Huckleberry Picking

Thursday I had a mad compulsion to go find our old berry patch and see if there were any huckleberries. It's early for berries to be sure, but I just needed to know where the patch was. I left work early and headed North. No I'm not going to tell you where my patch is. Go find one yourself, or come with us next time.

Sure enough the berries were out in abundance, lovely purple berries of deliciousness. I picked until the bugs drove me out. I managed to get about a cup and a half in my hour of picking. That evening Nick & I feasted on the berries for dessert.

I then let the clan know of my plan. Saturday morning we left Pocatello early (as in 7:00 a.m.) met up with friends in Idaho Falls and ventured out for berries. The patch was wet with newly fallen rain and dew and we were soaked to the knees before finishing.

Back in Idaho Falls we had lunch at the Brownstone Restaurant & Brewpub and talked and laughed till it was time to call it a day.

We netted a nice haul of 6.5 cups of berries now frozen in 1/4 cup measures for later use as toppings for ice cream, cheesecake and pancakes or fruit salad. We ate some too. Nothing like eating berries off the bush in the wilderness.

Book Review: Good Time Girls

Written by Lael Morgan, "Good Time Girls of the Alaska-Yukon Gold Rush" is a book that we picked up in our travels in Alaska. I finally finished it last week.

It is an extremely well researched book. Ms. Morgan definitely did the work to make certain her sources were valid. The scope of source material is also outstanding, from newspapers to legal records. It is beautifully illustrated with photos of the girls/women involved in the text.

The book contents are fascinating enough that I read the whole thing. Okay, here's the thing. I hate scholarly writing styles. I know that academics are encouraged to write in a manner that adheres to a dispassionate, even handed, balanced accounting of the facts. But I find this to be boring and tedious. I bet Ms. Morgan has delightful anecdotes about her research process, what she learned that she could not include for lack of verification, and it would have been fascinating to see how she felt about what she learned. I am very, VERY tired of dry academic writing.

"Good Time Girls" is fabulous in that the topic is quite interesting and entertaining and the quotes and stories are delightful. I even laughed out loud at one point, which was quite a surprise. So my rant against academic writing is leavened in this case. I'd love to hear Ms. Morgan talk about this book, the women in it, and how her research process went. I bet that's even better than the book. Alternately, if Lael Morgan has literary interests, she could mine her material for novels and short stories.

I do recommend reading this if you have an interest in the history of Alaska or the Yukon, or in the roles of women settling/opening the west.

Home again, home again, jiggety jig...

Sunday Nick and I drove to SLC (or rather Nick drove, I was along for the ride, still recovering from the overheating at Crystal Park) to pick up Shanna from the airport. We are very happy that she's coming back and going back to school. We've missed her. So it was about driving, snagging her from the airport and driving home. I did make one stop at the Whole Foods to pick up blackberry izzes, a fizzy, all fruit drink that I love.

Yesterday we moved her in to various and sundry places in our house. Her bed and necessary stuff is in my yoga room and her boxes are in the craft closet. She's going to redo her room before really moving back in. We're going to take up the crappy tiles and do something about her floor. She's going to repaint the whole thing a bright white to increase the light in the basement room. It worked amazingly well for the bathroom. We're lucky in that the basement does get a lot of light from it's big windows. It's just that Shanna's room has a North facing window. The window that looks out under the porch is going to be retained, but we're going to insulate it, and cover it with pegboard so that Shanna can use it as a jewelry hanger. She doesn't like the window there. Personally, I would have redone the window so it looks like stained glass, but it's not my room so...

Hopefully her phone recharger will arrive in the mail today or tomorrow. She accidentally left it in Texas and this prevents her looking for work. We no longer have a general home phone. She needs/wants a job asap. I would love to have a general home phone again. Frankly it may be the first thing I do once Nick is employeed. I frequently don't hear my cell phone, it moves around my house too much and I am prone to leaving it in my purse as well.

Its great to have her back.

Crystal Park Montana

Check out my web page for the outting if you want the technical/directional details. http://www.isu.edu/~semejenn/adventures/crystalpark.html

Usually we go in the off season of September after Labor Day weekend. We've never gone in July before. Now I clearly understand the reason and won't do it again. Ever. First it is hotter in July. It may only be 75 degrees at the top of the mountain (approx 8,000 feet up) but that is too hot when digging and the sun is relentless. Second, mosquitoes. We've never had the serious, severe, and irritating swarms in September. Third, hot pools are just too hot after a hot day in the sun. They are so much more enjoyable when it is cold outside. I overheated, then got in a hot pool and really overheated. I should not have done that. It took me a couple days to recover. Fourth, people, there were more people though most seem to have realized that digging in the midday sun wasn't a good idea. My guess is that they are camping or staying in the cabins and only come out in the morning and or evening.

Still, we got some really nice crystals and had a fun time hanging out with friends. It was great to be outside and in the mountains.

The radios worked very well! I love being able to talk between the cars. Coordinating stops is much easier. Also Heather was able to tell us about the flowers on the side of the road and I was able to point out a few of the birds. Most were on the wing and I knew that wouldn't work, but a Golden Eagle posed for us just outside of Dell. And the Red-tailed hawks were very obliging. Antelope and elk were both spotted, though not everyone saw both.

Other birds I saw were: House sparrows, Rock doves, American crows, Swainson's hawks, Brewer's blackbirds, Kestrels, Magpies, Eastern kingbirds, Barn swallows, Double-crested cormorants, Western meadowlarks, Red-winged blackbirds, White-faced ibis flying in a flock, Lots of common ravens, Canada geese, American white pelicans, Black capped chickadees, Dark eyed juncos and a gorgeous Gray jay at our dig site. One of the most fun sightings for me was the Rough-legged hawk who misjudged his soar in our cars direction and made a sudden turn right over the windshield.

Grays Lake

DSC08491
Originally uploaded by J Semenza

So why did I have so much time off and time with friends? Well, originally we had planned a 4 day campout Thurs-Sun. The Idaho weather decided we weren't going to get to do that. It had rained so much that even if it had stopped the campgrounds were still going to be closed because of mud.

I had also taken Monday off thinking I'd need a day to recover. After sleeping in I decided to go and do something. By now the sun had come out and the weather was spectacular. Again nature was displaying its finest in green with accents and fields of flowers.

Doing something for me nowdays means birding. So off I went, South instead of my usual North and circumnavigated the Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge. There were a LOT of good birds. I was particularly excited to see the 4 Long-billed curlews flying in for a landing. Once landed, I couldn't see them at all. This wildlife refuge doesn't have the viewing areas that you can find at Camas or Market Lake. Still my list was quite good and I got to watch Red-tailed hawk after Red-tailed hawk after Red-tailed hawk. I've been studying raptors hoping to be better able to identify them on the wing. I think I really know the RT hawk now.

Ravens
Crows
Red-winged blackbirds
House sparrows
Rock doves
Great blue herons
Long-billed curlews
Horned larks
Vestper sparrows
Cliff swallows
Tree swallows
Brown headed cowbirds
American goldfinches
Magpies
Robins
Western meadowlarks
Mallards
Redheads
Cinnamon teals
American wigeons
Yellow-headed blackbirds
Coots
White-faced ibises
American avocets
Wilson's phaleropes
Canada geese
A.White pelicans
Osprey
Western Bluebirds
Turkey vultures
Common terns
Sandhill cranes
Coppers hawk
and a Mule deer

I drove home the long way up through Wyoming then Palisades, Ririe and Idaho Falls. It was also gorgeous and added to the bird list. I am most proud of the Coopers hawk identification. Woo Hoo!

