Tis the time of year when visitors and guests are coming by for a visit. They share in a mug of Eggnog and enjoy a slice of yule log or fruitcake. They enjoy the festivities of the season. Or, you are baking Christmas treats and cookies for your kids’ classes or that friendly neighbor…but music makes every joyous occasion better!
Below, is a choice of wonderful Christmas music–feel free to sing along and jingle all the way!
We all have the infamous to-do list. It includes packing for a holiday trip. There’s also cleaning before guests come over. And let’s not forget washing the dishes after Thanksgiving meals (and leftovers).
We all want to read more or learn something but chores inevitably come first, right? No longer!
We are prepping for the holiday cheer. We definitely don’t have the wish to spend extra on entertainment if we don’t need to, right? Here are a few short, sweet stories. They are (audio-stories) that are super nice to listen to while busting your hump to get things done. This way, you can enjoy a good story. Be entertained while tackling that inevitable mound of laundry or other tasks!
These stories can also be downloaded and enjoyed while on the plane, train, or automobile while traveling–Merry Christmas!
It’s autumn. For many, lives are busy. The weather is growing frightfully chilly. A warm, easy dish to feed the family or friends is always welcome. With the holidays just around the corner, budget friendly meals are a necessity.
Ingredients:
12 medium Eggs
1/2 cup (x2) shredded or cubed cheese (your choice)
1/2 a 16 oz bag of frozen vegetable blend (the generic brand is great) like the one with water chestnuts and snap peas and such in it, it’s already coarsely chopped.
1/4 cup milk
Salt, Pepper, crushed red pepper if you like it a spicy
In a large mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients, except half the cheese, mixing fully with wooden spoon or spatula. Pour into a greased baking dish (like a 9×13″for thinner quiche or a square baking dish for a thicker quiche)
Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, put remaining cheese on top, and bake for another 15 minutes. The quiche should be spongy to the touch when finished.
I like it with Hot Sauce on top versus melted cheese but either way is delicious! Serves a family or group.
Fort Laramie was the first settlement in Wyoming. Wheatland. However, Wheatland has definitely left its mark. It has established itself as quite the place to visit and enjoy!
Wheatland is located in Southeast Wyoming. It is just an hour’s drive north of Cheyenne on I-25. Wheatland is a place to stop, stay, and enjoy!
The murals and statues are located along 8th and 9th streets in downtown. The views and imagery are spectacular. It is very conducive to walking the dog or spending time with friends. Pixie and I have thoroughly enjoyed our time. We checked out many of the lovely little shops along the way, too!
A lot of culture and history in a small town but it’s a true Gem that shouldn’t be missed.
Stones of all sorts were used to make this delight gem, tucked away in Platte County, Wyoming (not too far from Guernsey!)
Built during the depression era, this shelter was created as a project to shelter and add fun to the community.
A friend’s mom actually recommended that I adventure here and check it out. She wasn’t wrong. It’s a spectacular gem hidden in the enclaves of Wild, Windy Wyoming.
Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (the regional version of the infamous TVA) during the depression. Now, it’s a perfect place to take a packed lunch or picnic. Bring beverages as there aren’t any vending machines or potable water sources but latrines are available (including handicap accessible.) It is also dog friendly, as long as you keep Fido on a leash.
It’s picturesque views are absolutely stunning and would make a great location to host a family event, photography shoots (i.e.senior pictures, wedding photos and more).
The wall Mural painting of the Castle is located on 8th Street in Wheatland, Wyoming. I “discovered” it while walking my dog later on in the day. It was a fortuitous finding.
Want to know more? Just check out this fascinating article–The Cowboy State Daily
An Original Piece, available for purchase on eBay! https://www.ebay.com/itm/226524842114
The ghostly monk attending to an abandoned monastery, church in Scotland Inspired by local legends of the ruins, nearby, Inverness Scotland, and the cairns. This monk still maintains his garden, even after death, and he hunts the abandoned monastery church that he wants to have added centuries ago
Item is framed, ready to hang. Original Size is 16 in by 20 in but is a bit larger due to the frame. Ready to hang on the way. Varnished with a UV glaze for protection and long lasting. Original oil on cotton canvas. Solid brush strokes and hand painted, one of a kind original. Stories of folklore legends and ghosts. #ruins #monks #ghosts #spiritis #hauntings #paintme #parati #painting #haunted #hauntingseason
This is a “cheaters” recipe for when life gets busy!
