Geocaching Challenge - The Top 10 Favorites In PA

GC3T620 - CTJ: PA 'Favorites' Challenge Adventure 

The challenge with this cache is that the favorites change from week to week.  :-)  "The list changes from week to week as more cachers award their 'favorite' points. Find and log the 10 most 'favorite' caches in PA and you are ready to snag this bonus smiley."

Stats from - http://project-gc.com/Challenges/GC3T620/11974

You have found 5 of the top 10
Missing caches are in red

The checkers can only check the current toplist.
If you were fulfilled it when you logged it in the past you might get a does not today.
Your log may have been correct but it cant be checked by this checker
On some challenges you when you accept it make a list and compare to that list. If you have done it you might fulfill the logging requirements right now but the checker can´t know that.
It is like if you make a new list right now. That is accepted on most challenges.
Please check the cache listing for the rules.

#	gccode		Visitdate	Name
1	GC2HN2H	508	2015-07-05	Raiders of the Lost Cache
2	GC184	355		State Game Lands #109
3	GCJ8M8	348		Auto Art
4	GC4241	298		50 State Traveler
5	GC14YRW	284		The Devil's Den
6	GC59AF	280		Thousand Steps Cache
7	GCA250	248	2006-09-14	Peace at Gettysburg
8	GCKA5M	221	2006-09-14	Unsettled Spirit
9	GC8808	221	2006-09-14	High On Longstreet
10	GC161PZ	210		Little Round Top

We Need To Find:

State Game Lands 109 is near Erie Pa, 4 hours away

    http://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC184_state-game-lands-109

Auto Art - 

    We've been to this cache, I have photos of it and remember our kids loved it...  not sure why it is not logged by us.  Need to fix this!

50 State Traveler - This is a traveling cache.  Ugh.

    This little buggy (bugger?) Is on a whirlwind tour of the 50 states. Along the way he would like to pick up some souvenirs. Please help him on his way from state to state & allow him to hold onto his trophies. Cache is a White PVC section w/a TB Tag # engraved on the outside. Here is my combo Travel Bug/Traveling Cache. Please go to:this link - the TB.

The Devils Den - Gettysburg

     Check, we pobably already did this one. I'm terrible at logging earthcaches

Thousand Steps Cache- 2 hours southwest of us

      Be sure to get a cache in Mifflin County for the counties challenge on the way through

Little Round Top - Gettysburg

Bumped from the list - 

Centralia, The Burning Town 190 Favorites

   http://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GCPK46_centralia-the-burning-town

Finding The Final - 

Looking at a map, the final will be about an hour and 45 minutes away from us, and is located slightly northwest of Reading PA.

On The Grill This Summer

I decided to concentrate on new recipe for the grill this summer.  So far, these are our favorites:

Main Dishes:

  Best Pork Chops

Marinade:

 1/3 c soy sauce

 1/4 oil

 3 T Lemon Pepper seasoning

 A little garlic 

 1/2 cup of water

Mix together, add pork chops.  Let marinate, then grill. 

  

Bacon, Chicken, Pineapple Kabobs

  

Sides:

  Bruschetta Mushrooms

  Bacon wrapped Baby Vidalias

My Day In Pictures

#mydayinpics 9am 6159 steps so far. #fitbit

#farmlife Push mower is broken, so I'm mowing the backyard like the Amish.  Loaded Betsy up to go to auction.   #mydayinpics 10am 8417 #fitbit steps 4th load of laundry

Laundry. Finished the hand mowing. Laundry. Finished the detergent. laundry. Started weed whacking. Laundry. #mydayinpics 11th 9919 #fitbit steps

#mydayinpics 12pm. Cleaned the car. Wow. It was bad. 10808 #fitbit steps

#mydayinpics errands.

#mydayinpics #farmlife livestock auction, bought a goat. Introduced him to the others. Took pics of Maggies babies.

#mydayinpics 9pm.  Fed the boys when they came in from baling hay.  Sorted ALL of those socks.  Ironed the spots out of the table.  Watched the sunset. Folded more laundry.

My Solar Light Obsession.  I like to sit out here at night and read a bit before bed.

On The Farm 6/20/2014

Monday we sold Betsy at the Dewart Livestock Auction.  I hate doing that.  But practically, I cannot keep cows as pets.  Unless they can have babies.  I came home with a little billy goat, whom our son named Norbert.  I'm not a fan of the name, but it appears to be sticking...  We plan to seperate the goats this fall, splitting the goat pen in half and moving the baby girls born here this year to the back with Norbert, keeping the older girls, who are not related to Horton, with him to be bred.

Tuesday I went to the Middleburg Livestock Auction and bought some poultry:

They are all doing really well - I'm rather amazed.  

For the first time all month, there are 3 days in the forecast with no rain.  So the plan is to bale hay on Monday..  we're fervently praying it really does NOT rain this week-end!

