Camping in Hope Valley-"God of Wonders"

I've been neglecting my blog because, well, frankly, I've been busy having fun.
Kevin and I are determined to cram as much fun into the summer as we did into the winter...and it seems to be working, in spite of some technical difficulties.
I just realized I haven't posted anything since Mother's Day! Oh, my!
I'll get up to date with other things later, but I wanted to tell you about this amazing trip we took last weekend in our little Aljo trailer to Hope Valley Resort.

It's about 40 minutes from Carson City, in Hope Valley CA on Highway 88.
It's hundreds of miles away from cares, worries and fears and filled with joy, beauty and serenity. Oh, there's a little road noise during the day ....but mostly it's just beautiful and peaceful.
I tried to post the photo above, which was our view from our campsite, but they really meant it when they said there is no phone or internet reception at all!
This view was just so breathtaking that I had to take a picture...it reminded me of the song, "God of Wonders". I just love that song because it reminds me of the beautiful world that He has asked us to steward and enjoy...well, this place is gorgeous! "Lord of all creation/of water, earth and sky/the heavens are your tabernacle/ glory to the Lord on high"

Even though it's a drought in the area, we could have a fire at night. Fire is so magical in a campsite- you sit, and watch the flames, warmed by the fire and dream about all kinds of things. Kevin and I talk about our dreams around the fire when we go camping- then next place to go camping, the future, things we'd like to do and places we'd like to see...."when I stumble in the darkness/I will call your name by night"

We could hear the Carson River rushing over rocks from our site at night. We visited it several times, in different spots- hiking with Bridget, finding a secret swimming hold, and seeking out the best place to fish...
"Lord of Heaven and Earth"

And of course, cooking in camp is my specialty! I try really hard to make amazing dinners on our little campstove and BBQ...

Butternut squash ravioli with BBQ sweet italian sausage and a homemade tomato/pesto sauce ....

 Camp-made BBQ sauce with chicken...

 broccoli, carrot and cabbage slaw with vinaigrette...

potato, onion, squash and pepper hobo packs...

 cabernet sauteed mushroom burgers...

with local corn on the cob with coal roasted potatoes...

all served with gorgeous views! "Precious Lord reveal your heart to me/Lord of Heaven and Earth"

Although a bear came through the camp at night (our cooler was locked away in the truck EVERY night) we didn't hear a thing- we slept so soundly in such a beautiful area.

Mother's Day and a great appetizer!

I had a wonderful Mother's Day weekend!
It all started on Saturday, when I arrived home from work. On the porch was an enormous box filled with the most beautiful two dozen lilies from Pat & Melissa, my oldest son and daughter in law. They know how much I love fresh flowers!

Kevin announced that he was taking me out to my favorite Mexican restaurant for dinner-El Charro Avita. I had my favorite meal- red posole. Posole is a delicious, brothy, pork and hominy soup. It's garnished with chopped onions, cilantro, radishes and lettuce. Yum! I also had a 'rocks' Margarita that was delicious.
Sunday was also a wonderful day! Chris, our youngest son, called and sent me a couple of books for my Kindle- he knows how much I love to read- and Pat & Melissa called by Facetime to show us their newly completed yard and raised bed planters.
Kevin took me to a late brunch at Bodine's Casino Restaurant. After brunch, went for a drive along the Carson River and took Bridget with us. When we got home, we planted the rest of the tomatoes and hung out in the sunshine on the patio.
That's when i decided to make this fabulous appetizer!
Halloumi cheese is a Middle Eastern/Turkish/Greek specialty. It's a semi-firm cheese made from sheep or goat's milk that is perfect for grilling or frying. I haven't seen it in very many places so when I found it at Trader Joe's earlier this week, I knew it would be a special treat!
I removed the cheese from the package, rinsed it (it is packed in a salty brine) and patted it dry. I drizzled some olive oil on both sides and fried it quickly on both sides- about 2 minutes per side, until it was browned and crispy.

I topped it with some zaatar and served with pita crackers.
It was crispy on the outside and melty-creamy on the inside! Delicious!

