Camping in the Columbia River Gorge at Memaloose {#Travel #Oregon #GoCamping #Food Family #Fun}

How can it be that it is already June 10th - another few posts are still locked up in my head and there has been zero output on this blog lately.  Yes, shame of me…time keeps just on rolling by…so now no more fretting from me…

Summer is here meaning the tent camping season is now fully open {for us} -  we kicked off the season with a two night stay at Memaloose Oregon State Park; actually the same campground we kicked the season off for a few years now.  Memaloose State Park is in the Columbia River Gorge just past Mosier and few miles west of The Dalles; this is the place - at least we think so - where the lush green changes over to a more desert feel.  The mighty Columbia is just below the campground and Rowena Crest rises high above;  Memaloose is located where the gorge is super narrow.  The train line is below the campground separating the river from the park; I-84 runs right above campground and Rowena Crest towers above.  Yes,  it is loud - there is the highway, trains all times of day and night, and - since this is the Columbia River Gorge - one the premier wind/kite surfing places around the world super, duper windy.  WE - for some odd reason - love to kick off the season here.  It is always a lot warmer, and drier than Portland plus there is a lot to do.

We love hiking up Rowena Crest, or the Tom McCall Preserve but since I hurt my foot {hello Plantar Faciatis} a hike was not in the cards.  Let's just say that MiaRose was slightly excited about that fact.  Instead of the hike we headed to the Washington side in the gorge, tasted some wine,  went to an awesome museum and visited Stonehenge.  More about that tomorrow, or soon thereafter...

Roasted Marshmallows and s'mores by the campfire

Other things to do include biking, wind/kite surfing, hiking, more wine tasting, visit the the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, taste fantastic beers at Full Sail and/or Double Mountain in Hood River…

Oh yes and finally figured out how to improve our camping fare; parboil.  I obviously did not invent the idea but how on earth did it take me so long to think of it?  We finally had great food - perfectly roasted corn on the cobb {parboiled at home before packing} plus potatoes, bacon, and eggs for breakfast - I parboiled the potatoes and they came out fantastic….

Good to know before you camp at Memaloose

• It is loud - there is no way of sugar coating it; trains run throughout the night, and so does the traffic on the highway
• It is windy and the wind can be really gusty; so if you are tenting be prepared to anchor it down
• It is dry and hot
• and yes,  despite it all we love it , but it is not for everyone - so if you are looking for a quaint spot to camp this is not it…
• Great Junior Ranger program in the summer

Bagby Hot Springs {#travel #Oregon #PDX}

We have finally made it out to Bagby Hot Springs out in the Mt. Hood National Forest  This has been on my wish list in forever.  By the time I think about it is usually is already quite late in day, and then there is also the little piece of distance.  Now this beauty - depending on your threshold of time spent in the car - is a drive but oh, so totally absolutely worth it and I am not a hot tub fan.  Well, of course this is no hot tub but a hot spring brining absolute mind clearing serenity.  It is in the middle of the woods,  it is a tiny hike about 1-1/2 miles which non-surpisingly still brought on the "When are we finally question - but oh, my.  The trail to the Hot Springs is already magical; green in any variety dark, light, the sound of a river as the trail leads up along a river. It is easy to imagine it as fairy land.

and then just when we thought we missed a turn….

Just a couple steps past the sign  hot water bubbles up and is directed to by wooden lines to the different soaking areas.

The water runs to the soaking area to five private rooms, about three  round tubs for smaller groups, and a couple of larger tub for a bigger group.  We chose the private soaking room…what to expect?  First off, the tub is a carved out of a cedar log log…Please tell me you are as excited as I am about this.
Once in the room, let the hot water flow in and be sure to get a few buckets of cold water; because the water is hot. Next..soak.  Sit back, relax, look out through the holes in the roof…

What do you think?  It is absolute bliss….then walk back to the car through the magical forest

Good to know if you go:
In addition to towels pack water, snacks, and all other stuff you usually bring with you on a hike.  Yes, this is short but it is in the middle of Mt. Hood National Forest, the weather can change, people slip and did I mention that it is in the middle of the woods?  So yes, no matter how close and easy it seems wear sturdy shoes.

