First Friday at The Gardens

With summer in full swing (have I mentioned how much I freakin’ love summer?!?!) there are endless opportunities to get outside and enjoy Tulsa.  And it just so happens one of those opportunities is right around the corner – First Friday Concert Series.  The FFCS is held the first Friday of every month (as if the name wasn’t a dead giveaway) at The Gardens of La Fortune Park.  This event runs from May through September, with the concerts starting at 7:00pm.

It’s a wonderful chance to pack a blanket, some snacks, the dog, and the kids and spend some quality time with the family without spending a lot of money.  The musical acts vary from month to month but chances are – there will be something for everyone.  They also feature a free raffle drawing for gift cards to various eateries and such.

If you love the music of the Caribbean, you are in luck!  This Friday is Steel Around, a steel drum band playing the music of Jimmy Buffet, Bob Marley, and many others.

So after the BBQ, and the fireworks, and the swimming, pack your picnic basket and join me at the Gardens!

http://www.parks.tulsacounty.org/parks.aspx?page=lafortune

 

 

Tulsa Tough Blog

Earlier this month I was honored to be a part of the Saint Francis Tulsa Tough experience.  I seriously do not have the vocabulary to express how much I love this event.  It is my favorite weekend all year!  This year they allowed me to blog about my experiences training for a Gran Fondo and the event itself.  Below is my entire series of posts from the Tulsa Tough website.

Let's Get Rolling - post 1

In less than two months Saint Francis Tulsa Tough will be happening in our fair city!  My excitement about this event knows no limits.  But before I go much further, let me tell you how I got here.

It was a Thursday.  I received an email from Saint Francis Tulsa Tough about general goings-on and among all the tidbits was a little blurb asking for Ambassadors.  Oh my goodness!!  I literally could not apply fast enough.  And holy moly – I was accepted.  Now, I’m not exactly sure what the judging criteria was but really, that’s not the point.  The point is – I WAS ACCEPTED.  And then reality hit – hard!  The blogging would be the easy part.  I love Tulsa, I love riding my bike on the numerous trails, biking to brunch is one of my favorite things to do, and I lead a semi-healthy lifestyle.  The part that made me sick to my stomach was the fact that as an ambassador for Saint Francis Tulsa Tough, I would be expected to participate in an event – and not just the Townie Tour – but a real live, honest-to-goodness event.  Like a race or a Gran Fondo.  Holy crap!  Up until this point, the furthest I had ever biked was 14 miles, and that was stopping for beer – twice.  Now all of a sudden I was looking at biking a 27 mile Gran Fondo event alongside professionals.  I mean – for pete sake, I ride a townie bike and I don’t own anything made of spandex.  What had I gotten myself into??  So after my mini-breakdown, I put on my big girl pants and decided I could do this.  I may not finish first (well, let’s be honest, me finishing first would be a miracle) but I would finish.

Sunday was my first “official” training day.  I made a game plan, I mapped out a route, and I packed a bottle of water.  My plan was to bike north along Riverside to the 11^th street bridge, cross to the west side of the river all the way to Turkey Mountain, up around the mountain, down 71^st street and finally, finally, make my way back to my starting point on the east bank.  It would be 15 miles in all. 

The first part of my ride was easy-cheesy.  The wind was at my back, the sun was shining on my face, and it was a glorious afternoon.  Then I crossed at 11^th and everything changed.  No longer was I the elite athlete I imagined myself to be just a moment ago.  I was pedaling into a strong wind.  So strong, there were a couple of times I honestly felt like I was pedaling backwards.  But I kept going, not giving up.

I eventually reached the base of Turkey Mountain.  Now, if you’ve never experience this climb, it’s like scaling the north face of Mount Everest.  Okay, maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration but that’s how I felt.  I pedaled as hard as I could but eventually I just had to get off my townie and push the bike the remainder of the way.  And to add insult to injury, two men on unicycles passed me.  That’s right – unicycles!

The rest of my route was fairly easy.  It was mostly downhill and once I crossed back over the river, the wonderful wind that, just moments ago had been my worst enemy, was now my ally, pushing me along.  I made it back to my starting point exhausted but exhilarated.  I set a goal and I completed it.  Granted, it took me 1:32 to go 15 miles and somehow I don’t think that’s a very good time, but it’s not bad for just starting out.

So I hope you will follow along with me as I prepare for my very first Gran Fondo!  Hopefully you’ll be inspired to dust off that Schwinn and take it for a ride around the block.  The beauty of riding a bike is that you don’t have to be an athlete to enjoy it; you just have to step outside and get started.

