danville carvers

Lantern Obsession!

2010-05-21T20:04:00.000-07:00

Spring is here, and summer is fast approaching! This is the time of year I love to be outside. I am definitely a warm weather girl. My backyard has a large lovely patio that has sat completely unfurnished and uninteresting for the last 3 years. This is my year to increase our living space to include outdoor living. So, I've been doing a lot of thinking, dreaming and planning. I'm thinking table and chairs for eating. I'm thinking comfy relaxing furniture for hanging out. I'm thinking fire pit. AND I'm thinking LANTERNS!

I love the soft glow of candle light on a warm summer night... so I have GOT TO HAVE some of these beautiful lanterns. On tables, tucked into corners, hanging from the awning, as statement pieces on the steps. I'm loving the lanterns! The portability, and versatility makes them a must. The lanterns in the first two pictures come from Pottery Barn. Some of those will be coming home with me.

I love how they are grouped in the photo below with a fun wooden tray, a rustic Italian olive jar, and a topiary. See what I mean?... versatile!

Look at this fabulous find! Ballard Designs has this fun lantern shaped fire pit. Perfection!

And, of course, I'll have to top it all off with plenty of these fabulous deco string lights to illuminate the canopy of my awning.

I'll update as I go! Can't wait to get started!

SPRING!

2010-05-06T15:25:00.001-07:00

Look what is blooming in my yard right now! Ask any of my friends... I have to have fresh flowers in my house at all times. They just make me happy. I have a huge window box in my kitchen that looks empty without fresh cut flowers displayed in one of the many pitchers I keep there. So, a weekly run to Trader Joe's for a bunch of whatever is in season is normally in my "routine". But even better is when I can just go out in the yard and clip something homegrown!

Hydrangeas are my all time favorite flower! I love them in every color,

and they are everywhere in my house and in my yard.

These lovely light pink blooms are from one of the 5 bushes in my front yard.

One giant hydrangea bloom, cut from my front yard,

in a fun red and white striped pitcher in my kitchen window.

Beautiful yellow and pink roses, cut from my backyard,

and displayed in a large PB chalkboard pitcher

Look what I Found

2010-05-05T16:12:00.001-07:00

Don't you just love Target? I was there the other day, and look what I found!!! I LOVE the Caldrea line of soaps, lotions, and cleansers. The scents are so subtle, and fresh. Not overpowering like some others out there. Yay for Target for picking them up, and making them accessible to me in my daily travels. I particularly love this citrus scented hand soap for the kitchen! LOVE IT!!!

I Love Little League Season!

2010-05-02T10:03:00.002-07:00

Grant plays in the "Majors". Here he is in left field!

(And by the way, take a look at the lovely green hills in the background. Aren't they spectacular? We are so blessed to live in such a beautiful place!)

Crew plays "Single A". Here is making the play at first!

(Notice ball in glove, running the beat the runner to the base.)

I ask you, what could be better than spending a sunny spring day outside at the ball park, watching Little League Baseball?

Especially now that my boys are of the age where it's really baseball they are playing. No more T-ball, no more "everyone gets a turn at being up to bat", no more everyone runs all the bases, no more everyone plays every position... which, I know is a great way for them to learn when they are young, but it makes for a long and tedious game. I love the 3 strikes you're out! I love the 3 outs rule! It makes the game exciting... it makes it fun to watch.

I've recently started scorekeeping for both of the teams, which has been a blessing in disguise. When they asked me to do it I thought, "Are you kidding, I don't know anything about baseball, I can't do that!" But, it has taught me a ton, and I love it! It's given me a new appreciation for the game.

So, this is my life on the weekends for the next couple of months! Does it get any better? LOVE IT!

Meal Planning Excitement... Really!

2010-04-30T13:30:00.000-07:00

Look at this lovely little gem I found at Anthro the other day! A "WHAT TO EAT" menu planner pad, complete with magnet on the back to secure to the fridge.

It has revitalized my daily cooking routine. Yes, I could just do it on a piece of paper, but no, I never did. So, for me, sitting down once a week to plan out the menu has SAVED me so much time and money (because I don't just go out when I can't think of something to make).

The left side of the notepad reads "DINNER" and is divided into days of the week, while the right side reads "NOT DINNER" and has space for breakfast, lunch and snacks! I love that! Now my kids don't ask me "what can I eat?" They just look at the list and pick something! Wahoo!

I know I shouldn't get excited about something this simple, but really, isn't it great?

I'm back!

2010-04-29T12:30:00.000-07:00

It's been over a year since I last posted something! Blogging sort of went the way of scrapbooking for me. I got too far behind to ever catch up and became discouraged and quit! Now I'm realizing I don't really have to catch up... I can just start fresh!

Recently, I've been inspired by some creative friends, that have switched their blogs from "family chronicles" to "creative outlets". Now that, I think I can do.

I am in between design jobs at the moment, by choice, but need a creative outlet... so here we go! For now on I'll be posting about things that inspire me... design, cooking, family, etc.

So, to start us off, take look at my latest project: BLACKHAWK REMODEL

THE KITCHEN BEFORE:

Appliance Wall

Window Box Wall

Please note the embarrassingly ugly venting cabinet that hung over the island cook top with glaring fluorescent lighting encased in brass. It blocked the view of the entire kitchen from any angle. This kitchen was just laid out wrong from the get go. So we raised the ceiling, reconfigured the appliance wall (moving the refrigerator, and updating all appliances), moved the cook top to the spotlight corner next to the window box, expanded the island to include drawers, shelving and an eating edge. Here's what it came out looking like:

THE KITCHEN AFTER:

Appliance Wall

Window Box Wall

A most gorgeous mural painted by my friend and artist extraordinaire, Laney... find her at www.sassypepper.blogspot.com

HERE'S THE MASTER BATH BEFORE:

Vanity Wall

Tub and Shower Wall

Again we have ugly brass treatment going on everywhere. The huge soffet coming down from the ceiling on the vanity wall, that encased those harsh fluorescent (not good on the face!) The wall to wall carpet on the floor could not be worse for a bathroom. And again, the space panning left a lot to be desired. We ripped the bathroom down to the studs, reconfigured the room, adding an 8 foot double head shower, a jetted tub, a linen closet, travertine flooring, and beautiful cabinetry. Here are the results:

MASTER BATH AFTER:

Vanity Wall

Tub/ shower wall

Lovely new shower

Added bonus, a linen closet

HERE'S A LOOK AT THE ENTRY / LIVING & DINING ROOMS:

Here is the entry way before and after. New wood flooring in entry, kitchen and dining, paint on the walls and fireplace. removal of the dated wooden railing dividing the living and dining spaces. New lighting.

This would be the dining room before and after. It made a huge difference to rip out the ugly pole draperies, replace them with shutters, change the lighting and carry the wood flooring under the eating area accented with a Turkish area rug.

The living room before and after. Again, we pulled own the ugly pole draperies, replaced them with shutters on the window and soon to be new fresh draperies on the slider (for now, you are looking at paper shade from Lowe's... not pretty, but they do the trick for privacy). The fireplace was painted a neutral fresh, Benjamin Moore Linen White and a mantel was added. Carpeting was replaced with a thick beautiful carpet in a modern color.

In the guest bath, we took down the wall paper, ripped out the light soffet, removed the fluorescent and replaced it with a new fixture. Took down the glue-on wall mirror and replaced it with this cute black window mirror. We painted cabinet black to match the mirror and replaced the carpet on the floor with travertinetiles. New paint and a new faucet completed this low-budget portion of the remodel.

The laundry room was very basic. We kept the same cabinets, painted them out Linen White and replaced the hardware. We removed the garage utility sink, and replaced it with a cabinet and work sink. We replaced the linoleum with the same travertine seen in the rest of the house. And of course, new paint, and new appliances.

