June 26, 2008
Freckles
One of the things people notice and love about Carter are his freckles. They are sprinkled across his perfectly sloped and pointed nose and cheeks. In a "love letter" (requested by the Primary for a special Sharing Time) Marc and I wrote to him recently we mentioned that his freckles make him special. Since then, he's talked about them a little and this evening while drawing pictures of our family, he dotted his face with freckles. I just love that! I can't remember when Carter started getting freckles but he certainly wasn't born with them so I just searched through a few photos to figure out exactly when they started to appear. Sometime around his second birthday. And just a few days ago, I noticed the beginnings of freckles on Anderson's creamy, smooth skin. There's no other way to explain his skin--except for his ugly baby acne phase which lasted about 2 or 3 months, he's always had a milky soft face. But, apparently my children's faces don't survive two summers without becoming freckled by the sun! Which is okay with me--I love them either way.
June 24, 2008
Book Review: Eat Cake
I've had Hosseini's A Thousand Splendid Suns checked out from the library for a month now
but because of everything I have on my plate right now, haven't expended my energy to read it--I know it will envelop me and I just can't afford that right now. So, when I took the boys to story time last week, I perused the isles a few times and Eat Cake by Jeanne Ray popped out at me because my old ward's book club was reading it right when we moved. I checked it out and here's what I thought:
but because of everything I have on my plate right now, haven't expended my energy to read it--I know it will envelop me and I just can't afford that right now. So, when I took the boys to story time last week, I perused the isles a few times and Eat Cake by Jeanne Ray popped out at me because my old ward's book club was reading it right when we moved. I checked it out and here's what I thought:THINGS I LOVED
- the cake recipes in the back of the book
- It's simplicity--it was a light enough read that I could definitely put it down when I needed to.
THINGS THAT BUGGED ME
- The first sentence of the book is this: Years ago, I went to a seminar on stress reduction at the Y. That abbreviation means one thing to me: BYU. I pictured her sitting in one of the conference rooms in the Conference center behind Desert Towers and the BYU Creamery. So on pages 12 and 13 when the whole family sat down to dinner with mixed drinks of vodka and oj, I was a little thrown off--I re-read the first sentence and realized she had meant the YMCA. It's hard to change mental images once they've been established, even if after only 13 pages.
- It's simplicity. (didn't I just say that loved it's simplicity? I both love and hate it for that reason.) I don't love books that don't wrap me up in the characters and make me root them on and think about them as real people for days after I'm finished. And I don't love this book because it didn't do just that. In fact, I'm having trouble writing this review even though I just finished it yesterday afternoon. The story was so simple and seemed to wrap complicated real life things (losing a job, caring for a temporarily disabled and estranged father, starting your own business from scratch,) into a tidy little package with a bow and a happily ever after. Not my thing.
June 21, 2008
my new favorite salad
Last night as I ate this salad for dinner--my sister shared the recipe with me over a year ago and I regretfully just tried this week, it's so yummy I should have tried it along time ago--I thought about a Gilmore Girls episode where Jess wonders why people ruin salads by putting weird ingredients in them like raisins. I had already begun this blog in my head so I hopped on line hoping to find his exact quote for the post title. No such luck, so this post is turning out quite differently than I had hoped but I'll share the recipe anyway. Try it, it's so yummy and for all those "non cooks" don't be intimidated by the lack of measurements.
greens (I used spinach and romaine)
roasted chicken breast, diced
Emerald's glazed walnuts
dried cherries (I got mine at Costco, but Target or Trader Joes also have yummy ones)
feta cheese
Balsamic Vinaigrette (I'm using Newman's Own; it's tasty)
Serve it with some sourdough bread or rolls and it's a perfect summer salad.
greens (I used spinach and romaine)
roasted chicken breast, diced
Emerald's glazed walnuts
dried cherries (I got mine at Costco, but Target or Trader Joes also have yummy ones)
feta cheese
Balsamic Vinaigrette (I'm using Newman's Own; it's tasty)
Serve it with some sourdough bread or rolls and it's a perfect summer salad.
June 17, 2008
Crisis Not Averted
Two weeks ago I was Superwoman. Today I am Supermoron!
