Recipe: NW Summer Cobbler

I know its summer when the salmonberries are ripe, peaches and cherries are in the supermarkets and I'm just about out of blackberries in my freezer (from last year's picking)!

So, tonight, I made up a recipe to celebrate the start of summer! I used salmonberries Chad and I picked last weekend :)

 Chad picking away at our favorite spot on Clear Creek Trail. You can see two orange berries just above his hand.

 

 These were the prettiest ones we picked!!

NW Summer Cobbler

• 2 peaches, pitted and cut into 1/2-inch chunks
• 1 cup cherries (any kind), pitted and cut in half
• 1 cup blackberries
• 1 cup salmonberries
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce, divided
• a nice squirt of fresh lemon or lime juice
• 2 tbls granulated sugar or splenda (more if you like sweeter deserts)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (I used old fashion)
• dash of salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 2 tbls cold butter, cut up

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9x9 glass pan. Mix together fruit, 1/3 the applesauce, lemon/lime juice, sugar and corn starch. (Don't transfer to pan yet)

Mix together flour, brown sugar, oats, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. With fingers squish the butter into the dry mixture until its just part of the mixture maybe like corn meal). Then start scooping in the apple sauce into the dry mixture. After each scoop, mix the dry stuff, and repeat until its moist, sticky, but still crumbly. (At this point, pour the leftover apple sauce into the fruit and stir)

Pour fruit mixture into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the oat mixture over the top.

Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is happy brown and the fruit is bubbling.

Serve with whip cream or ice cream (OR BOTH!!)

Delicious! Really, you could use just about any fruit in this crisp/cobbler. I almost threw in some rhubarb :)

Anderson Landing Preserve

Sometimes I feel like I neglect my dog when Chad isn't around. See, when Chad isn't here I have no trouble justifying sitting on the couch, doing sitting-on-the-couch things, like finishing a season of House, or knitting a scarf, or researching cheese making, or updating my blog. Unfortunately though, this means Milli sits on the couch with me... Usually she sleeps, but every once in a while she just stares at me. She stares at me with those "awww.... mom.... come onnnn...." eyes.

"Mom. Mom. Mom. Mom..."

Yesterday, I decided not to neglect her. I decided to make the most of the day. Heck, it was over 40 degrees and it wasn't even raining, I really didn't have any excuse.

After a little research I found a promising little trail out towards Seabeck. Anderson Landing Preserve, a 68 acre park, parts of which precariously perched on a cliff overlooking Hood Canal.

So, I packed up Milli, and off we went. After a few errands, it was just a short 15 minute drive down Anderson Hill. It was easy to find, yet far enough off the road to escape most car noise. It even had a little parking lot and a map at the entrance.

This little preserve was amazing! There were meandering streams thoughout. Moss covered trees that increased branch diameter 3 fold. And mud... oh my goodness, there was mud. It was not a good day to wear my DCs....

The trail was a perfect intermediate trail - a real hike at times. Three quarters of the walk was up and over hills - extremely steep and slippery with mud at times. I would not recommend this trail if it were raining. Though it hadn't rained in 36 hours, there was standing water everywhere and in places mud so deep it went up over Milli's feet and made a sucking noise as she walked. There was this steep downgrade (would've been up if we had done the loop in the opposite direction) that had bona fide switchbacks. At another part the trail was less than a foot and a half wide, with a steep hill to one side and a sheer 100 foot drop to the other.

This was the skinny part of the trail. It seemed to have been paved at one point and the cliff was eroding out from under asphalt.

 

The scenery was downright awe inspiring. It was like being in another world - with you being the sole inhabitant of an alien landscape full of tall fuzzy green trees and huge mushroom chairs. The ground was littered with fallen trees, huge ferns and tickle waterfalls. This is not a place that gets much sunlight. It was gorgeous. The best part was it was tucked back far enough from the road that for most of the walk you were protected from the road's traffic noise.

At two points the trail gets pretty close to the Hood Canal. The first you could only see it through the trees, but then later on there was a wood landing with a bench that over looked it.

The whole loop took exactly 45 minutes - and that was walking at a slightly faster than leisure pace and with one slight bush-wacking detour. By the end of the walk, my heart rate was slightly elevated and Milli was downright pooped. We will definitely be visiting Anderson Landing again!

SUP-ing!

