running to the sprinklers

Quiet weekends that finish busy weeks are my absolute favorite weekends!

Kate and I attended a Suzuki Institute ALL week.

Danny, Ellie and Sophie finished their week with an ALL DAY (open to close) adventure at Lagoon!

By Saturday morning we were all exhausted!

Our weekend recap:

SATURDAY

breakfast at your leisure

the girls each practiced their instruments with me

after picking up their rooms + reading

Ellie and Kate headed to "clay class"

(our adorable neighbor Bethany, at Kathryn's request, put together this amazing clay class!  the girls made long necklaces with beautiful birds on the end from their own sculpting!  they were thrilled!)

Sophie and Danny headed to Costco

I grabbed my book and took a nap

Ellie headed to a friend's house

Kate and Sophie watched Allison in Wonderland

I finally showered

we all loaded up in the car and went tile shopping

we found the most perfect-i knew as soon as i saw it-very reasonably priced tile at our first stop!

(remodeling the downstairs bathroom)

picked up Danny's new golf clubs

(he bought a new set that he could have lengthened!)

took the girls to Spagetti Factory

went to Amanda's for dessert and to see Rob+Whitney+Lyla Bird!!!

made Lindsay's ice cream

SUNDAY

got ready for church

Danny and I had off-setting meetings

attended church

(loved it)

came home and everyone in this house read or napped quietly for 1.5 hours!!!!!!

made dinner together

(egg-rolls, rice & stir-fry veggies)

ate out on the deck

attended to the garden

(thinned carrots, picked strawberries & picked peas)
note:  the deer are leaving our strawberries alone thanks to these solar powered.detect mvmt.annoying animal sound contraptions!!!!!  THANK YOU JARI!!!!!

after dinner we decided to head out for a walk
(yes...Sophie was in pj pants)

we ran into friends (Shawn + Lindsay) with the same idea---and walked and visited with them

the girls rolled down the grassy hill to see who could reach the bottom first 

they ran to the sprinklers on the golf course as the sun was setting

we returned back home for more homemade ice cream

and our friends endured a few songs we performed for them.

I wanted the weekend to last forever!

Grandma's kitchen

It has been a long week for all of us but especially Danny...and it was only Wednesday!  As I thought about what to feed everyone I knew a sure-fire pick me up for my people.  I gathered a few essentials: sourdough bread from the freezer, golden potatoes, an onion and I knew we would enjoy a nice meal together.  Danny's grandma (Grandma in Las Vegas) ran a busy catering business until very recently.  She is an excellent cook.  One of our favorite meals is her potato soup.  It is sure to make Danny a happy man!

1 cube of butter

3/4 to 1 c. of flour

7 c. water

7 chicken boullion cubes

7 potatoes

diced onion

shredded carrots

half and half (I use cream 9 times out of 10)

melt butter...stir in flour...add water slowly...add b.cubes, potatoes, onion, carrots.  When potatoes are soft add half and half.  Serve hot with sourdough bread and butter :)

Well, it worked.  Danny was in heaven.  The girls ate every bite and our week seemed to slowdown---even if it was just for that one meal.  Grandma has been sick for the past few months with colon cancer.  Sophie talked to her last Sunday.  She has prayed for "Grandma in Las Vegas" every single night.  Grandma thanked her Sunday.  It was sweet.  We love you Grandma! 

clam chowder

I knew it was serious when he bought my clam chowder.  Danny and I had been hanging out for a few months.  He and his roommate Stu were often at our apartment...or my roommates and I at theirs.  Stu and Heidi (one my roommates) were dating.  Danny and I enjoyed each other's company...and I was entertained by his flirting...but we were just friends.  Spring break was approaching and we decided to go on a road trip...my hometown (Petaluma, CA).  Danny, Stu, Heidi and I loaded in Danny's car and we made our way to California.