I headed out early with the boys to get all the shopping done that I've been needing to do. Return a towel to Kohls that was not absorbent at all--Marc refused to use it. Buy a few bath-caddy type baskets--my small master bath is driving me crazy with it's lack of storage space. Look for shoes for Anderson and khaki church pants for Carter--I've been looking for about a month and a half for pants and haven't found any. I don't care that it's summer, he needs some khaki pants! Look for some new running attire--Marc and I are back in training this summer. What were we thinking signing up for the St. George marathon again?!?
So it was an errand morning--all the stores are clustered in the same vicinity about 6 miles away--with gas prices what they are, I really just wanted to get it all done in one trip. My poor boys. They did fairly well, only one or two incidents to speak of. So when we were finally finished at Payless, and with Target with a Starbucks right across the parking lot, I decided to head over that direction to treat them to a Starbucks Frozen Strawberry Lemonade (we sampled some a few days ago at the grocery store--perfect summer treat). We walked in to Target and got in line at Starbucks. Almost immediately I realized I had locked the keys in the car. Usually, I don't even lock my car door because let's be honest, who wants to steal my silver '97 Taurus. Probably no one, but today I had left my purse in the car and just grabbed my wristlet because it was going to be an in and out type of Target-run. Unfortunately, I put my keys in my purse instead of on my lanyard (the necklace type key chain) before I grabbed my wristlet. Then on second thought, because a somewhat shady looking person parked right next to me when I was getting Anderson out of his seat, I locked the door. I didn't even have my cell phone on me when I realized while in line the keys were in the car. Luckily a guy overheard me telling Carter our dilemma and offered me his phone. I called Marc--he told me he'd come bail me out, but to check the gas tank first--his dad had duct taped a key inside. I went and checked--it looked as if we were out of luck. We headed in to Starbucks and the food court to wait for Marc.
As we were drinking our strawberry lemonade and eating our cheese pizza, Marc showed up. Unfortunately this is where instead of just a Plain Jane Moron, I turn into Supermoron. He said that before coming in, he checked the gas tank and the key was in fact there. What!?! We finished up and headed to the car. The spare key was taped to the inside of the door to the gas tank. I had neglected to look there. What can I say, I'm fallible and S-T-U-P-I-D (so we don't say that word in our house, it doesn't mean I can't spell it!) and it's a darn good thing I've got a husband that can save the day.
Now, don't go stealing my car or anything in it because you know where the spare key is!
I headed out early with the boys to get all the shopping done that I've been needing to do. Return a towel to Kohls that was not absorbent at all--Marc refused to use it. Buy a few bath-caddy type baskets--my small master bath is driving me crazy with it's lack of storage space. Look for shoes for Anderson and khaki church pants for Carter--I've been looking for about a month and a half for pants and haven't found any. I don't care that it's summer, he needs some khaki pants! Look for some new running attire--Marc and I are back in training this summer. What were we thinking signing up for the St. George marathon again?!?
So it was an errand morning--all the stores are clustered in the same vicinity about 6 miles away--with gas prices what they are, I really just wanted to get it all done in one trip. My poor boys. They did fairly well, only one or two incidents to speak of. So when we were finally finished at Payless, and with Target with a Starbucks right across the parking lot, I decided to head over that direction to treat them to a Starbucks Frozen Strawberry Lemonade (we sampled some a few days ago at the grocery store--perfect summer treat). We walked in to Target and got in line at Starbucks. Almost immediately I realized I had locked the keys in the car. Usually, I don't even lock my car door because let's be honest, who wants to steal my silver '97 Taurus. Probably no one, but today I had left my purse in the car and just grabbed my wristlet because it was going to be an in and out type of Target-run. Unfortunately, I put my keys in my purse instead of on my lanyard (the necklace type key chain) before I grabbed my wristlet. Then on second thought, because a somewhat shady looking person parked right next to me when I was getting Anderson out of his seat, I locked the door. I didn't even have my cell phone on me when I realized while in line the keys were in the car. Luckily a guy overheard me telling Carter our dilemma and offered me his phone. I called Marc--he told me he'd come bail me out, but to check the gas tank first--his dad had duct taped a key inside. I went and checked--it looked as if we were out of luck. We headed in to Starbucks and the food court to wait for Marc.
