Exploring the simple pleasures in life.
After many years of effort, I have found that the key to true happiness comes with learning to enjoy the simple pleasures in life. It’s in the awesome feeling that you have when the garden is full of beautiful banana peppers. It comes from spending time with the people you love and sharing fantastic adventures with them. This Uncomplicated Life is my way of sharing my journey into finding and enjoying the simple pleasures.
Mason Dixon Cafe Review
On a recent trip to Fredericksburg, VA, we stopped at Mason Dixon Cafe for brunch. The parking lot was full, making us think we had picked the right place to eat. When we checked in at the host stand, they told us that the wait would be about 40 minutes (it was actually only 30). They took our number and we received a text message directing us to a website where we could track our progress in line. While we were waiting, a couple on their way out told us it would be worth the wait. They were right. I ordered Wake-Up Coffee, a wonderful blend of coffee with Irish cream, Grand Marnier, hazelnut liqueur, dark crème de cocoa, and whipped cream with a dash of cinnamon. It was delicious. I liked that they had a keto-friendly section on the menu, but I had to order Shrimp & Grits with red peppers and onions in a Cajun cream sauce. The grits were creamy and delicious, the shrimp perfectly cooked, and the sauce rich and spicy. It was a heavenly dish. Chris had a Shrimp, Asparagus, & Feta Omelet with Tarragon Creme. The omelet was very good. He also ordered a side of cheese grits which [...]
Camp Lighting Reviews
Lighting while camping is important, especially when winter camping. With the sun disappearing around 4:30 these days, we often find ourselves setting up camp after dark. Our original lantern is Ultimate Survival Technologies 30-Day Lantern. It is compact, just under four inches wide by just over seven inches high, but puts out plenty of light at 300 lumens on high. The lantern has four settings, high, medium, low, and SOS flashing, and also glows in the dark. With a recessed hook on the bottom as well as a handle on top, the lantern can also be used as a drop light. It has a rubberized base and is fairly sturdy. The manufacturer claims that the LED bulbs are unbreakable, never needing replacement, but I have not tested that claim. They also claim that the lantern will last 30 days on the low setting. Again, I have not tested the claim but we have used the lantern one weekend a month for the last two years and have yet to change the batteries. Last year we purchased an Energizer Vision HD+ Headlight. While our lantern works very nicely we found the headlight, with hands-free use, much easier while setting up camp and cooking. The [...]
Lodge 3-Quart Cast Iron Combo Cooker Review
It thrilled me when my son gave me a Lodge 3-Quart Cast Iron Combo Cooker for Christmas last year. Every month when we prepped for our trip, I would have to remember to bring the proper cookware for dinner. Now I would not have to put any thought into it. Our truck stays packed and ready to go, including our new cookware. Of course, I bring it inside for cleaning after camping, but then it goes right back into the truck. The beautiful 10-inch cast-iron pan (3-inches deep) serves as a deep skillet, fryer or dutch oven, with a lid that also works as a shallow frying pan or griddle. Made by Lodge, a reputable company making cast iron since 1896, it comes pre-seasoned and ready to use. The cooker is versatile enough that I don't need to bring other cookware with us on our trips. It is sturdy enough that we can cook directly on the coals in the fire without damaging it. It is heavy (13 pounds) but I had no problem using it on our single burner propane stove. With minimal care, just wash with mild soap and water (I use a cast iron brush), thoroughly dry, and coat with a [...]
Red Velvet Cheesecake Cake
My sons are all grown, but I still make them cakes for their birthdays. Or, I guess I should say I started making them cakes for their birthdays. Growing up, most of their birthday cakes were store-bought. This year Kevin asked for a Cheesecake Factory Red Velvet Cheesecake Cake. I searched the internet to see if I could find the recipe, or at least something similar. I found a lot of recipes. The Cheesecake Factory cake is two layers of red velvet cake and two layers of cheesecake. Most of the recipes were for a cheesecake sandwiched between two red velvet layers. When I found a recipe using alternating layers, I decided to go with it. Red Velvet Cheesecake Cake Cheesecake 32 ounces cream cheese (room temperature) 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar 4 eggs (room temperature) 3/4 cup heavy cream 1 tablespoon vanilla extract Red Velvet Cake 2 ounces red food coloring 2 tablespoons Nestle's Quick Chocolate Powder 1/2 cup Crisco 1 1/2 cups sugar 2 eggs 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 cups flour 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 cup buttermilk 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 tablespoon white vinegar Cream Cheese Frosting 1 cup butter (room temperature) 8 ounces cream cheese (room temperature) [...]
