Enjoy every bite

Finally a food heavy post.  Jason was out of town for a night last week and I made that simple recipe of pouring a jar of salsa over fish (tilapia in this case).  It was just fine - but maybe Jason will try it and make it spectacular with his ideas and knack.  Last night Jason made salmon with a from scratch mango salsa and roasted vegetables on the side…he used the leftover vegetables for a roasted veggie omelette with goat cheese - efficient and yum. No pictures for those but here are some other recent lovelies:

This was a filler for wraps - with diced chicken, cucs, spinach, cranberries a yogurt based salad dressing

Jason roasted broccoli and loaded it along with shredded cheese, plain greek yogurt and salsa over a salt-baked potato

Out of place but our bathroom upstairs is almost finished - these are the beautiful baseboards Jason made to match the rest of the originals throughout the house

Used this idea from our favorite breakfast place in Eau Claire 'The Nucleus' - scrambled egg whites with garlic sautéed spinach and goat cheese on whole wheat toast

Crepes are a real favorite and frequent around here - always with Nutella and bananas and strawberries this morning

Another awesome pasta sautéed zucchini, grape tomatoes , flat leaf parsley and parmesan - the sauce is what really makes it to me and what Jason really is great at

Pork chops, carrots sauteed in a little butter, evoo, honey, soy sauce and garlic powder and potato wedges

The kids in Door County last weekend

Super fresh and tasty salad - hearty with orzo and then arugula, walnuts, cranberries and feta - the dressing was simply lemon juice, olive oil and a touch of salt

Ravioli with shredded carrots, spinach, sun dried tomatoes and a balsamic vinegar sauce - one of my very favorites

I get emails from an outfit started by a guy from Milwaukee - www.itstartswith.us - the idea, roughly is doing good deeds and passing it on.  They sent a link this week that itself is very inspiring http://bit.ly/IZKFE7 but you see the side bar videos and I got sucked in a bit - youtube has a trove of incredible and moving clips.  God bless ya.  Peace.

And on the third day...

Happy Easter a few weeks ago - the hope and miracle of it all be with you every day...

Though we missed Aunt Julie's splendid Easter in Fox River Grove with my Mom, and Jason's parents made yet another hike down here along with my Dad and Aunt Kathy, we stuck around home and had a really nice, relatively mellow and peaceful Easter - Juan Carlos came, too which is always a great treat.

The kids did egg hunts in Shorewood and in the backyard.  Stelly's got it down now with the help of big bro Graham.

Easter morning - I made a blueberry coffee cake and Jason made a stunning and delicioso frittata

Ingredients for our Easter salad with spinach and arugula

This is not the cutest picture for vegetarians or wannabe vegetarians like me but it tasted fantastic

The week following Easter, Graham was on spring break…I always get a bit panicked with both kiddos home all day all week but it really was nice with Graham home.  My heart sings with the time I have with them and to see them play and laugh together so much is bliss.  I miss him during the day!

We didn't venture too far - made visits to Schlitz Audubon and the zoo, Graham just about has his word lists from school mastered and the finale was going to Eau Claire for the weekend and visiting the Seguin (my m-i-l's cousin) farm.

My-o-my was it sooo interesting and unique and so cool learning about all of it.  I think I even enjoyed it more than the kids!  The farm has 2,200 cows including 150 calves (Larry thought maybe 60 barn cats)! We saw a calf with the same birthday as Graham and one that had just been born the day before we were there.  We got to see the cows being fed and milked and we learned that the cows eat 7500 pounds of feed and the farm delivers around 48,000 pounds of milk per day!  Quite incredible.  It was an honor and thrill to visit and tour such an inspiring, successful family farm.

On Sunday, we went to a walk in Madison to benefit Parkinson's research - 'Optimism Walks' - just about my Mom's entire family and best friends were there!  What a heartwarming turnout and a neat event.  Graham and our sweet cousin Kaylin were NOT excited about the costumes and the hubbub 'MOM - THE ICE CREAM IS COMING, THE ICE CREAM IS COMING!!!!' [in tears]  but it was awesome and an honor to be a part of it in support of mi Mama!

Giving and faith and a bit off subject...

I am constantly awed by non-profits that serve the poor, hungry, sick and all those in need.  Yesterday we received a magazine from 'Food for the Poor' out of Florida.  Containing profiles of the people reached and those working to help them, it is entirely inspiring and just plain beautiful.

To read about and imagine the immense need endured - the pain, the violence, living conditions, ah, I mean, man!  Basic needs (that I take for granted) so far from being met - so out of reach.  To not be able to give your kids enough to eat?  To not feel safe in your own 'home' = even a shack, tarps, boards and not knowing how or when you will be able to get a drink of clean water?  Let alone washing self, dishes, clothes?  It's unthinkable, isn't it?!?!?  People, all ages, experience it - it's a reality for too many people.

It's so overwhelming - thinking of all of the people suffering in our world.  Yet, in this magazine and the literature from World Vision - countless testimonials from those in need - they pray and thank God for what they do have and remain faithful - they're grateful and hopeful.  Who am I?  Gas prices?  Computer too slow?  Stubbed my toe?  Got cut off in traffic?  Wait in a long line?  And as one of the workers/servers involved stated as a great reminder to me - makes you appreciate what you have - to not take it for granted - and of course, to not make a mountain out of the molehill of little daily injustices and selfish, petty thoughts.