The rest of the weekend

While Yellowstone was a high point of the weekend, the rest of it was fun too. On Friday morning Nick and I went horseback riding with the ISU outdoor center people. I need to find more leg strengthening exercises. Mounting without a block just isn't possible for me. Good news is, my horsy friend says that it isn't that great for the horse either. So my new excuse is I'm trying to keep the horse in good shape. It's not that I'm out of shape...

That evening we had a potluck with a larger group of friends (Ty, Emily, Duo, Heather, Bill, John +Emily's brother). It's always good to get together and talk and hang out.

At dinner on Saturday in Yellowstone we discussed getting together for brunch on Sunday. When and where were frustrating for all of us. Most restaurants here are packed on Father's day. Finally we decided to just cook it ourselves. A Sunday feast of pancakes, eggs and bacon was enjoyed by all. Then we dispersed to recover from the weekend. I must say I was happy to nap and sit and do a lot of nothing.

Yellowstone, a Day Trip

DSC08404
Originally uploaded by J Semenza

We left for Yellowstone around 8:00 a.m. on a cloudy and overcast day. The clouds thinned as we headed north and by the time we arrived in the park it was gorgeous! The sun was shining and the grass was green and the flowers were abundant.

Last weekend Nick and I went to a bunch of garage sales. We found 4 radios with an alleged broadcast radius of 5 miles.

On my trip with the Great Salt Lake birders I discovered how useful such radios can be. They used them between the cars to point out birds to each other. So no one was stopped, stuck and wondering what everyone else was seeing.

So back to the story, we found these radios and the guy selling them told us the batteries didn't work. Nick did some research and we can get new rechargeable ones pretty reasonably, but not in time for the Yellowstone trip. So we just put in regular double A batteries and voila, functioning communications devices.

These are much better than cell phones. Everyone in the car can hear what is being said, and in the park, there just isn't good cell coverage anyway.
Though John grew up in Idaho he had never been to Yellowstone, so our traditional West Entrance to Old Faithful was the route to go. This year that route was amazing. Again the flowers were all in bloom. Heather, in the other car has a great memory for wildflowers so as we were driving she was able to tell us what we were seeing.

We saw mega fauna: Mule deer, Elk, Bison, and Antelope (between Yellowstone and Island Park)

We also saw mini fauna: Yellow-bellied marmots, and Golden-mantled ground squirrels.

And of course, birds and more birds:

Crows
House finches
House sparrows
Starlings
Rock doves
Red-tailed hawks
American kestrels
Western grebes
Magpies
Red-winged blackbirds
Cinnamon teals
Yellow-headed blackbirds
Flickers
Turkey vultures
Redheads
Canada geese
Yellow-rumped warblers
Chipping sparrow
Tree swallows
Bank swallows
Northern rough-winged swallows

Most spectacular were the numerous, bright, Mountain bluebirds and the ever entertaining Ravens.

The clouds caught up with us at Firehole Lake drive, adding atmosphere to the already picturesque location.

Rain caught us at the Midway geyser basin and we (or at least I) scurried off to the car.

I needed a break so everyone else braved the rain to go shop at the Old Faithful stop. I took a 10 minute nap, read the free paper, changed shoes and then felt so much better I headed into the lodge myself, about 5 minutes before the geyser was supposed to go off. This meant, I had the restroom to myself. Oh, and the rain had stopped so there was no need to dash anywhere. I spotted the Ice Cream vendor and picked up a cone. I haven't had an ice cream cone in forever.

The Old Faithful geyser began spouting while I'm getting my ice cream. There really is a good view from the lodge. I walked out and radio in hand got a hold of Nick. I asked him if he had picked up any ice cream and he said they didn't have any in the building. I replied, then how am I eating this? Needless to say, we all went back in and everyone else got treats.

A last stop at the Black Sand geyser basin was cut short by rain. We stopped at the diner in West Yellowstone and then headed home.

As we were driving through Island Park a gorgeous bald eagle jumped out in front of the car and swooped up and out away from us. It was so close and so amazing!

Home by 10:00 p.m. and in bed shortly thereafter. I had a new number on my pedometer. I've never seen it read 40,000 steps before. Close to 12 miles of walking/fidgeting. My normal number is 10,000 and I have to work to get that.

Lovely day.

Squash in the Garden ...

It all started with the question “Why?”

Why are squashes planted in hills or mounds? It’s not like I wanted to buck tradition, but it is extra work to create such mounds or hills. Two days later, I have a lot of conjecture but no real answer. The books all treat the planting in mounds as a de facto practice that need no explanation. Apparently it has been the custom for more than 100 years...

• “For general field conditions, the seeds of Squashes are usually planted in hills where the plants are to stand. If the land is mellow and rich, these hills are nothing more than a bit of ground 12-18 inches across, which has been freshly hoed or spaded and leveled off. “ (Bailey, 1910, p. 1712)

• “All squash and pumpkins are frost-tender, and grow best during the heat of summer in soils that are warm and have a high water-holding capacity. … Planting distances vary widely, but the bush types are usually planted in hills…” (Wyman, p. 1064)

My friends had ideas for why we plant in hills.

1. Growth Space or Area
2. Warmth
3. Drainage

After hours of reading books and searching the Internet I finally found the wisdom of an individual gardener who states:

----------------------------------------------------------

Posted by macmex 6b (My Page) on
Mon, Mar 31, 08 at 12:01

Waterlily, where do you live and garden? A lot depends on one's climate. For instance, Sueloring is in zone 4 and finds that it really helps to mound up soil and plant on the mounds. I assume her climate is pretty cool, with a shorter growing season. I, however, live in Oklahoma with a long hot growing season. I sometimes grow my squash and pumpkins in "hills" meaning I simply group two to three seeds to one spot. But I don't make a mound. In fact, I often plant in a depression, so I can more easily water during the hot season. In the strictest sense "hill," in squash and pumpkin planting terminology really only means a group planting. The other option is to plant in a row. When I want a lot more of a given squash I will pour a line of good compost where I want my row and turn it under with a fork. Then I plant my squash in that row of enriched soil, perhaps a foot a part.

Another matter of terminology is that of the names "squash" and "pumpkin." Most people think of pumpkins as being round and orange, or at least round; and squash being most anything else. Strictly speaking any pumpkin is also a squash. So, if someone mentions "growing squash," you can know that what follows will also apply to your pumpkins.

Happy gardening!

George
Tahlequah, OK

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/gourds/msg0314405422835.html

----------------------------------------------------------

Well this year I planted in my pumpkins in small mounds and my zucchini in a raised ridge. I think I’ll try the gourds and cucumbers on a flat surface. Though I may train those vines up and over a trellis… Check back with me later to see how things have worked out.

--- Jenny

Bailey, L.H. (1910). Squash. In The Cyclopedia of American Horticulture (Vol. 4, pp 1711-1713). New York: Macmillan.

Wyman, D. (1986). Squash and Pumpkins. In Wyman’s Gardening Encyclopedia (pp. 1063-1065). New York: Macmillan

Last day of GSL Bird Festival

Bummer the picture is blurry, I've got a problem taking pictures while on a horse. Still you can see the coyote looking at us on the far edge of the shadow of the tree.

Last but certainly not least fun was our "Birds & Spurs" bird tour. Sunday morning 8:00 a.m. at the ranch on Antelope Island. Good thing we always try to be early for things. We made it just on time because of our, okay my desire to look at birds. We saw more birds going in to the ranch than we saw on the tour. That just doesn't matter though. We got to spend two hours riding around the environs on horses.

I signed up for this even back at the beginning of April. I hadn't been on a horse in ages. So for the subsequent 6 weeks I did strength training 4 days a week and rode horses a couple of times with the outdoors program. It worked! I was able to 1: Get on the horse. 2: Ride the horse without pain for 2 hours. 3: Dismount the horse with a modicum of grace. 4: Walk away from the horse without acting like a cripple. 5: Be able to walk the next day. I was very happy to have achieved all of those goals.

