Week # 8: My List of Fabulous Finds

It is Friday, so that means I get to share with you some of my "Fabulous Finds" from the past week.

I really love writing this post, because it gives me an opportunity to read and think about all of these things again myself!

I don't have a link to share for this - but one of the more fabulous things I came across last week was at our local Saturday Farmer's market. We purchased some really beautiful golden beets and lovely eggplant. In an upcoming blog post, I will share my delicious recipe I used to cook these vegetables. Yum!

One of the really nice things about golden beets is that when you peel them they don't stain your hands the same way that red ones do!

Just a reminder of the reason for this series:

 There is a lot of really helpful, captivating, and entertaining information available on the Internet. It can take a lot of time however, to sift through and find the articles that interest you. 

If you read this blog, I suspect we have similar passions. If I find something to be fascinating or useful, I think you might as well.  

In this series, I share the links to some of the “fabulous finds" I have discovered on the Internet throughout the week. I hope you enjoy and benefit from these links!

Here are links to some of what I came across this week:

This Week's Fabulous Finds:

~ ~ Plastic roads!

This idea for using recycled plastics sounds pretty smart to me, and I love the conversation in the comments that this article has generated. All the pros and cons mentioned will need to be explored - my question would be what kind of traction will these roads offer in snow and ice?

• The Roads of the Future Might be Made from Plastic Trash by Liz Dwyer.

~~*~~

~ ~ This sounds like an exam for a cook. Would you pass?

I am including this link for my own well-being as much as yours!  With it here, I will be able to find it right away whenever I am cooking any of these foods! 

Some of the techniques suggested here are new to me - and they sound like they could be just the trick to take these staple menu items from good to great!

• Recipes Every Home Cook Should Know How to Prepare by Chris Watkins.

~~*~~ 

~ ~ Do you know the difference?

I think I usually use these abbreviations correctly, but it was helpful to review this rule. This article explains this bit of tricky grammar perfectly!

• Know your Latin: i.e. vs. e.g. by Ann Edwards.

~~*~~

~ ~ How to be prepared.

A few weeks ago I published a link to an article about the possibility of a large earthquake on the west coast of the United States. Rather than just share cause for alarm, today I'm providing a link to the information the CDC provides regarding earthquake preparedness. 

• Being Prepared for an Earthquake

~~*~~

~ ~ It can wait

Have you heard of the #ItCanWait AT&T campaign? Their commercials warning of the danger of being distracted by an electronic device are a pretty powerful reminder that "it should wait."

~~*~~

Wishing you a safe and wonderful week. 

Do you cook much with eggplant or beets? 

What is your favorite way to prepare them?

This post may be linked to one of the great link-up parties I follow and list on my blog. Check them out!

A Coffee Date and Cathedral Windows

This is Part 7 of my fiction story about Mindy, an adorable compulsive shopper and hoarder of cleaning products.

To catch up with the story so far:

• Click here to read Part 1, Cleaning Products Don't Work Unless You Use them
• Click here to read Part 2, A Perfect Match.
• Click here to read Part 3, Fiction, Sangria, Roasted Red Pepper Spread and a Picnic
• Click here to read Part 4, Stitches and an Uncomfortable Surprise
• Click here to read Part 5, A Banana Relapse Will Require a Repair
• Click here to read Part 6, Capturing Fruit Flies, & Wine Glasses for Two

Like the first six parts, I wrote this segment of Mindy's story using the word prompts from the Words for Wednesday challenge, being published by River this month on her blog, Drifting Through Life. 

When you are ready, here is Part 7 ...

~~*~~

A Coffee Date and Cathedral Windows

Mindy glanced at her watch, and realized that she and Ryan had been deep in conversation for almost two hours. She now understood that when she first met Ryan and he had appeared so surly

It's Never “Mostly Flat with a Bit of Downhill” in Montana!

"It should be mostly flat, with quite a bit of downhill." This is how my husband described a hike he wanted me to do with him. It may not have been intentional, but he lied.