It has been a while... I know, I know.... but life has been just an amazing whirl wind of awesome! So, finally, now that I have a bit of time to myself (Chad is out taking Milli for a walk) - I thought I would start the series of updates. The following couple of posts will be in some order.... probably not chronological, no... probably more in the order of what I though was most awesome, to what I thought was just cool. But, this comes with a promise - a promise to write more often (I have a bunch of new recipes to share too!).

As I wrote in a previous post, Chad and I went to a benefit auction a while back - and since, come to find out, my husband is an auction fiend! we actually won a couple of items! A "Paddle Package" was one of them.

I realize "Paddle Package" is a somewhat ambiguous name, it was to us too, but that's what it was called - and WOW! it ended up being a bunch of different gift certificates to local rental places - and a lesson (with boards) for 3 people to learn how to Stand-Up Paddle Board! Which, is also reffed to as SUP (stand-up paddling). It ended up being the coolest thing ever.

Chad and I and my friend Ashley - who had always dreamed of SUP - went out to Dyes Inlet one happy, sunny, Sunday morning. Its just our local bay which happens to have a small beach. Anyways - once we got out there, we met up with one of the coolest couples I've ever met - a husband/wife team who just love the water - and even better, love to donate their time and skills to benefit auctions. They brought the boards and the know-how - and were so helpful and patient with us! The husband even took pictures of us the whole time with his water-proof camera!

The actual stand-up part of paddle boarding ended up being pretty easy - you strap onto a big, foam surf board, get onto your knees, then just stand up. The hard part was negotiating the long paddle, and moving forward. There was a technique.. which I never quite mastered... though Chad and Ashley had no problems... I think I crashed into everyone at least once... but despite this, I never fell in the water. Which I can't say for Chad and Ash! Hhhaha! They decided they needed to switch boards and one point - to see how the length and floaty-ness differed - and mid switch SPLASH!! It may have been Chad's fault - but he'd never admit it!

My fun really started when the lady guide wanted to switch my paddle board for her canoe thing! Oh my goodness! It was the MOST AMAZING THING EVER! I just glided though the water, faster than everyone, more maneuverable. Luckily for me, no one else wanted to try it.

So as it stands - I want a canoe/kayak and Chad wants a paddle board... we'll see what happens. In any case, I suggest that everyone try this sport! Its a great way to be outside - on the water - without much of an investment required. Its really popular in Hawaii - but its becoming available everywhere (we even saw a rental place up at Lake Tahoe). To rent a board and paddle for a couple hours is only $20 or so - and beaches aren't restricted yet!

Figs! Blackberries! Rhubarb! Apples! Zucchinis!

I would've never believed that Washington had a better crop yield than California! Ok, this might just be my experience - but holy goodness! I have never seen, nor gathered, so many food items in my life!

Chad and I planted our first, real, garden this year. Its a container garden, planted at the proper time, with seeds started indoors and allowed to acclimate to the outside weather. Its been a success - to some extent... Everything is definitely growing - and we've had something produced from each and every plant... but the growing season was so late, and the days so cool... I think the growth was stunted.... Because, take for example the bell peppers, we got one.... per plant... and they were shrimpy.... But, meh, its ok - there's always next year. We'll have to refine our techniques! The plants that are going the craziest are the tomato plants! I've never had such success with tomatoes! Now if only it would get warm for a few days, so they could turn RED!

The extent of the tomato harvest...

 

Regardless of our own gardens bounty - I happen to have a bunch of friends with green thumbs! Possibly even green hands, maybe so far as arms. The amount of zucchini I've seen this year would blow your mind! And the figs..... ooooooh the lovely, delicious, perfect figs!! MMMMMmmm. I've had to get a little creative - using up this harvest, in a two person household, gets... tricky....

This was one of three hauls!

 

I've made a Rhubarb-Blackberry Pie, Mulitple loaves of Chocolate Zucchini bread, Blackberry/Zucchini/Fig Oatmeal Muffins and more jam than I know what to do with (including a delicious Fig/Blackberry Jellam!!). Oh! And I'm currently dehydrating a bunch of figs! And thinking about it - it is the season... and maybe all of you are having the same over harvest "problem" so here are a couple of recipes for you!

There is about 6 pounds of blackberries here - and about a half cup of red huckleberries.

