Red Clay Halo

August 6, 2015August 4, 2015 | Megan

Have any of you ever listened to Gillian Welch and David Rawlings? If not, I highly recommend a listen. I was introduced to this excellent songstress and her mysterious backup man in college and been a fan ever since.

Gillian sings a song on her album Time (The Revelator) titled “Red Clay Halo”:

But when I pass through the pearly gate,
Will my gown be gold instead?
Or just a red clay robe with red clay wings,
And a red clay halo for my head?

You know, I hope I’ll be wearing some golden gown like my grandma used to wear for Thanksgiving dinners when I pass through the pearly gates. But for now, the outfit featured today is okay! 😉

XX, Megan

Sweater: J.Crew, Camisole: Banana Republic, Pants: J.Crew, Hat: Madewell, Sunglasses: Ray-Ban, Sandals: J.Crew (similar, less expensive), Long Knot Necklace: J.Crew, Necklace: Gorjana Aurora, Earrings: Kate Spade, Lips: NARS Barebella

Thai Turkey Burgers

August 5, 2015January 14, 2016 | Megan

To say that I was WOWED (insert heart eyes emoji) by these burgers at first bite is an understatement! I ate… oh, probably 3 of these babies the first time that my beautiful friend made them for us, and I’ve been dreaming of them since.

A last minute house guest was the perfect excuse to ask for the recipe from my friend and GO TO TOWN again on these delicious burgers. Our house guest asked, “What’s in these things? They are incredible!”

After a short pause, I replied, “Well, everything but the kitchen sink!”

But that description is base compared to the absolutely delightful flavor you are going to experience upon making these up! Working our way through the week, folks, I hope your Wednesday is a good middle marker.

XX, Megan

Ingredients

1 lb. ground turkey
3 cloves minced garlic
1 two-inch piece of peeled ginger, minced
1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped fine
1 red thai chili pepper (sometimes I use 2 for more heat)
1/4 c. bread crumbs
1 tbsp. soy sauce and fish sauce (enough to combine the mixture, I just eyeball it, a few shakes)

Peel. Chop. Mix. Grill. It’s as simple as that!

I grilled my burgers on medium heat for about 7 minutes. My friend recommends that you make the patties ahead and let the flavors marinate all together. Serve with whole wheat buns.

Peel and chop.

2. Mix

3. Make into patties.

4. Grill and EAT!

Green Chic

August 4, 2015August 4, 2015 | Megan

Green has always been a go-to of mine in the color department. I think it comes from trying to accentuate the green of my eyes, and the fact that green looks good on my reddish and freckled complexion in my humble opinion.

This shirt dress is as old as the hills, but I’ve linked several current styles for you here. I also have a love for shirt dressing. The perfect collision of enough polish, that nod to men’s dressing, and the ability to be dressed up or down that I am fond of!

This look leans toward dressy with the heels, purse, and jewelry, but this dress could just as easily be worn with flip flops and an oversized tote to carry any and all junk around you find necessary. With kids sometimes I still feel as though I am transporting part of my home wherever I go!

Green dress goodness: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Have a happy Tuesday!

XX, Megan

Dress: Target (similar), Shoes: J.Crew (similar, similar, similar), Bag: J.Crew (similar, similar), Necklace: Gift (similar), Belt: J.Crew (similar), Sunglasses: Ray-Ban, Lips: MAC Angel

Where To Next?

August 3, 2015December 8, 2015 | Megan

Sometimes when you’ve been immersed in canyon country– the red rocks, vermillion cliffs, green veins of copper deposits, solid blue skies, the gorges, and terraces, and plateaus, and arches cut by water and wind and uplift– you feel as though once you leave you are only biding your time until you can return.

I’m not the only one who can speak to this. The pull of nature is felt in many souls in macrocosm across an entire microcosm of different and varied landscapes. Each geography, vista, clime, and character calling to those who have a particular taste for that beauty remembered on their tongues, stamped on their hearts, thrumming in their pulse. So at this point in the year I ask myself where?