There was a time when I was up for any hike my family wanted to do. But over time, my husband and kids have become more adventurous, and I have become more cautious. Recently, I've left the taller, more rugged peaks to them.

My family, on our way up to the top of Casey Peak (elev. 8512'),  June 2013

I was a little concerned that we would be starting a ten-plus mile hike when it was already late morning and storms were forecast for later in the afternoon, but it sounded doable. I agreed enthusiastically to go. I should have known better though. Where in Montana can you go down - but not up?

We got to the trailhead (a 25-minute drive from our house) about 11 am and parked the car just off the dirt road in a convenient pull-out spot. The beginning of the hike was my idea of perfect. The sun was beating down and it was hot, but there was a nice smooth dirt trail which was quite flat. The scenery was beautiful.  

Had I given it any thought, I would have realized sooner that the terrain between us and our destination was far from flat ... mountainous describes it much better.  

We reached the first creek we had to cross. Rather than wade through it, my husband convinced me to walk across a fallen tree (with a 6-foot drop into the cold water on either side) to a better part of the bank. He might as well have asked me to tight-rope walk, as I have always had a bit of an irrational phobia about balancing acts. I was chanting, "I can't do this" most of the way across  - but I did it! 

I was feeling really pleased with myself until we realized that there was still another log that we would have to walk on to get across the water. Another tree had fallen across it so that we would have had to dodge underneath its branches part way out above the stream. Even my husband decided this would not be wise. So, back across the first log ... and we walked through the stream.

Flat gave way to a steep grassy hill. Finally, some cloud cover made the trek much more bearable.  

Dirt trails were then traded for an uphill rocky mountain trail, and we were more than partway up the mountain.  I was convinced my husband had tricked me and were headed for the summit! 

A brief rest and a delicious nectarine did a lot to restore my good mood, and we were on our way again.

My husband normally hikes a lot faster than I do. For the most part, on this particular hike he matched his pace to mine. He did get out of earshot for a bit on the steepest part of the ascent, but as he was carrying our only can of bear spray I caught up and insisted he slow down! 

As it turned out,  there were no bear sightings on this hike ... the only wild animal that gave me a momentary jolt was a friendly little garter snake. (He disappeared far too quickly to even think of taking a photo of him.)

Those previously welcomed clouds became an ominous black and we suspected we might get wet. Worse yet, the distant thunder which we finally acknowledged seemed to be becoming louder and more frequent.  

Fortunately, right about that time, the trail began to descend and we made our way down quickly, getting just a little damp from a shower. 

I began peppering my husband with questions and studying the map. From the next trailhead we were approaching, we were not exactly sure how long the rest of the "loop" back to our car would be, or over what sort of terrain. All we knew, was that it would be at least two more miles and the mountainous topography obscured any view of our destination.

I was concerned about the stormy weather, potential lightning strikes, and the unknowns ahead of us. We made the decision that if our son would pick us up at the end of this trail, we would stop there. If we couldn't reach him, we'd have no choice but to hike the rest of the way back to the car and hope the weather improved. Fortunately, we were back in cell range, and our son answered when we called.

The tables had turned. For so many years, I have set aside my own plans and dropped everything to provide transportation for my kids. Today, my son did it for us! He was waiting at the trailhead when we arrived and drove us back to pick up our car.

I was feeling a little cowardly and disappointed for suggesting that we not complete the entire ten-plus mile loop as planned. When I got home though, reading the description of the hike in our book about local trails helped to make me feel a little better. According to the article, hikers should expect the 8.5-mile version of the hike (the part that we completed) to take between four and six hours. I felt a little less wimpy knowing we completed it in under four-and-a-half hours.

Our hike is marked in red. The black dotted portion between The McClellan Creek TH and Willard Creek TH is the part of the loop we did not do.

In fact, I want to do the trail again. Except next time, we'll get an earlier start and complete the entire loop.

