tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20301653508396498402024-03-05T02:04:40.223-05:00Kirsten's CookingSimple, Delicious, and Healthy Creations to Feed your FamilyKirsten's Cookinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129971420086685005noreply@blogger.comBlogger598125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030165350839649840.post-59855787066743508262015-01-27T16:44:00.001-05:002015-01-27T16:44:43.912-05:00Weekly Menu February 4, 2015Here are the menu choices for Wednesday February 4th - <br />
<br />
Meal #1:<br />
<b>Island pork tenderloin</b> (spiced with cumin, cinnamon, ginger, and chili powder - roasted with a sriracha and brown sugar glaze)<br />
<b>Traditional Caesar salad</b> (creamy dressing, garlic croutons, shaved parm) <br />
<b>Baked Mac and Cheese</b> (four-cheese creamy deliciousness with a panko topping)<br />
(feeds four generously, $65.00)<br />
<br />
<br />
Meal #2<br />
<b>Roasted Vegetable Lasagna</b> (featuring zucchini, eggplant, cherry tomatoes, peppers, mushrooms - crispy pancetta is optional) <br />
<b>Traditional Caesar salad</b> (creamy dressing, garlic croutons, shaved parm)<br />
(feeds four generously, $50.00)<br />
<br />
to order - contact me by Sunday night (meal(s) will be delivered Wednesday)<br />
email: kirsand4@hotmail.com<br />
text or call: (717) 332-7104<br />
<br />Kirsten's Cookinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129971420086685005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030165350839649840.post-67057693082262198192014-11-20T09:02:00.002-05:002014-11-20T09:02:47.244-05:00November 26, 2014I realize that next week is Thanksgiving - but if you're interested in some light fare, here is the menu for Wednesday November 26. I can deliver to your home or place of employment anytime before 2:00pm on Wednesday (we'll be out of town for Thanksgiving).<br />
<br />
<b>Classic Minestrone Soup</b>: <i><b>a chunky, hearty but vegetarian soup. Featuring zucchini, beans, carrots, celery, and kale in a brothy tomato base with bulgur wheat. </b></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUJTjbw5K85yYfxhyphenhyphenGZhC79mOZAMmYRkVF49VvUy_fg1ZxkpeMvsMCVt3cCKIbkBXd3Zwlc65ttk3ThjebS1lNyNxRkiUPaEcbSa67cCqZu2F0IZjD7VB6N_x9wkeL3xzo7V7YguJEZw/s1600/DSC_0425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUJTjbw5K85yYfxhyphenhyphenGZhC79mOZAMmYRkVF49VvUy_fg1ZxkpeMvsMCVt3cCKIbkBXd3Zwlc65ttk3ThjebS1lNyNxRkiUPaEcbSa67cCqZu2F0IZjD7VB6N_x9wkeL3xzo7V7YguJEZw/s400/DSC_0425.JPG" height="263" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Extra-Moist Pumpkin Bread:</b> <i><b>perfect for breakfast or dessert, this pumpkin bread is my mom's recipe and it's to die for! I'll even include some cinnamon-honey butter :)</b></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qCmuONN0-9BEuJn0o4FdywIm_SxQuppR4cn-BYgc3a_8grX-rsyZiqGnprHu2jxPVdnoKqcA_MIjMsi1c8AF5eR3S95vqj1jKmbwjadANWJxqDwK89uhc-Rqem85qnagcbvtJROl2fM/s1600/DSC_3716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qCmuONN0-9BEuJn0o4FdywIm_SxQuppR4cn-BYgc3a_8grX-rsyZiqGnprHu2jxPVdnoKqcA_MIjMsi1c8AF5eR3S95vqj1jKmbwjadANWJxqDwK89uhc-Rqem85qnagcbvtJROl2fM/s400/DSC_3716.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Spinach Salad</b>: <i><b>spinach topped with sugared pecans, honeycrisp apples, pomegranate seeds, and creamy gorgonzola cheese. Balsamic dressing packaged separately. </b></i><br />
<br />
<b>Soup, Salad, and Bread (feeding five generously)</b> <i><b> </b></i><br />
<i><b>$60.00</b></i><br />
<br />
<b>to order -</b><br />
<b>text: 717.332.7104</b><br />
<b>email: kirsand4@hotmail.com</b>Kirsten's Cookinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129971420086685005noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030165350839649840.post-34784677969230826192014-11-13T16:41:00.002-05:002014-11-13T16:41:26.672-05:00November 19, 2014Although I have been rather negligent in posting on this blog, it remains for me an important catalog of our favorite recipes (as well as some special family pictures and stories). As many of you know, I have worked occasionally as a personal chef for several years, eight to be exact. My business has always been more of a hobby than a vocation, due to the fact that I don't own a commercial kitchen and because I have tried to prioritize family needs.<br />
<br />
At this point, our kids are growing older, and I'm getting an itch to dip my toe into the world of a personal chef a little more seriously. I have worked on small scale gatherings and large scale gatherings, but my passion has always been the family meal. Although we only have the chance to gather around the dinner table a few times per week, it remains an integral part of our family dynamic. We enjoy trying new foods and having the chance to 'catch up'. I wish we had the chance to gather together more often, but I understand that this is a phase of our lives.<br />
<br />
I truly believe that gathering together for a meal is crucial to a healthy family, in more ways than one. We don't always have an elaborate meal - sometimes grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup will be the most popular meal of the week.<br />
<br />
I am realizing that the struggle of our family is one that is reflected in many family units.<br />
<br />
I value our time around the table and I wish for your family to be able to experience that as well.<br />
<br />
I have recently secured a rental in a commercial kitchen as a way to serve other family's like ours. I am hoping to grow my business into a meal preparation and delivery service, benefiting those in the York community. I have thought about this for years, but I feel like I am finally ready to move forward.<br />
My initial plan is to develop a weekly and seasonal menu from which families can purchase. As I start, I will be offering two meal choices - a meatless meal and a hearty "comfort food" meal. All meals will serve approximately five, unless otherwise noted. I can certainly downsize for a smaller family, or even a couple, if needed. <br />
<br />
All foods will be placed into disposable containers, with reheating/baking instructions included. Meals will be delivered to your home or place of employment on Wednesday afternoon(s). <br />
<br />
So, without further ado: I present the menu for the week of November 17th.<br />
<br />
-Beef Stew with Mashed Potatoes (tender chunks of beef, simmered in a porter sauce and combined with carrots, sweet potatoes, and parsnips - served over creamy mashed potatoes) <i>for reheat</i><br />
-Kale Salad with cranberries, toasted pine nuts, shaved parmesan, tossed in a balsamic vinaigrette<br />
-One Pint of Homemade Applesauce <br />
<br />
<b>Family Serving (approximately five hearty servings)</b><br />
<b>$75.00</b><br />
<b>**Delivered to your home or place of employment Wednesday afternoon November 19th</b>**<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv6YBfgAOu_S7iQ8bi5uI7P3iXujHTWmb5tatAPP27w2OTshtLfWNk-qFzAnJV_f7jZxsPPi9vLTLGclmedrO77aMWIz8Fk4kD2x8_9RLpIOlh17OAvzalhQVw_XwqMxaMm3rwmdplUnm5/s1600/DSC_3959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv6YBfgAOu_S7iQ8bi5uI7P3iXujHTWmb5tatAPP27w2OTshtLfWNk-qFzAnJV_f7jZxsPPi9vLTLGclmedrO77aMWIz8Fk4kD2x8_9RLpIOlh17OAvzalhQVw_XwqMxaMm3rwmdplUnm5/s400/DSC_3959.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
The meatless entree for the week of November 19th will be:<br />
-Cheesy Veggie Enchiladas (grilled peppers, onions, mushrooms, and zucchini, layered with black beans, lime-cilantro rice, and combined with a zesty adobo sauce. Homemade salsa, sour cream, pickled onions, and guacamole will be included. <i>for baking at home</i><br />
- Kale Salad with cranberries, toasted pine nuts, shaved parmesan, tossed in a balsamic vinaigrette<br />
- One pint of homemade applesauce<br />
<br />
<b>Family Serving (approximately five hearty servings)</b><br />
<b>$65.00</b><br />
<b>**Delivered to your home or place of employment Wednesday afternoon, November 19th**</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_5SdL_TOOCa0QDjWWPr_-Y_QCJ2nUTVf1a8do19jSduaOnkDabhvN9nit282nDuH9WGuyGDLKwK_BgJWkCSjziEwdjBFxWWG5OpMc0B9_33vdNyDEgsGy4QKgNt9T83RRgWREHRIo4w/s1600/DSC_5081.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_5SdL_TOOCa0QDjWWPr_-Y_QCJ2nUTVf1a8do19jSduaOnkDabhvN9nit282nDuH9WGuyGDLKwK_BgJWkCSjziEwdjBFxWWG5OpMc0B9_33vdNyDEgsGy4QKgNt9T83RRgWREHRIo4w/s400/DSC_5081.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><i>My hope is that I can serve families in the York community by providing an easy way to gather around the dinner table. If you would like to order a meal for November 19, 2014, please contact me by Sunday, November 16th. I will work with you on delivery time and location, serving size, food allergy needs, etc. </i></b><br />
<br />
<b><i>Personal email: kirsand4@hotmail.com </i></b><br />
<b><i>Text number: 717.332.7104
