Snow day - belated

Last week we had tons of snow and wind, so much so that I didn't go into work on Wednesday and Thursday. Neither did Todd, giving us a couple nice snow days at home.

What kept us from going out?

Take a look at these photos and I think you'll understand.

A snow drift hanging from our roof...


Another angle...


Who would think it could defy gravity like that?!

Perfect fall day

We had today what I thought we'd skipped right over: A fall day. And it was perfect!

It was so nice out, I spent essentially all day outside - starting with the raking of all our leaves in the back yard. I love the fact I have a yard. I know it means yard work, but that's one of the reasons I love it! I've always wanted a place to hang out, grill, have flowers, veggies - a dog. And now I do!


Last night and today we had three dogs. We dogsat a couple labs of some friends of ours. I'm hoping to get Rigby socialized with these dogs because we're going to leave him at their house when we go to Nashville in November. I think it's working. They were playing and lounging in the sun, having a good ol' dog time.

Here they are in the back of my car for the ride back home. Rigby's on the left...


I also took Rigby on a walk, got a second fridge picked up for the workshop, and went over to a friends house for a deer tenderloin dinner. How fall-ish is that?

I finally got my pumpkins carved today too! We went to a different patch this year in Ft. Collins: The Bartels Farm. They had tons, TONS of pumpkins. Literally, the fields stretched to the horizon!


Here's a new recipe for roasting pumpkin seeds that I tried last night. It is freaking good. This recipe has the perfect blend of sweet and salty. Don't let your Halloween go by without making these!

From Real Simple magazine:

Sweet and Salty Pumpkin Seeds
Place 2 cups pumpkin seeds on a baking sheet with sides in a 300 degree oven until somewhat dried out.

Remove seeds from oven, place in a bowl. Increase oven temp. to 350.

Stir together 2 tbsp. granulated sugar, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. cinnamon in a separate bowl.

Pour 2 tbsp. melted butter over seeds. Sprinkle sugar mixture over seeds and toss to coat.

Place back on the cookie sheet sprayed with cooking spray. Cook until crisp!

Wrong W state?

It rained consistently for three weeks or more here - and it wasn't our typical summer afternoon thunderstorms either. It was dreary, overcast and cold, making me feel as if I'd been transported from Wyoming to Washington!

I think it's starting to break, though. We've gone from Seattle-like weather to our typical bright and sunny skies with passing showers later in the day.

I've actually spent time outside lately without a jacket on!

It's only June 18 afterall...

Snow-white blossoms, and just snow

The crew in D.C., did the annual cherry blossom breakfast at dawn at the Jefferson Memorial today. I thought I would do a sister event in Wyoming with breakfast at the Lincoln Memorial on I-80 between here and Laramie. I planned to be on the road at 5:30 a.m. so I could get situated for the sunrise, but a crazy blizzard that started up last night had all the roads closed.

Plan B was to sit down at the state Capitol with some coffee, but one look at the sky completely covered in dense clouds at 6 a.m. told me there would be no sunrise. I was bummed because I was hoping to be with my East Coast friends "in spirit," but nothing could be done.

So, I went to work rolling out cinnamon rolls - not because being disappointed drives me to make cinnamon rolls, but because I had invited some folks from work over for a pre-MS Walk breakfast. Pretty sure the race would be canceled, but not sure if people would still show up to eat I went ahead with the making of the rolls.

I felt like such a farmer girl: up at the break of day rolling out dough for breakfast!

Brandon was my lone guest. We ate then decided to venture out to Wal-Mart for something to do. In Wyoming, snow storms don't mean snowed in - especially if you have 4WD. I also kept my haircut appointment...I will not let Mother Nature keep me from having good (ok, given the weather here - decent) hair!

The rest of the day? Reading by my fire. Some organizing. And more baking. Weather like this makes me want to bake. It doesn't help that I've had INCREDIBLE urges to make chocolate chip cookies and red velvet cupcakes for a while now. I think the time is right.

