Adventures in Backcountry - Just the Beginning

  Backcountry skiing is not something to embark on cavalierly. Unlike resort skiing, backcountry is unforgiving and, for some, deadly. To enter into the backcountry safely requires training, gear and acute gumption.

This winter my goal is to rock backcountry terrain.

For me, this is a goal that three years ago would not have been remotely possible. Now it is pretty much all I think about. To the extent that it is not uncommon for me to watch a single ski clip multiple times throughout a day and with each iteration my muscles twitch for action. In reality, my body nor skill set are at the level needed to be successful.

So how does an individual begging prepping for the backcountry experience? First, educate yourself! Learn as much as you can about safety, terrain, avalanche risk assessment and rescue techniques. This endeavor has, admittedly, been a bit difficult for me as I like to learn by doing and that is not safely possible. If you are unsure of where to start I recommend, http://www.americanavalancheassociation.org/.

Conditioning is also immensely beneficial for a positive backcountry experience. Conditioning should include three things in my opinion: cardio, weights, and more squats than thought to be generally rational.  Also all conditioning should, if possible, start way before you begin dreaming of skiing.  I swiftly learned on my first day in “side country” that although I think I am in decent shape; I am not.

Next, get people involved with your quest. Especially those who have experience and don’t mind spending time helping you figure stuff out. Work out, skill practice and generously thank these people as they are your Virgil in your ski purgatory.  Most important: share the stoke! Outdoor experiences have a keen ability to create lasting relationships. Embrace it, these people will likely be lifelong friends.

Another necessary step is to inevitably get the appropriate gear. No longer will just skis, boots, bindings, polls, water resistant jacket and pants suffice. In order to be safe/capable one must now acquire beacon, shovel, probe, skins, touring bindings and possibly different skis and poles. These items are not cheap but can be bought through Craig’s list or eBay at a fairly low-cost.

Once you have completed aforementioned steps it is then time to start practicing skills on undeniably safe terrain. This is my current juncture. Over the weekend I took my first steps into the realm of backcountry terrain. It was fantastic and very educational. In a short amount of time I learned that I have a good bit of knowledge to obtain before being remotely proficient. Best of all though, I was able to demonstrate to myself that my crazy season goal is obtainable. It will take a lot of time, energy and patience but it is obtainable. I can’t wait. Bring on winter 2015-2016!

When I think of you, I think of roses.

Dear Mom, When I see roses I think of you. Roses remind me of hours spent tending the dirt gingerly pruning  each plant and a look of simple content after days spent in the sun. Watching you tend your garden growing up provided me with patience for nature and an appreciation for the attention needed to bring beauty into our world. I hope that one day I have roses so that you can come to my garden and help me tend them.

Another thing that reminds me of you is Goodwill. Countless hours spent sifting through rows upon rows of used clothing to find that one marvelous thing that some silly person thought was of no use or out of style. It always has amazed me how skilled you are in this endeavor. As much as I may have protested in high school about wearing a used formal dress I am incredibly proud that my dress seldom cost more than $50 and was always unique. It set me apart from the rest of my class and I have you to thank for that. Not to mention, it instilled in me an appreciation of unique used clothing. Why buy something new when you could buy something used for a fraction of the price?

Mom, above all thank you so much for being my Girl Scout leader and encouraging me to continue participation in the program. Many women I know started scouts but quickly left simply because they didn’t have a leader like you.  You made scouts fun and took it upon yourself to ensure that we were given diverse experiences and skill sets. Because of your dedication I and other girls were able to horseback ride, sail, rock climb, start a fire without accelerants, and most importantly view the world from other peoples’ perspectives.

I would not be who I am today without your love and guidance.

Happy birthday Mom - may your day be filled with sunshine, roses and love.

Sarah

To Be or Not To Be a Skier

In a land of snow and ice I stand on a precipice. My chest heaves with anticipation as my breath billows in wispy clouds before me.  Looking down I search for a path of least resistance. To my left and right snow capped rocks peak out as if to remind me of the hazard that lies beneath their pristine facades. I need no reminder. My mind hums with a thousand possibilities. Only some of which would NOT result in my hospitalization.

This is the first time I've followed Steve and his friends down un-groomed terrain. This is my first time to ski out-of-bounds. Standing, looking down the steep slope in front of me I can't help but feel uneasy. I've never thought of myself as a skier and certainly not a skier who tackles out-of-bounds terrain.

In my boots I am literally shaking. A queasy feeling rises in my throat. I think to myself that there is no way I can do this and not crash horribly, probably directly into a rock or tree. In my mind I see myself in a hospital bed. I want to go back. I don't want to do this.

Then, I look up. I look at Steve. He is smiling. "You can do this" he says. "No, I can't" I reply.  "Yes, you can. But if you want to hike out I will go with you" he assures me. Looking up the slope we've just come down I recognize that hiking out really isn't an option. Taking a deep breath I stare down the snowy chute in front of me. A part of me wants to cry.