There is a $5 {cash only} soaking fee for each adult - so be sure to bring cash, or get your wristband the Ripplebrook Store.  Bagby Hot Springs are about 40 miles SouthEast of Estacada so yes,  it takes some time to get out there but it is so worth is.

Lastly,  it does get very busy so be prepared to wait and most of all have fun!

Fort Stevens State Park, Astoria & Beer or the first #camping trip of 2015 {#travel #gocamping #yurt #oregon}

No, this is not an April first joke it is actually me posting…can you believe my super long break?!  I am really waiting for that tool to transpose my posts from my brain to my blog.  Yes, I have been saying that for a long time it's lame but yes, so many, many posts lined up in my head and oh so little time.  Well, truth be said that lately I have also been feeling a little worn out ~ not to worry the family is all right just me being a little under the weather.

I am happy to announce that our 2015 camping season has opened.  Okay, truth be said we did not yet break the tent out and instead camped in a yurt at Forth Stevens Oregon State Park {Northern coast} which is perfect especially in chilly weather as there is heat, electricity, as well as beds.  Take a look

It's super fun and dry…We arrived on a Monday - it being March and the Oregon coast - there was a chill in the air and a slight drizzle in the air.  After setting up camp, we took a quick drive to the beach to explore the wreck of the Peter Iredale a ship that ran ashore in 1906.

 This was the first time we have seen it, really the first time that I have seen a real-life shipwreck and I do think that there is a certain mystique about it. You, know I was thinking about the hands that built the ship, the people that sailed on it the merchandise…okay, okay I am getting a little carried away...

The next stop was dinner and when in Astoria or close to it Fort George Brewery  is our place to go.  Let me just say that the beer is delicious and the food is not shabby either.  They certainly always have options for the girls.  In addition to the regular pub fare on the lower level,  the restaurant has expanded the upstairs into a pizzeria including a wood burning oven.  Feeling more like pub food - fish tacos for me friers - we stayed downstairs, gobbled down our food, enjoyed the beer, and took in the atmosphere of the steady downpour….

After dinner back to the yurt - yay for the yurt in the pouring rain - a nice game of Eckolo with Alena, comfortable beds and sleeping to the sound of the rain without worry.

We woke up to an almost dry day - you know the kind with lots of dry patches, sun, and intermittent rain.  Ron - always the camp chef - made us bacon and coffee/tea for breakfast…before we took a nice long walk to Coffenbury Lake (you can swim in the summer) to the beach and back.

I do have one complaint about Ft. Stevens and that is that cars are allowed on the beach. Year-round the beach is open for cars to drove tp the shipwreck but the area north is closed off for the months May thru September.  Let's just say,  cars on the beach are not my thing…

Check-out is at 1pm leaving plenty of time to explore Astoria.  Alena loves to visit the Columbia River Maritime Museum  which really is an awesome place to visit, now you know there is a but coming, right so here it is blue skies - sun and yes, neither MiaRose nor I were into a visit this time.  Instead we watched a beautiful 3D movie about Galapagos Islands and then headed outside to the pier to tour the Columbia Lightship

Feeling hungry our last stop was at Buoy Beer Company right on the river; the brewery is a little over one years old and neither the beer nor food disappointed.  The most amazing thing however are the views…I am talking right on the river,  pilot boats go by as do huge freighters coming off the Pacific Ocean and let's not forget the great viewing area of sea lions from the restaurant.  What do I mean?  Well, there is huge viewing area in the floor of the restaurant and below the floor are sea lions lounging.  Quite amazing and it's an awesome addition to the places to visit in Astoria.

Good to know:

Yurts - as many campsites in Oregon - must be reserved ahead of time and they go quickly; we just got lucky but only got to stay one night.  Reserve your spot at ReserveAmerica

Bring sheets to put underneath your sleeping back it's more comfortable than lying directly on the thick plastic

Be aware that cars are allowed on the beach at Fort Stevens State Park.

