Huckleberryin'

 

Upon the mountainsides of Teton Valley, Idaho, there is a special little berry that can only be found within a three week window in the summertime at certain elevations and in certain climates.

 

They're quite particular little fellows.

 

You can't buy them at the store, and you can't grow them in your backyard.

 

And that my friends, is why huckleberries are so special.

 

I always look forward to huckleberryin' season because after you've licked all those purple, sticky juices off your fingers from pickin' you get to go home and make homemade huckleberry ice cream, cheesecake and shakes. Which, as you can imagine, are quite delicious.

Cheer

Currently nothing is occurring in my life that I find worthy of blogging about and so I will share these sage words with you.

 

 

 

 

 

Mmm, yes. Something I find difficult to apply to myself at times. As I look back on my 20 years of earthood I realize that at all ages I was always wishing I was in a future situation in life. For example,

 

 "I wish I was old enough to drive."

"I wish I was married."

"I wish I was in college."

"I wish it was summer."

"I wish I had a better job."

 

It's just an assumption, but I'm guessing most of those phrases seem familiar to you. How often do we forget to enjoy the time we have now, hoping for some distant achievement or situation in life to come to pass? A guilty pleasure I partake of almost everyday. So slap yourself in the face gurrlll cuzzz...

 

You gotta stop dat!!

 

I heard once that the most forgotten commandment is to be of good cheer. I think when God told us to be of good cheer he meant to enjoy each and every part and stage of our lives, because I mean the alternative just isn't fun, and time just goes by too quickly for us to waste it away dreaming of better days.

 

Food for thought.

 

 

 

 

 

Goodbye July

I really like myself, I just thought ya'll should know. I began thinking about it just now and I remembered what a cool human being I am. In fact I believe all people should feel that way about themselves. Just think about it, "I am cool!!"

Great, now repeat; and keep telling yourself that every day.

As I finish up my final essays and tests and such I feel as though I should begin to see the craziness of my life wind down, but we shall see. Out with the old crazy and in with the new is how it usually goes. Perhaps someday I will have a week or so of normality, a girl can wish can't she?

I will be SO unbelievably grateful when classwork is over because seriously my schedule has been driving me nuts. Want to see what I've been doing everyday for the past 3+ months. Here, take a gander...

6:30 AM: Oh, hello familiar annoying alarm sound. *snooze*
6:45 AM: Muster all effort to get out of bed. Roll slowly, one inch at a time now.
7:00 AM: Ah, the loveliest part of the day, hot shower.
8:17 AM: Holy shiz, gotta get to work!! Hurry it up honey and grab the keys we gotta go!!
12:07 PM: What's for lunch today? Leftover pasta, surprise, surprise.
4:36 PM: Yay work is finally over. Honey please come pick me up.
5:37 PM: Should really stop procrastinating those 17 essays that are due tonight at 11:59.
7:43 PM: Alright, alright alright... time for homework. Bravo, self. Way to stall for 3 hours.
10:53 PM: *eyes drooping* ...time for bed....

Rinse, lather and repeat.

Needless to say, I have been in need of a little more spice in my life.

 

 

Wise Words From A Cowboy

 

Thank you, John.

An Interview With My Main Man

Ok, are you ready for your interview?

Yes.

First question - tell us about where you are from?

I am from a magical place where if you want it, you can get it. ... *laughs* ok don't put that in there. Don't say 'magical'. Ummm. I am from...a town that teaches... where am I going here? A town that teaches good... haha ok I don't know what to say, just say I'm from Driggs.

Where is Driggs?

Driggs is located west of the Missippi.

...Ok, what is your full name?

Nathan Wayne Hartshorn

Do you like your name?

Yes, I like my name. I like who it represents. Pretty much I like myself.

What do you like to do for fun?

I like to spend time in the outdoors. This can include anything from camping to motorbiking, snowmobiling, fishing, hunting, and going to the carnival. I like to go out to dinner, too. I enjoy that.

Tell us about your favorite thing to eat.

Hmm. My favorite thing. A good rib-eye, cooked to perfection with just a little bit of red oozing out of it and a crispy outer layer, seasoned with um, ... oregano?? No, no what am I thinking? No no just put 'seasoned to perfection'. NO, put "well seasoned". With maybe some french fries on the side. NO, no... baked potato. Oh and a glass of mountain dew.

What would you say is your best quality?

My kiss-able-ness.

I don't think that's a word.