Where to next?

What adventure can be chased in the fall? What canyon traversed, what vista awed over, what area of this river-cut iron-rocked landscape should we visit next? I have three canyon destinations on my radar:

1. Toroweap (or Tuweep).

This gorgeous spot is on the Northern Rim side of the Grand Canyon. Some refer to it as the West Rim, and it is reached by 60 miles of unmaintained road. Taking a southerly route near Pipe Spring National Monument on the edge of the Kaibab Piute Reservation this quiet overlook is worth the effort. I visited once in college with friends and have yet to return to the spot.

I’d like to do some further hiking there, as well as just make it out along that practically impassable road once again. A couple of hurdles to this trip are that you definitely need a 4×4 with high clearance to make the road, and you also need some additional TIME to make it to Toroweap. The road is long, washboarded, and unforgiving.

2. The Subway in Zion National Park.

I’ve wanted to do this hike since college and simply haven’t had time or opportunity yet. I’ve heard incredible things about the canyons, pools, river hiking, and roped descents this trail includes. To hike the subway you must have a permit from the National Park, and they are not always easy to come by. You can put your name in for a lottery 3 months in advance of your hiking date, and you can also sign up at the Ranger Station there at the park

3. Moab, Arches, Canyonlands

We visit here every Spring with our boys, but this trip would be geared for more advanced hiking, climbing, and maybe even some mountain biking. Even if you’ve visited one place repeatedly as we have with the areas around Moab, there is always more to see and do. I’d like to camp in Arches National Park, or check out some hiking in Canyonlands National Park which is even more remote as it is accessible only from a byway from Moab.

So I ask you: where should we go? I’d love to hear about some of your favorite canyon excursions. Have any of you visited Tuweep, Zion, or Moab? Have you an opinion of one you enjoyed most? Or an array of reasons you like all three? Or pros and cons to any or all? I’d love to hear your experiences. Right now we’re still pouring over internet searches and canyoneering guides hoping that one will stand out.

Cheers to chasing adventure this Monday!

XX, Megan

Science Friday: Moon Views

July 31, 2015July 31, 2015 | Megan

We have a new member of our stargazing team over here at Rancho Refined + Rugged. My husband picked up this awesome 6 inch reflector last week on KSL (the Utah equivalent of Craigslist), and we’ve been waiting for an opportune time to take it out for a spin.

I have a 10 inch reflector that I made in High School, but it needs some extra love and attention (read a mirror cleaning and calibration) to be usable. So it’s been great to have this new little telescope for our summer star gazing.

We took our star and constellation viewing activities of last Science Friday and tried out the new telescope in our backyard this week! The boys were ecstatic to be able to use the telescope for the first time. The pictures of the moon were shot by my husband with his iPhone through the telescope lens, and I think they are pretty cool!

Little P also had an exciting breakthrough that night when he sighted his first constellation, Scorpius! Low on the Western horizon, boasting the bright red star Antares on its back. He ran up to me from across the yard, “Mom! Mom! Is that Scorpius?” He asked pointing to the telltale crest of the scorpion’s head in the sky.

“Yes!” Was my amazed reply.

The rest of our little star party was spent looking at the moon from different angels and with different lenses, and adding a few more constellation sightings to our repertoire like Lyra, Cygnus, and Aquila, whose stars Vega, Deneb, and Altair form the Summer Triangle. It was a really special night for our little family.

If you don’t have a telescope at home, you can look for star parties and star gazing groups in your area. Lots of Universities have small observatories attached to them, or look through your local paper or on the signage at your favorite coffee spot for local Astronomy groups.

Star parties are fun whether you sit in your backyard pointing out constellations, planets, meteor showers, and favorite stars, or join a larger group of amateur astronomers who’ve brought their own telescopes out to share! Above all, have an awesome Science Friday!!!!

XX, Megan