Travelers' Tales

Let's get one thing straight.  I don't get to travel anywhere near as often as I'd like. People who are extremely well-traveled are the ones that you sometimes hear complaining. They complain about the line at the airport, the minor delay on the runway and the bad food at the hotel restaurant. I'm not one of those people. I'm the one who is so excited to be going somewhere that I can overlook most of the inconveniences that are inevitable when traveling, whether it be waiting in a line, a flat tire or some iffy street food. These can be the very things that can make writing stories about travel interesting.

Blue Lake, near Cascade, Idaho

If I can travel somewhere to hike I'm an even happier camper... I mean traveler. In fact, I have a list of places that I want to travel to in order to hike. Like here and here, as well as a few others. Sometimes I get so busy focusing on these places that are far and away that I forget about what is in my own back yard.


 That was not the case in this case. I have been wanting a road trip and a  hike to Blue Lake (right in my own backyard) since the last time I was there, roughly ten years ago. Yes... it's true, I'm a little slow, and some things take me ten years. I can't name one thing that kept me from returning to this beautiful place, except perhaps the busyness of this thing we call life. Have you ever had a absolutely wonderful day somewhere? With that comes, for me anyway, a little trepidation. Perhaps if I go back to a place where I had a wonderful experience... it won't be that way again, and my memory of it will be ruined. There is the slightest possibility that I am a little bit neurotic, but I'd rather not discuss that...

But return I finally did! Just this past weekend the Captain and I synced up our schedules with some dear friends and headed for the beloved hills.

Though it is a fairly short hike from the trail head to Blue Lake, we made the most of it by climbing to the top of the nearest peak. It was easily the best day I have had in months, and though the experience was vastly different from the last trip there, it was... I'm happy to report, just as good. It was absolutely therapeutic and I could breathe up there. Really breathe. And breathing is very, very important.  Do you hear me?

My Exuberance List 7.10.12

Love is in the air

I'm trying something new, well new for me anyway. It's not an original idea, but I think it's  good one. I'm calling it "My Exuberance List,"  also known as things I'm groovin' on. It's a list of links, pictures, articles, and videos that I think are worth sharing. I hope you like it!
 I am, as always, Exuberantly Yours, Jana.

1. My kind of woman

2. Come away with me

3. Something just for you


4. How cool is this?


5. Top of the morning to you!


6. Wet your whistle


7.  Why don't I have one of these?

8.  A little getaway

9.  This made me dance

10. This made me lol

What I Found

Amongst my many enthusiasms is photography. As mentioned in a previous post, I lost much of  my exuberance for a period of time and a variety of reasons. The main reason - lack of time to focus on my creativity, led to the other reason - flat out depression. Now, I'm not a Dr., but I've been depressed in the past... and I'm pretty sure I recognize the sucky symptoms. Thankfully, I've moved past that and am in a creative place again.

Lomo-fi Filter

Did I mention that I like photography? I've never considered myself an actual photographer for a couple of reasons. Number One: I've always been surrounded by other creatives... and one of them was usually "the Photographer."  I, of course, was "the Writer." That didn't stop me from taking pictures though. I have a pretty good eye and can frame a shot. I also have the ability to recognize amazing lighting when I see it.  Other than that, I'll admit, I don't know a whole lot of the technical aspect of the art. The truth is, the only time I ever thought I might be a photographer was when I had some garden shots published in a couple of gardening magazines along with my articles. The other reason (which for the sake of structure we will call Number Two) that I've never considered myself a photographer, is that I've never owned a really good quality camera. When I needed to shoot stuff for a magazine I simply borrowed the Nikon of my generous "photographer" friend.

1977 Filter

As mentioned, I'm in a creative place again and am thrilled to have discovered the Instagram app practically by mistake. My sweetheart asked me about Instagram a while back. (Sadly, I'm the techie one in the relationship.) Some of our colleagues were sending him Instagrams from across the globe. I didn't know too much about it so I did a little research and realized that there is an app for the Android phone,  not just the iPhone. So download it I did, and I've been having a ton of fun with it every since.

