Wind damage

This flower bed was destroyed by the wind during our recent storm. The flowers look like they got frost but it's just from whipping in the wind. I'm really glad it's the end of September so there really wasn't much season left anyway.

Bill will be logging the downed trees in our yard and woods this weekend. We soon will have a view of the lake even in the summer.

ingredient challenge: squash

I am not a very good vegetable eater. I try to like cooked root vegetables and usually fail; I've cooked squash a few times with less love. BUT. I do like farmers' markets. And imagine a day with a significant garden, so I'm working on liking more vegetables.

I'm starting with squash. About a month ago, I took some green, gnarly squash from my in-laws' house with trepidation. "Why am I taking this - I don't like squash?" "But I had some at dinner yesterday and it was ok...?"

So I challenged myself to cook this hard-shelled gourde and learn to like it more. And I'm thinking of continuing the challenge - take an ingredient and cook with it. Use one ingredient for a whole week and figure it out. We've tried this with bacon - why not vegetables?

First toe-dip into squash: Apple-Squash Bisque made in the crock-pot.
Translation: horrible baby-food puree. I had a vat of yellow-ish muck in my fridge and couldn't bring my self to throw it away. (I probably don't need to mention that my husband is not taking part in this challenge - maybe when I use bbq sauce, but not with squash).

So it sat there until I received a magazine that just happened to have a recipe for Spicy Thai Squash Soup with Shrimp and Peas. I read through it and thought - I can save this soup! I like shrimp and peas and it sounds like something tasty...I can save the soup!

I saved the soup! Spicy Thai Squash Soup is DELICIOUS. Try it for yourself!


(photo and recipe from Self magazine)

A few notes about the ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups mashed sweet potatoes (I used squash apple bisque - it had apple sauce and sour cream, but was basically the same constancy and flavor, but next time I'll just use squash)
• Their recipe is for easy cooking - making a bunch of recipes at the same time - I just eliminated the onion-garlic mixture, becuase there was both in the original soup, but I will use an onion and clove of garlic in the mixures place.
• 1 teaspoon green curry paste (this stuff is amazing and the magic of the recipe! Changed everything about the texture, flavor and color of the baby puree)

Next up - squash ravioli!!

Vacation Photos

Waterton Park in Alberta was very beautiful - a fun time shared with Carol Ann and Butch

We had a great time at Glacier Park -

These goats were along the trail to Hidden Lake

a hike from Logan's Pass. They were totally oblivious of people

What would summer travel be without road construction. Bill is always checking out what is going on - this was on the "Going to the Sun Highway" which must be one of the most challenging road projects there is.

Canadian Rocky Mountain High!

I feel like September is complete, now that I have been to the mountains. There is something so spiritual about hiking a trail to a lake or a summit, knowing that you are going to be rewarded by sensational views and breathtaking scenery.

Will we see a grizzly this trip, or some mountain goats? Some hikes we don't even see other humans.

Go to the mountains! But get out of the car, and take a hike.

Happy 90th Birthday

Celebrating Mom's 90Th Birthday was a big event. It was a great day with lots of friends, family and sunshine. My theory is that from age 49-89 no one really wants to advertise how old they are, but when you are 90 it's time to be proud that you have lived a good life and are still around to enjoy it.

Last Day

Happy last day of Summer. Welcome Fall.

Discoveries

Big Red can't go above 45 without the radiator getting cranky...

Alfalfa smells like clover. (And it's pretty too)...

**The state fair can be fun...


**As always, those pictures I post that are great are by this guy - my husband. (you can buy some if you wish)

new toy

Now I really feel old. I am writing about my new vacuum cleaner. I bought a "dyson ball". It is amazing! I dumped 2 entire yellow labs out of the "bag".
Oh, and I am such a smart shopper that when I checked out at Target, and the girl told me I could save $40 by opening a Target charge, I went for it.
I have been eying these all summer and They never seem to go on sale,
and I hate paying full price for anything but wine.

The Difference of a Day

Today is the day after Labor Day. That means school starts - we had excited parents at work one with a kindergartner and one who watched her son drive off to school for the first "first" day of school.

Town is very quiet now too - On Sunday I ran an errand downtown - barely a place to park, the streets where full of people and you couldn't move in the shoe section of the Trading Post. Today looking down from the stop light - there were no cars or people.

Saturday Holiday was full of cars filling their tanks - tonight just one.

I ran to grocery store at 7:20 tonight - it was closed. The summer hours until 8:00 have changed to 7:00- now once again on days Kelly works she really doesn't have the option to grocery shop.

And today Marie began her 6th year at her job and I my 29th.

Biker Buttt

Last week I had my bike serviced, and while at the bike shop, I bought a pair of bike pants. They are not the most attractive piece of clothing that I own, but are certainly the best investment I've made in a while.

Today, I biked around Lake Bemidji, and my butt is not even sore!