Craters of the Moon

This time of year I want to pack up and head out.  The destination isn't really all that important - I just get the drive to drive.  I find myself feeling very jealous when I see RVs heading down the highway.  They're off to new and interesting adventures, and I'm on the meal making, lesson teaching, kid activity running cycle.

When I walked past the camper this evening, and gave a small sigh,  I realized that although we're not going anywhere this summer, I still haven't shared all of last summer's adventures.  Maybe this summer I'll travel back through my memory.

When we left Golden Spike we headed to Craters of the Moon National Monument.  We thought this would be an interesting stop over on our way to the West coast.  But, it turned out to be one of those places we wished we had more time to explore.

Craters of the Moon had a wonderful visitor's center where the kids really got a first hand look at how volcanic activity happens.  Then, we headed out on a driving tour with short hikes where we learned about the formation of different kinds of lava (ah-ah, pahoehoe, lava bombs) and different kinds of volcanoes (cinder cones, shield volcanoes, etc.).  We also learned that there were lava tubes we could explore.  We made plans to return in the morning when we were better prepared with headlamps and flashlights.  We also made plans to join a ranger hike where we could learn even more about this unique place.

We fully enjoyed our visit to Craters of the Moon.  The campground was tidy, and had great natural places in the lava formations for the kids to hide and play.  The staff was outstanding and friendly; we learned so much in our short visit.  We were very sorry to leave, and stayed much longer than anticipated.  We'll be headed back there the next time we venture west.

Trying to look like they're about to get blown off the cinder cone.

Lava tube entrance

Hiking up the cinder cone

Pahoehoe (rope like) lava

Ah-Ah lava (sharp and brittle)

In the lava tube

See the lava drips?  Lava tubes are formed when some of the lava cools and the rest runs through it like a river. 

Chicks and Eggs

Lots of great little moments happening around here lately... oh - and also the spring CSA, some gifts from the woods and the first offerings from the garden are making for some lovely eating.

Salad In Jars

Do you know about these?  Why, oh why, is this the first year I'm making them.  They're so simple.  Put dressing and a protein (beans, eggs, cheese, chicken, tuna etc.) in on the bottom of the jar.  They put in heavy vegetables, top with greens.  Keep a bowl and fork at work.  Then, when it's time to eat simply dump the salad out into your bowl.  These keep great.  Now that we have lots of greens I make several at a time when I'm alreay making salad for dinner.  In the picture below: spinach with strawberries, eggs and balsalmic dressing; and taco salad.

Yakisoba

Still have a winter cabbage hanging out in your fridge?  Perfect!  Slice up half of the cabbage, chop up some carrots and some green onion.  Stir fry them in the skillet.  Add some cooked baby shrimp.  Add the seasoning mix and soy sauce to taste and heat through.  Cook three packs of Oriental Ramen Noodles for 3 min. (without the seasoning packet).  Mix Noodles and vegis together - serve in bowls with more green onion if desired.   This has become a new family favorite, and it's perfect for a laid back movie night meal - one bowl means easy couch eating and easy clean up later.

Huevos Rancheros

I hope you're drowning in eggs like we are - it's glorious!  During the summer I make Huevos Rancheros from scratch with fresh tomatoes and peppers.   However, at the moment this already simple dish is even easier.  I just open a large can of tomatoes canned with peppers and onions, and dump it in the skillet (crack open a beer at the same time for added enjoyment).  I then crack four eggs into the skillet, turn the heat to low and put on the lid.  While the eggs are cooking (6-8 min.), I heat four corn tortillas on the griddle.  When the eggs are done I put a tortilla on each plate, then an egg, then the tomato sauce, and top with cheese and green onion.  This is a perfect weeknight meal - it's also great for brunch.

Eggs Benedict

Blender Hollandaise is just way too easy to make folks - I might be addicted.  I made this for breakfast on a week day- before 6:30 in the morning- and it's now in my breakfast rotation.  Before making the sauce (because it takes all of about 30 seconds and that includes plugging in the blender), toast an English Muffin, pan fry a slice of Canadian Bacon and poach your egg.  While blending the sauce, assemble - then pour hollandaise on with abandon and dive in.  Swoon!

