Saturday, July 31, 2010

From Dirt to Dinner: Zuchinni


Zucchini grows really well up north (I think it grows quite well anywhere.) So over the summer we eat a lot of it. Last year I planted seeds and when they didn't seem to be coming up I also bought some plants. Well as luck would have it the seeds did come up so we had double the amount of zucchini. If this ever happens to you you can shred the zucchini and freeze it in small portions. Then throughout the winter put some of it in things you make, like spaghetti sauce or fritatta. Last year my mom even made zucchini crisp. Which was like apple crisp but she used a big zucchini rather then apple.

But our recipe for this week is kind of our smorgy recipe:



Cook some meat (I like chicken or shrimp)
Take vegtable from your garden. In our recipie we used zucchini and spinach from the garden.
Cook that all up with some garlic and oil (we like canola)

Add some pasta sauce and 1/2 of cheese (we had cheddar and paremesan)

Serve over pasta.



It's fantastic and healthy.

Till Tomorrow

Jenn

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Raspberry Beret

Well after some surgery things seem to be going much better for the computer. The optical drive in the computer went caput. Usually I am so impressed with the service I get at the apple store, but this time was a big gong show. I'm still greatful I still get to have my computer back without sending it to a manufacturer, but it was still much longer and worse then I expect from apple.

So here are a bunch of updates on things we have been up to since we got home from Kelowna.

Lucas has his 4 1/2 year old immunizations. I was expecting the worst. Something like the last time we got the H!N! needle and he would barely come to me to get the needle and kicked and cried the whole time. But this time he was really good. He talked to the nurse and sat with me quietly. When it came time for the needle he was nervous, but only cried when he got the second one which the nurse said stung a fair bit. It was one of those moments as a parent where you are expecting the worst and end up being very impressed and proud of your kids.

Nathan is also doing well. He is at the age where he can charm most anyone he meets. Plus with that blond blond hair and the tanned skin and blue eyes he is awfully cute. His talking is also coming along in leaps and bounds. He can put 5 and 6 words together now. His pronunciation is still a bit of a struggle, but at least he tries every word now. We understand mostly because of the context he is speaking in.

A couple of nights ago we had a crazy CRAZY storm. The rain was going sideways and the hail was falling hard. It really damaged the garden. I'm feeling very disheartened about it all. There are huge holes in my leaves, dirt all over the road and a lot of my vegetables won't grow to their full size (although I did get one zucchini which I will post From Dirt to Dinner on Friday)

Emma is not doing very well. She was quite upset when the kids and I left to go to Kelowna. She ate Darryl's shoes, her leash, Lucas's goggles, peed on the floor. She is quite upset. On Monday I wen to work at the hospital and left the screen door open to our deck (we have a walkout basement). She clawed through the screen door and jumped off the balcony!! It a 20 foot drop. Luckily she didn't break anything and ran over to my mothers house. So we are going to have to start with some basic 'separation" training with her again. Luckily it is summer and we have some time to put into that.

Darryl and I are trying to save money. I guess it is technically pay off debts not saving money. But not spending as much money as we have been doing. So for the last two weeks on grocery day I have gone to the bank to take out cash money. I use that for groceries and any other expendable things. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Lucas and Nathan's favorite song lately has been raspberry beret by Prince. Although Nathan pronounces it like "ras-be, be-et" But every time we are in the car he requests it. I'm glad though as I was getting sick of Glee version of Bad Romance.

It's summer time so I'm reading books again. I'll have to post a review of Committed by Elizabeth Gilbert next week. I'm almost done.

Tomorrow is my best friends birthday (no not you Darryl). I'll have to post some lovely pictures of her and I.

Till Tomorrow

Jenn

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Picture=Fail, Vacation=Sucess

Well posting picture everyday became a fail. Mostly because I left my card reader in Kelowna. So I can;t really post a picture. Our trip to Kelowna was great.

We went with Pat and it was his first time. He was so excited about all of it. It's always so fun to show someone something you love and have them love it just as much.

We were there with all 4 boys and they got along so well. Tammy and I have been on vacation together and we didn't kill each other. But we weren't sure if the boys would drive each other crazy after a week, but they didn't. They woke up every morning excited to play with each other. And played and played all day.

We watched a forest fire across the lake. It started at about 2 in the afternoon and by 5pm it was mostly out. It was amazing to watch the water bomber planes and helicopters attack the fire. They are so experienced with it.

Although we spend most of our time at the beach, on the last day it was a bit cloudy so we went cherry picking. It was super fun. We climbed trees and ate cherries and laughed.


Ahh what a good vacation.

Till Tomorrow

Jenn

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Another Day at the Beach




Till Tomorrow

Jenn

Monday, July 19, 2010

Getting Tired

Well after almost a week of playing at the beach everyday I think it is starting to wear on the kids (not to mention mommy too)




Till Tomorrow

Jenn

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Not a Beach Photo


Oma and Opa also have a hot tub. So all the boys and I have fun in it too.

Till Tomorrow

Jenn

Saturday, July 17, 2010

More Beach photos




Are you sick of them yet? Is there anyone still out there? Well there will be three more days of them. =)

Till Tomorrow

Jenn

Waterslide


We changed it up today and went to the waterpark in Kelowna. It was much-o fun-o Lucas enjoyed the waterslide, even though it's not very fast.

Till tomorrow

Jenn

Friday, July 16, 2010

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

They were stuck in a car all day



And now they get to run around. =)

Till Tomorrow

Jenn

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Monday, July 12, 2010

Stampeding

I love the Calgary Stampede. I love how the city gets into it. My favorite part is the coke stage. There are free acts there every night. And usually quite good, I've seen Chantal Kreviauk, Trews, Mariana's Trench, Len, Amanda Marshall and last night we saw the Barenaked Ladies there.




