Y2-Day 32 – Close Encounter

When the fossil shop up in Arrowhead opens, they place a petite dinosaur out on the lake walk tied up to the railings.  All the kids love it and it lures them in to learn more about their geological physical surroundings  and possibly buy some special item in the store.

A certain new member of the family found the replica life like and being a social butterfly had no qualms about greeting this prehistoric ‘monster’.

Y2-Day 29 – Mountain Pup

Getting ready to come up the hill and packing for a new dog is like the first time you actually go out with your baby and diaper bag.  It’s a bit exciting, you’re not sure how it’s going to go and there is much anticipation and some trepidation.

I was advised to crate her in the back of our small SUV.  Poor Cindi never complained, whined or barked but driving up the winding roads to an eventual elevation of 5200 feet was enough to get her sick and she didn’t know where to sit or lay down or what to do because she sure as heck didn’t want to be around her uprooted breakfast.

At long last we made it to the cabin.  The first thing I usually do is put on a pot of organic decaf coffee.  Remember having an infant?  It’s not the first thing I did.  Instead I made sure she walked the grounds, her crate was in a centrally located place, her dirty blanket was put in the wash and then and only then did I unpack the car.

After settling in, I made myself some lunch and we took off for Lake Arrowhead.  This time Cindi rode in the front with me and loved it.  She never moved or fidgeted because I think she wasn’t keen on the whole crated experience for one hour in a moving vehicle.  She seems to prefer the proximity to her owner and everyone knows ‘those with queasy stomachs’ should ride shotgun.

It was 56 degrees out so I thought she might need a jacket but as it turned out it was quite warm in the sun and she had to take it off once we were out and about.

We walked around the lake, she wagged her tail and pulled on the leash to get friendly with every dog (no matter the size) she saw and then we entered a doggie shop.  Here we scoured the goodies and decided to come back at the end of our adventure so the treats we were bringing home to Beau, Rocky and Lilah (J, the dog rescuer’s dogs) would be fresh.  

Every shop in Lake Arrowhead is dog friendly and I tried on some clothes at my favorite place but like having a baby, dogs don’t always want to wait around and watch you in the dressing room unless they are sleeping and Cindi was pretty heady with scents she had sniffed and eager to check out the rest of dog town so I cut my shopping short.  After all, it was her first time up to the lake and I needed to respect her first outing up here and make it special and make it about her, not me.

Tonight, a warm relaxing fire.  I intend on snuggling up with Cindi by my feet while I eat, watch TV or read. I will bring her crate by my bed and put on the electric heater nearby.  I let her off leash finally to roam in a cat free home and she follows me everywhere or stays in her crate watching me or resting.

My friend J said ” You have a new buddy that loves you no matter what you look like, what your breath smells like, what kind of car you drive nor what kind of purse or clothes you own.  None of that matters to Cindi.  She loves you unconditionally, now and always, no matter what.”

I cannot believe my fortune.  It could only be better if the love of my life were here. Yet I do believe and imagine seeing the three cats down the hill dancing the jig, relieved or at least perplexed, giving my husband a wary eye.

day 355 – Waffle House

Belgian Waffle Works at Lake Arrowhead Village sits right in front of the lake where the Arrowhead Queen is docked.  You can sit inside the cozy old fashioned decor with historical black and white pictures of the lakeside or you can sit outside with heaters, watching passerby’s, tourists and boat excursionists.

Waffles are served all day and there are sixteen ways to eat them.  There are lunch items, specials, hot and cold sandwiches, salads, a homemade soup of the day and appetizers.  It was a little after ten am on a sunny, crisp autumn Saturday.  The town was already bustling.

My sweetie pie ordered the Sweetie Pie: A Belgian waffle (their own exclusive recipe) baked with chocolate chips, topped with chocolate ice cream and smothered in chocolate sauce and whipped cream.Vegans don’t eat eggs, milk or butter so I had three choices: Oatmeal, a garden burger or a veggie sandwich.  Garden or Veggie burgers can be tricky – some brands use cheese or eggs.  The veggie sandwich was cold, consisting of avocado, bell peppers, onions, sprouts, olives, lettuce, cucumber and tomato.  You could choose white, whole wheat, sourdough or rye.  I decided I had a lot of veggies back at the treehouse (that’s what we call our cabin) I could consume later and they were organic plus I needed something warm.  We were sitting outside, albeit cuddled up next to a roaring heater.

