Colorado Springs Trip

Colorado springs is the second largest city in Colorado and has 300 days of pure sunshine, that is 300 days of bliss! Colorado Springs is like many say, an extraordinary place to not only visit but live.

On the way to Pikes Peak

When we planned the trip, we really just wanted to experience Colorado's many trails, hikes, and scenery. We went towards the end of April, beginning of may. The weather could not have been perfect, holding strong at around 70 degrees; not too hot and not too cold. We did get showers here and there but nothing major. We flew into Denver and then rented a car and drove to Colorado Springs, which took us only an hour. Our hotel was right by The Garden of the Gods and was a 15 minute drive to practically all the events that we had planned. We started the evening with a christian concert and then dinner. We hit the sack early due to the early wake up time the next day. Wake up time was 7am and then we headed up to Pikes Peak.

Drive to the top

Pikes peak is the second most visited mountain in the world, surrounded by thousands of acres of timber. It has more than 12 species of trees that color the rugged mountains.
We didn't have time to make the 12 mile hike up Pikes Peak but we did drive up the windy path, which we stopped every few minutes to just gaze at the work of Gods hands. In the 1890's gold was discovered on the western slope and by 1904 it was home to a third of the nations millionaires. The small rock that I found was unfortunately far from gold, I guess I'm just not cut out to be a gold miner. As we approached the peak, the temperature dropped down to 35 degrees with snow on the mountains. It was absolutely beautiful at the top, an image I won't be able to erase.

Pikes Peak

We also did lots of hiking around Helen Hunt Falls which, by itself, is a one mile easy hike. The hike takes up beside the face of the falls and over the Cheyenne creek. When we reached the end of the trail the scenery was indescribable. We saw the entire valley with a small hint of the city all around us.

Cheyenne Canon Park

My adventurous side

Cheyenne Canon Park

After us gazing at the beauty around us, we wanted to explore a little and so we veered off of the path and started to climb up some steep rock formations. I love venturing off where most don't attempt to go. It gives oneself a sense of adventure and wonder. I have always had an adventurous side to me and was a tomboy when I was little; playing with cars, swords, and enjoying the outdoors. When we reached the very top we felt exhilarated and a sense of achievement. We stayed up there for quite some time just talking, gazing at the scenery, daring each other to do stupid things, and just relaxing. After that we were scratching our heads and wondering how we were going to make the descend down the slope. Fortunately we made it down without any scrapes or scratches.

Steps to Helen Hunt Falls

Different plants along the way

We then drove to another trail that was fairly close by to Helen Hunt Falls. This trail was about two miles long and was on the difficulty level. We packed our snacks, water, and camera and headed up the incline. About a mile into our hike, I noticed something in the distance moving along the trail. It didn't take me a long time to realize there was an adult brown bear, often called a grizzly bear, just ahead of us. With no one around we froze and my heart was pounding out of my chest. I turned to my husband and it didn't even faze him. He thought I was joking around. Before the bear took a sudden left turn, I took a picture to prove that I wasn't going crazy. At that time I was backing up as my husband was moving forward. I told him that we better turn around and go back because who knows if we'll run into it again. He, like always, convinced me to keep moving. I felt like we were being watched by the bear that entire two mile hike. Later on, I was reading up on brown bears and they say that they are extremely fast, reaching speeds up to 30 miles per hour. They are also dangerous to humans if they are surprised or if there are cubs with them. I just want to say that we are fortunate nothing happened and next time we will be more prepared. All in all, the hikes that we took were nothing but spectacular and that the beauty of nature never gets old!

Encounter with a brown bear

We also spent some time at the Garden of the Gods. It's a free public park that consists of the famous red rock formations. Each rock has it's own size and shape that makes this park very unique and a great evening or morning walk.

Garden of the Gods

Garden of the Gods

Garden of the Gods

Manitou Cliff Dwellings

Here is an overview of some of the things that we got the chance to experience:

1. Drove up to Pikes Peak
2. Walked around the Garden of the Gods
3. Hiked up to Helen Hunt Falls and Seven Falls
4. Hiked many trails in Cheyenne Canon park such as Mt Cutler hiking trail
5. Visited the Manitou Cliff Dwellings
6. Went to a concert


These were just some of the many things that we did in Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs was far better than what we had ever expected and we can not wait to go back.

Park Rapids, MN

Let me tell you how we vacation in Minnesota. When winter has gotten the best of you, make a trip to a nice winter resort. -15 degree weather, blistering wind touching your face, soft and crunchy snow under your feet, and sitting next to a warm fireplace, now this is how Minnesotans vacation!

