Durango, CO...just can't stay away!

2 summers ago, when Tanner and I started dating, we decided to take a real road trip together before we headed our separate ways for the school year.  I am a by the books kind of person, I always have a plan, I always know where I am going, and I USED to think it had to be that way.  Then, I met Tan.  He has shown me that life doesn't have to have a plan always, you just have to go with it sometimes!  So, we left one August night and headed in the Colorado direction.  All night driving and many stops along the way with no agenda.  WONDERFUL!  We hit Santa Fe, Durango, Telluride, Ourray...and many places in between.  In three days we covered close to 3,000 miles!  That little story was background info for this past weekend.

Our first road trip out west to Colorado!

 On Friday, after Tan got home from work, we loaded up my car with a snowboard, snacks, and lots of warm wear!  We headed for our second trip to Durango, CO!  Yep, we fell so in love with it in the summer that we knew that is where we wanted to take our first mini vacation.  The trip started out great.  We entered Durango into the GPS and took off!  Sadly, I fell asleep before 10...But I rallied later.  It was all going so smoothly until--the Panhandle of Oklahoma in the middle of the night.  All the sudden, there were no cars, no towns, and not much gas in the tank!  Unfortunately at that same time, we hit icy roads, heavy wind, AND Tan had a passenger in desperate need of a bathroom.  Nope, not an option.  So, I did what any girl would do.  I had Tan pull over on the side of the road.  Usually, this quick bathroom stop on the roadside is a technique I have mastered.  Not tonight.  The moment I squatted...the wind slammed the door completely shut on my hand!  Luckily, I was able to open it without passing out.  But after I was free, I wilted in the car.  Not a pretty moment.  Needless to say, Tan packed my now "elephant hand" an ice bag of snow and we trucked on.  With that being the only mishap, we pulled into Durango around 9:30 AM.

When the GPS took us through the Panhandle...We bought an Atlas.

Nearly there!

Made it to Durango!

How could anyone not want to see this?

Ahhhh.  Durango, Colorado.  If you haven't experienced it, DO!  It is the ideal place for the outdoor lover.  Summers of hiking, Winters of skiing/boarding and snow capped mountains, Falls full of golden Aspen trees, and Springs full of rafting and waterfalls.   Yep, pretty close to heaven on earth.  People worry about what hiking boots to get, not what high heels to buy.    I have a pretty strong feeling we will end up there several times a year, and eventually we hope to have rental property nearby!  Seriously, it is that great!

Durango from a mountain top we climbed.

The nature trail 300 feet up right in town!

Snowfall one night in downtown.

Prettiest sidewalk I've ever seen.

Now, the actual trip.  We played around downtown on Saturday, just taking it all in and walking around before we could get in our hotel.  By now, Tan hadn't slept since Thursday night (I had several naps in the car!)  So when we got to the hotel late afternoon....he, deservingly, crashed hardcore.  Sunday, we woke up early to hit the Durango Diner for a hearty breakfast and then HIT THE SLOPES!  We drove up to Purgatory Mountain for Tan to board and I skied.  We decided Green slopes were for us.  Tan tried one Blue and when he got to the bottom of the mountain, I noticed quite a bit of snow in his jacket.  He had once again "crashed hardcore"  in the snow this time.  After a day of the slopes, we headed back to Durango for a night out at an Irish Pub.  Monday, we spent the day in Durango.  We hiked 300 ft straight up a snow covered trail that overlooks the town, had lunch at a local brewery Carvers, spent some time at my favorite coffee shop The Steaming Bean, and then had our last dinner at another very happening local brewery Steamworks.  Love the local places in town.  Tuesday morning, we woke up early and hit the Steaming Bean once more for some coffee to get us going.  Man oh man, that was a wonderfully perfect fast few days with my husband.

We walked out of our hotel to this every day.

Downtown Durango

Here comes more snow!

It was FREEZING up on the slopes!

And...There was crazy snow the entire time we were up on the mountain.