I chose Steel Cut Oats (after assuring myself it was made with water not milk) with warm spiced apples, golden raisins and instead of milk, I asked for soy milk (which I ended up using in my coffee).  I also ordered a side of fresh fruit.I piled on the fruit and it was sweet and filling.  I was fortified till late afternoon.  

day 242 – Cooking with Altitude

What to do when you have nine items in your impromptu repertoire for dinner at the tree house in the mountains?

The following Organic Everything meal was prepared on the fly with items I had and ingredients I brought up to Lake Arrowhead Woods in my handy dandy Trader Jo’s insulated bag.

What? You don’t have one of these?  Run…

 

Mountain Summer (One Pan and In No Time) Chicken Dish

¾ pound chicken breasts, thinly sliced

2 ears of ORGANIC corn (everything else is GMO’d), kernels freshly removed from cob

A bunch or a bag of Swiss Chard (can you believe my garden is still producing this crop?) or Spinach, ripped or sliced

1 large onion, sliced or chopped or both (I like the counter play of both, it layers the textures – some bits get caramelized more)

¼ cup parsley, chopped

2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped

¼ cup crumbled feta cheese

½ avocado, bite sized

¼ cup fresh lemon juice

And of course salt to taste and spray oil for your pan or @ 2 teaspoons of any oil (I used a good 3 second shot of coconut oil sprayed enough to cover the bottom of the pan)

Optional:  ¼ cup of jam to accompany dish.  I used my coconut peach jam from my neighbor’s peaches (check out earlier post-just type in peaches in the Search space).

The corn likes to leap so I use a dish or bowl and slice on the diagonal, bottom half first and then I turn it upside down and continue from center of cob down slanting my knife all the time rotating the cob all away around.Fresh raw corn kernels and freshly chopped onions and chard.After stirring around for around five minutes or so.

  1. Oil a large wide bottomed pan and heat over medium high.  Add onions, chard and corn when an onion dropped in the pan sizzles.  Cover and cook down, stirring to brown the onions, wilt the chard and cook the raw corn.
  2.  Move vegetables to side so half the pan is open for the chicken.  Add the chicken and season with salt.  Turn over and brown other side after @ 7- 10 minutes.  Season and stir veggies and chicken. Sprinkle herbs over chicken and feta over the entire pan.  Cover, lower heat and continue cooking for @ 7-10 more minutes.
  3. Pour lemon juice (save some for avocados) over the entire pan and stir veggies.  Serve with lemon slice, avocado and optional jam.

Chicken with herbs, turned over once.  Notice the sear and browning of the poultry.  It’s key to have the chicken sliced thinly to make this in a flash.The addition of feta.  Covering the pan melts the cheese.  Almost any type of cheese would work.  Goat cheese would be incredible!  Or omit.  Voila!  Notice the chunky jam at the top under the spoon, a little extra parsley, and the lemon wedge by the creamy avocado.  The textures and mouth feel of this dish was multi-lingual!  The corn popped in my mouth, the sweetness of the onions and corn with the savory cheese and tart lemon harmonized and the jam and avocado juxtaposed the flavors and textures subtly yet brilliantly on the tastebuds.

Feel free (and I will) to add, substitute or delete any herb, spice, veggie or condiment.  For example, next time, I might add some coconut milk and curry or rosemary not cilantro with chopped potatoes not corn or substitute tomatoes, oregano and mozzarella and omit the lemon… you get the idea.  I had chicken but why not shrimp?

A mouth-watering diversity of flavor at any height!

Serves 2-3

Buen Provecho!

 

 Mountain Momma Cooks with Altitude

day 175 – Beauty in the Small Things

Among the joys of this weekend, we had visitors called the White Headed Woodpecker. This type of woodpecker is only found in the North American Western pine forests from British Columbia, Canada to the mountain tops of San Diego, CA.  The extra long beak on our CA friend is specific to the species and our mountain range because of our Coulter pines ( only found in isolated locations from San Francisco to Northern Baja mountain forests).  These pinecones are humongous and deep within lie the goodies our Southern CA White Headed Woodpeckers need their beaks to be especially elongated for.  The markings of red, white and black are striking.

We spotted a large bird’s nest on one of our tree’s branches (could it have been a woodpecker’s ? or the Stellar Blue Jay’s ?)  The mastery amazes me.  This particular nest has already been inhabited and abandoned but I dare not move or touch it so our wildlife knows to come back next spring without fear of intrusion.  Privacy is well guarded here in our neck of the woods.  Isn’t that why you decide to live amongst dense forested trees?