Dinner was another favorite- corn on the cob, grilled ribeye (for Kevin) and grilled lamb steak with roasted asparagus and salad!
The evening ended with q phone call to my Mother...the best mother in the world...

Kevin and I toasted Mother's Day with a lovely glass of Bogle Pinor Noir.
I hope you all were able to celebrate Mother's Day with wonderful memories and in the company of those you love!

Rich Seafood Stew

I'm trying to use up everything in the freezer/pantry in a timely manner after reading a blog reminding me earlier this week!
As you know, I canned/froze a ton of tomatoes/sauce when we left Klamath Falls last year. I also have a lot of frozen chicken stock/turkey stock from this past Fall.
The Lenten Fat Free Vegan (Engine 2) Diet was an eye-opener- I lost  12 lobs. of weight and felt a lot better by eating fat free vegan for 6 weeks. I've added some meat (very little) and some seafood to my diet, but I am continuing to keep the fat and processed foods at a bare minimum for both of us! We are also watching the grains...neither of us are gluten sensitive, but we are making sure that our choices are all good choices!
We are eating meatless meals a couple of times a week and Fridays are now seafood/meatless only days- it's not required of Catholics anymore year round- but it's good for our health and for my creativity in cooking!
I decided to make a delicious-sounding Seafood Stew for dinner tonight, with the basic recipe from a fantastic blog I read on a regular basis, An Oregon Cottage. I know I've referenced this fantastic blog before for many craft and food ideas.....but Jami had this wonderful recipe that I could not resist!
I made some of my own changes but the basic recipe is fantastic!
I stopped by Trader Joe's to find some scallops, since Kevin does not like fish ...and all I had was some shrimp- but Trader Joe's only had scallops in a wierd cream sauce or a 'Seafood Mix' that included calamari. Now, I would eat that all in a flash, but Kevin doesn't like calamari, either. His nickname in the family by the way, (as is my brother in law, Jim Regan's nickname) is "Picky-Fart-Suey". You will have to ask my Mom to tell the story...anyhow, I got a half pound of tiny fresh scallops at a local grocery store so I was all set for this seafood stew! You can also use only fish, if you like. It is a VERY versatile stew!
I first made a homemade Roman Arabbiata sauce...5 cloves of garlic, chopped, added to 2 teaspoons of red chili flakes and added to 1 tablespoon of good olive oil and 1 tablespoon of salt. Cook over medium heat in a cast iron pan (or, whatever pan you have) until it smells fantastic and then add 1 tsp. of each basil, oregano and garlic powder. Cook for another 30 seconds. Then, add 1 gallon bag of frozen tomato quarters (peeled) or 1 quart of canned tomatoes and 1 small can of diced green chilis...NOT diced jalapenos, and stir. Cook over medium heat for 30 minutes and cool.
In another pan, cook 1 rough chopped peeled onion, 1/2 green and 1/2 red bell pepper, 2 stalks of celery, cleaned and chopped and 2 chopped cloves of garlic in 1 teaspoon of olive oil for about 5 minutes. Add 2 large, peeled, and diced russet potatoes to the mix for 5 minutes, stirring all the while. Scoop the entire batch of veggies into the Arabbiata sauce and turn to medium heat. Cook until the potatoes are tender; about 20 minutes. Add 1 cup of either seafood stock, clam juice, or chicken stock if you don't have anything seafoody as stock! Cook for 5 more minutes and then add 1 lb of seafood or fish chunks. Cook for 5 minutes. Top with 1/4 cup of chopped fresh flat leaf Italian parsley. Don't ruin this with cheese! Served in bowls with some bread or like us, leftover broiled Texas Toast!
This make enough for 4 people or 2 people for dinner and 2 more lunches!
Holy Smokes, this was HOT and spicy, but flavorful and incredibly delicious!
MAKE THIS!!!

Run for the Roses...