Ozark Trail Climatech 30-Degree Lightweight Sleeping Bag Review
With the return of the colder weather, it is time to pull out our winter sleeping bags. Shopping for sleeping bags is overwhelming. There are just so many bags available. I did a good bit of research before purchasing ours. I wanted lightweight and compact. Of course, I wanted something that would keep us warm. Mummy bags are very effective for keeping warm, but I am not comfortable in a confining bag. We bought two Ozark Trail 30-Degree Sleeping Bags. The bag uses Climatech fill, a down alternative, making it very light. The roomy bag, 33 inches wide by 75 inches long, rolls up to a compact 14 by 8 inches. Made with soft polyester, the outer layer being a diamond ripstop material, the bag is both comfortable and durable. The zippers are sturdy, with no problems in the two years we have used them. We have stayed nicely warm while sleeping in the cold in this bag. Rated for 30-degrees, we have slept in it down to 13. The bag, by itself, is not very warm at that temperature. We layer a blanket between the sleeping pads and the sleeping bags for some extra insulation. When it is very cold I also use a [...]
Creamy Tomato Soup
I remember eating tomato soup with grilled cheese sandwiches as a child. It is always a warm, fuzzy memory. I was recently given four pounds of ripe garden tomatoes. They were ripe enough that I needed to use them immediately so I decided to make tomato soup. I have made the soup before, but have always used canned tomatoes. This was my first attempt using fresh. Creamy Tomato Soup 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter 10 sprigs of thyme, tied together (I am lucky enough to have some in my container garden.) 1 medium onion, thinly sliced 2 garlic cloves thinly sliced 1/4 cup tomato paste 4 pounds of fresh tomatoes 2 teaspoons sugar, divided 1/4 cup heavy cream (or more to taste) Kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper I don't want to have seeds and tomato skins in the soup so my first step is to concasse the tomatoes. That is just a fancy term for tomatoes without the seeds and skins. It is not a difficult process. I put a pot of water on to boil. In the meantime, I cored the tomatoes and cut an X in the bottom. I also prepared an ice bath, a large bowl filled with ice [...]
My Kitchen Adventures
Part of my rediscovery of myself has included learning to cook. I know this is something that I should have learned in my first half-century of life but somehow did not. My poor babies ate a lot of processed food growing up. There were a few meals that I could do pretty well from scratch (macaroni & cheese) but most of my culinary efforts ended in epic fails. I always wanted better for them, but cooking was overwhelming and the fact that my efforts usually ended in disappointment created a severe aversion to it for me. Chris, however, is an amazing cook. He barely uses recipes, but somehow manages to create the most spectacular meals. He watches a LOT of food tv. He watches food on YouTube. He watches food shows on PBS. He watches cooking competitions. The default channel on our tv is The Food Network. He even leaves the tv on Food Network when we are not home, so our cat watches food tv. It is safe to say that I have watched a lot of food tv as well. The side effect of all of this food tv is I have learned a lot. This, combined with going [...]
A Cloud, Waterfalls, and a Rattlesnake
The night before our latest adventure I just could not sleep. I'm not sure why...the anticipation of a new adventure, menopausal insomnia, too keyed up from the busy night at work, too much going on in my head...your guess is as good as mine. We were planning to leave at 8 am. The last time I looked at the clock it was six. When the alarm went off at 6:30, I checked the weather and it was raining. The weather report said that it would be raining until 1 pm. There was no point in driving to the corn maze just to have to wait for the rain to stop, so I reset the alarm to get a few more hours of sleep. We were out the door at 10. The rain caused all sorts of backups on the interstate, but we arrived at our lunch spot in just a little over two hours. The Market at Grelen was a beautiful place for lunch, despite the nasty weather. While having lunch, I called the corn maze to find out that they would not be opening because of the weather. We took our time exploring the gift shop after lunch and then headed for the [...]