 

Berry Zuchinni Oatmeal Muffins  

I added figs to this recipe by replacing the oil with finely grated zucchini and fig then the tbls of oil - next time I want to add a bit more fig... but I didn't want to alter the recipe cause how often to people really have figs??

    1 1/4 cups uncooked quick oatmeal or 1 1/4 cups old-fashioned oatmeal
    1 1/4 cups flour (half oat or wheat flour ok)
    1/3 cup sugar (1/2 Splenda)
    1 tablespoon baking powder
    1/4 tsp cinnamon
    1/2 teaspoon salt
    1 cup milk
    1 egg
    1/4 cup oil (or 1/4 apple sauce or grated zuchinni and 1 tbs oil)
    1/2 tsp vanilla
    3/4 cup fresh blueberries or 3/4 cup frozen blueberries (or blackberries)

Directions:

    1  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
    2  Combine oats, flour, 1/3 C sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt in a bowl.
    3  In another bowl, combine milk, egg and (fruits) oil.
    4  Add liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients, mix until moist only.
    5  DO NOT BEAT!
    6  Fold in berries.
    7  Fill greased muffin cups 2/3 full.
    8  Bake 20- 25 minutes.
    9  Serve warm. I accidentally under-baked them a bit - but a few minutes in a toaster oven before serving - DELICIOUS!

Blackberry Rhubarb Pie

    4 cups rhubarb, chopped small, 1/2-inch chunks
    3 cups blackberries or 2 cups strawberries, sliced
    1 cups granulated sugar
    1/4 cup cornstarch
    1 tbls flour
    1 tablespoon lemon juice
    1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
    pastry for a double-crust 9-inch pie
    1 egg, beaten or melted butter for glaze

Directions:

    1) In a bowl, combine rhubarb, berries, sugar, cornstarch, flour, lemon juice and cinnamon.
    2) On lightly floured surface, roll out half of the pastry and line a nine-inch pie plate.
    3) Spoon in filling.
    4) Roll out pastry for top crust; using pastry wheel or knife, cut into 1-inch wide strips.
    5) Brush pastry rim with some of the beaten egg.
    6) Gently weave strips over the pie to form lattice; trim and flute the edge.
    7) Brush lattice with beaten egg.
    8) Bake on a baking sheet with sides in a 375 degree Fahrenheit oven for 50-60 minutes. Tip: If you do not have a cookie sheet handy, make a drip catcher out of foil paper, larger than the bottom of the pie plate, and place it under the pie plate and up the sides loosely.
    9) Bake until rhubarb is tender, filling thickened, and the crust is golden. Might have to tent the whole pie after 30 minutes to keep from burning.
    10) Let stand for 15 to 20 minutes before cutting.

Enjoy!!

There's a Bluebird on my Shoulder....

Have you ever seen a bluebird?? Not a blue-JAY, but a blueBIRD?? This cute, little, vibrantly blue, robin-ish looking bird? (picture to the left: Western Bluebird) No...? Well me neither... and that's a shame. Unfortunately, they just aren't around much anymore. They've been pushed out of the Puget Sound by invasive species and human encroachment on their habitat.

But, hopefully that's all about to change with the help of the Puget Sound Bluebird Recovery Project.

These people are new to the block - the newest volunteer based, environmental, non-profit organization on the peninsula, created within just the past few months. As far as I can tell, they are in cahoots with the North American Bluebird Society, which gives them some backbone. Their mission: to entice the bluebird back to the peninsula! And once they're here, monitor and, to some extent, maintain their population (with food, nestboxes, etc). I found out about the PSBRP through a presentation given at a recent Clear Creek Task Force meeting - they don't yet have an website, but if your interested in helping out or joining, let me know and I'll get you some contact information.

The PSBRP had their first community involved work party this past weekend - and Chad and I were lucky enough to attend. The goal - to build 20 bird houses - built to bluebird specifics - to later be dispersed throughout some local, open grasslands. You may be asking... what makes a bluebird house special? Well... not much... except for the size of the hole in the front - it needs to be small enough to prevent the European Starling to enter, while big enough to deter House Sparrows (these two introduced species compete, aggressively, for living space with the bluebird).

Let me just tell you - we had a blast! We arrived to a lively group of people, who were gathered around a whole bunch of pre-cut, cedar, birdbox pieces, all talking and drinking coffee. After introductions were made, we had a brief lesson on birdbox assembly and were put to work! It took 15 people, taking turns, 2 hours to complete all 20 boxes. After all our hard work, we were graciously rewarded with some delicious hotdogs and a tour of the property we were working on (which we had to miss unfortunately).

