Pop a cap

I can't believe today is Aug 5.  Where did July go?  I have an unusual Monday off today. My cohort at work is taking some time off this week so I am home enjoying my second cup of decaf coffee and have no plans of getting out of my jammies.  Tuli may ask me to put on some clothes for our walk -- we'll see.

It's already been a few weeks since our adventures into bear country.  We returned from two days without cell service and interactions with humans other than ourselves revived and refreshed. Amazingly, we had the campground entirely to ourselves.  I did get a little nervous when it was time to leave and hightail it back to work that the truck wouldn't start.  No phones. No people within miles. No work!

The truck started.

The Great Samoan Hunter and I had a ball reflecting on our own family camping trips as kids -- the traditions, the meals, the memories.  We each spent summers at Redfish, and I wonder if we ever crossed paths cruising around on our bikes with our Junior Ranger stickers proudly plastered to our windbreakers. I like to think we did.

I also spent a fair amount of energy this trip willing bears away from our camp.  I don't go anywhere these days without a roll of peppermint Tums in my pocket.  The campground was covered in signs alerting visitors to grizzly bears in the area, food storage bins were provided at each site (just days after we left, a biologist was bitten in the area).  Laying in my sleeping bag munching on my Tums, and I asked the Great Samoan Hunter, "do you think bears like peppermint?"  Don't worry he kept repeating, his 44 magnum hand gun resting next to him, "I'll pop a cap in any bear's ass."  Yes, honey, I think you have the credence to say that.  

We ate great food, we fished a ton, napped, explored beautiful country, I pretended like I was on the Lewis and Clark expedition, Tuli ran and ran and ran and attempted to eat every horsefly in the camp.  It was a glorious 1.5 days away.  I can't wait to go back.  You can come with us next time, but we may blindfold you.

This was the view from our camp.  The Great Samoan Hunter crossed a little island and

Tuli could not stand to be away from him.  

Wait for me Dad!

I am hustling!

Careful now, Tuli.

Didn't see that coming. 

Poor dog.

I think he was contemplating a second attempt.

Never mind.

Defeated.

Forlorn.

He eventually swam across. Funny dog.

Bear spray, check.

First, one should never squeeze their arm against their fly rod in any photos - pregnant or otherwise. Not flattering!  

Second, we caught at least fifty of these little brookies and rainbows.  

It was a quantity over quality kind of trip.

My standard fish photo.  

The Great Samoan Hunter lost this exact fish earlier in the day. 

We returned after dinner and he landed him.  My husband is the man.

French press coffee and pastries in the mountains taste divine.

Apres fish.  Keeping it classy with smoked mussels.

Chicken thighs cooked over coals seasoned only with fresh lemon juice. 

Makes for the most tender, juicy chicken you'll ever taste. Try it on your grill at home.  

Tin foil veggies.

Great day followed by a great meal.  I tried to capture the smores (made with CARAMELLOS!).

Sticky fingers + camera = bad news.

I actually have a recipe to post soon so stay tuned. Have a superb week, all!

33 by 33

This afternoon as I was uploading photos, the first shot to come up was this beauty:

I wasn't exactly sure what it was until I remembered the attempt to capture my big rainbow from last week's outing.  It's probably a good thing photos don't come equipped with other senses, because what you don't experience from this shot are the expletives erupting from my mouth.  I swore then I pouted.  Stupid fish.

Each year the Great Samoan Hunter and I write a list of things to do before our birthday the next year.  This year we each have 33 things we would like to do before we're 33.  Our 33 before 33.  Last year, he checked the most monumental off of his list -- killing an elk with his bow.  I think six pack abs were on both of our lists, which both went unfulfilled, sadly. 

One thing that has been on my list each year is to explore the Southeastern corner of Yellowstone National Park.  It's backcountry access only, waterfalls and interesting water features abound, and there's fish to be had (in addition apparently to the Park's largest population of bears).  

I am not sure how many people know where exactly they were conceived.  As much as I don't enjoy the thought of my parents procreating, I do love the fact that my entrance into the world was in Yellowstone.  It's one of my favorite places on Earth, and despite the throngs of Japanese tourists each clutching their cameras worth more than my car, I still get a thrill looking at the hot pots and colored pools.  This trip will offer a whole new aspect of the park, one that will most certainly lack the tourists and crowded parking lots.  I can't wait to report back on what we see. 

