Where the Buffalo Roam

Travel

Hoping to see buffalo on your trip to Yellowstone National Park? You need not worry. I would say it would be difficult not to see buffalo at Yellowstone National Park.

Buffalo tend to roam the park in herds, however, can be found in smaller groups or even solo. Of the three days in the park, we saw buffalo every day. We visited Yellowstone at the end of June and there were a lot of baby buffalo. These little guys were a lighter caramel color and resembled baby cows. Terribly cute!

When visiting Yellowstone, allow extra time to get around the park. Why? Traffic jams occur, of which we were part of on more than one occasion. These traffic jams can cause cars to back-up for over an hour for sure. What causes these traffic jams? Animal sightings by people wanting to snap a photo and buffalo crossing the roads or standing in the road.

The really long traffic jams are most likely due to buffalo crossing the roads. Be especially carefully of the baby buffalo when they are walking along the road. They obviously do not have as much experience at crossing roads and while they tend to stick pretty close to their mother, will run a bit more sporadically into traffic.

We spotted one buffalo on his journey swimming across a body of water. He then approached two other buffalo and kicked up some dirt and made some vocals to the other buffalo. They eventually all settled down and seemed cordial to each other. Very interesting to see.

Buffalo are a huge animal. They are also a wild animal. Having said that, when you are in the park, be sure to give them their distance for a safe viewing experience. Enjoy nature at it’s best in Yellowstone National Park!

Visiting the Popular John Moulton Barn

Travel

Anyone enjoying photography may be familiar with the sight of the John Moulton Barn, one of the most photographed barns around. This barn is located in the Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. There you will find it nestled with the mountains for it’s backdrop. The perfect setting for an absolutely beautiful photograph.

The barn is part of what is called Mormon Row. Mormons established this farming community near the turn of the 19th century. Here they shared the farm labor with their community. The Mormons dug ditches to irrigate their crops. Today, Mormon Row is part of the Grand Teton National Park.

Visitors from all over the world come to see and photograph this barn and the other buildings on the property. There is a small lot for parking your vehicle. Watch your step when walking around the buildings as there are some pretty large holes you will want to avoid. The holes were made by the current residents of the property, the Prairie Dog. You will see many of these little guys scurrying about.

Take some time to picture life without electricity at this beautiful Wyoming homestead. Have camera in hand and hope for beautiful skies. Venture further into the park and perhaps be lucky enough to see a moose as we did. Happy travels!

Visiting the Idaho Potato Museum

Travel
Baked Potato with Butter…Yum!

Road trips are a great way to learn and experience new things. One can come across some pretty interesting places on the road. One such place is the Idaho Potato Museum in Blackfoot, Idaho.

On our recent road trip, I happened by the sign for the Idaho Potato Museum. Oh boy! I REALLY wanted to stop, however, it was not on the schedule and stop we did not. I was disappointed but knew we had to pass the museum again on our way back. My group, however, was not promising anything.

I checked out the museum’s website and found out that they served potatoes. I absolutely HAD to eat an Idaho potato in Idaho. My group thought that eating an Idaho potato in another state would do. After all they said, ” You probably eat Idaho potatoes all the time”. That was not the point, I wanted to eat the Idaho potato in Idaho, plus I love this kind of museum.

Idaho Potato shed

I am happy to say that we finished sight-seeing early and were actually able to go to the Idaho Potato Museum. On our way there, I called ahead to reserve our potatoes. When we arrived we toured the museum, which was very educational, and learned the history of the potato and the potato industry. There are exhibits that go into detail about planting, irrigation, harvesting, and processing potatoes. The world’s largest Pringles Potato Chip is on display. Also on display are potato peelers and nails (which were used by cooks hoping to speed up the cooking process). Movies about potatoes were also available to watch. Outside the museum is a nice display of equipment used in the potato planting and harvesting process.