 "You've got this" Steve says. And with that, I point my skis down hill, lean forward, and let go. Light powdery snow  swells  up around me. A couple of quick turns later I am staring up at Steve from the bottom of the chute. I made it.

For the rest of the day it is impossible for me to wipe the ear-to-ear grin off my face. Even later when I crash and  snow drips down the back of my pants I jump up squealing with glee. I tested myself, passed and earned the right to  be called a skier. It is an amazing feeling and I can't wait for our next adventure.

Vegan Fudge Recipe and Holiday Cheer Creeps In

Last night, on my way back from another great snowy ski day, I heard my first Christmas song of the season. I can’t say that I was surprised. It is the week of Thanksgiving after all.  With a little more than a month till the big day it seems relatively appropriate that holiday cheer begins its creep into the fabric of our everyday lives.

Aside from the Christmas music, over this weekend I participated in my first Friendsgiving. Which if you are not familiar with the concept Friendsgiving is the first excuse for a bunch of people who know each other to drink heavily, eat copious amounts of food and gorge themselves on the first taste of holiday cheer.  It is an all-around good time. As part of this holiday pre-season event it is required that all participants contribute a thanksgiving themed dish.   Since this is only the beginning of the holiday season I did not feel it was necessary to spend all day cooking some elaborate dish. I wanted to make something easy and thanks to the expansive knowledge of tumbler I found one of the simplest recipes I think I’ve ever attempted, 3-ingredient vegan fudge.

3-Ingredient Vegan Fudge

Ingredients:

3 cups of dark chocolate morsels

¾ cup of whole coconut milk

2 table spoons of coconut oil

+ any additional ingredients your little heart may desire! For this rendition of fudge I chose to add walnuts and coconut pieces.

Procedure:

1. Place chocolate chips into a bowl. I placed mine in a metal bowl and then heated it by placing it into a sauce pan of simmering water. Essentially replicating a double boiler.
2. In a separate sauce pan bring coconut oil and milk to a boil, whisking occasionally.
3. Pour milk and oil mix over chocolate chips and stir until all of the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. At this point, add any additional ingredients you would like.
4. Pour mixture into a well-greased pan. I put mine into a 5x5 pan.
5. Place into the fridge for 2-3 hours or the freezer for 1 hour.

** Recommended augmentations: Add vanilla extract and or powdered sugar, this is to cut the somewhat bitter taste of the dark chocolate morsels.

The beauty of the 3-ingredient fudge is not only that it is ridiculously easy but also that it is a crowd pleaser. Although everyone was stuffed to the brim from pre-season thanksgiving foods several people asked if they could take doggie bags home of vegan fudge. With holiday cheer, aided by red wine, I gladly obliged their requests.

So as the holiday season swings to full tilt, remember 3-ingredient fudge for those moments that to embark on an extravagant dish would bring out the Grinch in anyone. But until then revel in the glittering splendor that is the holiday season and don’t be ashamed to crank up the volume when your favorite holiday song comes on the radio. I know I did.

Letting it be isn't easy

For those of you who know me you probably would agree that I have a difficult time just letting things be. To be more specific, I have a hard time giving life time to produce or resolve various situations. This inability of mine spans from professional accomplishments to personal relationships. More often than not this results in unnecessary anxiety, frustration and at times stinging loneliness.

So, to combat this fallacy of mine I've taken to repeating the mantra of 'let it be'. That's right, just like the song. In fact there is a particular version of "Let it Be" that rings through the space between my ears in these moments of impatience. The version is from a Beatles inspired movie "Across the Universe" and is distinct because it opens with a talented young boy singing that is quickly accompanied by a full ethereal church choir. If you haven't heard this version of the song, you can find it here. Although this mantra may be considered trite, it feels like a personal prayer whenever I hear or repeat those words.

Several weeks ago a close friend experienced a situation in which life felt as if it was too much to handle or things weren't turning out the way she had expected them to. I need to admit here that to be a friend during these events can be difficult. Often I do not know what to say. As I sat listening to her plight 'let it be' echoed through my brain. When the opportunity presented itself I said those three little words "let it be". My friend immediately protested, "sometimes you just can't". "I know, but you need to let it be" I replied. I could hear her eyes rolling through the wires. After further conversation and repeats of let it be my friend thanked me and moved on with her day.

Just this week I found myself beating my head against the wall of life. Frustrated and disheartened I reached out to my friend who I had comforted just weeks before. To my surprise she offered the same advice. "Let it be" she said. As many of you probably know it isn't easy to receive your own advice. It can feel like an affront to your emotions. But for once, I took a deep breath, accepted her encouragement, let it be and changed the subject. Eventually I did receive an answer to that frustrating situation and although it wasn't what I wanted it to be I did feel better knowing that I had finally let something be.

