Dead Horse Point in winter
February 4, 2012
November 26, 2011
Giving Thanks
Thanksgiving 2011 found us meeting Tim, Mary Lynn, Dana, and David for 3 nights of camping in the Coyote Buttes area just south on Kanab, on the Utah/Arizona border. We hiked through a long lovely slot canyon, ate way too much turkey, and hiked in a beautiful area of curved rock and sandstone. It was warm and sunny during the day and cool but clear at night, offering amazing starry skies and reason to huddle around the fire for fun conversation. We are very fortunate to have the means, friends, and time to travel!
November 21, 2011
California Dreaming
Sunny ocean side portrait near Monterrey Bay, CA
We were lucky enough to combine work with pleasure for a week-end trip to California. I presented at a conference and James joined me to play golf, taste wine, with the aquarium, and generally take in the amazing scenery.
Somewhere on the Links at Spanish Bay
November 8, 2011
Pigs in Blankets?
We had a terrible crop of tomatoes on our little patio garden this year. We planted late and may have over watered. In late September, we finally had dozens of green tomatoes growing, but very slowly and taking forever to turn red. Frost was coming in October, and we’d always head that if you wrap tomatoes in newspaper and leave them in a dark room, such as the basement, they will ripen. So, we tried it this year and ….voila! Red tomatoes! Unfortunately, the flavor was not that great and I cant’ stomach much acid, so James only ate a few before giving them away. But, it was a fun experiment.
November 5, 2011
Getting ready for baby
I returned to Harrisonburg for a week-end to celebrate Anna’s baby shower! She and Greg are expecting a boy in February. The shower was filled with great friends, thoughtful and useful gifts, and lots of fun for Anna. Can’t wait to meet baby Melton-Pelletier!
October 25, 2011
Bake Off
I came home with phyllo dough the other night, determined to make some version of spanikopita or pesto pizza. James took interest in the flaky dough and we each tried our hand. Can you guess which were mine and which ones James made?
October 23, 2011
Better than it looks
I’m learning all the easy, delicious treats I can make in my food processor. I’ve made an amazing bean pesto, bean guacamole, fruit puree, and vegan cheese.
The yummy concoction featured here is carob nut clusters, raisins, and a dash of honey blended to a crunchier nutella-like spread. Lactose free and so sweet on cinnamon toast!
October 21, 2011
October 18, 2011
Finally making use of the basement
James caught me walking around the basement in my underwear trying to find a ceiling plug for the iron, and came down to iron for me. This is probably the best use of the basement yet, this and storing paper towels and box wine. 
October 9, 2011
On the Mesa
Another standard self-portrait (this time with our new anniversary gift camera) on Gooseberry Mesa. We went camping with our amazing neighbors – really – how many people would want to go camping with friends from their own block.While we all had different interests in the trip, some for the slickrock biking, others to spend time with friends and kids, we all had a great time together in the sunshiny outdoors.
Friday was a wonderful dinner and party around the Cowboy Cauldron and Saturday found us biking, walking, sitting around, sleeping, and eating. We celebrated Kim’s 30th birthday with amazing vegan cupcakes and spent much too long out by the fire. Sunday, after a breakfast of egg-bacon bagel sandwiches, we slowly packed up and made our way home.
Cowboy Cauldron (it hadn't been lit yet)
