Sowing the seeds of LOVE

I am starting the new growing season today :) We are going to grow Basil, Cilantro, Chives, Rosemary, Parsley and Flowers. My friend Stephanie and Queen of the FORREST let me in on a new watering tip- fill the sink up with room temp water and set the pods or planters in the water and let the water soak up from the bottom. This would work on all house plants too b/c the water would soak straight to the roots. Let house plants soak in the water for an hour or so and you don't have to water them for weeks :)

All my seeds have been planted and my containers are in my window sill, I am so excited!! Once they start to sprout I will transplant them into my outside boxes. These containers are so nice because they go straight into the window box and decompose ;)

Brianna and Lyla

Brianna and Lyla came to visit us for a few days! We had so much fun cooking and watching these babies together.

Max was a huge hit with Lyla :)

Logan and Lyla had so much fun chasing each other and laughing. They look and act like pebbles and bam bam!

Logan is so happy to have his cousin here and Aunt Kayla is thrilled to be spending time with my sweet sister.

Zachary has surgery this morning at 10am, he is not nervous at all.

Spring BREAK at Turner Falls :)

So many fun things, swimming holes, camping, park areas, Castles, ice cream parlors, a church and cool caves where outlaws would hide out:)

Max wanted to go to Hawaii and visit cousin Molly but.. we hit Turner Falls instead :) We had a wonderful day going through caves and sitting in the falls pools. There are hundreds of little pools for miles and it was just glorious to be out in nature on this beautiful day! Next time we plan on camping there are tons of cool cabins or places to set up tents. They also have Tepee's you can rent :) This is my favorite place!

Quick & Light Pad Thai

work time 30 minutes/ servings 4

8oz rice flour noodles

1/4 c reduced-sodium fish sauce

2 1/2 Tbsp reduced-sodium soy sauce

juice of 1 lime (about 2 Tbsp)

1 Tbsp rice wine vinegar

1/2 tsp ground red pepper

3 Tbsp brown sugar

1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil ,divided

1 package tofu (firm) cubed

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 egg + 2 egg whites lightly beaten

4 c bean sprouts

(could also add chicken if desired)

4 med scallions, including green tops
2 Tbsp roughly chopped peanuts

1 c cilantro leaves

1. soak noodles set aside ( i cover with boiling water and let set for 20 minutes)

2. whisk together fish sauce, soy sauce, lime, vinegar,pepper,and 1 tsp of the oil in small bowl. Set aside.

3. HEAT remaining 2 tsp oil in wok or skillet over med. heat. when oil is hot (not smoking) add tofu,turning once until light brown about 3 minutes. add garlic and cook another 3 minutes. Add eggs. when set stir gently and push to the side of the pan.

4.ADD (chicken at this point if you are a carnivore)add sprouts and stir gently for about 5 minutes until all ingredients are gently combined. Stir in drain noodles, scallions, and fish sauce mixture and simmer until liquid thickens slightly about 5-10minutes.

5. serve garnished with cilantro and peanuts


This dish was slightly spicy but the boys loved it --of course Gregg would have liked more spice. All except Logan he wanted crackers and grapes.

I think it has been over 30 days we started this vegetarian thAng and I must say we just feel great!!

LIVE-LAUGH-LOVE

THANK YOU TO MY FRIEND CAROLYN (AND HER DAUGHTER KATIE) FOR MY LOVELY NECKLACE.

I HAVE ALWAYS LIKED THESE 3 WORDS-IT IS A WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY GIFT. SEE THE BIRTHDAY CONTINUES USUALLY UNTIL ST. PATRICK'S DAY TEEHEE :)

WEEKEND PICS

you wouldn't believe how often i take pictures of my food, but i don't always blog about it.

this was my birthday dinner and these caramel brownies were soooo good i had to share with friends. yesterday i made them again after all i did have left over milk and chocolate chips.

we tried some potty training haha! well let's just say he is thinking about it!

mark and max are not on the same team but they have the same color jersey. they play soccer as much as they can everyday after school.

we are so blessed to have friends as our neighbors :)

SOCCER BIRTHDAY EXTRAVAGANZA

MAX PLAYED HIS FIRST GAME TODAY :) WE WON 6 -2! MAX PLAYED GOALIE FOR THE FIRST HALF AND FORWARD FOR THE REST OF THE GAME. HE LOVES THIS GAME AND I LOVE TO SEE THIS PASSION IN HIM.


I WAS CHEERING THE WHOLE GAME I FORGOT HOW EXCITING SOCCER CAN BE.

I LOVE THIS WINE GLASS THE BOYS GAVE ME- I AM MAKING CARMEL BROWNIES AS WE SPEAK, I COULDN'T GET THEM OUT OF MY HEAD SINCE I READ BRIDGET'S POST!