We were blessed with a gallon bag of morels, so I made spinach crepes filled with goat cheese and chives and topped with mushroom sauce.   The first of the asparagus went in with the mushrooms too.  

Finally, I made a delightful strawberry/rhubarb crumble with the last of the freezer strawberries and the first rhubarb.  It feels like spring for sure.  Tonight I put 2 cups of frozen strawberries, about 2 cups of chopped fresh rhubarb, a few good shakes of cinnamon and a  1/2 c. of sugar to a sauce pan and heated until the rhubarb began to break down and the mixture became thicker (about 8 min.).  While that was simmering I put 2 c. of oats, 1/2 stick of softened butter and 1/2 c. of brown sugar in a bowl and mixed it together with my fingers.  Then, I put the rhubarb into an 8x8 pan, put the oatmeal mixture on top and put it in a 350 oven for about 20 min.  Delish!

And in other news....

Peeps - 6 Gold Stars

Tractor fun while tearing down the sugar camp for the year.

He is risen indeed - Alleluia!

Tappin' Time

March in Western PA means two things... Mud and Maple Syrup.  You got to go through one to get to the other.

We tap of course for the sweetness of the syrup, but mostly, we tap because we do this together.  I realized while watching The Woodsman, the kids and Farmer Dan collect sugar water and sit around the fire that this is how we create love.

Some things never lose their magic - I drank a fresh, just tapped, drop myself.

It's also great to see how much the kids are able to do independently from year to year.
 

No need for fancy gifts - let's just spend meaningful time together.  It's a sweetness that will last far longer than the syrup.

Love you Daddy!

In Which We Venture North....

Last week, after several very busy weeks of preparing for, and doing our school production of Alice In Wonderland, the kids and I took off and headed North for a week of time with family and friends.

The Girl as "Lily", a sassy flower that makes fun of small Alice, sitting on the magic mushroom painted by Farmer Dan.

If you've spent any time reading about our lives, you'll know that the three of us are winter lovers to the core.  We spent two glorious days skiing at Killington.  I loved the long runs, and the kids loved the gondolas and the terrain parks.  We also really enjoyed spending time with family - both on and off the slopes.

The view from halfway up.

My sister, AKA ski buddy
First time ever I was ahead of her the whole time - another great reason to be a ski instructor next year.

Adventure Bob and The Girl at the top of the mountain

First run- headed down Great Northern

In the K-1 Gondola

Killington offers complimentary ski tours of the mountain.  They call it "The Beast" it's so huge.
We took an awesome 3 hour tour with Glenn on our first morning.  

 Then, on the way home we spent a few days in Manhatten.  We celebrated birthdays at The Jekyll and Hyde Club (wish I'd been faster with my camera so I could have gotten a shot of the sparklers in their birthday Sundaes), spent all day at the American Museum of Natural History, enjoyed great New York pizza and bagels, and soaked up time with our favorite New Yorkers.

Dr. Brain really wanted The Boy's hair to use for his mop.  Such a fantastic actor, so much to see and do.

Minerva, the maid, gives The Girl some French lessons (about eating dogs, but not cats).

Side Note:  If you take kids to NYC be sure to include The Jekyll and Hyde Club and the American Natural Museum of Natural History on your itinerary.  The former is a dinner theater restaurant with a decour filled with curious and interactive curiousities, and characters like Dr. Brain (who performs "surgery" to create a Frankenstein like monster).  Another bonus, for New York, the prices are very reasonable - about $15 for kid entree and drink, and $20 for adults.  The later is the biggest Natural History Museum we've even visited.  We've spent two full days there, and still haven't seen everything.  While there is a suggested admission price, you are free to pay what you will - another bonus for families on a budget.  

Underneath the Blue Whale in the Ocean Room - my favorite place in the museum.

Climbing rocks in Central Park (because that's what my kids do no matter where they visit).

