Picture a Day #49 – Baking Bread

Posted on February 18, 2012 by joanienaz

There’s something about late winter and baking. As our thoughts turn to spring, we need a little encouragement to hang in there. This recipe for banana bread is quick, easy, and provides a treat to take with you on those Presidents’ Weekend excursions!

Easy Banana Walnut Mini Bread

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Oil four 2-cup Pyrex glass bowls.

Mash 3 ripe bananas in a large bowl. Add 2 eggs and beat together. Add 4/3 cup unbleached wheat flour, 2/3 cup whole wheat flour, 2/3 cup sugar, and 1 teaspoon baking soda. Mix together. Add 2/3 cup chopped walnuts and blend. Fill the bowls and bake 30-40 minutes.

Test with a toothpick or skewer in the center of each. Serve warm or cooled. These turn out like giant muffins-share one with a friend!

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Picture a Day #48 – Time to Paint!

Posted on February 17, 2012 by joanienaz

 

In a moment of artistic inspiration a couple of weeks ago, I ordered some high-quality watercolor paper. The good stuff. A few days later, I found a box leaning against my front door. Cool!

 

 

 

I brought it inside, and leaned it against my work table. A few days later, it was still there. I went on a cleaning rampage, and it ended up in the closet. I visited it a couple of times…

 

 

 

This morning the sun was out, and I had painting on my mind. Out came the unopened box of very special watercolor paper, cold press with deckle edges. I opened it carefully, and treated it like royalty.

 

 

 

Then I taped it onto a piece of cardboard, and prepared to create a masterpiece. I don’t know, maybe I’ll just look at it for a while…

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Picture a Day #47 – Saying Goodbye to the Rockies

Posted on February 16, 2012 by joanienaz

My husband and I lived and worked in Rocky Mountain National Park way back in the late 1980’s. We spent two winters on the east side, and one summer on the west side. What a treat to look out our window at elk and a view of Long’s Peak, aka Beaver Mountain. I will never forget that experience!

We enjoyed our recent trip back, and after camping on the SE side of the park, left the Rockies behind and headed east, looking for our next adventure.

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Picture a Day #46 – On Top of the World

Posted on February 15, 2012 by joanienaz

Our trip through Rocky Mountain National Park on Trail Ridge Road was a bit chilly for late June. We dropped twenty degrees, from 64F in the Kawuneeche Valley to 44F near the Alpine Visitor Center. Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous motorway in the US, with over eight miles above 11,000 feet. The maximum elevation along the road is 12,183 feet. We stopped at the Gore Range Overlook, and I photographed the Never Summer Mountains.

I’m adding a photo of me, looking like I could use some shades and a hat! Guess I won’t be modeling outdoor gear anytime soon. I was thrilled to be in such a dramatic location, but the wind was a bit much.

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Picture a Day #45 – Kawuneeche Valley

Posted on February 14, 2012 by joanienaz

As we drove north through central Colorado toward Leadville, we paused to admire the majestic Mt. Elbert, highest peak in the state at 14,433 feet.

Further north, we entered Rocky Mountain National Park, and photographed moose and Roosevelt elk in the Kawuneeche Valley before crossing the Continental Divide once more on Trail Ridge Road.

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Picture a Day #44 – Colorado Rockies

Posted on February 13, 2012 by joanienaz

Yes, we’re still in Colorado! We left the San Isabel National Forest and headed north on Highway 24, with the Arkansas River to the east and the Sawatch Range to the west. Here’s a four-part panorama, as we head toward Leadville.

Tomorrow: Rocky Mountain National Park!

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Picture a Day #43 – Camping in the Rocky Mountains

Posted on February 12, 2012 by joanienaz

Our campground on the San Isabel National Forest in Colorado was one of the nicest spots on our trip!

I love aspen!

Looking west from our campsite, toward the Continental Divide.

wild iris

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Picture a Day #42 – North into the Rockies

Posted on February 11, 2012 by joanienaz

As we drove north through the San Luis Valley, the clouds closed in, and we experienced a little June snow. Later, we discovered a peaceful campsite on the San Isabel National Forest, which happened to be on the opposite side of the Continental Divide from Aspen, CO.

On our evening stroll, we discovered this beaver dam and some freshly nibbled Aspen.

Looking west toward the Continental Divide…Aspen, CO is over there somewhere!

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Picture a Day #41- Great Sand Dunes

Posted on February 10, 2012 by joanienaz

This was one of the highlights of our cross-country trip. It was so incredible to witness such a dramatic result of the erosion process. Driving through the San Luis Valley, and then approaching the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, with huge dunes appearing at the base was an incredible experience!

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Picture a Day #40 – A Hidden Delight

Posted on February 9, 2012 by joanienaz

Before we left Cortez, Colorado my husband’s uncle told us about a spot we should visit. So when we arrived at the western edge of the San Luis Valley in southern Colorado, we stopped at the Peace of Art Cafe/Organic Peddler in Del Norte. We didn’t eat, but he bought a T-shirt!

I love this!

Our next stop: Great Sand Dunes National Monument. Don’t miss it!

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