Walk with Nature

Saddle Mountain Hike in Oregon ~  God is good :)

Look out "44 North" ...Welcome "44 Blue Northwest"

Look out "44 North"... Here comes "44 Blue Northwest"

The Raspberry infused vodka was so delicious, we decided to try some freshly picked blueberry infused vodka to see how it compares to the "44 North" (Huckleberry flavored vodka) out of Boise, Idaho.  We will give it 30 days on the counter to soak up all of that fresh blueberry goodness, shaking it every day to get all of "berry goodness" out and into the liquid.  Then we will strain the liquid, and mix it with the boiled sugar water (same recipe as the raspberry infused vodka in this blog) and place it in a dark cool place for 6 months.  (Lets see how patient we can be!!!)

P.S. the blueberries that have been soaking don't need to go directly into the trash can :)  Lets try them on fresh ice cream or in a lemon sorbet!

Be Still and Listen.

While on a hike last September in Tennessee, I took a small break to just sit, watch and listen.  It is amazing what you miss while hiking, when you don't take the time to be still and just listen to the surrounding nature.  My camera was ready and my ears were in tune to all the movements of the creatures around me.  The midday sun was out, and only a slight breeze blew through the trees that carried the strong scent of their native Jasmine.  It wasn't long until this amazing little bird landed just a few feet away from me.  He posed just long enough for me to get a shot of him.  

I saw deer, turtles and a red cardinal which I chased for about a half mile on my hike just trying to get close for a good picture.  He out smarted me and I since I could not remember what poison oak looked like to ensure a safe hike off the beaten path, I never got my picture.  Turtles on the other hand are very slow, so capturing their picture was easy!  I thought it very funny as there were just as many turtles heading north on the log as there were heading south...at the same time mind you!  I could not stay long enough to find out what happened when they met in the middle. 

Hey....it looks like Fall out there!

This curious little guy was scampering around in the maple tree when my son captured this great shot today!  Gather, Gather my friend, as Winter is just around the corner. 

The Mountains are calling and I must go!

The mountains are calling and I must go. ~ John Muir

How often do we procrastinate about taking the time to seek the great outdoors, the miracles that God put before us to enjoy with open arms? What's holding us back? What is keeping us from getting in the car, on our bikes, or simply by foot, to breathe the fresh air and feel the brush of an aromatic cedar tree against our skin? There is so much to see right in our own back yards! It is amazing; the life, the beauty that abounds all around us, if we just took the time to soak it all in and appreciate all that has been given us to enjoy. How I long to get outside today after a long day at work!

Despite all of the troubling things going on in the world today, we can find peace in knowing that God is always with us. We do not have to go far to find him! "This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." PSALM 118:24