Hiking

Yesterday we met Darrin, Kelsey and Kelsey's parents, Hank and Ron and headed into the back country to do some hiking. It was beautiful country with views of the mountains and wildflowers blooming everywhere. I took a grand total of 10 pictures during the 4+ hours we were on the trail! Something to do with huffing and puffing to keep up to the rest, I guess!



It helps to have long legs - Darrin was the leader for the whole way and Ron kept right up to him.





When we got out of the forest, there would be spectacular views like this.



This is definitely a favourite from the day - Hank looks like an explorer, I think!



Yeah - I was at the back the whole way! Thank goodness for Kelsey who hung back and kept me company. We had a great time visiting :)) It was definitely a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon on a long weekend. Thanks for planning, organizing and bringing lunch, D & K!!

Ten on Thursday

1. On Sunday, Bob, Jonathan and Clarence hiked Sparrowhawk, near Canmore.



They got up over 10,000 feet, I think - looks like the top of the world!



And you could see a very long way!

2. Have you noticed how many moths and bugs there are outside after dark these days? They're everywhere!!

3. We took Silas and Helayna to the park near their new home - and they had a ball, especially when Grampa joined in the fun.









4. The beets in my garden are doing great so today I made Beet Hummus. It's a beautiful red color and mild tasting - perfect on crackers or bread. I'll be making it again!

5. I have the most horrible cold! It started as a sinus cold yesterday but moved down to my chest overnight. I'm trying to shake it but all I want to do is curl up in bed!

6. Today at A Holy Experience, Ann shares some homeschooling online sites that she uses with her family. I looked at a couple of them - and really like Today's Pictures - The Last 24 Hours in Pictures. Great for geography and social studies!



7. I made a plum-peach-raspberry crisp for supper tonight. I love all the colors - and tastes - of summer fruit.

8. It snowed in Labrador today!! Does that mean it's coming here next?!?!?!

9. At one point today, our kitchen table was covered with paperwork. I had so many things on the go and I was feeling quite overwhelmed. Thankfully I was able to prioritize, stacked some away for tomorrow and got to the bottom of the must-do list. Does that ever happen to you??



10. These beautiful flowers are from Naomi's garden. She has so many lilies in all sorts of colors. I'm always thankful when she sends home a vase full for me :))

Ten on Thursday

1.  Today I picked the first ripe tomato from our plant!

There are more coming!  So I guess I won't be buying tomatoes at the farmer's market this week :))

2.  From the garden today:  snap peas, regular peas, yellow beans, cucumbers (a surprise when I looked under the leaves), red potatoes, raspberries and zucchini.  We are in full summer production - and it's a happy thing!

3.  Speaking of zucchini - I made muffins, a loaf and zucchini cheese squares.  Would you like the recipe for this lovely lunch dish?  It also makes a great appetizer when cut into small pieces.

Zucchini Cheese Squares

(from Garden Way's Zucchini Cookbook, 1977)

1 cup zucchini, coarsely grated and drained

1 cup grated carrots

3 eggs

1/2 cup onion, chopped

1/3 cup fresh dill, chopped

1/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped

2 tbsps. fresh thyme, chopped

1 cup cheddar cheese, grated

1/2 cup Feta cheese, mashed

dashes of salt, pepper and paprika

1 1/2 cups flour

Place all ingredients in large bowl and mix well with flour.  Turn into greased 9 X 9 pan.  Bake at 350 degrees F for 50 minutes until browned.  Cut into squares and serve.  

The squares are also really tasty the next day, even cold.  

4.   Back to school shopping is in full swing, as evidenced by the lineups at Staples today, when I stopped to get printer ink.  It's quite the industry, isn't it?!

5.  Here are a few glimpses of last weekend's hiking excursion, courtesy of Bob.

The Skyline Hiking Group, 2009

6.

One of the mountain meadows, in full wildflower bloom.

Evidence of other living things in the area. 

7.

Early in the morning, the valley was clouded in but high above it was clear.  I love how Bob captured it here. 

8.

And the wildflowers were absolutely gorgeous - such beautiful colors and so many varieties.  The multitude of mosquitoes, on the other hand, were huge and ferocious.

9.  This photo was chosen by the group leader from our World Wide Photo Walk as the best of our group.  I agree completely!  It was so interesting to watch Braeden compose the shot and then see his results on the screen.  I knew - and I think everyone did - right away that it was an awesome one.  

10.  If you are looking for some scrapbooking inspiration this summer, go to Big Picture Scrapbooking and sign up for August's  free online class called Busy Women Out of Time, On a Budget and Still Inspired.  I guarantee it will make you want to create something right away!  I'm really excited about the accordion album - so many possibilities with this little piece.