This week, for me, has been one of those lucky-to-be-alive times to grab and hold tightly. In our family we accept Life as it comes, with its peaks —quite often, with its valleys. That’s why I’ve made a pact to not waste a moment of “peakness”. This week has been a whoop-de-doo, hoop and hollering cause for celebration. Nothing’s more delicious than Happy.
My week is best told in pictures.
While unpacking, what could taste better than Goat Cheese & Strawberry Tartines
First, please try this week’s French Fridays with Dorie recipe, Goat Cheese and Strawberry Tartine. Although this little bit of yummy is best served at cocktail time with a chilled glass of Chenin Blanc, I made this for a simple, quick and tasty lunch.
After dripping balsamic glaze on the strawberries,let them rest for 5 minutes so the glaze can seep into the fruit.
Slice a baguette. Spread with goat cheese. (I used goat cheese with honey.) Place sliced strawberries on top and sprinkle with coarsely ground pepper. Finish with balsamic vinegar, if you wish. I chose to drip a balsamic vinegar glaze over the strawberries. The glaze disappeared quickly, seeping into the berries and, when eaten, creating a sensational burst of flavor in the mouth. After you slice your bread, leave it fresh or toast it. I did both. Which is better? It’s a draw.
Second, the construction and cleanup chores on my condo were finally completed so I could begin to move boxes from my storage unit to D-203. By the time you read this, I will have my kitchen in order. Unpacking old friends to hang on walls or put on tables and in cupboards turns a condominium into a home. I’m surrounded by the familiar and it’s a wonderful feeling.
Lastly, after an absence of nine years, I am now back in uniform. It’s official as of this week. Being a volunteer US Forest Ranger carries with it the responsibility of knowing and interacting safely not only with tourists but also with the natural world – the plants, birds and critters. To that end, this week I’ve participated in wildflower and birding field trips, a botany class and an evening river float. It’s tough duty but somebody’s got to do it. All part of Life back in the mountains.
Early morning birding at the Maroon Creek Wetlands in Aspen
An early evening float east of Aspen to see nesting Great Blue Herons. This colony of Blues, at 8,000 feet in elevation, is the highest one in N.A. and is the only one occurring in blue spruce trees.
I love Herons but this was my first Float e-v-e-r. I don’t swim. I didn’t wear the right equipment. My paddle got stuck in willows several times. The water was cold. AND, as you can see, it was stormy!!!
A full-day wildflower and birding field trip. After a 5am wakeup call for a 7am meet-up at the trailhead, we finally stopped for lunch at 12:30pm. I was thinking about my ham and cheese sandwich by 11am.
A round of applause to the Forest Conservancy, Aspen Center for Environmental Studies, Roaring Fork Conservancy, Roaring Fork Audubon Society, the City of Aspen’s Open Space & Trails Program and Mother Nature for providing these inexpensive/or complimentary opportunities to its members. As a volunteer Ranger and participant in the Master Naturalist Program, these programs are free. Mother Nature provides the classroom.
If you’d like to make this tasty tartine, find the recipe here. To see what kind of week my French Fridays with Dorie colleagues have had, go here.
Wonderful week, indeed! The tartines were a perfect, easy, celebratory lunch.
Very happy for you Mary! You’re right, savour the good moments that life brings you.
Wooohoooo! Kayaks and birdwatching — your photos look like my mom’s version of Heaven. Must be your version of heaven, too, b/c you’re absolutely beaming in these pictures. Glad to see it! And three cheers on being able to unpack your kitchen. I sure know how good that feels!
Looks like you are settling in Mary! And yes, these are a fabulous snack/ treat etc… Have a wonderful weekend!
Sounds like a marvelous week, Mary! Congrats on finally being able to unpack those boxes. Now you’re home! This Strawberry Tartine was a perfect celebratory lunch…glad you enjoyed! I love to watch all the birds we have here…interesting how many new ones I find each year. Wildflowers are such a passion for me…I have actually gone along road sides and dug up several plants to replant in my yard. My favorite, the day lily! Enjoy your weekend!