As I mentioned before, you can order a baked potato to eat in the museum’s cafe. The cafe also offers french fries, potato salad, potato bread, potato soup, potato cupcakes, potato ice cream, etc… The cafe is a nice, comfortable spot to enjoy a little something after the museum tour and refresh before hitting the road again.

potato doll

There is also a gift shop at the museum. They sell cookbooks, postcards, t-shirts, magnets, potato dolls, patches, pins, etc… They had a wide variety of reasonably priced items. I was even given a free bag of Idaho Spuds instant potatoes with my purchase. Bonus!

I enjoyed my visit to the Idaho Potato Museum. If you ever find yourself in Idaho, perhaps you too will make a stop in Blackfoot to eat a potato and enjoy a little history about the potato. I am glad I did.

Recipe Hoarding and What to Do About It

Cooking

If you love to cook like I do, you may find yourself inundated with recipes. This overload of recipes can leave one unorganized and therefore, unproductive. Do not despair, there is hope.

I used to subscribe to a number of magazines which were loaded with recipes of delicious looking meals, tasty looking snacks, and tempting, mouth watering desserts. Of course, I had to cut out all the recipes that I was sure to make some day in the near future. These recipes were then placed in a nice, neat stack on the cookbook shelf.

Unfortunately, most of the time, these recipes never got made. My recipe stack accumulated into a pile and then an overflowing mound. The recipes I had actually made were put into a file folder that became so full I could not find the recipe I wanted without going through the whole folder several times. Same thing with my recipe card box. I knew the recipe was in there somewhere. At times, I even had my children help in the search for a beloved recipe. I did have some of my recipes organized in binders with clear sleeves. However, they too were not in a particularly great order. It was time to face the fact, I had become a recipe hoarder!

What I have learned from my recipe hoarding days is… You do not need fifty recipes for cheesecake. Some recipes do not look as appealing over time, aka..why did I save this recipe? While some recipes look good, I will probably never make them anyway…they take too long…the ingredients are crazy…no one else in the family would eat it, and so on. My family really only wants the “go to” recipe for their favorite dish anyway. Family favorites can never be replaced.

I write notes on my recipes after making them. So I might write “the best”, “yum”, “so and so likes”, “ok- but needs more seasoning”, “fast and easy”, “good but takes time”, and so on. If the recipe did not get a good review, it went into the recycle bin. No need to file that one away. Some of the recipes I hoarded were honestly never going to get made anyway so into the recycle bin they went. My pile was slowly getting smaller.

binder using divider pages to separate categories

I decided to keep my binder method for storing recipes. This time, however, I made separate binders for different categories so finding a recipe would be easier. So, a binder for desserts, breads, sides and appetizers, cookies, entrees, etc… Then each recipe was put into a clear sleeve and put inside the binder in more specific sections divided by page dividers. For example, the entrees binder was divided into chicken, beef, pork/ham, turkey, and seafood. Then, using the computer, I made an index for each binder. In this way I know what is in each binder and in which section the recipe can be found.

I also did away with my recipe card box. Some of the cards were written on both sides. I took these and copied them onto one sheet of paper using my printer. They were now easy to slide into a sleeve and put into the proper binder.

I have decided I will never again need a magazine subscription for recipes. My cookbook shelves are now organized and I am no longer stressed out because I cannot locate a desired recipe. After all the work I did to get my recipes super organized, I can honestly say my hoarding days are over. Lesson learned.

Water Bottle Holder

Projects

Like to take water with you but don’t want to carry it? Can’t get anyone else to carry it for you? A water bottle holder is just the ticket. Sling it over your shoulder and you are ready to go.

I have made four of these water bottle holders. What I like about them is that you can personalize them to whatever pattern or color you like. They keep the water cool and the sweat from the bottle does not get all over the place. Mostly, I like that I do not have to hold the bottle and can have my hands free.

Materials needed: 1/4 yard cotton fabric, Insulin-Bright insulating material (www.warmcompany.com), one package of double fold bias tape quilt binding .875″ wide, thread, pins, sewing machine, iron.

The holder does not take much fabric and is easy to make. It can be customized to fit the size of bottle you have. For a standard size water bottle, cut 2 pieces of fabric and 1 piece of insulating material : 10 1/2 ” wide x 11 ” high.