C25k Training With Zombie 5k

https://www.zombiesrungame.com/

Disclaimer - I'm not a Zombie Junkie. Zombies really have no interest at all for me.  I'm not a Walking Dead Fan.  What I am is easily bored, and easily entertained.  This app makes running less boring.  It's a couch to 5k program, combining walking and running, working up to running a full 5k.  It's done to a story, but the story is intermittent - it will break into your playlist (or audiobook) to set the scene and tell you to run, or walk, or do some lunges... and then it will return to your playlist.  It's something different.

Then, once you complete this, there is a second app - Zombies Run. It's broken into seasons, with story lines you run to at your own pace.  Just like the 5k app, it breaks into your playlist at times to move the story along, but there are no cues for walking or running - merely some for speeding up if zombies are near.

Full confession - when I heard there was a Zombies Season 2 - I was excited for a new couch to 5k story line.   But most people do not redo a couch to 5k every spring and fall of every year.  Most people work up to running a 5k and then just run.  Huh.  Interesting concept.  LOL!    So  "season 2" (I missed the season 1 announcement, and now they are at season 6 I believe...) is simply a story line, not a run/walk coaching program.  

Overview  & About Me

Week One

Week Two

Week Three

Week Four

Week Five

Week Six

Week Seven

Week Eight

2019  Update - I have finished this program, at least twice.  What I have not done is finish blogging about it.  Since I appear to be addicted to couch to 5k programs, perhaps I'll do this one again this year...  It will be interesting to compare how I do at this age, versus how I did at a younger age...

About Me:

I'm a 41 (in 2014) year old farm wife in central PA.  I'm really overweight.  REALLY overweight.  

I have exercise induced asthma, and I too often forget to use my inhaler before I start out, and I never carry it with me.  I need to carry it with me.   (HA!  It wasn't asthma.  It was critically low iron. And it got so bad that I could barely walk up a hill, let alone run, for a couple of years.  All fixed now.)

I've done the C25k plan numerous times.  I've never been able to really run a 5k at the end of the program, ever.  

  I've jogged two 5ks.  I finished before they stopped timing, but just barely ahead of the walkers, both times.

Each Spring it's like completely starting over.  Last year I could jog the entire Canal path at just under 13 minutes a mile.  This year I can barely jog 10 feet when I started this program.

I use an android phone - a Samsung Galaxy Note 2 (I've stuck with the brand - using a Note 9 now!) - to run this app.

I also run the Charity Miles app at the same time.  Check it out - it contributes 25 cents a mile for every mile you run or walk, and 10 cents a mile for every mile you bike, to your choice of charities.  I donate to Wounded Warriors.

I completely missed this - I found it at the end of week 2.  There is a background story, you should listen to it while going for a walk/jog before beginning this program.  

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https://fieldsofhether.blogspot.com/2019/05/a-few-of-my-favorite-things-for-running.html

https://fieldsofhether.blogspot.com/p/health-fitness.html

Menu Plan Monday 6/30/14

I've been trying something new for my summer menu planning, and I like the concept, but would like to find a better app for it.  This is in google keep, which works well enough for now.

Rather than planning out a strict menu, I've started making a list of recipes that I have the ingredients for here at the house.  I'm concentrating a lot on Zucchini Recipes right now, since there is more ready in the garden every day.

I put the list, and a few photos, in a note in google keep, with links to the recipes if needed, and then each morning I try to figure out a head count (Seriously - I cook for 8, and it's just Dh & I.  I cook for Dh & I, and 6 extras show up... this season of life with teenagers is more chaotic than when we had toddlers!) and decide which meal to make.

The List Currently:

• Chicken Soulvaki Gyro Style - http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chicken-Souvlaki-Gyro-Style/Detail.aspx?evt19=1
• Hot sausage sandwiches, Grilled Zucchini Nachos http://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/grilled-zucchini-nachos/
• Chile Lime Steak Tacos
• Rosemary Ranch Chicken http://www.tablespoon.com/recipes/bacon-pineapple-chicken-kabobs/41c5cee7-e258-4605-923d-959de6370d92?src=SH&sf3322335=1
• Chicken marsala w/ garlic smashed potatoes http://m.allrecipes.com/recipe/8887/chicken-marsala
• Zucchini noodles with chicken & tangy peanut sauce http://kitchenconfidante.com/guest-post-cilantropist-zucchini-noodles-with-chicken-and-tangy-peanut-sauce-recipe
• Grilled Chicken, Garlic Rubbed Cabbage steaks - Garlic rubbed cabbage steaks = http://www.everydaymaven.com/2012/garlic-rubbed-roasted-cabbage-steaks/
• Zucchini Crust pizza topped with Bruchetta & Mozarella http://www.kalynskitchen.com/2012/08/zucchini-crust-pizza-margherita.html
• Hamburgs
• Calzones