Found an incredible piece of beautiful wood in the quarter cord of wood my husband  stacked up so nicely for me.  This art from nature will not be placed on the pyre.  The form, color and texture inspired me and I placed it on my office shelf for its sheer presence of simple patterns and precious nuance.

And, we enjoyed homespun good old fashioned delicious cheeseburgers with all the trimmings.  The best burger I have ever eaten, ever! Chez the Treehouse Chef.

day 152 – Ode to the Tree House

Was up in the mountains with daughter L.

I love the calm; the cozy and the cuddly feel of the cabin.

I could stay for days.  But I also love the numerous hues and diverse textures of our home in VP.

At the tree house, I feel relaxed, renewed and rested at once.

My one potted plant full of tiny succulents lives on and thrives due to my neglect.

My bear and canoe lamp lights up its shade with mountain and pine tree shadows.  It sits squarely in the middle of my beloved wicker chest with glass top I have had since I moved here, back in 1986.

Alongside it, is a picture of our family from our 2011 Christmas card.  It was taken at Thanksgiving and is encased by a family of five bears’ frame.  That is our family, now extending, growing and spreading out around the country.

Behind it, is a sign I picked up at a local gift shop crafted by a local artisan and it reads “Heaven’s a little closer when you’re in Lake Arrowhead.”  How true.

And to the left, two ‘made to look like’ bark candles resting on a wave colored and shaped smallish tray, made of shelled aqua lacquer.

This little vignette speaks loudly of my affection for this place.  The mantle is another stage and attraction.  The maple-topped shelf behind the banister also shouts care.  There is conscientious, thoughtful placement of meaningful objects and handed down, highly treasured family bequests.

This is not a house to raise your kids or to have large gatherings.  This place is not a show off statement or a trendy sophisticated loft.

This abode disapproves of trouble and invites only rest.  Rest for the eyes, rest for the limbs and rest for the soul.

Without the laughter, loudness and yelling nor the banging of doors and handprints on walls associated with children, this place resounds instead with quiet contemplation, peaceful thinking and an adult hush.

Without indoor pets to ravage furniture, soil carpets or litter the kitchen floor with tidbits of food, this place beckons you to just re-adjust yourself, bathe luxuriously and eat uninterrupted.

Without the bane of a landline, garden toil or errands to run, this place is a sanctuary of “no hurry”, a pause and a respite from the usual day-to-day schedule.

Although I love raising our children, petting our cats and tending our landscape, this place offers me the solitude to process my life, view everything in a new way and return back down the hill with gratitude and a renewed, refreshing joy.

Thank you to my loving, generous and clever husband for this gift of time, place and knowing.

day 105 – The Grill

“Lets send her pictures!” my husband suggested.

“Fabulous idea!” I agreed.

Lest you believe you cannot get a decent, gourmet, fine-dining experience up in the Mountains of San Bernardino, I assure you I can vouch for this restaurant.   It’s one of the first signs of civilization after climbing just 25 minutes up loopy, winding and coiled up the edges of Highway18 on your way up to Lake Arrowhead.  At the first light, take a left then a quick right into the woods on Hwy 189 until you find yourself in the town of Twin Peaks.  There you will find your second unassuming enclave of individual cabins for rent on your right called the Antler’s Inn.  The first choice had always been our nesting perch for years when the children were teeny and it is called Pine Rose Cabins, situated on your left.   Each cabin is outfitted in a cozy theme and they all have kitchens.  I imagine the Antler’s Inn is the same and just as reasonable.  A great escape for the children so they can play in the snow or a romantic rendezvous for a couple in a picturesque forest almost storybook setting.

Am I enticing you?  Do I sound like a commercial?

The Grill at Antler’s Inn is a foodie mecca so make a reservation.  The outside is a typical country log cabin chalet with a sweeping porch lit up by twinkly Christmas lights and comfortable seating.  The interior is beamed high with jumbo swaths of rounded lumber and lit gently by a massive alpine hand-carved wooden chandelier.

The upper-level, modern and hipster sushi bar makes up for the drab and outdated window treatments on the main level dining room and bar.  But upgrading or changing out the fabric on the interior of the divided pane windows is my only counsel and will not keep me away.  The staff is elegantly dressed, prompt, eager to inform and please on a busy Saturday night.  Check out their website and check out these pictures.

 

We had three starters, two entrees and one dessert.  We chronicled the entire evening and shared the meal with my BFF in NY via smartphone.