And when the night is cloudy There is still a light that shines on me Shine on until tomorrow, let it be

The Mumbai Pie

Several Sundays ago my friends and I were invited to participate in an annual pie party our friend Seth co-hosts every year. Upon receiving his invitation I became gitty with the many possible pies I could make. Pumpkin pie, Key Lime pie, chicken pot pie, the possibilities were endless! Since I am not a huge fan of sweet pies a savory, also known as a humble pie, was my obvious choice.

Now, since this was a competition I knew I could not make a "generic" chicken pot pie as much as I love that classic down-home taste. I had to do something exotic. But how do you make a pie exotic?  I thought long and hard on what makes something exotic and after several pondering hours COLOR sprung into my brain.  The thing is, when I think of exotic I imagine brightly colored, highly textured clothing and landscapes so why couldn't those same things be embodied in a pie.  Thus commenced my pie research.

After a couple internet hours I found several recipes that kind of satisfied my exotic pie needs but not one truly fit the bill. As a result I set out to combine and conquer.  Below you will find my colorful exotic creation recipe appropriately named THE MUMBAI PIE.

Crust: (this recipe makes 1 crust so double for two crusts)

• 1 cup all-purpose flour $
• 3 tablespoons ice water
• 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup vegetable shortening (I used butter because of the rules of the pie party)
• Cooking spray (to ease the slices from the pan)

To prepare crust, lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup, and level with a knife. Combine 1/4 cup flour, water, and vinegar in a small bowl, and stir with a whisk until well-blended to create a slurry. Set aside. Combine 3/4 cup flour and salt in a large bowl, and cut in shortening with a pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add slurry to flour mixture, and toss with a fork until moist. Press the mixture gently into a 4-inch circle on heavy-duty plastic wrap; cover with additional plastic wrap. Chill 15 minutes.

Filling: (some of these are estimates and it should also be noted that if you make all of this filling you will get two whole pies)

• 1 teaspoon coconut oil (any oil will work)
• 2 tablespoons curry powder (I added more for extra flavor)
• 2 cups diced baby golden potatoes
• 3/4 cup chopped onion
• 1 chopped red bell pepper
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 1/2 pounds chicken, thighs and breasts cooked and shredded beforehand
• 1 1/2 cups fat-free, less sodium chicken broth
• 1 yellow squash
• 1 zucchini
• 1/2 cup golden raisins
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch (arrowroot was substituted)
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1/2 cup (4 ounces) 1/3-less-fat cream cheese

To prepare filling, heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add curry; cook 2 minutes. Add potato, onion, bell pepper, garlic, and chicken; stir-fry 3 minutes. Add broth and next 5 ingredients (broth through black pepper); bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes or until veggies are tender. Combine cornstarch and water in a small bowl. Stir in cornstarch mixture and cream cheese; cook 1 minute or until cream cheese is melted.

Upon filling your exotic pie and placing the top crust, cut several slots into the top for steam to vent through. Bake at 400° for 30 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly around the edges. Let stand for at least 10 minutes before serving. When serving allow yourself to be taken away to far off lands filled with bright colors, grand vistas, and amazing architecture. I know I did.

Insanity Workouts and Cheez-its

Past the age of 25 there is a natural decline in the rate of the resting human metabolism. Initially, you may not notice the change but as years press on you suddenly notice that it takes significantly more activity to lose even the smallest amount of extra pudge.  Not to mention the extra effort needed to engage in fat burning activities as they directly compete with an ever growing list of “adult” responsibilities.

As a result, many of us turn to various weight loss/exercise methods to ensure that we are at least chipping away at our waist lines.  For me, I typically employ a mix of running, hiking and all around activeness in order to fight the battle of the buldge.  Recently I added an extra component to supplement running on rainy afternoons - Insanity workouts.

For those of you who may not be familiar with Insanity workouts I’ll keep it simple by saying that insanity is an accurate descriptor.  Each workout is approximately an hour long with 20-30 minutes of “warm-up” followed by a little cool down and then it pretty much kicks your ass.

Despite lingering hesitations and warnings from friends, yesterday on yet another rainy afternoon, I decide I am going to do an insanity workout.

Upon arriving home from work I am feeling a bit peckish so opt for a nice light snack before my workout, Cheez-its. Not just a handful of Cheez-its but at least 4, but possibly 5 or 6, heaping handfuls of the delicious cheesy snack cracker. Once I have sated my appetite I sit on my couch feeling somewhat guilty but determined that my indulgence will not hinder my insanity. Peeling myself off the couch I slowly pull on a set of my shortest workout shorts, shoes and a sports bra because nothing inspires working out like minimal clothing. Now appropriately dressed I turn on my computer, move some furniture for space, cue up a workout music mix and prepare to get my sweat on.