We sponsor two kids in Bolivia and Uganda through World Vision and periodically humbly give to some of the awesome local charities as well as some national ones.  I feel good about it though our gifts may be small - I believe they need funding of all sizes - but there's a call and I feel an obligation to act.  Some day I want to do a mission trip…or become more involved personally with a charity in addition to giving financially where I feel a bit on the perimeter of the true need.

To those who serve, as a citizen of the world, thank you for being involved and selflessly helping others - next door, down the street, in your city, state, country, another country.  I stand in awe and adoration of your good deeds, sacrifice and selflessness.  God bless you and all of us on our own paths.

Back to back but all is well

Graham is now six!

Graham had a birthday party with his almost birthday twin with a few friends at Stonefire Pizza - these were the party favors

We got to go into Graham's classroom and read a book to the class (he chose Ferdinand) and answer the kids questions about Graham - so cute and fun!

Graham loves Red Pandas and Nana delivered with this year's birthday cake!

Jason and I are refreshed (even though he worked hard, too) from our jaunt to Jamaica

All inclusive is crazy nice - no need to carry money, even tips - at least here - were prohibited and the bottomless fruity drinks are incredible

Jason squeezed in windsurfing and we snorkeled at lunch one day (we could see the hangar from the resort!) and stand-up paddle boarded 3 mornings - 1st time - it was great

We never reserved one of these but how relaxing, right?

Swim-up bar complete with underwater stools 

Our room was in the main building (below the red awning) overlooking the pool and we could even see the ocean.  This is from my post of a queen-size poster lounge bed - so luxurious.  The whole thing was like a dream.

Estelle is almost two and is breaking out of so many shells!  Talking, personality, sense of humor, physical feats…

And below are two fish items - fresh fish tacos - one of Jason's very favorite.  He's continuously honing ingredients and sauces - such an artistic connoisseur.  

Second fish is salmon with an orzo concoction - spinach and green onions and of course a trusty, crusty baguette from Breadsmith!

Then thirdly is a smoothie with - don't choke - spinach, wheat germ, flaxseed meal - and the full fat orange cream yogurt and banana make the taste!  I'm reading a book that believes fully in animal fats versus vegetable and processed fats - even olive oil to cook with - the heat changes it's makeup and isn't great for our innards.  Cold pressed, unheated olive oil IS great though.  Very provocative, interesting book with a lot of research and science for eating heart healthy from Mary (my m-i-l, thank you!).

Went to a Love and Logic conference last Saturday with Jim Fay.  Quite inspiring and wonderful.  I had a lot of takeaways and tips for raising kids - Lord knows I need all the help I can get!  The philosophy is establishing/'locking-in' empathy and taking anger/yelling out of those situations when we naturally feel the need to; and instead, speaking calmly - that kids will mirror how we act/speak.  He said that not only kids, but we all are starved for empathy.

Peace and love to you!

Slackin on the 2 posts-per-month

I better stick to one post a month.  Or maybe just the past month or two have been extra busy - and March might top it:

Auntie Kack had knee replacement surgery and we went to visit in Sauk Prairie

• She's looking and doing grrrrrreat!

We attended Juan Carlos' oath of citizenship at the federal courthouse

• Pretty awesome, congrats to JC!

My Mom and Aunt Julie went to Puerto Rico

• Hoping their having a blast!  I'm working on a surprise for my Mom's return…(I will have made 4 trips to Madison since 2/25 by Monday 3/5 - my little E has been a trooper!)

Jason left for some biz but mostly pleasure snowboarding in Utah with friends

• He said 50 inches of snow to fall while they're there!

Going to To Kill A Mockingbird at The Rep with mi amiga Maggie

• Highly, highly recommended by the Downs girls

Graham's birthday party with friends

• At Stonefire Pizza - which he is head over heals for

St. Robert's Emerald Auction Gala-type thing

• Awesome fund raising event for the school - fab food, silent and live auction, live music, etc!

Two dinners out with my girls

• My awesome playgroup Mama friends and my sporty friends (our hubbies have their monthly nights out, too!)

Graham's actual 6th birthday and then a family party the following weekend

• 6 years old - such a kid.  Happy Birthday to my sweet Graham-bo!

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at First Stage 3/18

• Our neighbor is in it so we're extra pumped to see it….except…

We are going to be in Jamaica!!!  What??  Hopefully Papa can take Graham to the play...

• Unexpected and unfolded quickly - Jason is doing a job for Sandals there and they're putting him up at one of their Montego Bay resorts…I used points for my flight…Nana and Papa said yes to the job…we're doing it!  Couldn't pass it up - no costs and an exquisite place!  Wow, I'm a little in shock but incredibly excited.  Can't believe it.

A couple pictures of two sweeeeet angels and next post will be heavy on foooood…

We made a smoothie with whipped cream to celebrate Fat Tuesday - chocolate syrup, peanut butter, yogurt, flax meal, banana and graham crackers!

Graham put every one of Estelle's barrettes in Jason's hair

Still perfecting her camera smile

E has been putting a lot of things on her head - her little tots class sings a song with 'put your [blank] on your head' and she's lovin' it