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!
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
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!
La Prele CreekAyres Natural Bridge LaPrele Creek Runs wild under the bridgeBluffs along the way Ayres Bridge Park-Perfect location to enjoy a picnic and moreRed Rocks at AyresSpectuculars views at Ayres Enjoying the LaPrele Creek and Red Rocks, Glenrock, Wyoming
While the beach is located on private property, it’s open to the public, near Guernsey, Wyoming-
Located along a very full North Platte River, the lovely, secluded location is perfect for enjoying a walk. It’s also a great spot to have a picnic or to take a date with your sweetheart.
There are a few rules and requests made, posted on the sign (read the picture carefully for a good laugh!)
Located not but 2 miles from the Register Cliff historical site, this beach is well worth visiting.
Madison BeachNorth Platte RiverGuernsey, WyomingAnna PotthoffWyoming Wildflowers along the North Platte
A lady friend gave us a lot of frozen raspberries so what are we to do? Bake pies, of course!
Here is the generalized recipe we used but we “cheated” by using Pillsbury refrigerated pie crust instead of the crust in the recipe (click here if you want the see the recipe)
My mom and I didn’t exactly follow the filling recipe to the “T”, either. We added a splash of orange Triple Sec. We also added some lemon and orange zest to the recipe. Additionally, we included extra cinnamon.
The results were spectacular! I forgot to snap a picture of the final products because I was more interested in sampling the pie.
Bon Appetite!
Popping in the oven for baking! Mixing up the goodness
Traversing the country in an SUV is a long trip. It is even more challenging when traveling alone with a goofy dog. Still, it is cheesecake compared to what the pioneers did to settle this country.Fueling up at easy to find gas station (thank you, GPS!) and packing snacks, finding food is a breeze–but for the settlers that came long before me, it wasn’t easy, safe or simple!
We who are, um, more advanced in years recall playing the game “The Oregon Trail.” It had limited graphics. The features went “ping” when a shot was missed at hunting. The game never highlighted the intense journey. It never truly reflected on the scary, long haul it took on body and soul. This was in the quest to cross the nation in search of space, freedom, and expansion.
The history at the Archway Bridge and museum shares the story of the pioneers. It reveals the truth behind their journey, reflecting in the sculptures and museum. There is much more to express, but it’s too much for here. I think you should visit it and see for yourself. I wouldn’t want to spoil a wonderful opportunity. The Buffalo is nice, and the covered wagon is stationary!
The Museum offers some wonderful postcards. It also has a mail depository. You can share the adventures with your friends and family! Another perk, a pressed penny machine (I call them squished pennies as they are elongated in a squished fashion with a cool design imprinted of the location!)
My road trip across the USA continues–and what a truly spectacular country to be living in! The beauty and splendor of this amazing land never disappoints.
I pulled over to take a pit stop at the McDonalds (and get an iced coffee, of course!). Pixie let me know that she also needed a pit stop. As we dismounted our ride, we saw a beautiful little chapel across the way. Of course, we had to make a visit to this wonderful hidden gem!
The small church chapel is easily accessible. It has parking out front, which is ideal. It is also pet friendly, a must in my world.Inside the chapel is a small altar and a few benches, comfortable and accommodating. The interior smells delicious of incense and time, a lovely combination to the olfactory.
It’s worth pulling off to just experience this rare gem of American life and thoroughly enjoy it all!
Just outside of Nashville, IllinoisHidden Gems of AmericaChapel for prayer along the wayAcross the way from the McDonalds
Anyone who has ever moved knows that meals get interesting as the big move day grows near. This is especially true if you are moving a greater distance versus just across town. Transferring groceries and frozen goods is a breeze when moving locally.
I am doing the greater distance move and thus trying to use up what groceries I have at the moment. Meals are getting creative, hence edible and ugly.
This recipe, while high in fiber, isn’t pretty but it’s quite yummy.