 I love the different filters, borders and the versatility of shots that I can take, and while I realize that "actual photographers" may frown on it, I don't give poop! It has honestly renewed my interest in taking pictures, and as an exuberant foodie, I am jacked about how my food pics turn out, as in "happy, happy, joy, joy." My Facebook friends seem to appreciate them and so do the other folks that I sometimes force to look at them. I even have a follower! I wasn't expecting a follower, but hey, it adds to the fun.

Hefe Filter

Lomo-fi Filter

Savoring Idaho

Savor Idaho 2012

Boy, this girl loves food! And wine! I wish I could convey my passion for these things to every person I meet. Not surprisingly, I love nothing more than watching what happens when Foodies unite! Unless it's watching Wine Lovers unite. Luckily I had a wonderful opportunity to see both this past weekend at Savor Idaho, Idaho's Premiere Wine and Food Event.

  In its fourth year, and held at the beautiful Idaho Botanical Garden, Savor Idaho is put on by the Idaho Grape Growers and the Wine Producers Commission. The event allows consumers a wonderful opportunity to "savor" the best of Idaho wines and local foods. This year's event featured twenty eight wineries and seventeen restaurants or catering companies, all with plenty of delicious samples.


It turns out that as part of my wonderful life, I am blessed to know some wonderful Idaho winemakers who were kind enough to ask me to help pour some of their award winning wine at this great event. I met these fun folks (who rock climb all over the world when they're not making wine) a few years ago when I wrote a magazine article about their winery. So pour I did - for 900 plus vino lovers over the course of the afternoon. It was so much fun to be able to chat with enthusiastic people about such extraordinary wines. Next time... I'm pretty sure... I won't wear high heels.

ICW's Winemaker Mike McClure

Indian Creek Winery is well known for being the only winery in the Snake River Valley Appellation that's been consistently growing and producing Pinot Noir since the 1980's. Their 2008 Pinot Noir has won medals (beating out many of Oregon's famous Pinot Noirs) in the Northwest Region and their 2010 White Pinot Noir is equally as popular with the wine lovers. We also poured Indian Creek Winery's 2011 Pinot Noir Dry Rose. It is ... frankly, my new favorite summer wine.

If you're a food and wine lover and you like to spend lovely afternoons in a phenomenal garden, I highly recommend trying to get a ticket for next year's event. Meanwhile, if you're interested in finding out more about Idaho's Wine Country I would suggest getting your feet wet by taking a tour of some of our great local vineyards and wineries. Whether you're visiting the area - or if you perhaps didn't know that there was wine country thirty miles from your front door - I know you'll enjoy getting out and meeting some wonderful people who take wine making seriously. My friend George at Idaho Winery Tours would love to show you around.

Who knows, you may even see me out there. I'll be the girl with the big smile and the glass of wine who wants to talk  to you about what you've been eating.

Lost And Found

Boy, life can get overwhelming can't it? It turns out that life can suck the exuberance right out of a girl leaving a gaping hole that is then filled with a fairly blankety blank attitude, along with a fine mist of sarcasm. Not that life is bad, or has been bad, just... as I mentioned... a bit overwhelming.

Picture yourself in a job where you really aren't doing what you're meant to be doing. Somewhere where you (perhaps) hyperventilate all day. You go there, because for a brief period of time you forget that you have choices in life.

Finally, you release yourself from the situation in order to not die and wait for the expected results. You know, as in...breathing again and well, living. They don't come. You continue to wait, babying yourself along with plenty of rest and some nice self talk about how you're going to reclaim your life and your aforementioned Exuberance with a capital E. Still... nothing. Confusion sets in. Really? You expected to feel better the moment you walked out of the stressful place that did not feed your soul because it was too busy sucking it out. Did I mention the possibility of being covered by a fine mist of sarcasm?