On our first day in Petaluma we decided to make the short drive to the city...San Fransisco.  We walked...visited Alcatraz and headed to Pier 39 around lunch time.  We chose Boudin Bakery for clam chowder in a bread bowl.  To my surprise, Danny bought my lunch.  Danny takes going out to eat and spending $ seriously.  So seriously that buying my lunch was like a flashing neon sign...DANNY LIKES ME.  I wasn't sure what to do or think. 

After lunch we found the car and began driving around.  Danny decided to pull over at a park just after we visited Lombard street.  Stu and Heidi jumped right out...and I tried to stay as close (like glue!) to Heidi as I could.  :)  A romantic walk in the park...I wasn't ready.  I was scared.  Did I like him????  Did I want to marry him...after all---he did by my lunch ;) 

Later that night Danny and I were talking on the couch in my parent's living room.  "You don't want to talk about this..." he observed.  I was awkward and Danny was relaxed.  "Do you like me?" he asked.  I did like him.  He made me laugh.  He treated everyone he knew with kindness.  He was always happy.  He was (and still is) handsome.  He was ambitious, strong, smart...What wasn't to like?  So I told him my rule.  It was a rule to protect my heart... "I am not kissing anyone who is kissing anyone else."

Danny understood...but he wasn't sure how committed he was.  He had just taken a young lady out the week before, after all.  He was planning on taking her out again.  :) So we said "goodnight" with out a kiss.

The next morning the four of us headed out with my family to the ocean and then to church.  By the end of our road trip back to school---he had forgotten all about "what's her name" and it was official.  We were together~  and he has been buying me lunch ever since...

The fall weather inspires soup in our kitchen.  I combined a few different recipes and created my own version of clam chowder...

Clam Chowder
1 cube of butter
3/4 c. flour

Make a rue and add...
16 oz. of clam juice
8 c. of water
4 chicken or vegetable boullion cubes
1 large onion finely chopped
7-8 med. to lg. red potatoes diced
4-6 individual celery stalks chopped
garlic salt (a few heavy dashes)  real garlic with sea salt would be even better
paprika (a few heavy dashes)


Let this cook until potatoes are soft-
then add the following:
2-3 6.5 oz cans of clams with clam juice I did two for my kids but would do three if it was just for Danny and I
cream (half and half for a lighter version) to taste.  I really just pour it in until I like the color, consistency and taste.
2 T. cider vinegar
extra salt and pepper to taste

Cook until warm and then serve with flat leaf parsley (not the Italian curly I have pictured) and lemon wedges.  Have black pepper, red pepper flakes & Tabasco sauce on the table for those who want a kick to their soup.  Have plenty of sourdough bread on hand for dipping...bread bowls get soggy...but some people love them.

tonsillectomy & banana bread

Yesterday Sophie had a tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, and a microlaryngoscopy to see her vocal chords.  (I really have no idea how to spell any of that!)  We had to wake her at 5:15 a.m.  Danny and I drove her to the hospital---and she was relaxed, cheerful and not even asking for food or water.  As we waited in the second waiting room...she just played and played.  When the different doctors and staff members came over to talk to us---she would skip back to listen to what they had to say and then go back to her play.  When it was time to go into the surgery room, I held her as we went down the hall.  They had a childlife specialist walk with us and talk to her about tinkerbell and the toys in her hands.  When it was time for her to turn the corner with out me I set her down and gave her a kiss.  She walked calmly with the doctor and was really really really brave!  I was DYING!

She was uncomfortable after the surgery---but wanted to be held (which helped both of us) and eat her slushie.  She woke up and drank well so they let us go.  Go UTE Nana (Danny's mom) was waiting at our house.  She had spent the night and helped Ellie and Kate get off to school in the morning.  She offered to stay at the house until we returned.  When we arrived home Sophie climbed up on her lap and just slept in her arms.  The car ride was upsetting to her---and sleeping in her Nana's arms was just what she needed.

After that nap and some food she had forgotten that she even had surgery.  We had to remind her to talk softly, be still (quit jumping!), and rest.  When her pain is controlled with the medicine she talks and acts completely normal.  When it is wearing off she is quite uncomfortable.

