Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Sunday, March 6, 2016
Hiking Stinson Mountain
It was another beautiful day which just beckoned hikers to the woods. My friend Sue and I selected Stinson Mountain in Rumney. A relatively easy climb on the NH 52 with a View list. At 2,900 feet and only 1.8 miles one way, it seemed like the perfect trail for catching some fresh air and getting a little exercise.
What was surprising was the amount of snow that greeted us, as soon as we started ascending Cross Road, which runs along Stinson Lake. Where there was only a dusting of snow on the ground back home, here, it was below freezing and definitely felt and looked like winter. The parking lot was full, only holding about 4 cars, but fortunately someone was leaving just as we pulled in.
Once we got started I could tell that it was going to be one of those days when hiking felt like a burden, so I was grateful for the mostly gradual ascent. However, at about 1.1 miles the hiking trail splits right and a snowmobile trail stays left. We followed the hiking trail, which turned out to be much steeper and longer.
As we continued to climb, the tall birches transitioned to shorter conifers before opening up to the summit.
As usual, once we reached the top, the work to get there was soon forgotten as we got out our sandwiches and enjoyed the view from the foundation of the old fire tower.
On the way down, we took the more direct route on the snowmobile trail. There is supposed to be a side trail to an overlook of Stinson Lake, but we never found it. I did, however capture a cool photo of frozen Old Man's Beard.
After we finished the hike, we decided hot beverages were in order. We discovered the Common Cafe right in the center of Rumney Village. My latte was perfect and Sue's hot chocolate was rich and creamy. They both went well with a fresh cranberry almond scone. If we ever pass this way again in the summer, I will have to try one of their fruit smoothies, such as the Restless Native (banana, honey, espresso and milk) or the Climbers Way (strawberries, banana, blueberries, hone and yogurt.)
Once we got started I could tell that it was going to be one of those days when hiking felt like a burden, so I was grateful for the mostly gradual ascent. However, at about 1.1 miles the hiking trail splits right and a snowmobile trail stays left. We followed the hiking trail, which turned out to be much steeper and longer.
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| I was definitely grateful for the microspikes on this portion of the trail |
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As usual, once we reached the top, the work to get there was soon forgotten as we got out our sandwiches and enjoyed the view from the foundation of the old fire tower.
On the way down, we took the more direct route on the snowmobile trail. There is supposed to be a side trail to an overlook of Stinson Lake, but we never found it. I did, however capture a cool photo of frozen Old Man's Beard.
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| Old Man's Beard (Usnea) is a type of lichen used traditional used for its antibiotic properties. |
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Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Meteorological Spring
It was only 26 degrees Tuesday morning, but with a high of 57 degrees on Monday, something told the daffodil bulbs that it must be spring.
Now that it is March and officially Meteorological Spring, I have come to accept that I most likely will not be getting my cross country skies out this winter. The National Weather Service has reported that New Hampshire experienced the warmest winter on record (December - February) with an average temperature in the state capital of 30.9 degrees. The only snow on the ground in our yard are a few scant piles from the little bit that had to be shoveled after only a handful of storms. Unless we get some more snow, we will have also experienced the least snowy winter on record.
After what seemed like a winter that would never end last year, I am only slightly disappointed that the winter of 2016 was so mild. Alas, I am now ready to turn my attention to the outdoors and the garden.
One way to get started early, is to sow seeds indoors. Unfortunately, we don't have a location in our home with enough sunlight that makes starting seedlings indoors practical. I tried one year with grow lights, but the plants became too long and spindly and did not survive being transplanted outdoors.
My sister in Michigan has solved this problem by having her own greenhouse, which was built by her husband and brother-in-law last year as a birthday present.
Eleven inches of snow fell February 24th, but inside the greenhouse it was nice and cozy.
With the greenhouse connected to the house, cold hardy plants such as lettuce, spinach and chard, were able to be sown directly into the ground, which never froze. According to my sister, they had fresh salad greens throughout the winter, and her only regret is that the space isn't bigger. She also sowed carrots here which she hopes to harvest in the late spring/early summer.
