Just patrolling my beat.  All good over here at Stuart's Roost Cabin's deck... no sign of any bears!  

Millie and hiking buddies "selfies"!

Busy weekend in the valley with Oktoberfest #1 ... 2 more weekends to go!  This weekend was also the Leavenworth Marathon so we had lots of runners and walkers here at the Lodge.  Fun for everyone!  I had a great hike Sunday with my new pals.  Here is our "selfie's" overlooking the valley from the ridge chairs.  Happy fall!  

Go Hawks! 

Sunday breakfast brought down lots of Seahawks fans dressed for game day!  

Ahhh… the cooler nights of fall are upon us now and it’s time to enjoy a warm soup in the evening.  This soup is wonderful!  Adapted from a favorite cookbook: “Moosewood’s Daily Special”, it highlights the end of the seasons bounty from our summer organic vegetable gardens.  Here at the Lodge we enjoy it with a rustic loaf of bread, glass of local syrah and perhaps a slice of Chef Ron’s warm orchard pear tart for dessert.   

Bon appetit! 

Moosewood’s Autumn Minestrone

Ingredients
2 tablespoons canola oil 
1 cup chopped onions
3 garlic cloves, minced 
21⁄2 cups peeled and cubed winter squash (acorn, butternut or delicata)
2-3 celery stalks, diced
1⁄2 cup peeled and diced carrots 
1 1⁄2 cups cubed potatoes
1 cup cubed sweet potatoes
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 1/2 - 2 teaspoons salt
1⁄2 - 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
6 cups water
4 cups chopped kale (or 3 c kale and 1 c swiss chard) 
1 1⁄2 cups cooked or canned cannellini beans(15-ounce can, drained)
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil 
imported parmesan, shaved to garnish 

Instructions

1. Warm the oil in a large soup pot on medium heat.
2. Add the onions and garlic, and saute for 5 minutes.
3. Add the squash, celery, carrots, potatoes, oregano, salt, pepper, and water and cook for 10
minutes or until the potatoes are almost done.
4. Add the kale and beans and simmer for another 5 to 7 minutes, until the kale is tender and the beans are hot.
5. Add fresh parsley and basil to taste. 
​6. Serve immediately garnished with shaved parmesan curls.

With the cooler days upon us, you might want to consider Mountain Home Granola for a morning starter or for an afternoon snack.  We have made it much easier to order right online from our web page:  http://www.mthome.com/new-products/

"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.  Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.  The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storm their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves." - john Muir 

Colchuck Lake,  September 1, 2015 

Hey Millie here... isn't this gorgeous?!  Dogs are not allowed in the nearby Alpine Wilderness so I missed out on this hike today, but our guests from Spain brought back this gorgeous photo for us to share with you!  Note a little fresh snow in the canyon?!  Mom (Kathy) has her goal set on this hike with her new heart by next spring!  Wish I could go, but I know she'll have a blast!  Head on over this next 4- 6 weeks to get this fantastic hike in yourselves before the snows arrive!  

Our meadow this morning! 

Mother Nature has sent WA long overdue rain off and on this weekend!  Hurray!  This is an answer to many prayers with the eastern Washington fires.  The trees are beautiful here with all the dust of 4 months washed away!   

Well, we have our own weather station which reports to NOAA, historical data all on our web site under "Details"  http://www.mthome.com/weather-geographical-information/

And, our webcam, also under details: http://www.mthome.com/webcam/

 In John Muir's writing, "A Wind-Storm in the Forests", he wrote: "When the storm began to abate, I dismounted and sauntered down through the calming woods.  The storm-tones died away, and, turning toward the east, I beheld the countless hosts of the forests hushed and tranquil, towering above one another on the slopes of the hills like a devout audience.  The setting sun filled them with amber light, and seemed to say. while they listened, 'My peace I give unto you.'  As I gazed on the impressive scene, all the so-called ruin of the storm was forgotten, and never before did these noble woods appear so fresh, so joyous, so immortal."