 Our lesson.

Each box is equipped with a hinged door on the left side. This door can be used to later check on the residents or to clean them out after a use. Here I am attaching the handles.

The next step - to strategically hang the boxes around in the bluebirds natural habitat. Hopefully I can be a part of that process too! I'll keep you updated!

Finally! Coffee, Music and Socializing

Ever since we moved here, there has been something missing. Maybe "somewhere" is more appropriate. Somewhere where I can go - with or without someone else - to just chill. Somewhere that would be entertaining. Somewhere that was open late, and would hopefully serve coffee.

Well 57 locals later, and the secret has been leaked. Finally, The Global Bean has arrived.

The Global Bean Coffee Trader is located right here in Silverdale, a mere 7 minutes from my house. Its located in a weird area, taking up half of the bottom floor of a rather professional looking office building, adjacent to a gym.Not where you'd expect to find a funky coffee shop, full of coffee smells, arguing coffee addicts and a loud band almost every night.  

I've been there twice now, on a Friday and Thursday night - both nights there was a three piece band playing - one playing fun folky music, the other more of a jam session where the owner joined in. It's always been crowded - to the point of having to stand for 20 minutes before a seat opened up - but the ambiance makes it kinda ok.


The coffee - its amazing. Literally, the best cup of coffee I've gotten in a shop. I was scared when I first looked at the menu - there are no prices, no sizes offered, and only the most basic of combinations listed. Usually, that equals expensive, hoity toity, insider coffee.... and this case was no exception... a 12 oz, sugar free, non-fat, low foam, caramel latte put me back $4.50... about a dollar higher than anywhere else. But holy goodness, I would have paid more. The coffee is delicious, smooth, freaking wonderful. And once you buy a "special" coffee, normal coffee is only $0.78 - and not just the crap out of a carafe, nope, I wanted decaf so the barista french pressed me a cup. This coffee was so premium that my usual 10-20-70 sugar-cream-coffee ratio was sloughed off for just a packet of sugar.

So if you're feeling mellow but looking to get out of the house (on the cheap) The Global Bean would be a great destination. As long as its not a Tuesday, you can expect music, a packed house and a delicious cup of Joe.

Slaughter County Roller Vixens!!

Did you know that Kitsap County has a roller derby league?? A whole league! With multiple teams! And a real rink! And venue! And fans!

I was extremely surprised to see this entire underground roller derby world! The place was packed! People of all ages were there - a very family friendly crowd.

While at the Kitsap County Fair this year - Chad and I met the Slaughter County Roller Vixens while walking though the different booths. They handed us a flier, told us about their beer garden - they were pretty cool - plus they made sure to mention the military discount.

Their first "bout" of the year was last night - and I was able to harass a couple of my friends to join me in attending it. It was all our first times - and it was... well.... interesting.

None of us knew the rules and the first couple teams seemed super unorganized. Then even after looking up the rules.... they seemed even more confused. There was some bashing, some falling, some time spent in the penalty box, someone even fell and broke/badly spranged their ankle (necessitating a medic) - but... if you've ever seen Whip It - this was nothing like it - but still super fun in its own right.

So if you want something new to do on a Saturday night - I'd recommend checking out the roller derby!

Six Yatchs A-Floating

Its almost Christmas! Just 6 short days away! And to help count down - I will be titling my entries appropriately!

Last week - Chad and I stumbled across something wonderful! As I was getting into my car, on the way home from a volunteer meeting, I saw in the trunk of the car in front of me, a sign. A literal sign. It was an advertisement for Silverdale's Artwalk. Silverdale has galleries?? Huh. I had to look it up, and yup - Silverdale has art. Not exactly in galleries per se, but art. Enough to warrant a quarterly Artwalk - and this one was special - along with the artsy stores being open late, there was also going to be a boat parade!

Well the evening came and It. Was. Pouring. POURING! Non-stop. We decided to go anyway - heck we're not witches. And it ended up being so fun! At first we thought it had been canceled - there were no lights on, no people... but then we saw an open sign, went in and the nice lady showed us a map.

I have a new favorite, quirky store: McGregor's & Company. The people who own it are so nice, and talkative. The items in the store are homemade or local or just country cute.