</i></b>Kirsten's Cookinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129971420086685005noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030165350839649840.post-5687560573704540842014-08-15T15:16:00.001-04:002014-08-15T15:16:33.861-04:00Summer Travels: Maine We took our first family trip to coastal Maine in July. I really, really loved it - I do hope to return someday soon. We stayed in a small cottage about 100 feet from the ocean. We were on the eastern side of the Schoodic Peninsula, adjacent to the mainland portion of Acadia National Park. "Our" part of Acadia was mostly just us, the locals, and little fishing villages in every bay. I will say that my one big disappointment was missing out on the wild blueberries - we saw lots of bushes, but no ripe berries. Oh, well, just another reason to return!<br />
<br />
I was able to make all of our food ahead of time, frozen, and then we were happy to return back to our cottage every evening to a yummy meal! We did find a great organic farm and splurged on bacon, eggs, bread, jelly, and in season strawberries. On every trip we try to find a farm and load up on seasonal produce (and in Rob's case - local honey, always).<br />
<br />
We enjoyed lobster rolls, lobster grilled cheese sandwiches, maple candy, and local baked goods.<br />
<br />
We brought kayaks and bikes and enjoyed an active week. We biked along the entire Schoodic Peninsula and kayaked during high tide and low tide in one of the Acadia bays. We did venture over to the main part of Acadia National Park, but realized we loved our little quiet side so much more! <br />
<br />
We explored, ate, relaxed, played games, and enjoyed being together as a family. Settle in for a ton of pictures. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qQFLgMAEg-s/U-oXy6f4cvI/AAAAAAAAI6c/hRZ5M2xV-oc/s1600/14%2B-%2B2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qQFLgMAEg-s/U-oXy6f4cvI/AAAAAAAAI6c/hRZ5M2xV-oc/s1600/14%2B-%2B2" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our favorite meal - flat iron steaks with corn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghit9f-6ulrHzj6IebvXi5hgNVQoqsf2aGL4nuidTzw-UQIBko5saXmJzLv7bK_yb-yWG0fgCUr9-WtiVlz5VhB6rBKtzkqi9yu6LXh8NeokVf-Bzp5RdhKU12G8Qh-ocV8u6injJI4dc/s1600/14+-+3" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghit9f-6ulrHzj6IebvXi5hgNVQoqsf2aGL4nuidTzw-UQIBko5saXmJzLv7bK_yb-yWG0fgCUr9-WtiVlz5VhB6rBKtzkqi9yu6LXh8NeokVf-Bzp5RdhKU12G8Qh-ocV8u6injJI4dc/s1600/14+-+3" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">perfectly stocked cottage kitchen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0kLq8qLIZHXOppMmNjjBAKxaVuEUM-us2jobz_g4QuwxcbkPB9d2NVCqWgbskOAEo1vQpl280UtHndzOHXHGehUlA-V3dhTODAsHR7CVPRLhPIJEPhnmh2XCGjH8UMCpYvDlqGYWio4/s1600/14+-+4" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0kLq8qLIZHXOppMmNjjBAKxaVuEUM-us2jobz_g4QuwxcbkPB9d2NVCqWgbskOAEo1vQpl280UtHndzOHXHGehUlA-V3dhTODAsHR7CVPRLhPIJEPhnmh2XCGjH8UMCpYvDlqGYWio4/s1600/14+-+4" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WXzekONjNCU/U-oXy72tlSI/AAAAAAAAI60/aPmCEA_Taeg/s1600/14%2B-%2B5" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WXzekONjNCU/U-oXy72tlSI/AAAAAAAAI60/aPmCEA_Taeg/s1600/14%2B-%2B5" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the kids loved playing clue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1ZKdJZ8Q29c/U-oXywxoHgI/AAAAAAAAI9g/d6x6xXIxuw0/s1600/14%2B-%2B7" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1ZKdJZ8Q29c/U-oXywxoHgI/AAAAAAAAI9g/d6x6xXIxuw0/s1600/14%2B-%2B7" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">local strawberries</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixK8B2PSFkhwo_XWuU1DEhd8z9nbwqSFaEgXDS916ZQJudmLoDgoJ99hUaNouJ55H52YIVQCLBI7T_aaoxLIuzDDq9yEKEt95qFc2Vt3TogCVIqBzbJ5MfRa8KzvgQ1kj5ph8r1s_gd_4/s1600/14+-+8" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixK8B2PSFkhwo_XWuU1DEhd8z9nbwqSFaEgXDS916ZQJudmLoDgoJ99hUaNouJ55H52YIVQCLBI7T_aaoxLIuzDDq9yEKEt95qFc2Vt3TogCVIqBzbJ5MfRa8KzvgQ1kj5ph8r1s_gd_4/s1600/14+-+8" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we lost power for a couple of hours, so we collected rainwater</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pHVqncTtg5g/U-oXy0wr60I/AAAAAAAAI_g/PCmis3WWXt0/s1600/14%2B-%2B11" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pHVqncTtg5g/U-oXy0wr60I/AAAAAAAAI_g/PCmis3WWXt0/s1600/14%2B-%2B11" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a coffee break on an early morning bike ride - pure bliss</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7s4pOy3Y5M0/U-oXy8sSwnI/AAAAAAAAI_A/mKohd6Wi2aA/s1600/14%2B-%2B10" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7s4pOy3Y5M0/U-oXy8sSwnI/AAAAAAAAI_A/mKohd6Wi2aA/s1600/14%2B-%2B10" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">breakfast with local eggs and bacon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tXRupi24KKY/U-oXyy2ZXUI/AAAAAAAAI9w/y7gKGkASApI/s1600/14%2B-%2B14" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tXRupi24KKY/U-oXyy2ZXUI/AAAAAAAAI9w/y7gKGkASApI/s1600/14%2B-%2B14" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mmmmm, chicken enchiladas!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eZOX9SSQgsw/U-oXyzGP2vI/AAAAAAAAI_Q/_FjBRKS0UwU/s1600/14%2B-%2B15" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eZOX9SSQgsw/U-oXyzGP2vI/AAAAAAAAI_Q/_FjBRKS0UwU/s1600/14%2B-%2B15" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLE0oFDFCRMvp7f2ny-9gbVsX1eZAsMTRTS2VurkeAU5fj1QGb0-D7Ax5l4fJkkFrUITgRK0shnEr1eYaQnj3_a0zBBMrhiXG1sna5cytuQsvTEsGwdeW6AEiWEzaPBlrWcIjV_mtHot0/s1600/14+-+16" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLE0oFDFCRMvp7f2ny-9gbVsX1eZAsMTRTS2VurkeAU5fj1QGb0-D7Ax5l4fJkkFrUITgRK0shnEr1eYaQnj3_a0zBBMrhiXG1sna5cytuQsvTEsGwdeW6AEiWEzaPBlrWcIjV_mtHot0/s1600/14+-+16" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pretty eggs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rc75cohzn7Y/U-oXy2vLaxI/AAAAAAAAI-Q/LfTPGUGIXDw/s1600/14%2B-%2B17" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rc75cohzn7Y/U-oXy2vLaxI/AAAAAAAAI-Q/LfTPGUGIXDw/s1600/14%2B-%2B17" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4akPoQ4XHnBMITkpFRZF2rtjeWJHT93wWF2LHfCXqveu9tk2uYw5efFmK-CiM6NDKtenhyiB3f-Sx7c89qDALBkNmepYLF6eSR40WA4yvU6A_ZHjSG9MDOjX7sB9axYoWv9zfwzZFy3g/s1600/14+-+19" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4akPoQ4XHnBMITkpFRZF2rtjeWJHT93wWF2LHfCXqveu9tk2uYw5efFmK-CiM6NDKtenhyiB3f-Sx7c89qDALBkNmepYLF6eSR40WA4yvU6A_ZHjSG9MDOjX7sB9axYoWv9zfwzZFy3g/s1600/14+-+19" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">having lots of fun while biking</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAAEk4f7IuI/U-oXy_33C5I/AAAAAAAAI_I/3I6YlYOxdn4/s1600/14%2B-%2B20" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAAEk4f7IuI/U-oXy_33C5I/AAAAAAAAI_I/3I6YlYOxdn4/s1600/14%2B-%2B20" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9lLIi8kf6TT5YmgagUdIRMHxTy8q8Sy4uRYxFvFNH1-6iSFu40TAhy_-JqQSTdADt9f_HYtdz7BuMM0rZwo-S7HwRqU1UWEqdUnpciQxnVqfoo2OtDJYOPzLECqMiPtmfW5EG45y3Mek/s1600/14+-+24" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9lLIi8kf6TT5YmgagUdIRMHxTy8q8Sy4uRYxFvFNH1-6iSFu40TAhy_-JqQSTdADt9f_HYtdz7BuMM0rZwo-S7HwRqU1UWEqdUnpciQxnVqfoo2OtDJYOPzLECqMiPtmfW5EG45y3Mek/s1600/14+-+24" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tidepools</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmVGtgRKxf1eqm68ruHt_MUanPtVCCgKhuQbBPo5TbNvqZcOgzwzTUDVmLg_3Qia0FOwP7OOJQoOJWMK50aLgp0I4w8vvpJJPIuzQz9YTYJuYCk_h_70uasE1BRqTPwvij64V7kwtN8I/s1600/14+-+26" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmVGtgRKxf1eqm68ruHt_MUanPtVCCgKhuQbBPo5TbNvqZcOgzwzTUDVmLg_3Qia0FOwP7OOJQoOJWMK50aLgp0I4w8vvpJJPIuzQz9YTYJuYCk_h_70uasE1BRqTPwvij64V7kwtN8I/s1600/14+-+26" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">packing up the food for our trip</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B6HsVjl-LzM/U-oXyzdW6HI/AAAAAAAAI94/LLvlvkTklMc/s1600/14%2B-%2B25" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B6HsVjl-LzM/U-oXyzdW6HI/AAAAAAAAI94/LLvlvkTklMc/s1600/14%2B-%2B25" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lots of little snails</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rtkLWpRW_N4/U-oXy0vSlQI/AAAAAAAAI-I/YOW-ZlQiho0/s1600/14%2B-%2B23" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rtkLWpRW_N4/U-oXy0vSlQI/AAAAAAAAI-I/YOW-ZlQiho0/s1600/14%2B-%2B23" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cutest cottage ever! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrj7EYQiwzYbaHThozQP8MXvImShTY-ih05mgJdqGtVoPXfd6cEIDluSRpyAflaBY3CFaJihLLsq1QcHTgfCNqQpxUzTTCPOrdKcnSZpp706wk_y06NlOHv1KS-687ZM4ajAb3hAXLX4/s1600/me3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrj7EYQiwzYbaHThozQP8MXvImShTY-ih05mgJdqGtVoPXfd6cEIDluSRpyAflaBY3CFaJihLLsq1QcHTgfCNqQpxUzTTCPOrdKcnSZpp706wk_y06NlOHv1KS-687ZM4ajAb3hAXLX4/s1600/me3.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Desert Island</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_cGH8AaO0eKCJZ3aKrNxodEbJhox9AOds4bxu9hGtO2LA_2QBeZm4NEUo5s-E9yoGE4wdVllaFASR4Hqsv0S6fVAlAhbBg1wP7Cag6V-qBy06G1rDDHvJkTS6-AP49IYZnixm3PZCnLM/s1600/me4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_cGH8AaO0eKCJZ3aKrNxodEbJhox9AOds4bxu9hGtO2LA_2QBeZm4NEUo5s-E9yoGE4wdVllaFASR4Hqsv0S6fVAlAhbBg1wP7Cag6V-qBy06G1rDDHvJkTS6-AP49IYZnixm3PZCnLM/s1600/me4.