day 2: failed hike

So you noted my mention of snow eh?! Well if you didn't there was a ton of it.

We woke up that morning and attempted to drive down to the trail head. Attempted because there was a snow drift across the road and our wee truck doesn't have four wheel drive. So we hopped out and walked to the trailhead to see if it was possible to do.

Some snow, lots of water but it looked doable- the guidebook had said that there was no bridge over the first stream crossing and they had just put one in! We figured that we should at least head back and see what it was like further in.

We headed back to the truck to pack all of our junk into our backpacks. ALL of it. We didn't have a scale with us but I think we packed about 20 pounds of food, and a ton of gear that we didn't need.

So off we went. Ready to conquer the known world, or at least this part of it. Our goal was to get up to the Aero Lakes and then maybe bag a peak. We cross over the bridge that had been seemingly built just for us and enter into our winter wonderland. There was enough gaps between the drifts to see the trail and from some snow mapping that Aaron had looked at he figured the worst snow was in the first few miles. So we gotta at least attempt it, right?!

Our first non-bridge stream crossing got my feet soaked so I hung my wet socks on the back of my pack to dry and changed into the dry ones. Aaron escaped but, as he was leading, if he got too close to a rock or tree he'd sink in to his hip so his socks were wet too.

The snow kept getting deeper and the gaps between piles longer. The trail would just completely disappear and because the snow was so high it covered all the trail markings. So I would stand in one spot and Aaron would scout around me until he found it. We had stopped in one such spot and realized, as we were standing talking about where the stupid trail was, that there was a stream coming out of our mound of snow and that we were on a snow bridge.

Down a steep steep hill where we were using our trekking poles to maintain our balance we lost the trail again, only this time no matter how much scouting we did we couldn't find anything, it was just buried way too deep. We figured we had gone this far we should keep on at least to the lake. So we then ditched the whole finding the trail thing. We knew there was a cliff to our left and a stream to our right and there was another path down near the stream that headed to our first lake ahead of us. So Aaron took our bearings and we started going as the crow flies to the stream. At this point I took my first hip deep plunge into the snow and it really, really scared me. I was shaking so bad. At that point I just wanted to be at home. (Aaron didn't realize that I had fallen in and was extremely calloused to my cries for pity, and told me to buck up or something.) We found a frozen path that must have been the stream and I stared imagining that we were walking down a roaring river with a thin shell of snow on top. Obviously we were going to die.

Then it started raining. Pouring in fact. We hunkered down under a tree and pulled out the rain fly for shelter and discussed our options. We made a rather quick decision to turn back. It had taken us four hours to go just over a mile down the "trail". If we lost our trail going back out it could take the same amount of time and it was getting dark. Our feet were both sore and wet and we were miserable. Up and at 'em! You never saw two people move so fast through snow with such heavy packs.

About 30 minutes into our backward trek the rain stopped and about 40 minutes in we breathed a sigh of relief as we hit the first spot we lost the trail. It took us an hour to get back to the trail head compared with the four hours to get in. We were drenched from head to toe and most of the stuff in Aaron's pack was damp. (My pack was still dry inside- maybe because it's newer the rain guard stuff wasn't worn??). So we draped all our stuff over the truck and on tree stumps to dry out and I made us a lovely super. Stir fry with frozen veggies, japanese noodles and a package of seasoning. Next time I'll read the package. It was disgusting. I had used what should have done for six servings on two servings of food. Oh well, there's always beef jerky, dried fruit, trail mix and monster cookies!

day 1: the beartooth highway

We left my growing up home super early thursday morning and Aaron drove his little heart out for hours and hours. We saw some gorgeous scenery on our way that I never new existed (the Theodore Roosevelt National Park?!). We hit Red Lodge Montana at about 7:30pm and figured we could do the Beartooth highway before it got dark. No such luck:) We didn't account for the lowered speed limit due to hairpin turns, switchbacks, cliffs and crazy elevation changes. The first half of the highway was spectacular; tall pointy mountains with snow caps in every direction, then you hit the plateau. It was the weirdest feeling ever, it felt like someone had gone and stuck the prairies on top of some mountains. Flat, barren, cold and so much snow. Aaron says some of the snow banks the highway went through were at least 20' deep, I don't think they were quite that high but they were higher than the truck. We then started descending and the mountains turned more rounded and pine covered (this half of the highway is the Absaroka range). We pulled off on the Lulu Pass Road and found a spot to pitch the tent overnight. I would totally recommend driving this highway if you ever are anywhere near it!

The Theodore Roosevelt National Park

The Beartooth Highway

We were trying to conserve space on our memory card and so were avoiding taking pictures on the highway when we knew we'd see some of the same types of mountains while hiking. That didn't happen so the beauty of the place mostly exists in my head and on people's computers who actually stopped their car to take pictures:P

family photos

While we were at home Studio D took photos of my family and they just posted some of their favorites. If 15 unique people comment on the post my parents get a free gift so go comment now!!!!

home is where the heart is

So we went on our vacation- it wasn't perfect but I think I'll still look back on it with nostalgia!