The video begins with some light stretching and jogging in place. Next, jumping jacks followed by high knees. “I’ve got this” I think to myself. Already I’m sweating. I feel it is important to add here that it has been rather hot these past few weeks and I’ve been using the air conditioner in my apartment minimally.  As a result the temperature in my apartment is sweltering.  All of a sudden the video kicks it up a notch and throws in some side to side lunges that involve you touching the floor. My stomach begins to turn. After about another 15 minutes of "warm-up", that feel like forever, we enter a short cool down phase. At this juncture sweat is pouring off my body like it has never done before. I grab a towel, a chug of water with barely enough time to get back in front of the screen before the bulk of the workout begins.

“Here it goes” I say to Dante who is looking at me balefully from beneath the kitchen table. I think he knows that this is about to not go well. Immediately side to side lunges ensue followed rapidly by skiers, climbers, burpees and jumping squats. I can barely keep up. It seems by the time I manage to get a move down they've already moved on to the next activity. As we enter yet another set I am actively feeling ill. I can feel the Cheez-its sitting like a brick in my stomach and that brick is rising. Still I press on. Well, that is until I burp mid set and a bit of vomit enters my mouth.  Next thing I know I’ve completely abandoned the workout out and find myself bent over the porcelain goddess. Gross, I know.

Sitting on my bathroom floor I lean against the cool tub and feel defeated. The sound of my workout mix still blares in the next room. All I can think is “Insanity workouts and Cheez-its do not mix”.

Seattle vacation celebrates Sarah's birthday

As these things happen, Mom posted a lot of pictures over the weekend. She was in Seattle with Sarah, celebrating Sarah's birthday, so there were a lot of photo opps.

After seeing a new crop, Todd asked me, "Why is our sister so beautiful?" I have no answer.

Sarah has always been extremely photogenic. I think it's because she has an honest smile. Whereas I've oft been accused of having a fake/forced smile, Sarah is always very present in her pictures. But beauty is just the beginning. Sarah is also passionate and knowledgeable and she has a heart for service. She bridges the outdoorsy - indoorsy thing with astute skill. She is a person with friends from way back that she keeps in touch with and that says something. Hold close people who can tell you about the friend they've had since they were little. These are the people that will grow with you in life and invest in knowing your deep down inner guts. Sarah is one of these people.

Happy birthday, Sarah.

Vintage Ralph Lauren holds a place in Sarah's heart

Sarah posted a new profile picture today of herself wearing a vintage Ralph Lauren plaid button down that she's had for years. Family, it reminded me of "This Shirt is Old and Faded" by Mary Chapon Carpenter. Anyway, sort of in jest, I pulled all of the photos I could locate of Sarah wearing this shirt off of Facebook. They span many years. It's remarkable this shirt has lasted this long considering that Sarah purges her closet, like, every two weeks or something. This shirt has made it through many slashings. And it still looks good. Rock that hot hippie look, Sarah. That shirt has become part of your skin.

Dearest Dad - Happy Birthday

Dearest Dad,

Today is your birthday. Today you are 61 years young. Today I want to tell you how grateful I am to have you as my father.

I know you may read this and roll your eyes. But after you roll your eyes I hope you smile because you have one of the most infectious smiles around and on your birthday you should smile. When I think of your smile I envision that picture of you Mom has in her old Pi Beta Phi frame where you are grinning from ear to ear. It is one of my favorite pictures of you.

There are so many aspects of my life that are a reflection of you. From my endless love for the outdoors and adventure to my affinity for singer/songwriter music you have contributed to all of it. Even my inability to tell a joke comes from you. Yeah, Dad, you may think your jokes are super funny but I’ve found that most people give nothing but a blank response after I attempt one of your jokes.

My life is more beautiful because of you. It was my memory of your love for Colorado that brought me here 4 years ago. Every day I appreciate this beautiful state because you taught me to revel in natural beauty for all it has to offer as one day it may be gone.   Really though, there is nothing like hanging off the side of a cliff with the Rockies stretched out before you or finishing a class III rapid boat in tack to make you appreciate life.

I am a stronger person because of you. Growing up you always encouraged us to try new things and even if we weren’t the best at them to keep trying.  You never hesitated to offer tough advice even if we didn’t want to hear it. These are just some of the things that have made me stronger.

In no way is this an exhaustive list of how you have influenced me throughout my life.  All I hope to accomplish by writing this is to begin to demonstrate how grateful I am to be your daughter.

I would not be who I am today without you.

I love you.

Sarah

Sarah's 6 Picks for Colorado Summer Playlists

Temperatures are rising making it the perfect time to pick tunes that will get you through this 'cruel, cruel summer'. Below are a few songs that make me think of riding bikes, evenings in the park, mountain exploring and brewery hoping with friends. Essentially all things that populate a Colorado summer.

Go Outside - The Cults

With Colorado's 300 sum odd days of sunshine it is hard not to want to 'Go Outside' every day of the week and this cheery little tune provides the perfect inspiration that will have you running to the nearest exit.