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sand Beach on Mt. Desert Island</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4WsrE3xnv7ktMf2vu5KrVWcjDaKw4nVGdhhZybwbVJMvcIh4-T4HdFNQuqdfC3-3J4J-iBPSiBBUBIrrfFA4AwZbaafb-vKqdfwM9YS5m2hvlgZt3C5HpiHRhv9Qin2sLMojIGomhSIo/s1600/me5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4WsrE3xnv7ktMf2vu5KrVWcjDaKw4nVGdhhZybwbVJMvcIh4-T4HdFNQuqdfC3-3J4J-iBPSiBBUBIrrfFA4AwZbaafb-vKqdfwM9YS5m2hvlgZt3C5HpiHRhv9Qin2sLMojIGomhSIo/s1600/me5.JPG" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQAcrXEJIzvMbUFOmlRUlqwRtjVOFPsyItecL5H_u4nvtwEjmnRBsdeibmz502yw1fNkzPvXapPr22uH1LsRjP_b5LnODO-9z5M61wjaV6maxqpvtwbK363pcHEki6I_-2ZLDHqKg8u0U/s1600/me6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQAcrXEJIzvMbUFOmlRUlqwRtjVOFPsyItecL5H_u4nvtwEjmnRBsdeibmz502yw1fNkzPvXapPr22uH1LsRjP_b5LnODO-9z5M61wjaV6maxqpvtwbK363pcHEki6I_-2ZLDHqKg8u0U/s1600/me6.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the top of Cadillac Mountain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpgHbEGeew12PHnJ_21fU2ws1VJvdsK8YGbneH51ltXDR185LeFpMZqzbUxKw7N412p_bOX1ju2wapSWxVcvnmdXQx4DhhxTiOne3iEbjCaD9CrsXQxehcqejxO4FY0oxt39iWTgexfM0/s1600/me7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpgHbEGeew12PHnJ_21fU2ws1VJvdsK8YGbneH51ltXDR185LeFpMZqzbUxKw7N412p_bOX1ju2wapSWxVcvnmdXQx4DhhxTiOne3iEbjCaD9CrsXQxehcqejxO4FY0oxt39iWTgexfM0/s1600/me7.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kate</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdTUdFltGsLzPVhuxsCgiWForf07r6HrwKy_qg5rE_UpwdOJj3IEsAXm7jm2EMdCIZKN9Q6NocFU_A9V0w9r5qc4VYEp_ubrIQIaog4hGEEhF_KDCpv1SCo8SDs2u1L29ogPrbNwTr2aw/s1600/me8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdTUdFltGsLzPVhuxsCgiWForf07r6HrwKy_qg5rE_UpwdOJj3IEsAXm7jm2EMdCIZKN9Q6NocFU_A9V0w9r5qc4VYEp_ubrIQIaog4hGEEhF_KDCpv1SCo8SDs2u1L29ogPrbNwTr2aw/s1600/me8.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">brrrr.....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUw8nSIYhlZa8UAmH7OCDGZDrOL-Jtkxg1UI9chqPa3rNcUqJnXvrIbb0l0rD03IBtaCdE99JIbtIN_xBbEZNT0jluPx1rK0OPsT7OllUvmpFu6jKd1C18KKK-JemkFY6lXccUbOHsGks/s1600/me9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUw8nSIYhlZa8UAmH7OCDGZDrOL-Jtkxg1UI9chqPa3rNcUqJnXvrIbb0l0rD03IBtaCdE99JIbtIN_xBbEZNT0jluPx1rK0OPsT7OllUvmpFu6jKd1C18KKK-JemkFY6lXccUbOHsGks/s1600/me9.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrquM5Xu7lUcj1qxLjOIDZwzewN3a9oLpiAyXPtAA1Fz-qsa0HizOuzyLNucsg7Reoh3dXq9GObpyVb5c1gIaRvubWRqlp6budxlmhQGwzu2_8d5UJN1LmLs7kb9yyCOLRrPQLQD1LiOA/s1600/me10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrquM5Xu7lUcj1qxLjOIDZwzewN3a9oLpiAyXPtAA1Fz-qsa0HizOuzyLNucsg7Reoh3dXq9GObpyVb5c1gIaRvubWRqlp6budxlmhQGwzu2_8d5UJN1LmLs7kb9yyCOLRrPQLQD1LiOA/s1600/me10.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_tU0Cuib_JeADvf-ZfxZmxLwWhyZZj6AoNeghGqZNx-x6t3iexXofRYAW8lLBJVe_UjkMYhhfMgfvVf7WTiudCN2BSJCugcLPvPaX3iOKMoq9FXsvOiXGzoaXT_3tAO5d7AnwZ-0lQ0/s1600/me11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_tU0Cuib_JeADvf-ZfxZmxLwWhyZZj6AoNeghGqZNx-x6t3iexXofRYAW8lLBJVe_UjkMYhhfMgfvVf7WTiudCN2BSJCugcLPvPaX3iOKMoq9FXsvOiXGzoaXT_3tAO5d7AnwZ-0lQ0/s1600/me11.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gathering rainwater to boil for coffee - what a guy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmoM5To2fhg5-UAccYQTXZv7V-O6ZM3ZsScPSjnFnjwcf2MNXQq8sAhf3amJ-i4uxomn5WQ_3nJJQh_PMIEaqoWvuuyPvJDQJDeKOan96Ixwz3K1irsCHMZBQIyJ-Zoky4c4ItxH1diw0/s1600/me12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmoM5To2fhg5-UAccYQTXZv7V-O6ZM3ZsScPSjnFnjwcf2MNXQq8sAhf3amJ-i4uxomn5WQ_3nJJQh_PMIEaqoWvuuyPvJDQJDeKOan96Ixwz3K1irsCHMZBQIyJ-Zoky4c4ItxH1diw0/s1600/me12.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mandala Farm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLrNl4aUUrhYYo70oR4pVFNduHEjZS1bCBpmrVdJEcKd_Xz1ni6HH5NgTlzaofImXMoLxJ1n4sHTbqXbePP85rN0YKcQi-93yt_Z777dXtTsa3v3e-npSzPRz03qWMwEIYoYyMZIGGT0/s1600/me13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLrNl4aUUrhYYo70oR4pVFNduHEjZS1bCBpmrVdJEcKd_Xz1ni6HH5NgTlzaofImXMoLxJ1n4sHTbqXbePP85rN0YKcQi-93yt_Z777dXtTsa3v3e-npSzPRz03qWMwEIYoYyMZIGGT0/s1600/me13.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">kayaking in Acadia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGBA6FddLTLmKiwErd43_Xvj1qr-VQoCHKJ42Aks1lRlDHsagCW4geAqKb_me6hMnIcgfPqMLTQJ79i-XBsXKDGd_uYu2N_h4covWZdydCMNu1xUPLcJye7WPpJyh8lf3kHjbd34IJK-A/s1600/me14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGBA6FddLTLmKiwErd43_Xvj1qr-VQoCHKJ42Aks1lRlDHsagCW4geAqKb_me6hMnIcgfPqMLTQJ79i-XBsXKDGd_uYu2N_h4covWZdydCMNu1xUPLcJye7WPpJyh8lf3kHjbd34IJK-A/s1600/me14.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxeVTalmkf0aXWFVeW3zkCNfWZdaxOAbqlFdL-qANu_CllUw89471YHr715381sGtE_9_PrY5ldGgGOYP0xOWOii5rNL9S4OjD_ArYaq_NFTmOSwbjiVOeifubPHjGQQwSegWJnC3ns0s/s1600/me15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxeVTalmkf0aXWFVeW3zkCNfWZdaxOAbqlFdL-qANu_CllUw89471YHr715381sGtE_9_PrY5ldGgGOYP0xOWOii5rNL9S4OjD_ArYaq_NFTmOSwbjiVOeifubPHjGQQwSegWJnC3ns0s/s1600/me15.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">he's totally flexing here :) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEherDSEvfO9omWe46JniYT3xnUPAClcOGwhjyI7sgqEdTJGR_NBMaaCo7gAIpKkbWe8XSWHcUVwfDI3MHA2tM6uj-Fd_ADGJE9NP2ImS9XxDuW236BCoCHCrDFJ5i9pARsxhP-zJ8GB60g/s1600/me16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEherDSEvfO9omWe46JniYT3xnUPAClcOGwhjyI7sgqEdTJGR_NBMaaCo7gAIpKkbWe8XSWHcUVwfDI3MHA2tM6uj-Fd_ADGJE9NP2ImS9XxDuW236BCoCHCrDFJ5i9pARsxhP-zJ8GB60g/s1600/me16.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gorgeous views at every turn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Tri-Dnso7NCms7UIq_R-UCFPUGolqZc5Yb1qrjUEBpbTENQKHO0bVengt5MpBIFWl-ojkYQ4hoSWzfsqtbT4oE0hGoxsKR80n_Xn8TYdlRWjAnFin3rE06umDQkMMNM8vnftPyWsIXk/s1600/me17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Tri-Dnso7NCms7UIq_R-UCFPUGolqZc5Yb1qrjUEBpbTENQKHO0bVengt5MpBIFWl-ojkYQ4hoSWzfsqtbT4oE0hGoxsKR80n_Xn8TYdlRWjAnFin3rE06umDQkMMNM8vnftPyWsIXk/s1600/me17.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emma loved finding lobster buoys</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ItWE4swsWSxCIx5T0AN0qCks1VQmfGA9h3X9uKny2LW3n4Fd98nuj45Us_Zffe6IoKq5qiwZbUG5MpLwt7QnyIr1zvWqQfzxQzsxSKj8g8ttzCjU8hEUuFo78l-z1KYEw2KzvQ5rWlQ/s1600/me18.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ItWE4swsWSxCIx5T0AN0qCks1VQmfGA9h3X9uKny2LW3n4Fd98nuj45Us_Zffe6IoKq5qiwZbUG5MpLwt7QnyIr1zvWqQfzxQzsxSKj8g8ttzCjU8hEUuFo78l-z1KYEw2KzvQ5rWlQ/s1600/me18.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we loved kayaking!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvDArjtYrd2q5kc2YULp2eXVjvtv9kmnuuzdh3bQNjgm2p8OtI-ev5sZ-cAUQb7GkFI5l7fmwj5AOefQ6sxxKqF472g_BxITgUErMnqLXJBiDXh3Of44yklXbujJXWzFxBgf6uSBhfVQk/s1600/me19.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvDArjtYrd2q5kc2YULp2eXVjvtv9kmnuuzdh3bQNjgm2p8OtI-ev5sZ-cAUQb7GkFI5l7fmwj5AOefQ6sxxKqF472g_BxITgUErMnqLXJBiDXh3Of44yklXbujJXWzFxBgf6uSBhfVQk/s1600/me19.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">backside of the cottage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyMigCFduyowlcD1kck81_C5rbtBUfGtkkJN3Hnelae_GxrQUp0CBW0_T5zPhqVf3zacyhJg0vErDwj0n8mdn0v-gkzgwxBrdrj4dmXwGKHHxFrnyDxkzZDVsbInOyV_gGwgXskPJVCwc/s1600/me20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyMigCFduyowlcD1kck81_C5rbtBUfGtkkJN3Hnelae_GxrQUp0CBW0_T5zPhqVf3zacyhJg0vErDwj0n8mdn0v-gkzgwxBrdrj4dmXwGKHHxFrnyDxkzZDVsbInOyV_gGwgXskPJVCwc/s1600/me20.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our early morning date - riding bikes around the peninsula</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RRRErzWlrSMOUTNEDyScEfR2mHf4cmYAr4Jwk6JLGlUEQi9hNbw1uBylSMd3nqsBn_0agP5SH6UV4w0EmRi6FnzRIcMYvWxDU6w6D9DwOxSTm3MgZI220aYdqQq3lJb3-gtWRfsFAsY/s1600/me21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RRRErzWlrSMOUTNEDyScEfR2mHf4cmYAr4Jwk6JLGlUEQi9hNbw1uBylSMd3nqsBn_0agP5SH6UV4w0EmRi6FnzRIcMYvWxDU6w6D9DwOxSTm3MgZI220aYdqQq3lJb3-gtWRfsFAsY/s1600/me21.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLytWVKP9P8tiua9mlcC6USO6qUV0WHzH1vgb4EPJ43AQ_Lf4jRUYvMaSwVEBCcMp2i5pF-iDldsG9JHzhroJIZxITd90hOeQ73SRdLMZEofcMWLKBDFCHqblhI8IdLqRIQX8eCIh-Xp4/s1600/me22.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLytWVKP9P8tiua9mlcC6USO6qUV0WHzH1vgb4EPJ43AQ_Lf4jRUYvMaSwVEBCcMp2i5pF-iDldsG9JHzhroJIZxITd90hOeQ73SRdLMZEofcMWLKBDFCHqblhI8IdLqRIQX8eCIh-Xp4/s1600/me22.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view of Frenchman's Bay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwCbcGYTcSnDXW3HJ7GTFrfEa3VvErJaBWVXh4ABbbLVV6g8xFBCNTcd9JsgTRXFgcnUuiji4lJTKkNxERfra4VCgPkWLGnAB0KhogKNtwKGTGiE12SLw1hy17bcFzWD1EGT4tHGm1GCE/s1600/me25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwCbcGYTcSnDXW3HJ7GTFrfEa3VvErJaBWVXh4ABbbLVV6g8xFBCNTcd9JsgTRXFgcnUuiji4lJTKkNxERfra4VCgPkWLGnAB0KhogKNtwKGTGiE12SLw1hy17bcFzWD1EGT4tHGm1GCE/s1600/me25.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">best way to see the park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDjT3HgTYzBTIa580k27jCG9nQvETw_OgMIP6rtQNcEiC3lQyH6nkNeCU_Xlpq4n4D3PCXrfdAc77Id9p7CBYcZycmvdojiBgA37YGeW8fnwUe8dlwMp_fxxRdFJjezdQ0bH3iGL3izs/s1600/me24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDjT3HgTYzBTIa580k27jCG9nQvETw_OgMIP6rtQNcEiC3lQyH6nkNeCU_Xlpq4n4D3PCXrfdAc77Id9p7CBYcZycmvdojiBgA37YGeW8fnwUe8dlwMp_fxxRdFJjezdQ0bH3iGL3izs/s1600/me24.