Our bird list included:
Ring-necked pheasant, California quail, Chuckar
Red-winged, Yellow-headed, and Brewers blackbirds
Magpies, Robins, Ravens
Horned larks, various unidentifiable warblers and flycatchers
Grasshopper sparrows, White-crowned sparrows, House sparrows, House finches
Cliff and Barn swallows
Wilson's snipe, Willets
Burrowing owl!!!

And then we also saw Mega-fauna
Pronghorn
Bison
Mule deer
Coyotes
and the skeleton of a bighorn sheep

Twas very, very cool and I hope to go again next year!

Birds of Prey workshop at GSL Bird Festival

DSC08035
Originally uploaded by J Semenza

Raptor Notes

Raptor Identification by Ben Woodruff, SkyMasters
"This program is geared towards serious bird watching enthusiasts. Ben will share many non-traditional and little known identification tips. Live raptors will be displayed in this program as well as digitally displayed images."

--------------------------------------------------------

When identifying raptors take the time to ask yourself these questions:
What is the bird doing?
Where is the bird?
These can help you figure out what the bird might be.

--------------------------------------------------------

Falcons are like bricks the weight of 5 large raptors are compressed into this little raptor making them super dense and heavy. The exception is the Kestrel.

Falcons DO NOT glide. They zoom to their destination without a pause in the wing beat or a dip in the flight plan. Unstoppable cruising speed that they use to catch other birds for dinner

Falcons have long skinny wings.

Kestrel v Merlin
When sitting they have different silhouettes. The Kestrel nips in at the rump and then out for the tail. The Merlin does not.

Peregrines have stumpy tails

Prairie falcons are less tolerant of humans. They LOVE larks and are found in the prairie hunting them. Particularly abundant on the salt flats desert.

The Gyrfalcon has a longer wing and can be found in the Bear River area in Feb & March

Prairie falcons are darker underneath. They like to sit on the second rung down on the telephone poles (to help hide from larger raptors). They will lean next to the post or "hug" the post in order to hide.

If it is a falcon in the city it is a peregrine.

When hunting other birds the peregrine will strike, circle up and strike again.

When hunting other birds the Prairie falcon will hit just as it is coming up under its circle.

--------------------------------------------------------

Hawks or Buteos have long broad wings. They are the "soaring hawks"

Buteos don't worry about eagles eating them so there is no hiding near fence posts.

They have very broad shoulders and glide, there is an up and down motion in flight. In Utah Swainson's are the summer hawk, Red Tails and Ferriginous (the prairie eagle) the spring and fall, and Rough legged in the winter.

Ferriginous hawks have tiny feet and hunt on the ground.

Harris hawks are pack birds

--------------------------------------------------------

Accipters are forest hawks. They are high strung and aggressive.

Goshawks are not found in town

Coopers & Sharp shinned can be spotted in neighborhood trees.

Coopers have a white tip on their tail that is noticeable.

Sharp-shinned do have a white tip, but it is not noticeable.

Accipters have shorter wings compared to their height, and they love water.

Accipters have big deep rowing wing beats (pigeon like). They will flap 3-4 times then soar. Look for them in canyons hunting for ground squirrels.

Goshawks nest in areas with Fir and Aspen. their nests of sticks are right next to the trunk of the tree.

--------------------------------------------------------

A Harrier is hawk size but really light, it hunts by coursing out over fields.

--------------------------------------------------------

Great horned, burrowing, barn and short-eared owls can be spotted in the daytime.

--------------------------------------------------------

Golden eagles are aggressive, they pull their heads in close to their body to take off and have a longish tail.

Bald eagles are more social and tend to have "poofy" heads. They keep their heads down to take off and have a shorter tail.

This was a fascinating lecture and one I will remember for always. If you have a chance to attend one of their lectures, GO!

--------------------------------------------------------

Great Salt Lake Bird Festival May 15-17

Ah, the Great Salt Lake Bird Festival that was something else! I began Friday by driving up to BYU Idaho. I was the closing speaker for their Library Week festivities. I was able to take 1.5 hours for my Notes from a Wandering Librarian and that was a relief. I'm normally talking so fast it's a little obnoxious. It was interesting to visit the old Ricks campus, so familiar and yet so foreign now. The library used to take one wing of the building with administration in the other wing. Now the library occupies both wings. Lunch with librarians and then back to Pocatello to repack for my next trip.

On the drive down to Farmington on Friday evening I called Krista and sure enough she and Terrial were available for dinner. We met up at Applebees and had a great visit. It seems impromptu works well for both of us. We stayed at a nearby Day's Inn. It was important to drive down Friday cause I had signed us up for a 7:00 a.m. bird tour.

The tour "Glover Ponds at Sunrise" was very fascinating, not just for the birds, but for the birders. I'm so used to going with family and being silly that the seriousness of the group was a bit intimidating. I am not going to let that put me off. Next year I'm going again, only maybe I'll wear clown shoes and a nose. They seemed so afraid of getting it wrong. Pity.

We saw lots of bird species and many, many, adorable chicks (as in baby birds).

Western kingbirds, Yellow-rumped warblers, Marsh wrens

Brewers, Red-winged, and Yellow-headed blackbirds

Great blue herons, Snowy egrets, American avocets +chicks, Black-necked stilts, Kildeer, Snowy plovers, White-faced ibises, Sandhill cranes +chicks, Double-crested cormorants

Pied billed grebes, Western grebes

Canada geese, Northern shovelers, Redheads, Cinnamon teals, Ruddy ducks, Gadwalls, Mallards, Coots

Forsters terns

Tree, Barn, Cliff and Bank swallows

Red-tailed hawks

Ravens, Crows, Magpies, Starlings

The program advertised the Glover Ponds tour as:
"These ponds bring YOU into nature, with an enriching experience, as you come in contact with this marsh habitat. The Nature Center deck and surrounding wetlands at the edge of Great Salt Lake, enhances your opportunity for close-up observation. A nearby Great Blue Heron rookery will be active and Avocets will be building nests. Other possible species include: Cinnamon Teal, four species of grebes, Snowy Egrets, Ruddy Ducks, American Pelicans, plus other shorebirds, and other wildlife."

--------------------------------------------------------

I attended a couple of workshops on Saturday. (Including the Raptor one).

The "Nature Photography" class was interesting and I learned a lot of basics on how to take better pictures.

The "Ruling by Obfuscation: Tyrant Flycatchers of Utah" was great and I have a marvelous cheat sheet that I need to make copies of and affix to my bird books. I'm not sure if I am more confused or less confused but I'm sure I learned something. The blurb for the workshop was marvelous:

"Are you confused about flycatchers? Losing sleep over the Empidonax group? Do you lash out at family and friends when they bring up lower mandible coloration? You should consider an experimental new treatment: Flycatcher Stress Reduction Therapy. The treatment is free and you can be seen on a walk-in basis. So don’t let flycatcher confusion rule your life any longer. Come and learn the truth about flycatcher identification. Plumage characteristics are not always enough, but you can use other distinguishing features like song, habitat, and even behavior to help surmount your fear of misidentification. You can go from “Oh no, it’s a flycatcher, let’s go the other way” to ”OH LOOK! It’s a flycatcher, let’s figure out which
one!”

I got a little turned around on our way back to the festival after lunch. This meant we wandered into a neighborhood with a fantastic yard sale. We've now officially replaced our ice cream maker with one that seems much more sturdy.

There were a lot of activities geared for kids at the festival and the workshops were all free. I'd highly recommend this as an activity for families!

Salt Lake City

DSC07826
Originally uploaded by J Semenza

I went to Salt Lake City Feb 28 - Mar 1 with friends to shop and hang out. Luckily I was able to rendez-vous with my family and get Shanna. The next weekend (see Birding entry on March 7) I went to SLC to go birding with Melinda and pick up some stuff from Rebecca's storage unit.