Yesterday, May 3, 2014, was the Kentucky Derby. Now, normally, I'm not a big fan of horse racing- but this year, a local guy had a 'workingman's horse' in the running, and so Kevin and I decided to celebrate the Derby in high style!
It's a crazy thing, but this local horse, California Chrome, actually won the Derby! The owner works in Gardnerville, NV- just a couple of miles away, and lives in Topaz Lake, NV which is just a hop, skip and a jump away from us!
Anyhow, I stopped by our local liquor store, Aloha Liquor Store, which is an awesome place with great owners. Same place where we order our keg of beer for the kegerator...which we have to order tomorrow- we just ran out today! I talked to one of the staff members and told them that I... 1. don't usually drink bourbon 2. I don't like harsh liquor that tastes like, well, liquor, and 3. I didn't want to spend an arm and a leg, but I wanted a good bourbon to make some mint-less juleps.
After tasting 3 different types of decent bourbon,(Aloha lets you taste before you buy!!)  I decided on the Four Roses Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. It was very smooth, and had a nice mellow, silky feel. And the best part is that it only cost an ARM!  Yes, the tastings were all total less than one shot- and I live about 1/2 mile away, so yes, it's safe to taste and drive straight home :)
When I got home, I followed the 'classic recipe' for mint juleps...but we left out the mint. Neither of us are big fans of mint (if I have a mojito, I usually ask for it mint-less) so we added 2 teaspoons of simple syrup (1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water, boiled, and cooled) to 2 ounces of bourbon over shaved ice. We didn't have silver cups (traditional) and my copper mugs (for Mocow Mules) are packed in the garage somewhere, so we just used a short, fat 8 ounce juice glass and doubled the ingredients :) YUMMY!

OK, the picture is a little blurry, but I think I took the picture after the second cocktail, so forgive me!
We also made a classic Derby meal for dinner...Hot Browns.
This dish is named after the famous "The Brown Hotel" ...here's the story of the Hot Browns if you want to read it.
I decided to use Bobby Flay's recipe that I saw on one of his 'Throwdown' shows...and it was DELICIOUS!
I fried up a couple of slices of bacon...(there is a slice in the pan for Bridget the Yorkie) ...

roasted some tomatoes in the cast iron pan...

made a Mornay sauce with some smoked paprika,Cracker Barrel Sharp White Cheddar cheese and Grand Padano....

and I baked some 'Texas Toast' instead of making my own 'egg bread'. I also used some sliced roasted turkey from Trader Joe's and added some sauteed mushrooms as my own twist.

I put the tomatoes, turkey and mushrooms on the hot Texas Toast, added the Mornay Sauce and a slice of bacon and broiled until the sauce was browned.

It was so good!

Hope you make this- it is so Fatty Mc Fat but so delicious once a year!

This made me think of the Dan Fogelberg song, "Run for the Roses". I loved all of his music in the 80s.

Born in the valley
And raised in the trees
Of Western Kentucky
On wobbly knees
With Mama beside you
To help you along
You'll soon be a growing up strong

All long lazy mornings
In pastures of green
The sun on your withers
The wind in your mane
Could never prepare you
For what lied ahead

The run for the roses so red

From sire to sire
It's born in the blood
The fire of a mare
And the strength of a stud
It's breeding and it's training
And it's something unknown
That drives you and carries you home

And it's run for the roses
As fast as you can
Your fate is delivered
Your moment's at hand
It's the chance of a lifetime
In a lifetime of chance
And it's high time you joined in the dance

