Throttle Thumb ~ It's been a good day!

We finally got out Monday morning for our first ride of the season, happy to report that Idaho is getting hit with a ton of fresh powder!  Smith's Ferry and Sagehen were absolutely beautiful.  Sleds ran great and we enjoyed making fresh tracks the whole way in.

Overlooking the Payette River near Smith's Ferry

Phil cutting up Little Sagehen Basin

There is hope!

“I don’t have AUTISM anymore”?   

Watch this and hear it from the families themselves. 

"AUTISM YESTERDAY" Autism is Reversible from JB Handley on Vimeo.

Graduation

Brown Mackie College - Boise

Associate of Applied Science, Accounting Technology

Honors Graduate



Relieved and happy to finally be able to say "I did it"

Anna and Leann, two dear friends I made along the way.

My wonderful Accounting Professor, Chris. 

Couldn't have done it without him!



Cirque du Soleil's Alegria in Boise

We went to see Alegria with our friends Jason & Courtney last night, and it was absolutely one of the most enchanting shows I've ever seen. 
Next year they are doing a Michael Jackson tribute tour, and I am most definitely going to try to round up a group of friends to go see it in Portland.

Precinct 70 Poll Girls

And a new tradition is born!  I was invited this year to join my girlfriends for Election Day as Ada County Poll Workers.  We had so much fun and thankfully the day stayed busy and pretty much flew by. Voter turnout for our precinct was over 56% - very impressive!

Precinct 70 Poll Girls: 

Sarah, Brandy, Amy, Tena, Amber & Laura

Laura, our delightful and well prepared Chief Judge keeping us in line

Our Potluck:  Potato/sausage breakfast casserole, fruits and veggies, sandwiches, white lightning chicken chili, and an amazing homemade apple dessert.  

Laura, Am and Amy checking ID's and taking signatures

Tena and Sarah distributing and receiving ballots

Halloween

The Stenquist's did it again with they're amazing, over-the-top halloween party.  Some photos I borrowed from Facebook...











Tinker

Our sweet little bean left us on Monday, October 18th.  She brought so much joy to us each and every day for well over 8 years.  I'll forever miss her genuine smile, big dog demeanor, and amazing spirit.  So many people adored her, and it pleases me to look back and realize what an amazing life we all gave her.
 
We've been walking around quiet and a bit lost since her passing.  Feels so odd that she's not there to greet us at the door, cuddle on the couch, or to even hear her nails click around all over.  We'll especially miss her on the camping and outdoor adventures that she loved so much.  She sure saw a lot of Idaho with us and her big sister Cody.  I'm thankful I was holding her in my arms before she became the tiniest 4-legged angel in heaven. 

Fly high sweet girl, we'll love and miss you always!

In her younger years with her first family, The Fetty's

Bittersweet - Our last night of snuggles on the couch

Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall

Summer's over already, are you sure?  Well alright then if you say so. 

What a delightful summer it was, no wonder its my favorite season.  We had the boat out as much as possible with friends and neighbors skiing, tubing, fishing, and diving into the cool waters of Idaho.  Other memories made were the many camping trips, outdoor parties, relaxing in the backyard, and so much more.

Our most special mention for the season were the moments spent with both of our Grandmother's.  In June we took my Grandma Geri on our long awaited dream trip to Yellowstone.  It was just the three of us on a nice road trip to a beautiful place.  We drove non-stop for three days and the sights we saw were breathtaking.  It was so special to experience that with her and keep my promise made over ten years ago that we would someday do this together.
About a week after we returned home from Yellowstone, we got the call from Michigan that our Grandma DiMaria wasn't doing too well, and that it was time.  We jumped in the car right away and were in Michigan 36 hours later. The next four days we spent by her bedside holding hands, hugging, laughing, smiling...saying our goodbyes.  We'll never forget all the special memories and moments surrounded by all of the family.  And leave it up to Grandma and her Italian sassiness right through till the end, she had us in fits of laughter for most of the time.  Grandma passed away about a week after we came home, just a few days before her 96th birthday.  She lived a beautiful life, and she'll be carried in our hearts always.  Riposa in pace Nonna, ti vogliamo bene.

And time marches on...the leaves are turning now, Autumn is here. We'll be close to home for the holidays this year.  With college out of the way, I've been decorating pumpkins for the front stoop and am very much looking forward to getting into the Christmas goodies.  But before I can get ahead of myself, there's still some fall projects to do around the house.  We've got painting to do indoors and out, and also just bought a new Stor Mor shed that'll be used for all of our gardening/camping/boating supplies.  Very much looking forward to getting a bit more organized in our tiny little abode.

Zucchini Hamburger Pie

Ready for the top crust, and I must say "Look at those tomatoes!"

Loving the new cookbook I just picked up, if you have a garden, its a must have!

1/2 pound lean ground beef
1/4 cup minced onion
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 cup diced pepper
1 teaspoon dried oregano (I used fresh)
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes (I used fresh)
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
1/2 parmesan cheese
1 egg, lightly beaten
Pastry for double crust deep-dish pie (9-10 inches)
4 cups sliced zucchini, divided
2 medium tomatoes, peeled and thinly sliced

1.  In a skillet, cook beef, onion, salt and garlic salt; drain well.  Add the green pepper, oregano, parsley, bread crumbs, parmesan cheese and egg; mix well.  Set aside.

2.  Place bottom pastry in glass pie plate; layer 2 cups of zucchini in crust.  Cover with beef mixture.  Cover with tomato slices and remaining zucchini.  Roll out remaining pastry to fill top of pie.  Place over filling.  Trim, seal and flute edges.  Cut slits in pastry. 

3.  Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until crust is lightly browned.  Refrigerate leftovers. 
     Yield:  6-8 servings.

