Holiday-ee Celebray-eet

Summah summah summah tah-ime...sing writing.  The weather has been just so sweet.  Today was too much.  So fantastic.  Upper seventies (by us at least), sunny and slightly breezy.  We hit the bikes twice today - once west to Riverside Park and the bike trail behind it to the Lake and then east in the evening to Lake Park where we were delighted to see a kids' 'band' starting right as we were cruising by!

So yes, holiday - the fourth of July!  So fun.  Graham had a solo visit with Nana and Papa starting Wednesday and we headed up to EC Friday to retrieve him and hang out for a couple days.  We swam in Jones' pool - Happy Birthday Karen, swam and boated lakeside, went to the Stone Barn - an eden about an hour from EC where they make pizzas and serve them in...the Stone Barn.  Succulent place.  We celebrated Mary (Nana's) birthday there!  Yahooooo!

Drove back w/o a hitch on Sunday and bbq'd with the Schuurmans - fantastic, did the 4th of July parade up Newberry into Lake Park for ice cream and games, went to the Blanchard's extravaganza of a party.  Ann.  I'm in awe - the attendance, fare, kids' games, decor, beverages, participation, the waterslide, I mean - hard to believe.  Talented woman.

Jason was back to the grind at 4:30am Tuesday to catch a flight for two nights in SLC.  My Mom came to hang out for a night.  Graham and Nanny are two peas in a pod.  Nanny needed a little rest after playing with Graham 110% for hours and I tried to keep the kiddos subdued but Graham insisted first on bringing a fan in and positioned just right by the bed for Nanny, then he brought her some water, then brought some ice for it, then brought her an extra blanket followed by a hand picked petite bouquet of flowers.  True love.  What a love bug. A little gentleman - chivalry is not dead.

Estelle is full-on walking now.  She eats like a sumo-wrestler and somehow remains a peanut so far.  She (and Graham) loves a bike ride, checking out the backyard and park and has little conversations now full of inflection.  What a blessing.  I still call her my baby even though she's been a toddler for a while now - I suppose I will forever maybe!  Graham's still my baby, too.  Two angels from heaven.  Thank you Jesus.

And whoa, now this is outdated...7/12/11 today...and there's nothing about food - here - a lot of grilling and a lot of lettuce and pea pods from the garden!

'HHH' - Father's Day - Bluebird Trail - great Madison weekend

Wow, the traffic to Madison was wild but forgotten after the warm fuzzy, awesome weekend.  We had a lot on the docket and it was really nice.

Jason did the 200K 'Horribly Hilly Hundreds' on Saturday circa Blue Mounds/Mount Horeb.  He was happy about finishing and felt 'great'? the whole way.  Not sure how or why he does this but it's part of what makes him tick and he did it with some good friends.  Unique accomplishment - his third time, too!

We went out for pizza at Paisan's overlooking Lake Monona as seems to be the tradition after the Horribly Hilly.  Good pizza and better yet - good company - Jason's parents were down to spectate and their friends joined us, my cousin Brooke and also my Dad came.  Estelle walked back to the car all by herself - her solo walking confidence is getting there!

While Jason was biking up hills for 9 hours, the kids and I went with my Mom ('Nanny') on her bluebird trail.  It is just beyond terrific.  What an amazing yet calming thrill!  We find nests and eggs each exquisitely distinct to tree swallows, wrens and of course the beloved bluebirds.  There are 19 boxes to check and record.  My Mom has been doing this for years and feels soooo blessed to have the privilege.  She also feels my sis Robin lent a heavenly hand...

We went up to the farmer's market for a bit, too before Stelly's nap and then climbing the hill (in the car - hee hee) to watch Jason finish.
My aunt Kathy worked away while we were out and about to prepare for the triple birthday and father's day party on Sunday.  What a woman!  So Jason and I coaxed her into at least walking up to Barriques for a glass of wine to take a load off.  The neighborhood is so great by my Mom's and Dad and Kathy's.  Walking to the zoo, shops, restaurants - even a Trader Joe's!