This is the menu/Shopping homescreen on my phone

KeyChain for all those loyalty cards

Out of Milk for My Shopping List

And Google Keep for my Menu List

And this is the post where I'm working my way through a list of Zucchini Recipes:

http://fieldsofhether.blogspot.com/2014/06/tried-true-zucchini-recipes.html

Tried & True Zucchini Recipes

The other day I tossed some extra zucchinis into the pig pen, and the pigs looked at me as if to say "No thank you, we've had enough zucchini for one year."  They did eat it later, but I could relate to their initial response!  I only planted two zucchini plants this year.  Two.  And we could eat zucchini every night for dinner and still have extra for the pigs.

Thankfully, I have a few recipes that I really love!  I will also shred and freeze some for in vegetable soups this fall, and some to make zucchini bread too.

 Zucchini Nachos

This is definitely one of my favorite new recipes!  It's so simple.  Slice the zucchini.  Grill. Add some cheese at the end, just like you would on a cheeseburger.

(This year I am tossing the zucchini into the air fryer rather than grilling it)

Bring them in off the grill and top with nacho toppings - avacado, black beans, olives, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream.. whatever you like. The Zucchini acts as the "chips".  YUM!!

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Zucchini "Noodles"

This is soooooo  easy!  Next time I'm going to add some carrots too.  You use a julienne peeler just like a regular peeler.  It's quick and easy.  I blanched them - placing them in boiling water for just a few minutes, then draining.  

I use a Julienne peeler made by OXO - it works great for me!

https://amzn.to/31faYWu

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Peanut Chicken on Zucchini Noodles

I found this recipe here, where I first learned about using zucchini in place of pasta :

Chicken and Tangy Peanut Sauce

I adapted her peanut sauce recipe just a little:

Peanut Sauce:
1/2 c peanut butter
4 Tbsp soy sauce
3 Tbsp rice vinegar [or apple cider vinegar in a tsp of sugar]
a drizzle of sesame oil
1 tsp minced garlic 

a sprinkle of sugar
At least 1/4 cup water, add 1-2 more tablespoons depending on texture

The main difference is I used a lot more soy sauce than the original recipe  The peanut butter was just too strong for me until I added a lot more, then I really liked it.

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Zesty Zucchini Fries

Original Recipe Found here - http://shrinkingkitchen.com/baked-not-fried-zucchini-fries/

My favorite thing about this recipe is adding hot sauce to the egg before dipping in the breading.  That is genius! One Zucchini made enough fries for my husband and myself.  It's a little time consuming to make - but it was REALLY good.  

Dip cut up zucchini in an egg, beaten, with some hot sauce added to the egg.

Then dip in a mixture of panko bread crumbs and italian seasoning

Bake at 425 for 10 minutes, flip gently, bake for another 10 minutes.

I have some lemon pepper panko crumbs that I think would be excellent on this as well.  And I used some regular italian bread crumbs for a few for my husband - that worked well too.

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Zucchini Bread

When we bought the farm from my mother in law, it came with a recipe drawer.  Her recipes, recipes from aunts, friends, sister in laws, mostly in family members handwriting.  My daughter and I have been working our way through all of them, but it is taking us awhile to try them all.  This one we have used many times..  but we substitute butter for the oil.

Zucchini Bread

3 eggs

1 cup cooking oil 

2 cups sugar (I use half brown sugar)

3 cups grated zucchini

2 teaspoons vanilla

3 cups flower

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

3 teaspoons cinnamon

1/2 cup walnuts (optional)

Bake for 1 hour at 325

==============================================

More Recipes To Try:

Zucchini Boats
Parmesan Garlic Zucchini Chips
Basalmic Grilled Zucchini
Zucchini Fritters
Zucchini Tots
Zucchini Noodles
      With Pesto
Beer Battered Zucchini Rings
Zucchini Pizza bites
Zucchini Crust Pizza
Stacked Summer Salad

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https://fieldsofhether.blogspot.com/p/recipes.html

On The Farm 6/5/14

So, my plan to update this weekly isn't going so well..  but considering the whirlwind May was, that's not really a surprise.

The big news on the farm has nothing to do at all with the actual farm (other than his intent to take it over from us in 20 years, after he retires from the Military).  Our oldest son is officially engaged!  He flew home from WA and proposed to his girlfriend earlier this month.  We've been BUSY planning and getting ready for their September wedding. :-)

Along with his visit home, a trip to Philadelphia, a skeet shoot here on the farm, the younger kids were in a school play, wrapping up the school year, football...  I keep reminding myself that in two years all the kids will be grown, this chaos is so temporary, and I'm going to enjoy it as much as possible!