My neighbor's car and my front steps: The East Coast crew might have cherry trees in snowy bloom, but I've got the real thing. Hmmm...I don't think I've come out on top with this one...

Country storms and snow songs - what?

The wind is blowing and it hasn't stopped snowing since I woke up!

That sort of rhymes.

Maybe it could be a country song...

The wind is blowing
and it hasn't stopped snowing
since I woke up
this mornin'...

Maybe not.

Regardless, the governor officially closed all state offices in Cheyenne today at 3 p.m. because it hasn't let up - since 5 a.m. There was a nasty - I heard 40 car - pile up north of Ft. Collins, Colo., on I-25. It's not stock-your-pantry snow, but it's pretty crappy out.

My coworker Matt and I left around 2:30 p.m. I didn't want to go straight home...I was bored. But what was there to do? Everything was closed. So, I went and got a bottle of wine. On my way home I stopped by this dive bar near my place called The Four Winds and had a beer by myself while I watched NASCAR and some stupid ESPN2 show called Jim Rome's On Fire?? I don't wish to see it again...

Fed up, and overwhelmed with a sudden need to clean my apartment I left. Since then that's what I've been doing.

And the wine? It's a new try and pretty good. It's Bad Dog Ranch petite syrah. I hesitated at first because a) I'd never heard of it, b) it was a really good deal, and c) Bad Dog sounded too much like MAD Dog (20/20), which is the gross "bum" wine. That's how it's described!

I took a chance - and was pleasantly surprised.

So, I'll finish my glass then...I guess flip on Thursday night NBC...?

I look out my window,
and gaze at the snow,
but with 30 Rock blarin',
it can just blow.

Still not country...

Spring?

I feel like my "Spring" posts are similar to Coldplay's songs "Lost!" and "Lost?" on the Viva La Vida album.

I was so sure in "Spring!" that it was. But tonight I'm really questioning it.

We have gone from absolutely amazing 70 degree weather today to a predicted blizzard for tonight and tomorrow. How? Why? I mean, I saw people actually wearing bikinis at the park today when I was on my bike ride!

I refused to believe it until I saw it, but I'm becoming a believer.

I went on a walk around 6:30 p.m. to enjoy the last little bit of the day and it was already a lot cooler. And there were ominous clouds brewing in the west. Now, the wind is howling outside my front door. Sadly, I think the blizzard rumor might be true.

So, here I sit sipping a mug of hot vanilla-milk with my heat up again.

It's so sad that such a great day is going to come to such a yucky end.

Part of my afternoon, after enjoying the nice day, was spent in the kitchen. I made some meatloaf, which is one of my favorite foods, and tried a new recipe for chicken soup that came out fantastic! Chicken soup is a kind of wintery food, I know...I wonder if somehow, deep down I knew it was only Spring(?).

You must try this soup!

Old Time Chicken Soup

Ingredients:
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 parsnip, halved lengthwise and cut into 1/4-inch pieces
2 carrots, halved lengthwise and cut into 1/4-inch pieces
2 celery ribs and leaves sliced into 1/4-inch pieces
1 large onion, chopped
1 mined garlic clove
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
6 1/2 c. low-sodium chicken broth
3 skinned chicken breasts
1 tsp. lemon juice

Directions:
Heat oil in a very large pot. Add parsnip and next 6 ingredients and saute about 5 minutes, or until the veggies start to soften. In the meantime, lightly sear the chicken breasts on both sides in 2 tsp. of olive oil.

Add broth and chicken and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 35 minutes.

Remove chicken breasts and "shred" into bite-size pieces.

Return chicken to pot with lemon juice and heat through.

Enjoy!

Spring!

Today is the first day of Spring!

Even though I think we've only got a few days to enjoy it before it reverts back to more wintery weather, just knowing it's technically Spring feels GREAT!

I always have such outdoorsy goals around this time. It's the same this year. I have a check list of things I want to get out and do.