1 can of red Kidney Beans
1 onion chopped up
2 medium carrots, pealed and diced
2 small tomatoes, diced up
1/2 pound of ground turkey, browned
1 can of refried beans
2 cups of water
1 tablespoon of cajun seasoning
Dump everything into a pot together and simmer for about 15 minutes. Serve with Texas Pete and sour cream or whatever toppings you have left in your condiment stash or cupboard.
This recipe can easily be varied to don whatever you have in your kitchen–hence the Stone Soup theory.
I showed my mother my meal and she said “God Bless you, that looks like canned dog food.” In truth, it does resemble cheap, canned dog food but it’s actually quite yummy.
Edible “dog food” soup stewHigh Fiber Stone Soup meal
The feature image photo isn’t the most flattering of myself. Still, I thought it was adorable of Pixie (my wee doggy). It captured the waterfalls well in the background.A kind walker snapped the photo upon asking and one won’t complain or belittle a thoughtful act.
The drive there was about 45 minutes from Clemson. (I am using Clemson University as a marking point for distance reference.) The drive was beautiful. The last 5 or so miles were back country roads. Thankfully, my Google Maps still worked even though I was out of cell-phone range. Yes, I recommend you use a mapping app to get there. It’s “out there” and the last bit is dirt roads. The track is often very narrow, so slow down, take your time and enjoy!
The parking area at the trail head is very spacious and it’s a hidden gem. There were other locals there whom obviously never spilled this great kept secret. There isn’t an entrance fee and it’s family, pet friendly, which makes it even more spectacular! The rules do state, on the information board, that visitors please keep pets leashed.It also asks to leave no trace behind that you were there. What you bring in, please take out with you!
This trail and gorgeous site are pet friendly. Nevertheless, horse back riding, bicycles,scooters and ATV/dirt bikes are not allowed. It’s not wheelchair accessible (in my opinion). Although, I believe, it is easily managed for even people like me whom aren’t the fittest and have joint damage. I would gladly take my 90 year old grandfather here. I would also bring my nieces and nephews, all under age 10. It’s a joy for all.
Pixie thoroughly exasperated herself while she was hiking. She sniffed all the wonders of the trail. She was quite popular with the other walkers and seekers. I don’t know which she enjoyed more. She loved socializing. She bubbled over the water splashing. She also notified me of critters and other crawlies she spotted. She tells me all kinds of things. She communicates without chase or barking. She talks in her own huffs and squeaks, with ear tips wiggling with delight.
There are 3 deck platforms along the trail’s length. They allow viewing of each section of the waterfalls’ multiple parts. Along the paths an abundance of flora, fauna grow prolifically.
The site is definitely worth the effort. Pixie and I walked, I estimate, about 1.2 miles total (round trip) and we both made it easily. I gave her a treat or two along the way (and always provided water for both of us, when needed.)
To quote Siskel and Ebert, 2 thumbs (and 4 paws) way up!
The paths are well maintained and serviced for ease of use The 2nd Set of FallsThe Third set of Falls Pixie giving me smooches Pixie sighted the first waterfall and was super curiousEnjoying the view and laughing at Pixie’s excitementA rock overhang of the path, watch out for creepy crawler critters! The first water falls on the trailSplish Splash the water goes over!
Who doesn’t like an easy meal that is reminiscent of Sunday Supper at Grandma’s house?
My cousin brought me two semi-thick ribeye steaks this weekend,
I don’t own a grill. I am not a huge fan of skillet fried steak–so whats a girl to do? I grabbed a 9×13 glass baking dish and got to work.
Ingredients
2 ribeye steaks (or roast or whatever beef you got)
1 medium onion, chopped into big chunks
4 medium to large carrots, peeled and course cut into chunks
4 medium/large red potatoes, washed and quartered (no need to peel)
Seasoning to preference (I used salt pepper and Montreal steak seasoning)
1/3 cup of water.
Put the meat on the bottom of the baking dish, layer the veggies on top, sprinking the seasoning in between stuff, pour water into the dish.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. pop in oven and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 70-80 minutes until meat is cooked and veggies are tender. I set the timer and just “forget about it” and go get other things done in the meantime.
My Travels 