The BLTA pizza or Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, Avocado Pizza was a crusty pie topped by a Caeserish salad.

The special Sushi Roll of the Night was a spectacular Lobster Roll with shrimp and lobster and caviar.

The Cajun Seared Ahi Sashimi was enough for two and was one of the finest cuts of Ahi, seasoned so well I commented on how you didn’t need ginger, wasabi and maybe just a dash of soy for this well plated appetizer.

“I wanna dive into that lusciousness!” remarked my BFF.

 

Later, our bread and house salad with feta and balsamic vinaigrette.

“Hitting all the notes.” She astutely noted.

Chicken Penne Gorgonzola Cream with mushrooms, shallots, sun-dried tomatoes and pine nuts.

 

Crab, Shrimp, Scallops Salad with candied slivered almonds, avocado and tomato buttermilk vinaigrette

“I think I just gained 5 pounds just looking at this amazing food!” my BFF merrily remarked.

“Phone calories don’t count.” My husband retorted.

Coconut Chocolate Crème Brulee

Using coconut milk as the eggy base, the pastry chef added Godiva chocolate and caramelized the sugar top till it was crackly like ice atop a frozen lake.  Like a well executed crème brulee, the creamy pudding under the sweet layer was not too sweet, the texture made my mouth purr as I swirled the crème around the inside of my mouth, the well defined simple flavor profiles spoke to each other in whispers and its temperature feel was cold like it’s supposed to be.  Too often I have received warm pudding or the caramelized layer which is either broiled or torched is not snappy (you want to be able to shatter the layer with a couple of hits from the side of your spoon as if you were ice fishing and may I add, hear it go – crack); both of these errors are just not the proper, definitive or classic preparation but all too often that is what I have settled for and so have you, I am guessing.  The Grill not only got it right, it took it to a whole new dimension.  Using creamy, rich coconut milk as the base was creative and decadent.  Pairing it with chocolate was genius!

“That chef is diabolical, in a devilish way!  It’s a Mounds crème brulee,” My BFF respectfully acknowledged and compared.

“Loved it. Every bite!” she pronounced in virtual dining ecstasy and we all thoroughly left sated and content!

Enjoy the Academy Awards!

day 12 – Loving it at @ 5200ft above sea level

Ahhhh – I love coming up to our treehouse up in the mountains, especially the day after Thanksgiving.  Everyone is napping or reading and all our belly’s are full once again.

I’m in my teeny weeny buttercup yellow room I call my office, outfitted with a built in carpet – topped bench that lifts up for storage (super for curling up, leaning up against the wall and reading or writing), a cheap put together desk, a worn, cabin motif padded dining room chair, a brown plastic wastepaper basket, lots of pens, pencils, paper (the three P’s),  some shelves, two cork boards, a bright light from the ceiling and a window with old grey checked curtains.  That seems to be all I need in order to focus.  The diminutive space is smack dab in the center of the home.  It needs painting, updating and some detailing but the bones are there.  The well designed layout, in an area smaller than most walk in closets, suits my writing needs and intensifies, clarifies and laser pointedly shapes my mind onto whatever work I have on hand.  It’s my go to get it done place.

I’m easily distracted.  Upstairs, on the main floor, overlooking pine trees, boulders and the welcoming outdoors, I may do some imaginative, personal or exploratory writing. Or, I may get distracted by the television, kitchen, roaring fire, chickadees and bluejays feeding on the seeds and bread I put out.   But, for final copy, I sharpen and clear my center by concentrating on the detail and I require a noiseless, neutralized and calm atmosphere where I can neurotically chop, add and remove words in some sort of flow.

Much of what I write daily on this website is first draft, like now, off the cuff.  But when I write a story for class, it necessitates much more editing, precision and structure.  After all, we have to read it aloud in front of other writers.  And this unadorned little area helps me hone in, decompress from outside distractions and get some ‘real’ work done.

I am grateful for the Steger Treehouse.  One year and one week ago exactly, we were handed the keys to our cabin, the home away from home I always wanted up here by Lake Arrowhead, in the woods, surrounded by pine trees.  Many times I dreamed and wished it.  I feel very lucky and I am continually counting my blessings. I love to write on the deck, lazing on the couch, overlooking the balcony or on my bed where I always dreamed of being  – surrounded by books, snow and a shag rug in front of a fireplace, mountains of pines in the vista. But ironically, I get the most writing completed and finished inside a daffodil tinted teensy weensy box.