Master bedroom from drab to fab!

Little Office transformed!

Oh, I can't forget... I'm absolutely IN LOVE with the lighting we found for this house! Just look at these beautiful chandiliers and pendants! They are the frosting on the cake!

This lovely antiqued bronze chandilier with french shades and amber glass drops for the breakfast nook

These fun pendant lights that seem so polite just hanging there, but then turn this gorgeous shade of amber when switched on

And this beauty, hanging in the master bath to fill up all that dead space in the 20 foot ceiling. I love the subtle satin nickel accents on the antiqued bronze finish, it makes it so adaptable to any hardware in the bathroom. And of course, I love the french shades. Isn't it just beautiful?

As you probably noticed, this remodel is not yet complete. We are still trucking in all the accessories, draperies, decor items, additional furniture peices and statement makers! All the things that I LOVE! So, stay tuned for the final transformation pics when I'm all done!

Christmas Trees and the Temple

2009-02-01T10:39:00.000-08:00

These are our good friends, The Edgrens (Brad, Rach, Cole, Drew and Sammie Lou). Rachel happens to be my visiting teacher and Brad happens to be our home teacher. One night in early December Brad showed up at our door and said "Come on... we're going to get Christmas trees and then see the lights at the temple. If you get in the car right now, I'll buy your tree." SWEET!! We loaded in our cars and headed off to the lot and the temple. It was a super fun night... love those Edgrens!

Here are the 2 families in the stupidest pose ever. At the last minute the guys who was taking the picture said "Lean in!" duh... ok. So we did, and after I was like "WHY?!?!" The answer is so that Rach and I can look ridiculously short in what was supposed to be a cute family pic!

Crew and Coleman getting ready to pick out the trees!

Kind of a blurring pic of the Edgrens, with their friend Bob who runs the Christmas Tree Lot

Out little family, as always, Chase is thrilled to be there! But the rest of us look happy, right?

A shot of the temple grounds from the observation platform on the front of the temple.

Rach and SL2 (for those of you who don't know the Edgrens... Sammie Lou is named after her great-grandmother, so she is sometimes loving referred to as SL2) And I just have to close this post with my favorite holiday story about Sammie Lou. During the Christmas season she was obsessed with the cartoon version of the Grinch Who Stole Christmas. She watched it everyday, because she had a starring role in it. She always wanted to see the part with "Sammie Lou Who" (aka Cindy Lou Who). Isn't she so cute? And now, take a closer look at her... isn't she a perfect real life version of Cindy Lou Who?

Chocolate Crinkles

2009-01-27T13:32:00.001-08:00

Made these little gems for my kids yesterday... forgot how much they love them! Thought you might want to make some for your little ones too!

Chocolate Crinkles

3 beaten eggs

1 1/2 cups sugar

4 squares (4 Ounces) unsweetened chocolate, melted

1/2 cup cooking oil

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups flour

sifted powdered sugar (for rolling)

In a mixing bowl, combine beaten eggs, sugar, melted chocolate, cooking oil, baking powder and vanilla. Gradually add flour to chocolate mixture, stirring till thoroughly combined. Cover and chill for 1 to 2 hours or till easy to handle.

Shape dough into 1 inch balls. (I use a small cookie scoop to do this.) Roll balls in powdered sugar to coat generously. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet (I line mine with parchment). Bake in a 375 degree oven for 8 - 10 minutes or until edges are set and tops are crackled. Cool cookies on wire rack. Makes about 48.

ENJOY!

Thanksgiving in sunny AZ

2009-01-23T14:01:00.000-08:00

View from the backyard

This year, on the spur of the moment, we decided to drive to Arizona to celebrate Thanksgiving with Grammie and Bumpa. They had asked us to come several times during the year, but we had always declined, saying we would probably just stay at home. Somewhere near the beginning of November, with gas prices falling and me really not looking forward to the prospect of preparing an entire Thanksgiving dinner alone, we decided to hop in the car and go! What else were we going to do with the kids for an entire week with no school?
Our kids are fabulous travelers, so it was an easy 12 hour drive, and we had a great week there. it was sunny and 80 degrees. We were swimming in the pool, and taking walks outside, and basically just relaxing. Loved it!

Crew, Quinn and Grant hot-tubbing

I don't know if you can tell in this picture, but my parents have an inifinty pool, where the water drops over the edge and is recycled back up and into the pool again. After Crew swam in it for several days he told Grammie that he hoped the next people who buy this house will be able to afford to finish the pool... the back wall is missing!

Crew and Quinn messing around in the window

Active little Quinn keep us on our toes

We got to spend some time with cousin Quinn. My kids helped keep him entertained, while my poor sister watched from her doctor enforced bed rest. Bummer for her.

4 Generations

Chase, Crew, Grant, Steve, Grammie, Bumpa, Grandma B

Grandma Barbara came out from Utah, and Grant had the opportunity to interview her for his heritage project at school. I learned so much for that interview... and here I thought I had heard it all!

The dinner was yummy! Even though Mom and I were helping each other prepare the meal, by the end of the day we were exhausted! (So much so, that we proclaimed we would not be doing this again for Christmas... but that's another post.)
Emily was sidelined, and spent the day on the couch wishing she could be of some help, but instead having to be content with whipping out a few dozen crocheted baby caps (notice the cap loop in her hand) When all was said and done... the meal had been eaten, the dishes were done, the house put back together again, she exclaimed "So, this is what it feels like to be a man!"

Crew's Chevy's Birthday Dinner

2009-01-22T15:57:00.000-08:00

For Crew's 7th birthday dinner he decided he wanted to go to Chevy's.

Why is getting that darn sombrero such a draw? They get you every time!

Crew and the coveted sombrero

Mom, Dad & birthday boy

Crew and the cousins (Brielle & Sawyer)

Another one of the cousins

Little Drew Bee... couldn't you just eat him up!

Grant and Kyle... champions of eating. Together, they can eat more than our entire family combined...including Steve

The placing of the birthday sombrero upon the head of the birthday boy!

Eating My Words!

2009-01-22T10:44:00.000-08:00

Remember last year at about this time, when I did a post about Chuck E Cheese, relishing in the fact that I had had my LAST party with Chuck?

NO SUCH LUCK! I really thought I was in the clear. I really thought I'd never have to set foot in the mouse house again. But when it came time for Crew's birthday party this year, guess where he wanted to have it?

What could be better than blowing out the candles with Chuck E Cheese watching and cheering?

He looks happy, right? I guess it was worth it!

This year I will not be saying that I've seen the last of our old friend Chuck, so as not to curse myself for next year... but really do hope that was it for us. On the other hand, it was a super easy party to do, just pay the money and they take care of everything. The kids have fun, the parents sit and talk while the kids run wild. The kids don't seem to mind the rubbery pizza and fake chocolate cake. And Crew had a blast!

I still say the job of ChuckE has to be one of the worst jobs any teenager, or worse, adult, could have. And everytime they announce that Chuck E is coming out to visit the kids, I cringe and feel sorry for whoever it is that might have to be donning the ChuckE suit.

Here are some candids from the party:

Older brother Chase and his friend Jake

Brock and Jaxon

Cousin Sawyer

Dylan and Ryan

Kaitlyn and Samantha (Crew's girlfriend)

Caleb, Hunter and Matthew

Older brother Grant and his friend Evan

Cole and Ben

Timmy and Blake

Sawyer playing air hockey

Brielle on a ride with ChuckE

Gathering the kids to dance with ChuckE

The Chuck E Cheese kids parade

Halloween 2008

2009-01-22T09:38:00.001-08:00

Yes, I know this post is horribly outdated, but remember, I'm trying to catch up. So, this year is the first year that my teenager decided not to dress up or even participate in Halloween at all. He spent the night holed up in his room, and didn't come out till morning, thus there are no photos of him! But rest assured, we still love him, and haven't shipped him off to military school (not yet anyway.)