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my kids and I</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4YW6mg5DnaKzNbvMYPudVMwqsocHAOXKATBkJdeC5b6lU-AyGWbC93Be2H3aXiJY3GBgck2DtZxBoHbV7swqAtoEuKyYG3C0x3MlkPDtiasznT8Si81gGAz3bp7jGc_XmJzI3Ia85boE/s1600/me23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4YW6mg5DnaKzNbvMYPudVMwqsocHAOXKATBkJdeC5b6lU-AyGWbC93Be2H3aXiJY3GBgck2DtZxBoHbV7swqAtoEuKyYG3C0x3MlkPDtiasznT8Si81gGAz3bp7jGc_XmJzI3Ia85boE/s1600/me23.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">they love exploring</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRsXaXYQnMBOwrD76lHv3VA9G226gQRqIgzjwKtR1Zk1ADoLyYAO2jbpcVmMOd2Q_MHpypS6HT2rjwtd-YlSKn8J9Irew9DHlktTbYPKtTodFkHYGeZC3An5VcHWyjLcZQGMtMXMVAg8/s1600/me1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRsXaXYQnMBOwrD76lHv3VA9G226gQRqIgzjwKtR1Zk1ADoLyYAO2jbpcVmMOd2Q_MHpypS6HT2rjwtd-YlSKn8J9Irew9DHlktTbYPKtTodFkHYGeZC3An5VcHWyjLcZQGMtMXMVAg8/s1600/me1.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">love this guy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tD1PxzbGPLcbtdrWAmkbKnEhaV2x8wz7LGJoCCHxKVGBlW7ecicekkjhIZZ5k6OE31c1p7lw06plCsi5a80ZatGiX1cc-LypmPrn1yongh01owYkcAiFHKbpcBx2OZ6lLUJbOq7BZB0/s1600/me2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tD1PxzbGPLcbtdrWAmkbKnEhaV2x8wz7LGJoCCHxKVGBlW7ecicekkjhIZZ5k6OE31c1p7lw06plCsi5a80ZatGiX1cc-LypmPrn1yongh01owYkcAiFHKbpcBx2OZ6lLUJbOq7BZB0/s1600/me2.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our date to see the sunset on Grindstone Neck</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
I can't recommend this trip enough. This may be my favorite place in the U.S. I loved the small town feel, the ocean views at every turn, the quiet rugged beauty and the smells in the air (equal parts pine forest with briny saltwater). I loved the food, the people, and everything about coastal Maine. Kirsten's Cookinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129971420086685005noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030165350839649840.post-10598209401358106232014-08-12T09:20:00.000-04:002014-08-12T09:20:09.523-04:00Summer Travels: Florida<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGgGP-S0XDwBu_3swA4Q0OkMS5Ow_M12P-PCqFe3o2_eaMumIg8FS3GTck40Rnvxl0USz3Rw9WS6eRsVhkCET-k8Qwg_ukR8ji9W-V5mtiVadQRnBt3nAMwtvAqtsAUITZuN94al1ZWc/s1600/fl1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGgGP-S0XDwBu_3swA4Q0OkMS5Ow_M12P-PCqFe3o2_eaMumIg8FS3GTck40Rnvxl0USz3Rw9WS6eRsVhkCET-k8Qwg_ukR8ji9W-V5mtiVadQRnBt3nAMwtvAqtsAUITZuN94al1ZWc/s1600/fl1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Ahhhhh, Florida - we adore you! The girls love this little piece of paradise that we get to visit at least once a year. We have been blessed by having the use of a family condo and countless memories. This past trip was certainly no exception. Josh decided to join us at the last minute - I think he heard "staining the deck" and "sealing the driveway" as activities at my parents house and decided a family trip sounded better than before.<br />
<br />
We decided to fly, as we only had a week to soak in the Florida sun. It was very fast, but I now understand why our tickets were so cheap. Cramped quarters, and paying for everything (luggage, seats, drinks, etc.). Oh, well, as I said, it was fast! We were in Florida in 2 hours. Awesomeness!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-VY_ASxleHozzIJpKUA2pzidJl8y3RI8dQCtW-7qxcIbbzrLCPkrXP8pk2LDKNjH7acSlYSSXT8C4kF3pezYxwPjIpORv9a5Sl7GdqhNOZ0JlwntVnUYYO5nOXyOSYQ6VNdDS24n-bU/s1600/fl8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-VY_ASxleHozzIJpKUA2pzidJl8y3RI8dQCtW-7qxcIbbzrLCPkrXP8pk2LDKNjH7acSlYSSXT8C4kF3pezYxwPjIpORv9a5Sl7GdqhNOZ0JlwntVnUYYO5nOXyOSYQ6VNdDS24n-bU/s1600/fl8.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">not a whole lot of room, friends. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We took in our usual haunts - our first night we scarfed down 44 pieces of pizza at our favorite pizza buffet. We had just spent a long day at the beach and decided to go right to dinner to beat the rush. We were grimy, sticky, and starving. We gulped down glasses of water, huge plates of salad, countless pieces of pizza, and ice cream sundaes. It was perfection!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIw4dUUwMhkGa0eOniskZg_wdsfv4KKXw6iePopwdiapvzWAy-Vhyl393f5kVI3Ku0na184gYOXj4dw1eHf8tZEsIqYvYvz_kYc4pLe3FL26rJPLerIBYX__egyAjXG2IPhzyjb-ykuNs/s1600/fl7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIw4dUUwMhkGa0eOniskZg_wdsfv4KKXw6iePopwdiapvzWAy-Vhyl393f5kVI3Ku0na184gYOXj4dw1eHf8tZEsIqYvYvz_kYc4pLe3FL26rJPLerIBYX__egyAjXG2IPhzyjb-ykuNs/s1600/fl7.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We typically don't have many Florida pictures because we prefer not to take our camera or phones to the beach, but we usually try to capture a few family shots for posterity. Here they are:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpkm-9M9maQBFMIWNKVT_PoMhR0Y4TFzheMzsFrNa7hrQim3L8TMMnrDGkvcvRyFh5Q7vFX75DuLCrwOcj71MUpfkeB_PbLKoxJBriIS7ulZ9Rk0ktmjJu5aeM3CI6NTGWK6q7znZwvY/s1600/fl9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpkm-9M9maQBFMIWNKVT_PoMhR0Y4TFzheMzsFrNa7hrQim3L8TMMnrDGkvcvRyFh5Q7vFX75DuLCrwOcj71MUpfkeB_PbLKoxJBriIS7ulZ9Rk0ktmjJu5aeM3CI6NTGWK6q7znZwvY/s1600/fl9.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizD-16S95kyJjLkRt9EfLakYgL8Ehgx4r6I2LloR3g1njncYejaiVXSkzEO5T7mpy1Y0IxsOOIJjGJL4Sl6e1joXNeSiSwbvfjj8xOj_FVAI01gSRy4TFL03vmcRbZXoz7CqTaW3N1Bwo/s1600/fl10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizD-16S95kyJjLkRt9EfLakYgL8Ehgx4r6I2LloR3g1njncYejaiVXSkzEO5T7mpy1Y0IxsOOIJjGJL4Sl6e1joXNeSiSwbvfjj8xOj_FVAI01gSRy4TFL03vmcRbZXoz7CqTaW3N1Bwo/s1600/fl10.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQW0TCehcYrJJL9z6pxGA6Bt71qrJy9DyK-8b9BFRNtWq-cFEyviFu2vZPFBgglJWSAMUIPte9EyahtRSKeFA9LuZOxOoPMxQ4oTvTK26jg5chvMFaV3c5HCatpIVWvnJCxwTDs1icSIU/s1600/fl11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQW0TCehcYrJJL9z6pxGA6Bt71qrJy9DyK-8b9BFRNtWq-cFEyviFu2vZPFBgglJWSAMUIPte9EyahtRSKeFA9LuZOxOoPMxQ4oTvTK26jg5chvMFaV3c5HCatpIVWvnJCxwTDs1icSIU/s1600/fl11.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMXpVzQzPC4i7NzaQXgNenSmqiqTC9_nyWdsubv-46rkzF3w1QRqATA2X4QUn-FhGTo9da-ZBa6veJwmxUAL-F4FvuQ6qFNmlfS5FJ9-z-dVsDg0LSIlEmgsU3qa0YvPUgzFUymv41-54/s1600/fl14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMXpVzQzPC4i7NzaQXgNenSmqiqTC9_nyWdsubv-46rkzF3w1QRqATA2X4QUn-FhGTo9da-ZBa6veJwmxUAL-F4FvuQ6qFNmlfS5FJ9-z-dVsDg0LSIlEmgsU3qa0YvPUgzFUymv41-54/s1600/fl14.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmfMMHy1NJ4HVVHVXSqQT0ZNlyVeDIQVM9dAunGsXEzDd0O5jLs4yKWQuHRcls27mSVB9sWltQiKbvdjLFYY_k3jv8Ca1EW_9_VWb-kQVNHkT-0ntbK4QXihzHYBtFQykdyb8kUciuHM/s1600/fl13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmfMMHy1NJ4HVVHVXSqQT0ZNlyVeDIQVM9dAunGsXEzDd0O5jLs4yKWQuHRcls27mSVB9sWltQiKbvdjLFYY_k3jv8Ca1EW_9_VWb-kQVNHkT-0ntbK4QXihzHYBtFQykdyb8kUciuHM/s1600/fl13.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOf47-_omZVCTfCN67NpXzC_ILeYaE_26yZmSwpc6hc6U4yWkS2BUKmXrWdomZm_voZKjGXrWsoXfyqCIwQ3Ci4Y8rJmM7raoWLz2wesL02M0_24KZ1K4oU1UtrzdMa5hNQGHl_MBxuk/s1600/fl2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOf47-_omZVCTfCN67NpXzC_ILeYaE_26yZmSwpc6hc6U4yWkS2BUKmXrWdomZm_voZKjGXrWsoXfyqCIwQ3Ci4Y8rJmM7raoWLz2wesL02M0_24KZ1K4oU1UtrzdMa5hNQGHl_MBxuk/s1600/fl2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZ-bW9C-OX7JkZZXR_YTEqmrDPuy_H8psDaXVTTTc-dAzLDK7L_MHyRENP1nEEIVR1S0JMACcykUDHK1yqJ0jtRvEnAL6Ij0ur-WcghritQPYpA9D1l83pIEkokDU_5NGxIfnm6xq6bY/s1600/fl3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZ-bW9C-OX7JkZZXR_YTEqmrDPuy_H8psDaXVTTTc-dAzLDK7L_MHyRENP1nEEIVR1S0JMACcykUDHK1yqJ0jtRvEnAL6Ij0ur-WcghritQPYpA9D1l83pIEkokDU_5NGxIfnm6xq6bY/s1600/fl3.JPG" height="320" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is a blurry one, but I'm standing sideways and look somehow thinner :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKzNc7WOucWMSQokDMzRJ8vm8a8K5_A-2XQLjvAoisb-XyRQ4nkTaGuYeFmMQQBk9MeasNNqxdlKuHHfAHcBo8aLfAlpnqDcKzQZsKpdhWtKazUdTJTCGyTmqxux2dnmDgVpLMWAenjN8/s1600/fl5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKzNc7WOucWMSQokDMzRJ8vm8a8K5_A-2XQLjvAoisb-XyRQ4nkTaGuYeFmMQQBk9MeasNNqxdlKuHHfAHcBo8aLfAlpnqDcKzQZsKpdhWtKazUdTJTCGyTmqxux2dnmDgVpLMWAenjN8/s1600/fl5.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhruQeVpP06ezbQOPNdW4muQZ8_PkmV0ssS5W9XF7wLRqRzSS8MvoNhBqqEZoX5_mTM86911BjTbV7cs2Wi4EMVlswzHRqnsahfJFyTbpT4kRxES7V7XYR1SQVutx1YTFqaCJnGgz46fXQ/s1600/fl6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhruQeVpP06ezbQOPNdW4muQZ8_PkmV0ssS5W9XF7wLRqRzSS8MvoNhBqqEZoX5_mTM86911BjTbV7cs2Wi4EMVlswzHRqnsahfJFyTbpT4kRxES7V7XYR1SQVutx1YTFqaCJnGgz46fXQ/s1600/fl6.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this actually wasn't staged - just a candid shot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Rob's parents joined Rob and I and the girls (Josh flew home for a volleyball camp) for the last two days of our week. It was nice to spend time together! While we rented a car for the week, the car that stays in Florida was in need of some mechanical attention (read: Rob barely made it to the car repair shop), so we all squeezed in our rental car for dinner the last night. The girls each had a seat belt, my in-laws braved a restraint-free car ride. I've never laughed so hard in my life. Seriously. I still don't know where my father-in-law's left leg disappeared to.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglA7ArDHql5kR48WKzOcq7mZ03NZkLbX6KV904mKNVwEh7wqGzbSyjQ5cVLpsELn2NpmcqmIR4swdOcB2egMEfJxETLdS6aOqvwY5cKeTt7UljWuJ89SSnwHjDclLdSzzFobh9NJm2n0c/s1600/fl4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglA7ArDHql5kR48WKzOcq7mZ03NZkLbX6KV904mKNVwEh7wqGzbSyjQ5cVLpsELn2NpmcqmIR4swdOcB2egMEfJxETLdS6aOqvwY5cKeTt7UljWuJ89SSnwHjDclLdSzzFobh9NJm2n0c/s1600/fl4.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">please no one tell them you saw this!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We ate lots of seafood, gorged ourselves on sunsets, desserts, and sunshine and came home happy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Kirsten's Cookinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129971420086685005noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030165350839649840.post-86205909422011499142014-05-12T13:33:00.001-04:002014-05-12T13:33:46.250-04:00My Mother's Day (in pictures).Not captured: the tulips, chocolate-covered strawberries, necklace, and beautiful card (from my wonderful children).<br />