Alas, I don't know if I will ever have a greenhouse, but I hope that one day I will at least have a large south-facing window with nice wide window sills or room for shelves that can be filled with flowers as well as vegetables to be enjoyed year-round. In the meantime I will have to imagine that possibilities with pictures.
Photos taken and provided by Kathie Gourlay.
Now that it is March and officially Meteorological Spring, I have come to accept that I most likely will not be getting my cross country skies out this winter. The National Weather Service has reported that New Hampshire experienced the warmest winter on record (December - February) with an average temperature in the state capital of 30.9 degrees. The only snow on the ground in our yard are a few scant piles from the little bit that had to be shoveled after only a handful of storms. Unless we get some more snow, we will have also experienced the least snowy winter on record.
After what seemed like a winter that would never end last year, I am only slightly disappointed that the winter of 2016 was so mild. Alas, I am now ready to turn my attention to the outdoors and the garden.
One way to get started early, is to sow seeds indoors. Unfortunately, we don't have a location in our home with enough sunlight that makes starting seedlings indoors practical. I tried one year with grow lights, but the plants became too long and spindly and did not survive being transplanted outdoors.
My sister in Michigan has solved this problem by having her own greenhouse, which was built by her husband and brother-in-law last year as a birthday present.
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| The greenhouse is attached to the house and has direct access from an interior door. |
With the greenhouse connected to the house, cold hardy plants such as lettuce, spinach and chard, were able to be sown directly into the ground, which never froze. According to my sister, they had fresh salad greens throughout the winter, and her only regret is that the space isn't bigger. She also sowed carrots here which she hopes to harvest in the late spring/early summer.
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| February salad greens ready for picking. |
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| Spring looking out at winter. |
Friday, February 26, 2016
Zucchini Potato Pancakes
Ingredients:
3 medium potatoes peeled
1 medium zucchini
1/2 cup flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs beaten
1/4 cup finely diced onion
oil for frying
Shred potatoes and zucchini. Sift flour and salt together. Combine all ingredients together until well blended. Heat oil in skillet. Using a slotted spoon, scoop out pancake mixture and flatten in pan. Cook until golden brown, about 4 minutes on each side. Serve warm with yogurt, syrup or fruit.
Sunday, February 21, 2016
Birds and Bobcats Update
Here's an update to a couple recent posts. The Great Backyard Bird Count was a tremendous success and it continues to grow every year. As of Sunday, 5,445 individual species had been recorded from across the globe. This is over 50 percent of the known bird species and 353 more species than were reported last year. The United States ranked first with the number of checklists (126,611) and India ranked first in number of species with 735 identified on 7,118 checklists (third). The United States ranked third in number of species with 663 being logged. Second in checklists was Canada with 13,225 and Mexico came in second with number of species (692). Although the final results won't be available for a few weeks, you can check out the numbers recorded to date at http://ebird.org/.
Sadly, the news on the proposed New Hampshire bobcat hunt, which I wrote about on February 1st is not positive. On February 17th, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Commission voted 5-4 in favor of allowing a hunt. In spite of hearing testimony from hundreds of New Hampshire citizens, including hunters, conservationists and scientist, who provided reasons why New Hampshire should not reinstate a bobcat season; and, in spite of receiving over 5000 letters, mostly in opposition to the hunt, the majority of the commissioners held firm their resolve to allow a lottery for hunting and trapping licenses beginning this December. I commend the commissioners who heard the reasons to maintain the ban on hunting and trapping bobcats in New Hampshire and who responded accordingly by voting against opening the bobcat season: Fred Clews, Jr.-Seacoast; Vincent Greco-Merrimack County; John McGonagle-Belknap County and James Ryan-Rockingham County.
March 2016 Update: The hearing by the NH Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules is scheduled for April 1st, 9:00 AM. If you would like to voice your opposition, attend the hearing or send an e-mail to cheryl.walsh@leg.state.nh.us.