Young Blood - The Naked and The Famous

This song started on my skiing mix this last winter but with the warming weather it has become a staple in my anything outdoor playlist. When I hear this song I am instantly transported to running full speed through winding dirt trails along Colorado's front range with the city to my left and the Rockies to my right.

Closer to Fine - Indigo Girls

Indigo Girls will always have a special place in my heart. This song in particular I associate with summer fun in the sun. In fact on my first camping trip this summer my friend Mckenzie and I were driving back and this song came on the radio and we both starting belting it out. That is when I knew we would be close friends. Even if it was an entirely cliche moment, it was still summer-tastic.

Old Pine - Ben Howard

Dreamy and whimsical music often feels my heart when I find myself enjoying everything Colorado has to offer. For me, this song inspires thoughts of silent mountain vistas and friends hanging around a campfire laughing.  Life really can't get any better than laughter, love, and mountains.

Journey through the past (Neil Young cover) - James Mercer

When I hear this song it reminds me of sitting around a dying campfire with good friends. Each of us is silent in smoldering reflection as the smoke rises and the embers crack and spit.

Rocky Mountain High - John Denver

Last but certainly not least this classic Colorado summer song. It doesn't matter who I am with, when this song comes on everyone in ear shot takes pause as if it were some sort of anthem. It is in these moments that I am grateful that life has brought me to this spectacular place and that I am lucky enough to call it home. In reality who could be unhappy with great beer, delectable food and mountain vistas.

Cheers! May your summer be filled with good company, grand adventures, and unbounded love.

Friends, Food and Satisfaction

Good day family,

I meant to write up this tale and recipe last week but quickly became distracted by other life happenings. So without further ado I present: Friends, Food and Satisfaction.

Thursday, 5:30 p.m.

My friend Mckenzie arrives at my apartment for our weekly run. Quickly she changes and we set out towards city park. With Dante trotting gaily beside me she and I chat as we lightly jog the 3 blocks that stand between my place and the park. Once we arrive at the entrance to the park each of us open our gaits, lengthen our strides and breathe deep the cool spring air. “Today is the perfect day for a run” I think to myself as we make the first turn onto the path that borders the edge of the park. Quickly Mckenzie, who is a few inches taller than me, bounds ahead of me. I struggle to keep up feeling each foot fall against the gravel is not quite enough to propel me far enough forward in order to catch up. But I try. Within moments she is a good 50 feet in front of me as I huff and puff attempting to minimize the distance between us. I should also mention here that we were running uphill. As the terrain flattens I gain on her and feel my body relax into a rhythm.

Growing up Dad would often coax us kids into running or biking with him when he went on his weekend runs. At the time I remember feeling reluctance towards early morning exercise, but now, as an adult I am thankful for those moments and the exercise wisdom Dad passed on during those early morning sessions. As my body relaxes into the rhythm of running I can hear Dad’s breathing lesson echoing through my mind, “In, two, three, four…out, two, three, four”. As my feet land against the loose gravel my breathing begins to match my cadence. This is the space in which running becomes “easy” or as some people call it “the runner’s high”. Before long I am only 10 feet behind Mckenzie at which point she slows down to run alongside Dante and I. Towards the end of our run we crest one final hill and the city of Denver with the Rocky Mountains as a back drop lays before us in its entire spring glory.

After picking up a few items at one of the many grocery stores in close proximity to my place Mckenzie and I return to my place to make dinner. For this evening we have selected broiled brussel sprouts with salmon. When I chose this recipe I honestly didn’t think I would be as easy or delicious as it turned out to be. Below are the ingredients and directions needed to replicate this tasty dish:

Ingredients: - 14 cloves of garlic (I didn’t use this much but if you really like garlic this is a great recipe for you) - ¼ c of olive oil - 2 tbl sp of fresh herbs (oregano, basil, rosemary) - 1 tsp of salt - ¾ tsp of ground pepper - 6 c of Brussels sprouts, trimmed and sliced (I just did enough to feed the two of us plus a little leftover) - ¾ c of white wine - 3 lbs of salmon fillet (I just picked up 1 lb for the two of us and I still had leftovers) - Lemon wedges

Directions: (as always this is a guide not strict directions) 1. Preheat oven to 450°F. 2. Mince 2 garlic cloves and combine in a small bowl with oil, 1 tablespoon oregano, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Halve the remaining garlic and toss with Brussels sprouts and 3 tablespoons of the seasoned oil in a large roasting pan. Roast, stirring once, for 15 minutes. 3. Add wine to the remaining oil mixture. Remove the pan from oven, stir the vegetables and place salmon on top. Drizzle with the wine mixture. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 tablespoon oregano and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Bake until the salmon is just cooked through, 5 to 10 minutes more. Serve with lemon wedges.