<br />
We visited my mom and dad and enjoyed brunch on the porch and an obstacle course competition (the team of Kate, my mom, and I won), followed by bocce ball (Josh won).<br />
<br />
Next we visited with my in-laws and celebrated Aubrey's 1st birthday! <br />
<br />
The weather was sunny, 80 degrees, and beautiful. I think this was the nicest Mother's Day I can remember! Hope you celebrated with the one's you love. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYKgcvPhfRkhWjHpmAbyBb1lgWOcCUd-775n-99Rf8PuS1LvcCJkmfsM1H16bkOr03eA5IvM5NnDcym2xMB4VRYopt1msit3nKn5V2o3Kz3cGAlnPkp6IRt867DKKlirVi9cNZvRViwtQ/s1600/blog1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYKgcvPhfRkhWjHpmAbyBb1lgWOcCUd-775n-99Rf8PuS1LvcCJkmfsM1H16bkOr03eA5IvM5NnDcym2xMB4VRYopt1msit3nKn5V2o3Kz3cGAlnPkp6IRt867DKKlirVi9cNZvRViwtQ/s1600/blog1.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">brunch a la Dad</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xlbXWu3fU_hw_WUO3TQkOtpYzhf57WhftxNOes49PUAbLWO3kEcWjP_pXgybOw1E4kLxzJIkEzAox_ZJz474qy4tmhQhwPv_aJkybHaatjyGJwpvH4If0aL0NDxix1fKWnTZDyHD81Y/s1600/blog2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xlbXWu3fU_hw_WUO3TQkOtpYzhf57WhftxNOes49PUAbLWO3kEcWjP_pXgybOw1E4kLxzJIkEzAox_ZJz474qy4tmhQhwPv_aJkybHaatjyGJwpvH4If0aL0NDxix1fKWnTZDyHD81Y/s1600/blog2.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">marshmallow toss</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4B6MOW6YxLoz_guS6bFMOWoCSe1aYZe99AfJO_TLVxSVVe1cCueeJJH8QraM4U8cu9u2zq6swybOD2PeXaWUNwy4AG8pnHmChSSveutNJ7ktilbclfwUlgN2jGp6kcrN8tocUpkY6BI/s1600/blog3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4B6MOW6YxLoz_guS6bFMOWoCSe1aYZe99AfJO_TLVxSVVe1cCueeJJH8QraM4U8cu9u2zq6swybOD2PeXaWUNwy4AG8pnHmChSSveutNJ7ktilbclfwUlgN2jGp6kcrN8tocUpkY6BI/s1600/blog3.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kate was the first to catch one!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHqZ4mwLGHKGfdMcm0KxlsSF4dwVtM81GAzoXGl9SI14ybYhCdV4Y2HZb0kvMn31tq5ubbQ8BxQBzyd8JiZaPbLyIQWlgIvWfrbEBJ4uj2v3ulsIcy054LOghjbRTMl_vUphvnM2O6Sks/s1600/blog4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHqZ4mwLGHKGfdMcm0KxlsSF4dwVtM81GAzoXGl9SI14ybYhCdV4Y2HZb0kvMn31tq5ubbQ8BxQBzyd8JiZaPbLyIQWlgIvWfrbEBJ4uj2v3ulsIcy054LOghjbRTMl_vUphvnM2O6Sks/s1600/blog4.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">egg balancing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMk9uhYOnGJhDbZqJMXrIr9GUNnwpx9XlOFTOkwbrwoYm1BRD5Qhx6mpemhg26nfhwtZ3_mxM5e1pgCidpqqCle6TUrjnAs7Xh30vuR6ClnGGEcixJfnr0Q08ynyQMMpuIRGAQTFYQ9uQ/s1600/blog5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMk9uhYOnGJhDbZqJMXrIr9GUNnwpx9XlOFTOkwbrwoYm1BRD5Qhx6mpemhg26nfhwtZ3_mxM5e1pgCidpqqCle6TUrjnAs7Xh30vuR6ClnGGEcixJfnr0Q08ynyQMMpuIRGAQTFYQ9uQ/s1600/blog5.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emma's always smiling!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ4aaawN8azFAPv5VHXn5E7AxaFfL6ib-dyEYN4jKUVckfTVOlq6fJUxNjYL_vzYhcQxaXY8jW17yp62r7bF1f_KhLcSUBKtXjKI4qDSRMD93MY6pq-mkXPWk-tlC0A1Tfi-gamD25ir0/s1600/blog6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ4aaawN8azFAPv5VHXn5E7AxaFfL6ib-dyEYN4jKUVckfTVOlq6fJUxNjYL_vzYhcQxaXY8jW17yp62r7bF1f_KhLcSUBKtXjKI4qDSRMD93MY6pq-mkXPWk-tlC0A1Tfi-gamD25ir0/s1600/blog6.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">shirt buttoning contest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQK0t0kD6araSmCkqVvIFcTk31CChDt0MiYYbPd5EYaNbaIBK-gYf8OsJ4EalMRNcQ-pSevdDm1b6R6Wu1CfTNJnLJDdZbtStcltMO3qneTkWcToigY8uL16X-Jb_r2rMPCElXcmFIZCk/s1600/blog7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQK0t0kD6araSmCkqVvIFcTk31CChDt0MiYYbPd5EYaNbaIBK-gYf8OsJ4EalMRNcQ-pSevdDm1b6R6Wu1CfTNJnLJDdZbtStcltMO3qneTkWcToigY8uL16X-Jb_r2rMPCElXcmFIZCk/s1600/blog7.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTePfZiO5JJ5XIj-a-9_ysIC-4wy-_sMFFZLmfkHpyWt-gI06r2JifoZiuPkZu8GjNw_yU1E_ablV7e_9xn0_v0St7xPwogEu9kZ3IndUiLeQ3Pp_aZAoumlgyLXuw9FUwUgJ1AA6GNXQ/s1600/blog8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTePfZiO5JJ5XIj-a-9_ysIC-4wy-_sMFFZLmfkHpyWt-gI06r2JifoZiuPkZu8GjNw_yU1E_ablV7e_9xn0_v0St7xPwogEu9kZ3IndUiLeQ3Pp_aZAoumlgyLXuw9FUwUgJ1AA6GNXQ/s1600/blog8.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">picking up rubber bands with straws</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0A29AZoOwrzSMPUY-JL62QLbLRJZWlLQEjYEnr92TpWT9BlAp6fFc4Q8W8cQQPlbFgYMWE-Iw_p_OcgDgLDMxoIgswySScIPIlnm3jxXG8i0jgl_6e7qv3WhArfWE3qTs__pWeXVx4sc/s1600/blog9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0A29AZoOwrzSMPUY-JL62QLbLRJZWlLQEjYEnr92TpWT9BlAp6fFc4Q8W8cQQPlbFgYMWE-Iw_p_OcgDgLDMxoIgswySScIPIlnm3jxXG8i0jgl_6e7qv3WhArfWE3qTs__pWeXVx4sc/s1600/blog9.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bocce ball</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZhZMOVpOOV63CmFiWUjfnHxfha1aQg7LJ5NjIX54QQh3tmBOZSXjTgTvRzCku_uTEFFf1ERzvpY_xJnpO51E1xooLRHbWf68YNIkHCneig_BSF0XEcODlJK98rjEfWkffeBzkKb3dPc/s1600/blog10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZhZMOVpOOV63CmFiWUjfnHxfha1aQg7LJ5NjIX54QQh3tmBOZSXjTgTvRzCku_uTEFFf1ERzvpY_xJnpO51E1xooLRHbWf68YNIkHCneig_BSF0XEcODlJK98rjEfWkffeBzkKb3dPc/s1600/blog10.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nic and Andrew</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAg0YfNybO32juehLiYJ7RQBc3742AoiJNUKxAU9hBlTnLitIS7mNRnszIhUggfSM8dDiG2yq10jJ3hb-XdSqmxxsi2MWCE_pG4bNIjmV8KloP02NW3d8X3sOgGYC8zFC9-Uw16_p7X_U/s1600/blog11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAg0YfNybO32juehLiYJ7RQBc3742AoiJNUKxAU9hBlTnLitIS7mNRnszIhUggfSM8dDiG2yq10jJ3hb-XdSqmxxsi2MWCE_pG4bNIjmV8KloP02NW3d8X3sOgGYC8zFC9-Uw16_p7X_U/s1600/blog11.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kate and Aubrey</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjteoMsYZbDDA42znRQww6GMWQPZDiUYwXypxwRKpS2Tq-npWV4Yu2Kg3XcQz3Kf6fBY_kii2X4bqe2m-BYn1TGZ-B4MM-rAFKiLYiE0MmCN4KPUO_pLoCwwhZN59xzeFuKMOIpQMn_1bs/s1600/blog12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjteoMsYZbDDA42znRQww6GMWQPZDiUYwXypxwRKpS2Tq-npWV4Yu2Kg3XcQz3Kf6fBY_kii2X4bqe2m-BYn1TGZ-B4MM-rAFKiLYiE0MmCN4KPUO_pLoCwwhZN59xzeFuKMOIpQMn_1bs/s1600/blog12.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jake and Wesley</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdEvo71gXNgGZekSD68SjyluD06lvLalsIQbs3Yuka6o-jW9ywB0FYGVZGtcIT-PQANFc-X8WMAxIVxOpxgoIqzJ7pASbESuWs4s65cnIC8Ki0dDQPAJWgjdgazGw-EkZ5_nHn_GYbEj4/s1600/blog13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdEvo71gXNgGZekSD68SjyluD06lvLalsIQbs3Yuka6o-jW9ywB0FYGVZGtcIT-PQANFc-X8WMAxIVxOpxgoIqzJ7pASbESuWs4s65cnIC8Ki0dDQPAJWgjdgazGw-EkZ5_nHn_GYbEj4/s1600/blog13.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natalie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyEVKkVq0XzoCYW3oviF7QFVzqifvpY5vVvYYKwIk3cutveKzDrQg6qJbsFHdbC56GNDi79KJtB86RLccnz9eaQqqwIp8tSjNuwFBR1F9ICj5IG7BK9cGVswfx8_iIbQ8bIkaT8c5fH_k/s1600/blog14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyEVKkVq0XzoCYW3oviF7QFVzqifvpY5vVvYYKwIk3cutveKzDrQg6qJbsFHdbC56GNDi79KJtB86RLccnz9eaQqqwIp8tSjNuwFBR1F9ICj5IG7BK9cGVswfx8_iIbQ8bIkaT8c5fH_k/s1600/blog14.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Birthday, Aubrey!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJGZXkdG2mbd3vIC2vBk125FXhZR61HiHmB_PYLfMmX9ylzxqXS_FYOqNNdSfpUWz80OU37Ds7hBmHa1fUKQL-h40jLZk6jD-XjWGZnhaPXZCt5vT2OWwV9bjYN0rczhBhFjTMfJ0Jju0/s1600/blog15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJGZXkdG2mbd3vIC2vBk125FXhZR61HiHmB_PYLfMmX9ylzxqXS_FYOqNNdSfpUWz80OU37Ds7hBmHa1fUKQL-h40jLZk6jD-XjWGZnhaPXZCt5vT2OWwV9bjYN0rczhBhFjTMfJ0Jju0/s1600/blog15.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aubrey and her Daddy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEY3wL47PKT2Mk62uIENh9rRLQZ90Yq_4zraLhmWlevecpuMzYTEirJ3N3AybKfww8T57HKYIoQ4PQQbzdBtsw7M3ljbQqI4sjE8a1RHnHMcQ5uclq8X03-S8lHhrvPmegCp-4WtG9bMA/s1600/blog16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEY3wL47PKT2Mk62uIENh9rRLQZ90Yq_4zraLhmWlevecpuMzYTEirJ3N3AybKfww8T57HKYIoQ4PQQbzdBtsw7M3ljbQqI4sjE8a1RHnHMcQ5uclq8X03-S8lHhrvPmegCp-4WtG9bMA/s1600/blog16.