Pine Cone Lodge was a great winter resort to stay at. It was spacious, organized, clean, and the scenery was beautiful. We enjoyed great company, cooking, ice fishing, long walks, games, devotionals, fireplace warmth, and midnight movies. There is nothing better than just to get away from the daily, mundane, cycle of our lives.

The pictures here speak for themselves!

Hope you all enjoyed our trip to Park Rapids, MN!

Famous Baby Back Ribs

Here is a famous baby back rib recipe that I found years ago! It is fall of the bone deliciousness! I have been using this recipe for the longest time and everytime I try something new I tend to always go back to this particular one. I love the flavor that the specific seasoning gives it and the nice brown sugar flavor! It does take 2 hours to cook in the oven so I usually start this recipe way before we are going to eat. An hour into the cooking I usually start my side dishes. It pairs great with loaded mash potatoes and a nice shredded cabbage salad. Yum!!

Recipe:

• 4 lbs pork ribs (I usually get the Trader Joes Baby back ribs!)
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper 
• 2 cups of barbecue sauce ( any kind is good) 

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F
2. Mix the spices together in a small bowl and set aside
3. Take the ribs and take off the shinny membrane that covers the bony side of the ribs.
4. Rub the mixture all over the front and back of the ribs, making sure to use up everything.
5. Take 4 long sheets of aluminum and put two on the bottom of your flat baking pan. Place the ribs meaty side down and bony side up. Then place the other 2 sheets of aluminum ontop and roll up the sides and the top and bottom so it's nice and tight. Should be no meat visible.
6. Place in oven and cook for 2 hours
7. After 2 hours take it out of the oven and uncover the top 2 layers. Flip the ribs bony side down and meaty side up. Rub the top with barbacue sauce and turn your oven to broil (this gets it very hot!) Broil for 3 minutes or so.
8. Enjoy!

The Best Chocloate Chip Cookies

This recipe never seems to fail me and this is my go to for my chocolate chip cookie craving. This is husband satisfactory and he usually demands that I make these all the time. I personally enjoy these myself. These taste just like the "Sweet Martha's Cookies" at the fair, which are delicious! So grab a cup of milk and these fantastic cookies and satisfy that craving!

 I usually make this recipe with chocolate chip cookies which turn out delicious but I did not have any in my pantry. I only had peanut butter chips. Let me tell you they turned out awesome. If you like peanut butter you will like this recipe with peanut butter chips.

Recipe:

Oven Preheated: 375 degrees Fahrenheit

1/2 cup butter (1 stick), room temp
6 tablespoons brown sugar, firmly packed
6 tablespoons cane sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
1 cup flour, plus 2 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/4 cups chocolate chips (or a little more than 1/2 the bag) My husband likes less chocolate chips so I usually just add 1 cup. You can also add peanut butter chips instead :)

1. In mixer, add softened butter and the sugars at medium speed until combined (paddle attachment)
2. Mix the vanilla and egg, until incorporated (DO NOT OVER MIX)
3. In separate bowl combine flour, salt and baking soda and then add to the wet ingredients on medium speed (again DO NOT OVER MIX)

4. Stir in chocolate chips (Add more if you like chocolate chips, I added peanut butter chips)
5. Take 1 tablespoon of dough and form balls and drop on the cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
6. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool completely. Your cookies should be nice and flat. If they are not flat, look back at your ingredients and see if you did everything right. Then check your baking soda to see if it's expired. If everything looks good maybe it's your over mixing technique that caused the cookies not to flatten out (DO NOT OVER MIX).

8. Enjoy!!

The Best Vanilla Cupcakes Ever!

These are the best vanilla cupcakes that have ever touched my mouth! I would describe these little scrumptious cakes as heavenly. They are so soft that they just melt in your mouth. The frosting goes so well with these and does not over power the entire cake. I actually ate three cupcakes in 5 mintues and then felt so "great" about it! That is how good they are. I love anything from scratch and do not dare buy anything from a box. I enjoy putting some effort in making my food from scratch and the results are always excellent; plus you know exactly what you are putting into your recipe.

I was actually looking through many recipes and the first one I attempted did not go as planned and tasted horribly. I decided to keep looking until I could find something that I absolutely loved and would make over and over again. I ran into this amazing recipe and I am so glad I did. I added a different frosting recipe to it. I enjoy tasting the whole cupcake instead of the frosting overpowering the whole thing. The frosting is creamy and soft and not too sugary. Just how I like it!

