Snap shots from the base of Mt. Whitney
Lone Pine, California
Just a bit north is Manzanar Internment Camp. We toured the Memorial.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Jarod & Whitney
Mt. Whitney, that is.
Over the weekend, Jarod summited the tallest peak in the lower 48! (Thats 14,505 ft--and in the middle of JANUARY, of all months to choose) Although mountaineering isn't exactly Jarod's forte... and by that, I mean, he tells me it's not challenging enough for him (what?!?!) Ha. He says, "You basically just have to keep walking, Brooke." WELL, I am still impressed and I know he had a good time. And, some of these photos are a bit more precarious that just "walking". My crazy husband, he has one deep, "need for high-risk" cup.
These photos were taken by Andrew Summerset. He is a friend of Jarod's who is climbing multiple 14-ers across the nation, and who invited Jarod on this trip.
A little photo recap of his trip last weekend:
Over the weekend, Jarod summited the tallest peak in the lower 48! (Thats 14,505 ft--and in the middle of JANUARY, of all months to choose) Although mountaineering isn't exactly Jarod's forte... and by that, I mean, he tells me it's not challenging enough for him (what?!?!) Ha. He says, "You basically just have to keep walking, Brooke." WELL, I am still impressed and I know he had a good time. And, some of these photos are a bit more precarious that just "walking". My crazy husband, he has one deep, "need for high-risk" cup.
These photos were taken by Andrew Summerset. He is a friend of Jarod's who is climbing multiple 14-ers across the nation, and who invited Jarod on this trip.
A little photo recap of his trip last weekend:
Mt. Whitney is the large peak on the right.
They camped up there two nights. Remember the fab yellow tent? :)
I would like to call to everyone's attention that Jarod does not have an ice axe (necessary for all mountaineering trips). What he does have (and is using) is a tent pole found en route. Hmm. Safe. What?!?!
I love these views of the Eastern Sierras.
Summit!
Friday, January 14, 2011
IKEA in Action
Here are a few pics of my new IKEA shelves, hangers, clocks, tea towels and book cases in my apartment.. they are finally on the wall!! For a closer look, click the picture.
For fun photos like these, go here to download! It's a fun, free app for your iPhone.
For fun photos like these, go here to download! It's a fun, free app for your iPhone.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Sam's Throne, Arkansas
During our visit home, we set aside time for a day trip to Sam's Throne in Northwest Arkansas to do some climbing. This year, my brother and sister-in-law got to come with my parents and us. It was so fun to have them along!
Of course, we brought the dogs too...
and those wild things loved it!
Crazily enough, Austin had NEVER been climbing. Here he is on his first route!
Then Amy took her turn for her first send as well.
(Side note - gotta love that BLUE sky!)
Nice job.
Of course Jarod's laps up and down Windy Arm Buster. Where's Waldo Jarod?
Sam's is just too gorgeous.
The overlook is incredible from the top of the ridge.
I like that Amy and I have matching Marmot down jackets :)
Aww, Mom and Dad.
This is Jarod and I from our day trip in 2009.
And this is Jarod and I from the recent trip in 2010.
Aww, Sam's. You make us so happy.
Highlights from Christmas in the Ozarks
I got to have great, face to face time with two of my close friends, Megan & Becca.
My sweet mother-in-lawlove & father-in-lawlove took us on the annual trip to Silver Dollar City to see the Christmas lights.
This picture of the Garrett family (my sister-in-law) cracks me up! I pull out my camera, and simultaneously, the boys hide and the parents smile. I can't help but laugh. Too cute!
Sippin' that wassail!
Me & the Hubs.
Mr. & Mrs. GingerBread
We are rarely cheesy, I promise :)
Colby & his Durwood
And just a few days later, Colby lost his FIRST TOOTH at dinner!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Spicy Potato Sausage Soup
My New Year's Resolutions list is very long. And I am excited about every single item on that long list. As I have inspected my list over the past few days, I realized that I am adding lots to my life. So, in order to be successful with my resolutions, something has to give - meaning I am giving up and taking out of my life a few things, in order to make room for the new.
The first thing to go: BAKING. Sad? Yes. Necessary? Absolutely. I weighed the pros and cons of my baking love, and the bake shop came up lacking. So, it's outta here. As fun and relaxing as baking is for me, it left my kitchen in a heap of a mess and too many extra calories hovering on my counter tops.
So as a fair compromise, I am taking on COOKING. Isn't that nearly the same thing? Not at all. Cooking is a whole different world. Cooking with whole foods is nutritious and challenging. I had been slacking off in the dinner department. But no more. We must have dinner and there is no MUST for dessert and other baked items.
So, yesterday, I scoped the pantry and the fridge and assembled this recipe for a cold, rainy day soup.
