Our Road Trip

So, we've been home for weeks and I haven't shared vacation pics.  So, today is all about remembering what a good time the hubby and I had!

[caption id="attachment_1693" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Checking Lake Norman's trails...[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1694" align="aligncenter" width="640"] We loved the view at Lake Norman![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1695" align="aligncenter" width="480"] This bird was not sure what to make of us. I had to snap the pic quick![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1696" align="aligncenter" width="480"] US National Whitewater Center. We will be returning! The trails were closed, so we opted to do this another day but it was worth the $5 to park just to walk around.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1697" align="aligncenter" width="480"] South Mountain State Park...a highway detour we're SO glad we made on the way to Asheville![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1698" align="aligncenter" width="480"] A lot of the trail up to the top of the waterfall was slipper stone or wood steps.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1699" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Or just flat rocks that you have to traverse...[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1700" align="aligncenter" width="480"] It was worth the climb![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1701" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Definitely worth the climb![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1702" align="aligncenter" width="480"] It's hard to capture in a photo but there was so much mica in the ground that it shimmered in the sun.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1703" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Down was just as tricky as up on these trails.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1704" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Dinner at Mellow Mushroom at Asheville...Highly recommended![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1705" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Breakfast at Early Girl Eatery. It was good...not exceptional, but it was better than the hotel breakfast![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1706" align="aligncenter" width="480"] View from Biltmore Estates...some people have the life![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1707" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Greenhouse at Biltmore[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1708" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Fried tofu wings at Tupelo Honey Cafe...AMAZING!!! I would drive to Asheville again just to eat at this place.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1709" align="aligncenter" width="480"] And Tupelo Honey's banana pudding? TO DIE FOR![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1710" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Biltmore House. Glad we decided to bite the bullet and pay to visit here.[/caption]

All in all, a GREAT road trip with the hubby.  I'd do it again in a heartbeat!

Views on a Hike

Yesterday, the hubby and I set out do some trail work and the bonus is I get to enjoy a hike with him at the same time.  While he worked and worked, I enjoyed the view...



This is one of my most favorite trails to run on...and after having the chance to slow down and look around...I remember why even more!

My Garden

My garden has been booming lately with all the rain so I thought I'd share it with you.  You'd never believe how much stuff can be packed in such a small garden!

[caption id="attachment_1627" align="aligncenter" width="640"] The blackberry bushes are going insane this year![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1628" align="aligncenter" width="297"] Looking like blackberry jam to me![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1629" align="aligncenter" width="640"] A few more weeks...[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1630" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Small plant but huge blueberries[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1631" align="aligncenter" width="640"] The cucumber off on it's own from the other garden plants[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1632" align="aligncenter" width="640"] I hope we get some blueberries from this but they got hit with the late frost[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1633" align="aligncenter" width="640"] I love those blackberries![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1634" align="aligncenter" width="640"] First zucchini![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1635" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Zucchini going wild on the trellis[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1636" align="aligncenter" width="640"] First tomatoes![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1637" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Mint after being cut back[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1638" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Dinosaur kale has been SO good this year. We've harvested a lot from these plants.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1639" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Eggplant. The bugs really seem to like this one. Time for a DE dusting![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1640" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Peppers...and there are actually some flowers[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1641" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Lettuce! SO GOOD!!!![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1642" align="aligncenter" width="640"] First year that the corn looks like it might actually do something...[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1643" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Strawberry plants. We've gotten about a quart and a half from this plant.[/caption]

Muffins with Triple the Tastiness

I often make banana muffins for the daycare kids.  That's not really anything spectacular.  But throw in a handful of blueberries and strawberries and that's something special.  And tasty.  Definitely tasty.  I also tried to keep the sugar content down because all that fruit really sweetens things up naturally.



I think the kids appreciated the effort because these were gone in a flash!  I am glad I was able to snap some pics to share before the pan was empty.  But it's okay because I like serving foods that fuel their play in a healthy way.

Here's my recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 c flour


• 2-3 T sugar ( I use organic, unrefined)


• 1/4 c honey


• 2 t baking powder


• 1 t vanilla


• 1/4 t salt


• 2 large mashed bananas


• 1 egg


• 1/2 - 3/4 milk


• 1/4 c melter butter or oil


• 1/4 c chopped strawberries


• 1/4 c blueberries

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 F.  Line muffin tin with paper liners or grease well. Mash bananas and mix with honey, sugar and egg.  Mix remaining dry ingredients in a separate bowl and then add to wet and mix until well incorporated, but don't overmix because it makes the muffins tough.  Start with 1/2 c of milk and add until the mixture moves freely and can be spooned into muffin tins.  Fold in strawberries and blueberries.  Spoon into muffin tins, about 3/4 way full.  Bake for about 15 -20 minutes or until browned.



What a great start to the day!  I hope you get to enjoy the day no matter where you are!

Sheri