I envision myself:
*on long morning runs
*exploring the Curt Gowdy/Happy Jack area (which I haven't done at all yet) on both foot and bike
*turning the back "patio" of my building into a patio without quotes. Right now it's just an entrance to the back of our building through the alley, but I think it has real potential. I want to put my old D.C., breakfast nook table out there with a couple of chairs, put in some planters with flowers and herbs and just generally make it a place for coffee on weekend mornings and grilled burgers on weekday nights. And I want to be able to look out of my kitchen window at something more pleasant than an ugly slab of concrete covered in dead leaves with our trash cans in the alley. Ugh.
*getting a grill. I haven't had one since before D.C. Strangely, nine-story apartment buildings don't like for you to have open flames going. Weird.
*sitting outside until 9 p.m. or longer because it's still light out.
*having happy hours outside at the few places around town that have outdoor seating.
*Camping. Something else I haven't done in YEARS. Oh, and fishing. Aside from the fish I caught in Cody, Wyo., last August I can't tell you the last time I've done that.
*Wearing summery dresses. Yay!
*Going to the Cheyenne farmers' market at the Depot on Saturday mornings
*Sleeping with my windows open

Is anyone else excited?!

Winter wear

We've got lots of snow and cold, cold wind in Cheyenne right now.

So, yesterday I decided to pull out my Valenkis Rus boots - the Russian-made wool boots I bought in D.C., but rarely had an occasion to wear out there. I love these things, but also think they kind of look like hooves, making me feel somewhat like a centaur when I wear them. I also think wearing your pants in them like this gives them a rather Russian flare...

And obviously, when interstates are closed because the wind is blowing so hard snow is drifting (and pelting you in the face like shot) it's a good idea to walk to work and back, right? I had to stop at one point to fashion a make-shift facemask out of my scarf.

Coming in from the cold...

Breaking news: Winter is cold

I am watching Dateline right now and have to comment on one of their "major" stories: the frigid temperatures sweeping the nation.

It is very curious to me how this is a major story - as if cold and wind weren't normal conditions in several parts of the country during the winter months.

In Cheyenne, for example, we've had -36 degree temperatures, and frequently I see wind warnings for gusts of 50+ mph. Numbers that, according to Dateline, put us colder than a meat locker or the top of Mt. Everest. And, I'm sure, if any place but Wyoming saw wind like we do, hurricane evacuation plans would be quickly acted on.

And yet, we are completely overlooked.

I guess there's nothing newsworthy in something so every day.

Frigid Air(e)

Ok, this post has nothing to do with refrigerators except that I feel like I'm living in one.

It is -36 degrees outside today with windchill. What?!

So, instead of going to another free holiday concert today like I had hoped, I am staying inside making homemade chocolate chip cookies and popcorn.

It's hard to believe it's this cold today since yesterday afternoon was a balmy 49 degrees!

When I left for a holiday concert at the Cheyenne Civic Center at 7 p.m. it was starting to feel wintery. But when I came out the transformation in the weather was breathtaking. As in the cold literally took your breath away!

So, no outings today. It's all indoor activities with the heater cranked!

Here's a pic from last night's concert. It was free and featured the Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra, the Cheyenne Chamber Singers, and an all-city children's choral. It was really nice!

Only in Wyoming

Tumbleweeds only tumble when there's something to make them go, and yesterday's wind caused a tumbleweed torrent!

Tumbleweeds tumbled by the thousands, collecting in people's yards and basically becoming a nuisance.

A lady I work with actually had to get a ride to work because so many tumbleweeds collected in front of her garage she was unable to get out.

Municipal services set-up a special pick-up time tomorrow for people to get rid of the troublesome tumbleweeds.

The Casper Star Tribune even wrote a story on the event.

Only in Wyoming...

Windy City...

And I don't mean Chicago. I'm talking Chey-town.

Wyoming is known for its wind. There is rarely a day when there isn't anything blowing around here.