Grant and Crew, on the other decided that they needed 2 costumes each. One for school, and one for trick-or-treating. Crew was batman and a ninja. Grant was a football player and Chucky!

Grant the football player

Grant as Chucky, with Kyle as the Devil and Ben as the Joker

Crew as Batman in the school parade

for some reason I don't have a shot of him as the ninja... oopps!

We had our annual Halloween Potluck, and had so many fun friends come to get their tummies full before hitting the neighborhood for candy! Here are some candids from the party:

Shan & Melissa and sweet Savvy! Isn't she so cute?!?

Kelly & Rach

Crew with his buddies Nate the Knight and Caleb the Punk Rock Cowboy

Rob, Michele & Drew

The Garff Family

Jen and I

Drew and Savvy

The Spencers

The guys... Mike, Steve and Brent

More of the guys... Barry, John and Brad

Some of the kids playing in the backyard... waiting till it's dark so they can go trick-or-treating

Mary & Lori

John and Taressa

After the potluck we all stormed the neighborhood to "collect the candy from those fools who were so foolishly giving it away!" Grant headed off with his friends, while Crew and I went with the cousins.

Crew and Sawyer at the haunted house... notice the ghoul behind them

Brielle, trying to smile for the camera... but how can you stand still and smile when all you want to do is get to the next house for more candy!

The post trick or treating candy sorting and trading!

Our Guide Dog Puppy Goes to training!

2009-01-21T11:49:00.000-08:00

A little history...

When my oldest son, Chase was in third grade he went on a field trip to the Guide Dogs for the Blind Campus in San Rafael. He came home wanting to get a guide dog. I had heard that the wait list t get one of the "drop outs", or as GDB calls them, career changed dogs, was a 4 year wait. So, I said "Sure, we can get one of those... I'll call and put our name on the wait list."

Little did I know that they have a program called "puppy raising". The program is exactly what it sounds like. Even though GDB breeds all of their own dogs, they don't come out of the chute trained Guides. Of course they need families to take the cute little puppies and "raise" them for a year to a year and a half, all the while following their very strict guidelines and attending meeting once a week, before they can put them into formal training and guide work.

So, about 4 years ago we got a cute little yellow lab puppy named Snapple. She turned out to be a little wild, and in the end got career changed for fear of elevators.

Chase with Lisa (8 weeks old) picking her up from the kennels

After our experience with Snapple we waited a year or so and then decided to raise another one. This time we got our sweet Lisa. She was mellow and obedient from the start. We had a great year and a half with her before they called her back to formal training.

Lisa at the jelly belly factory tour

We've learned so much about these dogs and the good work them do as guide for the blind. It's pretty amazing what they can do when all is said and done. We got Lisa when she was 8 weeks old and trained her on all the basic commands as she grew and also trained her on what things she shouldn't do (eat trash, relieve on walks, beg for food, get on furniture, etc.) She was a good dog... always eager to learn and please. And always wanted to be right where I was.

Lisa (on left) with another guide dog puppy, under a table at a restaurant

She went with me everywhere. To the grocery store, to church, to the movies, on long walks. They have these little green vests that they where to indicate they are a working dog (you've probably seen them around town) and so they are supposed to go with you as often as they can to prepare them for the work they will be doing as a guide. Lisa was always well behaved in public and was especially patient with young children who wanted to pet her and pull her ears and poke her in the eye. None of it seemed to bother her.

Lisa and I on the day she was recalled for formal training

She was called back to campus in late October to begin her formal training for Guide work. She has been progressing ever since and is now in phase 7 (there are 10 phases total that a dog needs to successfully complete to become a working guide). So, if it's not too silly to pray for a dog, say a little prayer for her that she completes training and is able to become a guide for someone who really needs her! GO LISA GO!!!!

Then and Now!

2009-01-21T10:31:00.000-08:00

My senior picture

At my 20th high school reunion

I'm not sure how 20 years slipped by in the blink of an eye (wow, I sound old, don't I?) In October I had my 20th High School reunion. It was so much fun to catch up with the hundreds of people I spent my youth with and literally haven't even seen in the 20 years since, and fun to hang out the the ones that I actually have kept in touch with!

Celia and I in our high school days

The Alamo Mormon gang... Heidi, Dane, Celia & I at the reunion

Dane and I in high school

Coreen, me, Myla & Celia

Me, Myla and Celia way back when....

The whole class

Time to catch up!

2009-01-21T10:25:00.000-08:00

Scary picture of me, I know, but isn't Quinn so cute???

I have been so freakin' busy lately that I haven't had an extra moment to blog. When I went to Az to visit my sister, who is on bed rest and therefore looks forward to reading blogs daily, she reminded me that I haven't blogged since Oct 28th. So, in the upcoming blogs, I'm goign to attempt to catch up on what has transpired from then till now! Wish me luck!

Bumpa Bob Comes for a Visit!

2008-10-28T08:40:00.000-07:00

Last weekend Grandpa Bob (my Dad), whom we lovingly refer to as Bumpa Bob, from the days when Chase could say Grandpa and instead said Bumpa, came for a visit. There was no purpose behind the visit except to see the grandkids, and watch Grant play football. Is that a good Bumpa or what? We had a great time with Bumpa, and he graciously put up with the chaos of our crazy house! Thanks for coming Bumpa... we love you!!

The CA grandkids with Bumpa Bob

(Sidenote to Angi and Emily... we missed you guys!)

Chase and Grant at our Mexican Dinner

Brielle, Sawyer and Crew at Alberto's

Bumpa Bob and Grant after the Bears Game

Michele, Drew, Shannon, Rob and Bumpa Bob

Happy 13th Birthday Chase!

2008-10-20T19:15:00.000-07:00

Ok... I am officially the mother of a teenager! SCARY! I don't feel old enough to have a child that old, and yet, being the mom of teenager gets you some major props in the "mom world". Teenagers are moody, sulky, unpredictable, joyful, reaching for individualism, wanting freedom, and wanting guidance. I've watched my friends with teens navigate through these years and have admired their strength, and have learned from each and everyone of them. So, I feel prepared. I feel hopeful, and I know that should I fail, my friends will prop me up!

Besides, what's the worst this cute kid could do?????

Chase loving the "midnight" Cold Stone cake...

Chocolate cake, chocolate ice cream, and chocolate fudge gnache.

He's a chocoholic... wonder where he gets that?

Shannon (aka Mom), Chase, Grant and Crew

Chase had just finished his second HUGE piece of cake. He look pretty happy, right?

Grant, Chase, Steve (aka Dad) and Crew

"I"

2008-09-24T20:54:00.000-07:00

Let me preface this by saying that I am doing this because my sister in law ANGI and my sister EMILY did this cute post on their pages, and issued a challenge to do one, and let me say that it will be a challenge because I'm not a very introspective person. Anyway...so here I go...

"I"...

I am... comfortable in my own skin... finally!

I'd like to think... that everyone is striving to do good and be better, as I am.

I've become... aware that everyone has a "story", therefore I've also become much more tolerant of anyone who might have used to irritate me.

I think... about design, my kids, opening a bakery, if Steve will get a new job soon, why Chase doesn't try harder in school, if Crew's teeth will grow in straight, why Grant is so mellow all the time, if I can make it through the last month of training a Guide Dog without ripping my hair out, what color I should paint Chase's room, if I should get a new car, what can I do to make a difference to someone else, who needs my help today... my minds always going...

I know... I have the best family and friends in the world.