Lambie, Lambie, Lambie

When our Yorkie Gretchen was alive, her daily joy was playing with 'Lambie'. Lambie was a stuffed animal that was, well, a lamb, and Gretchen carried Lambie in her mouth, chased her when she was thrown across the room and um, rolled all over it and 'humped' it after dinner every single day. Yah, I know, gross. Whatever. Gretchen was a very dominant female Yorkie and I can't apologize for her animal behavior! We had 'Lambie' cremated with Gretchen so they would be together forever.
Anyhow, that's where the title of my post originated:)
After 7 weeks on a fat free vegan diet (I started a week before Lent) I lost 13 lbs. and feel in much better shape! I am planning to keep up with the healthy habits- daily exercise with very limited fat and meat- but for Easter Sunday, I gave in and made a delicious, boneless leg of lamb on the BBQ.
I remembered how much I LOVE meat.
Now, I know that most animals butchered for human consumption will feel pain, suffering and fear and it is an ugly process. Not all of it is done humanely or even antiseptically. There are many examples of when animal butchering is done in unsanitary conditions that result in food poisoning or worse for people who eat the products. If you watched, Forks Over Knives or read, Eating Animals or watched/read anything  from PETA you might not ever eat meat again...I get that part and believe me, it is powerful proof.
However, I do try to purchase meat products that are humanely butchered...or as many of you know, I raised my own chickens for eggs! Those chickens were treated better than most children in the USA! Just read some of my previous blogs...anyhow, I do think that those who humanely treat and butcher their animals deserve my business. So, I bought the smallest boned leg of lamb from a reputable farm that I could find and marinated it for 24 hours.
I used Ina Garten's recipe (slightly altered) for BBQ leg of lamb- which I have used several times in the past, since it is FANTASTIC!
I was not disappointed.
Here is her recipe...Ina Garten's BBQ Leg of Lamb
and the way that I adjusted it was to reduce the amount to HALF...since I had about a 2lb. piece of boneless leg of lamb...
and I didn't use any olive oil. I also used less rosemary and added some dried oregano to the yogurt.  I also used fat free greek yogurt for the marinade.
Holy Smokes, it was FANTASTIC!
Here's the lamb with the marinade scraped off...

Here's the lamb on the BBQ...

a little char, a little medium rare...
and here it is on the plate for EASTER dinner!
Steamed asparagus, corn on the cob and ...Lambie, Lambie, Lambie...

It was incredibly delicious!
Yes, I finished off the lamb at breakfast and dinner on Monday...I'll be back on the vegan bandwagon on Tuesday...with some limits. I'm thinking the whole 'nutritarian' and 'flexitarian' diet might be more my speed..but I hate to say that I have lost my taste for dairy.
Oh well. I do love veggies!

Happy Easter!

This has been a busy week for me...but in a good way!
During the past few years, Holy Week (the week leading up to Easter) for me, has been CRAZY busy and stressful...not exactly what you envision when you work for the Church.
I know that the Church has always stressed that Holy Week is a time for contemplation, meditation and prayer based on the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ...but in reality, if you work for the Church, it's a very busy time of preparation, rehearsal and worry. At least, it has been for me! I wanted to make sure everything would be perfect for the people of God attending all the services this week- I wanted it to be beautiful, meaningful and seamless.
My Mom and step-dad came to visit me and Kevin a couple of times during Easter in Klamath Falls...until I finally told them that it was such a busy time for me that I couldn't really spend any time with them.  I WANTED everything to be ready in advance and to really experience Holy Week and Easter as a joyful and wonderful time. It just never happened that way. Something always came up at the last minute that needed attention and Holy Week was busy and stressful. By the end of Easter Vigil, I was exhausted, exhilarated and usually had a migraine in the making for Easter morning.  Easter Sunday meant a day in bed, recuperating, and Kevin making dinner that I didn't feel like eating. It was worth it, though, because I served the Lord and the people of God! And I loved every minute of it...
Now, I have to say that this year has been...wierd.
I attended the Triduum (tri-three, duum -day from Latin) services at Corpus Christi in Carson City this week. I didn't have to do anything except show up and participate as one of the 'butts in the pew'. Those of you who know me will understand my expression!
It made me cry every single day because in all truth, I MISSED being involved in the life and mission of the Church as a minister. On the other hand, it was wonderful because I could just go and pray and immerse myself in the mystery of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus as a participant and not as a leader.
I didn't miss the responsibility and authority, but I missed being actively involved...I found myself questioning why Corpus Christi did it that way, or why so few people were involved...I guess I miss being a part of the mystery of faith.
What I loved was allowing the readings and rituals and liturgy to once again wash over me, embrace me, and immerse me after so many years being 'in charge' -and to enjoy and breathe in the depth of the Catholic Church and her liturgies through the centuries-old traditions. I loved being able to wipe away tears of sorrow and joy at the readings and not worry if I had to be 'on' for the service at hand. I loved being able to sit in silence and worship at the time of adoration of the Eucharist when it was carried to the Altar of Repose after the Mass of the Lord's Supper; I love being able to walk away in complete silence after reverently walking up to the Cross and kissing the places where the nails were driven into the hands of Christ through the wood of the Cross. I loved watching the wonder and awe on the faces of those who were about to be received into the Church and listening to the readings of Sacred Scripture that focused on the story of Salvation History.  I loved every single minute of it...but I missed, so ardently, being a part of the process.
It has made me realize that I need to go have a chat with the Pastor and find a place where I can volunteer.
I don't need the responsibility or authority- but I need to be a part of this, again.
I am so very proud of my friends who were received into the Church this year- as well as all of those throughout the world who made the decision to join the Church!
Being a Christian is not an easy path- but it is worth it!
He is Risen! Alleluia! He is Risen, Indeed! Alleluia! (Paschal Greeting during the season of Easter)