And Sunday - Happy Father's Day!  Kathy puts on a great party and has an unbelievably awesome attitude through it all.  Doesn't miss a detail and the fare is always delicious.  Inspiring.

And one dinner feature from the last couple weeks - turkey burgers and grilled zucchini:

Check out the avocado!  Organic at Whole Foods - they've been beautiful lately.

Busy time of year...

Graham's last day of K4 is tomorrow!  Pretty neat...bittersweet for all of the obvious reasons.

Mem Day wkend in Eau Claire - it's no wonder that Graham had 4 ticks!

Estelle has just been dancing along her way and blooming and growing...

A few goodies from the past few weeks...

Jason makes a great breakfast at least once a weekend and blueberry waffles from his Grandma's recipe are a frequent.  We've been buying the huge bag of frozen blueberries from Costco.  [Hard to believe Stelly has fleece PJs on just a week or two ago and today it's hot and humid and she's in a swimming suit!]

We made spanikopita from Cooks Illustrated - the brilliant tip was using a cookie sheet versus a pan so the bottom doesn't get soggy.  A bit of tedious work with the roughly 20 brushed phyllo layers but soooo good/worth it!

And Jason picked up some tilapia one Friday and made Kale and a brown rice/goat cheese/spinach delight.  Healthy and tasty.

Estelle is 1!

It's getting older and it has be that with each child, time seems to go by a little faster and more furious.  Estelle's first year has purely been a blessing.  She's a happy little girl.  I try to wax the relax and wane the 'furiousness' but alas, things move at a pretty good clip.

One thing that I think about a lot is the friends that have lent and/or given us loads of baby gear and clothes.  Albeit having some from Graham's years, we needed girl stuff!  The Best/Schuurmans especially...the Stevens/Murphys, the Torcivia/Griffiths, the Schmelzers, the blonde Hoffes...it's really been an honor to use our friends' things. 

Gives me a warm fuzzy feeling using all of the wonderful, cute, useful clothes and gear - the 'greenness' of reusing,  the ease on the pocketbook and mostly the generosity and thoughtfulness of such tender, spectacular friends.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.  I am so grateful.

Stelly's little family party had a two hour hiatus for a nap but it was so nice from start to finish despite the weather outside.  We just hung out; it was nice and leisurely.  The blonde Hoffe family gave Estelle a doll and she really loves it. 

It's amazing to see how natural tendencies are with boys versus girls.  Graham's favorite thing was a ball and Estelle's is a doll.  It's generalizing, and a stereotype to an extent; but it's so interesting and brings up the partly mysterious nature versus nurture question.

Special cake from Nana!

I (Holly) wore this little tunic for my 9 mo pictures!  My mom kept it and gave it to us recently - they don't make things like they used to...it's in really good shape.

Big brother

Lots of love her

Adorable tutu from Auntie Kacky!

Jason's little 'party' was a bit less planned and he was of course less fawned over but we had a great time at Stonefly Brewery and Cafe Centro in Riverwest.

 Jason also wanted some good cheeses for his birthday and I got Manchego and Drunken Goat - Spanish staple and red wine infused respectively.  We had some left over with chicken & mozzarella ravioli with zucchini & squash...super tasty.

Closing this post with a blip from today's Jesus Calling...

When you forget I am with you, you may experience loneliness or fear.  It is through awareness of My Presence that Peace displaces negative feelings.  Practice the discipline of walking consciously with Me through each day.

Amazing...

May 12 from God Calling

Turn out all thoughts of doubt and of trouble.  Never tolerate them for one second.  Bar the windows and doors of your souls against them as you would bar your home against a thief who would steal in to take your treasures.

What greater treasures can you have than Peace and Rest and Joy?  And these are all stolen from you by doubt and fear and despair.

Face each day with Love and Laughter.  Face the storm.

Joy, Peace, Love, My great gifts.  Follow Me to find all three.  I want you to feel the thrill of protection and safety Now.  Any soul can feel this in a harbour, but real joy and victory come to those alone who sense these when they ride a storm.

Say "all is well".  Say it not as a vain repetition.  Use it as you use a healing balm for cut or wound, until the poison is drawn out; then, until the sore is healed; then until the thrill of fresh life floods your being.