I had previously planned on going to the Ogden Rock show with my friend John on Friday March 13th. So for the third week in a row I headed out for Utah. Shanna went with us and we had a great time. I only realized that neither of them knew how to drive a stick shift after we had been driving for an hour or so...

By now, Mom and Melinda had driven back to Dallas because they didn't want to get snowed in here and weren't feeling well. So this is the second week of having Shanna which was great. We decided to pay her to paint our living room moldings and the hall. Anyway we're driving back from Ogden and I get a call from the family telling me they have a plane ticket for Shanna. Bet you can't guess when... Eyup, they had planned it for the very next day, March 14th. Well, neither Shanna nor I were ready to be parted just yet. (AND the painting wasn't finished). So we asked them to check into a delay. *PHEW* they were able to delay the flight for another week.

Nick and I were able to take Shanna to the airport on March 23rd (during spring break). It was a bummer to see her go, and I thought I'd be done with this driving to Utah stuff but no.

So to recap that's the 4 trips to SLC between Mar 1 and Mar 23.

Then April came along. I went to SLC on the 11th for Jessica's Baby Shower (see other entry), and again on April 22-25 for the Utah Library Association meeting. Conveniently Jessica gave birth to Rachel just before I went down there so I got to see mom, dad, and baby in the hospital. Must say that Rachel is truly adorable.

Recap again, we're now at 6 trips to SLC between Mar 1 and April 25.

Then came May. I thought things would slow down, instead it went in two directions. First north to the Idaho Library Association Regional Meeting in Moscow ID (10 hr drive) on May 7-9 then BACK to Utah for the GSA conference with Nick May 11-13, home for a day of work then North to Rexburg to speak at BYU Idaho's library week event. Of course, the pull of Utah cannot be denied so back we went for the Bird Festival May 15-17.

I believe this makes 4 more trips, 2 of them to Utah for a total of 8 trips to Utah, plus 2 trips North between Mar 1 and May 17th.

I like to travel, really I do. But this was a tad ridiculous.

Jenny
who was very happy to sleep in over Memorial day weekend and NOT go anywhere.

Memorial Day Weekend

Nick & I went with Duo & Heather to three gardening classes in Idaho Falls at the Town and Country Gardens Greenhouse: http://www.tcgardens.com/seminars.cfm
February 7, 10:00 a.m. Pruning and Tree Care
February 21, 10:00 a.m. Square Foot Gardening
March 21, 10:00 a.m. Fruit Trees
It was a lot of fun and good learning. We (or rather Nick) put the Pruning and Tree Care to good use over the Memorial Day weekend. Hopefully the little honey locust trees in front of the house will be able to straighten up. I'd hate to have to remove them because they didn't have parents training them to grow upright. ...

I spent one day weeding off and on as the rain permitted. It was really easy to pull those pesky weeds because the ground was so soft. However, I didn't want to crawl around on the ground so I did lots of lunges and squats and bending over. I am so much more sore from the gardening than I was from the horseback riding. OWWWWIEE!

Still with any luck we'll be able to put all the herbs and other veggies in the ground this weekend.

Horseback riding

DSC07753
Originally uploaded by J Semenza

I grew up on horses. I love them. One of my fondest memories is of the two weeks I got to spend on Sandy, my Welsh pony. The Jr. High burned down so I had two whole weeks with siblings still in school and the freedom of my little palomino. While birding with the Salt Lake Audubon group I discovered a thing called Bird Festivals.

Who knew that such a thing existed. I was so excited I came home and signed us up for a couple of outings. One of which was titled Birds and Spurs. Birding on horseback, sounded delightful! After paying for all of it I realized that I might not actually be in good enough shape to endure the experience. After all, I hadn't been on a horse in at least 15 years.

I talked it over with Nick and we signed up to go to the ISU outdoors program sponsored horseback riding practice. I am so glad we did. I am not the athletic girl I once was. We were able to attend two of these sessions before going out to the Birdfest. During these sessions I rediscovered my ability to boss a horse around. To not be intimidated by the lovely creatures and eventually, with the aid of a mounting block be able to get on with at least a modicum of grace.

Now I am looking forward to more riding sessions with the outdoors program. Who knows, maybe horses really are back in my life.

I'd love that.

Jenny

Scooter

DSC07795
Originally uploaded by J Semenza

As many of you know, this is Scooter my traveling bear companion. Years ago I saw him in a bin in a store in West Yellowstone. He was adorable and I wanted him, but was feeling too cheap so I didn't get him. As I continued to shop, my sneaky husband scooped him up and bought him. I discovered him on my pillow at the cabin we stayed in that night. Since then this little bear has gone all kinds of places with me. I just wish I had more pictures of him on his travels. Here he is on US-95. We're on our way to Moscow ID. -- Jenny

GSA May 10-13

DSC08014
Originally uploaded by J Semenza

Geological Society of America: GSA, Conference Location: Orem Utah, Special Speaker: Nick Semenza.

I got home on Saturday from my trip ILA North trip. Sunday we had a graduation lunch with friends at our house. Because of all of the traveling I've had to do recently, I wasn't looking forward to taking off on Sunday evening to head for the GSA conference. Nor had we made arrangements for our dog for Sunday evening. See, we had thought to drive down on Monday. It wasn't till Saturday evening when we realized that the conference actually started at 8:00 a.m. on Monday. We decided to take two cars down. This way I could sleep and sleep and sleep and drive down in time to hear Nick speak. And he could leave Sunday and be there first thing in the morning. It's probably too late to try and make this story any shorter so ...

Sunday after lunch Nick gathered stuff up, packed, and headed out while I sat and talked with our friends. They left early and I did a wonderful bunch of nothing. I did get to Orem in time to find Nick (who was all decked out in a suit looking very professional) and go to his session. He did such a great job, everyone loved it. He spoke about using historical records and geoscience/mapping to find lost springs.

The first evening we went out to dinner at the Brazillian Grill "Tucanos" near the mouth of Provo Canyon. Annie met us there and we gorged on the all you can eat grilled food. I am in LOVE with grilled pineapple.

I went birding while he attended GSA for the next couple of days. First I visited the South end of Utah lake. Here I found:

Western meadowlarks
Yellow-headed, and Red-winged blackbirds, Brown-headed cowbirds

House sparrows, Robins, Mourning doves, Western kingbirds, Magpies,

Tree, Bank, and Barn swallows

Canada geese, Redheads, Coots, Mallards, Western grebes, Pied-billed grebes, White-faced Ibises, American-white pelicans, American wigeons, Cinnamon teals, kildeer, Double-crested cormorants, Cattle egret

American goldfinches, Western tanagers, Yellow-rumbed warblers

Turkey vultures

The second evening we were looking for much lighter fare and discovered a relatively new place that served great salads, sandwiches and tea. A lovely change to the heavy Brazillian fare. After dinner we drove out Provo Canyon to Bridal Veil Falls. I thought Nick should see the amazing rocks and mountains of the canyon. It is too bad night fell so swiftly.

We had to check out on Wednesday so I headed north for a leisurely drive home with more birding while Nick attended more conference sessions. I stopped at Willard State Park, Brigham City, Honeyville, and the Bear River Refuge. The Refuge is STUPENDOUS! I saw so many birds...