The foursome
Ed rocking it out.
The acoustic set.

My favorite part was the encore where Tyler came out an sang alcohol. He impersonated Steve and did a hilarious job at it. All of Steve's funny moves. Man it was great. My other favorite part was hanging out with Tammy and Alexis. I love those ladies, they make me laugh.

Till Tomorrow

Jenn

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Happy Birthday Aunt Lori

Today is my sister in law, Lori's birthday. Lots of you who read the blog probably know Lori because she comments on here a fair bit. You already know what a kind, intelligent and supportive person she is. I feel lucky to have inherited such a great sister. Lori and I have lots of great chats through the computer. We talk about marriage and love. We talk about raising kids and dealing with difficult people. We have great in depth conversations. I really wish she lived closer, not only for me but we know what a great aunt she is.




I hope you have a great day Lori

TIll Tomorrow

Jenn

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Foothills Triathalon

Well I did it again. Today I completed another triathlon. This one was the same distance as the one last year. Here are some picture highlights.

Getting ready for the swim.

In transition from swim to bike.



Here I am crossing the finish line. No official times have been posted, but I am hoping I was under my time from last year. I liked the course better this time, but it didn't seem to have as much significance this year. Maybe because I had done one before, maybe because no one did it with me not sure, maybe because it was early in the season and I didn't spend as much time preparing as last year. Anyway not sure if I'll do it next year or not.... Although I do love collecting t-shirts. =)

Till Tomorrow

Jenn


Friday, July 09, 2010

Hot Day

It was hot today. Not Ontario hot, but Calgary hot. We don't have air conditioning here, that is how often it gets really hot. So today to practice for my race tomorrow, we went to the beach.




It was a lot of fun. Sun and water and happiness.

Till Tomorrow

Jenn

Thursday, July 08, 2010

Wednesday, July 07, 2010

Nathan's Monthly Newsletter: Month 26

Dear Nathan,

As I'm posting pictures everyday I thought I would write monthly newsletters to both you and Lucas this month. Things continue to go well with you. Are are a fun and happy guy. You sleep well, even though it is still on your futon.



Your speech is getting better and better everyday. One of the things that I am happiest about is that you try most anything now. For example tonight in bed I asked you to say Lesley, which is a hard word because it has two L's. And even though it didn't sound like Lesley, I could tell you were trying. You are also not good at hard G's. You now love to talk about "da-ma". It's nice that you love her so much. Some of your favorite phrases are "very very hot". Or "dark baby".




We have been playing outside lots with the nice weather. You love it outside. You love to be free and run around.


You enjoy mornings. You are generally happy all the time. Sometimes you get upset if you don't get your way or if Lucas is playing with something you want. But you are usually a pretty happy kid. Speaking of Lucas you love to emulate him so much. A lot of your speech has come from him. That and the gun noises. =)




You still love Mom, but everyone else is moving up on the list. Alexis said the other day she had a breakthrough. You went to her for a hug when you hurt yourself. But lately when I ask you who you are going to dream about at night you say Mommy.

I love you too Nathan.

love mommy




Tuesday, July 06, 2010

Nathan's Counting

It's not a picture, but I took it with my iphone. Here is a cute video of Nathan counting.



He doesn't like 6 or 7 =)

Till Tomorrow

Jenn

Monday, July 05, 2010

July 5th

Dear Boys,

Even though Mom lost her cool when you were fighting this evening. Know that I love you both so much.



I try not to lose my cool with you very often and I feel bad once I do. You are usually both such good sharers, so it's hard when you are not.

I'm looking forward to our day together tomorrow.

Till Tomorrow

Jenn

Sunday, July 04, 2010

A Runner



A runner I am not. At least that is what I have always told myself. I don't really like to run. I find it hard. I find there are too many expectations, none of which I can meet. And runners always seem so good at running. But lately I'm not sure. The more I run the better I have been getting (no kidding eh?). I have been training for the triathalon, which is coming up much sooner then I am comfortable with. I did a lot more running this year compared with last year. So hopefully I will be much better at the running this year.



Look at these shoes, they are well worn. They look like runners shoes. =)

Till Tomorrow

Jenn

Saturday, July 03, 2010

Backyard Project

One of the things we have been working on this summer is some landscaping projects. We started with the privacy garden at the back (which is not really that private yet) and now we have moved onto the patio under the deck. Originally when we moved here we put grass down everywhere, it was a great solution becuase we love to be outside. But the grass didn't really work very well under the deck, so instead we are putting in a patio. Here are Darryl and Lucas putting in the base.



He's such a good helper.

Till Tomorrow

Jenn

Friday, July 02, 2010

From Dirt To Dinner: Beets



Darryl is one of those people who likes pretty much anything. Liver- yep, brussel sprouts- yep, tomotoes- yep, curry- yep, cilantro- yep. But the one food he is not so fond of it is beets. Whereas I love beets. One time I ate so many of them it turned my pee turned purple. So last year we grew a pretty good crop of beets. I pickled almost all of them. We ate a few after boiling them, but didn't do anything creative.

To pickle beets, you boil them so you can get the skins off. The slice them up and add a vinegar/water/pickling spice solution to them. It is really quite easy. This year we didn't grow any beets as we still have some left from last year.

Till Tomorrow

Jenn

Thursday, July 01, 2010

July 1st

Emma loves meat, she loves loves meat. In her old age she has even taken to carbohydrates. Not chips or pretzels. But if there are potatoes or rice or something that is come in close contacts with meat. So tonight I put Nathan and Lucas's dinner on the floor for Emma to finish off. Here is what was left over.


The green beans.

Till Tomorrow

Jenn