Going on a fall larch hike might be my new favorite tradition. We've gone two years now, so I can call that a tradition, right? This year we took our first trip to the North Cascades National Park, and hit the Heather Pass - Maple Pass trail. The drive is long, so we had to get up at a time that shouldn't exist to make it to the trailhead at a reasonable hour. I think this is the price you must pay to be in the presence of the larch in all its golden fall glory.
Read moreLife: Week 40
For several years now, I've wanted to take more photos, to improve my observation and photography skills, and to appreciate and remember the smaller moments of my daily life. These new weekly photo posts will be my way of sharing those photos and moments.
For now, all the photos featured in these posts will be taken with my handy phone camera.
finished up a new knit bonnet for my niece over the weekend
our first hike in the north cascades on sunday was spectacular. read all about it here.
one of many new plants soaking up the late afternoon sunshine in my office
rain and colorful leaves outside the office
onion soup and grilled cheese for dinner wednesday and thursday this week - another favorite
Fall Sausage Minestrone
You may recall that one of the items from my fall fun list was "Make soup. So much soup. All the soup. Possibly get tired of soup." There was one soup in particular I was looking forward to making - Fall Sausage Minestrone. I found the recipe for this soup in Dishing Up Washington, a cookbook I was given as a Christmas gift a few years ago. Every recipe I've tried from it so far has become an immediate favorite, and this soup is no exception.
I must have made three or four batches of this soup last year. This was quite an achievement considering I refuse to make it with anything but elusive and very seasonal chanterelles. To me this soup is the perfect combination of fall flavors: the squash, mushrooms, and the sausage combine to make a rich, earthy, hearty soup that I can't get enough of. We'll see how many times make it this year - so far I'm only on batch number 1!
Read moreMinotaur Lake
Jewel colored Minotaur shining from between the trees
I had grand plans for this past weekend. Andy and I would leave work early Friday to drive to Mt Baker and spend the weekend at a perfect new campsite we would find. We'd roast hot dogs and marshmallows over a campfire, and go for at least one hike on Baker's colorful fall slopes. The forecast mentioned a small chance of rain Friday afternoon, but by the next morning and through the weekend there would be clear skies. Instead, it was rainy and cold from the moment we arrived to the moment we left. After a sleepless night and a morning spent huddled in our tent, we packed up early and headed home Saturday. So much for my plans.
Still wanting to get out for a hike, I spent Saturday night trying to choose a trail closer to home. In my disappointment over missing out on Mt Baker, I couldn't really get excited about anything, but settled on Lake Valhalla. We got a late start Sunday, and as we approached the Smithbrook road trailhead, we saw cars overflowing the lot at least a quarter mile in each direction. The trail would be packed! We decided at the last minute to continue down the road to Minotaur Lake, a shorter, much steeper trail that I've wanted to hike for a couple years. I am so glad we made that decision!
Read moreFall fun
Fall is here! My absolute favorite time of year. The crisp cool air and more frequent rain are especially welcome after the summer we had. The cooler weather makes many of my favorite things much more comfortable - knitting, hiking, drinking tea, baking, cooking up giant batches of soup.
Most of the things on this list are the things I would want to do every year. None of them would be much of a challenge on their own, but making time for all of them will be!
Pressing cider is a Norsen family fall tradition
Definitely hope to see golden larches again
Make soup. So much soup. All the soup. Possibly get tired of soup.
Continue the trend from summer and go hiking at least once a month.
Mushroom hunting.
Try making something with fresh apple cider- cider cream pie or cider caramels?
Go for a walk in the rain.
Spend a rainy day curled up with a good book. There are so many good options.
Knit some cozy wool socks to keep my feet warm for the winter. Also, get an early start on my Christmas knitting.
Go snowshoeing as early as possible.
Make a giant batch of fresh tomato sauce with the last tomatoes of summer.