Sadly, the news on the proposed New Hampshire bobcat hunt, which I wrote about on February 1st is not positive. On February 17th, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Commission voted 5-4 in favor of allowing a hunt. In spite of hearing testimony from hundreds of New Hampshire citizens, including hunters, conservationists and scientist, who provided reasons why New Hampshire should not reinstate a bobcat season; and, in spite of receiving over 5000 letters, mostly in opposition to the hunt, the majority of the commissioners held firm their resolve to allow a lottery for hunting and trapping licenses beginning this December. I commend the commissioners who heard the reasons to maintain the ban on hunting and trapping bobcats in New Hampshire and who responded accordingly by voting against opening the bobcat season: Fred Clews, Jr.-Seacoast; Vincent Greco-Merrimack County; John McGonagle-Belknap County and James Ryan-Rockingham County.
March 2016 Update: The hearing by the NH Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules is scheduled for April 1st, 9:00 AM. If you would like to voice your opposition, attend the hearing or send an e-mail to cheryl.walsh@leg.state.nh.us.
Friday, February 19, 2016
Acorn Squash Stuffed with Quinoa
I went to the farmers market looking for something for dinner and found this Acorn squash. I then googled for a recipe and found this one from another blog Marin Mama Cooks and adjusted it only slightly by adding a combination of raisins and dried cranberries. It is simple to make and serves as a a complete meal.
Ingredients:
2 medium acorn squash cut in half and seeds removed
1 cup quinoa
1 2/3 cup water
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 Tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup almonds
1/4 cup raisins or dried cranberry
1/2 cup feta cheese
1/4 cup fresh parsley or sprouts of your choice
2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
-Cut the squash in half, scoop out the seeds and brush with olive oil. Cook, flesh side down on a cookie sheet at 425 degrees, until done, about 25 minutes. Remove from oven and cool. Cook quinoa in water and salt until liquid is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Let sit with cover on. Heat one Tablespoon olive oil in pan and toast almonds over medium heat about 2 minutes. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and stuff into acorn halves. Bake at 350 degrees about 15-20 minutes. Sprinkle some additional feta and parsley or sprouts on top and serve.
Saturday, February 13, 2016
A Frigid Weekend for The Great Backyard Bird Count
February 13 - One word describes the weather this weekend - COLD. This probably explains why there were not many birds to record during my first day participating in the 2016 Backyard Bird Count. The event runs for four days and started Friday, February 12. Although not high in numbers, I still spotted eleven different species: Mourning Dove, Tufted Titmouse, Downy Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Blue Jay, Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Dark-eyed Junco, American Goldfinch, House Sparrow, and Cardinal. Usually Juncos are ground feeders, but the one in the picture below preferred being up on the feeder.
The weather forecast for Sunday is only supposed to be a high of 8 degrees, so we'll see weather the birds brave the cold. I will edit this blog, with updates from Sunday and Monday. If you have fifteen minutes to spare, find a comfortable spot to watch birds and then log your sightings at http://gbbc.birdcount.org/. It's fun and you'll be contributing to scientific research as well.
February 14 - Well the cold weather did not dissuade the birds from coming to the feeder this morning when it was a negative ten degrees. I thought that they might have stayed huddled in the woods, but perhaps they needed the extra calories to stay warm. I did not see any new species, but the number spotted of each species was more than yesterday. At one point there were 18 house sparrows.
I know he's not a bird, but it seems like this guy should count for something.
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| Mourning Dove |
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| Female Cardinal |
February 14 - Well the cold weather did not dissuade the birds from coming to the feeder this morning when it was a negative ten degrees. I thought that they might have stayed huddled in the woods, but perhaps they needed the extra calories to stay warm. I did not see any new species, but the number spotted of each species was more than yesterday. At one point there were 18 house sparrows.
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| House Sparrow with feathers fluffed to stay warm. |
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