 We drove straight back, hardly stopping, trying to get home to our puppies.  I don't think an hour went by when we didn't wonder what they were doing.  Luckily they were left in good hands with Mom, Erin, & Scott.  We made it back last night around 9:30.  13 and a half hours from the breath-taking mountains to Cave Springs.  Along the way we saw elk, antelope, and mule deer, different wildlife is always interesting to us.  212 pictures and many memories later, we ran in to love on Digo and Faye before we even unpacked.  Love those dogs and they seemed to miss us as well!  : )   We truly love Durango, but we agree that HOME is pretty nice too.  Guess you can't complain when you have it all--happily married, road trips, puppies, and a husband I love traveling, laughing, and making memories with.  As always...Blessed.   

Mountains around Durango

The Continental Divide...Headed home out of the snow.  No worries Durango, we will return soon!

Mallett Super Bowl 2012

For as long as I can remember, the Super Bowl at mom and dad's has been our, some may say, "Second Christmas."  Many years ago, we would eat until we were sick, then run and change into fancy clothes because we just KNEW Publisher's Clearing House Sweepstakes was going to come knocking on our door and present us with that big check at halftime.  We would even dream about what all we would do with our winnings.  Oh goodness, the excitement of innocence. 

Mom and dad played it up big every year, and luckily...we still get to go home and celebrate the Super Bowl!  The only change is that we stay in our sweatpants from kick off until the final whistle blows.  Sweatpants are a necessity with the spread mom lays out for us.  The rule--If it is a favorite food, it goes on the Super Bowl menu.  The only non-exception staples...Mom's famous boiled shrimp and massive crab legs, and dad's oh so famous gumbo and half time chocolate malts.  This year add-ons included Artichoke dip, Kyle's Cheese Ball, Cauliflower Hummus, Cheddar Biscuits, Potato Skins, and Rice Crispy Treats. Now, do you see why the sweatpants are a requirement?  You always start with mom's crab legs and shrimp.  She has a gift for making perfectly delicious cocktail sauce to go along with her perfectly delicious seafood.  After all the face stuffing the first half of the game, dad busts out the blender and whips up these chocolate malts that may as well been sent from heaven.  I don't care how FULL you are, you NEVER turn down one of dad's Super Bowl Half Time Malts.  Good thing we only do this once a year! 

Oh, and I forgot to mention that on top of food, family, and full bellies...We make a grid to win money for the game score each quarter.  In most places, you would have to "buy in" to get your name on a grid in order to win some cash.  But our style is slightly different...We evenly fill the grid with our names without paying in, and dad pays out to the winners!  I mean, who can argue with free money???  I can't say I am a frequent big winner, but it is all exciting to follow along and keep your fingers crossed during the game!  This year was even more exciting because Ryan Mallett, our cousin, was drafted to the Patriots this past year.  Dad bought us all a Patriots Super Bowl shirt in order to show our support.  Aunt Debbie and Uncle Jim, Ryan's mom and dad, were there and texting the whole time.  Even though we lost, it was great fun to look for Ryan on TV.  Way to go Ryan, we are all proud! : )

After a sad Patriot loss and 7 bulging bellies, we all parted ways.  Kyle went back to Harrison, Erin & Scott to Bentonville, and Tanner, Digo, Faye, & I to Cave Springs.  I can't say enough how great our trips to Mtn. View are.  Even better, Tanner and I get to see both sides of our family going home.  Marrying a hometown boy with a wonderful family...nice choice I must say!  Love my families, love our traditions, love life. 

Headed to Mtn. View!  Tan & I don't travel light!

And the cooking begins!

Scott showing dad & Tan some of his fly fishing skill...and he has skill!

I guess all the puppies wanted to crash with Scott!

The boys went fly fishing Sunday morning...Notice Rudy stealing the show.

And there it is...Mallett Super Bowl Spread 2012

Been this way since we were little.  Can't beat food, football, & family!

Now, who wouldn't want that plate of shrimp & crab legs?

We wore Digo out by half time.

Kyle is drooling for his malt as dad does his thing!  No Super Bowl is complete without that Chocolate Malt!