 

Training for My First Gran Fondo: Week 2 or How I Managed To Not Get Off and Push! - post 2

Welcome back!  For those of you who read my first post, you know I’m training for my very first Saint Francis Tulsa Tough Gran Fondo.  My goal is to do the Petite 27, which will be the furthest I’ve ever traveled on my bike at one time.  Last week I managed to squeak out 15 miles in 1:32.  My goal this week was to do at least 17 miles.  Now, for all you professionals out there chuckling at my time – keep in mind I’m attempting to do this on my Electra Townie 3-speed.  Let’s be honest, this is a bike built for cruising – not speed.  The tires are whitewalls and they are so wide and fat, the brand name is actually Fat Franks.

 

Sunday was again my “training” day.  My planned route would take me south along Riverside Drive to 71^st Street, up to Turkey Mountain, along the west bank of the river to the 31^st street bridge to the Midland Valley Trail, taking the trail to 3^rd street downtown.  I would then take 3^rd through downtown until I reconnected with the Riverside Trail and eventually back to my starting point.  According to my riding partner, it made much more sense to travel clockwise because of the southern wind.  I still think he was yanking my chain but considering he owns spandex and I don’t (yet) I took his word for it.

We set off and almost immediately we were hit with the wind out of the south.  Seriously – when will it let up?  It almost had me wishing for those hot, humid days in July when nothing moves…..almost.  But as someone very wise once said – “the wind is nature’s trainer” – so we persevered.  We finally made it to the 71^st street bridge and my one and only goal at this point was to make it to the top of Turkey Mountain without having to get off and push.    AND I DID IT!!!  Sweet goodness, I did it!!  Granted, it’s a much more gradual climb than the “north face” version but still, it’s a climb!  By the time I got to the top I wanted to lie down in the cool grass and die, but I was too overjoyed (and winded) to do much more than gulp down some water.

We headed down the mountain to the west bank and sadly, it was at this point that I would reach my top speed for the day.  The ride along the west bank is spectacular.  It’s not as crowded as the east side and some of the views are absolutely stunning.  Plus that wonderful, wonderful wind was now at my back.  Now this was what cycling was all about!  Between you and me – when I’m riding into the sunshine and the wind is at my back, I swear I feel like I’m 9 years old again.

We crossed the pedestrian bridge and started on the Midland Valley Trail.  This trail has undergone a recent renovation and the bike path is wonderful.  We took this trail all the way to 3^rd and Madison and then cut through downtown to reconnect with the Riverside Trail at SW Boulevard.

The last part of our route was not quite as pleasant.  I was tired, my legs were burning, and that ridiculous wind would not let me be.  But I finished and I felt so accomplished and victorious.  Making it up that hill at 71^st street was so exhilarating – I had a celebratory beer at the end of my ride.  Okay, maybe it was two beers, but I earned them.  My final tally for the day was 18.08 miles in 1:58. 

And I’ve learned a few things in my two short training sessions –

1.       Sunscreen is your friend!  Don’t be foolish and think because it’s a cloudy day you’ll be okay.  You won’t!  You’ll get a sunburn and it’ll hurt and you’ll be cranky to all your friends and loved ones.  And then you’ll peel.

2.       Hydrate!  Hydrate!  Hydrate!  Water is your friend!  You are not a camel.

3.       Even though my bike seat is very cushy, it’s not nearly cushy enough.  I now see the appeal of padded bike shorts. 

Next week my goal is to actually ride my bike to another town!  So if you see me out riding, give me a shout of encouragement.  I’ll be the one on the baby blue Townie with white tires that could possibly fit a small car.

 

 

 

One More Month - post 3

Hello, again!  In less than a month Saint Francis Tulsa Tough will be here and I am positively giddy with excitement!!  Are you ready?  For those of you just now tuning in – I will be riding in my very first Gran Fondo event and I’ve been diligently “training” for a month now.  My training plan so far has been pretty basic – get on my bike and ride a little further each time.  And when I’m feeling especially athletic – try to make it up the “north face” of Turkey Mountain without getting off to push.  By the way – I still haven’t managed that goal – but I do get a little bit further each time.  Small victories, people, small victories.

As I look at the calendar, a little bit of anxiety is creeping into my gut.  I feel like I’m running out of time to train and will I actually be able to ride the 27 miles on my Townie?  And how bad will the hills be?  And will I be the last person to cross the finish line?  And how sore will I be?  Fortunately for me (or unfortunately, depending on where you stand) once I make up my mind to do something, there’s really not a lot that will persuade me otherwise.  So – 27 miles it will be.

