Snowshoeing!  Where have you been my whole life?

The front range was blasted with snow on Thursday + Friday, which made Saturday perfect for a play day. 

The resorts where we ski + board [...]]]> And so begins another new hobby.  I can’t stop talking about it, and I’ve only done it once.

Snowshoeing!  Where have you been my whole life?

The front range was blasted with snow on Thursday + Friday, which made Saturday perfect for a play day. 

The resorts where we ski + board at [past the front range] had no new snow at all.  Colorado weather is wacky!

We headed up to Cameron Pass with our good friends, Peter + Michelle.

Sunshine + no wind, makes for a perfect mountain day.

Sunglasses required!

Lovely Michelle.

The boys made their way up with skins attached to the bottom of their skis. 

Up + Up + Up.

We started around 10,000’ elevation and worked our way up for about 1 hour.

Breaks were definitely taken to catch my breath, chug water, and shed layers.  It’s funny how hot you can become when it’s only 25* outside. 

While it was one of the hardest climbs ever, I absolutely loved it!

Snack break at the top.

The boys packed PBRs, while I packed a PB+J.

About to make our way down the white fluff.

But not before Peter sunk 3’ in!  The worst thing is digging yourself out.  It takes SO much effort!

Michelle + I traversed around for awhile and then headed down.

I love winter.

And snow.

And Colorado.

And friends.

And snowshoeing.

More please!

Ashley

Print PDF

The conditions today were warm + sunny, with no new snow.  We got in a [...]]]> We hit the road bright and early at 5:30am this morning, headed for Winter Park ski resort.  It’s just over a 2 hour drive, but leaving much after 5:30 would have us sitting in traffic for an extra hour.

The conditions today were warm + sunny, with no new snow.  We got in a few good runs, but were most excited for the 2nd half of the day.  In the parking lot!  The perfect conditions for a beach day.

aka: grilling out in the parking lot, slope side

We prepped the food the night before, and wrapped everything up in foil, so it was ready for the grill.

A few of our Denver friends were there as well!

Ali + Hovan [getting hitched this June]

Like a snowy tailgate party.

The husband with Ali + Hovan.

My stuffed mushrooms, pre-grill.

Saturday night, I made an extremely easy + mouth watering filling, for these cute baby bellas. 

I know that my recipes can sometimes use weird ingredients, or be a process to make, but not today!

This is a perfect mushroom filling, but could also be used to stuff or top many other things.

• broiled on top of a pasta bake
• warmed on top of roasted or sautéed veggies
• sandwich topping
• pepper stuffing
• salad topping
• veggie spread
• etc.

Goat Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms

• ~15 baby portabellas
• 4oz plain goat cheese [or feta]
• 2 whole artichokes, diced
• 1/3c red pepper, diced
• 1t dried oregano
• 1/4t garlic powder
• 1/4t salt
• black pepper

1. Preheat oven or grill to 375* and lightly grease a pan or grill grates.
2. Gently clean the mushrooms with a damp paper towel, remove the stem and peel away the fringe around the edge to allow more room for stuffing.
3. With a fork, mix together all remaining ingredients.  I used an ample amount of black pepper.
4. Stuff into about 15 baby mushrooms.
5. Grill or bake until hot and mushroom is slightly tender.  5-10min, depending on grill or oven.  Avoid overcooking, as the mushroom will become soggy.

These were a hit! 

Ahh, simplicity.

Ann [in the cream hat] + Kurtz next to her, were our other Denver friends that came out to play.  Also getting hitched in 2012!

Other grilled foods.

Grill baked potatoes are delicious.

• 4 medium russet potatoes
• 2-3T oil
• 1T garlic, minced
• 1.5-2T rosemary, finely chopped
• 1.5t dried oregano
• 1-1.5t salt
• black pepper

1. Wash well, slice potatoes in half, and then cut very thin slices.
2. Mix with all other ingredients.
3. Wrap in foil [for the grill] or place on a baking sheet and cook for 25-35min at 400*, turning a few times if using a pan.
4. Done with tender or wait longer to let crisp!

Great day at the “beach!”

All together now.

Switched with Chris!

Got one with everyone!

Off to enjoy the last few minutes of Sunday, until my head hits the pillow.  Still battling some sort of week-long cold! 

Ashley

Print PDF

Think it sounds too complicated?

Think it sounds boring?

Think again.

Step 1.  Slice + press your tofu for at least 20min.  side note: boxed wine and a knife block, make great pressing tools

[tofu pressing tutorial]

Step 2.  Realize you are nearly out of short grain brown rice, [...]]]> Ever had a sushi party?

Think it sounds too complicated?

Think it sounds boring?

Think again.