Finally, after you've actually acknowledged that something might be seriously wrong with you, the breathing finally kicks in, the babying begins to take effect and you are on your way back to your former exuberant state.  You take some pretty pictures, you read some good books, you cook some delicious food, you tell someone a clever story that gets a laugh. And you hit your yoga mat and breathe like you've never breathed before, gasping a bit with thankfulness that you are beginning to feel like yourself again. And... finally... you write.

Ahhh.... Memories

If I've learned anything, I've learned this. Everyone... has a story. Not all are willing to tell their story, and not all stories are totally fascinating and mesmerizing, but nevertheless, we all have a story. And some of us actually tell those stories.

It's no secret that I am a bibliophile. I've been reading since the age of four, and perusing the pages of a good book continues to be one of my greatest pleasures.

In recent months my reading time has been cut back dramatically due to the busyness of life. I find this lack of book time seriously affecting my attitude and my well-being, and frankly, I'm not too happy about it. I need uninterrupted time with a good book, stat.. preferably under a tree, stat... on a nice summer day, stat.

When I do find time to read I find myself gravitating towards memoirs. Perhaps this is because I'm writing one. Or, trying to write one... or actually two. Did I mention that I was also too busy to write?

I have picked up a couple of recently written memoirs that were brilliant bits of storytelling. Stories that make you thankful for who and what you have in life. Stories, that make you wonder about the strength, the fortitude and the undying tenacity of our brothers and sisters. Stories that explain how someone came to be just who they are. Stories that will make you laugh until you pee... and stories that make your heart hurt so bad that you wonder how a person could ever survive the memory of their own memories.

I'm hoping to find the time to read more captivating stories... and to write some too. But more than either of those things... I'm hoping to live life, and make more memories. Care to join me?

Foodies Unite!

I love food! A certain amount of my time has been dedicated to talking and writing about food and what it means to me. These conversations are sure to take place when I am with members of my family or fellow foodies. Posting observations or obsessions about what I am cooking or craving on any given day, or what yummy, fresh ingredient I picked up at the market or picked from the garden, has become the norm. I'm always amazed at the number of people who respond to these food posts. It seems a lot of my friends are food and/or wine lovers. I love that! I do! Thinking about it makes me happy... and, actually, a wee bit hungry.

Recently I made some new friends who love food as much as I do. Their kitchen is definitely the heart of their home, and when I'm there, which is often, everything seems to revolve around what we are cooking. Time spent with them looks a little like this. Cook, eat, share a bottle of wine, talk, go to bed, get up, drink coffee, make breakfast together, eat, drink, talk about what we will cook next, discuss who gets the hammock, take a nap and then cook again and eat some more. It doesn't get much better than that.

I realized recently that the creative energy that is present in this relationship is what stimulates our appetites and is also a huge part of our fondness for each other. When inspired,foodie types get together you can expect some excellent meals, inventive new recipe ideas and stunning food photos. This creative energy is what happens when "Foodies Unite."

The Hula Hooping Gardener

I had a wonderful experience today. It combined two of my favorite things in the world, or should I say... two things that I am most exuberant about. Gardening and People, both capitalized to show just how important they are.

A friend of mine, who shall remain nameless because she doesn't like to be the center of attention unless she is hula hooping in front of a crowd, has invited me numerous times to work in the garden at the church that she attends and I still sometimes visit. She is more of a people person than a garden person, and she has a heart roughly the size of my head beating in her chest. She, in other words, is a giver. She always has something that she is passing on to someone else whether it be clothing, furniture, or, in this case, fresh garden produce.

The garden at the church is aptly called "The Garden of Feedin'" and is part of the church's food ministry. It was started twelve years ago and is now feeding over a hundred families every week on a regular basis, all with only volunteer help. After folks have picked up a food box containing canned food, bread, milk etc., at the food pantry they are then sent outside to the garden where they are loaded up with fresh produce, picked earlier that morning by the dozen or so garden workers.

Some of these long term volunteers are more comfortable getting dirt under their fingernails than talking to folks in need, and some, like my hula hooping friend just want to fill a bag with nutritious goodies and give someone a tremendously big hug. As for me, I will return in order to get my shared dose of Gardening and People. I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to give something to others who may not be as blessed as I...