Had I taken the time to read the hiking book before we set out, I would have seen that rather than flat, this hike includes a 1900-ft elevation change (not downhill!) But if I had known that fact before we set out, then perhaps I might not have gone. That would have been a shame.

Do you like to hike?

This post may be linked to one of the great link-up parties I follow and list on my blog. Check them out!

Diamonds AND a Girl's Best Friend

Saturday Spotlight Series #30

Today, the Saturday Spotlight Series is shining upon a website that has impressed me, and I think you might enjoy learning about.

When I was asked to write a sponsored post for Anjolee (an online jewelry store with an impressive collection of customizable wedding and anniversary rings, earrings, Diamond Bracelets, and necklaces) I nearly declined. After all, this is not really a fashion blog! 

After viewing their web page however, I decided knowing about Anjolee might actually be another way for some of my readers to make the most of their moments. Remembering the circumstances of how I got my engagement ring is what made me realize this ...

When I was about ten, I was pretty convinced I would never want a diamond. I thought they were boring because at that point I liked everything to be really colorful! I also thought the phrase "Diamonds are a girl's best friend" was silly - my dog was a better friend than any gem could ever be.

Time went by. I grew up and sadly, my beloved dog died. I still didn't (and don't) subscribe to the philosophy that a woman needs a man who can give her diamonds. But as a teenager, I heard another

Week # 7: My List of Fabulous Finds

Now that my blog is well over a year old, I find it fun sometimes to look back at articles I published in the past. 

When I looked at my post from 7/24/14, I realized that even though I didn't call it a "List of Fabulous Finds" post at the time, that is exactly what it was.  

Many of my current readers may not have seen that post from a year ago, or (like me!) you may have forgotten about it if you had.

The information I shared in that post from other websites was really helpful - and still pertinent.  So today, I'm reminding you of it all again - and providing
one additional “fabulous find” from this week.

(If you want to see the original post and photos, just click here: Five Tips on Blogging and Life - from Other Websites.)

Here are the links, with a few of my current thoughts for each:

Capturing Fruit Flies, & Wine Glasses for Two

This is Part 6 of my fiction story about Mindy, a compulsive shopper and hoarder of cleaning products.

To catch up with the story so far:

• Click here to read Part 1, Cleaning Products Don't Work Unless You Use them
• Click here to read Part 2, A Perfect Match.
• Click here to read Part 3, Fiction, Sangria, Roasted Red Pepper Spread and a Picnic
• Click here to read Part 4, Stitches and an Uncomfortable Surprise
• Click here to read Part 5, A Banana Relapse Will Require a Repair

Like the first five parts, I wrote this segment of Mindy's story using the word prompts from the Words for Wednesday challenge, being published by River this month on her blog, Drifting Through Life.

When you are ready, here is Part 6 ...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Capturing Fruit Flies, and Wine Glasses for Two

Mindy had just finished applying the antiseptic to her still-healing thumb, when she heard the doorbell. Assuming it was being rung by the repairman she had called to fix her garbage disposal, her feelings were mixed. Although happy that he was on time because the disposal was already beginning to smell, she was reluctant to see him - especially if he was wearing that hideous tank top again.

Through the glass window insets of the front door, Mindy saw a man she did not recognize, leaning against the column on the front porch. She opened it and said, "May I help you?" 

Suddenly, she realized it was the repairman. But - what a transformation! 

Gone was the backwards ball cap, scruffy beard, pot belly, and ill-fitting clothes. On her porch stood an

How to Pit and Freeze Cherries - a Picture Tutorial.

It is cherry season in Montana - and there is nothing quite like sweet, nearly just-picked Flathead cherries.  We purchased a big batch last week, and I froze quite a few of them. 

Pitting cherries without a cherry pitter is messy, but not hard. It just takes a little practice to figure out and master the best technique.  

Years ago, while on vacation in Wisconsin with friends, our families went cherry picking. After the kids went to bed, the adults poured some wine and pitted our buckets of cherries. That evening, my friend taught us an easy secret to pitting cherries - use a straw! 

