ago....by paying attention to my weight and what I was eating. But....I didn't and now I'm paying the price for it. I just pray that I learn to manage it the right way and keep it under control so that I may be able to become pregnant and have a healthy baby....that and to keep myself healthy during a pregnancy.
So....although this post really wasn't about hiking all that much, it is exactly what has been going on. Sorry if I've bored you!
Until next time......
Because I have not hiked since last week, and during that hike.....nothing exciting or worth sharing happened. I still love it though....I just am needing to do more of it. My boots are calling my name everyday and I feel so bad like I'm neglecting them!
I have planned some pretty cool hikes as soon as the sun comes out....or at least when it stops raining. I have the trails mapped out and how far I plan on going.
In the meantime...I have been knitting. Yes, knitting. I enjoy knitting though so its okay....I create cool things with my hands. I have even gone as far as joining a class to learn out to knit socks. Not the super thick ugly socks that people never wear but the thin, super-cool kind of socks that you can wear everyday. I am anxious to learn a new pattern and this was the best way for me to learn how. I've tried watching the tutorials on You-Tube but don't have the best luck...figured it would be easier with a real teacher :)
Not much else is new except for the GREAT fact that Sam and I have been cleared to start fertility again. With my sugar being under control, they gave us the go-head to begin treatments again. Hopefully we'll have better luck this time. I was taking a pill medication for my diabetes that was a huge aid in keeping my sugar levels under control...that along with diet and excersie that is. Bad thing about this whole thing is I can't get off my medication but I can't keep taking it while trying to get pregnant or if/when I do become pregnant. So...I am now giving myself injections of insulin on a daily basis. Its a little trickier and I'm still trying to get used to it. Its not so much giving myself the shot that bothers me but the keeping track of my levels, making sure I'm eating small meals throughout the day....which I normally have no issue with but its the "how often" I have to eat. I need to eat sooner than what I normally would otherwise my sugar levels drop and I get super dizzy, hot flashy...feel like I'm going to pass out kind of thing. I have to carry the glucose tabs, or (smarties candy, thank you Jenny!) on me at all times. I guess I never fully realized how the whole insulin thing works but now that I am diabetic, and I'm paying attention to what goes into my mouth, and how much insulin I'm giving myself.....it makes me fully understand what a pain in the rear this really is. I don't wish any of this on anyone.....I wish my health wasn't as awful as it seems...I know it could be worse but I also feel that I could have done a lot to prevent this years ago....by paying attention to my weight and what I was eating. But....I didn't and now I'm paying the price for it. I just pray that I learn to manage it the right way and keep it under control so that I may be able to become pregnant and have a healthy baby....that and to keep myself healthy during a pregnancy.
So....although this post really wasn't about hiking all that much, it is exactly what has been going on. Sorry if I've bored you!
Until next time......
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Strenuous Hills and peeing in the woods
So I woke up this morning at 7am and saw the sun just peaking through the trees. It was foggy this morning but I knew the sun would burn it away in no time. I figured it would be a great time to get up and hike.....and maybe capture some great pictures.
I arrived at the trail head around 7:30 and began my hike. There were 2 different trails to choose from and so I decided on the longer one. As I began walking....I could see my breath in the air. It was still pretty chilly but I had layered my clothes in anticipation of the sun warming me up.
Have you ever smelled the scent of damp woods, mixed with black walnuts? I think it has to be my new favorite smell. Seriously. There were black walnuts ALL over the ground...most of them turning black. I picked up one that was still green and inhaled its scent until there probably wasn't any scent left to it. I LOVE the smell...its almost a piney, citrus smell. Wish I could bottle it. Anyway....I carry on about my walk and I'm trekking on top of this rim....a high, elevated rim above the gorge. The sights are breathtaking and I'm wishing Sam was there to enjoy it with me. About 2 miles in, I come to the top of this super steep hill...I'm talking the kind of hill that you almost need to hang onto to trees to make sure you don't fall on your kiester....or worse....have one of your knees give out. So....I'm slowly descending the hill, if that's what you want to call it and it takes me about 20 minutes to finally reach the bottom. All the while thinking to myself that this hike had better be worth the pain in my knees. I'm limping now but not about to turn around and climb up that stupid thing either.
After about 2 more miles of these hills, I come to this overlook and am standing in awe. It. Is. BEAUTIFUL. I don't even have the words to describe the beauty before me. There is a little bench there, overlooking the view and I take a seat. I have not seen one other soul while I have been out there and I take the time to thank God for this spectacular view in front of me. I thank Him for a lot of other things too but I had found my most favorite spot in the outdoors....that is near where I live anyway.