7 months married and still kickin'

7 months ago today, with butterflies in my stomach, I was prepping to marry my best friend.  Hair spray and bobby pins flying, make-up in the works, and family and friends every direction I turn--Man oh man, what a day that was leading up to my fairytale wedding evening.  I can't express the magnitude of help we had with our wedding.  For three days before the big day, my aunts, uncles, and cousins were working like they had a fire beneath their feet!  The boys were hauling chairs and tables, cutting trees, mowing, weed eating, and who knows what else!  The girls were making flower arrangements, decorating tables, cementing trees in buckets, and once again..who knows what else!  It was the most wonderful whirlwind a bride could imagine.  I know every girl says their wedding is special, but I am here to say, mine truly was! 

Family, family, family...there is my wedding in a nutshell!  Tanner and I were blessed to have two families that went ALL OUT to give us a dream wedding.  The reception was at Tanner's house down by the creek.  His dad cleared land, his mom perfected the landscape, they built a dock for the kids to play in the creek, and then decorated with color exploding everywhere on the tables.  I think there were at least 20 kids under the age of eight.  Mix kiddos with a creek in the summer and you have a party!  Water, fishing, paddle boats, canoes, fireworks...can you imagine a more exciting rehearsal dinner?

Then, there was the wedding.  Dad completely created our wedding venue, yes I am calling it a venue because by the time he finished, it looked better than any picture from a magazine.  He built a rock wall, planted tons of flowers, built a pergola for the hill, repainted the porch, and built a rock walk way.  All that, just in the front yard for the ceremony.   Then there was the backyard for the reception.  Whiskey barrel tables everywhere, tables full of beautiful centerpieces, and beautiful food and cakes.  I think Kyle even lost some major pounds with all his hardcore labor -Haha...Brother of the year!  Mom worked day and night to get the house looking great and it did!  Now at one point she had talked me into scrubbing a vent on the ceiling with a toothbrush...I guess it was the least I could do.  Right mom?! : )  Honestly, it is all still a blur.  Sometimes, I wish I could redo it all in slow motion!  The pictures of our wedding came out beautifully (Thanks, Mallory Berry!) but I am still not sure if they do the whole shindig justice! 

Now, for the actual marriage.  Most important part no doubt!  Let me just say, until I met Tanner, a piece of me was missing.  Our story is an interesting one that's for sure, but I wouldn't change a second of it.  From a spur of the moment road trip to Colorado in August that started it all, to an engagement that December, to a wedding in July.  I get tired just thinking about it all...yet smile at every perfect memory created the past year and a half.  When Tanner and I finally realized, what are we doing?  We are meant to be together!  Erin called it years ago she said. : )  I guess it just took us a few more summers at the cave to realize what we had!  Anyway, a whirlwind romance, a whirlwind wedding engagement and planning, and a summer wedding of my dreams.  Walking down that aisle with my dad's arm around my waist, I knew I was walking up "The Hill" as we all call it to the only guy I could ever picture myself marrying.  I cannot describe how much love we have for each other.  My only hope is that all marriages beam love like I feel that ours does. 

July 2, 2011 was only the beginning of the life we have started together.  It was a fairytale wedding come true.  I got my prince that day, with all our family and friends by our sides smiling, crying, and clapping.  What more could a girl ask for? 

The happy couple!

Something borrowed...our lucky buckeyes.

All of our Bell Boys, Flower Girls, and Helpers!

Perfect Wedding Party

Two great families...Blessed!

That is ALOT of Malletts!

And the Parsons' side!

Giving me away...

Could we smile more?

Reception time!

Yum!

A green candy buffet...it was a hit with the kiddos!

One of my favorites...Beautiful work dad.  Thank you to all who helped!!!

Relaxing Saturdays...Overrated.

While most people sleep in, wake up late, and, oh yeah, relax on a Saturday--We run and work in this part of Arkansas!  As you know, Erin and I are in full training mode for the Little Rock Marathon that is coming up the first week of March.  Weekends for us mean get up and RUN...A LOT! Today we tackled our first 20 miler of the training.  So, here is how our Saturday rolled out.  Tanner and I woke up about 6:30, had my coffee, bowl of Bran Flakes with a banana, a glass of water, and then bundled up to take on the 24 degree weather.  Tanner headed out to work on the NEARLY FINISHED deck as Erin made it over from her apartment, and we took off on foot to beat that 20 miles...

