Lunch Date

Today I had a lunch date with Travis.  This is where we went.
Zen Sushi is on Merrimon Avenue.

This was fun for me, because I rarely get to eat sushi.    And
because I don't eat it often,  the menu looked pretty foreign
to me.  Travis had to help me order...

... and give me a lesson with these.

For an appetizer, we had pan fried Pork Gyoza.  Man were they

good.  I could have just eaten another order of these and been 

perfectly happy.

We shared this plate of yumminess.  

First the Spicy Crunchy Tuna Roll.  This I have had before.  

Travis said it is "entry level" sushi.   Well, I moved up from

there.  In the center was the Rock N' Roll - a special roll with

shrimp, avocado and cream cheese inside, salmon and lime 

on top.  It was good.

But we both thought the U.S.A. Roll was the best.  A tempura

fried roll with spicy crab and cream cheese inside with hot eel

sauce on top. (shown on the left)

This meal was definitely an adventure for me.  I tried all kinds

of things I had never had before and loved it all!

It's a little hard to believe that this son of mine, who used to be

the pickiest eater I had, is eating food like this now.

Thanks Travis for a fun lunch.

* Goal #40 - Try a new restaurant each month with Travis  in Asheville

John Rock

Saturday was hike day and the plan was to try a new 

trail in Pisgah - Daniel Ridge Loop Trail.   But we weren't able

to access the trail head because of road construction.  

We were disappointed, but not overly, because we were

close to John Rock, which is hands down my favorite trail

thus far in Pisgah.  It was decided that we would hike

it instead.

This is the designated girls camp hike and I've

been up this mountain with at least four

different groups of young women over the years.

One of those trips involved having one of

the girls evacuated from the top of the mountain, after

discovering that she had pins in her ankles that she had

neglected to tell us about.  What an adventure that was!

It's a little over three miles round trip and rated

moderate to strenuous with a 720 feet elevation

change.  That strenuous section brings out the

whining in teenagers ( and some adults), but

when you get to that rock face and look out

over the mountain range, even the whiners will tell

you - it's worth it!!!

My hiking buddy again this week was my friend Tara.  It's fun

to hike with Tara for a number of reasons - but especially 

because she's the seminary teacher and we have great gospel

discussions as we climb.  She shares what she has been teaching

the teens and I always learn something from her.

The day was sunny and warm. The ice on the mountain had

been melting and the streams were running full.  We had several spots

where we had to cross the stream.  Sometimes on nice 

bridges like this, (check out that new daypack I got for Christmas) 

 And sometimes on foot.

I had never noticed this sign before, but come to think of it, 

I've always hiked this trail in the summer or fall. 

The prize at the end of the climb, is a huge rock outcropping that 

looks out over the Davidson River and  the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Pretty amazing view, huh?

The fish hatchery is right below the rock.  See the tiny cars.

As you stand on the rock, you look directly across at 

Looking Glass Rock. 

We sat on the rock for almost an hour soaking in the beauty and 

enjoying our snacks.  We really didn't want to leave.  And after

sitting on that cold rock for that long, we really almost couldn't

leave-  a little tough on the middle aged bottoms.

As we trekked back down the mountain, we both commented

on how much easier the climb had been this time.  We are getting

stronger....and that feels so good!

* Goal #1 - Take 50 hikes ( This is #5)

Snip!

After months of winter weather, it's time to start some
outdoor duties.  Today was the day we chose to start the
task of pruning our fruit trees.  Well, it was the day I chose.
My tired, overworked husband looked at me wearily when
I started in on my mile long list of farm chores that needed
to be done,  now!!!   He would love to get a little rest
on Saturdays, but I need his help.
Timing is important when it comes to pruning.  This much I
know.  The rest, I'm learning.

I took my book and stood in front of our little

trees and tried to figure out things like - which

branches are going to cross over other branches

and prevent the fruit from growing, which 

vertical branches need to be pruned because

they won't bear fruit, which is a lateral bud and

which is a terminal bud, what are suckers and 

water spouts.

Mark knows more than I do about all these things

and tried to help me understand how to shape the trees.

We are pruning these trees to have an open center which

requires you to cut back the leader ( the main shoot of

the tree) and any branches that threaten to become

leaders.  The objective is to open the tree up at the 

top, so the sun can get to the developing fruit.  A well

pruned tree is stronger and less likely to be damaged

from wind.

These trees were planted two years ago and they are dwarf

varieties of apples and pears.  We have twelve trees in our

little orchard.  I'm not sure how long we will have to wait

before they begin to bear fruit. 

We realized after we started that we didn't really have the

correct tools for pruning these trees.  We were using long

handled loppers and we needed small hand tools, such as an

anvil pruner or bypass pruner.( Yes, I read that in my book.)

But we did the best we could with what we had.

At first it was scary making the cuts.   It seems like you are

doing something wrong.  You want the trees to  grow and then

when they do, you start cutting them back.  But all this pruning

now, will hopefully pay off in the future with healthy trees that

bear good fruit.

I have a lot more to learn about pruning fruit trees, but I feel 

like I'm on my way.

And once he got started, Mark worked like crazy.  He tilled my

new garden area, (which I'm super excited about), cleaned out

one of my raised beds, repaired the door to the chicken coop

and more!!   What a guy!

* Goal #5 - Learn to prune my berries and fruit trees

Geography 101

I'm convinced that when I was in school in the 70's,
geography was not a subject that was taught.
If it was,  I was sleeping or flirting with some
cute guy - because I have no recollection of
learning it.
I've had the great privilege of traveling
a fair amount in the past ten years.  The best
way to learn about a place, is to go there.
And boy, do I love to go! - just about anywhere.
Because I've found that traveling opens up my world
and helps me to see and understand people better.
I guess you could say I have the "travel bug".
( I think I inherited this from my dad, who also
loves to travel.)  I'm almost always in the
process of planning a trip, thinking about the next
place I want to venture and figuring out who
can go with me and how I can afford to make it happen.
 I would rather spend my money on travel and the memories
that are made while doing so, than on other things.

