Pathogens

We speak of disease; if a parasite is causing the disease, it is called a pathogen, from the Greek pathos and gens--a bearer of suffering.

Spring Time, Wildlflower Time!!!

Found these beauties in the Buffalo Hills area north of Pyramid Lake and west of Gerlach, NV.

Sagebrush Buttercup (Ranunculus glaberrimus)

Great Basin Violet (Viola beckwithii)

Yellow Bell (Fritillaria pudica)

Happy Spring!!!

It's official and even since we have had spring-like weather for most of winter, spring is here!  It's my favorite! I can't wait to get out and see more wildflowers and other springy things.  Enjoy!

Bloomin'

Happy Saint Patricks Day!!!!

Keep it Green!!!

Yum, Yum Mushroom Soup!!!

Mushroom Soup!

Dan was feeling ill yesterday (Monday), so I thought I would make some soup for dinner, however, I didn't want to make the same old potato leek, or celery root soup that I normally make, so I decided to try mushroom soup.

Although I've heated it out of a can before, I've never actually made mushroom soup before, so I wasn't sure how it was going to turn out. Well, luckily, I am proud to say that my first attempt at mushroom soup turned out delicious.  It had a nice flavor and was warm and soothing for Dan's throat and my soul--cheesy, I know--mmmmmmmmm cheese, this recipe does include cheese, YAY!

Anyway, I highly recommend this recipe!

Oh, and it's super easy and quick to make too!

What you need:
olive oil
1 yellow onion
8 oz white mushrooms
4 oz brown mushrooms 
thyme--I did some fresh some dried since I didn't have much fresh
3 cups chicken broth
Parmesan Cheese--to taste
salt and pepper--to taste

What to do:
In a sauce pan saute onions over medium heat. Once the onions are translucent and soft add the mushrooms and thyme, salt and pepper to taste.  Cook the mushrooms until they are soft and brown.  Add the broth, bring to a boil then turn down heat and simmer for roughly 5 minutes.  Add parmesan cheese and let it melt into soup while stirring.  Let the soup cool a bit then, with an immersion blender (thank you for the Christmas present Dan!), blend soup to the desired smoothness.  Optional, use thinly sliced chives and Greek yogurt to garnish. Oh and since I love cheese I added more Parmesan as garnish too!

Enjoy!!!!!

Sweetwater Mountains

Up in Sweetwater Canyon

A couple of weeks ago I went down past Wellington Nevada for work. We went to both the sweetwater mountains and the Pine Nut Mountains to look at some possible projects.  I have not spent much time in this area, but it is beautiful.  The road there 338, is gorgeous, it goes right between the two mountain ranges, with the sweetwaters to the west and the pine nuts to the east.  You get a gorgeous view of Bald Mountain the 4th highest mountain in the Pine Nuts. 

Since neither Dan or I have spent much time in that area, we decided to head down and checkout the sweetwaters.  The sweetwaters run north-south with the northwest end in Nevada and the southeast end in California.  We decided to hike up sweetwater canyon, which actually has a road in it, but not a road that our Subaru could handle, although a high clearance 4x4 could easily drive on it.  We were lucky we didn't see anyone out on the road or in the area.

We hiked a ways up the canyon and came to a nice, little use cabin--Nugent Cabin, is its name.  I was very impressed, people really take care of the place.  It has been kept up very well with a lot of love, so if you head up there please, please, please be sure to leave nicer than you find it--it is a great resource that we would hate to see get thrashed and/or closed.

View during the hike

Nugent Cabin

Nugent Cabin

Critter, does anyone know who it is?

Dan and Coco on the hike

Another view during the hike

First Wildflower 2014

I found my first wildflower of 2014 on 2/16/2014, in the Virginia/Flowery Range.  It is a lomatium which is not unusual for our area, in years past it is typically one of the first bloomers I see.

Nevada Biscuitroot (Lomatium nevadense)

National Invasive Species Week!

From: http://www.nisaw.org/

National Invasive Species Awareness Week is scheduled for February 23-28. And according to experts with the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA), it's a topic that deserves our attention. Non-native plants, animals and pathogens can harm humans and the environment and impact our nation's economy. The damage done by invasive plants alone costs the U.S. an estimated $34.7 billion a year.

Invasive weeds can produce skin irritation, trigger allergies and poison pets and livestock. They can clog waterways, kill native trees, and shade out crops, ornamentals and prized native flora. They are found in every imaginable habitat, including oceans, lakes, streams, wetlands, croplands, rangelands, natural areas, parks, forests, urban environments, yards and gardens.

"Though the impact of invasive species is profound, there are important steps we can take to manage infestations and prevent their spread," says Lee Van Wychen, Ph.D., director of science policy for the WSSA. "It all begins with awareness."

Eight Ways You Can Help

1. Learn about invasive species, especially those found in your region. Your county extension office (http://www.csrees.usda.gov/Extension/index.html) and the National Invasive Species Information Center (http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/index.shtml) are both trusted resources.
2. Clean hiking boots, waders, boats and trailers, off-road vehicles and other gear to stop invasive species from hitching a ride to a new location.
3. Avoid dumping aquariums or live bait into waterways.
4. Use forage, hay, mulch and soil that are certified as "weed free."
5. Plant only non-invasive plants in your garden, and remove any known invaders.
6. Report new or expanded invasive species outbreaks to authorities. (See http://www.invasive.org/report.cfm for a state-by-state list of contacts.)
7. Volunteer to help remove invasive species from public lands and natural areas.
8. Ask your political representatives at the state, local and national level to support invasive species control efforts.