Since we last chatted, I’ve explored a few more trails and continued to meet the goals I set for myself – mainly riding my bike all the way to another town!!  One chilly Saturday I took the Katy Trail into Sand Springs.  I had never been on this trail before but it looked easy enough on the map.  And the map was right – it was a very easy ride.  However, what the map failed to mention is that it wouldn’t be the most pleasant or scenic route.  All I’m saying is, it would have been better had I not been riding solo.

A fellow cycling enthusiast biked with me one evening after work.   She calls herself my “trainer” and has taken it upon herself to make sure my form is correct and that I’m cycling “properly”.  I’m not entirely sold on her qualifications but I will say, riding alongside her, I had my best time to date – 20.87 miles in 1:53.  Now, maybe it was her coaching or maybe, just maybe it was the relatively level trail and an almost complete lack of wind but either way, I’ll take it! 

I even took the advice of my fellow Saint Francis Tulsa Tough Ambassador, Stephen Lassiter and rode my bike to work a couple of times.  This took a little advance planning on my part but it was well worth the effort!  It was such a huge stress reliever to bike home after work.  I got a little exercise, enjoyed the beautiful afternoon, and I felt so environmentally friendly by not using any fuel. 

And, holy goodness, I even broke down and purchased my first official pair of cycling shorts.  I think I can honestly say they are probably the least attractive thing I’ve ever worn in my life and I will also agree that it’s made all the difference in the world on my….booty.

So now – I’m off to ride.  See you on the trails!

 

How One Night Changed My Life Forever - post 4

The year was 2010 and I had never even heard of Saint Francis Tulsa Tough (yes, as a matter of fact, I was living under a rock).  It was Friday night and with nothing better to do, some friends suggested we head downtown to check out the Friday night races.  I’m not going to lie – my first response was “Are you serious?  We’re going to stand on a sidewalk and watch a bunch of people ride their bikes in a circle?”  But standing there, in the middle of the intersection, with the cyclists whizzing by and the crowd going nuts and the palpable energy, I realized I was witnessing something spectacular.  My life would never be the same again.  After about 15 minutes I turned to my friends and said “That’s it, I’m buying a bike”.  And two weeks later that’s exactly what I did.  I walked into Lee’s Bikes and walked out with the love of my life – my Electra Townie.

After that I started reading everything I could about Saint Francis Tulsa Tough.  I was enthralled.  How could this amazing event have been happening all this time without me knowing about it?!?!  Not only the Friday night races but the Saturday events, the Townie Tour, Cry Baby Hill?!?!  Why did I not know about Cry Baby Hill!?!?!

 

Ever since that fateful night in 2010, I’ve eagerly looked forward to the “big weekend” and each year my involvement grows a little more.  In 2011 I participated in my first “official” ride – the Townie Tour, a family-friendly, 8-mile bike ride (and yes, I did get beat by an 8 year old girl on a fixie).  In 2012 I added a volunteer stint to my activities (if you have a few free hours – VOLUNTEER – this amazing event does not happen without many, many volunteers) and 2013 looks to be the best year to date – the Friday night races, my first Gran Fondo, volunteering, the Townie Tour, and doing a little sightseeing on Cry Baby Hill.

So when the big event rolls into town (see what I did there….”rolls” into town), get off your sofa, come downtown, and check it out.  It will change your life forever.  Besides, what else are you going to do – watch a rerun of Law & Order?

 

Wait!  When Did I Become A Cyclist?!? - post 5

Sweet goodness – Saint Francis Tulsa Tough is almost here!  I just can’t believe that in less than a week, thousands of cyclists from across the globe will be descending on Tulsa to see if they are Tulsa Tough.  It’s going to be a busy, fun, exciting weekend.  Are you ready?

 

When I started on this journey two months ago, I had a general idea of what to expect.  I figured I’d volunteer a little, get a sweet looking t-shirt, check out the crowds, and maybe, you know….ride my bike a bit.  What I wasn’t expecting was how much cycling would become a part of my life. 

After just two months of working towards my goal of my first Gran Fondo – I’m hooked!!  When I’m in a sporting goods store – I gravitate towards the cycling clothes just to see what might be in stock.  I no longer suffer from lycrophobia (fear of spandex).  I catch myself trolling eBay and Craigslist for a deal on a road bike (not that I’m giving up my Townie but one can never have too many bikes).  On a pretty day, all I want to do is go for a ride.  What happened?!?!  I used to be content with riding my bike a couple of miles every Sunday.  But that’s all changed.  I want to explore all the trails this amazing city has to offer.  I want to see Tulsa from a different point of view.  And I’ve even gotten my mother on board.  At 62, she has started riding again and has even signed up for the Townie Ride on Sunday. 