Nana Miller came to visit after dinner and she brought this sticker book.  They sat in the quiet house (Danny and Kate were on a date & Ellie was at the symphony with a friend) and worked and worked on the stickers.  As I watched them from the kitchen I made my mom's famous banana bread and thought about how lucky we are:

wonderful doctors and hospital staff
wonderful loving Nanas
sweet messages (via text, email and phone)
thoughtful visits
and even treats (slow melt popsicles were brilliant and I didn't know about them!)

We feel so blessed to have so many that we love and appreciate.  Thank you for spoiling my little girl. <3

The banana bread was the perfect way to end the day....
 my version of my mom's banana bread:

mix together 
2 c. ripe bananas (aprox. 6)
1 c. finely chopped nuts (I use pecans)
1 c. sour cream


in a separate bowl beat
2 c. sugar
1/4 to 1/2 c. real maple syrup
1 c. softened butter
4 eggs


add together and then add
1 3/4 c. all purpose flour
1 1/2 c. freshly ground flour 
(I used quinoa and oat groats.  You can use all regular flour...but this is easier than you think!  I love my wheat grinder and I have had it for at least two years and just started using the last few weeks!  You literally throw the quinoa seeds in...and you have flour!  Oats are great for cookies and baking!!!)
2 t. baking soda
2 t. salt


Mix well.  Add 2 t. of vanilla.  mix again.  Pour into 3 loaf pans coated with butter.  Bake at 350 degrees for at least 60 minutes.

lemon lime ice cream

We almost let the summer pass without breaking out the ice cream maker.  

Last night Ellie and I hosted a bookclub gathering at the pool.  

I immediately thought of my friend Lindsay's lemon-lime ice cream!

prep. time:
15 minutes!!!!!!

servings:
24

ingredients:

5 1/2 c. sugar

3/4 c. lemon juice

1/2 c. lime juice

2 c. heavy cream

2 t. lemon extract

3 qt. of milk

1 pinch lemon zest
(i do a bit more and lime zest too)

preparation:  

mix ingredients together and freeze in an ice cream maker!

chicken noodle soup

With a little one sick...and the frigid temperatures outside...

I decided to make some chicken soup.

I began with roasting a few vegetables- onions (2), cellery, a few small carrots (they were all I had in the house), and parsnips!  This was the first time I had ever cooked with them...and they are a new favorite roasted vegetable!!!!!  I loved them!  I topped all of this with sea salt, minced garlic, rosemary, paprika and plenty of olive oil!  They went straight to the oven (around 375 degrees) until they were tender.

After the vegetables were roasted I chopped them in the pan.  I emptied the rest of the white wine I had on hand (a few cups) and about 10 cups of chicken broth.  I boiled this together and began making the noodles.  I used this recipe.  It was a little dry for me.  I want to try this one next time!  I don't have a pasta maker (yet!) so I rolled and cut the dough by hand.  They were a little too thick for me.  

While I lived in Argentina I had the most AMAZING!!!!! handmade pasta!!!!!  AMAZING!!!!!!!  I have never had anything like it since.  I want to recreate it!  I am going to practice!  We love pasta!  :)

After I cut the pasta...added it to the broth and vegetables...I cut up a roasted chicken (cooked from Costco) and added large pieces to it.  Aaaaah...hot soup!  It was Danny's favorite!!!!!!!

my week...my favorites~

My favorite things:

• Danny walking in the door after being gone THE WHOLE WEEK!  He was in New Orleans from Sunday morning to the following Saturday evening.  That was too long!
• 
  
• I enjoyed cooking a few things...but ate leftovers and In-n-Out the other nights.  The few things I made:

pizza with fresh mozzarella and spinach

black bean enchiladas with corn

(enchiladas: red sauce, yellow corn tortillas, black beans, & med. sharp cheddar corn:sauteed with olive oil, lime juice, cilantro, sea salt & a quick dash of chili powder)

potato soup with grilled asparagus (I could eat grilled asparagus every day.)

