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

Outdoor Cookin'

I'm having the best time learning how to use a dutch oven.  Now that I've mastered Heather's lasagna, its time to venture into new things.  For Memorial weekend, I tried three new recipes, which all turned out pretty good. 


Cherry Cola Chicken  An interesting recipe that called for Cherry Coke.  It reminded me of sweet and sour chicken, which would have been good next to white rice. But out camping...not my favorite.  And the general consensus is that it was just too sweet.  I was relieved Kc loved it and I was able to send the leftovers home with him. 

Easy "Peachy" Cake  Oh my my my, delish!!  :)  I can't wait to make this again. 

Dutch Oven Beans  A recipe my Accounting Professor gave me, we all enjoyed it very much. The secret with this one is that you wait until the end to add the bell peppers, which keeps them crispy and really gives the recipe a surprise flavor everyone commented on.  Try it! 

 

   ½ pound bacon pieces
   ¼ cup minced onions
   ½ cup honey
   ½ cup brown sugar
   ½ cup mustard
   1 can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
   1 can white beans, drained and rinsed
   1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
   1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
   1 can pineapple pieces, with juice
   1 cup water
   ½ onion, large chopped pieces
   ½ green pepper, large chopped pieces
   ½ yellow pepper, large chopped pieces


   Cook bacon and minced onions, drain
   Add all ingredients except chopped onions and peppers
   Simmer for 45 minutes, until flavors have blended together
   Add chopped onions and peppers


   Simmer 15 additional minutes   (This also works well in a crock pot)

I love this...

Memorial Weekend 2010

Every year for Memorial we go camping with our neighbors.  Location this year was the Banner Mine area north of Idaho City. 
It was a beautiful weekend, overcast, high 50s with just a little bit of rain/wind.  No sunburns, no bugs - always a good thing.

The best lil' guy I know, Tim.  He couldn't get enough of Phil's "wheeler". 

Our Cody Bear in Dog Heaven

Thanks to the guys and all those chainsaws - awesome bonfire

Great photo of Phil...being Phil.

And me, the dirty work of a dutch oven (yes, that's soot on my nose)