Tree, Violet-green, Cliff, Bank, and Barn swallows

Great-tailed grackle, Robins, Magpies, House sparrows, Crows, Ravens, Starlings, Rock doves

Bullocks oriole, Western kingbirds, Western meadowlark, Horned lark, Marsh wrens

Kildeer, White-faced ibises, Cattle egret, Long-billed curlew, American avocets, Willets, Black-neck stilt, Snowy egrets, American-white pelcians, Wilson's phaleropes, Western grebes, Clarks grebes, Canada geese, Great-blue herons, Double-crested comorant

Mallards, Coots, American wigeons, Cinnamon teals, Redhead, Ruddy duck, Northern shovelers, Gadwalls, Northern pintail

Kestrel, Red-tailed hawk

Yellow-headed, Red-winged, and Brewers blackbird

Bonaparte's gulls, Forsters Terns

The best part was driving out of the Refuge. I was driving along and glanced to my left and thought, oh northern pintail duck. My inner critic then said Nah, so I stopped and turned around and sure enough it really was a northern pintail. I was very, VERY excited. I've been birding for a long time and it is getting more and more fun as I can identify many birds at a glance and many more after a bit of study. It is only now and then that I have to get out the book and ponder. And I've only had to email a picture to Melinda once so far this year. Whoo HOOO!

Home from ILA North

DSC07922
Originally uploaded by J Semenza

I attended (and presented) at the ILA regional conference in Moscow. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to book a room that evening in Moscow because of graduation ceremonies. I finished the conference and drove to the Super 8 in Coeur d'Alene. Next moring I headed for home. There was so much to see on the way home. It was fabulous!

On the way home I stopped at the lake and took a few pictures, and I stopped at the Mission and took a few pictures. I did not go in the Mission, I've been there before and I didn't want to take the time. Heading south I got to Missoula around 1:00. I headed into the city hoping to find somewhere interesting to eat. With Nick's long distance (thank heavens for cell phones) help. I did find a great lunch place but it was packed and there was no parking in the downtown area and there were people everywhere so I gave up and headed south. That little detour (which still didn't get me lunch) took an hour. Anyway, I ended up at a roadside diner south of Missoula.

As I passed Camas wildlife refuge the urge to go birding was overwhelming so I stopped in Roberts and did a drive by through market lake. There were tons of birds! It was early evening and I found the Short-eared owl out hunting. I just assumed it was a RT hawk, still it was sitting on a post and I might as well look and once I got my binoculars up I realized that this was no hawk. It posed for awhile and then took off to find more food. It was very cool.

I saw a LOT of birds over the 3 days including:

Short-eared owl, Golden eagles, Bald eagle, Red-tailed hawks, Swainsons hawks, Turkey vultures and Kestrels

American-white pelicans, Long-billed curlew, Kildeer, Mallards, Western grebes, Double-crested cormorants, White-faced ibises, Sandhill crane, American avocet, Black-crowned night heron, Wilson's phaleropes, Great-blue herons,

Ruddy ducks, Cinnamon teals, Coots, Lesser scaups, Northern shovelers, Readheads,

Franklins gull, California gull, Common tern
Crows, Ravens, Magpies, Stellars jay

House sparrows, Rock doves, Mourning doves, Robins, Western meadowlarks, Ruby crowned kinglet, Yellow rumped warblers,

Red-winged, Yellow-headed, and Brewers blackbirds

Bank, Cliff, Tree, Barn, and Rough-winged swallows

Red fox, Antelope, and Mule deer.

For more photos see the flickr set at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157618913280236/

Driving to Moscow

DSC07782
Originally uploaded by J Semenza

There are two ways to get from Pocatello ID to Moscow ID. The first is via I15 to Couer d'Alene then South on US-95. According to Mapquest it takes 9 hours 7 minutes (612.64 miles). The second way is to drive to Boise on I84 then North on US-95. According to Mapquest it takes 8 hours 42 minutes (558.94 miles).

However, the first route is mainly on Freeway so it goes rather quickly. The second route (after Boise) is on two lane highway so it can go much more slowly. Then there's also factors such as weather to take into consideration. I'd rather do the long fast way if there's a chance of snow.

In any case, I decided to go the short slow way for the first time as an adult person this month. I had a speaking engagement at the Idaho Library Association - Northern Region in Moscow. And so began the drive. US-95 is very scenic!

See more photos of this drive at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157617844962542/

I drove the long fast way home. Since I compulsively stop and stretch my legs or take photos or what have you, both drives take the same length of time... 10-11 hours.

Jenny

April in American Falls

DSC07650
Originally uploaded by J Semenza

April to me is about springtime. Birds start returning, trees begin to bud. This April I spent a lot of time in Utah. On one of the few weekends I was home I went out to American Falls. Here I found many birds and much water.

Birds included:
Robins, Pelicans, Magpies, R. doves, M. doves, N. flickers, A-w Pelicans, Common mergansers, DC cormorants, Ring neck ducks, Great blue herons, Northern harriers, A. crows, White-crowned sparrow, Common loon, Coots, Mallards, California gulls, Swainson's hawk, R-t Hawk, House sparrows, Red winged blackbirds, and Red-breasted mergansers...

I loved finding an osprey near the fish hatchery. I know it was trying to find a way past the protective netting.

Best of all was surprising two bald eagles in the trees in the cemetary. The American Falls cemetary is set on a cliff above the river and the trees were on the cliff side. I'm sure those two birds were hunting/fishing. I was probably more surprised than they were. I did not expect them to be there.

Lentil Stuffed Zucchini

This post on "This is why you're thin" blog made me create my own lentil stuffed Zucchini recipe. The image is from their post.

I am using old lentils (don't ask me how old, I have no idea). I cooked 1/2 cup lentils in vegetable broth till they were just done. For me this was approx an hour. Your timing may vary. There is very little in the way of liquid remaining in the pot.

Saute 1/4 yellow onion till almost translucent in olive oil
Add 1-2 cloves minced garlic
Add 1/4 diced red bell pepper
Stir fry till onion is translucent and peppers are almost done.
Add this to the lentils in the pot
Add 1 tsp salt 1/2 tsp pepper (or to taste
Add 1/4 cup tomato based pasta sauce
Simmer briefly to reduce the liquid (I simmered it while prepping the zucchini).

Set oven to 350 degrees F
Scrub 2 zucchini,
Cut in half
Hollow them out putting the scooped parts into the lentil pot

Put zucchini in an oiled baking dish (I used olive oil)
Stuff them with the lentil mixture (If it is too soupy use a strainer to remove the excess)
Excess lentil mixture can be placed around the zucchini

Bake in oven for 15 minutes

Shred parmesan cheese approx 1/2 cup - 1 cup
Sprinkle over top and return to zucchini to oven for another 5-10 minutes.

I like to leave my zucchini quite crunchy so I only bake for 20 minutes. You can bake longer if you like.

I was surprised by how much Nick & I liked this. I'm not that fond of zucchini, and Nick isn't that fond of lentils.

Sisters & Birds

I left work a few minutes early and headed home. I was still not certain if I would drive down to Salt Lake City that evening or the next morning. As I started packing and getting things together I got more into the idea of getting there Friday night and NOT trying get up at 5:00 a.m. on Saturday. With the car loaded I took off, arriving at Rebecca's downtown apartment at 8:00 p.m. She met me downstairs and we headed for Sawadee Thai Food.

Sawadee has amazing food. For the first time I really, REALLY enjoyed the tofu parts of my pad thai. Rebecca says the trick is to drain the tofu, chop it up in cubes, and let it sit for awhile to finish draining (approx 1hr). You then fry it and add to whatever you want.

If you want to go to Sawadee it is located at:
754 East South Temple
Salt Lake City UT
http://www.sawadee1.com/

Hung out with Rebecca and her daughter + friend for awhile before going to sleep.