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josh and Wes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3N5WVqY4L0suMa1RigfIFMXNLxJ7w9TvQ-1n4Q82Omm_uDyRpAfdy0xulaQ3CFsbqzw3DxoQo9lJYFG7R6uNZzE9cf7HE91Vi2i7RsFS83QyCXInCMqyORx4xdkwHgzWvov7EDtZWE1E/s1600/blog17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3N5WVqY4L0suMa1RigfIFMXNLxJ7w9TvQ-1n4Q82Omm_uDyRpAfdy0xulaQ3CFsbqzw3DxoQo9lJYFG7R6uNZzE9cf7HE91Vi2i7RsFS83QyCXInCMqyORx4xdkwHgzWvov7EDtZWE1E/s1600/blog17.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emma and Nat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxuGwgewqzP6TfcVD6NbBjvEcxz-AFBEcEh7oPQ6HpZj13o63Lx0A900QnUbe9xsSfjLH6MmhMSCa3tRW42YXu24dTBU_XKu_hScv8pzG0MeNWIKv0bnM4X17XNZ4cyyQKfT5NpAJEX1k/s1600/blog18.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxuGwgewqzP6TfcVD6NbBjvEcxz-AFBEcEh7oPQ6HpZj13o63Lx0A900QnUbe9xsSfjLH6MmhMSCa3tRW42YXu24dTBU_XKu_hScv8pzG0MeNWIKv0bnM4X17XNZ4cyyQKfT5NpAJEX1k/s1600/blog18.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kate (and Dizzy the goat)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiECxI4NYyoK2Y1r47017UeQ80RTtl0NJ035p8HQfAFq0XYM-cb-wfUE80ozJFaQy8bca5Esy5g23bN8F03eiXPXqpFpJrhwvEoOm5tCn_3gLuM3LAOhPqX2Gp5O0xczuyH9zoQyxa0tA0/s1600/blog19.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiECxI4NYyoK2Y1r47017UeQ80RTtl0NJ035p8HQfAFq0XYM-cb-wfUE80ozJFaQy8bca5Esy5g23bN8F03eiXPXqpFpJrhwvEoOm5tCn_3gLuM3LAOhPqX2Gp5O0xczuyH9zoQyxa0tA0/s1600/blog19.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">me swinging!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrpN8hxvfv5gywFKaBSLjo77jBzw-_Rgwi88Z1qw-R7QZk9k4VrMHBmyHbZAT1Sx6RogWU7d7j5Ip-Dvrhx9KaGRWH_kEoA15rHxSPNUA_miwa9cdnQ9CkXCkgZsGjI3jqjV8eql70E6Y/s1600/blog20.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrpN8hxvfv5gywFKaBSLjo77jBzw-_Rgwi88Z1qw-R7QZk9k4VrMHBmyHbZAT1Sx6RogWU7d7j5Ip-Dvrhx9KaGRWH_kEoA15rHxSPNUA_miwa9cdnQ9CkXCkgZsGjI3jqjV8eql70E6Y/s1600/blog20.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Angie getting ready for the party!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span id="goog_247623459"></span><span id="goog_247623460"></span><br />Kirsten's Cookinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129971420086685005noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030165350839649840.post-45025674187115733082014-04-23T16:16:00.000-04:002014-04-23T16:16:36.394-04:00News By the Numbers60 - pounds of beef brisket I ordered for pick up on May 5th.<br />
<br />
40- pounds of chicken I'll be purchasing tomorrow.<br />
<br />
225 - amount of people I'll be preparing food for [on May 10th].<br />
<br />
200 - white chocolate truffles that my friend Emily and I hope to roll on Friday.<br />
<br />
100 - percent. Kate's last test score. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicc4eYo7gWSg3M8KrQtCCigKR-H9fBpY4hq_ko6gT9j8l8BtNE1gFtVeg36wlnNo6iyW0OsaMgCRfo1wLK70n1baox3UnF91RNtaoH45KG27kYdvtGkXu12tZt90H_9Xpu3trII76WNWI/s1600/kate.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicc4eYo7gWSg3M8KrQtCCigKR-H9fBpY4hq_ko6gT9j8l8BtNE1gFtVeg36wlnNo6iyW0OsaMgCRfo1wLK70n1baox3UnF91RNtaoH45KG27kYdvtGkXu12tZt90H_9Xpu3trII76WNWI/s1600/kate.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
1 - car [not in the shop].<br />
<br />
101 - Emma's temperature when the school nurse called.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJv86Xkju3_c3b6eUY7iyW2ZPuuUASVCwHumWOb3AJCEijTDoyq_PrckxorgmjuDRKAZdrslAWyT-trN8YvnOjrfnJ-fetGzoamkKMoCDXR9vBqkIHkhF9n4FrGPd9seFnlctnW4_YvCs/s1600/emma.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJv86Xkju3_c3b6eUY7iyW2ZPuuUASVCwHumWOb3AJCEijTDoyq_PrckxorgmjuDRKAZdrslAWyT-trN8YvnOjrfnJ-fetGzoamkKMoCDXR9vBqkIHkhF9n4FrGPd9seFnlctnW4_YvCs/s1600/emma.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
4 - pharmacy's I visited today in search of a prescription for Josh. I waited at the fourth for an hour because the third had lost the prescription. It totally wasn't worth trying to save $30 (to use a pharmacy that participated with our insurance company).<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFWi4d_TIgNkaZhOyXJ44K3VzUyAFA6T_kMxdrTurN0bzH474S689doOviJhlc58mXPEaFX8Mk9_e0TUz0J8y_Lj04H0hZXgwmOrNCTlBeUVBTLoN6JoqyLBzibaU82Q0o-SkOntCcM4/s1600/josh.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFWi4d_TIgNkaZhOyXJ44K3VzUyAFA6T_kMxdrTurN0bzH474S689doOviJhlc58mXPEaFX8Mk9_e0TUz0J8y_Lj04H0hZXgwmOrNCTlBeUVBTLoN6JoqyLBzibaU82Q0o-SkOntCcM4/s1600/josh.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
8 - days since Josh's last head injury. He sustained a concussion last Tuesday at his volleyball game. This makes his 3rd concussion in two years. <br />
<br />
87 - dollars for 8 pills. <br />
<br />
3 - pins in Rob's right wrist. He had surgery to repair his ligaments and bones as a result of a dirtbiking accident. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwnygpGmwrkx8-Re5ziAg-UQlxxfBiHcG1N2duVyWeqkw6wupaTALE4SRnXlFhCPZncQY-kgSHvgvMWdnmHOVP5TgmCxGqfilyTTeoGyDOTgCbdX535A88pTRP1GKeW1UWu7AK34fLQlw/s1600/rob.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwnygpGmwrkx8-Re5ziAg-UQlxxfBiHcG1N2duVyWeqkw6wupaTALE4SRnXlFhCPZncQY-kgSHvgvMWdnmHOVP5TgmCxGqfilyTTeoGyDOTgCbdX535A88pTRP1GKeW1UWu7AK34fLQlw/s1600/rob.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
10 - days we spent together while I acted as his nurse. It was a little like taking care of a newborn and an elderly patient all at once. <br />
<br />
4 - weeks until his next surgery to remove the pins.<br />
<br />
0 - medical bills we've received so far. Maybe they've lost our address (I hope).<br />
<br />
2 - butterfinger candy bars I've eaten today to help me feel better. <br />
<br />
I admit - I'm feeling a little stressed. I have so much compassion for those who need to take care of their family members full time due to health issues. It's exhausting and emotional.<br />
<br />
We're very much looking forward to June when the cooking jobs are completed and everyone is healed and healthy - Lord willing! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9dJdj2mihy0QU4kcWKnq5Q6nfKBeKwPAIw6WWKx8E0M_5pM_RQmd90X9tXUh1iGM85FK0FnLBmmmcSHcWcP-w3gZmU_kZIaUx4JnvEnmDTkfjGvRxu_aVNQIPuCoEJECfJKfLxP3Jwo/s1600/emma+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9dJdj2mihy0QU4kcWKnq5Q6nfKBeKwPAIw6WWKx8E0M_5pM_RQmd90X9tXUh1iGM85FK0FnLBmmmcSHcWcP-w3gZmU_kZIaUx4JnvEnmDTkfjGvRxu_aVNQIPuCoEJECfJKfLxP3Jwo/s1600/emma+1.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The pictures don't really fit in with the post, but I like pictures!<br />
<br />Kirsten's Cookinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129971420086685005noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030165350839649840.post-51308958904458065062014-04-03T09:06:00.001-04:002014-04-03T09:06:25.823-04:00On Birthdays and Boys.My birthday was this past weekend. Let's just say that my expectations were not met by my husband. We've been together over half of our lives and I thought we knew each other pretty well. I do not wish to publicly malign him, but I will say my birthday lacked anything celebratory. Now, this is partly my fault. He asked if he could take me out for dinner. But, it was pouring, we'd had a volleyball tournament all day, and the girls' had a friend over. Plus, I wanted something more. Something planned out, considerate, extravagant (but inexpensive), and special. <br />
<br />
Let's just say that there were tears (mine) and a 10:30pm trip to Wal-Mart (him). <br />
<br />
I don't know where he found this little story, but he sent it to me last night -<br />
<br />
<h1 class="ecxarticle_heading">
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Difference Between Men And Women.........</span></span></i></h1>
<h1 class="ecxarticle_heading">
<i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-size: small;"><br /></span></i></h1>
<h1 class="ecxarticle_heading">
<i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-size: small;">Let's
say a guy named Fred is attracted to a woman named Martha. He asks her
out to a movie; she accepts; they have a pretty good time. A few nights
later he asks her out to dinner, and again they enjoy themselves. They
continue to see each other regularly, and after a while neither one of
them is seeing anybody else.</span></i></h1>
<div class="ecxarticle_block">
<h3>
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br />And
then, one evening when they're driving home, a thought occurs to
Martha, and, without really thinking, she says it aloud: "Do you realize
that, as of tonight, we've been seeing each other for exactly six
months?"<br /><br />And then, there is silence in the car.<br /><br />To Martha,
it seems like a very loud silence. She thinks to herself: I wonder if
it bothers him that I said that. Maybe he's been feeling confined by our
relationship; maybe he thinks I'm trying to push him into some kind of
obligation that he doesn't want, or isn't sure of.<br /><br />And Fred is thinking: Gosh. Six months.<br /><br />And
Martha is thinking: But, hey, I'm not so sure I want this kind of