Oh, you’ve made me yearn for the mountains. I’m definitely hanging out with you when we finally return to Aspen! I hope your kitchen treasures are unpacked and cooking can commence 🙂 xo
A tidy kitchen and a day outdoors would put me in a good mood too! My plate of these lovelies did a good job of it too. Loved ’em.
You go girl!!!
Next week tune in for GEOLOGY and MORE BIRDS and more RANGERING. Do your Doristas ever make trail mix? You need some.
Thanks Mary for a great blog and for holding my hand in Birdland. Your followers don’t realize what a GOOD EYE you have for birding. Impressive.
Hey Everyone, I paid Donna to say this.
How awesome, Mary! I’m glad you had a fun week! I really want to know how you & Liz figured out you were “related” – that’s amazing!
Oh, Mary! Congratulations on finally being able to settle in to your new digs and into everything else that you are deciding to settle in to. Can we call you “Mountain Mary” now?
You are living the life my husband would like to lead in the Adirondack Mountains… good for you going back to rangering. You’ll be able to eat more and more of Dorie’s delicious recipes without gaining an ounce.
Congrats on getting your kitchen in order and for getting back to the woods. I think those tartines made a suitable reward.
Oh Mary I’m so thrilled for you!! You look great in that uniform! Cheers to the summer hiking season!
Sounds like quite a week. Congrats on both the unpacking and being back in uniform. Lucky we had an easy recipe this week which didn’t require too much kitchen equipment.
Oh Mary- this was a such a wonderful post- thank you SO much for sharing all the nature adventures you had this week. They sound amazing and it was a joy to see the photos. You are truly such an inspiration. And I can not believe you nailed the kayak trip while not being a swimmer – you are brave indeed. Fabulous for you to be back in ranger-land too. I too often feel guilt as a “cubicle jockey” (esp when not working from home since my official work office does not even have a window…..) since I feel out of balance with nature. I have to work on that indeed. And yes, by the way your tartine looks fab. Gosh we loved these and made (and ate) a bit plate myself for lunch the following day. Had to be done 🙂
Great looking week from your photos!
Mmmm, I love the balsamic glaze over your strawberries – it looks fabulous. I hope the moving in process is going well. Love the fact that you are a ranger!
Mary, it looks like you are doing well and like life is treating you very kindly – what wonderful pictures both of your tartines and the wonderful nature surrounding you! Wasn´t this a wonderful little recipe with lots of room for some delicious interpretations – sorry, I am running so very late with comments this weekend but as I am writing this the whole house seems to be shacking because the guys are fixing a burst water pipe in our driveway…one of those weekends. I better go and bring them some fresh coffee because it is cold and rainy outside.
Have a wonderful Monday – it is so very nice to see and read that you are settling in and feeling wonderful!
Mary, I love all your photos. It is so nice to be doing something you truly enjoy.
This was such a nice little snack/appetizer that I think everyone loved. This is the
first time a baguette did not end up as bread crumbs, we ate the whole thing. My
oldest granddaughter was visiting for the weekend and she could not believe the
flavor of this mix. Enjoy your week.
Hey Mary! I’m a little slow this week. Looks like you had a fabulous week. Life as a volunteer forest ranger looks like a good one. You certainly look like you enjoy it. AND the strawberry tartines look delicious. Goat cheese with HONEY! (My bees are not thriving, unfortunately.) I haven’t figured out what to do yet. Hope this week is filled with peakness too.
Where do I begin! The food looks amazing and your new surroundings are just gorgeous!
What an adventure 🙂
Enjoy the peaks.
A long time ago a buddhist monk told me no matter how happy you are, you will be sad again. And no matter how sad you are, you will feel happiness again. Nothing in life is permanent.
I was too young to appreciate his words at the time (I’m sure I even rolled my eyes as he talked, cringe!) but his words stayed with me and as the years have gone on, I’ve relied on them to get through the ‘valleys’, knowing there will be ‘peaks’ ahead.
And again, love your mountain life! Awesome!
so jealous of your nature time!! 🙂 I cant wait til my girls get older and we can go on hikes on the weekend or after school 🙂