Woke up early, had too. Really wanted to go birding with the Great Salt Lake

Audubon group http://www.greatsaltlakeaudubon.org/ on their Inland Sea Shorebird Reserve (Kennecott Mitigation Property) field trip. It was really amazing the area is HUGE and normally off limits to people. I didn't count, but it seemed like hundreds of Avocets were present, along with the trifecta of teals and more:

American Avocets
Cinnamon Teals
Blue Winged Teals
Green Winged Teals
Great Blue Herons
Western Meadowlarks
Sage Thrashers
Northern Harriers
Northern Shovelers
Coots
Willets
Savannah Sparrow
Yellow Headed Blackbirds
Red Winged Blackbirds
Canada Geese (surprisingly few)
Eared Grebes
LEsser Scaups
Long Billed Curlews
Logger Head Shrike
Ruby Crowned Kinglet
Golden Eagle

And best of all a new species for me: Barn Owl!!

Outside of the field trip I also saw:
American Robins
Red Tailed Hawks
Starlings
Rock Doves
California Gulls
House Sparrows
Trumpeter Swans

And the cutest Wood Duck.

For Mammals, there were Pronghorns on the reserve and dozens of Mule Deer along I15.

I met some great people and ended up carpooling with a Yvonne from the Utah County Audubon group http://www.utahbirds.org/. She was very congenial and interesting. She has a spotting scope and so I got more information about them from her. The best surprise was the fact that there are Bird Festivals where there are field trips and classes and vendors and I gotta go to one!!

After birding I cleaned up and headed for Jessica's.

Jessica is very pregnant right now. She's having a girl and the little baby Rachel is expected to make her debut within the next few weeks. Thank heavens for Rebecca, she let me pay for half of a great present. She found a gorgeous sterling silver necklace with coin like monogram charms for each member of Jessica's family.

It was one of the best baby showers I have ever attended. Jessica's friends had set it up as an open house so people could come and go. There were presents and cake and veggies and it was only friends and family. I wish I coulda stayed longer.

More later...
Jenny

Shanna's Honey Vanilla Granola

Dry
4.5-5 cups oats (the big rolled oats, not quick oats)

Liquids and Flavors
1 tbsp vanilla

3/4 c honey
1/2 cup canola oil

1/2 tsp salt

1. Toast the oats
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F
Put oats in even layer (maximum 1 inch deep) in roasting pan or baking sheet. Bake for 5-8 minutes stirring every 2-3 for even toasting. Oats will be a bit less chewey. Be careful not to over-toast as this wills scorch them and make them bitter.

After removing from oven put in large bowl, add the almonds and sunflower seeds and stir together.

Leave oven on, you'll be using it again in a minute.

2. Warm the liquids and flavors
Over medium heat mix together the remaining ingredients, stir till it is warm and thoroughly mixed. You do not need to bring this to a boil. I recommend you don't let it go to a boil, after all, you're not making candy.

3. Pour over the dry ingredients and stir till thoroughly coated.

4. Spread into 1 inch deep layer in roasting pan or baking sheet (I usually have to use two). Put in oven for 20-25 minutes (still at 325 degrees F). Every 5 minutes stir and re-spread.

5. Remove from oven, press into even layer and allow to cool in a solid mass (this will make it more clumpy).

6. Once cooled, break it up and store in tight container

Birding - March - Camas, Market Lake, Mud Lake...

Two days of birding, Camas Wildlife Refuge, Mud Lake, Market Lake, the Snake River North of Idaho Falls, and my house. I was able to find the Long Tailed Duck on the Snake River, though it took two days of hunting. It was very nifty!! I was also able to plot a path outside of I15 from IF to Market Lake to Mud Lake to Camas. I ended up seeing so many more birds because of this change of path. I really liked the fields filled with ducks (northern pintail mostly...)

Golden eagle	Rough legged hawks
Swainsons hawks	American kestrels
Red tailed hawks	Northern harriers
Red winged blackbirds	Yellow headed blackbirds
American robins	Dark eyed juncos
Western meadowlarks	California gulls
Ring billed gulls	Northern flicker
Horned larks	American crows
Rock doves	Mourning doves
House sparrows	House finches
Lesser goldfinches	Pine siskins
Red breasted nuthatch	Magpies
Canada geese	Snow geese
Starlings	Red naped sapsuckers
Trumpeter swans	Tundra swans
Common goldeneyes	Gadwall
American wigeons	Northern pintails
Coots	Ring necked ducks
Long tailed ducks	Blue winged teal
Mallards	Lesser scaups
Cinnamon teals	Red breasted mergansers
Red headed ducks	Kildeer
Sandhill cranes	Great blue heron
Chinese pheasants	Great horned owls
Bohemian waxwings	Cedar waxwings
Porcupines	Captive bison

Birding around American Falls

3/20/09

I had planned on going to Mud Lake, Camas, and Market Lake, but slept in and missed the timing. Instead I headed for American Falls. There are many great birding spots around this reservoir and the Snake River. Of particular interest is the birding trail that the Audubon society has marked near the fish hatchery.

At my house:
1. House sparrows
2. House Finches
3. Pine siskins

On the road:
4. Rock doves
5. Magpies
6. Western Meadowlark
7. Red tailed hawk

By the marina:
8. Song sparrow
9. Mallards
10. Crows
11. California gulls
12. Ring billed gulls
13. Robins
14. Starlings
15. Tree swallows
16. Goldfinch
17. Kestrels
18. Norther 'red shafted' flickers playing mating games

By the dam:
19. Northern pintail

By the fish hatchery:
20. Red breasted mergansers
21. Yellow rumped warblers
22. Norther shovelers
23. Common mergansers
24. Common goldeneys
25. Barrows godleneyes
26. Dark eyed juncos
27. Canada geese

It was a gorgeous sunny day and lots of fun to be out and about.

Birding in Utah

Melinda and I went birding in Utah, around Antelope Island and the wetlands nearby.


Day 1 3/7/9

kildeer
robins
canada geese
northern shovelers
eurasian wigeon
bufflehead
northern harrier (male)
american kestral
mallards
western meadowlark
common ravens
whooping crane
red winged blackbird
american tree sparrow
long eared owls
white breasted nuthatch
crows
chuckar
magpies
mourning doves
rock doves
starlings

coyote (heard the pups too)
pronghorn

Day 2 3/8/9

european house sparrows
american kestral
robins
starlings
rock doves
magpies
red breasted nuthatches
crows
common ravens

Jenny's Gingerbread Granola

Dry
9 cups oats (the big rolled oats, not quick oats)
2-3 cups sliced nuts and seeds (I used 2 cups sliced almonds and 1 cup sunflower seeds)

Liquids and Flavors
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp clove
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp allspice
1 tsp cardamom

1/2 c molasses
1 cup honey
1 cup canola oil

1 tsp salt

1. Toast the oats
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F
Put oats in even layer (maximum 1 inch deep) in roasting pan or baking sheet. Bake for 5-8 minutes stirring every 2-3 for even toasting. Oats will be a bit less chewey. Be careful not to over-toast as this wills scorch them and make them bitter.

After removing from oven put in large bowl, add the almonds and sunflower seeds and stir together.

Leave oven on, you'll be using it again in a minute.

2. Warm the liquids and flavors
Over medium heat mix together the remaining ingredients, stir till it is warm and thoroughly mixed. You do not need to bring this to a boil. I recommend you don't let it go to a boil, after all, you're not making candy.

3. Pour over the dry ingredients and stir till thoroughly coated.

4. Spread into 1 inch deep layer in roasting pan or baking sheet (I usually have to use two). Put in oven for 20-25 minutes (still at 325 degrees F). Every 5 minutes stir and re-spread.

5. Remove from oven, press into even layer and allow to cool in a solid mass (this will make it more clumpy).

6. Once cooled, break it up and store in tight container

Ravioli with Veggies in a Lemon Cream Sauce

Just had this for dinner, it was FABULOUS. Yes, I just made this up. -- Jenny

Steam the veggies
1 big floret of broccoli approx 1 - 1.5 cups + 2 medium carrots chopped

Cook the ravioli/tortellini (I just buy the packaged stuff)
2 of the smaller packages from the refrigerated section of the grocery store

Mince 2 cloves garlic and 1/4 yellow onion
Sautee in olive oil over medium heat in a mid sized sauce pan

Add:
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground pepper
1 brick Parmesan shredded (5 oz)
1 cup whipping cream

Cook over medium heat till cheese is melted and thoroughly blended.

