Hiking in our own backyard

Last Saturday, we decided to take advantage of the hiking trails we have in Discovery Bay and went exploring. We basically climbed up one of the mountains close to our apartment and followed the trail back down into the center of our town. It was an incredible view! Although it would have been better without the clouds, you could still see most of Discovery Bay.




We came across quite a few interesting things during our hike.

1. A sign at the beginning of the trail warned us not to "strike any bushes" or "disturb any combs." I guess this was their way of telling us not to beat around the bush?

2. We found a trigonometrical station. We had no idea what it was for but it must be something cool with a name like that.

3. The funny tree. The picture speaks for itself.

4. We thought this looked like the opening of the hatch on Lost so Daniel climbed inside. Unfortunately, he did not find Desmond in there.

We also saw some really cool birds and beautiful butterflies on our hike back down the mountain. It was really nice to have such a great hiking trail so close to home. We had a great day exploring and enjoying the "fresh" air. 

Shabbat Recipes

Tonight I am making my famous Barbeque Beef Brisket and prize winning Kugel (I didn't win a prize, but apparently someone did). We actually found the recipe on the Coozer Files - so thanks Adam! It has got to be one of the most unhealthy dishes ever because it contains almost have a dozen eggs, cream cheese, sour cream, and almost three sticks of butter. But we don't care because it is delicious!!!!! To be honest, I can't imagine something with those ingredients not tasting good. I also make a potato kugel and a raisin/apple noodle Kugel (recipe passed to me by Courtney from her grandmother's kitchen). I keep a nice kugel rotation going.

Check out the recipe for the Prize Winning/Super Fattening Kugel and a photo!

Butter (for the dish)

Salt, to taste

16 ounces medium egg noodles

1 1/4 cups (2 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

6 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

1 cup honey

5 eggs

1 cup sour cream

1. Set the oven at 350. Generously butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.

2. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the noodles according to package instructions until they are tender. Drain them and rinse with cold water. Spread them evenly in the baking dish.

3. In an electric mixer, cream the butter and cream cheese. Beat in the honey, followed by the eggs, one at a time. Beat in the sour cream. The mixture should be thick and creamy. Pour it over the noodles.

4. Bake the kugel for 45 to 60 minutes or until it is set and golden brown. Let the kugel sit for 10 minutes. Cut and serve.

Lost without Lost

Why isn't it on this week?!! That is all.

My Taschen has four corners, four corners has my Taschen

Happy Purim! Daniel and I celebrated Purim by making our own hamantaschen. Traditionally, these should have three corners but it seemed that I had a funny habit of pinching them in the wrong place and giving them four corners. Regardless, they were delicious and we have been eating handfuls every day since we made them. Daniel also brought a bunch to work and his coworkers raved about them. 

Here's Daniel rolling the dough...

We made chocolate and strawberry jelly filling. Yummmm...



These flowers weren't specifically for Purim, but Daniel brought them home for me a few days before Purim and they are still blooming almost a week later! Purple Purim Roses - why not? :-)