And now, it’s here.  The goal I’ve been working towards low these many weeks.  My nerves are already getting the best of me.  Just thinking about lining up at that starting line makes me jittery.  I can’t wait to cross the finish line – exhausted and elated all at the same time.  I may not have the fastest time on the course but I’ll have the best time!  I’M SO EXCITED (cue the Pointer Sisters). 

Take a chance!  Come out and see what all the fuss is about!  But be warned – you may find yourself trolling for a new bike….

 

I DID IT!!!! - post 6

I did it!!  That’s right, I completed my very first Grand Fondo (the Petite 27) on Saturday and I’ve never felt more accomplished or proud.  I’m not going to lie – it wasn’t a cakewalk (at one point I was the VERY LAST rider –and no, I am not even kidding) but I kept going and when I crossed that finish line – well, I just don’t think I have the words.  My time for the ride was 2:11.  Not too bad.  And I just want to thank everyone who sent out a word of encouragement.  You have no idea how much it meant.  My fellow Ambassador Nicole – your kind words on Friday really touched me.  I even had one rider pass me on Sunday and say “you’re the one with the Blue Townie.  Keep going, you’ll be great”.  And that’s just what I intend to do.  Next year I’m doing the 40!

 

The rest of the weekend was pretty spectacular as well.  The Friday night races were just as breathtaking as they’ve ever been.  I just can’t imagine someone watching the races and not getting excited about cycling.  And I don’t care what anyone else thinks – cyclists are BEASTS!  I don’t think there is a tougher class of athlete out there.

Sunday was just as fantastic!  My 62 year old mother rode in her first Townie Ride and she did great!  Let me tell you how proud I am of her.  She seriously had not been on a bike in almost 40 years and just started riding earlier this summer.  When I started talking about the upcoming Saint Francis Tulsa Tough weekend she asked me, “Do you think I could do the Townie ride?”  I told her she could do anything she set her mind to and that’s precisely what she did!  I’ve never seen anyone so happy to receive their medal at a finish line.

All in all the weekend was a raging success.  Tulsa is so fortunate to have people who see what can be and the determination to make it happen.  And I am so thankful that Saint Francis shares that vision and continues to provide the tremendous support that they do.  I love Tulsa and I’m proud to call it my home.

Here’s to 2014 Saint Francis Tulsa Tough being even better!  And until then, I’ll see you on the trails.  Keep cycling!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tulsa Drillers / ONEOK Field

Baseball and apple pie are quintessentially American and if you haven’t checked out the fabulous ONEOK field and the Tulsa Drillers – well, what are you waiting for?

The Drillers are our very own minor league baseball team, currently affiliated with the Colorado Rockies.  The Drillers got their start way back in 1977 when a Lafayette team was transferred to Tulsa.  They were renamed the Tulsa Drillers (paying tribute to our oil industry) and installed at the old Drillers Stadium (15^th & Yale).  Interesting side note – the Drillers Stadium was originally named the Robert B. Sutton Stadium to honor its chief benefactor, but in 1982 Robert was convicted of fraud.  Not wanting to glamorize a fraudster – the good people of Tulsa County renamed the facility Drillers Stadium.  Between you and me, I think it would have been cooler to leave the name as it was; a little bit of notoriety is always fun.

In 1998 the franchise began looking to relocate.  For a brief time Jenks was the front runner but in retrospect, that makes no sense.  The Jenks Drillers?  That doesn’t really have the same flair.  City officials finally got on board with keeping the Tulsa Drillers in Tulsa and in 2008 it was announced that a new facility would be built in the Greenwood district.  In April of 2008, the Tulsa Drillers played their first game in the now-christened ONEOK Field.  More than 8600 people came out to cheer on the Drillers and even though they lost to Corpus Christie, baseball fever was spreading like wildfire.

The new stadium is fantastic!  Its location helped spur the revitalization of downtown and works well for people wanting to have options before and after a game.  Every seat in the stadium is fabulous – you can watch the game with the beautiful Tulsa skyline as a backdrop.  They have water features and a play area for the youngsters, a grassy outfield if you want to catch a game “picnic style”, and they are adjacent to Fat Guys Burgers!  If you haven’t tried Fat Guys – go now!  The people at Fat Guy’s are putting out some of the best burgers I’ve ever tasted – but I digress. 

