new mexico and some other stuff

Recently returned from a trip out west to visit a dear friend that lives in Albuquerque. We met up with another friend of hers and we went to the Grand Canyon

and Bryce Canyon

and my favorite, Zion National Park

There is absolutely no way any photo I will ever take could do this place justice. It is magical. I would have loved to have spent the entire week there and one day I will. The trip was amazing. I had a lot of fun (and froze my butt off a few times) and it was good for my soul to be surrounded by the beauty of nature, an old friend and a new one. It was another reminder that I need to make these kinds of events happen more often in my life. There is still so much to see and, based on medical statistics, 1/3 of my life is over already.  I really want to go to California next. Drive my way from one end to the other visiting Yosemite, Sequoia, Death Valley and Joshua Tree among other stops. I am trying to figure out how much it will cost, how much time I need and who, if anyone, will be going with me.  It has the makings to be quite an adventure :)

Putting dreams aside, I am excited that asparagus season is on baby! Last year I put up 9 jars of spicy picked asparagus. This year I hope to do at least 12 because those 9 jars did not last.  I am pretty sure that I am the only one I know that likes(loves) them but that just means I get one whole jar to myself once a month. The recipe is easy; 2 parts vinegar to 1 part water, salt to taste, a few garlic cloves in each jar, some peppercorns and a teaspoon or so of hot pepper flakes and you have asparagus pickles.  They stay crunchy and deliver all their wonderful green asparagus taste but with a zap of vinegar and heat. I'm not sure why nobody seems to like them but me.. Anyway I thought I would share some of my other favorite asparagus recipes: 

Spring Green Risotto

Oven-Roasted Asparagus

Asparagus Soup

This time of year (well asparagus is unseasonably early this year but you know what I mean) you can usually find asparagus fairly cheap at the store and starting to pop up at farmers markets. It freezes awesomely and dehydrates well (if you are a dehydrating weirdo like me) for soups and whatnot.

My sister and I have been talking a lot lately about trying to eat more home grown and local food. I did pretty good last year but I think I can do better. I want to start canning, freezing and dehydrating more of my own food and learn to eat more seasonally. I am working on a summer plan to decide what I want to grow and put up and how much I need to last me a full year. Of course this all gets blown to heck if I have to move to an urban area and am forced to abandon my garden but I will make a conscious effort none the less. There will be more details about this little project soon!