This morning we gave away cabbages, lettuce, turnips and radishes as well as freshly picked peas, spinach and oregano. All good veggies, all good for the body.

Hugs from the hula hooping gardener... Well, as you can imagine... they're good for the soul.

Great Expectations

I love making new friends! Meeting people and getting to know them, in most cases, is a joy and a delight. I find it interesting that fellow artists and gardeners and other creative types come practically knocking on my door on a regular basis. Amongst my newest group of friends that I have become acquainted with in recent months are a book editor, an attorney, a photographer, a couple of graphic artists, a chef, and ... wait for it.... a lovely fellow who leads wine tours. I'm not sure what I've done to deserve these new friends, but I am grateful to have them anyway.

My new friend, whom I call George, because ... well, that's his name ... was kind enough to take me on a winery tour this past weekend. What great fun we had! We are blessed to live in a region of the country that is making some wonderful wine. I've had the privilege of writing about Idaho wine in the past, and am constantly amazed at the talent of some of the local winemakers. Wine lovers are starting to realize that Idaho has a growing region like no other. Idaho wines are winning awards and the region has officially become more recognizable since 2007 when the Snake River Valley was named Idaho's first appellation. I truly expect great things to happen in the future of Idaho wine making.

Winemaker Ron Bitner of Bitner Vineyards and George Condit from Idaho Winery Tours

We had a wonderful day. The winery tour included about ten local wineries where in most cases, we had a few samples and some nice conversation with the winery folks. We also had a wonderful lunch at The Orchard House, a quaint and charming restaurant located in the heart of Idaho wine country. They serve excellent food with a smile, and lunch with them is always included on a winery tour with George.

Sherri McCoy and Kris Thompson of The Orchard House

If you've never had the pleasure of drinking Idaho wines, or you are looking to expand your experience, a tour with Idaho Winery Tours is a recommended way to try a variety of wines with friends, without worrying about who gets to be the designated driver. It's also a wonderful opportunity for photographers. The Idaho wine country is lovely and a great place to break out the camera.

Who knows? You might even make some new friends...

Making Memories

I am blessed with many artistic friends. They are fellow writers, artists, musicians, gardeners, photographers, creative television types, fantastic cooks and in general... my kinda peeps. My friend Karla, besides being one of my most supportive and cherished friends, is also one of my more artistic friends. She paints phenomenal pictures with what looks like... very little effort. I no longer attend any art classes with her. The last time I did, the fish I painted while standing at an easel next hers, looked remarkably like a cartoon fish, while her trout was so life-like it was practically swimming upstream. When Karla and I get together we often spend time playing in the garden, baking, and of course, eating together.

I was invited last night for a lovely dinner with my friend and her family. It was a wonderful time as usual. After dinner, people sort of scattered and my dear friend and I were left alone. I, being somewhat weary, was happy to sit and nurse my cup of tea. Karla had different ideas. She gave me the choice of playing a game or... coloring Easter eggs. My lack of enthusiasm didn't seem to deter her at all. I quickly vetoed the game idea and thinking I could just stand back and watch the coloring of the eggs, I agreed that I would "help" her. Did I mention that I wasn't interested? I'm not sure of the last time I colored eggs, but it's been a few years. There are some things that we did with our children that seem to lose their appeal once the kids are grown and no longer interested in participating. One would think coloring eggs would fall into that category.

So then, what happens when you take two creative, artistic women in their ...ahem 40's... and give them some eggs and dye? They have a blast, that's what! Watching my friend draw on the eggs before dipping them in the bright colors was so inspiring... the next thing I knew... I was coloring Easter eggs.

By the time the other family members in the house wandered back into the kitchen, we were in full-on creative mode, and I was learning yet another lesson. That sometimes the things we don't want to do are the exact things that we need to be doing. Laughing and enjoying each others company as usual, we made yet another memory together... And I wouldn't have missed it for the world!

