Finally Home!

I broke my one-time-rule and blogged about a vacation while still actually on it. But we are finally back home from Rocky Mountain National Park and getting settled back in! I will post more about the trip, our car ride, and other fun stuff when I get a chance!

How to Build a Teepee

When we arrived in Estes Park, Becca & Tommy had lots of fun ideas for things the kids could do. The cabin where we stayed was right next to theirs (Did I mention that the Rocky Mountain National Park is in their backyard? Literally!) We had a wonderful view of Longs Peak, and you just walk out the door and into the trails of the park! So anyway, Becca had the idea of building a teepee on the patio for the kids to play in all week. They have been having a great time playing in it. And we all had fun creating it too!Do you want to build a teepee too? Here's how.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Again, we got to visit our friends Becca & Tommy in Estes Park, CO. Remember when we visited in 2010 and 2009? This place is so amazing! Have you ever been to Rocky Mountain National Park? If not, you should definitely go!
Cool Stuff to do in Estes Park, CO
Eat at The Rock
Visit the Stanley - Have you seen "The Shining"?
Hike & Explore - We did the Cub Lake - Pool loop, Gem Lake, Sprague Lake...
Become a Junior Ranger - The visitor center has a free Junior Ranger book, which is full of fun activities, like finding animal tracks, scavenger hunts, etc.. Sprague Lake was a perfect easy, flat trail for little ones to explore.
More to come!

Baby Shower

We just had a shower for a dear friend who is having a baby boy. We had a great time and I had fun with some DIY projects. I'm so grateful for my wonderful friends. And neighbors with beautiful hydrangeas!!!
watercolored place cards, silverware wrapped in scrap cloth
hydrangeas, hostas, in mason jars, wrapped in twine.
beautiful cake by my sister-in-law, libby!

8 Month Update

Another rendition of the happiest baby on the planet! At 8 months, she is everywhere! Crawling, pulling up, becoming acquainted with the first 3 stair steps, obsessed with anything crinkly, shiny or off-limits, squirming, blabbering, slobbering & putting everything in her mouth. And...still smiling! Here is KB's 8 Month Update. It seems like yesterday!!!

CSA 2011, Week 6

This week: Cucumbers, Blackberries, Carrots, Beets, Kohlrabi, Kale, Lettuce, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Green Onions, Cabbage, Snowpeas, Pattypan Squash

CSA 2010, Week 5

This week we received: kohlrabi, broccoli, onion, blueberries, Kale, buttercrunch lettuce, cabbage, beets. I'm still working to like greens. This week I made this greens recipe (with the kale, kohlrabi greens, and beet greens). I had some pancetta leftover from another recipe, so I used in place of the ham. Lance said it was the best greens he's ever eaten. We still don't love them, but we're making progress. We do, however, love kohlrabi! I roasted mine, and topped it off with a sprinkle of very good balsamic vinegar that we received as a gift. (Side note: Wow - have you ever had a good bottle of balsamic vinegar? I hadn't, but there is a huge difference. It's delicious!)

What are you cooking this week? Happy Cooking!

Rainy Days

What's the Noah's Ark story without some rainclouds? Still thinking about a Noah's Ark party. Here are some clouds that would be cute hanging from the ceiling.These cute rainy cloudy day ideas that you could buy or DIY: goshandgolly, kategriener, babyjives, Sara's Party Perfect, or here.

Rainbow Parties

My kids have "friend parties" every other year. This is, in part, because I tend to get a little consumed by the party-planning. I love it, get my crafty-fix, and have a DIY mentality, but I don't want to spend too much time or money on kids parties! So far, we've had big parties for Ethan every-other-year, and then the most simple of parties on the alternating years. Last year, Katie Belle had her big one (doggy party here and here), so it should be her "year off." (Notice how I said "should"?) But I won a party package at a silent auction for a good cause. SO...it looks like it's a lucky year for Katie Belle! Now, I know that I could just take it easy. But I do love a good party, so I'm trying to decide whether to go all out, or do nothing and let the experts do it all! And have you seen all the rainbow themes out there right now? So cute. But instead of rainbows & unicorns, I'm going the "Noah's Ark" route. Rainbows & Animals - can't go wrong, right?
Above Rainbows & Unicorns party here. Rainbow & Race Cars party here. And the one with the cute ruffles is here.Veggie Pic from here. Rainbow cake from here.

Cabbage Rolls

(pictured above, before cooking & adding the sauce on top.)
This is, hands-down, my favorite thing to do with cabbage. Cabbage Rolls are delish, although a few years ago, I made Bierocks, which also ranked up there!

CSA 2011, Week 4

This week, we received: a bag of mixed greens, strawberries, green onion, strawberries, kohlrabi, cabbage, radishes, snowpea, bibb lettuce, broccoli, lemon balm, and some dark green (mustard greens?). (We were traveling and missed week 3). I just looked back at 2009, and May was pretty similar. The only thing we didn't receive this year were garlic scapes. Bummer, I was looking forward to trying out some garlic scape pesto.

If June this year is like it was in 2009, here's what we'll be eating (it starts to get fun in June!): Various Spring Greens, English Peas, Green onions, Cabbage, Kohlrabi, Swiss chard, Broccoli, Potatoes, Strawberries, Garlic scapes, Purple Cauliflower, Carrots, Onion, Potatoes, Herbs, Peaches, Garlic Scapes, Greens, Green Beans, Blackberries, Carrots, Onion, Cucumbers, Zucchini, Beets, Broccoli, Radishes, Squash, Cauliflower, yellow zucchini, garlic, Green Pepper, Pole Beans, Cucumbers, Potatoes, Corn, & Garlic!!!