1 small can of condensed tomato soup, use the empty can to measure 1 can of water
1/2 cup of frozen mixed vegetables
Crackers (optional)
Dump the can of tomato soup into a small pot, add the can of water and the frozen vegetables, simmer for a few minutes until hot, serve with crackers or the homemade herb bread (here’s the link on how to make that!)https://annapotthoff.com/2025/09/18/when-harvest-season-is-here-baking-with-dried-herbs-homemade-soda-bread-quick-easy-no-sugar-no-yeast-no-waiting/
This quick meal is super filling and cheap. Let’s be honest. We all need quick, hot meals occasionally. This packs well for a lunch at work in a thermos or to-go container. It’s loaded with veggies, and lets be truthful, we could all use more veggies in our life. Pairs great with a grill
Dining options are limited when visiting my parents in Eastern Colorado. The same cuisines dominate, mostly Mexican food or burgers and fries. There are one or two Asian-themed places a couple of towns over. So, what is a person to do? Pull ideas from their adventures and make a meal for the family!
I chose fresh caught wild- Atlantic salmon fillets, skin on.
Ingriedients:
4 Salmon Fillets
Lemon Juice
Salted Butter, Salt and Pepper (fresh cracked)
Thinly sliced red onions
Frozen Peas (the whole bag)
Saute the salmon in the skillet, skin side down in butter and lemon juice, basting the fish with the reduction in the pan. Steam the frozen peas in a side pan. Top the fish with the onion and cover with a lid, cook until desired level of doneness is desired. Served with a shredded cabbage salad, top with a creamy dressing and serve.
A mid-day adventure! This adventure included my mother, it’s not often that I have an adventure buddy but today was spectacular! While I did snap a couple of really cute photos of my Mom, she asked not to be featured. It is a totally respectable choice!
Pawnee Buttes are located in Weld County, Colorado. It’s located beyond the “sticks”–and Mom commented that seeing anyone wasn’t a good sign. We finally stumbled across other adventure seekers once we arrived. We saw a grumpy lady in a vehicle. Another guy was there with a travel camper and his dogs. This was after we saw oil-rig trucks on the back country roads–all two of them.
The Pawnee Buttes were created by water, wind and time–through erosion not tectonic plates. It is part of the Pawnee National Grassland.
Located just 13 miles South of the Wyoming state line, here’s how you get there!
Start from Ault (Colorado) and head east on Colorado Highway 14. Continue for about 27 miles. Then turn left on Weld County Road 105. Travel about 4 miles north and continue onto County Road 390. Travel 2 miles, then turn right onto County Road 103. Travel 2 miles north, then take a right onto County Road 104. Travel 4 miles east, and turn left onto County Road 111. Turn right onto County Road 110, followed by a left onto County Road 113. Travel 0.5 miles to the trail head parking area.
Ingredients: Classic Irish Soda Bread
4 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp each coarse salt and 1 tsp baking soda (not powder!)
1 3/4 cup buttermilk (or 1 3/4 cup cool water with 3 tablespoons powdered buttermilk)
Mix dry ingredients together, put a well in the center of dry ingredients and pour buttermilk into center. It works best if you use a ceramic or glass bowl and a wooden spoon. Mix thoroughly but don’t over do it. Plop all the dough onto a lightly floured, clean surface. Lightly knead as you shape the dough into either a boules shape or an elongated loaf shape. Dough can be split in half to make two smaller loaves for sharing or for gifting. This also works great for using one now and freezing one for later for quick use.
Score each loaf lightly on the top. Place on metal or stone baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven at 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius) for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.
Variations, if preferred.
Autumn Harvest Herb Bread Use classic Irish recipe, adding 1 tsp each ground pepper, basil, garlic powder, dried onions, and cumin seeds
Cranberry Spice Bread: Use Classic Irish Soda bread above, adding 1 tsp dried orange zest, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp cloves, and 1/2 dried cranberries (Craisins) or raisins if you prefer cinnamon raisin bread.
Cheesy Bread: Using the classic Irish Soda recipe above, add 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Colby shredded cheese, 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese and 2 tsp of sesame seeds
These breads make great toast, chunks for dipping into stews and soups, or just eating with a charcuterie board. My mom likes to eat it with her eggs in the morning. The bread slices up well and stays really fresh for days, despite not having any filler or preservatives in it. It also works nicely to be crumbled up and used as croutons or as a stuffing base for the holidays. Each loaf costs less than $1.75 per full sized loaf or about $2 per loaf with add-in options.
My Travels 