Have fun!

Manzanita, Beach, Pizza & a Bald Eagle #family #Sunday #fun {#oregon #travel #NehalemStatePark}

Is it really already the second week of March? All is great here I just have been feeling under the weather a bit…but you know there is nothing like spending time outdoors to lift my spirit.   On Sunday we ventured out to the Oregon coast which is one of our favorite places it always rejuvenates with its majestic beauty.  There are so many great places to go from Portland for a quick day trip - often times we go to Cannon Beach closest to Portland but there are so many, many other fantastic spots…

This time it was Manzanita - the town is south of Cannon Beach and this is the view of the town and beach from 101…

Amazing, right?!  It is a cute little beach town this is the view down main street….

What do you think?

Since we did not pack a picnic {yes, shame on me} besides a couple of snacks we decided to order a couple of pizza's from Marzano's Pizza - easy enough, right?!  Yes, especially when the dough is "safe" for the girls (i.e. no milk sugar) and that makes this mothership very happy…Anyway it was a pepperoni pizza without dairy for the girls, and a number eight for the parental units.  While the pizza was in the making we walked down to the beach and relaxed for the twenty minutes until the pizza was ready.

The beach in Manzanita is by far not as crowded as in Cannon Beach, but looking for an even more quiet spot plus some dunes we packed the pizza's and drove down the five minutes to Nehalem State Park.  It is the perfect spot…dunes, beach, quiet…

We ate our pizzas on the beach - the girls ran down the dunes and the absolute cherry on top {as MiaRose says} was this sight…

Yes,  a Bald Eagle devouring his catch right on the beach;  good thing we brought the binoculars and Ron took the pictures.

Walking back to the car after a fun day on the beach

Family #hike at Lacamas Lake Park - Camas, #Washington {#pdx #kids}

Time flies, flies, flies and we have been like busy bees.  So needles to say that I we {as in the parental units} have really been looking forward to a nice family hike.  This winter has been crazy here in the Pacific Northwest ~ it has been so warm that all the snow at Teacup Nordic is gone.  Yes, the year we were going to ski every weekend = no snow.   Daffodils are already in full bloom, friends - so I thought that maybe the lilies are already getting ready to bloom at Lacams Lake Park and thus its the perfect excursion.

We first went on this hike a couple of years ago and I have to say it is a great hike.  It is close to Portland - only about 25 minutes from our house in Southeast - even so it is on the other side of the river aka Columbia.  This hike packs a lot of everything;  you hike over a dam and then you can decide whether to take the lake loop which is about 1-1/2 miles or take a longer loop down to the waterfalls.  Now you may know that I really like love waterfalls; they are so amazing, powerful and beautiful; so there is no question that we took the longer loop.  The trail leads down into the canyon over some rocks, curving along the creek onto a couple of different wooden bridges until you reach the Lower Falls. This is the perfect spot for a break - it does get a little busy…

From the Lower Falls

we worked our way back out of the canyon; now our biggest complaint about this hike is that everything is very poorly marked.  We chose to take a trail leading up through the woods and confirmed with other hikers that it indeed is the right trail.  The trail is very serene and it got a lot less crowded - let me also say that both girls were great as we kept listening for birds.  Out of the woods the trail leads to a gravely road - no cars - where we saw a few hikers and this the way to the Lilly field.  I remembered just how beautiful and amazing it was; an unexpected treasure…

Luckily we found the trail leading us up to the lilly field; oh my…no, lilies are not yet in bloom but this place is magical.  There is a sense of being out in the middle of nature - very far away from civilization. The colors - patches of bright green moss, flower stamps, dark green fir trees, light green lichen, rocks covered with lichen and patches of moss.  Just us and nature. Oh, how can one not believe in fairies…true magic…

At this point the girls were ready to get back to the trailhead and spend some time on the playground.