First we went to visit my family up in Canada for 7 wonderful days- it had been 17 months since I had left to marry Aaron so it was a very overdue visit. We went to the beach, hung around the house, shopped, had a big backyard bbq, fixed our truck (the ac went with 8 hours of HOT driving ahead of us), and oozed in as much kid and family loving as humanly possible in such a short time.

Aren't they all just beautiful!!!?

gardening for dummies

Hello again! Usually when I don't write anything for this long it's because IT'S BEEN INSANELY BUSY 'ROUND THESE HERE PARTS!

The other day we went to a local nursery and they were giving away vegetable plants! Aaron and I had talked about doing a garden but I don't really have a clue so was dragging my feet- this works out perfectly because now if it flops I'm only out some hard labour.

I had dug up my beds about a month ago and it was such hard work that there was no way I was doing more digging so I just squished those poor little veggies wherever I could fit them. (I know you're not supposed to plant under evergreens but as I said... if they die... no biggie.)

Here's my gardens:)

I have lavender, lemon grass, basil, thyme, peppermint, lettuce, tomatoes, squash, melon, broccoli, peppers, onions and cabbage:) We'll see if it grows:)

the kitchen cupboards are in

The day you've all been waiting for, or more aptly, the day I've been waiting for. It's been a year and a bit with no kitchen cupboards, countertops or dish drainer. I've used folding tables, the floor, plastic shelving units, a laundry tub and a massive rubbermaid (with the lid upside down for drying dishes). It's been all right but I'm for sure ready for the next stage which is called, cupboards with no countertop or hardware:P We also plan on installing a ceiling fan (IT IS HOT), range hood and two windows up above the cabinets flanking the stove. It'll come- Aaron has some ideas so it might be awhile but it'll be worth it.

By the way- the best thing ever?? Standing in one spot making a meal with EVERYTHING YOU NEED WITHIN REACH. Ohhhhhhhh my land! Delightful!

The cabinets are Kraftmaid, maple wood, chestnut stain and an onyx glaze.

(Please ignore the random red vase perched up there, I forgot to take it down.)

busting open basement windows

The other day I left the house in a frenzy as a friend was picking me up and I woke up late. Fast forward a couple hours and the lightbulb above my head went off, "I forgot my keys on the table at home!?" I checked my purse and sure enough, no keys. I called Aaron in a panic and was told to get dropped off and check all the windows and doors in case they were left open (I never leave windows and doors open as I am paranoid about robbers).

I got dropped off (did I mention it was pouring rain?) and proceeded to start checking all the main level openings into our home. Nothing was open and I was getting soggy and grumpy. Aaron had informed me when I called him that I NEEDED to get inside as I had stuff to do! See, we had company coming for the weekend in two days and well, you know what we do for company. So I had a couple more coats of paint to put on a wall, another room to prime, drywall dust to sweep up, papers to organize, a house to clean and tidy, laundry to do..... Yah.

So I checked the upstairs window (that Aaron put a chair through a couple of months ago so it was already busted). I thought it was latched good and hard and it was scary up there waaay above the ground. I seriously thought my ladder was going to come crashing down and that I would meet my untimely end. So down the ladder I went to inspect the basement windows.

SCORE!!!! A lose pane of plexiglass (our house is ghetto)! I gleefully rip off the metal screen into tiny little pieces (there are holes in it anyway) and re-inspect the pane. Yup, very, very lose. "BAM", my foot enters the house. "BAM", again and again until our poor little window is a hole. My heart swells with pride, only there is a cloud on the horizon, how on earth am I going to fit in the hole?! This basement window has a slat down the middle of it making it about half the size of a normal one and most definitely smaller than my hips. I know that Aaron will not be please if I bust the frame too so I figure I have nothing to lose by trying. I drop down to the muddy ground and shove my legs into the house wiggling myself till my hips are pried between the edges of the frame. I carefully place my sweatshirt covered forearms on the glass shard covered sill (from the last break window pane) and tilt my loser body at a 45 degree angle. My hips are now inside the house, I furiously kick my legs attempting to determine what is below me in the dark, unknown depths. I grip the sill with my finger tips as I lower myself downwards. My adrenaline is pumping and my heart is beating. This is the most thrilling thing I have done since riding the roller coaster at tinker town when I was 12. My tippy toes scrape concrete and I let go of the sill....

Amazingly enough there were no boards with nails poking out right below me, there was no unknown hole, there were no tools to cause me to lurch and fall flat on my back knocking me out, I was alive!!! I ran exuberantly up the stairs and unlocked my front door.

I am woman, hear me roar.

Then Aaron came home. He did not congratulate me on my amazing entrance into our locked house! Instead I was lectured on not:
1. trying all the basement windows for one with that would open with no breakage
2. going through the open, broken upstairs window (oops)
3. moving the ladder where I left it leaning up against the house under the aforementioned window
4. covering the window I broke (bugs/rodents/animals)
5. phoning him for advice before I broke the window
6. calling my father-in-law who can get into a house in 5 minutes with a credit card.