Throughout the summer you can take advantage of the different promotions!  They have Thirsty Thursday ($1 beer night), Bark in the Park, Pennant Giveaways, Bobble Head Nights, and every Friday home game – fireworks!  This is one of the best fireworks shows around (excluding 4^th of July).  As an added bonus – on June 7^th the fireworks show will coincide with the final laps of the Men’s Pro 1 race of Tulsa Tough.  This is probably one of the most exhilarating evenings in Tulsa – but I digress again. 

Basically the point here is to get yourself to a game.  Recently I attended a Friday night game and it was a perfect evening – not too hot, not chilly, a slight breeze, happy fans – just perfect!  We had great seats right behind the visitor’s dugout and even though the Driller’s lost, it was still a phenomenal evening. 

If you’re looking for something for the whole family, don’t waste another night at the movies – get outside, get some fresh air, eat some peanuts and hot dogs, just GO!!

http://www.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t260

 

Guthrie Green - so awesome, it deserves a second post!

When I first started this blog back in September 2012, one of my first posts was on Guthrie Green – a park located in the revamped Brady District, designed to be a multi-purpose gathering place.  The park had just opened and already I was in love.  What I didn’t know and fully understand then was how phenomenal the park would be – in bringing people back to downtown, generating a wonderful sense of community, and celebrating all things Tulsa.

Almost every night of the week you will find something going on to suit your taste – fitness, live music, farmer’s market, movies, art – you name it, it’s happening at Guthrie Green.

Sunday – the absolute best day of the week as far as I’m concerned.  The Sunday Market kicks off at 10:00am and runs until 4:00pm.  Not just limited to fruits and vegetables, at this market you will find everything from plant cuttings to jewelry to original artwork.  At 2:00pm, if live music is your thing, you are in luck.  Musical acts vary from Sunday to Sunday and local acts feature prominently.  Bring a blanket, pack a picnic lunch and some mimosas, and just enjoy the fabulous sunshine.  Honestly, it’s my favorite way to waste away a Sunday afternoon.

 

If fitness is your thing, Guthrie Green offers you countless opportunities to stretch and get fit.

                Monday – Tai Chi (5:30pm)

                Tuesday – Boot Camp (5:30pm)

                Wednesday – Yoga (10:00am and 6:00pm)

                Thursday – Boot Camp

                Friday – Walking Fitness 

Wednesday – Food Trucks!  The food truck scene in Tulsa is exploding and here is your chance to sample some of the gourmet food that is being offered up.  I’ve raved about the fabulousness that is the Lone Wolf Food Truck and their delicious sandwiches and kimchi fries .  Or perhaps try a slice of Andolini’s pizza, or maybe a taco.  Whatever you have a craving for – you’ll find a truck to suit your needs.  And put any fear out of your mind!  The food is fresh (most trucks only buy what they will need for that one day), prepared right in front of you, and is by far some of the tastiest meals being served today. 

 

Thursday – Movies!  Every Thursday night when the sun goes down, you can catch a movie on the big screen.  The movies are usually oldies but goodies (The Bad News Bears, Smokey and The Bandit, etc) and it’s always fun to watch a movie under the stars.  It’s like the drive-in, but better!

Other upcoming events include Shakespeare in the Park (a perfect way to get a little culture), a Circus Skills Workshop (everyone should know how to juggle), and several classical concert series.  The first Friday of every month you can take advantage of First Friday Art Crawl – an event that continues to grow.  And on Saturday June 8^th, it will also become the staging area for one of the more exciting events this summer – Tulsa Tough 2013, of which yours truly will be participating (Tulsa Tough). 

In a very short amount of time, Guthrie Green has become the kind of gathering place that has a certain magical quality to it.  People want to be there, to experience it, to feel connected to their neighbors, to get out and be a part of something larger. 

If you haven’t ventured down there – make your plans now.  It’s a beautiful facility and hopefully you’ll love it as much as I do.

 

 

First Friday Art Crawl

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you can’t help but notice how the Brady District is blowing up!  New restaurants (Hello, Laffa! I love you!), shops, and there is almost always something happening every day of the week at the ultra-fabulous Guthrie Green – my favorite spot in Tulsa!  And to make things even greater, the first Friday of every month is the First Friday Art Crawl.  First Friday Art Crawl is the opportunity to casually stroll along the streets of the Brady District, sipping complimentary drinks, discovering local talent, and taking in some live music.  On a lovely spring evening, there’s really nothing better.

Jenn S. and I checked out the April event and it was a perfect evening!  The weather was warm and the crowds were thick.  We started our evening with a quick dinner & drinks at the Brady Tavern before taking in all the exhibits and exploring the shops and galleries.  We started with the Tapestries of Jon Eric Riis exhibit at the 108 Contemporary Building.  Looking at these textiles up close – the workmanship was unbelievable.  I mean…really stunning.  Next we hit the Zarrow Center and I’ll be honest – I didn’t “get” any of the art displayed there. 