Take the insulating material and place the two pieces of fabric with the fabric right sides together on top of it. Sew on the top side (10 1/2″ wide side) through all pieces using a 5/8″ seam allowance. Turn the top fabric piece to the other side of the insulating material. Now the piece should have the insulating material in the middle with fabric on either side, right side facing out. Smooth flat and pin the piece everywhere with quilting pins. The sewn side will be the top. Sew in one inch lines from top to bottom or quilt as desired. Fold in half so sides meet, sew lengthwise 5/8″ seam. Set aside.

Cut a piece of binding tape long enough to cover the unfinished edge of the holder and the desired length of the strap.

Now take the binding tape and open it up and enclose the seam with the tape. Pin to the unfinished edge of the holder. Sew up the side keeping close to the edge of the bias tape and keep going down the remainder of the tape. Next, place the end of the strap inside the holder and sew in place. Turn the body inside out.

Cut two circles of fabric and one circle of insulating material 4″ diameter. Place together with the right sides out and insulating material in the middle. Pin. Sew an x through the circle. Sew a 5/8″ seam around the edge.

Pin the bottom circle piece in place in the bottom edge of the right side of the holder and sew around. Turn to right side. Put a water bottle inside and enjoy!

(My bag is adapted from the pattern on: blog.ilovefabric.com)

Repurposed Jeans Yoga Mat Bag

Projects

Feel the need to clean out your closets to make room for updated clothing or updated sizes of clothing? This task could lead itself to your having a little thrifty fun. Why not take your old jeans and turn them into something useful.

Old jeans are perfect for making a bag for your yoga mat. One pair of jeans can make a new yoga mat bag. Lets get started! Take your jeans and make a nice straight cut as high up the leg as you can go. (Regular leg or boot-cut…not sure about skinny-legs.) Place your yoga mat on top of this and see how long you need the leg of the fabric to be to cover your mat. Cut to size leaving a 5/8″ seam allowance.

Turn the jean leg inside out and pin the two sides of the cut leg together. Sew a 5/8″ seam from the cut edge. Sew a zigzag stitch to prevent fraying. Turn leg to right side. The top of the bag is the bottom of the pant leg that is already finished for you. So no sewing is needed for the top of the bag. Bonus!

Now decide how long a handle you want on your bag. Add two inches to this. Using the other leg of the jeans, cut a rectangle to length. Then cut the width about 4″. Fold in half lengthwise. Press with iron. Open and fold each side in half and inch and press. Close the piece with the seams folded in. Sew a 1/4” seam from edge. Now add the handle to the bag by sticking one end inside top edge of bag 1″ down and sew in place. Take the other end and sew directly across on the opposite side of bag.

Now comes the fun part! Design the bag with the back pockets of your jeans. Leave a half inch around each pocket and cut it out of your jeans. Decide where you would like them on the bag and fold under the extra fabric and hand stitch using a slip stitch to the bag. You now have a repurposed (FREE) yoga bag with pockets for storage of mints, tissues, cell phone, lipstick, etc… Enjoy!

My Take on Dear Mr. Blueberry

Book Reviews

A good children’s book must have a good story, a good lesson, good art, and be interesting enough to read over and over again without getting sick of it. One such book that I will never tire of is Dear Mr. Blueberry by Simon James. A perfect book to read to your children or grandchildren over summer break.

I was introduced to this book many years ago when I took my children to story-time at the aquarium. It was a great book for the aquarium to read as it is written about whales. The story is so cute and unique to most children’s books as it is written in letter form from Emily to her teacher Mr. Blueberry. Emily writes to Mr. Blueberry, as school is not in, and asks him questions of whales, as she has found one in her pond,and Mr. Blueberry replies back to her in letter form.

So, if you know of a child interested in whales or things of the ocean, give Dear Mr. Blueberry a try. It is a good story with all the must haves of a children’s book and will hold an adult interested as well. Yours sincerely…..

