Updates are good

You might guess that I haven't written in so long because I've been swamped in a new job and can barely surface...but, you're wrong. I've been unemployed since the end of March. After my most excellent times in Kansas, I'm now back at home living the Okanagan summer life to the fullest!

Beach days are an absolute MUST! The weather has been spectacular and it's fun to throw the kids in the water!

The Stanley Cup came to town thanks to Duncan Keith -- that was super cool and it made me cry. It was piped in with bag pipes...and he was wearing his gold medal! I also found out that he's engaged to the sister of a guy I graduated with -- crazy world!

What is summer without a trip to my favourite Vancouver Islanders?! I had an awesome visit at the Clark cabin where I was doted on by my bestie, Nathan! He made me a bracelet (and so did Olivia) that I'm wearing to this day. Rough life, I tell you!

And then, it was time to celebrate Omi's life. She passed away a week short of her 92nd birthday. All the family came to Abbotsford for the celebration and it was such a privilege to have her as my Omi and to honour her life. She always said that she was 'sooo blessed' but I think that anyone who knew her knew that we were the ones who were blessed to have her in our lives. I miss you, Omi.

And then, our annual Girls Weekend turned into an open house event! We had 26 people staying on our property...in RV's, tents and sleeping wherever! I slept on the floor in the living room on my camping mat! It was a great time to visit with family from California and Seattle that we don't normally get to hang out with. Super fun times!

And then there are adventure days! Hikes are a must in the summer but you've got to go before it gets too hot! Sarah, Ben, Jamal and I went to visit our geocache and took in my absolute favourite spot on our way back home. It may appear that they're feet are dangling from a cliff but trust me, we didn't go nearly as far as I usually go to have my quiet time. This was an awesome hike and these guys were troopers!

As for big time updates...

Well, after great consternation, I've decided to make my home in the Okanagan...and more specifically, Penticton. I've been floating around enough trying to find the 'perfect' spot only to realize that what I really needed to do was to make a decision and stick with it! So, I've made the decision and now I am looking for work here in the Okanagan. I'm super excited about it and the fact that now I'll be setting down some roots. Hopefully, after having a job for a few months and living at home, I'll be able to find my own place and finally get a chance to unpack my boxes!

I better head off to the job market search! My new task is to find a job to apply for, head to the beach to work on my resume, and then come home and apply for it. The sun won't shine forever!

From Flatland to 14,000 feet

A group of Kansas flatlanders (and myself) ventured off to the mountains of Colorado for a little adventure hiking and camping a few weeks ago. We met at the church for a 7am departure and hit the road straight to the Rockies (and I mean STRAIGHT!). Ten and a half hours later, we arrived to the National forest, parked at about 9,000 feet and grabbed our packs. Our first step was to hike in a mile or so and set up our first camp. I was encouraged to not pitch a tent and sleep under the stars so I thought, what the heck! It was really quite something -- seeing the bright stars at 2am, hearing the moment that the wind stops blowing...it was amazing!

Mount Shevano is the one that the line of snow appears to point to the peak.

Day 2 we were up early to hit the trail on our ambitious route with our full packs (!). The plan was to take the Colorado trail for about 5-6 miles and then get on a different trail to eventually head to the Mount Shevano peak.

Beautiful Aspen trees against the blue sky.

So, we were off and walking single file through the beautiful trail -- getting water from the streams and pumping it or treating it so we could drink it and taking breaks so we could breathe and get somewhat used to the altitude. We were so used to walking in single file I was convinced we'd eventually get back to reality and continue this trend! Anyway, our main leader ended up getting some serious blisters about 4 miles in which altered our original route and was, I'd say, an answer to prayer! Although he was in pain and struggling, it was good for the rest of us and for us to change our plan to head back toward the van and take the main trail to Mount Shevano.

Resting at the stream.

So, after stopping at a beautiful stream to rest and dip our feet in the freezing water, we hiked the 4 miles back to a base camp for supper and then 5 of us continued up the hill to find a place to camp about a half mile away. This section was the most grueling of the whole trip because we were tired already and the amount of elevation gain we had to climb while being exhausted from the day and while wearing our full packs was almost more than I could bare! But we made it to a really cute camping spot at about 10,000 feet elevation that had a fire pit all set up so that made up for it.

Day 3 was summit day! Our goal was slow and steady and even that was hard! We were able to leave our big packs in our tents and carried only a day pack with long sleeves and water and even that was difficult! I think we had 4 miles to the peak with a 4,000 foot elevation gain! Every single step was uphill and it just got harder the higher we got! This is above tree line, people!! When we were at the tree line, we stopped for a bite to eat (and to have a last pee, of course) and this crazy lady RAN by us! She was running to the summit and looked fresh! It was ridiculous! Meanwhile, we hit the trail and literally have to stop every 50 step (if that) to catch our breath! Like, I was seriously huffing and puffing as if I've never exercised a day in my life!

Just about above tree line...!