 

One of the parts of the world that I have never been, but
have always wanted to travel to is the Holy Land.   To walk
where Jesus walked - how exciting.
So, at the beginning of the year,  I did my research and put my
deposit down on a 14 day trip to Israel and Egypt.

I know what you're thinking.  Are you crazy??!
Well, maybe a little....but in my defense, the entire middle east
was not in a state of revolution when I made my reservation.
I'm not sure how things are going to be in October - but I
pray they will settle down and I will still be able to make
this trip of a lifetime.

In preparation for my trip, I have been trying to learn some
geography.  It makes it a little easier now, because every time
I turn on the tv, there is a map displayed on the screen of my
current area of interest.
Did you know where Bahrain was located before a few
weeks ago?  How about Yemen, Tunisia, Jordan, etc.?
Somewhere in the middle east, right?   Well, I knew that
much too.  But show me a map and have me point out
these places, yeah,  not so good at that.
But I'm getting better.

I've been pulling out the maps and colored pencils.  I'm a visual
learner.  I knew there was some reason I've held onto all those
home school supplies.

I also found this great little website where I can play
geography games here.

Yeah, I'm at Level One :)

When Mark came home last night, I had him try it and he 

did better than I did the first time.  I think it's all those

Formula One races that he watches on the speed channel.....

Another interesting thing that I found was this course on

the Holy Land from Great Courses.  I love this company.  These

are college lectures on DVD.  I am one of those weird people

who ask for things like this for Christmas.  My husband can't

understand me.  The professor for this course is from UNC- CH. 

This is the closest I will ever get to attending a class at UNC! 

I've been watching these a few times a week while I eat lunch.

Feed the body, feed the brain!

So, next time you see me you can ask me where Bahrain is -

and I can tell you!  Pull out a map and I can show you!

Now, I'm working on Northern Africa.

*Goal #13  - Learn Middle East Geograpy

Old North State

Old North State is leaving Colorado tomorrow for Wyoming.
They will be playing at NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership
School)  and a few other shows.  Dillon and Jantzen are both
NOLS Alumni, having spent a semester in Mexico a few years ago.
The school enjoys having them come and perform and they
are excited.  They like being on the road.
I was talking to Dillon today and he told me about this recording that
they played at their friend's home when they were in Wyoming
last fall.
I enjoyed watching it.  Maybe you will too.
It's one of my favorite songs.



That's my boys!!!  Love you and miss you.

I Can Not Tell A Lie...

In honor of President's Day and our
first President I thought I would whip
up a  cherry dessert. I know that
cute little story about the cherry tree
isn't really true.  But who doesn't  think
about those famous words,  "I can not
tell a lie. I chopped the tree with my
little ax" whenever they think of
George Washington?



Well, I can not tell a lie.  This dessert is
ridiculously easy and delicious!  I didn't want to make a
regular cherry pie.  But I had one pie crust in my refrigerator
that I needed to use.  I also have some canned cherry pie
filling in my storage.  I found it for a great price last year
and bought a few cans. :)

I decided to make some little pies.  First, I rolled out the pastry 

dough.

Then I took a bowl and cut out four circles.

I put a little pie filling on one side of the circle.

Then folded over the dough and crimped the edges.

Seal those edges really well, because I had cherry

filling that leaked out of mine.

I took an egg white and washed the tops of the pies and then

sprinkled turbinado sugar on top.  You could use regular

sugar if that's what you have.  I like the crunch of the raw sugar.

I baked them at 425 for about 10 - 15 minutes until they were 

nice and brown.

My husband loves fruit pies and he said these

were great.  

I thought they were good like this.

So there you have it.  A quick and easy dessert.

I'm sure they would be tasty with any flavor

pie filling you had.  Apple, blueberry, strawberry......

Happy Birthday, George.

Goal # 23 - Try 50 new recipes

Birthday Girl

"Guess what?  I heard there was going to be a party for

a special little girl who is turning one year old."

"What's that you say?"  The party's for me?!!"

"Oh, my!  I'm so excited!!"

"A party with cake and presents and all my friends."

"Have you ever seen such cute cupcakes?  "

"And presents too!  Thanks Aunt Virginia for helping me open

all my new things."

" This paper is so pretty.  I think I like it more than the present."

"Aunt Virginia is so fun.  She likes to play pat a cake with me."

" I don't really like my birthday cake.  Everyone wants me to

   eat it, but I'm just not a sugar girl! "

 " I was glad when they finally took me out of my

             chair and took that cake away!"

"I think it is time for a bath.  I have pink frosting in my eyelashes."

"Thanks Mom and Dad for a great party."

" I'm all partied out.  Naptime........"

I forgot how much fun birthday parties for little ones can be.

I had a blast taking pictures of this sweet little girl.  She is

my great niece, Abigail. 

This is my sister  (also known as Grammie)  and her two lovely

daughters with Abbie (who is the main attraction everywhere

she goes.)  To say that we are all crazy about this little girl

would be an understatement.  Our lives have all been blessed

in a big way since she was born a year ago.   Jessica ( on the

right) is a great little mommy.  

I also got to spend time with my dad and stepmom.  He takes

great pictures, so I followed him around and got tips on how

to improve.  We were both snapping shots like crazy.  That 

was really fun.

And of course, I always have fun with my sister.  

 We enjoyed a delicious lunch at Bravos before heading

  back home.  It was a great weekend!

* Goal #12 - Nurture relationships with extended family

  Goal # 26 - Improve photography skills