Change of Season

I have my new camera, Lumix FZ 40.  I have done a fair bit of reading and am now trying to master this beast.

Winter has arrived with a good covering of snow, ice on the lake and the hydro bill double what it was last month.  However, today the sun shone, the sky was brilliant blue and the temperature soared to a balmy 7 degrees.  The perfect day to take a walk and try my new camera.

PERSPECTIVE

The Dalai Lama, when asked what surprised him most about humanity, answered "Man.  Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money.  Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health.  And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived."

Now when people ask me, why are you doing that, I answer; because I can, and it makes me happy.

A Better View

Apart from my continuous efforts with training, I am also preparing for my next trip by improving my skills in photography.  My friend Qurie has agreed to provide some guidance for which I am grateful.  I am also saving up for a new camera since mine died in Peru.   In the meantime I am using Al's camera.

Anyway here are some shots I took while going for a walk.

Metric Century

This fall has been a record-breaking warm season with one day the  temperature reaching a high of 31 degrees.  We rode every day as long and as hard as possible.  The colors were brilliant, the wind was frustratingly strong and the sky was that clear blue that is only in the prairies.  I am proud to report that I completed my first metric century ride in 4 hours and 22 minutes.

What a great way to spend the day!

Fall is in the Air

Autumn is the most beautiful time of year.  The colors are brilliant, the sky is bright blue and the sun is still warm.  This is perfect cycling weather, the high winds are a good alternative to steep hills in developing endurance and leg strength.

Can't wait till we get to India!  

Country Kitchen

 Summer is almost over!  It is short but so so sweet.  We have been training hard and will be ready for India in January.  Cycling 100k is no longer daunting.

Al commented on my last post featuring the bean salad.  He felt that combining my two interests into one blog might be confusing for readers.  After thinking about this, I decided to start a food blog called Country Kitchen.  If any of you are interested, here is the address:

http://heidie-countrykitchen.blogspot.ca

Until next time, cheers.

Greta's Bean Salad

Summer is in full swing and company has been almost non-stop the last few weeks.  Needless to say I am having a busy, but wonderful time!

Thought I might share some of the joy by posting our favorite bean salad recipe from EAT, SHRINK & BE MERRY.  It is also special to us because it is the first recipe Al discovered and tried on his own.  It is fast easy and healthy.


We tend to like our food on the spicy side so I  increase the spices according to our taste. I  have used cherry or chopped tomatoes depending on what I have on hand and red onion instead of green onion.  Just mix the ingredients in a bowl and enjoy!

1 19 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 12 oz can Summer Crisp whole kernel corn, drained
1 red pepper, chopped
1 mango, diced
1/2 container grape tomatoes
1/2 cup green onion, chopped
1 avocado, cubed
1 lime, squeezed
1 tbsp olive oil
black pepper
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/8 tsp chili powder
1/8 tsp ground cumin
2 tbsp chopped cilantro