20 miles, man that sounds like a long way to run.  It simply is.  Running for nearly 3 1/2 hours is a long time and your body knows it.  I know it seems like a beyond ridiculous suggestion, but if you ever get the urge DO IT!  Honestly one of the most accomplished moments of my life is crossing a marathon finishing line.  Taking on and beating 26.2 miles takes strength, determination, faith, and heart.  Tanner always asks after a long run, "What do y'all talk about?"  It is such a good question, and I don't know how we do it, but we always manage to find odds and ends to discuss and keep us trucking on our route.  A running partner gets you like no one else, only they know your pain, blisters, aches, laughs, stories, and moments of bliss/torture as you finish a run.  Our dad, who is training for the marathon in Mtn. View, is always with us in spirit.  It never fails that Dad comes up in our running convos.  In case you didn't know, my dad is a RUNNING BEAST!  He could blow Erin, I, and most runners out of the water, but you would never know it.  He does his thing in a "super hero runner" kind of way with no one noticing how he kills his runs, then calls and always asks how ours was.  As we complain and whine, he usually says, "Mine was tough, but good."  No complaints, no endless whining, no collapsing on the couch...He just does it.  Yep, Super hero no doubt. 

Anyway, back to our 20 miles.  About half way through, Tanner and Scott come up behind us blasting the truck horn.  It was like the sky opened and heaven rained down as they handed us each a Gatorade out the window!  Pretty amazing husbands, right?  : )  Blessed!  That gave us the boost to make it nearly 3/4 of the way there...15 miles...at which point our wonderful husbands had left Gatorade and an energy boosting banana.  Man oh man, until you have a banana 15 miles into a run, you have no idea how truly delicious they are.  Thanks Tan & Scott!  A few more hills, a few more moans, and a few more miles later, we roll down the last hill to the house.  Yes, we did it!  They say if you can run 20 you can do 26.2...Have you tried it?  Erin and I decided today that if you can do 20 that is killer, but that last 6.2 is still going to nearly knock you dead.  But hey, we are tackling it and beating it come March. 

I may complain, I may be exhausted, and I may hurt now, but if you could just put yourself in our shoes when we finally cross that finish line I know you would say..."Hey, maybe I can do this."  All I am saying is, don't knock it 'til you try it.  It will be the hardest task you ever take on, but it will be one of the most memorable few hours of your life as you run through crowds of people screaming for you, holding signs for you, pumping you with water, Gatorade, candy, and GU...and then finally making that last leap over that beautiful line, having that metal placed around your neck, and spotting your family run at you with hugs and smiles.  No doubt about it, run a marathon. 

Oh and the deck progress today...It has been a marathon deck building day.  Tanner and Scott worked while we ran, then they went home.  Tan is still working on it as I blog.  I have stayed out here with him and shoveled...POUNDS...of puppy poop from the yard, while he has hammered, nailed, and sawed his way through the day.  Way to go Tan, you have nearly done it!

I'm not sure if Erin beat the 20 miles or the 20 miles beat her.  : )

Digo & Faye helping the boys build the deck...They oversee the work.

We have stairs today!

Scott gave Erin a lift up the stairs...they work great!

Tan finishing up the stairs!

Working on the railing, he said I picked a tedious design.  Sorry Tan, you know I love ya!

Dang...now that is some pretty deck railing, right?

Newlywed Thursday Nights

Two sets of newlyweds, two marathon running wives, two husbands building a deck, oh and of course DINNER!  Yep, that pretty much sums up the Parsons/Terrell weekly Thursday night agenda.  Before Erin and Scott married in December, Erin would come over every Thursday night for a little run and a real meal.  Living alone as she was, I have a feeling her dinners were far from balanced or exciting.  So, once a week Tanner and I would fix a meal to satisfy.  Then, once she became Mrs. Terrell and Scott joined us up here in northwest AR, we decided to truck on with our Thursday tradition!  It is great, every other week we switch homes for dinner. I love that it is our "thing" that keeps us all close.