Dot’s Back Inn Review
On our way home from our latest trip, we stopped at Dot's Back Inn in Richmond, VA for dinner. It is a small diner-style restaurant decorated in WWII style decor, right down to the paper doll displays in the bathroom. It tickled me to see the sign in the bathroom that read, "If you sprinkle when you tinkle, please be neat and wipe the seat". It took me back to my childhood. I went to work with my father and saw the same sign on the back of the door. I must have been at a very impressionable age because the phrase has always stuck with me. I have seen signs with a similar sentiment, but never phrased exactly the same. Dot was the name of a waitress who started working in the 40s, making it an almost 50-year career. The owner dedicated the restaurant to her and every hard-working waitress who never had the opportunity to own their own place. I enjoyed reading the thought behind the diner's name and theme. The menu is huge and they have a board full of specials as well. We ordered Fried Oysters from the Specials Board to start. The oysters were large, crunchy, juicy, and delicious. [...]
The Market at Grelen Review
On our way to the mountains, we stopped at The Market at Grelen in Somerset, VA for lunch. Located on a 600-acre tree nursery, this is a gorgeous dining spot. We walked through beautiful plants, flowers, and a patio with outdoor seating into what looked more like a store than a restaurant. I was a little confused and thought we might be in the wrong place until the staff pointed us to the counter where we would order our food. The pleasant woman at the counter answered our questions about the menu, gave us a taste of cider, and pointed us to the greenhouse for indoor seating since it was raining outside. The greenhouse was a lovely spot with plants all around and a beautiful array of flowers in a variety of colors adorning the tables. I really enjoyed the miniature fairy garden display. In a very short time, our food arrived. I picked the "Adult" Grilled Cheese Panini with Grelen Potato Salad. The grilled cheese, made with Fontina, Brie, and smoked Gouda with plum chutney and arugula on sourdough, was very good. I enjoyed the potato salad as well. I absolutely loved the bread & butter pickles. They had a wonderful combination of tart and [...]
A Great Day and A Dream Come True
One of my favorite DJs is Martin Garrix. We discovered him a few years ago watching Tomorrowland on YouTube. Ever since that first exposure, I have wanted to see him live. Unfortunately, he rarely plays near me. Our son, Joe, told us that he had a show scheduled at Echostage in Washington, D.C. After my initial excitement, I realized that the show was on a Saturday night. Having just started a new job a few weeks earlier, I did not feel that it would be right to ask for a weekend night off, especially since I would be off the following weekend for the upcoming wedding. In March my favorite uncle died. He donated his body to science (I can remember him telling me that was his plan when I was a girl) so the funeral would be after the family received his remains. As it turned out his funeral was the same day as the concert. The funeral was in Maryland, not far from Echostage. We were able to get the time off from work. The plan was to go to the funeral in the morning and then go to the concert that night. It was a sold-out show, but I was able to find secondhand tickets, albeit pricier than face value. A few weeks before [...]
Metro 29 Diner Review
On our way home from D.C., we stopped at Metro 29 Diner in Arlington for breakfast. I loved the silver, old school diner building. As we walked through the first set of doors the manager (or at least that is who we assumed he was) graciously opened the second set of doors as he warmly greeted us. Breakfast was off to a really good start. We ordered coffee while we looked at the menu. Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives featured the French toast on their show. It was tempting but I ended up getting eggs Benedict instead. The dish was good with beautifully poached eggs. Chris ordered a Greek omelet. The first sign that something was wrong was when the plate arrived. The eggs and the potatoes were the same color. The severely overcooked eggs looked like scrambled eggs folded over, with ingredients cooked into the eggs instead of filling them. Noticing that the food was uneaten, the server asked if Chris would like a box. When he explained why he did not eat the food, the server became argumentative. As we left the restaurant, the manager once again opened the door for us and warmly thanked us for coming. Cost for two [...]