coming from the kitchen

zucchini chips

Roasted tomato caprese bites. Just roast the tomatoes with a sprinkle of sugar, a dash of balsamic, and some olive oil at 300 for a couple of hours. Top with fresh mozzarella and basil.

Salad. Lots and lots of salad. I have three more big bags of lettuce/arugula/spinach down in the garage fridge. I don't think I can eat it all! It's growing so great. I probably should give some to the neighbors.

That crumbly purple stuff. Oh that's just some Pampered Goat Wild Blueberry Goat Cheese. (I couldn't find a link for you.)

Um, get in your car and drive straight to Costco and get some! Hurry. Heavenly.

Fried rice. After my mom died, my dad really struggled in the kitchen. Poor man. He tried really hard to cook for us.  My brother and I were completely ungrateful and would roll our eyes when he would make fried rice. Every. Other. Night. He was proud of it, but it completely lost its novelty. I've learned to love it again.

Roast chicken. I always make two at once. Why not? I stuffed them with lemons and some lemon thyme that is growing in a pot on my deck. It smelled so good.

Bread. Butter necessary.

And banana bread. Oh man. I've gotta stay away from that stuff. Thankfully, there are quite a few people around here who do a good job of gobbling it up. 

No wonder my kitchen is always a mess! Eat up.

whirlwind

We managed to pack a lot in to our 3 days away. But the highlight?

Meeting up with Mery and Co. at the park. We had horrible weather for most of the trip. Our time at the park was the only little break in the rain. Mery hooked us up with some sunshine. Just perfect. 

Hobbs was missing out on all the action- just snoozing away in the stroller. I had to peek at him like 5000 times! I couldn't help myself. Yum yum.

(I took my new camera out of the box- and yes, I'm keeping it :)

The city was fun...we did a little shopping, ate some good food (I had a fig and gorgonzola pizza!!!!), and throughouly enjoyed having someone else make our beds each day! But, navigating an unfamiliar city with 4 kids in tow requires an imense amount of energy.

This country mouse was glad to be headed in the direction towards home.

I didn't stay there long though! There was an impromptu night out with some girls- this time in my neck of the woods. 

We also celebrated birthday #80 for Carl's grandma. His family sure knows how to throw a party. Pictures with Elvis coming soon!!

What a whirlwind. It's all a bit of a blur. My cheeks are sore from so much smiling.

Carl had to go back for a few days. I like waking up very early when he's gone. (Like "east coast time" early.) After a busy few days it's nice to have a little time to myself. A girl has to take care of herself that way you know? I think I'm just going to spend the day in my pjs and bake some banana bread or something. I won't put nuts in it. I know you don't like them. 

that's a wrap

Laurel had her Spring concert last night. You've never seen a child so in love with an instrument as she is with her violin. I guess some people were just born to do certain things. Sweet girl.

We wrapped up our last day of school. I'm glad. I typed up the last progress reports emailed them off yesterday. Whew!

The laundry is done, our bags are packed, there's new music on my ipod, and we're on the road.

I'm looking forward to a change of scenery. Um, yeah, also our hotel has a hot tub. Perfect. Hopefully Hobbs is excited to see us, also going to check in here and maybe here too (if the kids comply)?

I'll be back. Miss me.