Fun in the Pool

For the past seven weeks, three of the IndyGoGirls have been taking a water aerobics class at Riverview Rehab and Fitness Center. It has been a blast!

The class is for arthritis sufferers, but there's enough aerobic exercise to suit non-arthritis sufferers as well. The fast-paced classes are taught by three instructors: Sandy, Julie and Barb. Each has a slightly different slate of exercises. There's always something new so it never gets boring.

The class has been great for us as we each have our own issues with arthritis. Cat was rehabilitating her fractured ankle, PhoenixMom was rehabilitating after knee replacement surgery and Cinda has arthritis in her knees. The low-impact nature of being in the pool has afforded each of us the ability to either continue or start an exercise program in spite of our conditions.

What we didn't know about such an undertaking was how much fun we'd have, the challenges we would overcome and the friendliness of the other participants. As a result, we've each signed on for another eight weeks. So, if you've been looking for a way to work exercise into your life look into water aerobics.

Watercolor, Dreamscape by Laura Trevey

www.lauratrevey.blogspot.com

The key to change is to let go of fear.

Rosanne Cash

The Cow Carousel

We're back!

After an extended time away from our adventures,

we've hit the road again.

We'd heard about Fair Oaks Farms from a friend who told stories about a cow carousel and about being able to witness the

birth of a calf. How could we resist?

Along the way we came across a wind farm in Benton County. According to their website, 87 wind turbines generate power which is then sold to local utility companies in hopes of reducing

green house gas emissions and to lower energy costs.

We loved seeing the turbines. They're huge and mesmerizing.

I couldn't help wondering if accidents along this part of the

interstate had increased with the establishment of the wind farm.

Here's a photo from their website,

www.earlparkindiana.com/windfarm.html.

(Obtaining this photo from the website was much safer than

pulling over along the interstate and taking my own photo!)

Fair Oaks Farms is located just off I65, between Lafayette and Crown Point, Indiana. You can't miss the gas station at the exit with the beautiful farm mural painted on the side of the building.

The farm is an actual working dairy farm and is one of the largest in the country. It has several areas of interest for visitors. We visited the Birthing Barn first.

In a theatre-like setting, the cows are on stage behind plate-glass windows while giving birth to calves.

You can witness the birth from beginning to end. It's absolutely beautiful and done in a respectful manner. More than 80 calves are born on the farm each day so your chances of seeing a birth are good no matter when you visit--just check the stoplight outside the barn for the status--green means a calf is being born.

Within minutes of being born, the young calves are persistent in their efforts to stand on all four wobbly legs. While mothering time is limited, the mother cows do what they can to clean up their offspring before their calf is whisked away to its own enclosure.

Next, we climbed aboard an air-conditioned bus for the Dairy Barn Tour. The farm is particular about germs the cows may be exposed to by visitors, so the entire tour is conducted without direct contact between cows and humans.

The highlight of this tour had to be the Cow Carousel. The carousel allows 72 cows to be milked at once. With over 30,000 cows to be milked three times a day, the carousel isn't just an entertaining feature for visitors--it's a necessity. It's amazing to watch the cows enter and exit the carousel with limited human intervention. They know exactly what to do.

It's like watching a choreographed show.

Visit Fair Oaks Farms website at: http://www.fofarms.com/.

Our road trip wouldn't be complete without lunch and Fair Oaks Farms provided a wonderful farm-fresh menu with plenty of dairy product selections. The food was delicious and we also purchased dairy items from the store to take home.

Not only was this our first road trip in quite awhile, but it was also Cat's 70th birthday! We enjoyed spending time with her on this special day. Cat is an amazing woman who is the glue that holds the IndyGoGirls together. Her easy-going manner, sense of humor and thoughtfulness are just a few of her admirable qualities. Happy Birthday, Cat!!

It was a gorgeous day. We learned a lot, laughed a lot and were thankful for the friendships we're nurturing on these trips.

Seven Cows Standing (Dairy Queens) by Rumara Jewett

"Who was the first guy that looked at a cow and said,

'I think that I'll drink whatever comes out of those things when I squeeze them.'?" ~Bill Watterson

Get Well, Cat!

Cat has been sick since her return from visiting her daughter. Our thoughts have been with her these past few days, hoping she doesn't have H1N1. We miss you Cat......