(Danny's grandma's soup: 7 boullion cubes, 1/2 onion chopped finely, butter, flour, 7 potatoes, 7 cups of water, half & half  asparagus:recipe here)

• practicing for guitar lessons again-I pushed myself SO MUCH more than I would have on my own.  It was great for my girls to see me push through it too...they aren't the only ones tortured with difficult things to learn.
•  
• Grandma's 89th birthday celebration!  YAY!
• thanks to Kelly I have been eating A LOT more raw fruits and vegetables...especially salads for lunch and an apple for a snack!  Thanks Kelly!!!!  Your meeting was great!
•  
• my girl's coming home on Wednesday, so excited about what they had learned about Martin Luther King.  I was happy that they knew about Rosa Parks...and Ellie told Kate about Harriet Tubman because of a book she previously read.  It warmed my heart!
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• the book we are reading together on the couch.
•  
• eating sushi at the Happy Sumo with people we love!

• this new work out video...ummm I had to walk very slowly for two days (I was so sore!) after my first workout but now I am rocking it!   (I shouldn't have started with 5lb. weights on my first day)
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• $19 pants I found at Anthropologie!  They are so comfortable and I LOVE THEM!  I bought a dress too---that wasn't $19. :)
•  
• sitting with Sophie (who is a newly turned four year old) at church yesterday...I told her how much I loved her bright eyes and her cheerful smile...and she responded, "I know.  That boy was staring at me."  Ummm....fyi- "that boy" is FOURTEEN and wasn't staring at her!
•   
• that I picked up my camera this week...and my girls wanted me to :)

on my table

One of my goals this year is to have a meal plan each week.  I really loved doing this during part of last year.  I hope I stick to it through out the year.  The recipes I choose are simple, but it is so nice to have an idea when 4 and 5 o'clock come around!

I look for meals that are higher in vegetables, very little (if any meat) and are from whole/real ingredients.  I am not perfect at any of it---but I enjoy trying.
I am also a cook book buying addict!  It's time to start cracking a few of them!
I used Barefoot Contessa's "How Easy Is That?" cook book for quite a bit of what I chose for this week.  Last year I set each meal to a day...this time I will be more flexible.


This week's menu:

clam chowder, roasted broccoli with Italian puglese bread

clam chowder was a combination of recipes: celery, onion, red potatoes, mini clams, butter, flour, milk, cream, and dashes of Tabasco, salt, pepper and fresh parsley

roasted broccoli:  see here   made mine with out pine nuts and basil...but the lemon, olive oil and Parmesan is amazing!

butternut squash ravioli with balsamic brown butter sauce with celery Parmesan salad, and roasted pear & apple sauce

ravioli: Costco

sauce:  see recipe here

salad:  Barefoot Contessa How Easy is That? Cookbook

spaghetti aglio e olio with sauteed spinach and french bread
spaghetti:  same cookbook (I also found a similar recipe posted here)

creamy polenta, roasted butternut squash, salad with fresh ranch

polenta:  Barefoot Contessa How Easy is That? Cookbook

squash:  see recipe here 
dressing:   Barefoot Contessa How Easy is That? Cookbook

asparagus pizza & green salad with fresh ranch
pizza sauce:  see recipe here
dough:  20 minutes a day rustic bread pizza dough
with fresh mozzarella and thinly sliced asparagus
topped with fresh Romano cheese

What are you cooking!?
Any favorite cooking websites or blogs!?

on their way to the oven...

They came from our garden...but really, that is about it!  We were able to harvest lettuce, chard, kale, sugar snap peas and beets.  Our tomatoes, tomatillos, squash and any warm vegetable didn't produce really anything.  The plants are still alive but not producing.  What happened this year!?  Did we lose our green thumbs??? 

We are going to enjoy our beets tonight.  (When I say "we" I mean Danny and I will love them and the girls will moan and groan...until they taste them! :))  I usually boil them but I found some inspiration on stephmodo this morning so I am going to try this tonight.  Did you see the recipe she linked from Epicurious!?  My mouth is watering!  I can't wait!