After the walk, we went over to the waterfront park gazebo, to watch the boat parade. To our surprise other people were there! Including, my friend Mary! And a whole bunch of food and apple cider! It was great - still POURING but so great.

At about 8:30 the boats started going by, They were all decked out in pretty lights, floating happily along the park. There were about 10 of them, and the parade lasted about 20 minutes.

And that was it. It was so cold and wet that AS SOON as the last boat went by people scattered! Literally running to their cars! Chad and I included. Not a bad way to start off the holidays!

An Ambitious Thanksgiving

Chad and I cooked our first Thanksgiving dinner this year!

We had decided early on that we weren't going to have the "traditional" menu (I attribute this to the billion hours of food network we watch each week). We wanted to nod tribute to our roots and add some of our favorite flavors, all while steering clear of those items neither of us were ever a fan of...

Did you know, I don't like turkey? Nope, and come to find out, neither does Chad. So Chad decided we were going to make duck this year.

Did you know, there are actually very odd little yearly trends for Thanksgiving side dishes? This year it was brussels sprouts We decided to follow this trend.

Lastly, did you know, basting a chicken in duck fat, makes the chicken both moist and irresistible???

Our menu was ambitious - especially since we made EVERYTHING (but the bread) from scratch:

For hors'dourves we made a baked brie with caramelized onions and deviled eggs. To drink I made a fresh cranberry syrup for a cranberry mojito. For dinner we had: Roasted Duck, Herb Roasted Chicken, A.J's mashed potatoes, Ducken gravy, cranberry/goat cheese/candied pecan spinach salad, lemoney brussels sprouts, baked sweet potatoes, and french banquette. Then for dessert I made my mom's chocolate chip cookies pie and a non-traditional pumpkin pie (using the pie crust A.J. had taught me to make a few days prior). 

Now doesn't that sound delicious?? It was, it really really was! And luckily for us we had another couple over to share it with us (and to validate its greatness)!

We were so proud of our efforts! And it went off hitch free, barring my "little" cut and a couple burns (battle scars baby! Poured in my blood, sweat and tears!)

Tomorrow I am going to put up a couple of the most successful recipes - the recipes that are so good they will be made for special occasions year round up here!

Next year - come on over! You're invited to have Thanksgiving with us!

A Pre-Turkey Day Surprise! Part 2

Date: November 22, 2010
Location: Granite NW, Silverdale

Its 6am, I can just barely hear Chad getting ready for work and coming in to kiss me goodbye, then I quickly fall back to sleep.

Aw crap. Chad is taking a shower! I asked him to wake me up before I take a shower! Its SOOOO loud... wait a minute..... Chad went to work..... THAT'S RIGHT! MY PARENTS ARE HERE!

Today is a special day - AJ is going to teach me to make pie crust - something I have been wanting for years. And my Dad, well, he's going to go run some errands - for me, of course :)

I can now make an amazing pie crust! (Thanksgiving will soon prove this even further) And while Dad was gone he bought Chad and Me a new room heater! I'm pretty sure we almost froze him and AJ out of the house while they were here.

   When we woke up.    When my parents left.

Oh, and did I mention the snow...? The ever worsening snow. The snow that supposedly here on the Kitsap Peninsula is a rarity, and never sticks if it does happen!? YOU KNOW! THE SNOW!!! The ever worsening storm?

It started out pretty light, almost pretty, if you like that kind of thing. It was so light though that Dad ran those errands in the Toyota hybrid - so no big thing. By the time he came home, it was getting thicker, but still no worries - but its time to bring out Da Pinky (my Jeep). Then after a quick trip to the mall for a walk and some lunch, then a scavenger hunt at Barns & Noble, we were happy we were in a 4x4. THEN just a short 30 minutes later - off to buy CHAINS! Never sticks.... right.....

It starts to get pretty scary. We live at the top of a hill, but in a low spot on it, so we are surrounded by hills.... kinda weird I understand, but at this point even more inconvenient. The snow and ice cover gets so bad that the decision is made - the parents are leaving early. They have to catch a flight the next day. Sucks cause Chad was just getting off work (and really early at that) and later that evening we were all going to go to Seattle to have dinner with my visiting cousin.... see! SEE! Snow = no good.

So they leave. My wonderful surprise officially over. And luckily they make it to the airport.... 4 1/2 hours later.... for a drive that should take about an hour....