Stir all ingredients together and serve

Stuffed Bell Peppers

Created a new recipe yesterday and loved it enough to write it down.

Stuffed Bell Peppers
4-6 red, yellow or orange bell peppers.
Slice off top (retain)
Scoop out seeds and membrane

1 lb pork
1 Tbsp canola oil

4 green onions chopped
1/2 head cabbage chopped
1/2 cup bean sprouts chopped
Mix chopped ingredients together and set aside

1 tsp minced ginger
2 garlic cloves minced
1/2 tsp serrano pepper powder
1 Tbsp rice wine Shao Hsing (cooking sherry is an acceptable substitute)
1 Tbsp soy sauce
1 Tbsp honey
Mix the seasonings together and set aside

Salt and Pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

Begin by sauteeing the pork, when it is mostly done, add the remaining ingredients. Allow to cook a few minutes partially wilting the cabbage.

Stuff peppers with mixture and place on pan (I use a glass casserole pan). Leftover mixture can be put around the peppers. Use toothpicks to secure pepper tops back onto peppers.

Bake in oven till peppers are the done to your taste. 20 minutes will leave them with a bit of crunch.

This was surprisingly yummy.

Solstice

DSC07507
Originally uploaded by J Semenza

We had a solstice party at the Aura Soma conference center in Lava. The best part was that we didn't have to leave that night and drive home, but could wait till the next day.

Who knew that 2 feet of snow would drop that night.

It was gorgeous outside.

Teton Dam, December 2008

DSC07452
Originally uploaded by J Semenza

In 1976 the Teton Dam broke open and flooded the Snake River Plain. I remember dad trenching around the houses on the ten acres with a backhoe. I remember planting trees in the morning. I remember listening to the news on the radio as the water headed south. I remember the news programs of sandbags being filled and placed on the Snake River in Idaho Falls (near where we lived). I remember dad talking about how they decided not to allow the diversion of water into the small canals but to keep it in the main river. This meant our house wasn't flooded.

I had been to the site before, but this time I went with Evelee. We went looking for interesting rocks. The Teton river is fed by Bitch Creek. This runs through a mountain range that has a layer of nephrite jade. The hope is always to find a chunk or pebble of the gorgeous dark green jade. I was not so lucky this time. It was cold and windy and beautiful.

The start to the day began with being pulled over by the cops in Rexburg for speeding. Evelee forgot to change her cruise control. The nice young man took pity on us and let us go with a warning. After all we do not look like we're up to trouble. - bummer that.

The end of the day was a fabulous dinner at Jakers restaurant in Idaho Falls.

I so love being outside.

Thanksgiving in Sacramento

DSC07443
Originally uploaded by J Semenza

Shanna moved to Texas in August to work for her grandfather. She started out as part of the grounds crew but ended up as an interior house painter.

The weather was good and we were missing Shanna so we loaded up the car and headed for Ellisa's house. Wells NV makes a good place for an overnight stop.

On the way down we stopped at Winnemucca for the best Mexican food. Melinda and I found this restaurant a couple of years ago.

Ellisa decided not to do a traditional Thanksgiving feast and served Italian food instead. Yummy, though I did miss the turkey. It was really nice to hang out with them for a few days! I volunteered to watch In Bruges, a show which is totally ridiculous. There are some truly funny bits, and some terribly tacky bits too. Not my cup of tea, but certainly something I'll remember. I definitely like to stretch my cinematic point of view now and then. This qualifies as the stretch for 2008.

I started and mostly finished the book "Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise" by Ruth Reichl. It was a fascinating look into food criticism, restaurants, food, newspaper publishing and New York.

We didn't get out and do any bird watching. I was still fighting with the chronic migraine issue.

Loved hanging out with the family though.

Jenny's Maple Cinnamon Granola

Watch out, this makes a lot of granola. It is easy to halve this recipe though...

Dry
12 cups oats (the big rolled oats, not quick oats)
2 cups sliced almonds
1 cup sunflower seeds (salted)

Liquids and Flavors
1 cup honey
1 cup maple syrup
1 cup canola oil
2 tbsp vanilla
3 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt

1. Toast the oats
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F
Put oats in even layer (maximum 1 inch deep) in roasting pan or baking sheet. Bake for 5-8 minutes stirring every 2-3 for even toasting. Oats will be a bit less chewey. Be careful not to over-toast as this wills scorch them and make them bitter.

After removing from oven put in large bowl, add the almonds and sunflower seeds and stir together.

Leave oven on, you'll be using it again in a minute.

2. Warm the liquids and flavors
Over medium heat mix together the remaining ingredients, stir till it is warm and thoroughly mixed. You do not need to bring this to a boil. I recommend you don't let it go to a boil, after all, you're not making candy.

3. Pour over the dry ingredients and stir till thoroughly coated.

4. Spread into 1 inch deep layer in roasting pan or baking sheet (I usually have to use two). Put in oven for 20-25 minutes (still at 325 degrees F). Every 5 minutes stir and re-spread.

5. Remove from oven, press into even layer and allow to cool in a solid mass (this will make it more clumpy).

6. Once cooled, break it up and store in tight container

Walnut Italian Salad

This salad was deduced from the fabulous salad that Annie and I had at an Italian restaurant. Ours is definitely different though the idea is similar.

Walnut Italian Salad

• Romaine lettuce
• Spiced walnuts
• Dried cranberries
• Crumbled gorgonzola (or other blue cheese)
• Sliced sharp green apples
• Good Italian dressing

This is a great salad, Nick and I add grilled chicken and call it dinner.

-- Jenny

Spiced Walnuts

Just made another batch of these today. We use them in a salad, I'll post next. -- Jenny

Spiced Nuts
4 cups walnuts (I keep an additional 1-1.5 cups of walnuts on hand in case the syrup will cover more) Also, other nuts can be used. I've even mixed walnuts and pecans together.
1.5 cups sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
6 tbsp water (this is equal to 1/4 cup and 1/8 cup water)
1 tsp vanilla

Put 1/2 of the nuts (2 cups) into a large bowl (metal or glass). Keep the other half in another container.

Cook the sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and water in a small-medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously till the temperature reaches 234 - 240 degrees farenheit (soft ball stage).

Poor over nuts and stir, continue adding nuts and syrup till all is mixed well. Sometimes we have added more nuts to sop up the excess syrup.

Spread onto wax paper to cool. As it cools you can break the walnuts into smaller pieces if desired. I do this if I am using it on salad. I don't do it if I'm giving them away as candy.

Dome Tours

B.T. Dome
Originally uploaded by J Semenza

I arranged for a bunch of us to go see the dome homes in Menan. We started at Randy's house, stopped at Cliffdome, the Boyd residence and ended at Andrew's house. It was a lot of fun. At Cliffdome, I was able to tell the new owners about the beam mounted heater. (Okay they've been there almost 20 years now, but they are still the new owners to me). Regina, her husband & daughter, Krista & Terrial, and Cheryl went with us. Afterwards, we (minus Regina's family) went to lunch. We tried to go to the cajun place, only to find out that it was closed for lunch. Ended up at Olive Garden in Idaho Falls. I really want a dome again now.

Riverwalk

DSC07342
Originally uploaded by J Semenza

I have mentioned in other blog posts that I am obsessed with the Bonneville Flood. When I discovered that the Riverwalk was to be led by Geoscience Professor Paul Link and he would be discussing/pointing out geology related to the flood I HAD to go. As expected it was very interesting.

