Recipe-ish #1

This post is shared in appreciation of recipes shared by Melissa at http://519kitchen.blogspot.com/ because it is quite inspirational...she seems to have a talent for creating amazing things out of what they just have around the kitchen.

This is also posted in hopes of encouraging my sister to post some of her recipes for the benefit of all of us...I like the food photos almost as much as eating...which is a lot...http://universally-acknowledged-truths.blogspot.com/

So...easy...chicken breasts stuffed/rolled around asparagus and mozzarella cheese, layered with spiced-up egg (glue) and bread crumbs mixed with Parmesan and more spices (garlic, basil, oregano, pepper, and nutmeg), top with more cheese, bake and cook cous-cous (I prefer the Mediterranean curry).  A hit with the boys!

E-I-E-I-O

Van: Old McDonald had a farm, EIEIO, and on that farm he had....roast beef!

Hilarious...everyone in the grocery store thought so too!

List of 8's

So here they are...the favorites in lists of 8's...because who can have just 1 favorite of anything...

Favorite Foods
1. avocado
2. cheese...any and all
3. wine...that's a food group right...especially a good malbec
4. hot wings
5. Mothership Wit...another food group right...
6. brats while camping...everything tastes better, especially brats
7. mashed potatoes
8. curry cous-cous

Favorite moments
1. seeing the turbo love bug for the first time...when I finally could
2. dancing to Dire Straits at the Buckhorn with Brett...romantic
3. any rainy morning
4. mountain biking giggles
5. graduating...again...celebrating
6. our snowy wedding
7. Van thriving in a new school
8. first day of summer

Favorite things about me
1. wifey
2.  mommy
3. student
4. teacher
5. friend
6. thinker
7. daughter
8. sister

Favorite quotes
1. "Rockoon!!!"  Van...upon finding a black rock with brown stripes on it 
2. "As parents, we are our children's advocates, even when they make mistakes or are too young to understand the principle. If parents don't unconditionally love and protect their children, then who will? I make no apologies for this." Meghan Reed...fellow CCHS grad...very true and very appreciated right now! 
3. "Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love."  Mother Theresa
4. "I wuv you mommy." Van
5. "Love you babe." Brett
6. “Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed." Mahatma Ghandi
7. "I do..." Brett
8. Definition: Boy--noun---a noise with dirt on it

Things I hope for
1. My family to feel loved
2. My family to be healthy
3. My family to be happy
4. Adventures
5. PhD
6. Land, lotsa land under starry skies above...
7. chickens
8. A hammock filled with me

Favorite Songs 
1. Crimson and Clover-Tommy James and the Shondells...some things don't change, have loved this song since junior high 
2. Happiness is a Warm Gun-Beatles..."when I feel my finger on your trigger..." 
3. Be Here Now-Mason Jennings...here, now is the place, be present 
4. Woman in You-Ben Harper...feels like I'm there singing along 
5. Title Song-Black Crowes...guitar-awesome 
6. Slim Slow Slider, Madame George,I'll Be Your Lover Too, Caravan, Into the Mystic-Van Morrison..impossible to choose just one, he is the namesake for a reason, a very good reason 
7. Hazel, Buckets of Rain, If Not for You (really, can you pick just one)-Bob Dylan...king of folk tells how it is to love someone 
8. Wordless Chorus-My Morning Jacket..."we are the innovators, they are the entertainers..." yes it's true, different music for music's-sake. my favorite part is towards the middle of the song...sing along...wooo, woooaoooo, wooo, who, wa, ah, ey hey hey 

Dedicated to our family and friends...

We have a lot to be thankful for...enduring support and encouragement from those who are most dear to us. 

Without you all, this would not be possible!  

We love you!

Happy Mother's Day!

The day began with my mom...loved having breakfast and just enjoying her great company...one of my best friends!  Then we went climbing with some friends...soaked up the sun, enjoyed each other, and totally proud of our little guy!

Youngsters!

Today!

After a 3-day field trip and a weekend for the two of us...we were reunited with the little guy! He had a great time with his grandparents, cousins, aunt and uncle...it's great to all be home together!

On our way out of town, we saw this mama fox and her two little ones in the field behind our house. Keep them close and safe mama...we hope to see you all again...beautiful sign of spring!