relationship either. Sometimes I wish I had a little more space, so I'd
have time to think about whether I really want us to keep going the way
we are, moving steadily towards, I mean, where are we going? Are we just
going to keep seeing each other at this level of intimacy? Are we
heading toward marriage? Toward children? Toward a lifetime together? Am
I ready for that level of commitment? Do I really even know this
person?<br /><br />And Fred is thinking: ...so that means it was...let's
see...February when we started going out, which was right after I had
the car at the dealer's, which means...lemme check the odometer...Whoa! I
am way overdue for an oil change here.<br /><br />And Martha is thinking:
He's upset. I can see it on his face. Maybe I'm reading this completely
wrong. Maybe he wants more from our relationship, more intimacy, more
commitment; maybe he has sensed - even before I sensed it - that I was
feeling some reservations. Yes, I bet that's it. That's why he's so
reluctant to say anything about his own feelings. He's afraid of being
rejected.<br /><br />And Fred is thinking: And I'm gonna have them look at
the transmission again. I don't care what those morons say, it's still
not shifting right. And they better not try to blame it on the cold
weather this time. What cold weather? It's 87 degrees out, and this
thing is shifting like a garbage truck, and I paid those incompetent
thieves $600.<br /><br />And Martha is thinking: He's angry. And I don't
blame him. I'd be angry, too. I feel so guilty, putting him through
this, but I can't help the way I feel. I'm just not sure.<br /><br />And Fred is thinking: They'll probably say it's only a 90-day warranty...scumballs.<br /><br />And
Martha is thinking: Maybe I'm just too idealistic, waiting for a knight
to come riding up on his white horse, when I'm sitting right next to a
perfectly good person, a person I enjoy being with, a person I truly do
care about, a person who seems to truly care about me. A person who is
in pain because of my self-centered, schoolgirl romantic fantasy.<br /><br />And
Fred is thinking: Warranty? They want a warranty? I'll give them a
warranty. I'll take their warranty and stick it right up their...<br /><br />"Fred," Martha says aloud.<br /><br />"What?" says Fred, startled.<br /><br />"Please
don't torture yourself like this," she says, her eyes beginning to brim
with tears. "Maybe I should never have...oh dear, I feel so..."(She
breaks down, sobbing.)<br /><br />"What?" says Fred.<br /><br />"I'm such a
fool," Martha sobs. "I mean, I know there's no knight. I really know
that. It's silly. There's no knight, and there's no horse."<br /><br />"There's no horse?" says Fred.<br /><br />"You think I'm a fool, don't you?" Martha says.<br /><br />"No!" says Fred, glad to finally know the correct answer.<br /><br />"It's just that...it's that I...I need some time," Martha says.<br /><br />(There
is a 15-second pause while Fred, thinking as fast as he can, tries to
come up with a safe response. Finally he comes up with one that he
thinks might work.)<br /><br />"Yes," he says. (Martha, deeply moved, touches his hand.)<br /><br />"Oh, Fred, do you really feel that way?" she says.<br /><br />"What way?" says Fred.<br /><br />"That way about time," says Martha.<br /><br />"Oh,"
says Fred. "Yes." (Martha turns to face him and gazes deeply into his
eyes, causing him to become very nervous about what she might say next,
especially if it involves a horse. At last she speaks.)<br /><br />"Thank you, Fred," she says.<br /><br />"Thank you," says Fred.<br /><br />Then
he takes her home, and she lies on her bed, a conflicted, tortured
soul, and weeps until dawn, whereas when Fred gets back to his place, he
opens a bag of Doritos, turns on the TV, and immediately becomes deeply
involved in a rerun of a college basketball game between two South
Dakota junior colleges that he has never heard of. A tiny voice in the
far recesses of his mind tells him that something major was going on
back there in the car, but he is pretty sure there is no way he would
ever understand what, and so he figures it's better if he doesn't think
about it.<br /><br />The next day Martha will call her closest friend, or
perhaps two of them, and they will talk about this situation for six
straight hours. In painstaking detail, they will analyze everything she
said and everything he said, going over it time and time again,
exploring every word, expression, and gesture for nuances of meaning,
considering every possible ramification.<br /><br />They will continue to
discuss this subject, off and on, for weeks, maybe months, never
reaching any definite conclusions, but never getting bored with it
either.<br /><br />Meanwhile, Fred, while playing racquetball one day with a
mutual friend of his and Martha's, will pause just before serving,
frown, and say: "Norm, did Martha ever own a horse?"</span></span></i></h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i> </i></span></span></h3>
</div>
Kirsten's Cookinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129971420086685005noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030165350839649840.post-91095241498382995052014-03-26T19:15:00.000-04:002014-03-26T19:15:33.385-04:00Lately. 1. This girl just turned 12 years old yesterday. She is amazing. At this point, her grade point average is a 95. I don't think I ever had a 95% in any class. Ever. She is determined. Strong. Kind. Talented. We just love her!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwHAtPb7iAkCF7irMy79m7YATfHHEXhl_maxEvRjHR8fpX53jGeM3mIkbqJEtgTCRqB8xYHY6blQ1zxHIQoqPBzXl1-JXsqis3w9OV8eOwhhwVgtGn-l-HrDMPYfn7LSeKymsGC8QBPVM/s1600/DSC_4417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwHAtPb7iAkCF7irMy79m7YATfHHEXhl_maxEvRjHR8fpX53jGeM3mIkbqJEtgTCRqB8xYHY6blQ1zxHIQoqPBzXl1-JXsqis3w9OV8eOwhhwVgtGn-l-HrDMPYfn7LSeKymsGC8QBPVM/s1600/DSC_4417.JPG" height="211" width="320" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
2. The stomach bug has been rampant in our house. All three kids. It started Saturday night and didn't let up until this morning at 10:00am. <br />
<br />
3. I've been cooking. Trying new recipes and sticking with some old favorites.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQirJzwGHHaDDb-2j8ee8GsNM3KzPTtVJOOsJnoPzNKNfa5tth2EdEHnAwr1Ft7P-XPa63AbrRD7fwo3C6JEpSQFS2qHzyulqYtfGof53wYIoq1zBZO5LEEb2THZp7Cdw7o4X96zBM6s/s1600/DSC_4347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQirJzwGHHaDDb-2j8ee8GsNM3KzPTtVJOOsJnoPzNKNfa5tth2EdEHnAwr1Ft7P-XPa63AbrRD7fwo3C6JEpSQFS2qHzyulqYtfGof53wYIoq1zBZO5LEEb2THZp7Cdw7o4X96zBM6s/s1600/DSC_4347.JPG" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYiPBvRZ0M4xHlHU4UQd2keVZVPbtEdGcyAePNd7Jyq26OrKJx4oT6ZJI-A3Y3gWouPgzgTWIQjBwrNvvpD39Tm7IC9VT_uXraea-ToQHXitaBlFKEGm8Q1jIZAqo3K1x4LmfrjLFXUP0/s1600/DSC_4351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYiPBvRZ0M4xHlHU4UQd2keVZVPbtEdGcyAePNd7Jyq26OrKJx4oT6ZJI-A3Y3gWouPgzgTWIQjBwrNvvpD39Tm7IC9VT_uXraea-ToQHXitaBlFKEGm8Q1jIZAqo3K1x4LmfrjLFXUP0/s1600/DSC_4351.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">chilled avocado soup</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhQUVTzyUysa1mcqWqfAYFZMBm00LbDgrV5hWW_3GBrEkFEgEm-EtDNDOexGLk0asBIh_5wwKVN2yKR8goDaFSfreVRUP4ujYiWnuF1OU72RhqXQ2b6a26QE0FfC9IieKKIvJAU1X_Ag/s1600/DSC_4352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhQUVTzyUysa1mcqWqfAYFZMBm00LbDgrV5hWW_3GBrEkFEgEm-EtDNDOexGLk0asBIh_5wwKVN2yKR8goDaFSfreVRUP4ujYiWnuF1OU72RhqXQ2b6a26QE0FfC9IieKKIvJAU1X_Ag/s1600/DSC_4352.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">peanut butter pie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieSU-2VhCKzE8bhSL6gxXtCXTWtZTH0Z2yGU5i_qMBnTtYiTbxnVXlPeLek7FMGQY08P1qye-vJbEApOT2Ar97EAT1IG7qeEJ-5DB_-TBn1SxDvb60w7Hh3ZXocYrWac7uB7wC3Vo1hkw/s1600/DSC_4356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieSU-2VhCKzE8bhSL6gxXtCXTWtZTH0Z2yGU5i_qMBnTtYiTbxnVXlPeLek7FMGQY08P1qye-vJbEApOT2Ar97EAT1IG7qeEJ-5DB_-TBn1SxDvb60w7Hh3ZXocYrWac7uB7wC3Vo1hkw/s1600/DSC_4356.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJRgET65zRDHNlwUFJROJgJxnU-AP1DkHaPPMEeGnejJkLGrBLUyqitaxM12Tj-SQwDycrwKsqixVLgve_ba1tjYHU4zhmNki5krH7DiQ4Y1U35QnU1QAoEaR82xD5ewpPgmjjoNgOjXc/s1600/DSC_4358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJRgET65zRDHNlwUFJROJgJxnU-AP1DkHaPPMEeGnejJkLGrBLUyqitaxM12Tj-SQwDycrwKsqixVLgve_ba1tjYHU4zhmNki5krH7DiQ4Y1U35QnU1QAoEaR82xD5ewpPgmjjoNgOjXc/s1600/DSC_4358.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">chilled avocado soup</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin0AUU49VnhC6jj64XclupOq-iKKQT0lpp_7Ig4skA5y15JvMw1TVPavq_iBteWU2qv7oHg0jyDq_u76Ti1nFYy4x4V98vUNhCdHhtAJ_CYQoYvcGbvuXdpexCMYTS_0UR43Y9oCaujEw/s1600/DSC_4367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin0AUU49VnhC6jj64XclupOq-iKKQT0lpp_7Ig4skA5y15JvMw1TVPavq_iBteWU2qv7oHg0jyDq_u76Ti1nFYy4x4V98vUNhCdHhtAJ_CYQoYvcGbvuXdpexCMYTS_0UR43Y9oCaujEw/s1600/DSC_4367.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cauliflower gratin, flat iron steak, avocado soup</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGE9xc6Nlzd-emDcRoEHCUE4JtZ7Mhh3AgznYRgv0HoNfh69vSj0aT1CVFZT5Nux3XfulhYH3RE8WCIMyaQiz8BtPBzmTgDaau9UGU0Yx0Z0JZh9fCG57gg6XIB0WKSi8ViRgra4K2arU/s1600/DSC_4397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGE9xc6Nlzd-emDcRoEHCUE4JtZ7Mhh3AgznYRgv0HoNfh69vSj0aT1CVFZT5Nux3XfulhYH3RE8WCIMyaQiz8BtPBzmTgDaau9UGU0Yx0Z0JZh9fCG57gg6XIB0WKSi8ViRgra4K2arU/s1600/DSC_4397.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pizza with onions, peppers, and fresh mozzarella</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