My Aaron, I promise I will never break into my house again (unless it is absolutely necessary).

what laying slate does to a marriage

Aaron laid our kitchen tile last night and guess what's happening on June 2? OUR KITCHEN CABINETS ARE ARRIVING!!!!!!

I am over the moon excited. I can organize my food stuff. Right now it's all piled on 4 plastic shelving units. I have to rewash items before using them because the dust/sanding/sawdust is drawn to that little corner in piles. I've given up on trying to maintain cleanliness and orderliness. Frustrating. But this too shall pass. It's funny though- as frustrating as it has been I don't think I'll ever look back at this phase of our lives and be horrified. It's been so special and the no kitchen thing is kinda part of the charm. We've spent our first year working on something big together and the sense of accomplishment and togetherness is... special.

Can you tell our one year anniversary is coming up:P:P haha:) May 22:) Time has flown.

Anyway- sap is done.

Aaron left for work one day and told me to take off the hardwood in the kitchen. End of directive. "DUHHHHHHHHHH, howd I do dat?" says I. After being shown (abruptly and efficiently) I proceeded to not so efficiently do what I was shown. I kinda liked it. Reminded me of punching and kicking a bag. Have a mentioned that I now have biceps? Yup. Who'd a thunk. So floor was removed. Floor was sent to in-law's to be burned three weeks before they have a wedding where the burning pile is. Aaron laid cement board. I nailed it down. Apparently I hammer like Aaron hammered when he was 5. I was impressed that I was that good. I did get better (apparently). Two nights ago we figured how we'd be laying it out (interpretation: Aaron told me how he wanted it and then I argued with him:P) Then last night *drum roll* Aaron laid the tile with me digging through boxes and boxes of the stuff looking for just the perfect colours. There was a ton more purple in those boxes that expected. Ha- hello purple kitchen floor! The end.

homemade skirt for ME!

I had a mid calf length white skirt with gold beads along the waistband that I had bought on sale at superstore a loooong while ago. Yes, beads. I decided the beads had to go as I'm not really a bead kinda person ya know?! It took me hours to take them all off and they had stained the white fabric black wherever the beads had touched the fabric. So time to remake the skirt. I had a pattern that I wanted to try out so I took apart the skirt and saved the zipper and hook thingy and recut it. TADA! And then the cut out pieces sat on our bedroom chair for about a month as my sewing things are in disarray. Like massive disarray. Yesterday I figured it was time to bring orderliness to the sewing stuff so I organized while listening to an audio book of grace livingston hill (lame, I know). Then I went to work sewing the pieces together. WOOT a new skirt!!!!! (I also had to tear apart all my newly organized stuff looking for things like a very specific piece of interfacing that I couldn't remember where I had put. So now I need to reorganize everything. Poor Aaron. He comes home and the living room is covered from head to toe in sewing junk!)

Also. I did NOT miss my calling as a model (or a hairdresser). BAHAHAHA:P

This is made from a Simplicity 2451 view D which I tossed the pockets, added some length and adjusted the waist larger in order for the skirt to sit lower. There's some things I'd change but it went together pretty well. AND my first zipper! It pulls a little bit to one side but I don't care enough to fix it for THE MILLIONTH TIME.

Raspberry Cream Cheese Bars

My female in-laws are all awesome bakers (hehe).

Aaron is constantly saying, "can you make *blank* like mom/my sister makes?!". Fortunately they have this handy dandy little cookbook they made with a whole wack of family recipe's so I don't need to be calling them up constantly looking for recipe's. Because that's embarrassing. So Bec had made these. They. are. amazing. Like cheesecake/cookie for those of us who have a phobia for making cheesecake because it always flops.

I baked two pans of these over the weekend for some events and had at least one person ask for the recipe. In my books that means it goes up here. See- that don't happen all that often so it gets me rather excited.

Raspberry Cream Cheese Bars

-3/4 cup butter or marg., softened
-1 cup packed brown sugar
-1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
-1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
-1/2t. baking soda
-1/2t. salt
-11 oz. cream cheese
-1/2 cup sugar
-2 eggs
-1 t. vanilla extract
-1 jar red raspberry preserves
-1/3 cup slivered almonds

1. In a bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar. Combine the oats, flour, baking soda, and salt; add to creamed mixture and mix well. Press 3/4 of the mixture into a greased 13x9 baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 11-13 minutes or until set and edges begin to brown.

2. Meanwhile in a small mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well.

3. Spread cream cheese mixture over crust. Drop preserves by spoonfuls over cream cheese mixture; carefully spread evenly. Combine almonds and remaining oat mixture; sprinkle over preserves.

4. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until set and edges are golden brown. Cool before cutting. Store in refrigerator.

TIPS: Of course I never do it the way it says to right! Make sure you soften the butter and cream cheese, it makes it so much more pleasant to mix. You can use any type of preserves in it. The ones Becca made she used half raspberries and half cranberries (like, for dipping turkey) and it was really good- kind of a mix of sweet and tart. I don't use the nuts because Aaron doesn't like nuts. And ta da!!! CREAM CHEESE GOODNESS!!!!