Ice Castle

I've been hearing about this 'ice castle' out in Midway for a few weeks now and the hubbs and I finally decided to go check it out last night! When we got there, there was this humongous line of mostly mustached, hipster BYU students but we decided to wait it out anyway. Whilst in line we were entertained by fire dancers and various songs from the Frozen soundtrack, which was cool. After an hour or so we reached the entrance and I must say I was fairly impressed! 

 

 

Nate can't seem to keep his eyes open anytime a flash is present. 

There was tons of cool little ice mazes to explore with tight spaces to squeeze through and LED lights to gawk at. Lots of fun. Although I'm not sure it was worth the 10 dollar entrance fee it was still a good experience. Amazing what a couple guys with water hoses and sub freezing temperatures can do. 

The Ultimate Morning Smoothie

(or post-workout snack)

Lately I've been on a bit of a health kick. Nathan and I have been going to the gym three times a week and I always come home raging with hunger and so I had to find something that was both filling and healthy to eat afterwards. Hence this delish smoothie. I have been so obsessed with it that I have been eating them for my breakfast in the morning as well. They're easy, quick, delicious and nutritious! What else could you ask of a smoothie? 

Hannah's Oatmeal Smoothie Supreme

1 cup chocolate almond milk 

1/3 cup oats

Handful ice cubes

1 banana

Handful blackberries or strawberries

1 'green' thing ( think handful spinach, 1/4 cup avocado, etc..)

Blend and enjoy!!

350 calories each. There is usually enough that I like to split it with my husband for a snack, but it's a great meal replacer if you drink the whole thing because it keeps you full for hours. 

Life's Great Choices

Life. 

It is such a tricky thing sometimes. I have been feeling a bit frazzled lately, because well I have absolutely no idea what I want to be when I grow up and that is troubling when you are a 21 year old married person struggling to get by. I mean I really need to figure this thing out already, people. 

I have come to conclude that my grandest desire in life is to build a family, love and raise wonderful children and live in happiness forever by the side of my husband. But I feel like in order to prepare myself better for that I need to finish my education so the option of a good paying job is available to me, even if I am lucky enough to be a stay at home mom. 

Three cheers for me returning to school! Hip hip hooRAY. 

Now if I can just figure out what in the crap to study. Honestly I've been seriously considering nursing. But I still have that secret ambition to be a florist. Maybe it is possible to do both? 

Maybe it is possible for me to move to Disneyland and not face reality. That sounds nice as well. 

The Hunter's Wife: Cooking With Elk Meat

For those of you who belong to a hunting family - be it you hunt, your husband hunts or you have an uncle, brother, dad or grandpa that hunts, you probably know what it's like to have a freezer full of meat. Elk, deer, duck you name it, sometimes it's hard to figure what to do with all that stuff. Cooking it can be a tricky task because you want it to taste as non-gamey like as possible. 

I found a recipe a while ago for elk chili that I had been dying to try and yesterday I finally made it. It turned out so well I just had to share it with y'all. Doesn't taste gamey at all which is great great great.

The original comes from here: http://www.familyfreshcooking.com/2011/09/09/elk-chili-with-roasted-sweet-potatoes-recipe/

I modified it a bit so I shall share my version with you. 

Cowgirl Elk Chili

(If elk ain't your cup of tea you can always substitute with ground beef or omit the meat altogether. Anyway let's proceed.) 

Ingredients: 

1 leek

1 zucchini

1 sweet potato

2 cloves garlic

1 bunch cilantro 

1 lb ground elk 

24 oz of canned chopped tomatoes 

1 can kidney beans

1 cup chicken broth 

Cinnamon

Cumin

Salt

Chili powder 

Olive oil

Step 1 

Chop sweet potatoes into squares, toss in olive oil and tsp. of cinnamon. Spread out on baking sheet and roast at 425 degrees for 30 minutes.

Step 2 

While potatoes are cooking chop zucchini, leeks and garlic and brown in a pot with olive oil on medium heat. In other frying pan brown ground elk. Once thoroughly cooked add together in pot. 

Step 3

Add tomatoes (don't drain), chicken broth, kidney beans (drained), and cooked sweet potatoes to pot with other ingredients. 

Step 4 

Add spices, 1/2 tsp. of each and let chili summer for half an hour.

Step 5

Time to eat! Serve with cilantro, sour cream and cheese! Tortilla chips are a good topping as well. 

There are so many flavors in this chili that all come together and create a wonderful harmony of deliciousness. From the sweetness of the potatoes to the slight spiciness from the chili, this dish is one that hunters and non hunters alike are sure to enjoy.

Ode to Angie

Angie. The only horse my grandpa kept consistently throughout my entire life. She was older than me, in fact. Good old sweet quarter horse, a beautiful red dun. Never threw nobody, and liked to run up steep hills. The last season I rode her was in 2012. Although my grandpa never said it I knew in my heart that summer would be the last time she'd have a saddle on her. She was old and it was time for her to retire. She spent the next year grazing in the pasture, and when winter came there was talk of putting her down. I prayed my grandpa wouldn't do it, but I knew it would be the best for her. I knew my grandpa couldn't stand to see her suffer through another winter. 25 years old. Horrible arthritis had taken over her. My mom called and told me today was the day, my grandpa had finally decided to do it, and just like that Angie was gone, put to rest from all her worldly cares.

I always said that my love for horseback riding began in the saddle of that horse, and I know that it will continue, a love for those creatures deeply embedded in my heart. I'm gonna miss you Angie.

 

 

 

 

 

RIP old gal.

 

 



 



The Ride

"Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he has been robbed. The fact is most putts don’t drop. Most beef is tough. Most children grow up to be just people. Most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration. Most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. … Life is like an old-time rail journey—delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride”

- Gordon B. Hinckley

I inherited a tendency towards nostalgic thinking from my father and therefore I like to reminisce a lot.  Today was one of those days when my head was flooded with memories of the past, and as I thought of all the many wonderful experiences I've had in life my mind wandered to the above quote. 

My life isn't always as perfect and sugar coated and rosy as it may appear in photographs and edited blog entries and Instagram posts. Usually days are filled with work and worry and dirty kitchen sinks and piles of laundry to do. More often than not I'm bored of my job and sometimes Nathan and I disagree with each other. But at the same time I've never felt so full or happy or satisfied with my life as I have been today. I think of the abundant scenes of beauty and friendship and adventure and love that I have experienced sandwiched in between the day to day hum drums of my existence. And I am so grateful for the simple fact that I've been fortunate enough to live - truly live. To be here on this earth and experience every aspect of mortality, the good and the bad. 

And even though it hasn't been picture perfect, it's been just right for me, so thank you Lord for allowing me 'the ride'. 

A Vacation Much Needed

Nothing is better than ditching work and hitting the road to greener, warmer pastures. Particularly the variety with palm trees and hot tubs in them. Nathan and I had the lovely opportunity to go to the National Finals Rodeo this weekend in Las Vegas. We had a smashing time with Nathan's brother Jarom and our friend Luke. 

We spent some time atop the Stratosphere, something I had not done previously. Heights such as those make my stomach queasy but I enjoyed the view despite my nauseousness. 

 

Here's us watching the pro cowgirls and boys from the nosebleeds.

This morning we left Sin City behind us and drove out to California. We've been poolside chillin ever since with anticipation for tomorrow's Disneyland festivities. Life is good, my friends.