As we were drinking our strawberry lemonade and eating our cheese pizza, Marc showed up. Unfortunately this is where instead of just a Plain Jane Moron, I turn into Supermoron. He said that before coming in, he checked the gas tank and the key was in fact there. What!?! We finished up and headed to the car. The spare key was taped to the inside of the door to the gas tank. I had neglected to look there. What can I say, I'm fallible and S-T-U-P-I-D (so we don't say that word in our house, it doesn't mean I can't spell it!) and it's a darn good thing I've got a husband that can save the day.
Now, don't go stealing my car or anything in it because you know where the spare key is!
June 07, 2008
Songs That Make Me Smile
Maneater
Hall & Oates
I heard this song today while running errands. It took me back to my sophomore year in high school. My friend Liz, who I hung out with on weekends quite a bit right before my family moved to Colorado, and who took my sister and I to our early morning seminary class, loved Hall & Oates. Even though my dad loves all types of music, it was Liz who introduced me to this group. We'd listen to some of her tape mixes on our way to seminary and on our many Saturday night Taco Bell/TP outings. We were involved in a TP war with some of the boys we knew. If we weren't out TPing their houses, we were catching the latest movie or bowling with those same boys, all the while listening to Maneater and other songs in the car. My life was so full of flirtation, excitement and teen angst back then--and it's easy to smile about it twelve years later.
Hall & Oates
I heard this song today while running errands. It took me back to my sophomore year in high school. My friend Liz, who I hung out with on weekends quite a bit right before my family moved to Colorado, and who took my sister and I to our early morning seminary class, loved Hall & Oates. Even though my dad loves all types of music, it was Liz who introduced me to this group. We'd listen to some of her tape mixes on our way to seminary and on our many Saturday night Taco Bell/TP outings. We were involved in a TP war with some of the boys we knew. If we weren't out TPing their houses, we were catching the latest movie or bowling with those same boys, all the while listening to Maneater and other songs in the car. My life was so full of flirtation, excitement and teen angst back then--and it's easy to smile about it twelve years later.
The Difference Between Boys and Girls
Scene 1: During a play date with our little friend Mia this week, she tooted--and was mortified. It should be noted that I didn't hear her and Carter was his usual oblivious self but her mom consoled her saying that it's normal and fine and even funny. Mia's response--"Just stop talking about it!" Subject dropped!
Side note--Carter and Mia played quarrel-free or at least settled their quarrels amongst themselves and non stop for 4 1/2 hours the other day providing a mostly uninterrupted and fantastic break/gab-fest for us moms.
Scene 2: On our way to a birthday party today(Mia's, coincidentally), Carter tooted. He proudly shouted it to the world, okay just to me and the little girl we picked up on the way. The other little girl didn't really get what Carter was so proudly owning up to but a few minutes later she began sniffing loudly and saying that something smelled bad. This time Carter was the clueless party--he kept asking her what she was sniffing for but his inquiries were left unanswered. Finally I told him she smelled something funny, but because I wasn't sure if he'd turned on his sensitive switch, I didn't say she smelled him. His response--"You mean me? She smells my stinky toot?" He laughed and I giggled. He really was proud of himself.
Side note--Carter and Mia played quarrel-free or at least settled their quarrels amongst themselves and non stop for 4 1/2 hours the other day providing a mostly uninterrupted and fantastic break/gab-fest for us moms.
Scene 2: On our way to a birthday party today(Mia's, coincidentally), Carter tooted. He proudly shouted it to the world, okay just to me and the little girl we picked up on the way. The other little girl didn't really get what Carter was so proudly owning up to but a few minutes later she began sniffing loudly and saying that something smelled bad. This time Carter was the clueless party--he kept asking her what she was sniffing for but his inquiries were left unanswered. Finally I told him she smelled something funny, but because I wasn't sure if he'd turned on his sensitive switch, I didn't say she smelled him. His response--"You mean me? She smells my stinky toot?" He laughed and I giggled. He really was proud of himself.