Ingredients:
8 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped in 1/2 in. pieces
2 large carrots, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
4 garlic cloves, chopped
2 garlic cloves, whole
12 oz sausage, medium spice
1 small onion, finely chopped
4 Tbs butter
4 Tbs flour
5 cups milk
3 cups water
1 1/2 cups white corn
1/2 tsp marjoram
1 1/2 tsp sea salt
1 Tbs chicken soup base
1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper
Directions:
1. Place potatoes, carrots, celery and all garlic in large pot. Cover with water. Bring to boil. Reduce heat; simmer 15-18 minutes. Drain carefully (not letting chopped garlic escape!) Place about 3-4 cups in separate bowl and mash with fork. Place remaining cooked veggies in another bowl.
2. While veggies are simmering, cook sausage and onion together in frying pan, until sausage is no longer pink and onions have browned. Set aside.
3. In original large pot, melt butter. Add flour and stir together well. Slowly add milk and water. Bring to boil. Boil 2 minutes. Whisk in soup base and dissolve while boiling. Add spices. Whisk in mashed veggies. Stir in onion & sausage mixture and corn. Slowly add remaining cooked vegetables. Heat thoroughly. Serve with hearty bread.
The first thing to go: BAKING. Sad? Yes. Necessary? Absolutely. I weighed the pros and cons of my baking love, and the bake shop came up lacking. So, it's outta here. As fun and relaxing as baking is for me, it left my kitchen in a heap of a mess and too many extra calories hovering on my counter tops.
So as a fair compromise, I am taking on COOKING. Isn't that nearly the same thing? Not at all. Cooking is a whole different world. Cooking with whole foods is nutritious and challenging. I had been slacking off in the dinner department. But no more. We must have dinner and there is no MUST for dessert and other baked items.
So, yesterday, I scoped the pantry and the fridge and assembled this recipe for a cold, rainy day soup.
Spicy Potato Sausage Soup
Ingredients:
8 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped in 1/2 in. pieces
2 large carrots, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
4 garlic cloves, chopped
2 garlic cloves, whole
12 oz sausage, medium spice
1 small onion, finely chopped
4 Tbs butter
4 Tbs flour
5 cups milk
3 cups water
1 1/2 cups white corn
1/2 tsp marjoram
1 1/2 tsp sea salt
1 Tbs chicken soup base
1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper
Directions:
1. Place potatoes, carrots, celery and all garlic in large pot. Cover with water. Bring to boil. Reduce heat; simmer 15-18 minutes. Drain carefully (not letting chopped garlic escape!) Place about 3-4 cups in separate bowl and mash with fork. Place remaining cooked veggies in another bowl.
2. While veggies are simmering, cook sausage and onion together in frying pan, until sausage is no longer pink and onions have browned. Set aside.
3. In original large pot, melt butter. Add flour and stir together well. Slowly add milk and water. Bring to boil. Boil 2 minutes. Whisk in soup base and dissolve while boiling. Add spices. Whisk in mashed veggies. Stir in onion & sausage mixture and corn. Slowly add remaining cooked vegetables. Heat thoroughly. Serve with hearty bread.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Back Home and Back on the Grid
I took 17 days off from all things that plug in, charge or in some fashion, half-heartedly connect me with people. And it was a nice break. No Facebook, no phone, no status updates, no blog posting, no email, no tweets, nothing. And during those 17 days free of electronics, I relished true, face to face time with the people I love and care about. It was a perfect way to end the 2010 year.
Now... ring in 2011 and here I am, laptop in hand.. Ha.
So during those 17 days, Jarod and I traveled back to our hometowns in Missouri and Oklahoma. We hopped in the car December 16th and 31 hours later (I-40 closed down somewhere around Albuquerque, New Mexico and we were delayed a few hours by snow and ice) we were sitting on my parent's couch. Then it was a whirlwind of multiple Christmases, lunch dates with friends, dinners and games with family, Holiday movies, shopping, and lots and lots of food.
On the trek home, we took our time, meeting up with friends from OKC and caravan-ing west together, and sharing a hotel on the Arizona border. All of which made today (our first day back in LA) not feel like we are in a sleep deprived, hazy jet lag; also meaning less recovery time from the vacation!
I can also say after 16 nights in other beds, I had some wonderful sleep with my own pillows and blankets last night. It was a great Christmas Vacation with our family and friends, but I am so glad to be back at home in Southern California!
Now... ring in 2011 and here I am, laptop in hand.. Ha.
So during those 17 days, Jarod and I traveled back to our hometowns in Missouri and Oklahoma. We hopped in the car December 16th and 31 hours later (I-40 closed down somewhere around Albuquerque, New Mexico and we were delayed a few hours by snow and ice) we were sitting on my parent's couch. Then it was a whirlwind of multiple Christmases, lunch dates with friends, dinners and games with family, Holiday movies, shopping, and lots and lots of food.
On the trek home, we took our time, meeting up with friends from OKC and caravan-ing west together, and sharing a hotel on the Arizona border. All of which made today (our first day back in LA) not feel like we are in a sleep deprived, hazy jet lag; also meaning less recovery time from the vacation!
I can also say after 16 nights in other beds, I had some wonderful sleep with my own pillows and blankets last night. It was a great Christmas Vacation with our family and friends, but I am so glad to be back at home in Southern California!
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