Good to know before you go -
The trails are poorly marked it is good idea to print out a trail map, or carry your hiking book.
This is a easy-moderate hike but - the loop we took with addition of the lily field - it is about 3.6 miles.
Be sure to take water, snacks, and wear sturdy shoes.

Have fun!

Silver Falls State Park = perfect day #hike {#travel #oregon #kids #pdx}

Still there is no snow up at Teacup on Mt. Hood and pretty much most of what there is gone as it is way too warm for January.  It is so sad…yes, the year the kids are signed up for skiing lessons the year of epic skiing has so far been pretty much non-existend.  Well, okay we got two days of skiing in but that's it. Sad, right?!   Now we all know - ha yes, Bea that is not true - okay I have previously mentioned that the Sonntagsausflug aka as weekend excursion is important to me us so we needed to look for something different to do last weekend. Good thing outdoor options are plentiful here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest so Silver Falls State Park came to mind.  Waterfalls galore…yes, they are not only in the Columia Gorge but can also be found at Silver Falls.  Plus, you can actually walk behind the waterfall now how cool is that?!

Silver Falls is about 1-45 min drive but oh so worth it.  I remember having first heard about it at a luncheon when we first moved Portland.  The hike and park were described as being absolutely magnificent; surely enough it was the first Sunday hike we went on twelve years and it did not disappoint.   Take a look…

For some reason or another we had not been there in years; the last time we were there both kids were on our backs but now they are - finally - capable on going on hikes with us.

True,  we did not - even so I really wanted to - hike the entire loop, not even the median one but hey about three miles is not bad.  We went behind the South Fall - can you say impressive -

it's a 177 ft drop; can you see the people in the far left corner…I think this is how to realize it's size

Next stop Lower South Fall….

before hiking back out of the canyon.

Silver Falls State park is amazing, truly.  When you go be sure to keep a few things in mind.
Wear sturdy shoes,
Stay on the trail,
Be sure to carry water and food,
Pets are not allowed on this hike,
gift shop and lodge close at 4 p.m. sharp

Fun in Cannon Beach {#travel #oregon #kids #pdx}

When I was really little every Sunday my grandparents took me along to the Sonntagsausflug {Sunday outing} It always included pretty much the same components - explore a new place, get in a little walk, and (that was my favorite part) stop at a Cafe for Kuchen or ice cream.  I can still remember sitting around the table with Oma & Opa and the anticipation until the waitress finally brought the treats.   As I got a little older,  the health of my grandparents declined so our Sunday outings came to an end.  Neither of my parents were much into the Sonntagsausflug and I remember being envious of my friends that got to explore/experience different places almost every weekend.  Sometimes I did get lucky and was invited to join them.  Oh, yes I have very fond memories of the Sonntagsausflug…

So yes getting out as a family on the weekend on at least one day is super super important to me us; we may not always be lucky enough to find "safe" Kuchen or ice cream for all of us but we always find a fun treat.  You may remember that the girls have started taking cross-country skiing lessons at Teacup Nordic up at Mt. Hood.  Well, there is sad news and that is that there is no snow; it is so sad we want to get out but what can you do without snow.  Yes, there is still downhill skiing but it is just not for us.  So what can one  do - on a Sunday in Portland when the whether feels more like spring than winter and you want to leave town?  You head to the beach - okay there still would be many other things to do - and to the beach we went.

Cannon Beach is our favorite day trip destination - less than a two hour drive away, great beach for a long walk,  play in the sand, rest plus Bruce's Candy Kitchen...

Take a look - rejuvenation in a matter of minutes...

Alena and I napped, while Ron and MiaRose explored

There was the mandatory Shrimp/Crab Boat

Finally Bruce's Candy Kitchen where the girls get to select their own Salt Water Taffy and yes,  all but two flavors are "safe".  Yay.