Vanilla cupcakes

Recipe:

1⅔ cups flour (I made 2 cups minus 4 tbsp and then added 4 tbsp of cornstarch, whisk it together until incorporated. Take the 1 2/3 cup of this flour and use it. There was some extra so use it for next time)

Dry ingredients:

1 cup sugar (I used cane sugar)
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

6 Tbsp softened unsalted butter

Wet ingredients:

1 large egg (room temp)
1 large egg white (room temp)
1/2 Tbsp vanilla extract
1 cup plain thick full fat Yogurt (I used vanilla)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. In your mixer, combine dry ingredients together on med speed and then add the butter and mix until incorporated.
3. In separate bowl, add the wet ingredients together (all the rest) and combine with your whisk until incorporated together.
4. Add the wet mixture into the dry mixture and mix on low speed until incorporated.
5. Line your pan with liners and fill them 2/3 full with the batter.
6. Bake for 20 minutes and then let cool before you put the frosting on.

Frosting

Recipe:

1/2 cup softened butter (1 stick)
1 cup of powdered sugar (more if you like it sweeter)
1 tsp vanilla extract
2-4 tbsp of whole milk

Optional:
1/2 cup cocoa powder (if you want it to taste like chocolate)
1 tsp peppermint extract (love this option, if you want it to taste like peppermint)

Directions:

1.Mix the softened butter until nice and creamy (5 minutes) and then add the powdered sugar until. Scraping the sides often.
2. Add in the vanilla extract and 2-4 tbsp of milk (depending on how thin or thick you want the frosting) I usually eyeball it.
3. Fill your bag up with frosting, with the tip you prefer and swirl on the frosting! This takes some time you if are new to this so practice before you decorate your cupcake.

Apple Filled Braid

Pumpkins, cider, cool breeze, scarves, leaves drifting by, the fall season is finally here! If we could only have the trees stay beautifully colorful for a little bit longer. Fall is my favorite season of them all and I love the tasty flavors that come with this season, cinnamon being one of them. Bring on the fall favorite baking!

This apple filled braid is a must for this fall season. It's easy to do but requires lots of waiting time because of the dough. Trust me you will love the result of all the waiting, I promise. Thank you Dinidelivers for the inspiration. See recipe below!

Apple Stuffed braid: (makes 2)

Ingredients:

2 1/4 tsp of dry yeast
1 tablespoon plus 1/3 cup cane sugar
3 1/2 to 4 cups organic flour (as needed)
1 1/2 tsp sea salt
2 large eggs (free range)
1/2 cup oil (organic oil or whatever you have on hand, I used olive oil)


Ingredients for filling for 2 braids:

6 med apples (diced)
2 tablespoons cinnamon
4 tablespoons cane sugar

Final touch (right before you put it in the oven)
1 egg for the finish

Directions
1. Mix the yeast with 1 tbsp sugar and 3/4 cup warm water and mix until bubbly (10 minutes).

2. In a the mixer, fitted with paddle attachment, combine the 3 1/2 cups flour, 1/3 cup sugar, and salt on low. While it's mixing do the next 2 steps.

3. Mix together the 2 eggs and the oil in separate bowl until combined. Pour the egg mixture into the flour mixture and then pour the yeast mixture in there as well. Mix on low to combine. Replace with dough hook to make it easier to mix. Slowly add in 1/4 cup flour and mix on low speed (1 minute). If the dough is still sticky, add another 1/4 cup more flour. The dough should resemble a soft chunk, it will not stick to the sides of your mixer. Mix for a couple more minutes. Remove dough ball and place it on a clean surface.

4. Clean your stand mixer and put a little oil along the sides and bottom. Place dough ball in the mixer bowl. Cover it with plastic wrap and allow to rise until it's double in size (2 hours). I placed my bowl on top of my stove (not in the oven) with the oven turned on to 150 degrees. The dough just needs a warm environment for it to rise. This gives it nice heat without ruining it.  After 2 hours the dough should be double it's size. Make the filling.

5. Apple filling: In a small bowl, combine apple, cinnamon, and sugar and any other filling you would want to add. Mix everything and set aside. I want to try cherry filled or even chocolate next time!

6. Separate dough into two equal pieces and leave one in your bowl. With your surface floured take your one piece and roll it out into a rectangle about 1/2 inch thick. Once you have your desired shape length and width, make slits along the ends of the rectangle, but be sure not to cut them too close to the middle. 
7. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
8. Whisk the other egg with 2 tablespoons of water in small dish. Brush your challah with the mixture to give it a nice glossy look
9. Bake for 30 minutes!

Zachary's and Daniel's Baby Shower

"Boys are made of popsicle kisses and big bear hugs, 

little red wagons and jars full of bugs, grass stains, 

football games, lots of toys and oh the many joys."