I want... my children to grow up to become responsible, educated, "nice" people, with no tragedies.

I have... too many shoes!

I wish... I had more shoes. Funny how too many is just not enough! And jeans... I wish I had more jeans!

I hate... black and navy together. A color thing I've always had. Please DON'T wear a black blouse and navy skirt. It makes me shutter.

I miss... having Crew hang out with me all day. My last little guy is in full time school. Waaa!

I fear... sorry, I can't even go there. Too many fears, that I choose to not think about.

I hear... my children taking a shower and getting ready for bed, with a little Ben Kweller playing in the background.

I smell... the banana bread I baked earlier today... YUM!

I wonder... why so often the important things get shoved to to back, and the little stuff takes over for me.

I regret... if I've ever hurt anyone.

I love... my family & friends. Interior Design. Color. Clothes. Chocolate. Diet Coke.

I always... give in to chocolate... how do you turn down chocolate?

I am not... good at waking up. I'm very grumpy in the morning!

I believe... what comes around goes around.

I don't always... express my gratefulness. I try, but I'm not good at it. I'm trying to be better.

I win... most of my arguments with my husband... at least he lets me think I do.

I lose... track of my keys almost everyday... even though I have a special place at home and in my purse for them.

I never... say "I love you, but..." For example: "Crew, I love you, but you have got to stop hitting your brother." I strongly believe "I love you" should never be followed by "but"!

I listen... to and love all kinds of music. I could not live without music in my life.

I read... in spurts. I'll read 10 books in a month and then nothing for 3 months.

I... hope you haven't found this too lame, and will consider doing an "I" list on your blog so I can read about "you"!

Sea Cliff Beach over Labor Day Weekend

2008-09-03T20:21:00.000-07:00

Here's Crew, 6 years old, having tons of fun and not afraid to show it!

Here's Grant, 10 years old, having fun and beginning to try to hide it!

Here's Chase, 13 years old, and pretending not to have fun anytime I come near him with the camera!

Here's the girls, me, Rach, Kelly and Annie... clearly having fun and too old to try to hide it!

Here's Grant, in his element, and now ok with showing that he might be having fun.

Here are Aden and Chase... too cool for school.

Here are the cool sand sculptures we found in Capitola! Wish I could take credit for those, but no.

Here's another really cool one. I wonder how long that took to construct?

Here are 2 of my favorite little ones. Sammie Lou & Cameron. I love how their feet are intertwined.. too cute!

First Day of School

2008-08-27T20:26:00.001-07:00

Are my kids getting to old for first day of school photo taking? They seem to think they are. Chase wouldn't even let me snap one of him. Crew gave me the stink eye and Grant just stood there, like "Can we get this over with?"

Well, it's my prerogative as a parent to get those first day photos so someday we can look back on the days when they were so small. Plus, the grandparents need to see them, right???

So, here they are, in all their uncooperative glory!

Crew entering first grade

Grant posing half-heartedly in front of the school

He really just wants to get on his bike and ride home.

Bar Mitvah

2008-08-25T22:48:00.000-07:00

Saturday we spend all day attending the Bar Mitvah ceremony, luncheon and party for our dear friends. We've known these guys for 5 years and love having them in our lives. Sam, one of the boys getting Bar Mitvah'd is great friends with my oldest, Chase. It was an awesome day. Really cool ceremony, and an awesome party!!!! Congratulations Ben and Sam!

Kathleen, Mary Lee, Jan (the boys Mom & our hostess), Kim, me, Michelle, and cute little Olivia

Ben (one of the Bar Mitvah boys)

My dear friend Jan

Crew and Nicole (aka Trouble)

Steve and Jim get their pong on

Luke, Chase and Grant enjoying the scrumptious buffet

Sam & I... (the other Bar Mitvah boy) This guy is like one of my own... he even calls me Mom and I LOVE it!

IKEA

2008-08-24T13:18:00.000-07:00

Let's face it, shopping at IKEA is never high on my list of priorities. It takes too long to get there. It takes too long to park. It takes too long to walk from your car to the entrance of the place. Then, it takes way too long to worm your way around the store, trying to find the couple of things you might be looking for. It then takes much, much too long to check out, and heaven forbid if you should buy a piece of furniture that has to be picked up at the special delivery area... that takes forever!!!

But we went last week with the cousins and actually managed to have a fun time, even though we did do all the the time consuming things listed above. The kids went absolutely nuts in there. Running all around, jumping on furniture, rolling on chairs, hurdling over couches, folding each other up in futons, etc. The great thing was, that no one even noticed. Everything is in a constant state of chaos in there. The customers don't take notice of wild children, as they are too intent on winding their way through the great IKEA maze to be distracted from their end goal. Even the badge wearing IKEA staff just looked at them and continued whatever they were doing.

I'm not recommending this outing as some sort of a field trip or anything, but I will say, having a bunch of kids who were having a fun time did make the painful journey more tolerable. They did manage to distract me from time to time and as grateful for it.

The kids piled on the cart, and Steve pushed them surfer style!

Brielle, Crew and Sawyer in one of the rooms they tore up!

15 YEARS!

2008-08-21T10:02:00.001-07:00

1993

2008

I can't really believe that today is my 15 year wedding anniversary! I kind of feel like "we made it"... phew! I love this man. He is hilarious, which keeps our marriage light and fun most of the time. He's the best Dad ever and loves to be with his kids all the time. Steve, here's to you! Here's to us, and here's to the next 15 years! Love you honey!

More from kelli

2008-08-18T21:57:00.000-07:00

I'm in love with Kelli

2008-08-18T19:40:00.000-07:00

Or with her photographic genius rather!!! Check out these awesome pics she took of my family!

Easy Carmel Popcorn

2008-08-12T23:11:00.001-07:00

Made this with my kids today... so good, it even looks yummy on this stupid paper plate!

Carmel Popcorn

Makes 12 cups

1 pound brown sugar (2 1/4 cups)

1 cup white Karo syrup

1 cube butter

1 cup sweetened condensed milk

3 bags microwave popcorn, natural style, popped

Put all popcorn in large bowl, being sure to remove all unpopped kernels. Bring the sugar, corn syrup and butter to a boil, then add sweetened condensed milk. Boil to soft ball stage and pour over popcorn. Mix thoroughly and spread out on waxed paper to cool.

Surf and Turf

2008-08-08T15:03:00.000-07:00

FAMILY VACATION AT MANHATTAN BEACH

Jackson & Grant riding a wave all the way in!

Chase coming in from some serious boogie boarding

Grant's creation

Crew loving the ocean... we couldn't get him out!

Carver Family at Manhattan Beach Pier

We had a fun "Williams Family" vacation last week. We all headed down to Manhattan Beach for a week of fun in the sun. We spent most of our time just hanging around the beach... which the kids loved. Sometimes the best kind of vacation is the kind where you do absolutely nothing! We all made sand castles, buried each other in the sand, boogie boarded, body surfed, played frisbee, dug HUGE holes and tunnels, and just relaxed in the sun.

The kids loved spending time with all our cousins. Ben and Angi came from Utah. Jason and Emily came from Arizona. Rob and Michele from Danville, and the parents from AZ. It's been a long time since we've all been together with all the kids. It was great!!!

Thanks Dad, for planning a great get away for all of us!

Steve enjoying a good book...

Rob helping the kids dig a big hole

Grant completely buried

Sawyer under the sand

Angi makes Bailey and Brielle into mermaids

This is mostly what the boys did... lots of digging going on

Cutest ever Bailey Jane

Sweet little Brielle

Crew and Sawyer warming up in the toasty sand

Quinn loved the sand

Smilin' Drew!

Ben rocks the waves

Rob coming in from some good rides

OK... enough already. It was just so fun... I couldn't help but share some of it with you!