Thank you for visiting :)

Slow Cooker Black Eyed Peas {#dairyfree} & Cross Country Skiing at Teacup {#MtHood #Oregon}

Happy New Year, friends!  Does it still count?  Did you have a good start into the New Year?  We certainly did - all chill just the four of us having Raclette, sparkling apple juice for the ladies and other sparkling for the adult units,  an eating break of firecrackers with friends, more Raclette, plus dessert…So who it to midnight?  Well, ahm it is time yet once again to show my true colors friends.  I have not made it to midnight in ions.  Yes,  I kid you not…it just has not happened I fall asleep.  So again all of us were soundly asleep by 10:30pm and woke up in 2015.  But hey,  it was already 2015 in Europe and on the east coast so technically we made it :)

New Years Day was spent lazily around the house but on the third day of 2015 we finally moved.  Yes,  the girls started their Cross Country Ski Lessons at Teacup Nordic up on Mt. Hood with perfect snow and weather.  Yay -  finally a full winter skiing season is ahead of us; let's just say that the entire family is excited.  The girls love their class, and the adults get to spend time on skis outdoors as well.  Winters past I have always regretted not spending enough time in the snow, especially since it is so close…right?!  We can be up at Teacup in a little over an hour so yes,  we have to take advantage of it. Can you tell that I am excited about this?  And I am even more, as in much more excited, that both girls love to cross country ski including our not so excited hiker, MiaRose :) her favorite part is - can you guess it - is my least favorite part and that is going downhill on the trails…

Now what does any of this have to do with Black Eyed Peas aka Hopping John?  It is a New Year and usually we eat Hopping John on New Years Day but it did not happen this year.  So on Saturday in the morning before we headed up to Mt. Hood at 8 am I threw (almost) everything into the slow cooker anticipating a hot meal on our return from the mountain…let's say I was a little nervous but by the time we arrived back home dinner was almost ready plus the house smelled absolutely delicious.  Yay!!! - We put on the rice and ate within the hour...

Slow Cooker Black Eyed Peas

• 2 C Black Eyed Peas, soaked over night
• 5-6 C water 
• 1  medium sized ham hock
• 1 Tb Olive Oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 medium carrots, cleaned and chopped
• 1 red pepper, chopped  
• 1 green pepper, chopped
• 2 tsp paprika
• 1 Bayleaf
• Salt, pepper, optional -> cayenne, hot sauce to taste

1. Place drained, soaked black eyed peas in your slow cooker
2. Place ham hock on top of the black eyed peas - press down
3. Heat up olive oil in a sauté pan and quickly sauté the vegetables together with paprika until onions turn translucent.
4. Pour vegetables over the black eyed peas and mix under them
5. Place bay leaf on top
6. Pour water over the black eyed peas until they are completely covered {the ham hock will still stick out}
7. Cover.  Cook on low heat for 6 hours and have fun
8. Upon your return, remove ham hock from black eyed peas and add salt, pepper and/or optional flavors to taste.
9. Serve on a bed of rice.

Lost Lake Resort Camping Trip {#gocamping} #oregon #getoutside #nature {#galactosemia #newbornscreening}

This my friends is our summer of camping and living outside.  You may remember that we got a new tent earlier this year and are truly enjoying it.  Never has camping been easier;  finally a tent that I can put up all by myself…

It has been very hot here in Portland and you know what we do to escape the heat?  We either drive out to the beach {= Pacific Ocean}, or we go up by the mountain {= Mount Hood} to one of the lakes to swim and camp.  This year we have already been to Trillium Lake but this was our first camping trip to Lost Lake {we have come up for the day before}.  A few things to know if you plan on camping at Lost Lake; get there early in the day to find a spot - there are also a few walk-in sites however all sites are first come first served.  Yes,  you cannot reserve a spot.  Try to come up during the week and stay a couple of nights.  It will be challenging to find a spot on a weekend - but you can always call the resort in the morning to find out how many camping spots are available…

P.S.: Can you see our tent right behind Alena & her friend...

We made the trip out to Lost Lake on a Wednesday morning together with our friend Kim and her 4 year old twins.  Kim has camped there many times before so she knew the perfect site for the six of us.  Luckily the site was empty when we arrived and we quickly pitched the tents.  Okay - I admit Kim helped me in putting up the tent…While we put up the tents the kids  explored the camp site, walked on the large log and later both of my kids read to Kim's children.