Hope ft. Jason Mraz - Love Love Love [Official Video]

This is the most beautiful song, enjoy!

Lam Research Celebrates 30 Years

This September marks Lam's 30th year Anniversary.  For our celebration in Boise, I took the guys Go-Kart racing.  It was so nice to escape the craziness of work for a long lunch and have some fun on the track. 

Left to Right

Shibu, Dave, John, Dana, Am, Jeff, Lee, Mato and Charles

Labor Day Weekend

Just got back from Stanley, had an amazing weekend camping with all of our neighbors.  It was our usual tradition near Knapp Creek cutting as much wood as we could for everyone's wood stoves.  Gotta prep for winter!  We brought back about 8-10 cords - that's alotta wood! 

Timothy's all mighty powerful Jeep - Ha Ha

Friday night as we were all hanging out, John looked over and swore to the group that he saw a black wolf about 15 yards away.  We weren't quite sure until the next morning when some friends down the road confirmed by telling us that they had also seen two wolves leaving our camp area early Saturday morning.  So being the curious creatures that we are...Craig, Arley and I went on a 5-7 mile hike in the forest (pistols included) to see if we could find them.  No such luck, but we did visit a beautiful alpine lake and got a very good workout in the nice weather. 

Got home Monday around three in the afternoon, just enough time to unpack the camper, shower and get the goodies out for the first Boise State game of the season.  It was an amazing start to the season, Boise State beating Virginia Tech 33-30!!!  That keeps us 3rd place in the AP Poll and brings us up to 3rd in the USA  Today Coaches Poll.  GO BRONCOS!!!

Wow, all in just one Friday

Such a fun-filled night!!! 

We finally found the boat we've been looking for.  It's a 2002 21' Sun Tracker Deck Boat. Seats 10 and gets up to 33 MPH, perfect for pulling behind.  Phil's in heaven with the trolling motor and front deck setup perfectly for fishing. Can't wait to have all of our friends & family out for a good time!

Phil inspecting at the shop, this exterior shot shows the two front deck seats

The interior, gotta love the wrap-around seating and sun tanning deck in back

After our neighbors toured the new boat, we walked down to PizzalChik for a few pitchers of beer and some delicious pizza.  Played some foosball and listened to the great house band.  Love that place!

Our favorite cook, Montana watching Bob & Phil play

Shmoozing on my honey as he was teasing me with those nasty anchovies he loves so much.

After all that, we still weren't done. Caught a cab over to Laura's house to catch her birthday party.  We told her on the way over via text, "Its too late, we're not coming" and then as we walked in sent her another, "Surprise, open the gate woman!".  She loved it and I was so glad that even so late into the night, we still made it over.  It was a great party with fabulous friends!  Phil brought her a very appropriate bottle of wine, "Sin Zin".  Ha!!

Exploring Yellowstone with Grandma July 9-11, 2010

Magic Reservoir

Camping Trip #4 and its only June ~ what a fantastic summer this is turning out to be.

This past weekend we tried a new spot, Magic Reservoir.  Surprising that I haven't been here before, being that its so close to Mtn. Home. Phil enjoyed fishing out on the boat for the most part of the trip.  He caught some rainbow trout and cooked it up for lunch, the taste was absolutely delicious!  I stayed on shore and soaked up the sun with a good book and glass of wine while soaking my feet in the cool water.  We had a spot all to ourselves with no nearby neighbors.  A peaceful weekend indeed!

Sunday evening our friend Jason drove down from Hailey for a few hours and had dinner with us.  I made Baked Chicken and Rice in the dutch oven, turned out excellent. 

Magic Reservoir (7 mi. east of Fairfield, Idaho)

Our camping setup

    

Two very content puppies

Fresh fish for lunch

Collecting wood for a nice fire

Our backyard

With all the late rain, we had to wait until mid June to put in the garden this year. Phil's nuts -  he planted a whopping 16 Tomato Plants!  He makes the best sauce, this year we're going to mostly can whole tomatoes.  Other items in the garden are cucumbers, zucchini, peppers, onions, corn, carrots, radishes and more.

The pretty view from our backyard, looks up towards Bogus Basin and Stack Rock. The neighbors have about 6 horses we enjoy watching and there are deer that come down most evenings to feed in the hay field. 

Phil surprised me in May by bringing home three hens from D&B Supply. We're really enjoying their presence in the backyard and are very much looking forward to the fresh eggs. 

Each time our 2 1/2 year old nephew Tim visits, he'll ask Grandma, "I go see Uncle Phil's chickens?"  and when its time to go, he'll call out all sweet-like, "Byeeee girlsss".

Wishing you were here

Happy Father's Day Dad, I love you.

Yellow roses grow in heaven, Lord please pick a bunch for me, place them in my Dad’s arms and tell him they’re from me. Tell him that I love and miss him, and when he turns to smile, place a kiss upon his cheek and hold him for awhile. Remembering him is easy, I do it every day, and there is an ache in my heart that will never go away.

A photo I love that my grandmother passed on to me one Christmas morning, along with the flag from his Memorial.  

My sister Kellie and I with Dad, the only portrait we have together with him.

Happy Camp - June 10-13, 2010

Just as its titled, this must be the happiest of all camps, because I'm on a natural high for weeks afterwards.  I feel so honored to have such wonderful girlfriends.  Really and truly I am blessed to have them in my life.

This was my second time joining the girls on their yearly adventure.  There are only two rules, 1) Be happy & 2) No boys allowed.  How could you not love that, right?  :) 

The Middle Fork of the Boise river, near Atlanta, Idaho

Plenty of hotsprings, hiking, and happy adventures through and through

Heather making her FABULOUS Dutch Oven Chicken Enchiladas

Good times around the campfire

One last toast and a pose before heading home