YUM-O

2008-08-08T15:00:00.000-07:00

Creamy Chicken Enchiladas

Serves 6

6 chicken breasts

2 cans cream of chicken soup

1-pint sour cream

2 small cans green chiles

1 cup grated Monterey jack Cheese

12 tortillas

1 cup grated cheddar cheese

Cook the chicken and dice into bite size pieces

Mix together he soup, sour cream, chiles, and Jack cheese.

Mix 1/4 of the above mixture with the diced chicken.

Put 2 Tablespoons chicken mixture in each tortilla, roll and place in 9x13 pan.

Spread remaining mixture over tortillas and cover with cheddar cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

Serve with rice and corn if desired.

So good... everyone loves this!

2008-08-05T15:21:00.000-07:00

California Black Bean and Corn Salsa

Serves 16

Dressing:

1 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup lime juice

1 canned chipotle chile or more, to taste

1 teaspoon cumin

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 garlic clove, minced or crushed

Salsa:

2 (16 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained

4 cups fresh corn kernels (see note)

1 red bell pepper, diced

3/4 cup diced red onion

1 large ripe tomato, diced

1 ripe avocado, diced

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Combine the dressing ingredients in a blender. Process till thoroughly blended.

Combine the beans, corn, bell pepper and onion in a bowl and mix well. Add the dressing, starting with about half the dressing and toss to coat. Add more dressing if needed, to taste. Marinate, covered, at room temperature for at least 3 hours, stirring occasionally. Just before serving, stir in the tomato, avocado, and cilantro. Serve with tortilla chips.

Note: fresh sweet corn may be used without cooking first. I have also used Trader Joe’s frozen super sweet white corn, and it works great.

Authentic Beef Tacos Anyone????

2008-08-05T15:18:00.001-07:00

I couldn't get a good picture of these... they all got eaten too fast! But here's what the pan fried corn tortilla shells look like.

Shredded Beef Tacos

Makes 20 tacos

One pot roast (chuck or top round)

1/2 cup Taco seasoning

1/2 cup beef broth

20 corn tortillas

1/2 cup oil

2 cups shredded lettuce

1 cup grated cheddar cheese

Salsa to taste

IN THE MORNING:

Turn on crock-pot to low to warm up while meat is browning.

In large fry pan, heat 2 tablespoons oil on high. Brown pot roast on all sides. Place pot roast, beef broth and taco seasoning in crock-pot. Cook on warm for 8 hours.

IN THE EVENING:

Using 2 forks shred the meat in the crock-pot, removing fat and stirring into juice. Leave to stew while the tortillas are prepared.

In fry pan heat 1 Tablespoon of the oil till bubbles when water is spritzed on it. Place one corn tortilla in the oil and fry until heated through (about 20 seconds), then flip and heat other side till warmed (about 10 seconds). Remove from pan, fold in half to form a shell, and let cool slightly, then fill with a spoonful of meat. Repeat the process for each tortilla.

Top each taco with desired toppings (lettuce, cheese, salsa)

Kids Can Cook

2008-08-05T14:51:00.000-07:00

This summer I've been teaching a class for 8 -12 year old cooks. I have had so much fun teaching and learning with these kids! We are making some yummy things this week, so I thought I'd post some of the recipes for all of you to enjoy! So, here goes....

MOHAWK

2008-07-09T20:02:00.000-07:00

Before

After

Since Grant was 4 years old he's been sporting a "hawk" for the last day of school. This year was no exception. Okay, we it's a little WT, but it's only for one day, and come on... it's cool for a day!

So cool in fact, that one of his good friends decided to do it too! WT?, not in Danville!!!

AAA Danville Little League Champs

2008-07-09T19:52:00.000-07:00

Grant's little league team won the league this year! The season began for them in February, when they started their twice a week, 3 hour practices. Then sometime in late March the games kicked in, another 2 games at 3 hours each. Then there's batting practice on top of that, so these kids (and their awesome coaches) were putting in about 15 hours a week. (Not to mention all the driving and spectating that was done but all of us parents!!!) The season started off slow and they lost a couple before really coming around and ended up winning the league! It was an exciting season. Grant loved it and really grew as a player! Hope we do as well next year!!!

Grant's team, the Pirates, were Danville Little League AAA Champions!!!'

Grant is on the center on the bottom

Grant and Crew proudly displaying the biggest trophy yet to be brought into our house!

Happy Father's Day Steve!

2008-06-15T21:45:00.000-07:00

Steve, Crew & Grant

Steve and the boys take Chinatown by Storm

We had a fun Father's Day today. Went to church... opened some gifts... went to a family get together at Steve's sister house where all the kids swam and played for hours on end. It was a great way to spend a relaxing day.

The kids gave Steve a crazy tie that they had decorated, which he wore to church along with all the other dad's who were wearing similarly decorated "gift" ties. Thanks to the Danville II Ward Primary for those cute. crazy ties, and for not forgetting our Dads on their special day!

They also gave him a "Father's Day Survey" on which they responded to some general questions about their dad. Some of their answers were pretty funny:

Grant:

What makes your dad really happy? Going fast on a motorcycle

What does your dad do all day? Watch TV, computer, play with me

What is your favorite thing to do with your dad? Go on a motorcycle, play catch

How much does your dad love you? A LOT

Crew:

What makes your dad really happy? When I brush my teeth, and ride motorcycles

What does your dad do all day? Lay in bed

What is your favorite thing to do with your dad? Play games together

How much does your dad love you? More than the whole universe!!!

Love you Steve!

The Things My Dad Taught Me

2008-06-15T20:50:00.000-07:00

Me & Dad at a Garth Brooks Concert

1. Don't Be Late

2. Manage Your Money Wisely

3. It's Okay To Say No

4. It's Just As Easy to Marry a Rich Man as a Poor One

5. Country Music Rocks

6. Work Hard for the Things You Want in Life

7. Be Organized and Have a Plan

8. Be Respectful

9. Take A Memorable Vacation Every Year

10. Learn to Ski (snow & water) when you're young... enjoy it through out your life

11. Camping is a Hotel without Room Service

12. You Can Do Anything You Set Your Mind To

13. Licorice is a good snack on long car trips... a cowboy hat and CB Radio helps too!

Love you dad! Happy Father's Day!

LOVE IT!!!

2008-05-09T15:17:00.000-07:00

Can I just say... I have been subscribing to Domino magazine for about 4 months now and I absolutely LOVE IT! It has the best design ideas and lay outs and fashion tips. Plus, every month there is a page with little stickys on it so you can "tag" all your favorite things. Did say I LOVE IT? I find myself eagerly anticipating the first of the month when my new issue comes. It is never late and it never lets me down.

Yummy Chilighetti

2008-05-08T13:38:00.000-07:00

It's my night to cook for supper club (I'm Miss Thursday!) So I decided to make an old family favorite.

Growing up, my mom would make this whenever we had to feed a big group or bring dinner to a family in need. I distinctly remember carrying this dish over to many a neighbor's house, and even dropping a casserole dish full of this on someone's doorstep, shattering the dish...chilighetti oozing out everywhere... oops. Luckily there was more back home, so my mom just gave the neighbor what would have been our dinner.

Anyway, everyone loves this dish, and it's pretty simple to make, although admittedly not low-fat.

Here's the recipe... try it... you'll like it!

Chilighetti

1 lb. ground beef

3/4 onion, diced

3 cans diced tomatoes

3 cans chili (I prefer Stagg brand)

3 cups cheddar cheese, grated

8 ounces sour cream

16 ounces spaghetti noodles, cooked

parmesan cheese, grated

In a large stockpot, brown the onion and ground beef.

When beef is thoroughly cooked, add the tomatoes and heat through.

