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!
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
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.
It’s autumn and things are back in full swing after the joys and adventures of summer. Did you forget to set out meat to thaw or plan for a meal in advance?
This is super easy and can easily be doubled, tripled or quadzillioned into easy meals to feed yourself, a family or the group of friends that showed up at the last minute to study (because, as continuing education adults, when do we ever have time?)
I always keep some kind of frozen fish in the freezer. Usually, I buy the kind that is on sale at the local grocery store. These include buy one get one free, coupon, or club card deals. Whatever fish you may have, this recipe will work!
In the example below, it’s Tilapia fillets, skinless, boneless.
It’s super easy!
Get 1 (or 2 pieces, if they are smaller) fillet for each person, put into a skillet on medium heat with some oil (olive oil or sunflower oil is best!)
Put in frozen veggies of your choice (the California blend is seen below). Add a dash of salt, pepper, Cajun seasoning and heavy on the dry dill.Splash some lemon juice on top, let cook through for approximately 20 minutes, covered with a lid and then serve. It’s seriously that simple and it’s delicious. I like this particular dish with hot peppermint tea.
The pioneers are making their mark again along the Oregon Trail here. It is just outside of Jackolope City, Wyoming. The trail is along the I-25, so it’s easily accessible now!
Looming gently over LaPrele Creek, Ayres Natural Bridge provides beautiful splendor amongst the red rocks of Converse County.
According to the tourist site,is only one of three natural bridges “LaPrele Creek flows beneath the rock formation. It creates one of only three rock archways in the nation that span water.” I feel so fortunate and blessed that I got to see one of them!
While driving up to the location, it’s clearly posted that any animal, leashed or not, is not welcome onsite. Tickets with fines will be issued for those bringing in an animal with them. So please, remember to leave Fido and kitty at home.
The drive is an easy method, with wide open colorful views and spectacular scenery. While most of the path to get there is unpaved, it’s still manageable-just take your time!
The area also hosted a small flock of wild turkey.That is the bird, not the alcoholic beverage, just for clarity.
Bring a picnic basket or other goodies. It is an ideal way to spend a lovely afternoon here at Ayres natural bridge and park. Do you want to enjoy it longer? Camping is also available here. I am not sure if I would want to brave the Wyoming chill in the winter for camping. I would consider it if I were in a recreational camper toy. Nonetheless, I am a princess who likes the amenities, and I might not even brave it then.
Watch this little youtube video I made of the area. I hope you thoroughly enjoy it!
The Oregon/Bozemon/Mormon trail continues here just outside of Guernsey, Wyoming. Visitors can explore the Archway Bridge in Kearney, Nebraska. A sample of the Register Cliff is on show in the museum there.
The pilgrims and travelers traversed the wild west. They would mark their name and year of passage into the limestone walls. Sometimes, they even left notes for those who followed them. One note indicated that if the pilgrim reached Independence Rock by July, they could avoid the mountain pass during the frigid winters. By bypassing the mountain passages in the winter, they had higher success rates of surviving the trail and making it to their destination. This was an important factor to consider when traveling by covered wagon, horse, or on foot.
American history is alive and well here in the Wild Western plains of Wyoming and well worth visiting. Thankfully, settlement has occurred. There is a lovely little town nearby. Travelers and explorers can easily obtain a hot, yummy meal for a reasonable price. Twisters restaurant is located right in the heart of Guernsey. It offers a nice variety of great food and wonderful house brew coffee.
One doesn’t have an opportunity to make “new” old friends very often in their life. I am one of those blessed people. Stacy, my sweet, sweet dear friend, has stuck by my side as a dear, best friend for nearly 4 decades. That’s right, nearly 40 years we have been the dearest of friends.
We met in kindergarten all those years ago and we have literally grown up together and more.
On the road trip, we met up and had a wonderful lunch together in Nebraska. It was not far from where she lives at a nice place called “The Lodge.” I asked her to choose the place as she was and is very familiar with the region. Both of us have lived in a variety of places, towns, cities, and states over the years. However, we never lost connection.
Stacy gave me a tour of her town. She was trying strongly to persuade me to move to that area. She highlighted all the wonderful features, areas of great employment, and so much more. She was giving it her best shot to get me to settle there and be nearby! I am so very blessed. We all need amazing friends and friendships in our lives. I am so fortunate that Stacy is mine!
Stacy treated me to a lovely shopping experience at Buff City Soap. She has a member card there, emphasizing how awesome the shop and products are. Yes, I went home with quite a few goodies.
While we dined out, we talked extensively. Her children gladly babysat Pixie at their place. I don’t know who had more fun, the kids or the dog. Calvin, her husband, gave a hilarious status report when we returned and then promptly took a selfie with my phone.
My Travels 