tjb turns 28

memorial day in cabo

Kevin & I haven't been down to Cabo since we were here with all the family after Christmas last year, so we were looking forward to another long visit. We arrived on Monday, a bit jet-lagged from a trip overseas we returned from oh just THE DAY BEFORE. We came with G&P to spend the week with my parents & Ivy who are already here, and Logan who gets in this evening. T & K can't make it, but we don't feel sorry for them, with their "weekends in the country" and all. (Is anyone else confused by my family's whereabouts? I can't keep track and I have like 4 calendars.) Anyway, I hardly recognized my daughter at the San Jose airport with her tan and beach-blonde hair! She's been here almost a week with Grandma & Company (6 crazy friends. Shout out to Aunt Barbie -Thank you!) The friends have gone back home, and the family is trickling in. It's been perfect weather, and I plan on doing nothing but lounging by the pool, getting massages, eating, and lounging around some more. Oh, and lifegaurding my new water bug!

yes, she goes under!

so here we all are having dinner in the most beautiful backdrop ever and does it even cross my mind to snap a group photo? no... think i'll just take a 156th one of ives... because she's eating pineapple... and it's just so darn cute.

bananagrams = addicting

We had a fun dinner at Tequilas and lunch at Cynthia's. Other than that, we stayed at home... playing bananagrams... and taking pictures of Ivy. Can't wait for next time!

{sorry gentry, pravin and logan for not getting one single photo... agh!}

goodbye texas, hello summer!

(don't be fooled by this tiny load)

Well, we've packed up every last drop of our life on Eaton Street - the place where we spent our second year and a half of marriage... Sept 08-May 2010, to be exact. The place where I walked around and around our little neighborhood, expecting our first babe, and then around and around again with stroller in tow :) Although it's always felt transitory, we've enjoyed our little life here, and I'm regretting that I didn't take pictures before packing it all away, but I'm sure they're captured somewhere.

It's a little sad to leave life as you know it, but actually, it's mostly exciting! We're ready and looking forward to starting the next chapter in Scotland. Kevin is going back to school to grab another Masters at the University of St. Andrews. We loooved the little town (and by little I mean the smallest town I've ever seen) when we visited a few days ago. It is quaint and charming, green and ancient, right on the coast of the North Sea. We found a little place (and by little I mean the smallest place I've ever seen) that will be just perfect for our family. School starts in September, so in the meantime we're basically on summer break (aka we're homeless). There's plenty going on to keep us occupied and we'll just be here and there (aka wherever we want). Here's to the next adventure and a long, happy summer!

Here's a peek of our lovely future town...

And the charming bed & breakfast we stayed in. Hi Jackie!

FiVe Pilmour Place

our cool bathroom

and bedroom {excuse kevin's hiney}

curried zucchini soup

I subscribe to Martha Stewart's Everyday Food email which sends me a dinner idea every morning. I've been receiving them for months and have honestly probably only made 2 or 3 actual recipes! Not because they aren't good, but because I rarely feel "in the mood" for whatever particular dish they're sharing that particular day. Ya know what I mean? Well, my sister-in-law informed me that Everyday Food is also a cookbook {Great Food Fast} and that she loves it and uses it all the time! Strange coincidence! I immediately ordered one because I'm addicted to cookbooks, especially recommended ones, and a good old fashioned book is always better than emails piling up in my inbox. There's also a website with tons more than the books offer. Thank you Kathryn!

I followed the recipe except used stock instead of water and added extra seasonings. Serve with naan, and lots of it... yum!

recipe: here

a visit to charleston

Ah, Charleston. What a sweet thing my husband is to have introduced us to one another. One of the reasons I married him is because his family has a beach house on Folly. Just kidding. It's one of our favorite places -in fact, we spent our whole first summer as bride & groom here- so we were pretty excited about taking our girl for the first time. Of course, that excitement translated into a new wardrobe for her weekend visit. She was a champ on the flight, and is quickly becoming quite the frequent flyer.

