Escaping the Everyday

Hello, hello! It’s been a couple weeks since I’ve been able to get out a blog post.

You might be wondering why I haven’t had many blog posts come out recently. Jake and I have been on fewer adventures recently due to the transitional period between the ideal weather for summer hiking and the onset of the skiing season.

While discussing with my father-in-law, he offered some excellent advice: blog posts don’t necessarily have to focus solely on our adventures; they could also cover TV shows or small escapades with Cassie. The more I thought about this, the more I realized, “He’s absolutely right!”

Thanksgiving Plans

Don’t worry though, our adventures are not coming to an end! We are heading back to Salt Lake City in a couple weeks to do some exploring and skiing.

Unfortunately, we weren’t able to make it back to the east coast or even Nashville for Thanksgiving as plane tickets are crazy expensive. I was astonished to find that a flight to Nashville for just one person would cost $1,200. I wondered to myself, how could this be? It seemed outrageous.

I started doing some research and found out that thanksgiving week is the #1 most popular time to fly in a year. Particularly, the Sunday following Thanksgiving is the most challenging. Flights are not only outrageously priced, but the airport is also extremely chaotic. So, we decided to do our own little Thanksgiving spending it in the mountains in Utah. Could there be a more fitting alternative for us?!

We’ve booked an Airbnb for the extended weekend because Jake and I have both Thursday and Friday off. Our plans include a few days of skiing followed by some sightseeing.

Jake has been monitoring the live mountain cameras at various ski resorts to observe the snow accumulation. It’s fascinating to see that while the mountains here are receiving real snow, the mountains on the East Coast are covered with man-made snow on their trails.

Neither of us have skied out west before so it’ll be interesting to see the difference in the conditions.

Crockpot Sundays

Jake and I have started doing ‘Crockpot Sunday’s’ which have been really easy way to cook dinner but also have leftovers for the week.

So far, I’ve made pulled BBQ chicken, chicken enchilada casserole, quinoa enchilada and turkey chili. All the meals have been dairy and gluten-free, which allows me to enjoy them too. However, Jake has been adding cheese to his portions afterward.

You may assume that gluten and dairy-free products are unappetizing, but these have been surprisingly delicious, and even Jake loves them!

We found a BBQ sauce called Kinders at the store, perfect for pulled chicken, and it’s scrumptious! I’ve been reminded of how tasty and effortless crockpot meals can be. Whether you’re looking for great dinner ideas and don’t want to spend much time cooking, or you enjoy cooking, consider trying crockpot recipes!

I’ve recorded every new recipe we’ve enjoyed and added it to my recipe box. So, if you’re ever looking for a recipe, feel free to ask!

TV Shows

With the colder weather bringing more free time, we’ve been on the lookout for some good TV shows to watch. Our latest favorite has been “The Lincoln Lawyer.”

It earned a 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which is quite impressive! “The Lincoln Lawyer” is based on a book series by Michael Connelly. As a fan of his work, I was thrilled to hear about its release.

The TV series centers on a defense attorney who represents clients falsely accused of murder. It dives into his thought process, both in and out of the courtroom. As his clients are wrongfully indicted, he must uncover the true perpetrator. The show consistently keeps viewers on edge, with mind-blowing twists that leave them guessing about the outcome.

If you enjoy a blend of mystery and drama with a touch of humor, this show is highly recommended. The cast truly elevates the experience, as you’ll find yourself becoming attached to the characters working alongside Mickey, the defense lawyer.

It’s named the Lincoln Lawyer because he employs a driver and conducts his legal work from the back seat of his Lincoln car. It’s a witty yet straightforward concept!

Anyways, you can watch all 3 seasons on Netflix!

Gallatin County Dog Park

We’ve experienced a few snowfalls recently, but none stuck for the whole day. However, this weekend, we received a full three inches of snow! It added a touch of excitement to the morning, reminding us that ski season is just on the horizon!

Besides skiing, snow also means playtime for Cassie. She adores the snow! She buries her nose in it, tossing it into the air, and then zooms around wildly. What I particularly enjoy about her snow play is that she stays clean!

Continue following for more crockpot recipes and random activities we discover. Also, make sure not to miss the post about our trip to Salt Lake City for Thanksgiving!