June 05, 2008
Accomplished
I try not to use my blog as a forum for bragging, but do you ever have days when you feel like Superwoman because you've accomplished so much? Today I am Superwoman--here's what I did:
7 loads of laundry
sorted through toys to get rid of old ones
sorted through clothes to get rid of old ones
fed the kids 3 meals and 3 snacks
organized spare papers
paid a medical bill
cleaned 3 bathrooms (minus the showers/tubs)
vacuumed/swiffered/mopped the 1st floor
ran a 5K (on the treadmill)
As always, it's taken me a while to get in the swing of things after moving, but I think I've finally figured out a routine. I'm sure the kids and Marc are very grateful to have their organized, planned ahead, put together mom and wife back. I sure am glad to be back in the game! And while I'm "bragging" let me make a shout out to my hard working hubby, too. He works approximately 50 hours a week, so by the time he gets home it's practically the boys' bed time and by the time they are in bed, we're both so tired, we haven't had much energy to accomplish anything on the ever-growing "Fix Up the House" task list. But, like I said I'm back in the swing of things which helps quite a bit so we've (he's) been knocking off things from that list, too:
Change master bedroom door--it had a doggy door in it! (check)
Move storm door from garage door to back door
Install doorstops in all doors (check)
Change boys bathroom toilet seat--it was a puffy blue one! (check)
Fix outdoor faucet (check)
Fix 3 sprinkler heads
Install laundry room shelf
Install floor transitions in laundry room, garage entry and back entry
Paint kitchen
Paint window sills
Putty/caulk/paint baseboards
Touch up paint
Caulk shower
Adjust blinds
Obviously, we've still got a ways to go but just having a few things done makes things feel much more manageable--we're on our way.
7 loads of laundry
sorted through toys to get rid of old ones
sorted through clothes to get rid of old ones
fed the kids 3 meals and 3 snacks
organized spare papers
paid a medical bill
cleaned 3 bathrooms (minus the showers/tubs)
vacuumed/swiffered/mopped the 1st floor
ran a 5K (on the treadmill)
As always, it's taken me a while to get in the swing of things after moving, but I think I've finally figured out a routine. I'm sure the kids and Marc are very grateful to have their organized, planned ahead, put together mom and wife back. I sure am glad to be back in the game! And while I'm "bragging" let me make a shout out to my hard working hubby, too. He works approximately 50 hours a week, so by the time he gets home it's practically the boys' bed time and by the time they are in bed, we're both so tired, we haven't had much energy to accomplish anything on the ever-growing "Fix Up the House" task list. But, like I said I'm back in the swing of things which helps quite a bit so we've (he's) been knocking off things from that list, too:
Change master bedroom door--it had a doggy door in it! (check)
Move storm door from garage door to back door
Install doorstops in all doors (check)
Change boys bathroom toilet seat--it was a puffy blue one! (check)
Fix outdoor faucet (check)
Fix 3 sprinkler heads
Install laundry room shelf
Install floor transitions in laundry room, garage entry and back entry
Paint kitchen
Paint window sills
Putty/caulk/paint baseboards
Touch up paint
Caulk shower
Adjust blinds
Obviously, we've still got a ways to go but just having a few things done makes things feel much more manageable--we're on our way.
Funny Fact #2
I promise I had dinner planned tonight--in fact it's the dinner I listed a few weeks back on my list of things to do the day after my horrible day. I still haven't gotten to it because it seems like right around dinner time, I run out of time to go through the process of making a pork tenderloin, potatoes, and baked fondue. So, instead of dining on the meal I really want to find time to make, we sifted through our restaurant coupons and settled on a little Mexican joint. And here comes the funny fact--when we go out to Mexican food, Anderson drinks the salsa. Ok, so he doesn't actually drink it, but he'll dip a chip in the salsa and then suck the salsa right off of it like the chip was a(n) (edible) spoon. He did this a few months ago at a different (and nicer) Mexican place with their HOT pineapple salsa and didn't even bat one of his oh-so-cute- and-long eyelashes. This may be the only form of vegetable he likes.
June 04, 2008
Quote of the Day
I just tucked the boys in bed. Before leaving the room, Carter said, "Wait, mom. I need to give you a hug and a kiss." Of course I'm not going to pass on that! I walked to the side of his bed and leaned down to receive the greatest of all mom rewards--a four year old's hug and kiss. The light was off so the kiss landed somewhere between my nose and lips. Here's the rest of our sweet conversation.