The view was amazing...and the peak was quite cold but what an accomplishment! Going down was almost harder than going up...a whole different set of muscles plus your toes are pushed to the front of your shoes! Not only that but the whole way down you can't believe that you already went the other direction! I couldn't remember more than half of the route because I was so focused on my feet!

I was beyond exhausted when we got back to camp and could barely sit down by the fire -- my body was in a whole new state of hurt! I guess I could sit, I just had a serious problem getting up! I was so excited to get back to Kansas and to have a shower and sleep in a bed...and use a toilet, I'm not going to lie! Back to the bus by Sunday morning and after a big breakfast in Salida, CO we were on the road again!

What a trip and what an experience! It took me until Wednesday to be able to go downstairs without any pain! Oh joys!

Ah, the summit!

Vegetarians beware!

Little did I think that I'd end my one day of chicken butchering with one less friend. I posted a bunch of pictures on facebook shortly after the crazy butchering day and the next day I have a message from one of my Whistler roommates (who is a vegetarian) that she didn't want to be friends with me! She couldn't understand how someone could ever do this to another living creature, then she called me a loser and said that she's done being my friend...so our epic three month 'friendship' is over. Sad, I know...but it actually makes me laugh. This was probably the most humane way to butcher chickens -- I don't want to know how they would do it on a massive scale!

Anyway, all this to say that, yes, some pictures can be quite disturbing and I can't believe my hand was 'up there' either...but it just has to be done if you want to eat farm fresh chicken.

On a typical chicken butchering day, they do about 400 birds. The night before, the chickens are caught from the pasture and caged but they only have so many cages so when those are full, the remaining 150-ish are put in a horse trailer until more cages are freed up from the butchering process. Being the rookie in the crowd, they got me to experience the catching and the gutting...don't worry, I couldn't believe I was doing it either!

The first reaction to sticking my hand up the bum of the chicken is, "ooooo, that's warm!"...but after about 5 hours and one has poop still in its system, the reaction is more like, "AH, ech, I'm going to gag!" My screams and mini wig-outs kept everyone entertained...especially when they kept throwing and threatening me with the ripped off chicken heads. Until, that is, one of Kendra's friends came down with a full chicken and encouraged me to pull the head and cut the feet off before gutting. And so I did it...while screaming...so it took me two pulls...and then I put the head on my finger, naturally!

He's smiling at me!

After all is said and done and the last chicken has been gutted, it's time for packaging. Some of the chickens are pieced into breasts and thighs and wings etc and some stay whole. Whatever pieces they are, they get shrink-wrapped and labeled and head straight for the freezer.

Kendra and I were just putting the last of the chicken wings in bags...and then, we had to head to the grocery store before heading home. Dressed as is, thank you very much! Haha...Kendra's shirt was still even splattered! Good times and great memories!

They call them 14ers

I'm heading to Colorado this Thursday with a few people from the church to go on a hiking and camping trip. I don't know all the details but I know that it will be close to an 8 hour drive to get there and then we'll be carrying all that we need on our backs up a 14, 000 foot peak. We'll be tenting for 3 nights...with no plumbing -- I guess I'll make room for a trowel. :)

Anywho...did I mention how high we'll be?! That's like, above the tree line! I'm so glad that Kendra and I have been running in the mornings to at least give me some kind of stamina...I'll just be carrying a 20lb pack for a few days while gaining altitude at a seemingly incredible rate. Just to practice, I packed Kendra's pack with some random contents for weight and wore it around the house while baking a cake and cleaning up.

It's going to be incredible and so worth the sore muscles but first things first...chicken butchering all day Monday!

When not to wear a white shirt

I learned yesterday the number one place to not wear a white shirt. Kendra, Mark, Daniel and I headed off to Hesston College to help Mark dismantle an old brick kiln that the college had no use for anymore. It was quite a project and we seemed quite fresh at the start of it while we were all piled in the truck (as seen here). Little did we know what we were in for...

It was a hot and windy day with lots of cotton flying though the air with added dust from nearby construction and age-old dust from inside the kiln room...plus ash and spiders. We piled brick on a little trailer and then into the back of Daniel's truck and then into the back of Mark's Dad's truck which also had a freezer on it that Mark and Kendra were taking back to Yoder. We were probably one straw hat short of the Hillbilly's!

Before...

During...

After...

And me...not looking as fresh!

I think I'm certainly earning my keep...at least I'm trying!

:)

Pizza making day

From making the dough to baking the bread, singeing my forearm on a baking tray and burning the tip of my finger during the packaging process...20ish three-cheese pizzas were made. We even made crackers and pretzels out of the left over dough!

It was quite an all day process and of course we bake on the hot days so it makes the barn that much more comfortable!

Our little helper, Greta, was back too!

The crust is baked and the home-made three cheeses are on...

And then it's time to package them. Note to self and all others: do not touch the hottest part of the machine no matter how curious you are! It's even coloured red which could arguably be recognized as the universal colour for HOT things!

All tolled, I survived and my finger will too...it's just like a piece of cooked meat, is all. Oh well.

Lilies of the garden

Just a little glimpse of what grows around here...