Drying Lavender

Projects

Have you ever gone into a boutique and seen the bunches of dried lavender neatly tied with twine for sale? I always thought it would be nice to purchase such lavender bunches. The only thing that was stopping me was my pocket book. Dried lavender can be pricey.

This is where my DIY mode sets in. I decided growing my own lavender would not only be cheaper than buying dried lavender bunches, but I would also have plants to fill in my bare yard. Bonus!

Growing lavender is easy (see my blog under gardening). Drying lavender is also very simple. Just cut the lavender stem above the lowest leaves. Cut enough to make a nice bunch and wrap a rubber band around the bottom of the stems. Hang this bunch upside down until they are dry. Voila!

I put my dried lavender in a ceramic wall pocket . You could tie a pretty ribbon around them and display them in a basket or make a floral arrangement with them. Crushing the flowers and putting them in a DIY hand sewn satchel would bring a lovely scent to your drawers. Gifting the lavender would also be a nice option or using them to decorate a wrapped package.

So if you like the thought of lavender indoors, why not bring it outdoors first. The bees will be happy and your garden will look lovely.

My Take on the Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series

Book Reviews

You know how there are some books that really have no age limits? Well, in my opinion, the Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series by Jeff Kinney fits the bill. Kinney’s books may be stocked in the kid section of the bookstore, but that doesn’t mean you can’t shop there if you are not a kid.

I will be the first to admit that I am a HUGE Diary of a Wimpy Kid fan. My obsession started when I bought a copy for my son. Then somehow or other I was enticed into reading it and it was all over from there. I know that the new books usually come out in November and am at the bookstore to get my copy the day they put them on the shelves. Last year, I was even one of the first so many customers to purchase one and got a hat to go along with it!

Perhaps one of the reasons I am so drawn to this series is that they are written by someone of a similar age to myself (Kinney was born in 1971) and I can totally relate to the school scenes created with the main character Greg Heffley. Also, is the fact that the books are so darn funny. They are laugh out loud funny. They are can’t put them down but need to ration them because the next one will not come out for another year funny.

The books are written in a comic book / diary format. They come in hard cover only. Basically they are about Greg Heffley and his family and Greg’s best friend Rowely and his parents. There are other kids in the neighborhood and at school. Greg and Rowely do not always have the best of luck which makes for some funny scenes. Some of the books also take place on family vacations. Of course, they are loaded with lessons to be learned by the mistakes the characters make.

So come November, I will be counting down the days until the next book comes out to see what Greg and Rowely are up to now. If you are timid about purchasing a children’s book for yourself, say it’s for your kids. No kids? Maybe it’s for your nephew…niece…you get the point. See you in line!

Egg Post Follow-up: Separating Eggs Using Your Hands

Cooking

Well, it did not take long for me to try my hand at separating eggs using my hands. My son found the perfect opportunity for me when he was making a Gluten Free Pancake recipe from Chef Gordon Ramsay. Knowing I wanted to try this he called me into the kitchen.

Of course I was ready to try this! Washing my hands in preparation for my latest challenge, I warned him that we may waste a few eggs (not really…I can not stand to waste food…I would just save and scramble them for breakfast tomorrow…) in the learning process. I got my bowls ready and cracked the first egg with one hand into the palm of my other hand. I caught the yolk nicely in my palm and let the whites drain through my open fingers into the bowl. Success! Can I do it again? I proceeded to crack the second egg into my palm and yes, success again!

Using the hand method to separate eggs.

How do I compare separating eggs using the hand method to that of the shell method? I actually prefer the hand method. Thanks Gordon Ramsay for this new technique! Why do I prefer this method? Obviously, since I love the one handed egg cracking method, this works for me. Using the shell method, if you do not crack the shell perfectly down the center, separating the eggs can be a little more challenging. The hand method is also faster, in my opinion, than cracking the shell and sending the yolk back and forth between shells until fully separated.

Now that I have found my preferred method of cracking and separating eggs, I think I will search for other kitchen techniques that I can improve upon. I know my knife skills could use sharpening.