Happy Thanksgiving from the IndyGoGirls

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the

highest appreciation is not to utter words,

but to live by them.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Broad Ripple Village

The Indianapolis Art Center

El Dia de los Muertos means The Day of the Dead.

It is a custom with roots in the Mexican community. The name is a bit of a misnomer as it is actually, in part, a celebration of the circle of life. The Indianapolis Art Center is hosting the community-based

exhibit as it has every year since 2000.

The color and festivity of this exhibit is evident upon entering the

front portico of the center.

The colorful banners, tissue-paper decorations called

estampas or papel picado, hang from the ceiling.

The focus of the main gallery centers on the tradition of the altar to honor the deceased. Each unique altar is a personal remembrance of a departed loved one.

According to Wikipedia: "People go to cemeteries to communicate with the souls of the departed, and build private altars, containing the favorite foods and beverages, as well as photos and memorabilia, of the departed. The intent is to encourage visits by the souls, so that the souls will hear the prayers and the comments of the living directed to them. Celebrations can take a humorous tone, as celebrants remember funny events and anecdotes about the departed."

Outside, in the center's ARTSPARK, you can walk the leaf-filled grounds, overlooking the White River, and view a display of smaller altars.

The Indianapolis Art Center holds various exhibitions throughout the year and has a wide range of art classes which are offered to the public. While visiting the center you can walk past the working studios and watch artists creating their works. You can also view their completed works and purchase items in the center's Basile Studio Shop.

Visit their website: http://www.indplsartcenter.org/.

In keeping with the Mexican theme of the Art Center's exhibit,

we had lunch a few blocks away at La Piedad.

The Mexican food was very good, the service was great and the atmosphere was perfect--a little noisy to drown out The Girls as we laughed and talked our way through lunch.

Photo Credit: The San Felipe Animal Rescue website

Artist: Andrena Joyce

"The boundaries which divide Life from Death are at best shadowy and vague. Who shall say where the one ends, and where the other begins?"

Edgar Allan Poe

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween from the IndyGoGirls!

Bobby Flamingo

Indy as Elvis the Hound Dog


Phoenix knows the best part of Halloween are the treats

Williams-Sonoma

Thanksgiving Hors d'Oeuvres
at

Williams-Sonoma

Imagine a day where everything that could go wrong, did go wrong--including a power outtage. Further imagine that you have 50 people coming over for Thanksgiving. What would you do?

That is precisely the kind of day Karly, the food presenter at Williams-Sonoma, faced on a Sunday afternoon in October. With apologies and aplomb, Karly plunged forward and presented an interesting and entertaining Technique Class.

The class began with some Classic French Gougere Mix, plus water, butter, sea salt, cayenne pepper, paprika, eggs, milk and finishing with lots of Gruyere and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheeses.

The result, after baking, were light, cheesy puffs that were quick and easy to make.

Next on the menu were Rosemary-Parmesan Icebox Crackers. Yes, you can make crackers at home, yourself, yes, you can do it!

In a food processor, combine flour, salt, pepper and rosemary. Pulse to mix. Add butter and pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add the Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and pulse to combine. Pour in cream and process until dough forms a single mass.

Here's what they looked like after mixing the ingredients, rolling the dough, cutting into cute shapes and baking.



These were so, so easy and delicious!

Not confident about your baking ability? Not to worry. Here are some things that can be done by simply cutting and assembling.

Using a food mandoline, slice some zucchini, jicama and peppers. Add some blanched sugar snap peas. Serve with some dipping sauce.

Even easier were these, sliced cucumbers topped with Williams-Sonoma's wichcraft spread, a tomato relish.

Photo courtesy of Williams-Sonoma's website

Goat Cheese, Tomato Relish & Shallot Toasts

Karly was passionate about food and about sharing ideas for

making simple, tasty appetizers.

Interesting products found at Williams-Sonoma:

A kevlar glove to wear while using a knife to prevent cutting yourself.

Lots of ready-made spreads, sauces, pastas, etc.

Beautiful cookware, bakeware and serving ware.

Visit williams-sonoma.com for more recipes and entertaining ideas.



Photo credit: art.com

Great Pear by Carmen Dolce

"You don't have to cook fancy or complicated

masterpieces--just good food from fresh ingredients."

Julia Child