I have spent most of today prepping for our two night's camping trip.  We'll be camping just outside the roadless entrance with the convenience of bear-proof food storage receptacles at each site.  Since we won't have to pack in/out, our Yeti cooler is full, and I am ready for some fireside meals.  Translation, I am going to eat smores until I am sick. 

The following salad is a summer staple. Forgive me if I have posted it before.  It is worth duplicating, I promise.  Spaghetti squash is by far my favorite squash.  It transforms from a plain, unsuspecting oblong to lovely, little squash tendrils.  This salad keeps great in the fridge and makes a fantastic side dish to anything grilled.  Try it. You will like it.

I am off to pack my bear spray and my marshmallows.  xoH

Cut your squash in half, pull out all of the seeds, drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

Roast in a 350 degree oven for about an hour.

Gently pull back the threads.

Shred until you have individual tendrils.

Mix together with about 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup feta cheese, one small minced garlic clove, and 1/2 cup chopped, fresh basil.

Toss all together with a little extra olive oil and salt and pepper to taste.

I also BAKED today.  Rhubarb, blueberry, peach cake for our camp breakfasts.  I will post the recipe when I get back.  I 'quality control' tested a bite while they were still hot, and they are delicious!

Here are my goods prepped and ready for the cooler:

curried mango chicken salad, squash salad and tin foil dinner fixings.  

Groovy and upbeat

Hello all!  I started my Tuesday by listening to Stevie Wonder instead of the usual Morning Edition.  Stevie has become my favorite pandora station -- groovy and upbeat.  I am swaying with my eyes closed as I type right now.  Less occupy Wall Street and more sunshine.

This past weekend my folks joined me on the river.  We had been planning this overnight trip for months.  October weather can be tricky, especially when you're camping.  The Tetons already show a healthy blanket of snow.  We lucked out though!  Great weather, excellent fishing, fabulous company and delicious food.   

Fall colors and cheery anglers.

Cow moose.

Brown trout.

Model dog.

Model parents.

Drink anyone?

Shish kabobs.

Flank steak. 

Breakfast burrito fixings.

Both of my parents caught fish on dry flies, which is always thrilling.  I successfully rowed the boat without endangering anyone's life.  Tuli took the award as the best dressed man.  And we didn't drive our guide totally nutty.  Great success!

I will, amazingly, have another post for you all this week.  Here's a preview:

HOMEMADE gnocchi. 

Pillows of Heaven.  Clouds of goodness.  Cushions of delight.  

Until then, friends!   xoH

Just another manic Monday

I have a strange confession: I enjoy Mondays.  Usually I return to the city on Monday mornings, always late and rushing like my hair's on fire.  This has been the routine all summer.  Now instead of heading to my job, I head straight to BALLET.

I still am one of the worst in the class.  Not THE worst but damn close.  If a good ballet dancer was one who stomped around awkwardly and waved her arms like she was shooing flies, then I would be the best ballet dancer on the planet.

My hour and thirty minute drive gives me time to listen to NPR, drink coffee and mentally prepare myself for being a bull in a china shop.  It also gives me time to dream about what I'll cook with my one night in the kitchen.

Yesterday I wanted something unfussy.  I wanted something we could enjoy on the patio.  I wanted something that did not require utensils.  I wanted grilled flank steak and veggies.

A brief diatribe: when I was in England in March we ate one of Jamie Oliver's restaurants called Fifteen.  This meal was without a doubt the most memorable dinner I have ever had.  In fact, I don't think I have posted pictures from that meal -- I will!  Nonetheless, they served the most wonderful green olives.  They were bright green, tender, not brined.  I felt bad because I devoured the entire bowl leaving my dinner mates to nibble on the seeds.  My mom let me know that they carry a close second at Fred Meyer and lucky for me, we have these divine little olives at my store, as well.  If you like olives you must try these. I think I enjoyed the appetizer last night more than the meal.

As summer wanes, make a meal like this one that requires very little prep time and clean up.  Call some friends, open a bottle of wine, and eat with your fingers.  Do it on a Monday, too.

Toasted bread with olive oil and sea salt, feta cheese and

green goodness.

Not the best shot, but you get the drift.  

I marinated the steak in something close to this.

Serve on a big plater and enjoy!

 

Dessert did require a spoon.