Fun Adventures Going Off the Grid

I have said time and time again that this blog is not about being a "survivalist" or being one of those people from the TV show "Doomsday Bunkers" on the Discovery channel .  (And I should add, that if it ever gets to the point where the end of the world is about to happen - aren't I going to be the one who's sorry?) But, instead - this blog is all about disconnecting a bit - and allowing ourselves time to enjoy life.  Putting down the phones or turning off the TV once in a while to enjoy a quick getaway vacation or just a relaxing afternoon picnic with the family.  Well, I was recently informed from a friend that this one family in North Carolina took steps to "disconnect" - and it snowballed.  In a good way.  I asked her to share her story - and she gladly accepted (thank you!) Here is her story - in her own words.  I have to say - I'm definitely inspired.  See more on her blog, http://www.offgridhomestead.blogspot.com Robb an...

 I am staying here in Nebraska for a couple of days visiting my husband's family.  I was secretly dreading it.  It is Nebraska - in July.  It's usually hotter than hell here in the summer.  And humid.  Where does the humidity come from? The corn. Seriously. But as this trip comes to an end, I realize that this flat, vast land - that is so different from the landscape that I grew up around on the east coast -  feels so much like home to me.  I only lived here for a couple of years, and yet, coming back,  I feel like I never left.  Maybe because I feel so comfortable around my husband's family.  They are all such warm, loving people and have made me feel a part of their family from the moment I met them.  But that's how these Nebraskans are.  They are incredibly kind.  I mean it.  I've lived in several different cities and states over the years and let me tell you - you won't find nicer people than those wh...

My husband is from Nebraska (I know, you're thinking.. that's in the middle somewhere, right?) and yes, you'd be correct. You don't need to ask him where he's from either because he's always proudly announcing it with his very bright red football t-shirts.  This vast state is filled with my husband's family members.  Seriously.  The population of the state has got to be made up of mostly his family.  They're like mosquitoes.. they. are. everywhere.  ( I joke that there is nothing to do in the state but breed and that's why there are so many of them running around.) And like family does, they want you to visit. It was time. I used to live in Lincoln.  I can distinctly remember driving out from Pennsylvania with my cat in tow in the middle of winter thinking to myself, "what in the world am I doing?" I moved out there for a job.  I knew no one.  I've never been west of West Virginia! Well, what I didn't know at the time, was the 4 ye...

Nothing beats a juicy hamburger on the grill during the summertime.  THIS is my husband's favorite food of all time.  If he could eat hamburgers for the rest of his life it would suit him just fine.  Problem is, he douses everything with ranch.  I know, disgusting, right?  I often beg him not to do it, to just try meal before grabbing the ranch dressing.  He sometimes will oblige, then shrug his shoulders and say, "it's alright.  Needs ranch." Ugh.  So I have relented to the fact that no matter what I prepare, how beautiful the meat, or how I season it, he's going to sop all that flavor up with some thick, juicy ranch dressing.  I'm over it (my mother on the other hand still cringes and gets upset.)  I guess after 10 years of marriage you just give up on certain things. Well, enter today's featured recipe.  This burger just may stop my husband in his tracks.  This recipe is from my friend, JD Sutphin, who was on  the show...

When you're having people over for the 4th of July you want to impress them, right?  You want to serve something memorable that your guests will ask you, "how did you make that?" Well, I came across a recipe that I thought was perfect and decided to try it on the show. ( My co-host gets all the credit for making all 5 of these cakes while I was out on a story) but we built it together LIVE on the air and while I did think we were going to have one of those Pinterest "Nailed It" moments, it turned out pretty good! Put this fun recipe in your recipe book to make next year! Thanks to Food 52 for this idea! Here is the video from our show and below you'll find the step-by-step instructions.  Not too shabby!!  Leaning a little to the left (no political reference haha! ) but still decent!!   Here are the instructions:   Author Notes: This is a simple white cake with a patriotic surprise inside. First thing's first, you need five 9-inch...

Green Apple Salad Dressing I recently headed to Garth Newel Music Center for a story - that story will come in the next few days, but I had to share this recipe I got from their Executive Chef, Josh Elliot. Josh and I had a nice conversation and I found out this guy has quite the following.  He used to own a restaurant and catered numerous events and has cooked in just about every single person's home who lives in Bath County, Virginia.  Trust me, if you live in Bath County, you know Josh Elliot's cooking. Here's an EASY salad dressing that he prepared for lunch for the staff the day I was visiting for my upcoming story.   1 Green apple Vinegar (1/4 cup)  white or apple cider vinegar (any will do) ¼ cup of sugar Green onions Blend.. Then Emulsify with olive oil That's it!  He also made a strawberry and raspberry vinaigrette dressing as well.  All you do is substitute those for the apple. You're welcome!!

My running buddy and I were having a chit chat on the way to our morning workout one day and we were talking about the meaning of life (what else do you talk about at 5am??) We got on the topic of struggles and working hard and really going through hardships to get what you want out of life.  I totally agreed with her, and I do think we all need to go through the bad to really appreciate the good.  How else would we know what the "good" really is anyway?  It got me thinking, have I struggled in my life or is my struggle coming later in life? No one knows really.  That's the beauty of it.  Yes, I've been through my share of unhappy times, bad boyfriends, jobs that really sucked, friends that let me down. (Haven't we all?) But have I "struggled??" and have I been through what I need to yet to get to where I need to be?  How can we answer that, really?  I can't answer that but I think there are times in our life when we have to say - no, life isn't...

I returned recently to what is now known as the Omni Homestead Resort to do another feature on this luxurious resort (I know, tough assignment, right?) But this time I  found myself experiencing something I never, not in a million years,  thought I'd ever get the chance to do. Here's a little snapshot - but be sure to watch the video below to see why this was such a thrill. So cool! This historic resort is located in the heart of Bath County, Virginia and sits on a 2-thousand acre estate.  If you haven't heard of it, do yourself a favor and log onto their website and plan your visit soon. It is an incredible place with world-class accommodations. It's known for its golf course where golfing legend Sam Snead perfected his game and where Thomas Jefferson would come to soak in the healing waters of the Jefferson Pools.  It was THE destination for 22 of our past U.S. presidents dating all the way back to the 18th century.  And it's wh...