Add the chili, cheddar cheese and sour cream. Stir well and slowly bring to a boil.

Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occassionally.

Add the cooked spaghetti noodles and combine. Pour into a casserole dish (I usually fill 2 deep 8x8 pans, or a deep 9x13)

Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

(At this point the dish can be frozen for use within 2 months or refrigerated for baking the next day)

Or it can go straight into the oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Thanks Mom for this yummy recipe! Can't wait to have some tonight!

More fun with photo booth

2008-05-05T19:32:00.000-07:00

2008-05-05T19:25:00.000-07:00

I couldn't resist posting these funny photos of Grant messing around with photo booth! The one in France is my FAV!

Grant

2008-05-04T18:37:00.001-07:00

Playing with PhotoBooth...

Jelly Belly Factory

2008-05-04T17:58:00.001-07:00

Last week we had the opportunity to go tour the Jelly Belly factory with our Guide Dog Group. Chase, Chase's friend Dane, Grant, Crew, our Guide Dog Puppy, Lisa and I loaded up the car early and headed off to Fairfield to see how the famous beans are made. If you've never been, it is a surprising interesting tour, and it's free! We had a big group of us, including 13 dogs and we basically took over the place. After which we all went for lunch at Red Robin... table for 32 please (and 13 dogs) It was quite a sight! But everyone was very accommodating and we had lots of fun!

Grant, Crew, Chase, Dane and Lisa with the big Jelly Belly Guy

Dane, Grant, Crew and Chase in the required Jelly Belly Tour attire

Lisa and her buddy Steinbeck under the table at Red Robin

Lisa in her Jelly Belly attire (no they didn't make her wear it for the tour)

Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

2008-05-04T17:49:00.003-07:00

As the mother of 3 boys, you can image that I both love and dread Spring and baseball season. My life becomes so hectic with 3 boys each having 2 practices and 2 games per week. Luckily for me, this year Chase decided that baseball was not his thing and opted to play continue playing hockey (only 1 practice and 1 game per week) So, yes, spring comes and I am in my car constantly, but I'm also outside watching the games. It's trade off, and well worth it. How else could I justify sitting in a lounge chair in the middle of Osage park all-day every Saturday?

Crew... so cute in his tiny A's Uniform

Crew up at bat (coach pitch... no T-ball for this guy!)

Crew in the outfield... trying not to get bored.

Pictures of Grant to follow soon.

Sugar cookies, the new cupcake!

2008-04-08T16:03:00.000-07:00

My own little sweet cakes cookies

Yummy!

For about the past 3 years I have had a cupcake fetish (before that it was German Chocolate Cake... chocolate chip cookies... Chocolate cake... brownies.) I search for and try out all the best recipes until I convince myself that my _____(fill in the blank), is as good as anything I could get in a upscale bakery.

My sister is always raving about the sugar cookies at a cute little bakery in downtown Mesa called Sweet Cakes. Last time I was there we went and we did partake. They were good, addicting, and fattening. (But we all know the trick with Diet Coke... eat the cookie, drink a diet coke and it cancels out the calories... OK, I know I'm dreaming)

Thus my new passion... sugar cookies!

After a little tweaking of some cookie recipes I have, I came up with this, and it comes close to the Sweet Cakes version. Try it... you'll like it! I promise!

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup cream, at room temp (not milk... cream)

1 cup sugar

2 tsp vanilla

2 eggs, at room temp

4 tsp baking powder

4 cups flour

Cream butter till light and fluffy. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Cool in fridge overnight or for several hours. Roll out on floured board and cut with 4" circle cookie cutter. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-9 minutes, or until bottoms (yours or theirs) turn light brown.

Cool completely before frosting.

Frosting

1 cup butter at room temp

8 cups powdered sugar

1/2 cup milk at room temp

2 tsp vanilla

Cream butter till light and fluffy. Add 4 cups of the sugar, the milk and the vanilla. Beat till smooth and creamy. Add the remaining sugar, one cup at a time, until frosting is desired consistency. If desired, add a few drops of food coloring.

I prefer to use a bag and pipe on my frosting. It is just easier for me, but you could certainly just use a knife to frost them as well.

Makes about 18 HUGE cookies.

ENJOY!

Pinetop Arizona

2008-04-02T19:16:00.002-07:00

While we were in Arizona we paid a visit to Steve's parents & older brother, Scott, who live in Pinetop. It's about a 4 hour drive from Phoenix, right smack dab in the middle of nowhere! It is beautiful and peaceful up there and it was great to see them. Now, if only they would moev back here!

Break

2008-04-01T16:11:00.000-07:00

We spent Spring Break in Arizona at the luxurious Williams Resort in East Scottsdale, aka my parents house. They have the most amazing negative edge pool, of which my kids took full advantage.

It was a lovely 85 degrees the whole time we were there. Take the temperature and add a heated pool with attached toasty hot tub & you have paradise!

The kids can swim... I can lay out and catch up with all the trashy magazines I would never dare read in "real life", but are perfectly acceptable on vacation. Steve can read all his car & motorcycle mags and be on his Blackberry to his hearts content.

Emily's little guy, Quinn & my boys Crew & Grant

Grant enjoying his float, while Chase and Crew battle in the background

Crew, Grant and Quinn hangin' in the hot tub

Chase, Grant holding Quinn, and Crew

We all had a great time... came home with tan bodies, blonder hair, relaxed bodies and great memories...thanks Mom and Dad!

Days of Thunder

2008-03-31T08:29:00.000-07:00

While we were in Arizona for Spring Break, my Dad treated the family to a day of go-cart racing. These were not your ordinary fun-park go-carts. These are the fast ones. The ones that require a bit of training (10 minute video) in order to be allowed to drive. So, Mom, Dad, Emily, Jason and my family went. It was a blast... here are some of the lessons I learned:

1. The head guards they give you to protect your head from the same helmet that so many others have worn before you, make you look like a character from Monty Python.

2. Men get very competitive, very fast when it comes to driving.

3. If you take a corner fast enough you can spin the go-cart in 2 full rotations before coming to a complete stop.

4. After said rotations you are stuck in a backwards facing position in the middle of traffic, so it is a given that you will be crashed into straight away. (Em crashed into me)

5. I will never be as fast (I won't say good, because I'm not sure fast means good) a driver as my husband, who's driving name was "Faster than You"... and he was faster than everyone there!

6. My kids will be good drivers, when the time comes. Yikes!

7. Going fast is fun. Passing a slower driver is even more fun and makes you feel really good! Sorry Mom!

This was seriously fun, and a great way to spend some time with the family! Thanks Dad!

Worst job ever?

2008-03-30T22:54:00.000-07:00

Crew with Chuck E Cheese

Last week my youngest, Crew, had his six year old birthday party at Chuck E Cheese. I was rejoicing with the knowledge that this would probably be the last party I would ever have to attend at the pizza place built around a RAT! (who ever thought of that?) For years I have gone to Chuck E Cheese dreading every painful moment... the chaos, the noise, the terrible food, the WT party palace, but this time it was different.

Knowing I might never be back helped me appreciate the good CEC has to offer. The one token games, the cheerful music, the friendly employees. Oh, the friendly employees. We had a nice fellow who was our party host, which basically means he has the priveledge of trying to wrangle 15, 5 year olds into sitting at a table to eat pizza and cake and watch the Chuck E show. He was patient and nice to all the kids, but didn't seem too thrilled at the career path he had taken. When he announced it was almost time for the ChuckE show, the kids went crazy with excitement and started screaming and running wildly around the party room!

It was at that moment, I saw a young man employee, shoulders hunched and sagging, slowly making his way to the "Staging" room. Oh, poor guy... that had to be Chuck E. I could just imagine him getting into that stinky costume to come out to a bunch of 5 year olds and do a little song and dance for them. Talk about the worst job ever. Chuck E Cheese day-in and day-out. That has to suck!