C: I love you.
Me: You do?! Why?
C: Because you are cute.
Me: (Intrigued) Why do you think I'm cute?
C: (while tracing his own face with his two index fingers, one started at the forehead and went to his chin, the other from his chin to his forehead making a circle) Because your face is cute.
As I chatted with a friend today, I got emotional as we both reflected on the sensitive nature of our children. Most of the time, tonight included, I love that Carter is so sensitive and thoughtful. He loves to give hugs and snuggles and kisses. I treasure each of these gifts he gives me as I realize these days are fleeting. According to my MIL who has been a mom for 40 years, hearing your children say "I love you" never gets old no matter how old they are. I hope Carter still tells me he loves me in 36 years!
C: I love you.
Me: You do?! Why?
C: Because you are cute.
Me: (Intrigued) Why do you think I'm cute?
C: (while tracing his own face with his two index fingers, one started at the forehead and went to his chin, the other from his chin to his forehead making a circle) Because your face is cute.
As I chatted with a friend today, I got emotional as we both reflected on the sensitive nature of our children. Most of the time, tonight included, I love that Carter is so sensitive and thoughtful. He loves to give hugs and snuggles and kisses. I treasure each of these gifts he gives me as I realize these days are fleeting. According to my MIL who has been a mom for 40 years, hearing your children say "I love you" never gets old no matter how old they are. I hope Carter still tells me he loves me in 36 years!
June 01, 2008
Carter's Construction Party
Yesterday we threw Carter his first birthday party and thanks to all of the ideas in F
amily Fun magazine, the themed party was one that I hope Carter remembers for a long time. (I hope he will never know that Marc and I were actually gone for his real birthday.) We started out by delivering a thin piece of wood with all of the party info written on it to six of his friends. Most of them were able to come which made the party super fun. While we waited for the guests to all arrive, we played Bob the Builder memory game which I happened to have. After everyone showed up, we got geared up with hard hats and aprons filled with pencils, mini measuring tapes
, and paint brushes. Once dressed, we constructed f
lowers from green pipe cleaners and tissue paper. We then ventured outside where the kids stuffed their flowers in the flower boxes on the cardboard house we had prepped only hours before. After they helped me glue construction paper shingles on the roof, the real fun began--they painted the house. When the house was just about covered in purple, brown, orange and green paint, we cleaned up and played construction cone bowling which worked up quite an appetite. We came 
inside for snacks served from a tool box and then sang Carter Happy Birthday before he blew out his four candles in his dirt dessert (complete with candy corn construction cones). There was a bit of excitement as we prepared to sing--I first lit the four candles, but then as I blew the match out, I blew out the candles--Brilliant. I lit them again and made sure to wave the match behind my back and away from the burning candles--Marc yelled at me that the match hadn't been extinguished yet, so I waved it again, not looking as Carter's friend's mom (my old BYU roomie) moved to blow it out. I ended up punching her in the nose--more brilliance! We opened presents after dessert and Carter got some great gifts--a spiderman, Lightening McQueen launcher, the Cars storage tire, a Cars puzzle, (yes, he still loves Cars!) a nerf dart gun, and a sprinkler hose. He was thrilled with all of his gifts and so are we. He hasn't asked for cartoons since he opened them over 24 hours ago! Once the gifts were unwrapped, we headed outside to the Cone Pinata I very poorly constructed the night before. The party got over a few minutes early which makes it very handy that our back fence has a gate that opens into a park. When the kids went home, we let 
Carter open a few gifts and cards from family--we got him a bike and a helmet and my parents got him a kids camelback--so cool! We also got him Dock Ock. We hope these new things and a busy play schedule will keep him mighty busy this summer! Carter's dinner wish was pizza, so we tried a new place up the road called Rotelli's. Yum. When we got home, I gave Carter his four year old interview (I copied you Jamie! After his Mother's Day interview, I couldn't help myself!)
Favorite color: Red (the first color out of his mouth was pink, then he listed a few more, when I told him to pick one, he finally settled on red to which Marc is very happy!)