This was the same morning as the homecoming parade. So after the fruitless attempt to help with the library float, I dashed over to Mocha Java for a bit of Chai to warm me up for the second morning walk. Somehow I managed to get there before Nick and Barkley. Barkley loved hearing about the flood, or maybe he just liked being outside with so many people.

This is a picture of one of the many boulders that the Bonneville flood ripped out of the basalt lava, tumbled till smooth and deposited all over Pocatello. Dig anywhere in downtown Pocatello and you find monstrous black boulders. Apparently, these are much coveted for landscaping...

My other entries on the Bonneville flood are here:
http://jsemenza.blogspot.com/2006/04/geology-lake-bonneville-timeline.html
http://jsemenza.blogspot.com/2006/04/geology-lake-bonneville.html

After that walk, we returned the doggie to the house and went to the baglery for lunch. A pleasant day, I walked 5 miles before lunch.

Homecoming Parade

DSC07334
Originally uploaded by J Semenza

So, the library, or rather a couple of ambitious library folk figured out an easy idea for a parade entry. I was going to meet up with them and help with last minute decorating on Saturday morning. I got up really early and drove out to where the parade would be forming up.

The bad news is that we weren't allowed to get anywhere near the parade line in our cars. AND I didn't know where in the line the library vehicle would be. So I parked my car a few blocks from the head of the parade and started walking down the line of entries.

Some were very cool, like the Native American one with the big bison statue. It was a brisk morning with a good Idaho wind keeping people near buildings and in cabs of trucks. I kept walking.

And walking, and walking, and I go to the end of the parade (though it continued to be created as I walked) and still no library entry. Somehow I got my wires crossed on where they would be, bummer. I arrived at 8:10 a.m. at the parade line-up. I got back to my car at 8:45 a.m. My pedometer told me I had already walked a mile and a bit.

I didn't help them one bit, but I got to see the parade and get in a nice morning walk.

After later
Jenny

Crystal Park MT, Sept 2008

DSC07296
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

DSC07237
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

DSC03014
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.

Labor Day Weekend

3 days off in a row, Nick without the homework hangover, home improvement done for now, what in the world are we going to do??? Ideas thus far:

1. Stay home, go to a bunch of garage sales, maybe a couple of movies, bake a bunch of food to freeze (Lasagne...) sleep in, read, hang out, soak in the newly functional hot tub.
2. Go daytripping to Soda Springs, Yellowstone, Jackson, City of Rocks, Craters of the Moon or other places.
3. Go for the weekend someplace like Soda Springs or West Yellowstone.

Hrmmmm, The Eastern Idaho State Fair starts this weekend, I'm beginning to really like option A. Perhaps its the hot tub and how tired I am. This is week two of working full time again and I'm wiped out. I know it'll get easier but really.....

Jenny

The newly finished bathroom

After
Originally uploaded by J Semenza

Okay, things get out of hand. First came the yoga room, and while talking about paint Nick suggested that maybe we could get the bathroom painted at the same time. Great Idea I said. We had some high gloss white paint (originally only going to be used for trim) and he wanted it white. So we started, or rather, he started. I was working on the yoga room.

First came the cleaning of the walls and the taping off of things and we started talking some more, about maybe getting something done to the floor. Then he primed the walls and ceiling. We started talking about fixing the sink and toilet. Then he painted and painted... As the room started to look better the plans grew. In the end, he fixed the toilet. He leveled the floor and put down a gorgeous faux tile linoleum. He stripped the old metal shower of years of latex and oil paint, rust, and contact paper then coated it with something more suitable. The parts for the sink are on order, a new shower curtain is up and we found the bright green curtains at a garage sale for a dollar.

The room looks so much larger and brighter. This is a basement bathroom and we finally feel like we can use it. Or in Nick's words: not be ashamed if anyone sees it.

For photos of both before and after see:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157606958859859/

Whooo HOOO
Jenny

Packing

Spot in need of a wash - Haines Junction, Yukon
Originally uploaded by J Semenza

After traveling a great deal (10,000+ miles) over the past six months, I have come up with some travel/packing tips that might be of interest. I also figure that if I write them down here, I won't forget them.

The primo tip, from my brilliant husband:
Bring a surge protector. Then in the hotel room you only have to find one outlet and you can plug all your rechargeables into it and you won’t accidentally leave a cord or device in the hotel room.

Packing Tips for Car Travel:

• Mp3 player, and transmitter
• A cheapo plastic tarp. It can keep the rain off the stuff in the trunk when loading and unloading. Alternately, it can be used on the ground when you have to pull everything out to fix the spare tire.
• A bag of condiments such as ketchup, hot sauce, mayo, honey, salt & pepper. If you get the individual serving kinds like they serve at fast food restaurants no refrigeration is needed. Though I might worry about the mayo. Why? Because then you can doctor any food you need to. You might also add individual tea or coffee pouches to the bag.
• Ziplock bags
• Paper towels
  
• Baby wipes
• Hand sanitizer (I had two, one in the glove compartment and one in the condiment bag).
• Book-light and flashlight in glove compartment
• Mints, Tums, sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm, Kleenex, telephone, CDs, camera, binoculars, if traveling alone these can be placed in a box on the passenger seat for easy access. (The box idea is from my friend Barb in circulation).
• Big white shirt and cotton gloves to keep the sun from burning you. The windshield is somewhat effective at keeping out the rays, but in most cars, the side windows do not have the same type of glass and then the sun will get you. Especially true when driving 10+ hours in Texas sunshine.
• Full size spare tire
• Emergency kit with tools, jumper cables and flares
• Car recharger for cell phone

Tips for Clothing:

• Monochromatic is your friend. If your socks, pants, shoes, and most shirts are black, then you know what you’re wearing in the morning. Just add jacket.
• Polyester is your friend, fewer wrinkles and packs tightly. There are a Lot of good polyester based clothing out there that masquerade as silk, linen, wool and other high end materials.
• Layers, one good cashmere cardigan is invaluable. Thin enough to go under jackets, yet a warming layer over shirts.
• Keep jewelry and accessories simple. The fewer, the easier. One good pair of real gold earrings, a couple of necklaces, a couple of broaches and a really good watch is really all you need.
• Keep styling products simple, maybe it’s time to rethink your haircut if it’s going to require a zillion products and devices to maintain. Don’t rely on the fact that most hotels provide shampoo, rinse, and blow-dryers. I discovered that the ones I stayed at had migrated to an ‘all-in-one shampoo/conditioner’ product. The blow-dryers are frequently not up to par. Best bet is a wash and go hair style

I expect I’ll add things to this list as I remember them. - Jenny

Yoga Room

After 5
Originally uploaded by J Semenza

I realized recently that I wasn't stretching out, doing yoga, or even belly dancing anymore. And I figured out the cause... my living room. My living room has become chock full of large beautiful pieces of furniture. So in order to work out I had to move it and then move it back. I have known for awhile that my evening stretching wasn't happening because of dog hair and debris. In order to use the floor I needed to vacuum. Nothing quite like fuzzy poodle paws to track in dirt, pine needles, and leaf debris. I don't mind vacuuming that much, but before every evening stretch was a bit much.

So I was racking my brain trying to think of a space to convert to a place for yoga and the light bulb went on over my head. (Yes I think you could really see it.) I had a little used guest bedroom downstairs. It had ugly blue carpet, paneling and would be just perfect with a little work.

And here it is. We gave the bed away, removed the dresser and one of the night stands. I kept a night stand for the fountain to sit on, traded out the desk for a real tv stand and kept the nice desk to hold videos, candles, cd's, etc...

Best of all, it works. I stretched out before going to bed last night. Whoooo HOOOOOO!!! I might even take up regular meditation again.

Jenny

For more pictures see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157606750786749/