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So. I was attempting to make caramel corn on my own. With only 1 person to stir. And 1 shelf in the oven. And a very small countertop. But two pans of CC. So the second pan of CC conveniently sat warming on top of the stove while the first pan was in the oven. And then I smell that distinctive odor of sugar burning. So I turn around, and the pan of CC on top of the stove is steaming. Oh yeah.... the burner is still on...

Ok, the CC issue gets worked out--I tossed the burnt half of the pan in the trash (after eating about half of it) and added the good half to the first pan to continue baking in the oven. So I go to check on my laundry, which I need to get done within the next hour, and wow! The dryer is done already! I just put those jeans in 15 minutes ago! Oh yeah... there's the matter of that little "start" button.

In other news: After months of whispering in its ear, promising to care for it until death do us part, my African Violet finally decided to say hello.

The full mile

I finally hit a mile today!! I jogged an entire mile, without stopping. This seems like a really small step to those in the fitness world, but to me it's a big deal. I haven't been running as much lately because I was so busy, but I am starting to see the cumulative effects kick in anyway. Sweet.
I've been doing a regular loop to Camel's Back--jog down there from home (1 mile), hike up Chickadee Ridge and down through the grove (2 miles) and try to jog back home (1 mile). I did jog most of the way home today, which was a huge improvement from previous efforts, but there were a few walking stops in the middle, so I don't really count it as jogging any sort of distance. It's cold outside, but if I wear layers, it's really nice. I don't overheat 5 seconds out the door.
I love fall. :-)

Nevada, early October

Signs of Autumn

Caramel Corn
Pumpkins
Cloudy skies
Beautiful sunsets
And a happy little guy

New bike!

But the back tire is flat... :-( Oh well, easily fixed, right? Can somebody tell me how to fix a flat bike tire?

Melinda!

Mel came over to visit the other evening, and since she is moving soon, I wanted to make sure to get a picture of us together. A bit of cheesiness, like usual!

Grandma's Nut Chopper

One of the things I got to keep from Grandma's kitchen collection was this nut chopper. I chopped up some walnuts to go on top of the banana muffins I made today.

I didn't realize until after 15 minutes of grinding that the walnuts are supposed to go in the top, and grind down into the jar! Next time...

Pumpkin-Pear Cake

This is basically an upside-down cake, where you get that brown sugar goodness on top when you flip it. This recipe is from Better Homes & Gardens New Baking Book. Enjoy!

Pumpkin-Pear Cake

1/3 c. brown sugar

2 Tb. butter, melted

1 Tb. water

2 pears, peeled and sliced

1 1/4 c. flour

1 1/4 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice (I use my own mix)

1/4 tsp. baking soda

3 egg whites

3/4 c. white sugar

3/4 c. pumpkin

1/3 c. oil

2 Tb. water

1 tsp. vanilla

1. Stir the brown sugar, butter and water together and spread across the bottom of a 9-inch round cake pan or a pie plate. Spread the pear slices in the pan in a circular pattern.

2. In a small bowl, combine flour, baking powder, spice, and baking soda. Set aside.

3. Beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar until stiff peaks form. Using low speed, blend in pumpkin, oil, water, and vanilla.

4. Fold flour into pumpkin just until moistened and spoon over pears in pan.

5. Bake at 350* for about 35 minutes (may want to put foil under the pan--my topping bubbled up past the cake batter) or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes, then invert. Whipped cream optional. :-)

More Blue Lake!

Looking off the edge at the top:

And turn around and you see this:

Country lane

Neat old red barn on the way out

The view from the bridge

Blue Lake

Blue Lake is a tiny lake just south of Cascade, hidden off to the side of a Forest Service Road. I was expecting fall colors and a nice hike down to the lake, but you'll see it was a bit chilly for that.... :-)

Coming into Emmett:


Highway 55

Fog!

Snow! Slightly eery...

...And the alien station at the top:

to be continued...