• Northern Lights

    Northern Lights

  • Rocky Mountain National Park

    Love this song:

    He was born in the summer of his 27th year
    Comin’ home to a place he’d never been before
    Left yesterday behind him, you might say he was born again
    Might say he found a key for every door

    When he first came to the mountains, his life was far away
    On the road and hangin’ by a song
    But the string’s already broken, and he doesn’t really care
    It keeps changin’ fast, it don’t last for long

    But the Colorado Rocky Mountain high
    I’ve seen it rainin’ fire in the sky
    Shadow from the starlight is softer than a lullaby
    Rocky Mountain high
    Rocky Mountain high

    He climbed cathedral mountains, he saw silver clouds below
    He saw everything as far as you can see
    And they say that he got crazy once, he tried to touch the sun
    And he lost a friend but kept his memory

    Now he walks in quiet solitude, the forests and the streams
    Seeking grace in every step he takes
    His sight has turned inside himself to try and understand
    The serenity of a clear blue mountain lake

    And the Colorado Rocky Mountain high
    I’ve seen it rainin’ fire in the sky
    You talk to God and listen to the casual reply
    Rocky Mountain high
    Rocky Mountain high

    Now his life is full of wonder, but his heart still knows some fear
    Of a simple thing he cannot comprehend
    Why they try to tear the mountains down to bring in a couple more
    More people, more scars upon the land

    And the Colorado Rocky Mountain high
    I’ve seen it rainin’ fire in the sky
    Though he’d be a poorer man if he never saw an eagle fly
    Rocky Mountain high

    It’s the Colorado Rocky Mountain high
    I’ve seen it rainin’ fire in the sky
    Friends around the campfire, everybody’s high
    Rocky Mountain high
    Rocky Mountain high
    Rocky Mountain high
    Rocky Mountain high
    Doo-be-dee (yeah)

    ~John Denver

    Listen here:

  • Thai Pumpkin Soup

    Thai Pumpkin Soup

    Yes, friends, it is pumpkin time.

    And the pumpkin from Organic Green Valley is the best!

    Ingredients

    • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
    • 1 medium onion, diced (approximately ¾ cup)
    • 2 carrots, peeled and diced (approximately 1 cup)
    • 2 garlic cloves, peeled and finely minced
    • 2 tablespoons peeled and finely minced fresh ginger
    • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
    • ½ teaspoon turmeric
    • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
    • ⅛ teaspoon ground cayenne
    • 4 cups low-sodium chicken (or vegetable) stock
    • 2 cans (15 ounces each) organic Green Valley Pumpkin
    • 1 can (13.5 ounces) unsweetened coconut milk
    • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
    • 2 tablespoons Asian fish sauce (or 1–2 tablespoons soy sauce)
    • chopped cilantro, for garnish

    Procedure

    1. Over medium high, heat the oil in a large saucepan.
    2. Add the onion and carrots; sauté 5–6 minutes until vegetables are soft and tender.
    3. Add the garlic, ginger, coriander, turmeric, cumin and cayenne and stir until fragrant, 1 minute.
    4. Add the chicken (or vegetable) stock and pumpkin.
    5. Bring to a boil over high heat then reduce to low and simmer, uncovered, 30 minutes to combine flavors.
    6. Puree the soup until smooth in a blender or with a stick/immersion blender. Be careful when pureeing hot liquids in a blender – only fill halfway, remove the vent in the lid and cover with a thick towel to allow steam to escape.
    7. Return the pureed soup to the pan, add the coconut milk and heat through over medium.
    8. Stir in the lime juice and fish sauce (or soy sauce). Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
    9. Ladle into serving bowls, garnish with chopped cilantro and serve warm.

    I didn’t have cilantro but I did make croutons!

    Oh! I plan to make a pumpkin pie soon!!!

    Here’s a photo of one I made last year:

  • Happy Halloween!

    Happy Halloween!

    Here are Halloween cards I made for our grandchildren.