Chad showed up soon after they leave. He happens to like the snow... heck he chose to live in it before this! Crazy... We decided since its about 4 inches thick we should see if the pets are on my side or his. Come to find out Milli LOVES THE SNOW! She was SO cute - she would find a mound and bite it. When Chad came in with some stuck to his boots, she'd follow him around a eat it! Joule on the other hand, I doubt he's ever thought we were so annoying....

We thew him into the perfectly smooth snow... he just stood there....

 

 Then we let Milli out... and she either 

ate or stepped on ever square inch of the smooth prettiness...

Remember these happy faces. Trust me.

 

Well that was fun! Wait.... what was that??

Flicker. Flicker. Then..... silence.

The power is out.

And it doesn't come back on......

To be continued....

You say "Huckle!" I say "Berry!" HUCKLE! BERRY! HUCKLE! BERRY!

I have to admit - I didn't have high hopes for today. I mean how could I? Yesterday was... well... typical. Cold, wet, kinda boring.... But today - today was different!

Today was beautiful. Clear blue skies. Warm sun on my skin (even through the sweatshirt). Got to take Milli on the longest walk shes been on in weeks. But best of all - there they were - in all their glory - beautiful, blackish-blue orbs of awesome - the huckleberries.

Come to find out, we have quite a few huckleberry plants right here, practically in our "backyard." The most prolific species being the Evergreen Huckleberry. Coming in at an extremely scarce second, the Red Huckleberry.

It took me a while to identify the evergreen type - I mean, I'm not just gonna pop any ole berry into this mouth - there are very few pictures of the evergreen variety on the internet. Luckily for me, they are a rather unique plant, er shrub. Alternating, serrated, leaves, on each stem, stems that create a plant that's rarely as tall as I am. This part, easy enough to look up - the part that threw me was the difference in berries.... See, the exact same looking plant, with the exact same leaves and patters would have dramatically different berries on them! Most often a blackish, smooth, clear orb would be present. But about one out of every five, would have this lighter blue, cloudy berry on it..... weird? Yes.

In the middle of the picture you can

KINDA see some lightish blue berries,

whereas on the very right edge of the pic you

can see some really dark black ones....

Come to find out - that's just how they roll. Some are black, some are blue, and you never know which plant will grow which berry, until the berries appear! Mystery solved - time to eat!

During our walk to, up and around, Island Lake park, Milli and I collected about a cups worth of berries. Yup. One. Cup. And we were walking for about an hour. We got mostly the black berries, about 1/4 cloudy blue ones and 3 red ones.... yes 3. Milli didn't really help much - she wasn't so into the waiting around patiently while I stared at a plant, trying to adjust my eyes. In fact, by pulling on the leash, she made me drop more than I collected in the beginning.

 This is Milli about 20 minutes after getting home.

I think I can safely say our walk wore her out!

Honestly though, I didn't mind Milli's "help." Having her around makes me feel just A LITTLE less weird - making people think I'm walking the dog... instead of stalking the plants....

A Dark Night of Twists, Turns and Pumpkins!!

Did you know there is an entire corn maze underground? An entire group of farmers who sacrifice entire acres of corn. Who cut paths, create maps and think in terms of getting from point A to point B?? Well there is - and Chad and I are lucky enough to live by one!

Friday night was again, date night! YAY! Two amazing things came out of this past Friday Night - We found the best sushi on the peninsula so far, and we went to Minder Farms.

Origami Sushi - best sushi in Silverdale!

Minder Farms - cute, hour of wonderful fun, with some slight frustration, with a hint of spooky.


Friday was the last dry night of the weekend. It was 8 o'clock pm, dark, cold, and there was an awesome haze over the moon - making it have a creepy glow - very appropriate for our evening out! The maze was a corn maze, it was huge. There were 6 checkpoints thoughout - if you found them in order, you were doing well - we found all but the last one without cheating.... it was so hard! And I was getting frustrated and a little cold, and the little cheater path SOMEONE ELSE created was just too tempting the 3rd time around....

Ahhhh! A ghost!!

My fearless leader! The man with the
map memory AND the flashlight!

Finally out, we bought a couple pumpkins - one to carve and one a future pie and that was that. A wonderful, small town, evening night out.

Chad wouldn't let me get this one...
Some lame excuse about not owning
a chainsaw....