Sometimes, people get so caught up in work, home, sleep...work, home, sleep...Work is stressful and exhausting, home is a safe place to relax in your PJs, and sleep, well a good night of sleep says enough for itself--Except if you are privileged enough to have the company of a massive golden retriever and sweet little lab curled up at the end of your bed  : ) --   But taking time to sit back with your sister, brother-in-law, and wonderful husband is worth leaving the PJs in the drawer a few extra hours.  My point is, even when people you love and enjoy spending time with live down the road, it is hard to make time to see them sometimes.  Thursday night dinners keep us going strong as the fantastic four! 

Last week Erin and Scott made Chicken Enchiladas full of cheesy goodness.  Oh, and I have to mention two weeks before that Scott busted out these Coffee Pork Chops that were KILLER!  I mean, truly, one of the most amazing foods I have ever put in my mouth.  I am beyond stuffed, and still my mouth waters for them now.  I will try to coax him in to sharing the recipe so I can share it with you!  Tonight was my night.  We went Asian Style with Spicy Chicken Stir Fry *made with my mom's homemade sauce*, health-ified baked cream cheese rangoons, and for dessert...Chocolate Banana Baked Wontons.  Yum!  AND...Rather healthy!  I decided to share the dessert wonton recipe tonight.  Give it a go next time you have an Asian inspired dinner!

Chocolate Banana Wontons
Source: Adapted from Weight Watchers

24 wonton wrappers
4 Tbsp semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 medium firm banana, chopped
Powdered Sugar to sprinkle
Cocoa Powder to sprinkle

1.Mix chocolate chips and chopped banana. 
2. Spoon 1 teaspoon of the filling onto each wonton wrapper.
3. Lightly moisten edges of wonton wrappers with water, fold wrappers over filling diagonally, and pinch at seam to keep all the goodness in while baking.
4. Bake at 350 for 12-14 minutes, or until top is lightly browned.
5. Place on serving tray, sprinkle with powdered sugar and cocoa powder.
6. Serve warm.

ENJOY your "not-so-bad for you" wonton pillow of melted chocolate and banana! Not a bad way to end a Thursday night right?  Family, food, running, deck building...Yep, definitely look forward to all the Thursdays to come!

the love of my kitchen...

Reading Recipes, Trying New Ideas, Baking Goodies, My Own Kitchen Creations--Yep, that pretty much sums me up in my spare moments away from time with Tanner, teaching 3rd grade, and running.  The kitchen is my "safe haven".  When I dig out the measuring spoons, bowls, spatulas, and pans...I get this feeling of, well, simplistic joy I guess.  It is hard to describe the enjoyment I get from cooking and baking. 

I grew up in the kitchen with both, my mom and dad.  I remember being little and getting to cut dumpling dough with a butter knife with mom, and making glaze for dad's, oh so famous, homeade doughnuts and cinnamon rolls.  To this day, not a holiday goes by where you don't find mom, Erin, and I in the kitchen cooking, baking, and ALWAYS laughing.  I have nothing but cherished memories in the kitchen, I guess this is where my passion is rooted.  Thanks mom and dad for all those special kitchen moments! 

Not many days pass by that I am not tweaking recipes I  have found and want to try.  My flaw, I guess you could say, is that I like to challenge myself to "health-ify" any recipe I can get my hands on.  Tanner is a great sport, as he eats and seems to enjoy most concoctions I throw out in front of him for dinner.  I am blessed to have a husband who encourages my kitchen addiction!  Part of my reasoning for starting a blog was to start sharing and actually writing down my recipes.  I am cursed with the desire to throw things together and it actually turn out well, yet never measure or write down my creations.  I always talk about my new recipes and recipe tweaks with my mom and sister, they always say, "Well where is my cookbook of these recipes?"  I have no answer...I have no written recipes!  So, it is time to start writing down ingredients, measurements, and directions.  It is time to share my passion with anyone looking for some healthy, yet satisfying, meals and sweets.  I hope they don't disappoint!  : )

This past weekend when my family was down, I made a muffin recipe that I have been making, tweaking, and remaking for the past year.  They seemed to be a hit, even Kyle my "your health food is going to kill me" brother seemed to enjoy them!  Give them a try!