The Music We Are

It has been a long winter! Dreadfully long... Perhaps longer for some than others based on geographical location, a need to work in the garden, and attitude toward the colder temperatures. As for my attitude, you may have already noticed that it is not always what it should be when deprived of my friend Mr. Sun. It probably doesn't help that I spend the winter season reading travel stories about warm, sunny locations and perusing gardening catalogs.

Recently, I had such an overwhelming need to feel the sun on my skin that I found myself hopping a plane to a sunnier...and warmer location. A visit with my girlfriend in a neighboring state that is known for its warmer climate seemed to be in order. And warm it was, 75 degrees and sunny nearly every day of the week I was there. Glory! I took full advantage of the weather doing little other than soaking it up while doing some reading and some writing. I may have already indicated this... but it was yes, Glorious with a capital G!

The trip was overall a lesson in simplicity. Lots of sun, good food shared with a good friend, long walks with some enthusiastic dogs and a plethora of laughter. Another highlight was a rather spontaneous stroll through a garden center. If I wasn't already lusting for Spring, I am now. To see the tiny faces of the pansies smiling up at me, and to smell the fresh herbs in their shiny little pots endowed me with numerous benefits that are now anchored deep within my soul.

The day after I returned we were blessed with the first day of Spring, and I was introduced to a beautiful poem. I share it with you in the hopes that Spring, and all the wonders that it brings, will touch your soul.


The Music We Are

Did you hear that winter is over? The basil
and the carnations cannot control their

laughter. The nightingale, back from his
wandering, has been made singing master

over the birds. The trees reach out their
congratulations. The soul goes dancing

through the king's doorway. Anemones blush
because they have seen the rose naked.

Spring, the only fair judge, walks in the
courtroom, and several December thieves steal

away. Last year's miracles will soon be
forgotten. New creatures whirl in from non-

existence, galaxies scattered around their
feet. Have you met them? Do you hear the

bud of Jesus crooning in the cradle? A single
narcissus flower has been appointed Inspector

of Kingdoms. A feast is set. Listen: the
wind is pouring wine! Love used to hide

inside images: no more! The orchard hangs
out its lanterns. The dead come stumbling by

in shrouds. Nothing can stay bound or be
imprisoned. You say, "End this poem here,

and wait for what's next." I will. Poems
are rough notations for the music we are.

------------------
from The Soul of Rumi translated by Coleman Barks

A Little Miracle

"A grape harvest is a little miracle" ~Robert Mondavi

I concur, Mr. Mondavi. A grape harvest is a miracle; it's also a whole lot of hard work. I know this because I have had the pleasure of participating in a local winery's harvest this past month. I, a long-time lover of the vino, was luckily able to convince the editor of the gardening publication that I am a sometimes contributor to, that the wine harvest would be a great story for me to write. The editor, being a lover of the vino himself, agreed... and I found myself returning to the winery again and again to shall we say, drink in the experience.

Day 3:

My mission: Stomp some grapes with my bare feet. The winery is having its annual Harvest Festival and I figure I better not miss the opportunity to put my bare feet in a barrel of grapes
ala Lucille Ball. It's freezing cold today with highs in the 40's... I'm not looking forward to the bare feet in the cold bit, but adventure is my mission. My photographer is late. He's apologetic on the phone, while I'm just...well...impatient. I'm hoping he shows up before the snowstorm does. I love the vino, but certainly don't want to die of frostbite with my bare feet in it.

He arrives, and wearing my old khaki gardening pants, already stained with a few seasons worth of mud and grass, I eventually venture into a half barrel full of pinot grapes. Someone yells "go" and I lose all trace of the fact that I am really there for a photo opp. I literally forgot to look up and smile...I was too busy trying to win. Yes, that's right, the grape stomping was actually a competition. Whoever could fill up a glass with the juice that was pouring...okay, dripping out of the hole near the base of the barrel would win a prize. Every bit of my competitive nature kicked in along with some adrenaline and a little bit of the wine I'd already sampled, and the next thing you know I was IN IT.... The competitive spirit, I mean.

