Passing of Time

It's so strange how time can seem to be crawling slowly along at a snails pace and flashing by you like a run away freight train all at once. It feels like it is going to be forever before I am in the place that I want to be and with the one I want to be with. My life is fractured and the ones that I love and the things that I treasure are scattered about in so many places. I desperately want to pull them all back together and hold them all close. If someone told me, just over a year ago, I'd be where I am today, I would have shaken my head, laughed and not given it another thought. It's hard to believe how my life has changed in just one years. The place that I called home for 28 years, that we built with our own hands, now belongs to someone else. I find it strange how little I miss it, I guess I was ready for a change. And for now I must live 1,300 miles from my new home working toward that long awaited prize from the company I've given so many years to...... retirement.... so close, yet so far. This is one time in my life I wish I was just a little older. But neither do I want to wish my life away. Again, time. So close and so far, so fast and so slow all at once.

So I try to find and appreciate the good things of this time. And there are good things. Living alone hasn't been so difficult in and of itself as I've always been the independent type. And I've found delight in unexpected things. Things I never had to do before and always thought I didn't want to. Simple things like cooking and grocery shopping. I love taking the dogs out for sunset walks. And conversations with my loved one is indeed all the sweeter for missing him. So, I will try to savor the good things and not dwell on the things that are hard. After all, I have no reason for complaint. A plan was made and this was part of the plan. Everything fell into place so easily, I have to think there is a reason. Just a little longer, and I'll be in my new home on the edge of the enchanted forest.

Good Ride at Last

I finally got out for a nice ride today. It was a lovely day! I've only ridden Lily one other time since December. She was very good that day under saddle but I have to admit she was a pain in the butt being saddled and she has been quite a handful to deal with on the ground since I've moved her. She is thankfully seeming to settle down now and has been so much better the past few weeks. A friend and I went out today and Lily was good about everything. She was very good being saddled and stood nicely to be mounted. And she was a good as gold the whole ride. She was feeling good and was a bit playful but was soft and responsive and did everything I asked her. We rode alot of dirt roads and did some nice long stretches of trotting. And Lily even led the way over the bridge. She was a bit concerned about the large boulders along side the road before the bridge, but didn't hesitate about the bridge. 

I just had to throw in a picture of my dog Zephyr taking a quick rest break while out walking the other day. He's 16 years old this year and still loves to get out for a walk though I have to make sure not to overdo it.

Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

Ok, I know that neither this post or my last have anything to do with mules or riding. But, I'll admit, it's what I've been doing lately instead of riding, cooking. And putting the recipe on this blog just made it easy to share on facebook. 

Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

Total time: 1 hr. 16 min     Prep Time: 15 min.     Cooking Time: 61 min

Ingredients:

1 lb. dry whole wheat macaroni

1 tsp. olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped

2 medium red bell pepper, chopped

3 cups cubed Butternut Squash (about 1 smallish squash)

3 cloves garlic crushed

1 ¾ cups chicken broth

1 cup milk

2 Tbsp. plain Greek yogurt

1 cup shredded Swiss cheese

1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

¼ tsp nutmeg

Salt and black pepper to taste

Preperation:

1.       Preheat oven to 375 F.

2.       Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain and set aside

3.       Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat

4.       Add onion, bell peppers and garlic; cook, stirring frequently, for 4 to 6 minutes, or until onion is translucent. Set aside

5.       Combine squash, broth, and milk in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over med-high heat. Reduce heat to medium; gently boil for 22 to 25 min, or until squash is tender

6.       Place squash mixture in a blender or food processor; cover with lid and a kitchen towel. Blend until smooth

7.       Combine squash mixture, macaroni, onion mixture, yogurt, nutmeg and cheeses. Season with salt and pepper and mix well.

8.       Place macaroni mixture in a 13 x 9” ceramic or glass baking dish that has been coated with non-stick cooking spray. Bake for 25 o5 30 min, or until sauce is bubbling.

·         I recommend adding this crumb topping to found from another recipe

 Ingredients:

2 cups breadcrumbs

1 ½ Tbsp chopped fresh sage

1 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

2 Tbsp melted butter

Salt and pepper

Instructions:

Combine breadcrumbs, sage, Parmesan cheese and melted butter in a medium bowl, tossing until crumbs are evenly coated in butter. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle breadcrumb topping evenly over top. Bake until breadcrumbs are golden brown and sauce is bubbling around the edge