Tapestries of Jon Eric Riis

Tapestries of Jon Eric Riis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once we left those two buildings, we just ambled from one display to the next.  We checked out some jewelry, some stunning art work, fabulous pottery pieces, and just enjoyed the overall feel of the event.  We stopped by Guthrie Green and listened to the live music.  Speaking of which, if live music is your thing, you will love the Art Crawl.  The variety of musical acts is amazing and you will find someone playing at almost all of the various clubs and coffee houses. 

 

And the people watching was beyond terrific.  The wonderful thing about an event like First Friday Art Crawl is the diversity of people this event attracts.  You had your usual hipsters and creative art folk, but it also attracts the suit and tie crowd as well; really just a great mix of people.  Everyone just seemed to be in great spirits and there was an overall feel of “community” among the crowd.

Of course, no trip to the Brady District is complete without a stop at Glacier Confections.  If you haven’t tried one of these wonderful, decadent treats – you are missing out. 

The next Art Crawl is right around the corner – Friday, May 3^rd – so get out and get exploring.  There is something for everyone – food, drink, live music – and for the most part, it’s all free.  Now what can be better than that??

The Living Kitchen

One of the unforeseen benefits of doing this blog is that people are constantly letting me know about events they think I might find interesting or “blog-worthy”.  This is how I came to know about the Living Kitchen.  My cousin Tina sent me the information and said she thought it sounded like something I would enjoy.  And holy moly!  She was right.

The Living Kitchen is a certified organic, 400-acre working farm located in Depew (about 45 minutes west of Tulsa).  Every summer they host a series of Farm Table Dinners.  These are themed dinners with the majority of everything on the menu being sourced from the farm.  After reading just a little bit about this amazing place, I immediately made reservations for the Found and Foraged Dinner.  This dinner would include a walk through the farm led by wildcrafter Jackie Dill.  Jackie Dill considers herself to be a “locavore”, living off the land as much as possible.  How exciting!!  I was beyond giddy and couldn’t wait for Saturday to roll around.

My date C picked me up at 5:30 and off we went.  Fortunately for me, C is also a major foodie and enjoys these culinary adventures as much as I do.  We arrived at the farm right at 6:20 (the earliest we could get there) and knew in an instant that it was going to be just as fantastic as we had hoped.  The farm is like a Norman Rockwell painting come to life and the cabin where we would have dinner?  Sweet goodness, it was beyond fantastic.  It was an old log cabin with an open living/dining/kitchen area, a downstairs bedroom, a bedroom and loft upstairs and a beautiful screened in porch.  It was breathtaking!! 

The porch

 

As soon as everyone was ready, Jackie led us on our nature walk.  Some of the things she pointed out on our walk were sorrel, prickly pear (you can sear off the “hair”, peel the fruit and sauté it up), poke, chickweed, and a host of other edible greens.  Full disclosure – I took a ton of pictures but after looking at them, they all just looked like weeds and I couldn’t discern one from the other.

By the time we returned to the cabin I was starving and the smells coming from the small kitchen literally made my mouth water.  As we entered the cabin we were handed a small drink made of Pellegrino and rose hips and something else (sorry, I was too excited to get all the ingredients).  It was so refreshing. 

Our first course of the evening was fresh chevre (goat cheese), pecan crusted and seared.  This was served with wild garlic oil, pot poke salat (I thought this was a typo but trusty Google assures me it’s not), and some crackers made with prairie sage. 

Our second course was a wild salad made with chickweed.  They added a little arugula and baby kale for variety and it was tossed with a white zinfandel vinaigrette with wild garlic and onions.  Honestly, and everyone around me agreed, it was like eating your lawn clippings – but it was really pretty good. 

The third course was a pork and chicken dumpling with henbit and seared morel mushrooms in a light chicken broth.  First of all – I was ecstatic about having the morel mushrooms.  I love them but they are difficult to find, plus you really need to know what you are doing before just going out and harvesting wild mushrooms.  Really not a good idea.  But the dumpling was delicious and I really wanted more.

Midway through our dinner we were served grapefruit ice.  It was a simple concoction of shaved ice with grapefruit juice.  It was a wonderful dish to serve right in the middle of our feast; so light and refreshing and tasty.

The fifth course was homemade goat cheese raviolis in lamb broth with braised curly dock, and smoked pork jowl.  This was amazing.  I love goat cheese and these raviolis were so smooth and creamy.  Thank goodness there was some fresh bread on the table so I could soak up all the delicious broth.