Favorite food: quesadilla roll-up
Favorite toy: Launch Lightening McQueen & nerf gun (his new ones)
Favorite movie: Aladdin--it's a little scary (he never watches this movie)
Favorite outfit: red shirt wif nothing on it (he wore this camping the night before)
Favorite vacation: camping wif tent (he went to Father/Son camp out the night before)
Best Friends: Alex, Jaxson & spiderman
Favorite thing to do with Anderson: share (I'd like to see more of this being done!)
Favorite song: I am a Child of God
Wish for the year: have another birthday (after the party he had, of course he does!)
This morning when we tried his bike out, he was disappointingly timid. As I pushed Ande
rson in the stroller behind Marc who was pushing Carter, I had an epiphany--his timidness comes from me. Ooops. I guess since we've never had much of an area to ride in, he doesn't have much experience so for the next few weeks we'll be working on steering the bike. Then, we'll work on pedalling the bike. All the while, Marc and I will become expert cheerleaders for our son. Hopefully, in a month he'll have it down and think it's fun.
amily Fun magazine, the themed party was one that I hope Carter remembers for a long time. (I hope he will never know that Marc and I were actually gone for his real birthday.) We started out by delivering a thin piece of wood with all of the party info written on it to six of his friends. Most of them were able to come which made the party super fun. While we waited for the guests to all arrive, we played Bob the Builder memory game which I happened to have. After everyone showed up, we got geared up with hard hats and aprons filled with pencils, mini measuring tapes
, and paint brushes. Once dressed, we constructed f
lowers from green pipe cleaners and tissue paper. We then ventured outside where the kids stuffed their flowers in the flower boxes on the cardboard house we had prepped only hours before. After they helped me glue construction paper shingles on the roof, the real fun began--they painted the house. When the house was just about covered in purple, brown, orange and green paint, we cleaned up and played construction cone bowling which worked up quite an appetite. We came inside for snacks served from a tool box and then sang Carter Happy Birthday before he blew out his four candles in his dirt dessert (complete with candy corn construction cones). There was a bit of excitement as we prepared to sing--I first lit the four candles, but then as I blew the match out, I blew out the candles--Brilliant. I lit them again and made sure to wave the match behind my back and away from the burning candles--Marc yelled at me that the match hadn't been extinguished yet, so I waved it again, not looking as Carter's friend's mom (my old BYU roomie) moved to blow it out. I ended up punching her in the nose--more brilliance! We opened presents after dessert and Carter got some great gifts--a spiderman, Lightening McQueen launcher, the Cars storage tire, a Cars puzzle, (yes, he still loves Cars!) a nerf dart gun, and a sprinkler hose. He was thrilled with all of his gifts and so are we. He hasn't asked for cartoons since he opened them over 24 hours ago! Once the gifts were unwrapped, we headed outside to the Cone Pinata I very poorly constructed the night before. The party got over a few minutes early which makes it very handy that our back fence has a gate that opens into a park. When the kids went home, we let 
Carter open a few gifts and cards from family--we got him a bike and a helmet and my parents got him a kids camelback--so cool! We also got him Dock Ock. We hope these new things and a busy play schedule will keep him mighty busy this summer! Carter's dinner wish was pizza, so we tried a new place up the road called Rotelli's. Yum. When we got home, I gave Carter his four year old interview (I copied you Jamie! After his Mother's Day interview, I couldn't help myself!)Favorite color: Red (the first color out of his mouth was pink, then he listed a few more, when I told him to pick one, he finally settled on red to which Marc is very happy!)
Favorite food: quesadilla roll-up
Favorite toy: Launch Lightening McQueen & nerf gun (his new ones)
Favorite movie: Aladdin--it's a little scary (he never watches this movie)
Favorite outfit: red shirt wif nothing on it (he wore this camping the night before)
Favorite vacation: camping wif tent (he went to Father/Son camp out the night before)
Best Friends: Alex, Jaxson & spiderman
Favorite thing to do with Anderson: share (I'd like to see more of this being done!)
Favorite song: I am a Child of God
Wish for the year: have another birthday (after the party he had, of course he does!)
