Summer to Fall

This past weekend the weather quickly changed in our little mountain town and gave us a glimpse of what Fall will soon bring.  Even though I know we still have many warm days ahead of us I started pulling things from our garden to get them before they had to meet the first frost.  There was some definite successes this year and a few experiments that didn't quite hold up.  The lettuce and carrots could have kept Peter Rabbit happy for a year.  The sweet peas, strawberries, radishes, tomatoes, basil, mint, dill, and rosemary provided a wonderful sampling but not quite enough to share outside our home.  The corn, watermelon, onions, potatoes, squash, pumpkins, and cucumbers are still working hard and almost ready to harvest.  The artichokes well, let's just say I'm not sure they are a mountain climate plant.

The end of a long season of lettuce.

The squash are finishing the season strong.

Lot's of little strawberries to snack on.

So excited to try these watermelon!
Just hope they can make it thru a few more weeks.

The cucumbers are getting stronger.

Lot's of carrots!  Lucy is now addicted.  

Oh and what is the deal with cilantro?  Why does mine always go to seed before providing the yummy leaves we like to use in tacos all summer?  These will be my challenges next year.

Thanks to my lovely husband for helping me install new pavers around the garden beds.  I'm already wishing I could start replanting for next year.   

Island Park Weekend

View of Sawtelle Mountain

Lucy's main goal is to get as dirty as possible
while chasing squirrels.

Saturday night grillin'

We headed East this past weekend to enjoy some R&R at the Latham's family cabin in Island Park, Idaho.  About four hours from Hailey it is only 8 miles to the entrance of Yellowstone National Park.  The cabin itself was built by Zach's grandfather, Ken, in the 1950's.  In the 00's Zach's dad, Nick, rebuilt the separate bunkhouse with help from his kids and wife, Jean.  Oh yeah, I helped a little too.

Mmmm...Huckleberry!

Zach in front of the Yellowstone Museum.

Floating down Henry's Fork

Zach, Lucy, and I spent the weekend canoeing the Henry's Fork of the Snake River, visiting West Yellowstone town for some homemade Huckleberry ice cream, visiting the Yellowstone Historical Museum, fishing, and visiting Mesa Falls.

We are waiting to visit Yellowstone Park for a few more weeks when Ben & Jeannie drive thru in their RV.  However, we weren't lacking in the wildlife viewing when we spotted a moose as we put in for our canoe trip on the Henry's Fork.  Unfortunately, we didn't have our camera's at ready so I'm adding a photo I borrowed from the internet for your viewing pleasure.  I love seeing moose!  They are so other worldly looking.

Moose sighting!
Well, not this one exactly but very similar.

Sarah fishing.

Zach fishing.

Two days flew by and it felt like a week vacation now that we are looking back on our activities.  Pictures seem to tell the story best.

Zach tying my fly.

Lower Mesa Falls

Upper Mesa Falls

Sarah & Lucy at Upper Mesa Falls.

Already looking forward to our next visit in a few weeks!

Waterski Tuesday

Who said you could only waterski on the weekends?  Zach and I had the invitation to join our friends Ian & Sarah Sundby, David, and Willie for a little water skiing on Magic Resevoir (about a 30 minute drive South from Hailey).  The weather was perfect and we had a good time lounging, laughing, and watching as the boys took to the water. 

Erin you'll have to come show us your ski skills in an Idaho summer sometime now that you've been practicing in Portland.  

Thanks Sundby's we had a great time and we'd join you any night/day for a spin on the boat!  You can see better pictures on Adventures in Idaho at Ian & Sarah's blog. 

Happy Happy Happy Happy Happy Anniversary!!

Just so you know how much I love you I thought I would share a little ditty  :)  Thank you for being such a wonderful husband, and partner in life.  Everyday get's better and better!  Love your adoring wife.

"The Higher You Get, The Higher You Get"

Zach, Lucy, and I, decided to take advantage of a well known hike today in our backyard.  I'm ashamed to say I'd never done the hike to Pioneer Cabin and now understand why it is one of the most popular hikes in our area.  The lupine were still blooming and the day was wonderful.  We couldn't have asked for a nicer way to spend the day.  "The Higher You Get, The Higher You Get" is a well known slogan painted atop the roof of the cabin and it was literally a breath of fresh air to see.

Needless to say, Lucy is chasing ground squirrels in her sleep at this moment with a smile on her face.

Summer Symphony

Last night, Zach, Jean, Nick, and I attended "Broadway Rocks!" at the Sun Valley Pavilion.  It was apart of the annual Sun Valley Summer Symphony that is brought to the community for free each year.  People gather on the grass with blankets and chairs to share food, drink wine, and listen to different musicians from around the world blow your socks off. 

They added a new screen that showed close-ups of the instruments and performers to even the farthest person in the crowd, despite the tourist in there very taboo "high-backed" chairs.

Mountain weather tested our dedication with sudden rain and hail showers.  Thank goodness Jean insisted we bring umbrellas!  We crowded as many friends as we could underneath to stay dry for the 15 minute down pour. 

Despite the weather, everything else: the music, company, and evening was fantastic!  We love this annual event :)

Multi-Cultural Night

We had a great time this past Saturday night with our friends, riding bikes to three different houses where each house had a different country theme.  The first stop was the Walkers (a.k.a. Spain) with sangria, tapas, and a water balloon contest.  Next up was the Lloyds (a.k.a Mexico) with tacos, margaritas, and a pinata contest.   Luckily, the ski pole narrowly missed the window when Willie was up to bat.  Needless to say we were entertained when it bounced off the table and later bent in half by another sure hit.  See photo of Zach below.  Lastly, we rode over to the Sundby's for lemonciello, panache, and a dance party.  Phew, world traveling can really take it out of a person :)
I had to borrow a few pictures from Sarah S. b/c we were too busy having fun to take pictures...I know that's a first!

Sarah S. riding to the next party.

We had a blast and can't wait to be apart of the next mulit-cultural evening!  Thanks Walkers, Lloyds, Resko's, Sundby's, and Christine!