Today's wind, however, is ridiculous - to the point that the possibility of blowing away like Mary Poppins doesn't seem silly.

It started last night and has continued non-stop today. Non. Stop. About 35 mph continuous with up to 66 mph gusts.

Every friend on facebook from Cheyenne had a comment about it, ranging from putting rocks in their pockets to keep from blowing away, to actually flying off.

Since I've been here I have to say, the wind hasn't been all that bad. We've had amazing weather. But today it almost feels like every gust that didn't blow before saved itself for today.

So here I am, content in my pj's on my couch with pizza and the remote.

Let it blow, let it blow, let it blow!

Another Fall Photo

One more photo from this year's fall outing at the Colorado pumpkin patch. Me with friends Brandon, Annie and Don - oh, and Duffer and Naughty too...

Fall Outing

Every fall in D.C., I would drag people out to a Virginia apple orchard for a day of country fun.

Yesterday, a few friends here helped me keep the tradition alive at a nearby pumpkin patch.

After swinging by the Cheyenne Farmer's Market we set off for a patch just over the Colorado border. It was a simple place - no hayrides, pumpkin cannons, mazes, or merchandise. Just pumpkins. And lots of them!

I didn't go too crazy - sticking with only three orange pumpkins and two white ones.

But from the looks of the back of my car, you'd wonder if we left any for other pickers...


A big draw at the farmer's market are the freshly roasted chili peppers. They cook them in what looks like an old lottery ball machine and you can smell them smokin' all through downtown...


The finished product. A bag of these babies is tucked away in my freezer...


Um...I'm not real sure what saloon girls and cowboys have to do with farmer's markets...but sure!

Me with my bounty...

'Tis the season

It is so fall here right now, and I love it!

Fall comes quickly to this part of the county, and unfortunately it leaves just as fast. A nice long fall is definitely one thing I will miss about the East.

But the short season won't hold me back. Unlike most animals that start to slow down during this time, my planning starts to ramp up.

This is my time for pumpkin picking outings and pumpkin carving parties...picking Halloween costumes and Halloween parties. I want hayrides, and corn mazes, hiking in the fall colors, and early morning runs where you can just see your breath. Fall makes me want to read bios and history books and classics. I also want to have more dinner parties than ever in the fall with rich, red wines and spiked cider around my new fireplace. This year I'm looking forward to Wyoming Cowboys football games, which I haven't been to in seven years.

And even though I hate being truly cold - like winter cold - I like planning cold weather events in the fall. Like snowshoeing trips, game nights with wine, and renting a cabin with friends. This year I want to try cross-country skiing, and I've got a trip in the works to go back to Arrowhead and Bear Lodges to hang out with Candice and do some snowmobiling.

But that's a different season...

Right now, in fall, I'm roasting a head of garlic and last night I made a loaf of banana bread. I like to cook in all seasons, but fall just drives me into the kitchen to slice root vegetables with one hand while sipping an awesome cab from the other.

Ahhh, fall.

To Everything Turn, Turn, Turn...

I think we've reached a turning point - seasonally speaking.

The past few days you can just tell a change in the air...as in literally, the air has gotten a lot cooler. Tomorrow is supposed to be the coolest day yet only getting up to the low 50s. I've even heard rumors about the possibility of snow in high country. This is not how I normally spend my Augusts. August is usually spent mostly indoors standing in front of cranked up air conditioners for what is easily the most miserable time of the year in D.C. I will not miss that.

I've also noticed the sky seems moodier. There are lots of fast-moving clouds and the passing afternoon storms have turned chillier. A quick, light, fall-feeling rain just went through. It was the kind you don't need to shut your windows for, but that makes you want to curl up with a book and a cup of tea. I like those.

The thing I don't like is seeing the mornings take just a little bit longer to lighten. There is nothing more difficult than waking up at your normal time and it looking like it's the middle of the night. Yuck.

Of course, none of these observations are scientific in any way. It's more of a feeling and just noticing some things seem different.