This morning when we tried his bike out, he was disappointingly timid. As I pushed Ande
rson in the stroller behind Marc who was pushing Carter, I had an epiphany--his timidness comes from me. Ooops. I guess since we've never had much of an area to ride in, he doesn't have much experience so for the next few weeks we'll be working on steering the bike. Then, we'll work on pedalling the bike. All the while, Marc and I will become expert cheerleaders for our son. Hopefully, in a month he'll have it down and think it's fun.Tucson
Last weekend Marc and I enjoyed a weekend get-a-way to Tucson courtesy of his employer and my parents who took the kids as it's a no kids allowed trip. It is a tradition that his boss takes the whole staff on a "team building" retreat for Memorial Day weekend with the understanding that team building is expressed with air quotes. He really doesn't care if we don't see anyone from work the entire weekend and we pretty much didn't. Here are some of the highlights (and low lights)
- waking up at 9:00 am thanks to those really thick drapes that hotels have
- planning a 7 mile hike but cutting it down to 3-4 miles because of a mountain lion warning in the form of a neon green flyer and a Gila monster (a lizard the size of my arm) siting
- horseback riding at sunset
- lounging by the pool and playing Mario Kart on the Wii, pool side (luckily for everyone around me, I'm not as horrible of a driver in real life as I am in that game!)
- catching a AAA baseball game where all the girls in our group beat all the guys in our group at some chucky cheese type game (the name of it escapes me at the moment) and won mini baseball bats. I was excited to take it home for the boys but on second thought, I envisioned my newly painted walls bashed in so it's hiding under my bed right now.
- In-n-Out cheeseburgers and shakes--yah, Tucson has 'em too!
- dinner at BJs--another one of our favorites that isn't in Colorado Springs
- crying because we were in Tucson when my baby turned 4
- crying because after only one of four nights away, Carter got choked up when I talked to him on the phone saying, "I just want you to come pick me up."
- seeing the Indiana Jones movie and experiencing an unplanned intermission when the theater burned popcorn and set the fire alarms off.
my new favorite salad
Greek is the flavor of the month in my house. I paired this salad with pita bread and hummus (from Picky Palate) for lunches this past week and after church today I had it as a side dish with Pioneer Woman's lasagna. WOW--the salad is so good (so is the hummus and lasagna) and I have plenty of dressing left for another weeks worth of salad; I just have to get more of the salad fixin's. Now, if I could just find great recipes for spanakopita, rice pilaf, gyros, or kebabs, I'd be able to satisfy all of my Mediterranean cravings.
Greek Salad
3 heads Romaine lettuce, washed and torn into bite sized pieces
1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
1 cup kalamata olives (I used pitted black olives)
1 cucumber, sliced
12 pepperoncini
2 small red onions, thinly sliced
Greek Vinaigrette, recipe follows
Put all the romaine into a large mixing bowl. Add half of the tomatoes, kalamatas and cucumbers and toss to combine. Put the salad into a large decorative bowl, toss with 1 cup of the vinaigrette and garnish with the remaining tomatoes, cucumbers, pepperoncini, kalamatas, and red onion. Serve with the remaining vinaigrette.
Greek Vinaigrette
1 shallot, diced
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper
1 1/2 cups extra-virgin olive oil
Put the shallot into the bowl of a food processor and pulse until well chopped. Add the lemon juice, feta, oregano, salt and pepper and pulse again to combine. With the processor running, add the oil in a steady stream. Pour into a small pitcher and set aside.
Greek Salad
3 heads Romaine lettuce, washed and torn into bite sized pieces
1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
1 cup kalamata olives (I used pitted black olives)
1 cucumber, sliced
12 pepperoncini
2 small red onions, thinly sliced
Greek Vinaigrette, recipe follows
Put all the romaine into a large mixing bowl. Add half of the tomatoes, kalamatas and cucumbers and toss to combine. Put the salad into a large decorative bowl, toss with 1 cup of the vinaigrette and garnish with the remaining tomatoes, cucumbers, pepperoncini, kalamatas, and red onion. Serve with the remaining vinaigrette.
Greek Vinaigrette
1 shallot, diced
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper
1 1/2 cups extra-virgin olive oil
Put the shallot into the bowl of a food processor and pulse until well chopped. Add the lemon juice, feta, oregano, salt and pepper and pulse again to combine. With the processor running, add the oil in a steady stream. Pour into a small pitcher and set aside.
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