In case you might not have a knowledgeable friend with you the first time you find yourself

Saturday Spotlight: Adolescent Visitors

Today I am “shining my Saturday spotlight” on a particular type of guest: the adolescent visitor.

While driving up to our house yesterday, I noticed that we had a visitor. It appeared to be an adolescent male. He was lying in the shade of our home, and he seemed to have made himself very comfortable on our lawn.  

Visitors like this one come by quite frequently - alone, in pairs, or sometimes as a whole family unit. They sometimes eat things they shouldn't, but I rarely ask them to leave. I chatted from the car with this one for a while, and he seemed to be listening. Unfortunately, I doubt he understood the part about leaving the bushes and flowers alone.

Deer visitors can sometimes be a little pesky.  The human teenagers who visit us, however, have always been good guests. 

My husband and I have always wanted our kid's friends to feel welcome in our home. We enjoy their visits, as they usually chat with us a while. It is a nice way to get to know them all 
a little better.

Saturday Spotlight #28

If you want your teenager (or young adult) and his/her friends to spend their time together at your house, it needs to be a fun place for them to be. An area where they can watch movies, a ping pong table, and a basketball hoop are a few good perks. If kids are musical (like my son and many of his friends), having a piano and a place where they can play music together can been a good thing as well. 

Teenagers can empty a fridge and pantry just as quickly as a deer can strip the leaves off all the bushes around my house. While I do begrudge the deer my garden produce, my kids and their friends are welcome to “graze” as much as they want.  

If teenagers will be dropping in, be sure you have plenty of food on hand. Otherwise, they may not stay very long!

What are your ideas of how to make a home a fun (safe) place for teenagers?

In the spirit of full disclosure, this post contains an affiliate link. If you make a purchase after clicking on it, the price you pay will not be affected but I may receive some small compensation. All opinions expressed, however, are entirely honest and my own.

This post may be linked to one of the great link-up parties I follow and list on my blog. Check them out!

Week # 6: My List of Fabulous Finds

Weather-wise in Montana, this has felt like sort of a topsy-turvy summer.  June is typically cool and rainy, but this year it was more like August; very hot and very dry.  Now it is July - but the past few days have felt more like June! People have been asking each other, "How 'Bout This Weather?" 

Yesterday, in the tradition of “Throw-Back-Thursday” I decided to post a link to the post I published on this blog exactly one year ago.  What was I talking about then? The weather, of course!

Despite the ups-and-downs of the weather, the summer is moving right along.  Already another week has gone by, and it is time again for my List of Fabulous Finds!

Just a reminder of the reason for this series:

There is a lot of really helpful, captivating, and entertaining information available on the Internet. It can take a lot of time however, to sift through and find the articles that interest you. In this series, I share the links to some of the “fabulous finds" I have discovered on the Internet throughout the week.

If you read this blog, I suspect we have similar passions. If I find something to be fascinating or useful,

A Banana Relapse Will Require a Repair

This is Part 5 of my fiction story about Mindy, a compulsive shopper and hoarder of cleaning products.

To catch up with the story so far:

• Click here to read Part 1, Cleaning Products Don't Work Unless You Use them
• Click here to read Part 2, A Perfect Match.
• Click here to read Part 3, Fiction, Sangria, Roasted Red Pepper Spread and a Picnic
• Click here to read Part 4, Stitches and an Uncomfortable Surprise

Like the first four parts, I wrote this segment of Mindy's story using the words from the Words for Wednesday challenge, that are being published by River this month on her blog, Drifting Through Life.

When you are ready, here is Part 4 ...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A Banana Relapse Will Require a Repair

Mindy groaned. “Why is it that everything about my life had to be so hard? How was I to know,” she

Watermelon - Not Just for Spitting Contests Anymore!

While watermelon seed-spitting contests were fun as a child, I must admit I really love the small seedless watermelons that are available today.  They fit so much better in the fridge than the seeded variety, and are easy to cut up and use in lots of ways.

