Skyline. Mobile, Alabama

Spent the afternoon across the bay, and on our trip over decided to snap a photo of our skyline and of the Battleship. Lovely day and beautiful view!

Going on an Adventure, X Marks the Spot

In celebration of Saturday, the day I proclaimed would be set aside each week as a day for an Adventure, I bring you several photo's from an exploration of Downtown Mobile. 

The Awe & the Agony

A fitting title for both my recent trip to the Grand Canyon and my experience with my laptop simply dying after 6 good years of together-ness. 

The first photo was taken on the descent into the Grand Canyon on the South Kiabob trail. It was at the first rest stop on the way down, where we could re-fill with water and re-fuel. It was also at this point that I wondered if I was going to die at some point during the next three days. 

This photo was one of triumph, taken from the Bright Angel campground in the very bottom of the canyon. It was such a blessed relief to sit in that cold spring water and realize my dream had somehow come true. 

This photo share the pure joy of the experience, and the friends we made along the way. From the sombrero hat couple who were there to celebrate their anniversary after meeting in the canyon for the first time, to the sisters from Canada who became lovely friends with us, to the couple who proposed here on Plato Point at sunset. Here, friends are doing yoga poses as the sun sets at Plato Point, halfway up the canyon on the Bright Angel Trail.

The third morning of hiking, and it was at this very moment I thought of the verse "I lift mine eyes up to the hills, were does my help come from? My help comes from you, Creator of the earth". And it was here, that I truly realized, I was going to make it out of the canyon. In one piece!

And of course, one must have that triumph picture- you know, the one where you feel so tired it hurts to smile, but you have endless energy because you have just made it to the top! The top of 10,000 ft. of elevation and miles of steps. 

Going on an Adventure.

Today was Saturday, and for me that means the one day during the week that I get to be outdoors with my camera has finally arrived! My sister and I spent half of the day shopping, and the other half wandering around in a local park, walking all over the downtown district, and seeing Mobile's skyline from the top a parking garage. In all, it was lots of fun and totally worth the tired feet.

Watering My Tiny City Garden

I live in the city, and as much as I am a southern country girl at heart- let's face it, there just isn't much room for a real country garden. So, I make do by planting a few veggies plants here and there and I'm happily waiting for my new tomatoes to ripen up, my basil to keep growing and my tea to survive my dog's munchies.

I find these plants really need to be drip watered, but I have no patience and no drip hose... and then a friend suggested this idea. Take an old milk jug and poke a few holes in the bottom to slowly water your plants and one in the very tippy top to ensure a proper flow. This has worked wonders and my herbs are so happy and healthy. :)

Blackberry Crumble

This is a must-make spring recipe for me. Living in the south, you can find big juicy Dew Berries (southern blackberries) along the woods and throughout the ditches and this crumble is the perfect when paired with a dollop of cream or a scoop of ice-cream.

Blackberry Crumble Recipe

1 3/4 c. Quick Oats

3/4 c. Flour

1/2 tsp. baking power

1/4 tsp. soda

1/4 tsp salt

3/4 c. brown sugar

1/2 c. softened butter

Combine the above ingredients and use 1/2 of mixture to fill the bottom of a 9 by 12 pan, pressing it down lightly.

1 c. sugar

1 cup water

3 Tbsp. Tapioca (or 3 Tbsp cornstarch)

Combine above three ingredients and bring to boil for 5 minutes.

Then, layer 3 cups blackberries over the crumb crust and
pour boiled sugar mixture over the top of the berries..

Lastly, top with the remaining half of the crumbs.

Bake for 20 minutes or until lightly brown on top at 350 degrees.

DIY Turning Photo's Into Postcards

I went to the mailbox expecting my usual stack of bills, junk mail, and more bills. After all, who actually gets mail from a real human being anymore? I was pleasantly surprised to see a postcard in my box, and not just a store bought one, but a picture that a friend had taken and written the address and stuck a stamp on the back. It totally made my day!

 To turn your favorite photo's into a postcard, you will need...
-a 4 by 6 photograph
 -a magic marker
-a stamp

 And viola- happiness is spread to others!!

The postcard was inspired and thought up by a blogger found here and it thoroughly made my day. I hope to send out some of my own very soon!