Some of the Misc projects we got done before the skeet shoot:

The fire pit - we dug it deeper and made the stones look neater.

Took the bushes out in front of the house, moved the picnic table up

I made a chalkboard paint sign to hang off the fence

cleaned up & painted the date stone (I hate the red, & will repaint it again)

Put in the bean pole teepee

built the dog pen beside the house - all fenced in (we use this only when visitors are afraid of the big dogs - or most recently, we used it as a temporary goat pen for the goat that just gave birth...)

Cows:

We moved Bubba to a friends house, where he will finish growing.  They raise deer, and want him to eat the grass the deer will not eat, in the deer pen.  When he is fully grown this fall, they will pay to have him processed, and we will split the beef.  I struggle so much with this yet... 

We're working on selling Betsy - she's two years old now, and sterile.  I so wish she could have babies here on the farm, but since that won't happen, she'll be sold for beef.  Preferably soon, while the prices are high.

That leaves us with the three herfords in the lower pasture, who will hopefully have babies here next year, and 3 young steers.  We'll add more steers when they are more affordable, the prices have been insanely high this spring.

Goats:

We had two new babies born, twins.  One of the nannies didn't give birth early this year with all the others, which is nice, I like having babies here all the time.  One is a boy, one is a girl.  We're looking for an unelated billy to add to the herd, then I'll split the goat pen in half, and keep the girls born this year with the new billy, so they aren't bread back to their dad.

Hay:

I could cry when I look at our "timothy" field.  It's more of a dandelion field.  Last year we had such beautiful timothy..  but this year that is a corn field.    It's a late year, the temperatures have been cold much longer than in recent years.  Usually we are baling this week, but it will probably be another week or so this year.  We'll have plenty of good hay, just not good timothy.

Bacon Wrapped Baby Vidalias & Bruschetta Topped Mushrooms

I tried two new sides on the grill last night, and both were a success!

Both are also VERY simple.

For the mushrooms:

1. Remove the stems

2.  Toss mushrooms in a little olive oil and garlic.  I left them marinate all day - but you can completely skip this step if you are short on time.
3.Top with Bruschetta

4. Top with cheese
5.Grill.

I LOVE this grill pan.  I don't remember where I got mine, but you can find a similar one on Amazon here:

Weber 6481 Small Stainless Steel Vegetable Basket

Bacon Wrapped Vidalia Onions
I originally found this recipe here & "adapted"it.
By "Adapted" I mean "vaguely remembered the ingredients and winged it rather than look up the specifics when I was ready to make them."

1. Peel onions
2. Add balsamic vinegar, garlic, salt, pepper & olive oil to a zip log bag.
3. Toss in the onions and coat them. Leave them in there to marinate
4. When ready to grill, wrap each onion in a strip of bacon. I secured the bacon with toothpicks
5. Grill on low 30-40 minutes.

Next time, I will put these right on the grill for the first 10 minutes, then move either to the vegetable pan I had the mushrooms in, or to the top little rack of our grill where things keep warm/cooking without being right on the flame.  The bacon overcooked just a little bit for us, but
they do need to cook awhile for the onions to be sweet and soft.

On the Farm, May 5th 2014

We've made so much progress over the past two weeks!  Still so much to do, but we're crossing big things off the lists now.  :-)  The peacocks are loving that big new run, there on the right.  The bunnies are outside in the new hutch, on the left.  I love the new herb bed, with the Inuksuk in the middle, and the raised bed gardens are all doing well.

 

We pulled out the clothesline poles, and moved them.  Then I painted them blue.  And added little rock beds around them, planting french lavendar around each pole.

We hauled in a load of river rock for around the chairs and pond.

 

 We put in an herb bed, then I decided it looked unbalanced, and put in a butterfly bed as well.

This will be the butterfly garden

Our oldest built this Inuksuk a couple of years ago.  It was in an odd location, where you never saw it, in another yard..  we moved it back here where I can see it all the time. 

The horse pasture was looking sparse - Dan had oats planted into it this week.

 Bubba is moved to the front pasture with the other cows, and we moved Mickey down here now too - so there are 6 cows out front.  Milo is still in the back yard (he still gets milk once a day) and Wendell is in the center island pen.

 Still too young for his pretty tail - but next year when it grows in, he'll have plenty of room to display it, here in his new pen.

Betsy, Enjoying the impromptu pond in the pasture, after a heavy rainstorm.

Still lots to do here - but the pond is officially running!  I found all of this pond, including the filters and everything, alongside the road with a free sign on it.  I can't believe it all works!  The pump is the old well pump from here on the farm.

The new bunny hutch isn't pretty - but the bunnies love it, and I love not having to carry a dog kennel in and out of the house every morning and evening!  Olaf runs up and down that ramp nonstop - he loves it.  PB prefers to sit up in the boxes with the hay.