Crystal Park MT, Sept 2008

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Originally uploaded by J Semenza

Once upon a time there was an email group called Semenza Adventures where we would post upcoming field trips that other people could join us on. Unfortunately, that list died, along with the number of trips (had been going once a month through the summer/fall). It died when Nick went back to school. One of our favorite trips was to Crystal Park Montana to dig for quartz crystals.

After a 3 year hiatus, we went back, with a new batch of friends. We got really lucky and found this hunk of smoky quartz. We always find clear quartz crystals. Allegedly amethyst can also be found, though we have not been that lucky. I forgot how much fun it is to just dig in the dirt. Maybe we'll go back in the spring.

Yes, when Nick graduates we'll start a new Semenza Adventures group. Probably using Facebook. For more photos from the trip check out my link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157607378919824/

-- Jenny

Green Beans & Peppers

Okay, just so you know, Nick HATES green beans. The only reason we tried (and modified) this recipe is that it was part of a menu plan in a book we've been going through. Here's his modified, fabulous recipe:

Couple handfuls of fresh green beans
1-2 red bell peppers

Preheat oven to 450 degrees

Snip the ends off the green beans
De-seed and slice the bell peppers

Put veggies in a colander. Drizzle olive oil over them, add salt and pepper to taste. Toss.

Place on cookie sheet in oven for approx 12 minutes. Stir at the halfway point.

This is yummy, easy and good for you.

Jenny

Favorite Poem

Autobiography in Five Short Chapters
by Portia Nelson

I.
I walk down the street
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in
I am lost ... I am helpless
It isn't my fault.
It takes forever to find way out.

II.
I walk down the same street
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don't see it.
I fall in again.
I can't believe I am in the same place.
But it isn't my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

III.
I walk down the same street
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk
I see it is there.
I still Fall in... it's a habit
My eyes are open
I know where I am
It is my fault.
I get out immediately

IV.
I walk down the same street
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk
I walk around it.

V.
I walk down another street

Taken from the book "Inspiration Sandwich" by SARK 1992, page 120

Fettuccini Alfredo

Nick, is a fabulous cook. Shanna called asking for this recipe last night so he sent it to her and I thought I'd share it with all of you. It is super easy to put together and extraordinarily yummy. Of course, it'll harden your arteries while you eat, but what's not to love about that.

Nick's Fettuccine Alfredo

1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup butter
1 cup Parmesan cheese
dash nutmeg
salt & pepper to taste

1 lb fettuccine pasta
**Bunch of steamed broccoli florets
**Grilled chicken breast or other cooked chicken

Mix whipping cream, butter, Parmesan cheese, nutmeg, heat through, stir on occasion till creamy. This step can be done in either the microwave or on the stove top. Just be sure it doesn't burn. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Cook pasta. Pour sauce over pasta and toss.

** Add cooked broccoli or chicken and toss with pasta and sauce.

Mesa Falls September 2008

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Originally uploaded by J Semenza

Mesa Falls is one of my favorite places ever. I drove up on Sunday September 7th and spent the day taking photos there and at Big Springs in Island Park. I'm going to try and go to Mesa Falls every month for 1 year and take pictures from the same spots to see what changes can be seen. It'll be fascinating to see when snow will stop me. For more photos of Mesa Falls and Big Springs Sept 08 see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157607382268669/
-- Jenny

Torta

Simplified, leftover using torta. It's a very yummy recipe.

1 cup cooked rice
3 eggs
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (the fresh kind from brick, the stuff in the can will not work).
1 TBSP onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Heat oven to 350 degrees
Spray bread pan with olive oil
Whisk together eggs and seasonings, stir in rice and cheese
Pour into pan
Bake for 30 minutes

The Weekend

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Originally uploaded by J Semenza

Decided to stay home and mix up being lazy and being productive. Saturday, we ran all over Pocatello, shopping, going to garage sales and checking things out. I found a book by Louis L'Amour (Frontier) that I had been looking for and Nick found another cast iron pan. Apparently, we need more cast iron pans...

Sunday, we made lots and lots of lasagnas and integrated Shanna's weapons collection onto Nick's weapons wall. She added ten, he owns three or four knives and the rest are mine. Shanna's include the Klingon stuff and a really great Chinese sword (horizontally hung green and black). It's a great looking wall.

Monday began with tomato processing. A friend of ours gave us a bushel of tomatoes. By adding fresh garlic, onion, basil, oregano and parsley we make a beautiful tomato sauce that freezes well. It's the perfect base to pasta sauce or tomato soup. Annie came over and kept us company for most of the process. We then went out for Chinese food. She took off and went to the fair with family. Me?

I vegged out on the sofa watching America's Next Top Model marathon and reading two different books during the advertisements. One book is on yoga and the other on herbs. It was a great way to do nothing. Oh, and the ANTM marathon was the season where the "Plus Size" model one. Though how you can call a size 8-10 a plus size is beyond me.