Banana Blueberry Oat Muffins
Makes:  16 muffins

1 egg
2 ripe bananas, mashed
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup flour *mom tried whole wheat & considered it a success! : )
1/2 cup natural apple sauce
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup quick cooking oats
1/2 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)
1/2 cup chopped pecans (or other nuts you have on hand)

1. Preheat oven to 350.  Spray muffin tin with cooking spray.
2. In large bowl, mix egg, bananas, brown sugar, apple sauce, and vanilla.
3. In small bowl, mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
4. Gently stir flour mixture and oats into banana mixture.
5. Fold in blue berries and nuts.
6. Spoon into muffin tin and bake at 350 for 20 minutes.

Enjoy with some cold fresh fruit and a cup of warm coffee!  Not a bad way to start any day!

Family Weekend Visit

Saturday morning around 6:30, Erin and I took off on an EIGHTEEN MILE RUN for our marathon training while Tanner and Scott got to work on the deck.  Back in Mountain View, dad had ran his EIGHTEEN MILES starting at 4:30...crazy I know...and then he and mom loaded up to come to our home for a visit!  Luckily, they were able to pick up some extra "baggage" (aka my older brother, Kyle) in Harrison along the way!  I love when family comes to visit.  We are blessed with two great sets of parents who come see us here in Cave Springs.  It is quite a drive at over 3 hours, but I love every second of it.  Now, "visitor prep time" is not my finest hour, as I tend to have OCD traits that, I admit, make me a rather annoyingly, crazy house cleaner.  What can I say, I like to show off the home I am so proud to share with Tanner, Digo, and Faye.  Everyone truly came to see the wonderfully amazing deck Tan has built, yes, still a proud wife.  When mom, dad, and Kyle finally got here, I think we were out the back door on THE DECK within 30 seconds.  They, as all should be, were blown away by his handy work.  Once again, nice work Tan!

Weekends with family literally fly by!  We play the "how many family fun activities can you pack into 24 hours" game.  The boys-Kyle, dad, Tanner, and Scott-went out to Academy to get Kyle some golfing essentials he couldn't live without, while the girls-Mom, Erin, and I-stayed here to prep dinner.  I LOVE time in the kitchen with my mom and sister, there is no better bonding two girls can have with their wonderful mom.  *Sidebar...Thanks mom for showing us how to love a kitchen and make the most of every second spent cooking with and for family*  When the boys returned from "guy time,"  we all loaded up to visit the recently finished Crystal Bridges Museum.  Our quick 10 minute drive there ended up in a 45 minute search for the main entrance.  Who knew a HUGE museum could be so hard to find, right Scott & Erin? : )  We made it exactly 30 minutes before close, so all we had time for was a quick run through one section.  Oh well, the area we saw was unbelievable and we all can't wait to go back for a DAY at the museum.  After our outing, we came back home to BBQ sandwiches with all the fixins' and time together laughing like we always do.  Man oh man, I love the sound of a HOME full of laughter. 

This morning, we all woke up early, too early for a weekend, but being an early riser runs in the family.  Digo and Faye gladly woke Kyle up the couch as they full-on mauled him within 2 seconds of noticing him on the couch!  Coffee, oatmeal blueberry muffins, and a fruit salad...What a way to start a morning!  Kyle's one comment, "Where is the bacon?"  Come on Kyle, you should have known I would have brought on the healthy full force!  I couldn't ask for anything more than a house full of family, it is a blessing to be a part of such a strong family and now starting my own with Tanner.  After a few more moments walking in awe around the deck, everyone loaded up and headed out. 

Tanner, Mom, Dad, Kyle, Scott, & Erin--Thanks for every moment of memories and laughs.

Mom shopping in Erin & Scott's "Wedding Room".  I like it, it means they have to visit us often!

Had to get a family photo on THE DECK.

That is as close as I could get to the group with a 10 second timer...not blessed with speed.

Dad gave us 2 benches he built for Erin & Scott's wedding.  Love them, thanks dad!

Man, what a happy drive way full of cars!

Looking over the deck one last time, and of course watching the puppies.

Dad admiring my handyman husband's work! : )