HippieDog

Snow Basin Trail

Last weekend we headed to the Snow Basin trail.......

Getting inspiration for our river rock beds......

I love this log bridge......maybe Dan will make me one?

Sorry Dan, but rules are rules.........

tough guy.......

Just love the name......

Still lots of snow on the mountain but not for long.....



Happy Trails!

Bread Machine Banana Bread

This bread is amazing, so easy and incredibly moist. I have never used my "Cake" setting on my bread machine, seriously---I didn't even know it had one.

WOW! Love this recipe........

Bread Machine Banana Bread

1 1/2 cups flour
2/3 cup sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 extra large eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup sour cream
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
2/3 cup mashed banana
1/3 cup pecans, chopped

In bread machine pan measure flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

Add oil, eggs, sour cream and vanilla.

Insert pan and close lid.

Select "Cake" setting and press "Start".

When beep sounds, add mashed bananas and nuts.

Press "Start" again.

The "Complete" light will flash when cake is done, or follow your machine's instructions.

Using hot pads, remove cake pan from machine and cool on wire rack for 5 to 10 minutes and then remove bread from pan onto wire rack.

Recipe source: Food.com Banana Nut Bread for Bread Machine

 

a little river rock path

I'm pretty sure this year is a record breaker for moving trees, bushes and shrubs around the yard. I try to pay attention to the garden tags but sometimes I really don't believe them and the rebel comes out in me.

Well, and then it turns out the tag was probably right and things need to be moved around.
"Um-mm, honey.....do you think we you could move a few things around today?" (growl).

In this case, I was just really tired of weeding all of the grass out of the Periwinkle Myrtle ground cover around our walkway.  I dearly love the ground cover but I couldn't handle all of the weeding and feared I may run into a snake someday.  So I compromised and left a little Myrtle and made ourselves a little river rock bed.

I'm still adding a few bigger rocks and making sure that the water will head in the right direction. I'm really excited for it to rain....I'd love to see this in action. I'm kinda nerdy like that.

Besides, we love the rain. We should move to Seattle. Wish we could sometimes. Sigh.

Here's another view of the river bed......patiently waiting for rain :)

Here's a photo of our walkway last July......so pretty but the rocks will be a little easier.

We've been planting a trio of trees around our fire pit in the back yard.

We chose Quaking Aspen trees because they dance in the wind and shimmer. I'm a sucker for that. Oh and they provide lots of shade.

However, I really did do my homework and know they have "shooters" that sprout up and can cause trouble. They are really far away from the house and not close to any water lines and I was after that "woodsy-camping feel". Almost like we were really camping.....but then in a moments notice I could go grab something out of the pantry (like Dots---and a diet coke) and pass out on the couch---if needed.

'Cause I have found
All that shimmers in this world is sure to fade
Away again
She dreams a champagne dream
Strawberry surprise, pink linen or white paper
Lavender and cream
Fields of butterflies, reality escapes her
She says that love is for fools that fall behind
And I'm somewhere between
I never really know........Shimmer ~ Fuel

Strawberry Pineapple Smoothies

Just a smoothie making morning.

Strawberry Pineapple Smoothies

2 cups vanilla yogurt
1 cup pineapple-orange juice (I used Dole)
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
3/4 cup fresh strawberries, stems removed
1 cup fresh pineapple or canned pineapple chunks, drained
1/2 banana
1/2 cup ice, add more if needed
1-2 tsp. sugar or sweetener if desired

Add ingredients to blender and blend until smooth. Add more ice if needed.

Note: You can also add frozen fruit and skip the ice cubes. I just had fresh fruit on hand so used the ice cubes :) Also, you can use a whole banana to make it a little thicker.

After having two big glasses......we decided to use the rest for smoothie pops.

I also added a few with grape juice and the left over pineapple-orange juice.

a Birthday wish for my Dad

This is just like you Dad.

Inspecting my tomato plants each year, giving me tomato growing and gardening advice.

Oh Dad, I really miss you :( 

As I lay a tomato plant on your grave, I think of everything you taught me and all of the good times we shared.

I miss talking to you on the phone, I miss you making tea in my kitchen, I miss when you would bring me the first pomegranate of the season, I miss when you would bring me homemade soup, I miss all of your lectures about locking my keys in the car and running out of gas.

Most of all, I sure miss you......

I wish things would get easier but I guess this just means you are always with me in my heart every single day.

Happy Birthday Dad!

I love you.....

Love,
Belly