Dinner was amazing; Kim cooked for all of us take a look at this amazing looking plate…

The next day Kim rented a boat and took all the kids fishing; both Alena and Mia Rose loved it and cannot wait to get their own fishing poles. I think that will be the perfect activity for Ron with the girls because this girl is not much of a fisher…

Oh, I almost forgot there was ice "cream"; plenty of dairy free options for the girls leaving everyone happy :)

On Friday the girls and I hiked around Lost Lake which everyone enjoyed - yes, truly I kid you not neither of the ladies griped even so Mia Rose only found one newt ….

By the time we got back from our hike the other parental units had arrived from Portland….

We had one amazing time; these are little things which I never thought would be possible ten years ago when Alena was first diagnosed with Classic Galactosemia.  Our life is luxuriously ordinary and I never ever forget that newborn screening saved both of my children.

Trillium Lake Camping Trip {#gocamping} #oregon #getoutside #nature

I have some news to share with you.  Really are you ready for it?  Okay…we LOVE camping. Yes we do - we love spending quality family time together in the outdoors.  Now honestly this is not something I would have imagined myself saying  fifteen probably even eight years ago; but it is true we love it and that is all of us no exceptions.  Having a new tent that is easily pitched helped, having the right equipment and of course gorgeous nature has helped.  So far we have been on two camping trips.  The first one was to Memaloose State Park and a couple of weeks ago {I cannot believe how far behind I am blogging} we took our chances by driving up to Trillium Lake without a reservation.

Mt. Hood as seen from Trillium Lake {Oregon}

We lucked out; we asked the host and guess what she said?  I think spot 47 is still open…

It does not get much better than this.  Camping right at Trillium Lake with a beautiful view of Mt. Hood; we usually come up once a year during the summer for a day trip but staying over night was just amazing.  We hiked around the lake, the girls and Ron swam while I enjoyed reading my book.  Ron took a swim out to the middle of the lake every morning. One morning a bald eagle pulled out a fish just a couple feet away from him.  Yes, we saw at least a couple different bald eagles {majestic is the only word that comes to mind}, an osprey and lots of other birds.

Both girls - especially MiaRose - were excited about catching rough skinned newts to pet and release them right away. I think MiaRose could have spent all day catching them.  We stayed a couple of nights and it was just pure bliss.  On the culinary end,  we enjoyed pasta one night and baked beans with hot dogs grilled over the fire on a stick the other nights.  Not to forget, there were s'mores every night….

What are you up to this summer?

Almond Lemon scented Chocolate Chip #Cookies {#Dairyfree} & 2014 spring break

Here we are at the end of spring break and yet I have not filled you in about any of our little adventures.      The break has just flown by and it is hard to believe that school will be back in session on Monday.  Our highlight this spring break was our two night beach get away; yes a mini vacation at the amazing Oregon Coast.  When we go, we usually get a vacation home but this time we stayed for two nights at a hotel right on the beach in Cannon Beach.  Yes, literally there was nothing but a strip of grass as well as a seawall between us and the beach.  Heavenly…plus the whether - yes, it gets cold and rainy at the Oregon coast - was almost like summer.  Clear blue skies and sunshine inviting us to explore the tidal pools around Haystack Rock. In addition - and this was the highlight according to MiaRose - there is a nice pool which the kids enjoyed daily, plus great sea food. So yes,  our mini spring break get away was a huge success.  Take a look at some of pictures….

There were no further big adventures besides the girls tagging along to the Senior Center where they got to play Bingo while I saw clients at the Senior Law Clinic. Yes, the girls as well as the seniors enjoyed each others company :)

So now let's talk Chocolate Chip Cookies - one of my usual go to recipes are my Everything but the Kitchensink Cookies packed with oatmeal, seeds, raisins, and chocolate chips they are so good.  However MiaRose has decided - after having been a raisin lover for years - to despise raisins and she will not eat anything with raisins. I could have made the cookies without raisins but then there was the lack of oatmeal issue as well.  Yup, time for a new cookie and this is how this one came about.