My Reasons for Doing Fat Free Vegan For Lent

I don't think that I told you all why I decided on this difficult Lenten discipline of fat-free Vegan eating...
When I left Sacred Heart Church as the Pastoral Associate, I had extremely high blood pressure, I was 50 lbs. overweight and I felt sick and tired ALL THE TIME. I know I wrote a post early in the ski season about how horrible I felt and how out of shape I knew I was when I tried to just walk a few hundred feet to the ski lift...anyhow, I decided that I needed to take better care of myself.
So, I read a couple of books that made me really think.

Thinner This Year  was REALLY good....
Younger Next Year  was better...
How To Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease was life-changing...
BUT
Eat To Live: The End Of Diabetes made me decide that I had to do this for at least six weeks.

I am not diabetic, and it does not run in my family...but it does run in the family of my husband. I needed to get myself in shape, and inspire my husband so that we can ski when we are 80 for FREE!! That's my goal!

I also wanted to feel a lot better, lose some weight and get off ALL medication...which these books all make possible if I follow a nutritarian diet.

So I decided that the 6 weeks of Lent would be a good time to try this discipline. If I hated it, and couldn't do it, I would at least suck it up for 40 days....and if my bloodwork is amazing after these 40 days, well, then, I will stick with it!

So far, I have lost 11 lbs. and I can walk from the furthest part of the Heavenly Resort parking lot, uphill, without stopping and no heavy breathing. I am exercising every day and I walk at least 5 miles every day( according to my fitbit zip)
I am tracking my calories,  and eating vegan; which means no dairy, no meat of any kind, no food at all with a face or a mother, no added salt or sugar, and no oil except a little spray oil for foods that I am making for both me and Kevin; the only processed foods I am eating are canned beans, canned tomatoes (mostly the tomatoes I canned in the fall from the tomatoes I grew in KFalls)  or canned tomato paste, or a vegan burger or vegetable pot stickers. I've also had meals in a couple of restaurants and have asked for NO oil vegan meals- most places have been very helpful and cooperative!
Today, I had a delicious meal at a restaurant that features a vegan menu.
Here are some photos of some recent meals...

Vegan bean tacos with avocado and lettuce, steamed corn with red bell pepper, brown rice and homemade pinto beans...

Yellow and Zucchini Squash casserole with baked sweet potato...

Baked Panko Asparagus with a Cannelini Bean and Oats Burger topped with lettuce, tomato and avocado...

Roasted Broccoli with a baked sweet potato and onion mushroom sauce on a lentil loaf slice...

and Vegan Lasagna with Butternut Squash Puree, sauteed mushrooms and Sunflower seed/Panko crust with vegan bechamel and marinara sauce...

The food has been varied, delicious and easy to make!
I am not missing the fat, or dairy or meat. I am hoping my bloodwork will convince the doc to lower or eliminate my BP meds...and maybe, just maybe, this will work for my husband.
We will see!