Sunday, January 31, 2010

Goodbye Friends, Goodbye Snow, Goodbye Mountains!

Lesley, Staci, Sandy, Patty, Ginger and Donna. 
It has been a fun and exciting weekend!
But now it's time to say goodbye.
We hope to see you soon.
Goodnight moon.

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Chicken Foot to Snowshoeing to Facial Dermabrasion!

Just a friendly game of chicken foot!
Sisters - Ginger and Donna.
Donna came all the way from Myrtle Beach, SC!
Staci enjoyed The Pioneer Woman Cooks!
Sandy keeps scrapping!
Patty and Ginger get the snowshoes on!
Ginger loves the  outdoors!
Patty is ready!
And off they go!
Thank you, Staci for my wonderful dermabrasion!
This was the highlight of my weekend!
I feel seven layers lighter!
We even made time for a Longaberger party!

Friday, January 29, 2010

The Brightest Moon of the Year!

What a beautiful, clear day~
huge, blue sky
deep, white snow.
After dinner Lesley and Mickey have a fun conversation.
We received a call to tell us about the moon,
'The brightest moon of the year.'
It is absolutely beautiful in the mountains
on this crisp, clear evening. 

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening

Who's woods are these.
I think I know;
His house is in the village though.
He will not see me stopping here
to watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.




We, as well as our guests for the weekend
arrived well ahead of the storm.
We've had snow all day and
it is absolutely beautiful!

Sandy enjoys the warm fire and
the spring Longaberger WishList!
Lesley is reading my favorite cookbook.
Patty and Staci are busy scrapbooking.
Ginger is happy to be here.
There is a cloud of smoke near the tree house.
Is there a pyrotechnician near?
Yes, Mickey is burning brush.
Snow is the best condition for a burn.


The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
                             Robert Frost

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Retreat Update

We have some exciting news to share with you! This year, as you pack your bags, you don't have to worry about remembering the calling card! We now offer free long distance service for you. Also, we forward all of our phones now so your family can call on any of our current numbers or our Google phone number, 806-410-0042, and reach you at the cabin. These are all local phones calls for Amarillo. Our phone number at the cabin remains the same, 575-387-6970.
We really hope to see you soon! Call now to book your date!


And, don't forget to check the website for current weather conditions.
http://sites.google.com/site/nmmountainretreat/weather-and-driving-directions


A reminder - there are just a few days left to become a follower of our blog and have your name entered for the drawing! 
See post 'Follower Give-A-Way' on 1/4/10 and become a follower today!

Sunday, January 24, 2010

The Food...

...that's what it is about!
Breakfast starts in a cast iron skillet.
Vegetables, meat, and potatoes
topped with cheese and eggs. 
Oh so yummy and filling!
This is a Pioneer Woman recipe.
She calls it Eggbert's Sunriser.
We call it Sunriser.
Sunriser
Ingredients
8 cups Frozen Hash Browns
20 whole Frozen Mini Potato Wedges
Canola Oil, For Frying
Salt And Pepper (to Taste)
1 whole Medium Onion, Diced
1 whole Green Bell Pepper, Diced
½ whole Red Bell Pepper, Diced
1 whole Jalapeno, Seeded And Diced (optional)
1-½ cup Diced Ham
1-½ cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Grated
4 Tablespoons Butter
8 whole Eggs
Preparation Instructions
Fry hash browns and potato wedges in separate skillets according to package directions until golden brown and crisp. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. (May bake in the oven if you prefer). Drain on a paper towel and keep warm.
Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet. Throw in veggies and ham; toss around for several seconds. Turn off heat and allow to stay in pan.
In four individual skillets (or one very large one) layer:
Hash browns
Veggie/ ham mixture
Grated cheese
Place into a preheated 300 degree oven for a minute or two, until the cheese is melted. Remove from oven with an oven mitt, as skillet will be hot.
Melt two tablespoons butter in a nonstick skillet and fry eggs to the specifications of your guests.
Place five potato wedges over the top of the melted cheese, then top with two eggs per skillet.
Spoon salsa or pico de gallo over the top and serve immediately. Enjoy!