I'm happy it's changing though, because I LOVE fall. It is by far my favorite time of year, but it's a little harder to enjoy it here - mostly because it's too short! Back East it lasts months versus weeks. The weather is warm through September...starts to take a turn in mid-October...then tapers off into winter about early December.

I'll miss that. And the zillions of fall colors out there. And our annual apple picking trip.

Speaking of, I'm going to have to find something to harvest here. But I'll have to do that fast!

Blowin' In To Town - Literally

I got into Laramie Wednesday night - finally - after battling extreme winds from north of Denver on. I think these winds were the precursor to the tornadoes that hit in northern Colorado and Laramie yesterday.

Thursday morning was dreary and blah, but as the day went on the weather became increasingly weird. We had everything - rain, wind, hail, sleet, thunder, lightening, sun...

Then it just became rain, wind and hail, and emergency broadcast told us to go to the basement since tornadoes had been sighted in the county. A neighbor with no basement came over with her son and we waited. Eventually the power went out, we lost internet, and my phone died because I hadn't been able to find the charger. We used the light from our computers to find our way into the laundry room where one child (playing in a dryer), two dogs, three adults, some candles, and an old clock radio for news spent the better part of the afternoon.

After two touch downs we came up and decided to drive around to gawk at the damages. We weren't the only ones! The streets were so busy you'd have thought a UW/CSU game had just let out.

Come to find out at least one of the tornadoes hit two blocks from the house. The golf course, which L and Nate live near, had giant trees cracked in half throughout, and the Quadradangle, an historic community/square dance center was, as Nate put it, "dangled."

Other photos of the damage can be seen here.

Our electricity went out around 1:30 p.m. leaving us in a house with no heat or light, but we made the most of it. We had beer and Little Caesar's by candlelight and once L put her son to bed she, Nate and I stayed up to play Who Wants to be a Millionaire by candles and headlamps. Nate warmed some water for tea on a camp stove and we used what we started calling "The Sun" to get around the house. "The Sun" is a small, bug zapper-looking lamp that creates so much light you would think you were walking around in the middle of a sunny day.

We went to bed early with extra blankets and the dream of electricity, which from the sounds of it wouldn't come true any time soon.

Rainin' and Runnin'

It has been pouring here.

I'm taking this as a sign that spring is here/near, since normally any precipitation we get is in the form of snow...lots and lots of snow. Another sign of spring, I'm

hoping, are the rather shockingly big, fat earthworms that are out. Colorado worms must live pretty high on the hog!

There is some snow, however. I went to the ranger station in Minturn this morning to pick up some trail maps, which is only about four miles down the road, and it was snowing there. Ahhh, crazy mountain weather. I love it.

On another note...I ran FOUR miles on the treadmill today without stop! I felt pretty good and contemplated running some more, but decided not to push it. I think I've left my three-mile days behind me. Boulder Boulder here I come!

Snowday!

It's snowing today in D.C. - and sticking! This is pretty much a first for us this year. I just told a friend in Wyoming that I hope this results in a snowday tomorrow. She told me I sounded like a fourth grader.

I'm ok with that, for the next week and a half anyway. She lives in a part of the country where snowdays mean something entirely different, and I'm not gonna lie, I will rather miss a free day off here and there.

See, in D.C., if there's even a minute chance of snow during the day, schools will be delayed or closed, businesses will be on liberal leave, and the federal government will be monitoring the weather for early dismissal.

Out West? Forget it. The snow has to basically be half-way up your house for it to be mildly acceptable for a person to miss work. But even at that, you know deep down your employer is wondering why you didn't put chains on your tires and make it in. And if you don't have chains (and why wouldn't you?!) you could have snowshoed or skied there...

Ok, it might not be that hardcore, but the expectations are definitely different.

We haven't had a snow day yet this year, and while I agree with my friend that shutting down for an inch of snow is rather ridiculous, the fourth grader in me can't help but keep my fingers crossed.