Our dessert was post de crème with fresh herbs, an almond biscotti, and buffalo berry blossom.  I’m not normally a big biscotti fan (too dry and I don’t drink coffee to dunk it in) but this biscotti was fantastic.  I seriously looked around at my dining companions to see if anyone had some left that I could have.

The whole evening was just ridiculously awesome - from the setting to the walk to the people to the food.  Everything!  After dinner, as everyone was lingering and chatting around the table, someone pulled out a guitar and started playing a little music and before you knew it, half the room was singing along to Summertime – the Ella Fitzgerald classic.  How perfect is that?!?!

If you want to experience this for yourself – go to http://www.livingkitchenfarmanddairy.com and check them out!  If you enjoy food and nature and just experiencing life – you will NOT be disappointed. 

 

 

 

Herb Festivals

Oh my goodness, do I love spring!  And now that spring has finally arrived inTulsa, it’s time to get out and get some fresh air.  This past Saturday my intention was to ridemy bike down to the Brookside Herb Festival but April showers and May flowersand all that nonsense put a kink in my plans so I chose to drive my car like aregular ole’ Joe.   Herb Day in Brookside features locally grownplants, herbs, and flowers for sale as well as other local merchandise to makeyour back yard the place to be this summer. Located at the corner of 41^st & Peoria, it’s one of thefirst of several herb festivals this year. 

Full disclosure – every year I make a vow that I’m going tohave the best container garden ever – tomatoes, strawberries, basil, oregano,etc.   And every year it’s a miserablefailure.  Every.  Single. Year.  Last year I managed to keepone tomato plant alive and even managed one beautiful, ripe, tomato.  I mean, it was a work of art it was sopretty.  I had it all planned out – I wasgoing to come home, harvest my bounty (i.e. – my one tomato) and fix the mostdelicious BLT anyone has ever tasted.  Istepped outside, ready to pluck the tomato and….. it was gone!!  Seriously!! The best I can figure is the squirrels were onto my plan and decided tostrike first.  And that has been my mostsuccessful garden to date. 

The turnout this year was not the best with it being so coldand rainy, but there were still a few hearty souls.  I’ll admit that I didn’t linger as I normallywould have.  I pretty much ran throughthe whole thing, looking for a few heirloom tomato plants and a few herbs, inthe hope that this year’s garden is a little more successful.

In case you missed out on the Brookside event – do notfret!  April 20^th is the SandSprings Herbal Affair.  This is one ofthe largest events and takes place around the town square.  Along with more than 100 vendors of herbs,perennials, heirloom plants, and gardening supplies, you can also check outsome of the delicious food trucks – everything from Amish to Indian.  Visit www.herbalaffairandfestival.comfor more information. 

And April 27^th is the Jenks Herb & PlantFestival.  Taking place on Main Street,this event continues to grow and expand. In addition to plant vendors, you’ll find inflatable jungle gyms andface painting for the kiddos, pancake breakfasts for the early birds, and theReasor’s festival stage. 

Load up the kids, grab a red wagon or basket, and get out toa neighborhood festival.  You’ll have agreat time, find something you can’t live without, and get some fresh air.  What better way to spend a Saturday morning.

 

Redbud Valley Nature Preserve

I love going for a walk in the woods.  I can think of no better way to spend a beautiful afternoon than to be outside getting lost in nature - especially this time of year.  After the dreary winter months it is so uplifting to see the trees budding out and everything turning so green.  It’s like a salve for my soul.   

As most of you know, I’m a big, big, fan of Turkey Mountain.  It’s less than 5 minutes from my front door and you can get lost for hours on the numerous trails.  But every now and again I like a new adventure.  This past Saturday I packed my passport and bottle of water and headed east, way outside of my comfort zone.  My destination was the Redbud Valley Nature Preserve.  Located about 3.5 miles north of I-44 (just past the Hard Rock Casino), the Redbud Valley Nature Preserve is tucked away just off the blacktop road.   

Redbud Valley was originally purchased by The Nature Conservancy in the late ‘60’s in an effort spearheaded by Dr. Harriet Barclay, a professor at TU.  She subsequently worked with the now-defunct Tulsa Tribune on a fund drive in order to raise the necessary money to repay The Nature Conservancy.  The property was maintained by TU until 1990, when the area was transferred to the City of Tulsa.  It is now operated as part of the Oxley Nature Center in cooperation with The Nature Conservancy.   