In the end, I didn't win. Some guy who outweighed me by 75 lbs. did. And we didn't get a good photo for the magazine article...just me with head bent, stomping furiously until I couldn't feel my frozen toes anymore...Photo taken by Kenneth James Photography

A Bibliophile's Delight

I learned to read when I was four, and have had my nose in a book ever since. I rarely read these days for simple enjoyment. I usually read to learn something new or reinforce something I thought I already knew. But, I enjoy research immensely, so technically I am reading for enjoyment. As a child if I asked my parents a question about...well, anything...I was told to "go look it up." Our house was a bit like a library in that there were a lot of encyclopedias and other reference books available. We read them for fun because we didn't have a television. I still cite the Merriam-Webster Dictionary and the World Book Encyclopedia as two of my favorite books. I also enjoy gardening reference books where I can look up the Latin names of plants. For some reason this gives me a special thrill, as does reading cookbooks...

When I read a book I attempt to absorb every word. For a long time I didn't realize that everyone else doesn't read the entire book. I'm talking the inside of the book jacket, the copyright page, the address of the publisher...everything.

I made my weekly trip to the library yesterday and wanted to share my reading list with you. I'm not necessarily recommending these books, because I haven't read them yet, but this is what I picked up.

A Short History of the Honey Bee
Humans, Flowers, and Bees in the Eternal Chase for Honey
by E. Readicker-Henderson
Also on my reading list:
An Omelette and a Glass of Wine by Elizabeth David
In Search of Bacchus-Wanderings in the Wonderful World of Wine Tourism by George M. Taber
South Wind Through the Kitchen by Elizabeth David

Let Them Eat Soup!

Yesterday had all the classic makings of a "pot of soup day." First of all it was Sunday. Also, it was downright chilly outside.... My friends, whom I fondly refer to as the Baron and Baroness had agreed to eat my proposed pot of soup if I made it. So I did, and it was a joyful thing. Making a pot of soup is like therapy, not that I need any therapy...

The rhythmic chopping of the vegetables becomes a relaxing thing, and is somehow soothing. I stand over the pot in order to peer at it just one more time. It's like watching a baby sleeping in its crib. It's that satisfying. It's also a great diversion from researching the article I was supposed to be working on. Sometimes we need diversions.

So I made this soup. It turned out good considering I didn't have a recipe. There used to be a recipe and a name to this soup. Somewhere it is scribbled on a brown paper lunch sack, given to me by a friend who somehow wrangled it out of the deli/lunch counter where it was originally made. I have no idea where the recipe has landed so I did what I do most days when I am in the kitchen...I winged it, or if you prefer, I adapted it. Soup is perhaps the easiest possible food to adapt a recipe for. It's not like adapting a cake recipe. That's just asking for trouble...

So, it was a lovely soup made with Italian sausage, potatoes, carrots, and red beans, white beans in a beautiful broth flavored with some fresh sage and thyme from the garden. It would fall into the category of hearty Tuscan-style soup.

It turned out pretty good. The Baroness made a loaf of homemade bread to go with it. That turned out quite well too. We all liked it. I believe the Baron even went back for seconds...

How I Got This Way

I blame my parents. They love food. I often tease them by telling them that the most exercise either of them gets is planning their next meal. What I forgot was that eventually some of us...turn into our parents. I come from a family full of foodies. My dad, sister and daughter are all particularly obsessed with food. We are all slightly obsessive/compulsive...especially about food... oh, and gardening. I'm choosing to put a positive spin on it and call it...exuberance.

This is how it works in my family. I call my sister and ask her what she's doing. "Baking a pie" she says. "What kind" I ask. You get the picture. The next thing you know I'm driving to the market for pie ingredients and my daughter calls. "What are up to?" she asks. Pretty soon she's rolling out a pie crust at her house. About that time my dad calls her... You get the idea...

Thanks for reading this...
I am,
Exuberantly Yours,

Jana