Happy "birth" day to two handsome little peanuts that are occupying this lovely world. May you two grow to be strong, healthy, have hearts full of love, joy, and peace. May you be God fearing men and be wise in your ways. May you have many joyous days, smiles from ear to ear, and blessings every year. You two are little miracles that catch everyone's attention and everyone is bursting with joy at your arrival.

Sorry to everyone that I missed!

Siesta Keys

Vacation time!

Pasha and I were deciding on a vacation spot to go to and we landed on Siesta Keys, Florida! Well, actually our friends were headed that way during that week/weekend so we decided to go there as well and I am so glad we did. We have heard great things about Siesta Keys and we really needed some bright sun and fun beach days ahead of us. Siesta Keys has lots to offer: lazy days, beautiful nights, sandy toes, beachy hair, pretty shells, water fights, sun kissed nose, and memories for a lifetime.

The Beauty of Siesta Keys, FL

Unique shells. Siesta Keys, FL

Siesta Keys is located in Florida, southwestern coast, and is a very short drive to downtown Sarasota. Siesta Keys beaches are rated #1 in the country and have the finest sand you will ever set foot. I would literally dig my feet and hands into the sand to just feel the softness of it. The Siesta Key Island is a must see and a must experience type of place. It is 8 miles of beautiful and sunny beaches across the Gulf of Mexico. There are about 10 beaches that are part of the Siesta Key Island and we had the opportunity to visit three of them: Siesta Beach (of course), Lido beach, and Turtle beach (lots of shells and rocks). Turtle beach is mostly for fishing, snorkeling, or collecting shells. 

Enjoyment! Siesta Key Beach, FL

Total relaxation! Siesta Key Beach, FL

Going to Turtle Beach to fish

Siesta Key Beach

Siesta Keys, FL

Siesta Key Beach, FL

We started our trip in Tampa, due to cheaper prices; driving time took about an hour and 20 minutes and actually went by fast. We did not have a place booked yet, Pasha had that job, so we drove to a rental place right in Siesta Keys. They had plenty of spots available due to the off season, which was fabulous for us. We rented a small but quaint little condo for two, 5 minute walking time to the beach; Casa Siesta Condos. If you are traveling with a bigger family, they have a ton of options for rental homes or condos, depending on the size of your family. Our condo was furnished with everything that we would ever need on our vacation, which was great.

Even though we came to Siesta Keys during the off season, the upside to that is less people and more of the beach to ourselves. It rained 2 days out of the 6 we were there and that was more than enough sun and beach for us. 

Beach at night. Siesta Keys, FL

Towards the end of our vacation we took a little trip to St. Armands Circle and Lido beach. St. Armands Circle has tons of little shopping stores, restaurants, and fun entertainment. We took a nice and relaxing stroll around the circle and window shopped. We stopped by a small french bakery called "Le Macaron" and had two macaroons there, vanilla and caramel. We also stopped by "Kilwins" chocolate and fudge shop and had some cherry ice cream which was delicious. Then we headed to Lido beach and just walked along the coast. Lido beaches sand is a little more coarse and so a little tough on the feet due to the many shells. It was still beautiful though. We then ate lunch at Marina Jack and sat out on the patio and watched the cruise lines and boats go by as we scarfed down our meal. Then we drove back to our place and relaxed.

St. Armands Circle and Lido Beach

Le Macaron french pastries. St Armands, FL

Kilwins. St. Armands Circle, FL

Marina. Sarasota, FL

Marina Jack Patio. Sarasota, FL

Marina Jack. Sarasota, FL

Siesta Keys was a beautiful place to go for a nice and relaxing vacation. We got a lot of sun, ocean, and most of all lots of memories to share. We saw a lot of relatives that we haven't seen in years and enjoyed there company and food.

We ate at many casual and fine dining places that we will for sure go back to. One of them is "Captain Curts". They have the worlds famous and best clam chowder and oh was it delicious, if your a clam chowder fan. We also stopped by the "Russian House". It was a small place but great food! It had everything from pelmini, piroshki, borsht, and desserts. I would definitely go back there.

On our last day we stopped by a cute little breakfast place not too far from our rental place. They give you "free" fresh orange juice or coffee only if you "check in" on your Yelp account! Another great breakfast place is "Word of Mouth", they have great specials!

Sun Garden Breakfast and Lunch. Siesta Keys, FL

Word of Mouth. Sarasota, FL

Russian House. Sarasota, FL

 Goodbye Siesta Keys, we will miss you!

Siesta Keys, FL