All is well.

Title: [can't think of anything]

Ooo, this weather is now finally getting under my skin a little.  The sun tries but alas the clouds usually triumph and sheesh, there's still a feisty bite in the air...especially east side by the lake.  I heard this is the coldest spring in 33 years?  I believe it.

One of the big things, in my opinion, about planning and making meals is coming up with ideas and the creativity and motivation involved in gathering ingredients, keeping it interesting, maintaining variety, and of course the YUM factor.  Also in my opinion, Jason has sharp talent at each step, from start of finish.

Tonight, however, I executed and had a good outcome! (Jason still did the challenging [to me at least] idea and variety)  Enchiladas are pretty darn easy and goooood and we try to make them healthy.  The only offbeat ingredients are 'enchilada sauce' and maybe corn tortillas.

Just sautee ground turkey with olive oil and a bit of salt, pepper and chili powder, put in a big bowl.  Then sautee diced red peppers and onions and we add corn and chopped spinach.  Mix all in a bowl with 1/3 can of the sauce and some mexi mix shredded cheese.  Zig-zag1/3 can sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 pan.  THEN this is frustrating for me b/c the corn tortillas act brittle and split but they come out OK after baking...wrap a row of the mix and set in the pan.  Line 'em up and zig-zag the last third sauce over the top and drop some more cheese on top - 20-30 on 350 and done.  Even me can do eet.

My baby girl is going to be one this weekend!  Oh my little nu nu.  Ku ku tini.  Nu nu tu tu.  It's so funny hearing Graham call her these little names, too.  What a wondrous year for this new little gift from God.  I digress for now.

Mother's Day was neat-o and pleasant and blessed.  I met mi mama on Saturday and we did the day together - lunch, Jesus Calling reading and shopping in Delafield.  And first thing - and I mean 6 a.m. first thing, Sunday Graham brought up a priceless card he made.  So tender and sweet.  We had a peaceful walk at Schlitz Audubon and just soaked each other up for the day.

This morning Graham invited me to Mother's Day Tea in his classroom.  It was way too cute and heart-melting.  Mrs. Gonzalez had tea, coffee, juice, muffins, a Mom booklet made by Graham, rose centerpieces and a little concert...

Otherwise, we're plugging along - happily and hopefully.  I swear though, I have about one week a month that my mind and soul connect with the fact that I strive to live all of the time: All is Well.  Thank God that is always lingering to grab on to - just have to work on the grabbing and maintaining that mantra through hell or high water.

Ouch on the choppers, right?  Stellars has not been as happy as usual.

A little peanut in her birthday suit.  I couldn't help it - it is almost her birthday though?

Graham is so good with Estelle still.  So tolerant, so helpful and all sweetness towards her.

Mother's Day

These guys have become big biking buddies!

Estelle at the Audubon by L. Michigan

Easter, a string of dinners, walking, riding a bike...all good things

Lent is over, Easter was yesterday.  It's neat to have more literature and exposure to the season and its deep meaning with Graham being at a catholic school.  I had a cup of chai this morning after these forty days.  Pretty simple to give up but it was a little daily luxury for me.  Refraining made me stop and think about Jesus and His ultimate sacrifice for us and I was more reflective and awake.

Another great pasta dish but the star here is the bread Jason made from scratch - rivaled Breadsmiths for sure

Fresh salad and a salmon sandwich - resembling Jason's favorite with bacon and wilted spinach from St. Paul Fish at Public Market

More fish - sole fish tacos

A little filet and grilled vegetables with orzo and peapods, parsley, etc.

Grilled chops & asparagus and a favorite rice side from Trader Joe's

This is the final product - pad thai - below are two of the prep steps

 

 Estelle is walking!  Next step (literally and figuratively) is walking w/o people to go back and forth between.  As for now on her own, she's still doing her funny little scoot.  And Graham Robert is riding a bike!  That was exciting and he already seems like an old pro cruising through the park taking corners and hills with ease!

malfunction - can't get any more pix or vids uploaded for some reason...next post.