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!

my favorite time

I love MARCH not only because it is my birth month but it is also the beginning of spring. I am excited about the new growing season, thanks to my friend and neighbor Stephanie :) She is truly QUEEN OF THE FORREST and she gladly helps me with all my gardening. If it weren't for her help last year I surely would have killed all my plants and herbs.

This is also time for a new soccer season- Max is so thrilled to playing this year, it is his absolute favorite thing to do lately and a bunch of our neighbors are playing too so he gets plenty of practice.

My birthday plans are underway my wonderful hubby has made an appointment (yes HE actually called) for a 1 hour full body massage after that I have a hair appointment. Oh a day of beauty I am sooo excited!. I will have to make my OWN birthday dessert however and I have no idea what I should make!! I was thinking maybe some Carmel Brownies like my cousin made on BAKE AT 350. I will take any suggestions :)

We are still very happy VEGETARIANS, I have enjoyed the challenges in the kitchen. My body however has been FREAKING with this new change, all I am going to say is we are very bloated :)

Winter 2009

Here are some long over due photos of the past few months with my dearest little bunny. She is in the process of learning her letters, forming two word sentences (like "no night-night), and insisting on her new-found independence. Hope everyone is having a delightful weekend.

p.s. favorite shows/characters: yo gabba gabba (my personal fave) and Thomas and friends.