One of the more fascinating things about Redbud Valley is the different terrains you are exposed to – from woodlands to desert like terrain to prairie grasses – all within a one-mile loop.  And I haven’t even mentioned the caves.  The valley is ringed by towering limestone cliffs and over the years, the water cutting through the limestone has created some of the most amazing caves and overhangs you will find in the Tulsa area.  It’s really very stunning!  And to think all this natural beauty is just minutes from downtown.  Amazing!!



The boardwalk

On my recent outing I took the low trail.  This is a super easy walk along a boardwalk.  I kid you not; they have installed an actual boardwalk through the woods.  It was so incredibly peaceful.  At the end of the boardwalk, I turned and headed up the rocky cliff.  Although it was a bit steep, it was a super easy climb.  The views from the top are breathtaking.  You overlook the entire valley, including a pond.  As you continue to scale the bluff, you come out at the edge of the cliff wall and walk alongside some of the most amazing caves.  Along this path you’ll cross a natural spring, flowing out of the rocks.  The sound of the water gurgling over the pebbles and stones – I really could have just sat there for hours. 

Continuing along the same path, I made my way to the top of the bluffs and found myself on the high plains area.  I couldn’t believe how much the landscape changed in just a few steps.  From lush, green woodlands to dry prairie grasses, in just the blink of an eye.  Along this section of the trail there were tons of yucca plants and cacti, typical of the dry prairie habitat.

 

Exposed tree roots.

 

The walk is such that it could take you as little as 30 minutes or as long as the day – depending on how long you linger and enjoy the natural beauty. 

 

In addition to the trails, you will find a visitor’s center and the most helpful volunteers you can imagine who will patiently answer every one of your ridiculous questions.  FYI – also in the visitor’s center you will find the skeleton of a snake (ewww – “shudder”).  Adjacent to the visitor’s center is a pavilion with restrooms and a picnic area.  And for those of you who enjoy geo-caching, it’s an official geo-cache location – cache name Redbud Rocks. 
 

If you find yourself with some free time, especially in the next few weeks as the trees continue to bud out – pack a bottle of water and get outdoors.  Spring is one of the most beautiful seasons, especially in Oklahoma.  Not counting the whole allergy thing.  For more information, visit http://www.oxleynaturecenter.org/redbud.htm.

 

 

Tulsa Stained Glass Company

Thanks to Living Social and Groupon, I get to try all kinds of things I never thought possible.  Case in point was my adventure at Tulsa Stained Glass this past Saturday.  I enrolled for the Micro Stained Glass Class through Living Social.  This was a three hour class covering the history and techniques of stained glass and we would be doing a little hands-on crafting.  By the way – I absolutely love hands-on.  I think it’s one of the best ways to learn something new.

Glass Cutters

The class opened with a lesson in how glass is made and the difference between “float” glass and “rolled” glass.  We then had a brief demonstration on how to score and break glass.  This was really interesting and I could have spent a lot more time playing with the different glass cutters.  It was so nifty to score the glass and then “pop” it and see your piece just fall away instead of shattering.



My "feelings"

We then received a lesson on how you can turn any old doodle into a piece of stained glass and this was fairly interesting to me.  The only thing I don’t care for is when someone tells me to “paint how you feel right now”.  No!  I am way too literal minded to be “painting my feelings”.  Tell me to paint something concrete – a flower, a puppy, a teapot – and I’m good to go but to have to “paint my feelings” – it’s an anxiety attack waiting to happen.  But the instructor took a classmates simple doodle (quite honestly I thought it was a little on the not attractive side but that’s just my opinion) and showed how, with a little manipulation, it could be transformed into a glass piece.

Finally we got to the good stuff!  We were given our supplies and turned loose with the lead (surprisingly flexible), the solder, and soldering gun!  We were guided through making an owl but as you can see, Mary took a little liberty with her materials.

My owl and Mary's person

If you’re truly interested in learning about stained glass, I think it’s an informative class and gives you a good groundwork to grow from.  However, if you’re like me and you just want to try it out and get your hands dirty, the class was about two hours too long.  I wanted a brief demonstration and then I wanted to be turned loose.  I expected to cut glass for our craft project and perhaps follow a pattern – maybe creating a trivet or a small window hanging or something like that.  Well, truth be told, for a three hour class I was halfway hoping we would create a big window hanging. 

But, like I said, it was good introductory class and I always think it’s good to expose yourself to new ideas and hobbies.  You just never know when you’ll discover your wheelhouse.  And just so we’re clear – stained glass making is not in my wheelhouse.

For more information, visit http://tulsastainedglass.com or give them a call at 918-664-8604.