Driving into Folly, down East Arctic, and up the driveway feels like driving home. Nancy always has the house immaculately clean, fridge stuffed with all of our favorite things, and fresh sheets on our bed. She foresees every detail and takes care of it in the happiest way. Bringing a baby along was only opportunity for an even more hospitable host. Baby crib? Check. Stroller? Check. Walker, diapers, high chair? Check check check. She even had specific baby foods I like such as Gerber's Organic Whole Grain Brown Rice Cereal, and Sprouts packs. (I'm a first-time Mom, get over it.) And she's a first-time Nana! What fun it all is...

Kevin's uncle Bob is an EXPERT handyman building anything from benches to boats - he set up this swing for Ivy and needless to say, she loves it!

We took a stroll down King Street since it was a beautiful afternoon, perfect for (window) shopping. Actually, two purchases were made: one doll, and one little-itty-bitty bag from crewcuts :) Also on the agenda: eating out and sleeping in.

Charleston is known for it's southern cuisine, and believe you me, we always try to pack as much in as we possibly can. It was a short trip, but we managed to fit in some favorites: Melvins and Magnolias, and gave McCrady's a second (and probably last) try. We had a traditional low country boil at the beach house for Uncle Bob's 60th birthday and a nice little celebratory dinner at The Library in honor of Kevin's acceptance into grad school!

It was a little too windy/cloudy to be on the beach, but we're headed back in June. And being inside watching tv with jars of chocolate chip cookies wasn't all that bad. Go Spurs!

sporting her first crewcuts purchase for the flight home

Thanks McConnells.......See ya in June!

8 month photo shoot

HAPPY 50th BIRTHDAY MOM!!

Asparagus: 3 ways

With Spring comes a whole bunch of asparagus around this house. I can't get enough. Here's a few of my favorite ways to have them.

Asparagus with Wild Rice and Almonds

Saute several spears in a little butter over medium heat, until desired tenderness. Cover for a minute or two (adding a splash of water) to quickly steam, if the process is taking long. Add sliced almonds the last few minutes. Season well with salt and pepper. Prepare Uncle Ben's 5 minute wild rice. Toss all together. I eat the whole thing by myself as a main course. Or you could be nicer and share, but I don't recommend it.

Simple Asparagus Soup with garlic croutons

for the soup:
1/2 yellow onion, diced
1 clove garlic, chopped 1baking potato, chopped small
2-3 cups chicken stock, low sodium
1 bunch or so asparagus
1/2 tsp or so nutmeg

for the croutons:
2 slices bread (I use multi grain)
1 clove garlic, peeled and cut in half
or pinch of garlic salt

In a hot oven (375 -400) roast the asparagus spears, by laying them on a baking sheet in a single layer, tossed with a little olive oil, salt and pepper. Let roast about 10 minutes or until tender.

Meanwhile, in a medium soup pot, saute onion in a little olive oil over medium heat for a couple minutes. Add the garlic and cook another minute. Add the chopped potato and pour in chicken stock. Bring to a boil until potatoes are tender. In a blender, add half the soup and half the roasted asparagus and puree. Repeat with the second half, returning everything to the soup pot. Season well with nutmeg, salt and pepper. For the croutons, cut the bread into small pieces and saute in a little butter or oil until browned and add a little garlic salt. OR, rub the bread with the fresh garlic before cutting. Both ways do the trick.

Asparagus Tart with gruyere
{from Martha Stewart's Every Day Food}

RECIPE: here

enjoy!

Easter

I believe in God the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth:
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried;
He descended into hell;
the third day He rose again from the dead;
He ascended into Heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost;
the holy catholic Church
the communion of saints
the forgiveness of sins
the resurrection of the body
and the life everlasting.
Amen.

*************

With Kevin away in India, Ivy and I celebrated her first Easter with family in Beaumont. Ham, cheese potatoes, beautiful music, chocolate bunnies, mod podged eggs, peach cobbler and sunshine were enjoyed by all. It was a blessed occassion. Hopefully next year, we will get to teach Ivy the significance of this holiday. For now, she's pretty happy with the straw.