Eating watermelon during a visit to my Grandparents farm always seemed fun!

A Variety of Watermelon Recipes

The only way I remember eating watermelon during my childhood was right off the rind or cut up and served in a traditional fruit salad.  Lately, however, it seems there are an

A Literate Spider and Generations of Bookworms

Saturday Spotlight Series #27

Many a child has become a “bookworm” due to the influence of a literate spider, a talking mouse, and a trumpeter swan named Louis. 

Heroes such as these have often sparked a lifelong love of books and reading. The power of children's literature should never be underestimated.

Today my “Saturday Spotlight” shines upon a well-known author, the importance of teaching a child to learn to love to read, and a book subscription company especially for little kids!

Happy Birthday, E.B. White

The well-known children's author E. B. White (1899 - 1985) was born 116 years ago today. His writing for adults is quite well known; he was an essayist for the New Yorker and revised The Elements of Style, by William S Strunk. He is perhaps most famous, however, for these three children's books:

• Stuart Little
• Charlotte's Web
• The Trumpet of the Swan

(By the way, July 15th is “Prime Day” at Amazon.com, when lots of sales are offered. It might be a good time to sign up for Amazon Prime and order one of these classics. Just click on the title of the book you want, to see the current prices.)

The anniversary of White's birthday seems the perfect time to comment on the wonderful gift of children's literature he bestowed on all of us, the legacy he created with his writing, and the importance of encouraging kids to love to read.

Generations of enjoyment

Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little delighted me as a child. Many years later, reading these books to my own two children was a parental task I thoroughly enjoyed. The Trumpet of the Swan became a favorite of all three of ours as well! 

As an adult, I gained a whole new appreciation for these books as I relived the magic of the

Week # 5: My List of Fabulous Finds

It's hard to believe it's been 5 weeks since I started this series.    

It is already July 10th, and summer is sliding right on by! 

Widespread hot and dry weather conditions have led to earlier-than-normal forest fires and smoke-filled skies in many places, including Montana. 

It is worrisome to think how the summer will progress, unless an unusual amount of rain begins to fall. 

We all need to use extra caution with regards to wildfire prevention.

This area in Montana had begun the slow process of recovering from a forest fire, when this photo was taken a decade ago.

Just a reminder of the reason for this series:

There is a LOT of really helpful, captivating, and entertaining information available on the Internet!  It can take a lot of time however, to sift through and find the articles that interest you. In this series, I share the links to some of the “fabulous finds" I have discovered on the Internet throughout the week. 

If you read this blog, I suspect we have similar passions. If I find something to be fascinating or useful, I think you might as well. I hope you enjoy and benefit from these links!

Here is some of what I came across this week:

This Week's Fabulous Finds:

Stitches and an Uncomfortable Surprise

The prompts for the Words for Wednesday writing challenge have long been provided by Delores at Under the Porch Light. She recently relinquished this task, however, and the words are being supplied this month by River at Drifting Through Life. 

This is Part 4 of my story about Mindy, a compulsive shopper and hoarder of cleaning products.

 Like the first three parts, I wrote this segment of Mindy's story using the words from the Words for Wednesday challenge that was published last week. Be sure to visit River's blog today, to see the new words she has posted there this week.

To catch up with the story so far:

• Click here to read Part 1, Cleaning Products Don't Work Unless You Use them
• Click here to read Part 2, A Perfect Match.
• Click here to read Part 3, Fiction, Sangria, Roasted Red Pepper Spread and a Picnic

When you are ready, here is Part 4 ...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Stitches and an Uncomfortable Surprise

Mindy’s battered old car skidded to a halt in her driveway. She jumped out and rushed back into her house.  

Assessing her living room as objectively as she could, Mindy felt pleased. She decided that taking a carload of stuff to her office really had widened a clear path of carpet from the front door to the kitchen. Her office was so full now, however,  there would be no way it