It is if you are in my dictionary.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

An old man I guess. Um, in reality I don't know what that means... "What do I want to be when I grow up?" I want to be an old cowboy that sits on his porch you know, that drives around in his truck and looks for trouble and goes to all the local stores and buys a bag of seeds and a cup of coffee... well not coffee, hot chocolate; and B-S's to everyone in town. Actually that's not my personality, but maybe it will be when I get older.

You come from a small town, so what's it like living in Utah Valley for you?

It's a different life than living in Idaho, that's for sure. It's a lot more crowded and busy. It feels hard for me to breathe, because I like to get out into the open and into the woods. So being around all these people drives me nuts actually, but at the same time it is fun and definitely more convenient. There's definitely a lot more work opportunities here. I just miss the easy life... the laid-back life I should say.

What is the 'laid-back' life?

Just being able to take a moment and kind of ponder and think about ..ya know, stuff. We don't get those moments too often. Just being able to sit out on the porch and kind of go at your own schedule.

What's it like being married to me?

It's awesome.. because being married to you is one of the greatest -

Ok wait, let me rephrase that, what's it like being married?

Well it's a lot easier than I thought, to be honest with you. Well.. so far, haha. It's enjoyable.

What's your favorite thing about being married?

Having somebody there at your side that's... having a best friend that you are connected to beyond just emotions. Someone that is always there for you. Lives with you, understands what you are going through, loves and supports you in every way. Cares for you. Shnuggles with you. You don't get very many friends that can shnuggle. You should only have one friend that can do that, haha. Although me and Dalan have shnuggled a few times. Just kidding we haven't.

What is your life's motto?

Well I've always lived by 'work hard, play hard'.

Very nice, thank you for your time with this interview.

I didn't really have a choice...but you're welcome.

Secret Ambitions

I have a secret ambition to become a florist. I attempted to make that ambition a reality for a while, and now it is barely hanging on by a thread but that is a story for another day. Anyway my dear friend Laura is being wed this summer and has asked me to be her florist. Here are some of the pics of her bouquet I made this last saturday for her bridals.

 

Some of my other projects.

 

 

I know I am not a professional by any sense of the word but it is a nice hobby to toy around with. Perhaps someday I will fulfill my dreams of opening a flower shop, who knows.



Chia Power

No, this post is not about these guys (as much as I love the furry little fellas)

But rather, about these guys:

 

 

CHIA SEEDS

 





What I formerly believed to be a 'weird hippie food' type of thing, has turned into one of my favorite ingredients! Since I have been taking this online nutrition class I have started on a bit of a health kick. Notice I said 'a bit' I haven't given up my Diet Dr. Pepper or french fries or anything! Don't panic. But I have become rather interested in developing a healthier eating pattern.

Also you should know I work as a therapy aid at a rehab and nursing facility and so I see the repercussions of bad health habits in our patients every single day.

So between the class and my job I have realized I need to start being better.

Enough side tracking though, back to the chia seeds. Apparently they are considered one of those 'super foods'. Like kale, for instance. One tablespoon of these little puppies equals 20% of your daily fiber. So for people like me, who find themselves constipated all the time because they never eat enough fiber, this is like the holy grail of all foods. Another cool thing about them is that the longer they sit in liquid the squishier and bigger they get! They are incredibly absorbant and so they make great puddings and work well in smoothies and oatmeals. They are also a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for a healthy metabolism.

Here is a link to my current favorite recipe that includes chia seeds:

http://www.theyummylife.com/Refrigerator_Oatmeal

This overnight refrigerator oatmeal is delicious, delicious, delicious and the website includes all sorts of different flavors for it! My favorites have been the peach melba and the chocolate banana!

The only downside to chia is that like most health foods, they are expensive. I bought a little bag for like 12 bucks at Good Earth, but really even a 12 oz bag is gonna last you a long time because you aren't supposed to use cups and cups of it. You just throw on a teaspoon here and there to all your favorite recipes, and that is really all you need to enjoy the benefits of it.

Next I want to try quinoa! Has anyone had any success with cooking with this ingredient? Let me know your experiences.

Whoever is interested in starting healthier eating habits and really just a healthier lifestyle I recommend the blog - Undressed Skeleton. I came across it on pinterest one day and it is absolutely amazing. It is written by a girl who struggled with being overweight her whole teenage life and was made fun of horribly for it. Her blog is about her road to weight loss and good health and how she maintains it! Her story is truly amazing. Go check it out!

http://undressedskeleton.tumblr.com/mystory