Step 1.  Slice + press your tofu for at least 20min.  side note: boxed wine and a knife block, make great pressing tools

[tofu pressing tutorial]

Step 2.  Realize you are nearly out of short grain brown rice, slightly panic, then realize your friends won’t care and throw whatever rice you’ve got in the pot. 

I cooked 2c of rice with 4c of water, with 1T oil, bringing to a boil, stirring once, then covering + reducing heat to simmer for 50min.  Move to a cool burner, and let sit covered for 10min then fluff with a fork.

short grain brown rice + unidentified white rice + arborio rice + wild rice

Step 3.  Wear your favorite slippers, so no one feels underdressed.

Step 4.  Slice the tofu into small strips and toss with 1T rice vinegar, 1/2T oil, 1T tamari [soy sauce], 1/4t garlic powder + black pepper.

Step 5.  Spread on a pan and broil for about 5-8min, flip once, then 5-8min again, until light golden brown.  You’re looking for a crispy crust but still soft on the inside.

Step 6.  Set the mood.

Step 7.  Cut sheets of nori into 4×4 squares.  No rolling sushi over here!!

Step 7.  Bring everything to the table, including your random pot o’ rice, so your guests can DIY their sushi.

Step 8.  Make sure to have delicious condiments on hand!

tofu.  be sure to not overcook it.  like I did.

carrot strips.

note the Eden Organic Gomasio in the background…only one of the best toppings ever!

cucumber strips.

avocado.  always.

Step 9.  Find authentic wasabi paste.  It tastes 20x better than the stuff they serve in restaurants.  Thanks Kelsey!

Step 10.  Make a huge plate of all your ingredients and start wrapping, rolling, folding, or whatever style you choose.

Step 11.  Prepare to have an everlasting, hilarious + awesomely fun dinner.  Seriously, this meal lasts forever!

Step 12.  Allow elbows on the table and rice to fly everywhere.

sushi taco!

Step 13, part I.  Bore your dogs because you’re taking so long to finish dinner.

Step 13, part II.

Step 14.  Make a fresh batch of almond apricot butter cookies, watch an episode of Portlandia, and enjoy the company of good friends. 

Step 15.  Wine is recommended.  Boxed, of course.

[p.s. almond meal works in this recipe if you don’t have almond flour, although it results in a slightly different texture]

[all photos were taken with the iPhone and edited with the Snapseed app]

Now that is how you throw, a killer veggie sushi party.

Ashley

Print PDF

Costco run, on the way home.

Party food + the inevitable random Costco finds [ie: Glasslock Snapware].

Picked up the dogs first thing on 12/31/11.  Livin’ the country life!

Exhausted pups.

Veggies, chips + dip!

2hr cooked, pizza sauce.

Made-to-order calzone dinner party!

Filling [...]]]> Back in Denver, 12/30/11.

Costco run, on the way home.

Party food + the inevitable random Costco finds [ie: Glasslock Snapware].

Picked up the dogs first thing on 12/31/11.  Livin’ the country life!

Exhausted pups.

Veggies, chips + dip!

2hr cooked, pizza sauce.

Made-to-order calzone dinner party!

Filling station.

Calzone cook.

Stuffed.

Hot n’ cheesy.

Pizza for me!  Definitely will be attempting GF pizza dough in 2012!

Face time!

The girls.

The gang.

Off to a party at Crankenstein, a new local bar + coffee shop.

Michelle pulled out her leftover calzone!

Liz!

Battling with Kelsey.

See you later 2011!

1/1/12

Good morning!

Today was the laziest day ever.

Loved it.

Night!

Ashley

Print PDF

Talk about a whirlwind trip!  I think it’s Tuesday, and I think we’re currently in Pennsylvania, but I’m not entirely sure.

We’re having a fabulous time with the family though.

Here’s a little photo recap!

Hanukkah + my grandpa’s birthday on Christmas eve.

Christmas [...]]]> Can anyone tell me what day it is?

Talk about a whirlwind trip!  I think it’s Tuesday, and I think we’re currently in Pennsylvania, but I’m not entirely sure.

We’re having a fabulous time with the family though.

Here’s a little photo recap!

Hanukkah + my grandpa’s birthday on Christmas eve.

Christmas breakfast was a major hit!

Christmas morning at my parents’ house.

Golf, on Christmas??

In OHIO??  Unreal!

Christmas dinner at my Aunt + Uncle’s house.

Aunt Sherie + my cousin AJ

Jenna!

Uncle Alan

Aunt Sher + me

Sher, me, mom

My brother – Josh, AJ, Jenna, me, Chris

Dad + grandma

Grandkids with grandpa.

mom, grandpa, uncle

The award for the most spirited person at Christmas, goes to my dad.

Without question!

Time to get back to doing nothing.

Ashley

Print PDF