So....while I'm sitting there, I'm thinking that I really need to go to the bathroom. I had already drank two 32oz Nalgene bottles and was about 4 and half miles into my hike. Have you ever popped a squat in the woods when you think you're alone because you had to pee really bad?? Well...I have. Many times.....the only difference this time was that I got caught with my pants around my ankles. Yup! Sure did! By the DNR no less! Can you picture it?
I'm sorry...but nobody...and I don't care how strong your kegel muscles are....cannot stop peeing midstream!!! Thank GOODNESS the DNR officer was a lady who politely turned around and pretended to scope out the view. I hurried and pulled up my pants and began to apologize....I thought for SURE I was going to get the dirty look. Nope...not the case. While I was apologizing I saw that the lady's shoulders were shaking like she was crying really hard......or in this case....laughing her butt off!! She couldn't speak to me for like 2 whole minutes because she was laughing so hard. I didn't get it.....what was so funny about THAT whole scene?? After she had finally recovered from laughing at my expense, she had explained to me that I was the 3rd person this morning she has caught with her pants down! THIRD!!! IT WASN'T EVEN 8:30 IN THE MORNING! Not to mention...I hadn't even seen another person while hiking! Little did I know that she was NOT that far behind me! Oh well....her and I got a good laugh and afterwards, I continued on my way back. It was an enjoyable morning hike...and I did capture great pictures! I'll post them on FB because I don't feel like uploading them twice.
Until next time......
I arrived at the trail head around 7:30 and began my hike. There were 2 different trails to choose from and so I decided on the longer one. As I began walking....I could see my breath in the air. It was still pretty chilly but I had layered my clothes in anticipation of the sun warming me up.
Have you ever smelled the scent of damp woods, mixed with black walnuts? I think it has to be my new favorite smell. Seriously. There were black walnuts ALL over the ground...most of them turning black. I picked up one that was still green and inhaled its scent until there probably wasn't any scent left to it. I LOVE the smell...its almost a piney, citrus smell. Wish I could bottle it. Anyway....I carry on about my walk and I'm trekking on top of this rim....a high, elevated rim above the gorge. The sights are breathtaking and I'm wishing Sam was there to enjoy it with me. About 2 miles in, I come to the top of this super steep hill...I'm talking the kind of hill that you almost need to hang onto to trees to make sure you don't fall on your kiester....or worse....have one of your knees give out. So....I'm slowly descending the hill, if that's what you want to call it and it takes me about 20 minutes to finally reach the bottom. All the while thinking to myself that this hike had better be worth the pain in my knees. I'm limping now but not about to turn around and climb up that stupid thing either.
After about 2 more miles of these hills, I come to this overlook and am standing in awe. It. Is. BEAUTIFUL. I don't even have the words to describe the beauty before me. There is a little bench there, overlooking the view and I take a seat. I have not seen one other soul while I have been out there and I take the time to thank God for this spectacular view in front of me. I thank Him for a lot of other things too but I had found my most favorite spot in the outdoors....that is near where I live anyway.
So....while I'm sitting there, I'm thinking that I really need to go to the bathroom. I had already drank two 32oz Nalgene bottles and was about 4 and half miles into my hike. Have you ever popped a squat in the woods when you think you're alone because you had to pee really bad?? Well...I have. Many times.....the only difference this time was that I got caught with my pants around my ankles. Yup! Sure did! By the DNR no less! Can you picture it?
I'm sorry...but nobody...and I don't care how strong your kegel muscles are....cannot stop peeing midstream!!! Thank GOODNESS the DNR officer was a lady who politely turned around and pretended to scope out the view. I hurried and pulled up my pants and began to apologize....I thought for SURE I was going to get the dirty look. Nope...not the case. While I was apologizing I saw that the lady's shoulders were shaking like she was crying really hard......or in this case....laughing her butt off!! She couldn't speak to me for like 2 whole minutes because she was laughing so hard. I didn't get it.....what was so funny about THAT whole scene?? After she had finally recovered from laughing at my expense, she had explained to me that I was the 3rd person this morning she has caught with her pants down! THIRD!!! IT WASN'T EVEN 8:30 IN THE MORNING! Not to mention...I hadn't even seen another person while hiking! Little did I know that she was NOT that far behind me! Oh well....her and I got a good laugh and afterwards, I continued on my way back. It was an enjoyable morning hike...and I did capture great pictures! I'll post them on FB because I don't feel like uploading them twice.
Until next time......