We all helped Debbie with her project,
however time was not on our side.
It is a 1,000 piece puzzle, people!
No way in two days!
So we gave up and opened the lanes.
Wii bowling can be a serious sport.
Waiting for their turn.
Oh that means it's my turn!
Camera down.
Time to eat, again?
Oh yes, Debbie's yummy mushrooms!
And Steve's perfect steaks!

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Steve and Debbie

Steve and Debbie
drove from Dallas to Amarillo,
then to the mountains with us. 
We arrived about dark on Thursday. 
It was a long day for them,
so we spent Friday resting. 
Debbie is recuperating from surgery,
so we all just took an easy day.
Saturday,
it was time to get busy with a project.
Interesting, huh? 
Three of us worked on it.
Not quite finished,
but maybe it will serve it's purpose.
Which is?
We hope it will help keep the hot tub warm
and keep our electric bill cool! 
Debbie's project.
She loves this challange.
I tell her to call me when she is close to done.
I really like to put the last piece in place!
OK, that's not fair.
I will help.
Mickey and Steve try a new recipe!
Avocado Soup!



1 large leek
3 T olive oil
3 med. celery stalks, roughly chopped
1 onion, roughly chopped
2 bay leaves
1 qrt chicken or vegetable stock
1/2 t. ground coriander
1/4 t. ground cumin
1 lg ripe avocado, mashed
Juice of 1 lime
Salt 
Black pepper
1 small bunch of scallions, chopped
1 small bunch of cilantro, chopped



Cooking Directions
Trim the root end of the leek, cut off the tough green leaves, cut the leek in half lengthwise, and rinse well to remove any grit. Roughly chop the leek.
Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the leek, celery, and onion and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables soften.
Add the bay leaves, stock, coriander, cumin, avocado, and lime juice and simmer for about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls and serve topped with the chopped scallions and cilantro to taste.
Yield: 8 yummy servings
Enjoy!
Steve and Mickey set up the WII!
This is Steve's Mii.
Debbie keeps the fire going.
We enjoy watching
these brothers -
our husbands.
They let us play, too.
Clouds began to roll across the mountains.
Is it snow?

Monday, January 4, 2010

Follower Give-A-Way

Another give-a-way!



16 ounce Longaberger Tomato Red Travel Mug-
a $19. value!
Enjoy your coffee/tea/hot chocolate
en route to the mountains!
(Save .10 on coffee at Starbucks)
Bring this when you come for a
special Brownie Mug Sundae!
Simply become a follower of this blog to be entered.
Drawing on 1/31 and winner notified on 2/1.
Name will be drawn from all followers on 1/31.

Friday, January 1, 2010

Welcome 2010!

Happy New Year!  The Black Eye Peas are cooking, the pork chops are ready for the grill and my mouth is watering for the broccoli!  We have been here this week with Nani Dot (Mickey's mom).  She is not too rowdy, so it has been a quiet, restful week.
  


The flight to the mountains.
It was a little crowded,
but we would not be hungry!


BRRR...It was really cold when we arrived!
It took a full day to warm the entire cabin!
We really must not stay away for a whole month again - ever!


The little waterfall was frozen over,
but running underneath!

Mickey had another watercolor lesson from Dot.





Please make note of Mickey's sweatshirt.
He received it when he gave blood for the first time.
Just before Christmas, we discovered that he could...
and he did!

 
The snow stoppers worked great!
And Dot loved the new entrance-
no steps or treacherous ice to navigate!

The trip back to Amarillo:

Our pilot.

In flight service.

Our comfortable passenger.


We are looking forward to another great year with our guests and family here in the mountains.  Our first group is scheduled for the end of January.  You may want to get on the calendar with your deposit soon.

Have a safe, peaceful and prosperous New Year!