On the Alice statue in Central Park

With the Balto statue in Central Park - We've been reading about the Iditarod.

 I returned refreshed, and ready to take on the busy spring.  In the world of Education - once you get to April, the school year moves at light speed toward the approaching state tests.  Soccer will start soon, and the garden is a disaster of weeds begging to be saved from last year's summer neglect.

Winter, despite today's spring snow and one final ski day planned on Sunday, is on it's way out.  But for now, I'll enjoy the year's last snow day, revel in the sound of the wood popping in the stove, and savor the last of the relaxation.

The Crocus will win this match.

Menu Planning, Substitution and Doubling to Freeze - Three Essential Tools for Healthy and Frugal Eating

Periodically, after a conversation about the current busy state of my family's life, someone will say something like, "I just don't know how you do it all."  My answer?  I'm organized and a plan ahead.  

The other day I heard a report on the amount of food that typical households waste.  Can you guess?  It was 40%.  That's crazy!  Americans are wasting almost half of the food they buy.  The NRDC said that the average family throws away $2,275 annually.  I almost stopped the car.  

Then I begin to wonder why?  The only answer I could come up with was lack of planning.  There are two tools that help us to eat well, and use up what we already have before we buy more.  First, I plan a menu.  I usually sit down on Sunday afternoon and think about the week ahead.  I then match the food we'll eat for supper to the kind of evening we'll be having.  The second tool I use is substitution.  I don't always follow the recipe to the letter.  Sometimes I use what I have.  For example, the pot pies below are intended to be made with potatoes, chicken, and a homemade white sauce.  I had turkey, turnips and potatoes and turky gravey.  Guess what?  The substitution version was just as good as the standard one.  Not a single person noticed - in fact, everyone aksed for seconds.  The final tool in my frugal kitchen kit is that usually, if I'm cooking something from scratch I'm doubling, or even tripling what I'm making.  The extra dishes go into the freezer for busy week nights.  

Every Lent I challange myself to spend as little as possible a the grocery store.  I want to use up what I have before the summer comes and we're wallowing in produce and processing.  Maybe this year, you can do the same?

The top line is breakfast; the bottom one is supper.

Snow Days and Birthdays

I am unappologetic about loving winter.  I love the peace and serenity.  I love the time we get to spend together as a family.  I love the beauty.  I love the warm cozy clothes, heavy covers and the crackling fire.  I love the comforting soups, stews and casseroles that fill both body and soul.  I love it all, and I'm always a little sad when winter is over.

When winter started I was aprehensive about working a part-time job as a ski instructor, but have come to love spending my time there.  Yes, it's made life a little bit crazier at home.  But, mostly it's given me a chance to spend some time doing something I love while getting paid to do so.  With only one more weekend to go, I can say that I'll be back next season without a doubt.

We started the weekend by having a great group of girls spend the night to celebrate our oldest's birthday.  I love all of these girls like they're my own.  They spent a large portion of their evening paiting nails and singing Taylor Swift songs together.  It seems like just yesterday they were playing games of pretend.  There's still a lot of goofy in them though... I hope they hang on to that as they grow up.

Added bonus to them getting older - they make the birthday cake themselves!

We've been blessed with several late winter snow storms, and the last one hit right before the boy's early birthday party.  It wound up being a warm, sunny day perfect for playing outside for several hours.  Then the boys were happy to move inside for cake and games (Minecraft themed and mostly kid created).

A Mooshroom, Pigs, Chickens, Sheep (in several colors) and a Cow created from homemade fondant.  Easier than expected.

Pin the tail on the pig

I tried - it's impossible to get a good picture of ten year old boys.

The Woodsman is not quite as enamored about winter as I am - loading the woodbox and keeping the fire going leaves less time for play.  But me, I'm still hoping for one more good storm.  

"Enduring winter is only a start—embracing winter is what you should strive for."  Garrison Keillor

Read more: http://www.rd.com/culture/garrison-keillor-winter/#ixzz3SWxr2vHe