Friday, September 30, 2011
Hiking Withdrawl and changing of the seasons
So....I've decided that today the color is Red. Its a nice, bright fall color. One that I can see from my window through the pouring rain outside!!! I have NOT hiked since we have been back from vacation. Granted it has only been one week but I feel I am having withdrawl!! I really wish the rain would stop so that I could go out and enjoy these fall colors with the sun shining on them! Not getting wet while hiking would be a bonus too!
So....kind of slipping away from my normal "hiking" post here for a second but I just needed to say how much I LOVE Fall. I LOVE FALL!!!! To be completely honest...I love all four seasons. I enjoy the changing of the seasons for many different reasons. Each season has its own wonderful and unique thing about it. Fall....I love the colors, cooler temps, apple pie, hot soups, candles and warm, soft, sweaters!
Winter...I like the first 2 weeks after the first snow. I like the crisp clean look of everything....it all looks untouched. I like Christmas and family and for some reason this season brings me closer to all of them in one way or another. I love Christmas music. I love walking out in the woods after a fresh snow....it is SO SILENT!! I feel closer to God here than probably anywhere else...not just in Winter...but in the woods period! Oh! And I love my parents hot tub!!
Spring...I love the smell. Everything is fresh and damp and new. I love the smell of dirt, the new flowers coming up, the trees getting their green leaves back. And I love the anticipation of Summer.
Summer...I love Lake Michigan beaches, I like tubing down the river, camping, hiking, swimming......reading a book outside under a tree. If that tree has a hammock, even better! I like cook outs with family and friends. I like Leinenkugels Summer Shandy. I enjoy having a garden....when I had a house that HAD a garden. I enjoy Farmers Markets and all the fresh summer produce.
I could go ON AND ON regarding how much I love the changing of the seasons. I just wanted to share a few that were floating through my head today while I was cooking hot soup and fresh apple pie :)
Until next time....
So....kind of slipping away from my normal "hiking" post here for a second but I just needed to say how much I LOVE Fall. I LOVE FALL!!!! To be completely honest...I love all four seasons. I enjoy the changing of the seasons for many different reasons. Each season has its own wonderful and unique thing about it. Fall....I love the colors, cooler temps, apple pie, hot soups, candles and warm, soft, sweaters!
Winter...I like the first 2 weeks after the first snow. I like the crisp clean look of everything....it all looks untouched. I like Christmas and family and for some reason this season brings me closer to all of them in one way or another. I love Christmas music. I love walking out in the woods after a fresh snow....it is SO SILENT!! I feel closer to God here than probably anywhere else...not just in Winter...but in the woods period! Oh! And I love my parents hot tub!!
Spring...I love the smell. Everything is fresh and damp and new. I love the smell of dirt, the new flowers coming up, the trees getting their green leaves back. And I love the anticipation of Summer.
Summer...I love Lake Michigan beaches, I like tubing down the river, camping, hiking, swimming......reading a book outside under a tree. If that tree has a hammock, even better! I like cook outs with family and friends. I like Leinenkugels Summer Shandy. I enjoy having a garden....when I had a house that HAD a garden. I enjoy Farmers Markets and all the fresh summer produce.
I could go ON AND ON regarding how much I love the changing of the seasons. I just wanted to share a few that were floating through my head today while I was cooking hot soup and fresh apple pie :)
Until next time....
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Say Ya to da U.P!!
So...it has been forever it seems since I last posted on here. Sam and I have been in Upper Peninsula of Michigan for our vacation. I can't even begin to tell you what AWESOME hiking they have up here....not to mention they are almost at their peak in fall colors. Makes for some GREAT pictures. I have not yet posted all of my pictures but will get to it when I return home.
Our vacation has been fun....a little rainy at times but we survived. We were in a tent for several nights and it rained the whole first night. Makes for a damp morning for sure!!
I have to say...the air up here is SO much nicer up here...it has a sweet, fresh smell that I can't really describe. Its almost a sweet pine smell....mostly. But it is ALWAYS fresh.....never did I smell better air. Seriously. Sam agrees :)
The roads up here are endless....and usually you are on it alone. Rarely do you see another car....or any stores, or houses. Its peaceful. We didn't see one fast food restaurant......no chain stores. It was refreshing! The places we did eat at were small, mom and pop type places but the food was always good and the people we encountered were always so sweet and friendly......that was refreshing as well.