After consuming a wonderful meal in the warmly lit courtyard of my apartment building Mckenzie and I sat chatting and laughing at life, love and the pursuit of happiness. It is these simple moments that make up a life worth living. If anybody ever tells you differently they are probably trying to sell something.

Just a morning in The Heights

Stuffed Acorn Squash

Hey everyone, The recipe below is a favorite of mine. Acorn squash are fairly inexpensive and you can easily increase quantities to accommodate for multiple people. Typically I vary in terms of what I stuff them with based on the season and my mood. For my most recent rendition I used Italian sausage, dried cranberries, sauteed almonds, greens and goat cheese.

Ingredients:

- 1 or 2 acorn squash

- butter or olive oil

- salt

- brown sugar

Stuffing ingredients (below are just suggestions):

- Quinoa or rice (some sort of grain)

- garlic, onions, salt/pepper

- Meat of some sort (leave out for vegetarians)

- Squash, almonds, greens, pretty much anything you like can be added

- some sort of cheese to make things stick together

Directions:

Squash prep

- Cut acorn squash in half  and scope out seeds

- Douse the inside of the squash in butter/olive oil, salt and brown sugar for a slightly sweeter taste

- Place cut side down on a cookie sheet and bake at 425 degrees for approximately 20 mins (Essentially when you pull them out you want a fork to easily go through the meat of the squash)

Stuffing prep

- While your squash are baking prepare your stuffing

- Typically, I saute the meat with garlic and onions while whatever grain I've chosen cooks

- Once your stuffing is done place into the center of each squash half and top with cheese

- Bake (stuffed squash) at 425 degrees for another 5 - 10 mins or until cheese is thoroughly melted

Serve and enjoy!  My suggestion would be to serve squash in individual bowls since serving them on a plate can make eating them difficult.

The trip from hell

In my story about the pie crust tip, I mentioned a trip from hell that has been a part of family lore for years. Before it is lost, I thought that I would record it here as a Daddy story.

While we were still living in Alabama and I was working at The University, I occasionally worked on pipeline projects just outside of Mobile. Little did I know at the time that I was sort of already working for Shell because the offshore gas platform and the onshore processing plant were Shell's. There were several pipelines that were being built from there and I and some of my colleagues were working on the environmental surveys. I had made that trip several times.

This particular time we came up with the idea of taking the whole family to Mobile. Mom and the girls could hang at the hotel for a couple of days while my friend Larry and I did field work. Then, the plan was, to go on to Gulf Shores for a few days of beach time. Sarah was three or four. Emily was just over a year old. Mom was early pregnant with Todd, or, soon would be.

The trip started uneventfuly enough. I had worked at The University most of the day, then drove home to Helena to pack up the car and the kids and head out. We were getting on the road about 6 p.m. expecting a 3-4 hour drive to Mobile.

Just before getting on the interstate (about two miles from the house) we stopped at Arby's to get food for the road. At the time we were both enamoured with the Arby's beef and cheddar sandwiches. We got the food and the curly fries and got back in the car, headed for the beach. Emily was in her car seat and Sarah was in her booster seat.

I put the car in reverse and, as I was backing out of the parking space, Sarah bent forward and spewed all over the back seat and floor. Oh God, the smell was horrible. We drove home and I spent the next 30 minutes up to my elbows in vomit. Mom gave Sarah a quick bath and change of clothes. She wasn't acting like she felt bad, so we thought/hoped it was an isolated event.

Back in the car, we headed South. Fortunately, mom had grabbed a large yellow mixing bowl with a handle.

We didn't make is 10 miles before S got sick again. Fortunately, we had a bit more warning and I was able to pull over and catch the majority in the bowl.

We were now running very late and I had an early start the next, so I pushed on.

Along the way S yaked about five more times. I reached the point where I didn't even slow down. I just held the bowl into the back seat and, bless her heart, she leaned forward and heaved.

We finally got to the hotel about 1 a.m. S had done all she could do and collapsed into a deep sleep. E had been asleep in the car, but was now awake and acting almost frantic. Mom and I were exhausted, so brought E into our bed in hopes that she would relax. I was just about asleep and she suddenly raised up and threw up all over my chest. The bed was now filled with an astonishing volume of puke.

We leapt into action. Mom took E into the tub to clean them both off. I quickly stripped the bed and called the desk for more bedding. They didn't have anyone to bring it to the room, so at 2:30 a.m. I was running around the hotel trying to get sheets.

When I got back to the room E had already thrown up in the crib, soiling those sheets. The room absolutely reeked, but we collapsed about 4 a.m.

I sneaked out at 6:30 the next morning and spent a full day hiking through the swamps and fields of Mobile county with my friends Larry Davenport (thankfully he had driven by himself) and Bruce Bodson. Mom spent the day shut up in the pukey room with two girls who were beginning to feel better. All the while she was starting to feel bad.

