Camping Brown County Thanksgiving Weekend

So this is how our camping weekend started out with this amazing sunrise. Now it is not very often you get to appreciate a beautiful sunrise. The sky looked like it was on fire. This was one of those moments that you just savored the experience completely. I took a deep breath and said to myself how lucky am I to be able to enjoy this.
Then we rolled into the little sleepy town of Nashville Indiana and walked around and looked at all the cute little shops that were all decked out for the holidays, I think that really got me in the Christmas spirit. We went back that same night to see the town a lit up with all the twinkle lights, they even had trolly all done up like a sleigh too cute!

So the hubby went off to ride 20 some odd miles of mountain bike trail within the park. I stayed back at the campsite and hung out with Molly and drank vino and made my self a little campfire , so perfect and so relaxing. I really needed to recharge my batteries. We headed out the next morning to do a little hiking and we were welcomed by this nice little lake, truly a beautiful day for a hike in the woods.
The sky was so clear and blue this day...

All in all we had a fabulous weekend camping, we squeezed every last drop put of this perfect weekend. You truly have to jump at every opportunity that comes your way and enjoy it to it's fullest. I say we did just that! Get out and enjoy every day even the not so pretty ones.

Fresh Friday !!!

Well it's finally friday!!! is everyone in a food coma??? I hope everyone had a wonderful thanksgiving. I have so many things to be thankful for I don't even know where to begin.... I may not be rich in the monetary sense but I have wonderful friends and family and for that I am MOST thankful. So I will keep this post simple and leave you with my fresh friday post. This was my Thanksgiving contribution...

Roasted Root Vegetables

1 large fennel bulb chopped

1 rutabaga chopped

12 Brussels sprouts

3 parsnips peeled and chopped

3 turnips chopped

shiitake mushrooms

1 small onion diced or shallots (your choice)

8 garlic gloves minced

place all veggies in a bowl and mix together olive oil teaspoon sea salt and 3tbs balsamic vinegar

place in glass baking dish and bake at 425 remove and toss all veggies with truffle oil and fresh chopped tarragon.

I have to say this was out of this world Tasty!

I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend...

Roasted Red Pepper Dip

TGIF !!! well we are full swing into fall and on our way into winter. So what is a person to do to get through the long midwest winter??? Well for starters you have to stay active and find something to keep you moving.... For me it's is going to be yoga and riding the trainer. You have to keep your mind and body active along with keeping your taste buds from getting bored.

There is something comforting about a bowl of homemade soup , some good hearty bread followed with a nice glass of cabernet and some good oraganic chocolate. Now that is a match made in heaven. Since I have really gotten into cooking I am so amazed at how easy it really is to prepare a good healthy meal that is also so satisfying. I can't believe how much I have learned about flavors and using fresh seasonal ingredients. I really love the idea of cooking with seasonal ingedients it's a great way to try new things and to get out of your box. So with that I leave you with my Fresh Friday recipe...

***** Roasted Red Pepper Dip*****

One jar of roasted organic red peppers
2 tbs olive oil
Cup of sauteed mushrooms of your choice
Cup of toasted walnuts ( place on cookie sheet and toast for 5-7 min) at 375
Salt and pepper to taste
1 to 2 garlic cloves
Pinch of crush red pepper to spice it up

Throw all ingredients into food processor and puree

Serve with organic blue corn chips or all natural pita chips

Enjoy, oh and don't forget to pour yourself a glass of vino ....

You don't have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces - just good food from fresh ingredients.

Julia Child US cook & cookbook author (1912 - 2004)

Random Beach Thoughts ...

Well another blah day in the midwest today... So I was tinkering around and dreaming of being on the beach, which I often do and I thought I would post some pics of the beach, thought it may brighten my spirits. I didn't have a bad day I just catch myself day dreaming about warm beachy places when it is dreary here. Now don't get me wrong we had a fabulous past weekend and I definetly appreciated every last minute of it! I was so thankful to have been able to be outside and soak up all the warm sunshine, it is intoxicating to the soul.
Well I guess we have to do what ever it takes to get through our long winters in the midwest, maybe we will get lucky and have a mild winter, until then I will have to stay inspired and try to be positive. There's always my friend red wine to get me through! oh and I did get a new awesome cook book so I am inspired to try something new I just love cooking. Hope you find things to keep you inspired this winter, until then I will just stay focused on positive things and count down the days til my toes hit the sand!

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined."
Henry David Thoreau