Almond Lemon scented Chocolate Chip Cookies

• 1 stick Earth Balance {or other "butter"} cut into chunks
• 1/4 C sugar {regular white granulated}
• 1/2 C light brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp almond extract
• zest of 1 untreated lemon
• 1 egg
• 1 C + 2 Tb flour
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1 C semi-sweet chocolate chips {check label}

 ***Preheat oven to 350F***

1. Cream "butter" with sugars and salt in a kitchen machine until well blended,
2. Add almond extract together with lemon zest mix for about a minute
3. Add egg and mix for about another minute
4. In a separate bowl mix flour with baking soda
5. Add flour/baking soda mixture to the wet ingredients.  Mix for about a minute until well combined.
6. Add chocolate chips to the dough
7. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
8. Using two teaspoons drop balls of dough onto the baking sheet
9. Bake for about 10 minutes; and let them cool down

                                                                            Adapted from Marthas Stewart Soft & Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Enjoy!

Snow Fun at Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood & Pasta Alfredo {#milkfree}

How was your weekend?  We had a super long weekend here as Portland Public Schools was closed on Friday and yesterday {Monday} was Veteran's Day.  Friday was spent pretty much like any day; the girls did their homework while I also got some work done.  So we really did not - as the girls said - do anything fun on Friday.  Oh, those poor ladies....

You probably know that we like to spend time outside and I am getting really excited to go skiing again this winter; but you know comes with that, right?  Yup, sledding...we usually do not get snow in Portland but Mt. Hood is just a quick 1-1/4 hr drive away and luckily there is already snow at Timberline {which is as high as you can drive up with your car}.  Government Camp still is green...but up on Timberline perfect snow for sledding.  Well, of course also snowboarding as well as downhill skiing if that is your thing - we are more cross-country people.

 

Anyway - we packed snow pants, snow boots, and mittens for both ladies in anticipation to go sledding...and we were not disappointed.  Here is a short little video Ron took

Okay - if you are here for the Pasta Alfredo you are most likely ready to read about it.  Right?! Alright I will get to that part now.  It was already dark by the time we got home and I knew that the chicken was not ready for cooking; good thing there is always pasta, right?  I do get tired of pasta olio e'aglio and was trying to think of something else...Pasta Alfredo.  Yes, it must be possible to make it without "cow"milk...and let me tell you, yes it is :)  It was the very first time our girls ate Pasta in Alfredo sauce both asked "what is this white stuff?" they were hesitant at first but the absolutely LOVED it. It was a two serving dish for each girl and Ron was not disappointed either.

You may know that the girls are allowed to eat Parmesiano Regiano and I like to us it quite a bit as it is the  perfect way to add calcium to their diet.  I used plain Soy Creamer in lieu of the "cow" and together with Earth Balance it turned into a rich creamy Alfreado...I am so excited but {sad face} I do not have a good picture at all.  Just this...but it was so good

Pasta Alfredo {Milkfree}

• 1 box of your favorite pasta cooked according to directions
• 3 Tbs. Earth Balance {or your favorite vegan margarine}
• 2 Tbs. flour
• 2 C Soy Creamer {one full container be sure to use plain}
• 1 C Parmesiano Regiano grated
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1/2 C fresh Italian parsley chopped
• Salt, Pepper to taste

1. Cook pasta according to directions; as pasta cooks prepare the sauce
2. Melt Earth Balance in a pan.  When melted carefully stir in flour creating a roux.
3. Slowly pour the creamer into the pan,  stirring the roux to eliminate and lumps 
4. Stir in Parmesiano Regiano, lemon juice as well as parsley
5. Add salt & pepper to taste
6. Drain pasta and place in a serving bowl; pour Alfredo sauce over pasta mixing it into the pasta.

Enjoy!