When I returned to the hotel that evening I insisted that Larry come by and meet the kids. When we stepped in the room, I realized that it still reeked of sickness and mom was feeling like something you would be upset to step in.

He later told me that he felt the illness germs jumping at him from the walls.

That night my head hurt so bad, that I laid face down in the tub breathing out slowly until I had to take a breath. Mom was sick a bit. I think I took the girls out to eat, but neither mom or I ate.

I spent another day in the field and mom spent the day getting just a bit better. From there we went to Dauphin Island and caught the ferry to Fort Morgan for the first time. We spent the next two days in Gulf Shores in a hotel that was fairly new. Gradually we all felt better and there is a great picture with the girls pressing their faces against the glass door. Mom and I were actually out on the balcony trying to breathing the sea air trying to feel better. We ended up having a great time.

The rest of the story: You kids may remember that when we used to go to Gulf Shores we would always stop for the night at a Holiday Inn just outside of Mobile. That was the sick hotel. We also always started the vacation by driving to Dauphin Island and taking the ferry (a cruise) to Ft. Morgan. Those traditions started on this trip.....from hell.

Sarah's brush with bravery

What is bravery? According to Merriam-Webster, bravery is having or showing courage. For some, bravery is as simple as speaking up in a group while for others bravery entails far greater feats such as skiing back country during a blizzard. Whatever bravery means to you it is something that should be exercised as often as comfortably possible. For me, bravery entails doing or trying something that makes me somewhat to considerably uncomfortable. My most recent brush with bravery occurred this past Saturday evening.

Several weeks ago my friend Jonathan sent me a link to a  magazine called Fellow. Browsing their site I noticed that this new Denver publication focused on several of my hobbies (local food, beer, crafts and photography).  While continuing to browse I noticed that they were having a launch event that included free food, brew and music. Elated, I quickly bought a $20 ticket.  Normally, I would have bought two tickets but for some unknown reason I only bought one.

Fast forward to the day of the event. It is mid-afternoon when suddenly it hits me, I am going to an event alone where I won't know a single person. Panic sinks in. Frantically I attempt to buy another ticket. No luck, there is a wait-list. Next, I weigh my options. I can either a) forgo the event and eat the $20 ticket or b) suck it up and go. Both options are not ideal, but in the end my frugality wins. "Worse comes to worse I can always eat/drink and then bail" I think as I pull on my $9.00 goodwill dress and cowboy boots.  While waiting for my cab I  feel my heart rate increasing moment by moment and quickly administer some liquid courage to ease the creep of anxiety. As I swallow the last of my glass of bourbon my phone erupts, my ride is here.

A short cab ride later I arrive at, Greenspaces, the venue for the launch party nestled in one of Denver's burgeoning neighborhoods. Stepping out of the cab my driver yells after me "Everything is going to be just fine!' Even with that last feeble confidence boost I find myself wringing my hands and fidgeting as I approach the door.  As I approach the door swings open and out pours several fashionably dressed women giggling among themselves. "Shit", I think, "I am not dressed appropriately."  Kicking the snow from my boots I step inside. The room is a warm spacious historical warehouse space with exposed filament bulbs and pine bows hanging from the ceiling. From behind a check-in table a posh women demands my ticket without looking directly at me. Fumbling I hand her my ticket. "Great" she replies, handing me two drink tickets. Drink tickets in hand I take a deep breath and force myself into the horde of people milling about the room.

Smiling as pleasantly as possible, in an attempt mask my growing sense of social nakedness, I make my way towards the bar.  Pushing my way through the crowd I take note of optimum spaces for social haven. Wall space near the food, a vacant area behind a group of tables, a corner near the entrance all offer some level of social protection. Reaching the bar, I quickly extend one of my drink tickets to the manicured man in skinny jeans and flannel behind the counter. Rolling his eyes he replies "What do you want?" Thrown off by his terse unfeeling response I sheepishly point to the beer with a picture of a camera on it. He thrusts an unopened beer in my direction; I grab it eager to retreat to one of my identified social safe havens.

Unfortunately, in the time it took me to acquire my beverage most of the spots I had identified previously have now been occupied. Clutching my beer to my chest, like a small child clutches a safety blanket, I set up shop near the buffet table. For a while I stand there blankly staring into space while periodically taking gulps of my rapidly disappearing beverage. All of a sudden a small Asian woman in horn rimmed glasses appears next to me and proclaims loudly into my ear "I like your dress". Somewhat shocked all I can muster in reply is "9.00 dollars, goodwill." As asinine as this response would have been in any other setting for this particular moment it is apparently a secret password. "Really?!" exclaims the small hip Asian woman. "Yes" I say. She nods in approval and turns to leave. Recognizing that this is my first contact I quickly proclaim that I am here by-myself and don't know anyone. Turning, she smiles and says "Wow you are brave. Let me introduce you to a few people." "This is it, I'm in" I think to myself.  What follows is a parade of trendy strangers all asking me a standard set of questions. I answer each of them dutifully and nod along in agreement as they pontificate on hipster life in Denver.  After about two hours of an endless slue of question and answer sessions I have learned much about what it takes to be "hip".  Apparently in order to be hip you must not care while simultaneously caring about a lot of things. You mustn't have a real job because real jobs are for stiffs. And most important of all hold tightly to the belief that everyone outside of your immediate surroundings is infinitely less cool than you are.