Chuck E, who ever you are... I'm sorry for you, I feel your pain. In spite of that I couldn't help doing a little happy dance on the way out. Thanks for the memories...I'll never be back!

Party Like a Rock Star

2008-03-17T12:36:00.001-07:00

These boys look harmless, right? Better ask the staff of the Marriott Residence Inn in San Ramon before you rush to judgement. Grant had his 10th birthday party there this year.

Let me preface this by saying that his core group of friends, seen above, have all had amazing birthday parties this year. One went to Six Flags Marine World, and then a sleep over at home. Another had a private tour of PacBell Park, followed by ice skating on the special rink built on the filed there. Another went to the Harlem Globetrotters, complete with signed ball. Now, I am not one to keep up with the Joneses... but I did feel the need to do something special. But something where I got the most bang-for-the-buck. Thus, the slumber party at a hotel!

The boys met at our house, and we drove them over to the Party Palace! We had pizza, snacks, cake, ice cream, soda, everything little ten year olds could want. Plus, the hotel had an outdoor heated pool, which they played in for hours.

Nevermind that the hotel had a strict NO PARTIES policy. Nevermind that we had exceeded the maximum occupancy. Who cares... it's a party!

I stayed for the first couple of hours, then my patient husband stayed the night with them. If he hadn't done that, there would be no party. I would never subject myself to that kind of torture! But he probably enjoyed it... let the boys RULE!!!

When I came back the following morning to help them pack up, here's what I found....

BTW... those are not beer bottles... it's root beer bottles!

The pictures actually look much more tame than it did in real life. The floor was riddled with popcorn, M&M's, Skittles and trash. There was pepperoni pizza ground into the bed linens. It was NASTY!

We quickly packed up... left the maid a tip and raced out of there before we got banned from Marriott forever! Happy Birthday Grant!

Bittersweet

2008-03-16T11:28:00.000-07:00

Last week the Williams family had a short and bittersweet get together. We all gathered in Arizona for a sorrowful occassion, the funeral of Emily's stillborn little girl Jessica Ann Scanlan. It was a difficult time but sweet at the same time as we all came together to support and love our sister . I don't want to say too much about it, for fear of increasing the pain my dear sister is feeling. But, it was awesome to see the strength of family in action. I think that having everyone there was the one bright spot in an otherwise extremely sad experience.

"The Williams kids... all grown up. " This is the original fab four. From left to right... Rob, Emily, Shannon & Ben. When we were growing up my mom used to tell us, "Be nice to each other, one day they will be your best friends." Turns out she was right! They are my best friends.

Their spouses are all great too! Rob's wife, Michele. Emily's husband, Jason (with their little guy Quinn). Ben's wife, Angi, and their twins Jackson and Bailey. Steve and my kids couldn't make it... but it was nice to have most the family together for a short time.

Here's one of all the girls... Michele, Emily, Me, Angi and Victoria, queen bee! We all look like sisters, right?

Sisters

2008-03-16T10:26:00.000-07:00

In my life, my sister is more than just a sister. She is a best friend, a confidant, a kindred spirit. She inspires me to be more. She understands when I fall short.

She has so many talents and gifts... in no particular order, she is an athlete, soccer player, wife, mother, friend, daughter, sister... still finds time to do some work in the title business, blog, keep her house, give service and take care of the people in her life. On top of that she is upbeat and funny. She is the one person I laugh with until I cry. But the thing I love about her most, is her ability to empathize with anyone and her kind nature. I tell her all the time that she is a much nicer person than I am, and it is true. She is patient and kind long after I lose it! That extends into her role as a mother. I watch her with her one year old boy and am amazed at her capacity to stay patient and loving, even when she is physically and emotionally exhausted.

This past week she had the trial of a lifetime. She showed a depth of character that I am sure I will never have. She has had to bear more than anyone should ever have to, and has done so with grace and patience and kindness. It has been truly inspiring to watch her, to talk with her and to share a small portion of the burden she has to bear. Going through this experience with her has changed me forever... has hopefully given me a little of her kindness and empathy. I am grateful to have her for a sister and for a friend! Emily, I love you!

Trader Joe's Fanatic

2008-02-28T13:30:00.000-08:00

Those of you who know me, know that I love to cook. I have spent years outfitting my kitchen with the all the appropriate tools to make my culinary adventures as painless as possible. Never mind that the kitchen itself is a huge hinderance, with the electric glass top stove, the extra small doll-sized ovens, the tile counter tops, the tiny sink with the faucet that won't stay on unless it's at full blast (gets annoying). At least there are 2 ovens, which comes in handy when you have to bake in extra small batches. I like to think that my overcoming these obstacles is a sure sign of my culinary prowess, and it's nice to have something tangable to blame it on when things don't turn out as planned. "If I had gas burners instead of these electric things I wouldn't have burned that. It's impossible to control the heat with these!"

I love to cook and I love to bake. I love it when a recipe or a new experiment turns out better than I had hoped. I consider it the ultimate compliment when someone asks for a recipe for something. (And I only have a couple of recipes that I don't share... family secrets, you know.)

Having said that, I have to say that I love NOT cooking just as much as I love cooking. Thus, Trader Joe's. This is the store all I turn to for all my opportunities to not cook. Dinner in 5 minutes? Trader Joe's Fettucini Alfredo (in the frozen food section) It is seriously good, and seriously done in 5 minutes!

Need a quick lunch for yourself while the kids are at school? Try one of their frozen stir fry bowls (chicken, shrimp or pad thai... all yummy and all healthy) Or one of their pre-made salads. Fast, easy and delicious.

Lately my kids (and ok, me too) Have been hooked on their frozen Mac Cheese. This stuff is as good as any I've made from scratch... seriously. Try it.

Their frozen steel cut oatmeal is to die for in the morning... and it only takes 3 minutes to warm in the microwave. Add a pat of butter and a sprinkle of brown sugar... what could better?

One last favorite I have to tell you about. I always have this Sun-Dried Tomato Basil Hummus and a bag of pita chips on hand. It is perfect for drop in visitors, kids and their friends, a last minute dinner invitation..."I'll bring the appetizer!" Everybody likes this one, kids and adults alike. Even my pickiest eater eats this.

Trader Joe's has so many fantastic foods... too many to mention, many of which are organic and most of which are on the healthy side. AND their prices are outstanding. I always spend less there then I would at Safeway or Lucky.

I'm always on the look out for something new or something I may have overlooked, so please send me a comment with your fav's from TJ's. I'll give them a try next time I'm there (tomorrow... Ha ha)

Cafe Rio Salad

2008-02-25T17:41:00.000-08:00

Like so many of you, I am addicted to Cafe Rio's sweet pork salad with the creamy tomatillo ranch dressing. Oh, it is so good... to die for. It calls your name, and wakes you in the night! Last time I was there I asked for the recipe for the sweet pork and for the dressing (the rest I figured I could come up with on my own). They gave it to me but in HUGE QUANTITIES like for a restaurant... duh. Dressing called for 3 gallons mayo, 2 gallons buttermilk, etc. After playing around with it I came up with something that is close... nothing like the real thing baby, but this will do in a pinch.

Sweet Pork

3-5 pounds pork tenderloin roast

1 cup salsa (nothing fancy... just Pace or something)

2 cups brown sugar

1 can Dr. Pepper

Combine the salsa, brown sugar and Dr. Pepper in a bowl. Put pork in crock pot and pour liquid over top. Set crock pot to low and cook for 8 hours. When cooked, remove pork from crock pot, put in large bowl and use forks to pull pork apart into small strings. Transfer sauce from crock pot to sauce pan and add 2 tsp cornstarch. heat till thickened. Pour desired amount of sauce over pork and combine.

