Amazing journey

This past fall, we had the rare privilege

of watching Baby Sea Turtles hatch

and make their incredible journey

into the sea.

The mother Sea Turtle will lay her eggs

in the same spot every year.

Amazingly the Sea Turtles will

return to the same spot when

they are ready to lay their eggs.

It was rough going making their way to the water

and past the waves, but they instinctively

seem to know where to go and what to do.

It was such a neat thing to watch.

A beautiful sunset to end the day.

Ahhh...

Sweet...

Taylor's Birthday weekend

this past April.

Trip to Mexico for the weekend.
We got a few toots.

Lots of fun in the ocean.

Awesome card from Uncle Brian, Heidi

Aspen, Carson & David.

Lots of exciting thing

to come for Taylor this year,

driving, first job,

girlfriends...!

Oh boy!!

Celebrations

Logan turned 5 in January.

We took the Light Rail to Encanto Park.

Don't the kids look thrilled - hee hee.

The picture of Logan in the helicopter

made us all laugh so hard.

He gave us a courtesy smile on his way

around, but didn't really enjoy it.

That was his last ride.

Logan requested a Motorcycle cake.

Turned out so cute.

(if I don't say so myself....)

Make a wish...

His favorite gift.

Oh no she didn't...

Oh yes she did...

Cracked open a big bottle

of Red from Costco.

Not bad I might add and only $10.

I hate to drink on a Tues. night,

alone no less,

but it's been a long day.

Spent most of the day working on

the computer.

D has been gone for over a

week, so needless to say, I am ready

for a break - or at least a

glass of wine for now!

Miso Delicious

Dinner last night with Mom,

Grilled Miso Salmon.

I served it with coconut ginger rice, and

sauteed zucchini.

Miso Glaze:

1/3 cup white miso

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 tsp. sesame oil

2 Tbls. mirin

1 Tbl. Soy

**

Mix all ingredients together.

Brush 1/2 of the glaze on fish to marinade

for up to 1 hour.

Grill or broil fish for approx. 8 min. ea. side.

Brush with remaining glaze while

grilling.

Peachy

Sweet fruit...

a little sugar...


Delicious Peach Raspberry Pie,
turned out great. The kids
loved it too.
Served warm with a scoop
of vanilla ice cream.

Here's to you Dad!

***

Recipe

I used a store bought pie crust,

and sprinkled with about 1 tbl. raw sugar

before baking.

Memories...

Today is my Dad's Birthday.

He would have been 74 today.

This is my favorite

old photo of him.

He looks so handsome

in that suit.

Today I will make a peach dessert,

in his honor.

Peach Pie was his favorite.

As kids, we really didn't care for

Peach Pie, but now it holds a

special place in my heart.

* *

Love you Dad & miss you!

My Dad built this beautiful

armoire.

I will treasure it always.

* *

Thanks Dad!

Pots de Yum!

Oooo la la!

I made these awhile ago, but worth recording.

The recipe is from the "The Girl and the Fig"

cookbook. Kim bought me the cookbook

while we were on our girls trip

to Sonoma/San Fransisco this past fall.

What a great restaurant - delcious food,

great wine, great weekend!

* *

Chocolate Pots de Creme:

1 cup milk

3/4 cup heavy cream

7 oz. bittersweet chocolate, roughly chopped

1 tsp. vanilla extract

6 egg yolks

1/3 cup sugar

Preheat the oven to 350.

Place the milk and cream in a saucepan and

bring to a boil. Remove from the heat.

Add the chocolate and vanilla, cover,

and allow the chocolate to melt.

In a large bowl, whisk the egg yolks and sugar.

Remove any foam. Stir the chocolate mixture until smooth

and consistent and slowly whisk it into the egg mixture.

Strain the mixture and chill until

cool, about 1 hour.

Place 6 ramekins in a baking pan. Fill ea. ramekin

with the chocolate mixture and pour boiling water into

the baking pan around the ramekins.

Cover the pan with foil.

Bake in bath for about 1 hour or until just set.

Eat straight from the oven, or refridge for 2 hours.

*I topped with whipped cream, chocolate shavings and a

fresh raspberry.

Easy Lunch

Even though it was 103 yesterday, I cooked up a pot of

Tomato Soup for lunch.

Still tasted great despite the heat.

* *

Tomato Soup:

1 cup chopped onion

1 lrg. garlic clove, minced

1/4 tsp. red chili flakes

2 Tbls. Olive oil

1 28 oz. can diced tomatoes

1/2 cup chicken stock

10 fresh basil leaves

Salt & pepper to taste

Saute chopped onion in olive oil, add garlic, salt/pepper & red chili flakes.

Simmer for a few min.

Add tomatoes, basil and chicken stock and simmer for about 1 hour.

Puree till smooth.

Top with fresh basil, Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of cream.

Coffee Break

The house is quiet today...

Fresh Blueberry Scones:

1 2/3 cup self-rising flour

6 Tbls. sugar

6 Tbls. chilled, unsalted butter,

cut into 1/2" cubes

2 lrg. eggs

4 Tbls. (approx.) whole milk

1 cup fresh blueberries

1 Tbl. raw sugar

Preheat oven to 400. Combine flour with 6 Tbls. of the sugar and whisk to blend. Add butter and rub with fingertips until mixture resembles fine meal. Beat 1 egg w/ 3 Tbls. milk, add to flour mixture. Mix until moist adding blueberries just until combined. Add a bit more milk if dough is dry. Gather dough into a ball. Turn out onto lightly floured surface. Cut into 8 wedges. Place on baking stone or sheet. Beat remaining egg and brush on dough and sprinkle with raw sugar.

Bake until golden, approx. 18 min.

First Day of School

0

(he looks a little worried - no...?)

Well, we did it! Logan started kindergarten,

and has made it though the first few days

of school without any tears. Yipee!

0

I am sure this has rocked his world and he

o

is being very brave.

0

We are so proud of you Logan!

Happy Friday

I bought these orchids yesterday at Trader Joe's, they are gorgeous! I will hopefully enjoy them for weeks, maybe months if I am lucky. Looking forward to a quiet weekend with Darryl and the kids. I am sure we will spend most of our time out by

the pool.

Summer trip

We took a boat trip to Bird Island and got to snorkel with the Sea Lions. I wasn't going to, but how often do you get that chance in your lifetime? Check that off the list. The mother Sea Lions all recently had babies, so they were very protective and kept their distance - which was good! The Island was much bigger than I imagined and the Sea Lions were very noisy.

Try to stay cool...if that is possible!

113 degrees today - yikes!

In the pool is the only place to be.

Follow the yellow brick road....

Girls night out with Chloe, Aunt Dawn & Hattie.

We went to see the musical

"Wicked".

It was awesome! So funny, beautiful costumes, colorful sets and what a great story. If you ever get a chance to see it - DO!

Birthday Girl!

Chloe turned 14 this past week. I can hardly believe it.

What a beautiful young women she is becoming!

I am so proud of her!!

For dinner we had green chili beef tacos with corn tortillas, pinto beans and fresh guacamole. Delish!

Instead of traditional birthday cake, she chose

Chocolate Covered Strawberries,

smart girl!

We also had some fresh fruit Sangria,

for the adults of course. Yum!

Sangria Recipe:

1 Bottle Red wine

1 Bottle White wine

1/3 C. Controy (Mexican Cointreau)

1/4 C. Sugar

1 sliced Lime

1 sliced Orange

A few sliced Strawberries

Pour all ingredients in a large pitcher and let sit for a few hours. Pour over ice and top with a few splashes of sparkling Pellegrino. Enjoy!