As the evening drew to a close the crowds thinned out and I found myself talking to the husband of  on of the founders.

"Are you a photographer?" he inquires. "It's a hobby but not really" I reply.

"Are you a writer?" he asks.  "Sometimes I write but not professionally" I offer.

"Are you in a band?" he asks as a look of confusion creeps across his face. "No" I reply smiling.

"Then what are you doing here?" he proclaims with a certain air of disbelief.

Gently I explain my love for all of the things he mentioned as well as how I had heard about the magazine. He nods along appropriately before replying "Well, welcome. It is brave of you to come here by yourself. Everyone else knows someone." Grinning from ear to ear I say "I'm not brave. Just curious."

Stepping out into the falling snow I feel a sense of accomplishment. Despite my anxiety I followed my curiosity into an socially uncomfortable situation and discovered that there was nothing to fear. Some may view it as an act of bravery but, for me, it was just another adventure.

Crock Pot Moroccan Lamb Stew

Since we are all feeling a little bit of Jack Frost nipping at our noses I thought I would post a fantastic chilly weather dish. I've made this stew a couple of times and every time I am pleased with the ease of this recipe as well as its fabulous flavors.  My recommendation would be to prepare the stew the night before and then just turn on the crock pot in the morning before you leave for work. By the time you get home in the evening not only will your domicile be filled with exotic fragrances but your dinner will also be ready to devour.

Ingredients (I've noted changes that I make to the original recipe)

• 2 lb. boneless lamb, cut in 1-inch cubes (definitely do use boneless lamb as having the bones in make the stew very rich and slightly less enjoyable)
• 2 small sweet onions, chopped (I usually just use one big sweet onion)
• 2 c. carrots, cut in 1-inch cubes ( I use 1 - 2 yams and just peel and cut them into 1 to 2 inch cubes)
• 1 large Granny Smith apple, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
• 1/2 c. dried currants (I use small raisins. They are pretty much the same thing.)
• 1 tsp groun cumin
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp ground allspice
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, with juices
• 2 c. chicken broth or stock
• Fresh mint or cilantro, chopped, for garnish

Add all ingredients to large Crock Pot -except fresh herbs – in order listed. Turn on low and cook for 8 hours (or on high for 4).  Stir once or twice if you feel like it. Serve with rice, couscous, or a hearty bread.

Something Inspiring

In our day to day it is often easy to forget just how incredible life is. Take 20 minutes to watch the link below and remind yourself just how strange and beautiful things can truly be. I love you all.

Sarah

Derek Paravicini and Adam Ockelford: In the key of genius

Snowshoeing

Crunch, crunch, slush. Crunch, crunch, slush. Climbing through trees, that look as if they have been recently dipped in marshmallow cream, all you can hear is the sound of your snowshoes leaving their imprint in sparkling snow. Pressing on, your breath leads the way as it wafts through chilly mountain air up towards heaven. Everything around you takes on a crisp blueish hue as dappled sun light gets lost on its way to the forest floor. Even the birds take pause before making the slightest utterance for fear of disturbing the crystalline shell of winter. Once in a while though a clump breaks free from its arboreal captor and falls towards earth to rejoin its earth bound siblings. Here in snow entrenched mountains the world falls away. Peace creeps in and my soul smiles.

Wish you all were here.

Twas a Macrander eve before Christmas eve

On the eve before Christmas eve and all through the nation, Mom and Dad were driving to Baton Rouge and trying to agree on a radio station.

Excited to visit Todd and Nick, and wave goodbye to their daughter,

Mom exclaimed, ‘Oh my! Texas couldn’t be hotter.’

So far in the trip Dad had visited his sister,

And Mom had bought some cheap shoes that dad swore would cause a blister,

Shout out to Kayla, the newest addition to us all,

Who was born at just over six pounds on Friday and oh so small.

Todd was busy cleaning, while Nick busy mixing,

Lots of treats to fill their home, Mom and Dad would surely find transfixing,

Sarah was still in Denver, though lonely was not she,

For the beauty of friends and mountains, how much better could life be?

So this morning, Emily sits at her computer not working, oh no, no,

Excited to see Jarrod and family, but more to the point Santa, ho ho ho.

God is great, Jesus is born, this is the reason for the season,

But getting to see the ones we love sure is extra pleasin’

So as we close this year before,

Let’s enjoy our moments together and plan for many more.