Creamy Tomatillo Ranch Dressing

3 large tomatillos (canned or fresh)

1 cup buttermilk

1 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves

1 cup mayo

1 envelope buttermilk ranch dressing mix (Hidden Valley)

1 clove garlic, minced or crushed

juice from one lime

2 tsp sugar

1 1/2 Tbsp canned diced jalapeno peppers (more or less to taste)

Combine all ingredients in blender and combine till thick and creamy. Refrigerate for an hour or so to let flavors meld. Dressing can be saved in airtight container for about 3-4 days in refrigerator.

So, this is a layered salad and so you will also need the following, and should layer in this order:

Warm Tortilla (I like to buy the uncooked tortillas in Costco's refrigerated case and cook them fresh for this salad, but any tortilla will do)
Cooked white rice
Warmed Pinto or black beans (your preference)
Sweet Pork (from recipe above)
thinly sliced romaine lettuce
diced tomatoes
glob of guacamole
glob of sour cream
tortilla strips
sprinkling of grated cotija cheese
and of course the dressing (I usually serve on the side)

So, there you have it. FYI... my kids don't so much love the salad, so I usually end up making them a quesadilla or burrito from the preceeding ingredients and they dip that in the dressing. YUM! ENJOY!

Happy Birthday Grant!

2008-02-24T20:41:00.001-08:00

My silly, cute little sugar cube (we call him that because he's sweet and he's white... hair) is 10 years old today! He's the spitting image of his father in every way... looks, personality, sense of humor... no wonder I love him so much!

Pictures of the grandkids for Mom & Dad

2008-02-24T20:24:00.001-08:00

Chase and Drew

Me and sweet baby Drew

Rob with Quinn (can you say Red Vines?)

Crew with Brielle and Sawyer

Emily's little guy, Quinn

with 2 of Rob's kids Brielle, and Sawyer

Rob with his cute little guy, Drew

Quinn

2008-02-24T19:58:00.001-08:00

Crew & Quinn

My sister, Emily and her little guy, Quinn came for a visit this weekend from Arizona (which is much too far away). I hadn't seen him (I mean them) since last November. He has changed so much in so many ways, and yet has remained the same as well. He now talks continuously in his garbled way. Never making a word, but always having the tone and inflection of regular conversation. He will be like my Crew was, and just one day, when the words connect, just bust out in full sentences. I love this picture of him in the back of the car after we had gone to Target to get him a couple of toys, as I no longer have anything "baby" around my house. He is so genuinely surprised and pleased at what has been set before him. All he could say was "OOoooooo!" He had a bit of "stranger danger" when he first arrived... only wanting to be with Mom and crying when anyone so much as looked at him. But he got used to our big family and all the noise and people that come with it, and then fit right in. They left today, and I miss him (I mean them) already!!!

BUNKO

2008-02-24T19:34:00.001-08:00

Bunko just happens to be the most mindless, luck of the draw game (my husband has yet to understand why I would want to go play once a month) and yet it is somehow fun and exhilarating all at the same time. I don't tend to care whether I win or lose... a few nights ago I was in a three way tie for the biggest loser. It doesn't bother me because I know there's no skill involved. Nothing I could have done differently would have allowed for any other outcome. That's what's so great about BUNKO.

It's mostly just a great excuse to get together with some of my favorite girlfriends and have time to catch up and chat. We have so much fun and get to know what's going on with everyone. The best part is there are no kids pulling at our legs for a drink or snack. There are no husbands. There are no errands to run, no phone calls to return, you get the point... just free time to ourselves to laugh, talk and occasionally yell BUNKO at the top of our lungs. Funny how every time you say it, or hear it, it makes you smile.

Kelly, thanks for hosting this month (that must be why your cute face is in every picture) It was awesome! Can't wait till next month BUNKO!

Tahoe Baby!!

2008-02-22T18:38:00.000-08:00

President's Day weekend some friends invited us to come play at their cabin in the snow. We carefully packed all our "gear", and there is always so much gear to pack for the snow. The snow clothes, the snow boots, the gloves, hats and mittens, the thermals, the smart wool socks, the neck gators, the snow boards and boots... not to mention all the regular stuff you'd pack for a trip.

We got the Suburban sufficiently loaded (more like stuffed to the gills) and headed up to the mountains! When we arrived at the cabin the kids immediately wanted to unpack all the gear and gear-up to hit the sledding tracks. Steve and I shleped everything in the house, negotiating every timid step on the icy driveway and slick path to the cabin. We got them all suited up and off they went, exhubrant and anxious to get out to the snow.

We breathed a sigh of relief, lugged everything else into the cabin and down to our room, and started to head upstairs to make some lunch and watch our cute kids sledding thru the cabin's enormous picture window. As we were coming up the stairs the kids were coming in the house... WHAT? Yep, they were done... for now, and they were hungry...now!

That was pretty much the pattern for the next two days. Get the gear on, get the gear off, dry the gear, eat... repeat.

Although, on the last day Steve and I majorly scored when our friends offered to keep an eye on the kids so we could hit the slopes together (the first time we've skied together since we were married, fifteen years ago.)

As much work as it was, it was just as much fun. My kids are getting older and I know these times with them will be gone before I'm ready for that to happen. I used to say "there's no such thing as a family vacation... all it is is more work in a less fimilar environment." I'd now like to retract that statement, or follow it up with "family vacation is a lot of work, but it is worth it, and those are memories that every one of you will have forever."

How cute are these for Valentine's Treats?!?!

2008-02-13T15:43:00.000-08:00

Admittedly, these are not an original recipe. I got them off of Bakerella, and modified the recipe a bit to suit my purposes. Red Velvet cake mix was impossible to find in my neck of the woods so I used Chocolate Cake mix instead. I used the white chocolate chips instead of bark, and tinted it pink with liquid food coloring. Then inserted lollipop sticks and cooled them in a styrofoam block. They turned out super cute and were easy to make. Perfect for teacher gifts, neighbor gifts, etc.

Here's the original recipe:

Red Velvet Cake Balls
1 box red velvet cake mix (cook as directed on box for 13 X 9 cake)
1 can cream cheese frosting
1 package chocolate bark (regular or white chocolate)
wax paper

1. After cake is cooked and cooled completely, crumble into large bowl.
2. Mix thoroughly with 1 can cream cheese frosting. (It may be easier to use fingers to mix together, but be warned it will get messy.)
3. Roll mixture into quarter size balls and lay on cookie sheet. (Should make 45-50. You can get even more if you use a mini ice cream scooper, but I like to hand roll them.)
4. Chill for several hours. (You can speed this up by putting in the freezer.)
5. Melt chocolate in microwave per directions on package.
6. Roll balls in chocolate and lay on wax paper until firm. (Use a spoon to dip and roll in chocolate and then tap off extra.)

I also only melt a few pieces of chocolate bark at a time because it starts to cool and thicken. It's easier to work with when it's hot.

Old is A State of Mind

2008-02-11T18:12:00.000-08:00

Blogging? What is Blogging? You mean people just write about themselves and post it to the web for all the world to see? Why would I want to do that? Do I sound like your grandma... cuz I sound like my grandma, but sadly that was me only a few short months ago.

Then my sister started her blog, and I became addicted to reading her posts and following her links, and finding out about all my old friends that I haven't heard hide nor hair from in years... but there they all are... blogging! And it's fun, and it's a great way to stay in touch. Well, except for the part where you don't actually talk to the person, but you just get to voyageur into their lives.

But now, here I am, come look inside my life... nothing too interesting going on, but maybe you could even leave a comment or write an email. I will respond... maybe. :)