We heard a lone wolf howling in the night....and it was a very cool sound. One that would probably scare me if it had been any closer to our camp site. We heard coyotes screaming in what had to be quite a large pack......that's a more eerie sound. Because of the bears in the area....we had to be very careful with our food....had to keep it all in the car, no scraps left around the site. I was always very careful about this because the last thing I wanted to wake up to in the middle of the night is a bear sniffing around our tent. I did, however, want to see a bear....badly! And we did...however, they were in a refuge. Granted they were all in their natural environments....they had huge double fences around them. And Sam and I got our picture taken with a little baby bear cub......he was super cute. I was still a bit nervous though...the guy who was taking our picture, told us to kneel down so our faces were level with the cubs.....I was thinking...this bear, although he was a cub, could easily have taken off my face....or at least part of it! They put a handful of fruit loops on the bears chest to keep him occupied and he was just licking them up. He then turned to Sam and started licking his ear...I was actually jealous..I wanted baby bear kisses!!!
It was an experience I have to say. He was cute and had me cracking up the majority of the time. I had a hard time kneeling with my bad knees so was in pain most of the time but the bear entertained me and made it worth it :)
Sam and I ended up taking a dirt road....it said it was the road to Crisp Point Lighthouse. Thinking that it would be just a little detour and wouldn't take us that long. I was wrong. VERY wrong. We went down this LONG dirt road....after about 17 MILES later ( doesn't sound that long but being a dirt bumpy road, it was very long) it then turned into a two track! BUT...the sign said Lighthouse, this way. So...we had come this far, we might as well finish the drive! All the while thinking that this better be one special lighthouse!! The drive down this two track was breathtaking. Every turn was just something different and SO pretty. Having to go super slow.....being we were in my mom's mini van and it being a 2-track.....I didn't want to go down it like I was in a jeep. The 7 miles on the 2-track was longer than the 17 miles on the dirt road. However.....when we reached our destination.....we realized it was so worth it!
And the lighthouse was open and we were allowed to climb to the very top! Not only that but we could walk around the outside edge up there too. The views were like none other.
Our vacation has been fun....a little rainy at times but we survived. We were in a tent for several nights and it rained the whole first night. Makes for a damp morning for sure!!
I have to say...the air up here is SO much nicer up here...it has a sweet, fresh smell that I can't really describe. Its almost a sweet pine smell....mostly. But it is ALWAYS fresh.....never did I smell better air. Seriously. Sam agrees :)
The roads up here are endless....and usually you are on it alone. Rarely do you see another car....or any stores, or houses. Its peaceful. We didn't see one fast food restaurant......no chain stores. It was refreshing! The places we did eat at were small, mom and pop type places but the food was always good and the people we encountered were always so sweet and friendly......that was refreshing as well.
We heard a lone wolf howling in the night....and it was a very cool sound. One that would probably scare me if it had been any closer to our camp site. We heard coyotes screaming in what had to be quite a large pack......that's a more eerie sound. Because of the bears in the area....we had to be very careful with our food....had to keep it all in the car, no scraps left around the site. I was always very careful about this because the last thing I wanted to wake up to in the middle of the night is a bear sniffing around our tent. I did, however, want to see a bear....badly! And we did...however, they were in a refuge. Granted they were all in their natural environments....they had huge double fences around them. And Sam and I got our picture taken with a little baby bear cub......he was super cute. I was still a bit nervous though...the guy who was taking our picture, told us to kneel down so our faces were level with the cubs.....I was thinking...this bear, although he was a cub, could easily have taken off my face....or at least part of it! They put a handful of fruit loops on the bears chest to keep him occupied and he was just licking them up. He then turned to Sam and started licking his ear...I was actually jealous..I wanted baby bear kisses!!!
Sam and I ended up taking a dirt road....it said it was the road to Crisp Point Lighthouse. Thinking that it would be just a little detour and wouldn't take us that long. I was wrong. VERY wrong. We went down this LONG dirt road....after about 17 MILES later ( doesn't sound that long but being a dirt bumpy road, it was very long) it then turned into a two track! BUT...the sign said Lighthouse, this way. So...we had come this far, we might as well finish the drive! All the while thinking that this better be one special lighthouse!! The drive down this two track was breathtaking. Every turn was just something different and SO pretty. Having to go super slow.....being we were in my mom's mini van and it being a 2-track.....I didn't want to go down it like I was in a jeep. The 7 miles on the 2-track was longer than the 17 miles on the dirt road. However.....when we reached our destination.....we realized it was so worth it!
The long journey back in there showed us one of Michigan's hidden treasures. We saw other, small inland lakes as well as one that was all dried up. It was called Dry Lake :)
After our many fun adventures.....we headed over to my brother Dave's house to have an adventure there with him and the girls....as well as Erika and Rachael. GREAT time seeing my family and thoroughly enjoyed our visit with them. I have not yet uploaded pictures from our visit with them because we are still here. I am tired and ready for bed.
Until next time......
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