4. My newest obsession: poblano peppers. And tomatillos. They are so easy to prepare. I have been popping them on a cookie sheet and broiling both sides for about five minutes until they're deflated and blackened in spots. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4b_10KotfcmPth7VPm2T3FiegsrLbzhXuH5i6Cs7QQUcd17dAxDymW_l7hyphenhyphenPNHZlJCX00JboPDocz5YD3ASp6KOltK2rua94wkY6_YUr6Mlc8NgGzINLadA-IWGFZ8Ixrr18pA_4pG8w/s1600/DSC_4336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4b_10KotfcmPth7VPm2T3FiegsrLbzhXuH5i6Cs7QQUcd17dAxDymW_l7hyphenhyphenPNHZlJCX00JboPDocz5YD3ASp6KOltK2rua94wkY6_YUr6Mlc8NgGzINLadA-IWGFZ8Ixrr18pA_4pG8w/s1600/DSC_4336.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">before broiling</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQ8CmFdoNKECcoiqA2yq62TMEerxpRtEM2vJX3P5XniV0v0jFA4HL9HfgKax0VaRWoziynwAZbYWVkdVbcgtH0BNOuNP_unHS9YLjqNMJd-zceQvhcfR7nNefNOhx7_CmQqrg_ke4PO8/s1600/DSC_4375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQ8CmFdoNKECcoiqA2yq62TMEerxpRtEM2vJX3P5XniV0v0jFA4HL9HfgKax0VaRWoziynwAZbYWVkdVbcgtH0BNOuNP_unHS9YLjqNMJd-zceQvhcfR7nNefNOhx7_CmQqrg_ke4PO8/s1600/DSC_4375.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">turkey sandwich with avocado, poblano slices, and fresh tomato</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXH1aWvBcslyzYXTji6n-E8w_Za6VSyrN6tvW8Y3GfoCTXkEwn71IRqG81QYoZPaX5rOpDOfNgINMejmfFStoxjyx96WEP3auSmeURRX8be9NHqfdYB-J20krrnY9L1mK1Bn8cJWJuRqQ/s1600/DSC_4392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXH1aWvBcslyzYXTji6n-E8w_Za6VSyrN6tvW8Y3GfoCTXkEwn71IRqG81QYoZPaX5rOpDOfNgINMejmfFStoxjyx96WEP3auSmeURRX8be9NHqfdYB-J20krrnY9L1mK1Bn8cJWJuRqQ/s1600/DSC_4392.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">filled poblanos with ricotta, sharp cheddar, and breadcrumbs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
5. I prepared food for Rob's organization last night. The event was held in a beautiful historic building WITH NO KITCHEN. So, I prepared everything in my home kitchen* ahead of time. I placed it in large aluminum trays and transported it all to my mother in law's house. We heated the food, placed it into large rented coolers and transported them to the event. We kept the food heated in chafing dishes and prayed it would stay hot. I made appetizers, entrees, and desserts. I only took a few pictures, and none at the event. <br />
<br />
I made seafood lasagna and tenderloin tips with mixed mushrooms and a red wine reduction sauce. We also had caesar salad, grilled vegetables, carrot cake cupcakes, lemon meringue tarts, and chocolate truffles. I slept all afternoon today. I seriously don't know how people can cater full time. It's no joke. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINSJ-rTR5c7gLWmVdRbec67t3Zo6M8LYDi_sYsvKd99LufQbsl7H-ViU2oAnlJeC20dgxFFqg3cgneOshsuyP7gzet4DlHr_BzSkYEcE6W-mRbYrJ5sukKAGWpSK3nyfWXaolrZLkGO0/s1600/DSC_4404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINSJ-rTR5c7gLWmVdRbec67t3Zo6M8LYDi_sYsvKd99LufQbsl7H-ViU2oAnlJeC20dgxFFqg3cgneOshsuyP7gzet4DlHr_BzSkYEcE6W-mRbYrJ5sukKAGWpSK3nyfWXaolrZLkGO0/s1600/DSC_4404.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">spinach artichoke dip</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv7h8YWFZ2fjMYGswU1BR2IDgfIyidbPalC-peXWwWS4NDtT5k37_4FZYwrVda3TwKquJE2r3cZNNxRdiiv88-cImYQb6bRQcSH0G_ZARu6hVbjTgEOLYsVg-Z38cqB3h3DvL4BTUCZog/s1600/DSC_4405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv7h8YWFZ2fjMYGswU1BR2IDgfIyidbPalC-peXWwWS4NDtT5k37_4FZYwrVda3TwKquJE2r3cZNNxRdiiv88-cImYQb6bRQcSH0G_ZARu6hVbjTgEOLYsVg-Z38cqB3h3DvL4BTUCZog/s1600/DSC_4405.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">roasted fingerling potatoes and beef tenderloins</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEildf_200oVS3VcaSaoErgWNiPt8ziFelK70W98yinrLUAEUu7-Ta6VL9Feb3KLv68JxQFCRwVP6mtEf6Fk2rx21sdJLU3eRODY3ORphhzFcTCyP937piJoZFvg9sa5UcXu58x8p_km0_k/s1600/DSC_4415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEildf_200oVS3VcaSaoErgWNiPt8ziFelK70W98yinrLUAEUu7-Ta6VL9Feb3KLv68JxQFCRwVP6mtEf6Fk2rx21sdJLU3eRODY3ORphhzFcTCyP937piJoZFvg9sa5UcXu58x8p_km0_k/s1600/DSC_4415.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">croutons for caesar salad</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
*Disclaimer: Because I work as a personal chef, my home kitchen is not licensed. I was only able to utilize my home kitchen in this case because I did not charge for my services. Kirsten's Cookinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129971420086685005noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030165350839649840.post-27060257931496001362014-03-19T17:18:00.000-04:002014-03-19T17:18:07.546-04:00RicottaUnless you like playing in the kitchen as much as I do, I'd file this post under more of a hobby endeavor. <br />
<br />
I have a client who requires a low sodium diet, which has stretched my cooking ability. I do have to say, though, that while cooking without salt requires extra care, it's fascinating how much flavor can be created with spices. <br />
<br />
I try to brainstorm different foods that will taste nostalgic while sticking within that parameters of low-carb, meat-free, and low sodium. I originally thought of a zucchini "lasagna", but I have to be careful with packaged foods. I did some quick research on homemade ricotta cheese and found that it's super easy to make and that the result can be decadent. <br />
<br />
There are several food blogs I swear by, and <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/">smitten kitchen</a> is one of them. Back in 2011, Deb made ricotta cheese. As she discusses, the method she uses is not technically the traditional way (traditionally, ricotta is made from the by-product of cheese making, whey). So, if you're interested in making a ricotta-like product and happen to have whole milk, heavy cream, and a fresh lemon on hand - you're in luck! The <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2011/06/rich-homemade-ricotta/">recipe (click here for her recipe)</a> calls for salt, but I simply omitted it. <br />
<br />
Four cups of milk and cream produce about one and a half cups of ricotta, so there is a bit of waste - unless you keep and use the whey (I've got mine in a container in the fridge, still deciding what to use it for). <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFlYQ3u9q2U6P0n6iCbR5G9AWw6-1s47lmtllWFMX96CIfFRBKuKsj6ML0RywX-Ec6zNiqUkeYZNUYug3OPXwZD8JmsaYuitf_jHkeiF_0-KTAn-AmskJeDCjsWs3PKqEWavpetGpbnM/s1600/DSC_4319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFlYQ3u9q2U6P0n6iCbR5G9AWw6-1s47lmtllWFMX96CIfFRBKuKsj6ML0RywX-Ec6zNiqUkeYZNUYug3OPXwZD8JmsaYuitf_jHkeiF_0-KTAn-AmskJeDCjsWs3PKqEWavpetGpbnM/s1600/DSC_4319.JPG" height="211" width="320" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is halfway through the draining process</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDRYOr1kgGZHPnLXmF3_9-ujXBbKmO65oJ1rZNE1eJYNSplimJG-kyFcGsNYyigEDsq93R8cfp-cdc3rw3j5aQMXoI_41YHiykIto63aWwezAnVmPg-a29L4R9YadO9IdRT_ismU0vcHY/s1600/DSC_4327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDRYOr1kgGZHPnLXmF3_9-ujXBbKmO65oJ1rZNE1eJYNSplimJG-kyFcGsNYyigEDsq93R8cfp-cdc3rw3j5aQMXoI_41YHiykIto63aWwezAnVmPg-a29L4R9YadO9IdRT_ismU0vcHY/s1600/DSC_4327.JPG" height="263" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
This was the finished product for my client: grilled eggplant and zucchini stacks with a roasted tomato slice, fresh mozzarella, and a smear of homemade ricotta. This was labor-intensive, but decadent (especially considering this is meat and gluten-free). <br />
<br />
I still have a bit of ricotta left - it is creamy, rich and indulgent, while still remaining light. If you have some extra time and the desire - go for it!Kirsten's Cookinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129971420086685005noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030165350839649840.post-11702310180911290802014-03-13T12:46:00.005-04:002014-03-13T12:46:57.606-04:00Lemon Chicken with PotatoesThis was one of the easiest meals I've made in a while - and the one of the tastiest! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1V5abRSAjVFKI7QRouVb34VAvwLcpun1Sx-J-azESaIKZCh_d9nL1MmRHHKvOlxBRYwRWJcpZwWp0NOCgFau6eISYwL6gLCowtw_XHtWlUzwRINRNbcEp6mlUzmUoRC7EDxW2qdsURpU/s1600/DSC_4303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1V5abRSAjVFKI7QRouVb34VAvwLcpun1Sx-J-azESaIKZCh_d9nL1MmRHHKvOlxBRYwRWJcpZwWp0NOCgFau6eISYwL6gLCowtw_XHtWlUzwRINRNbcEp6mlUzmUoRC7EDxW2qdsURpU/s1600/DSC_4303.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I needed to make a meal for a family who'd recently welcomed a baby, but had several food allergies. I think I must have seen something on Pinterest that led me to think that maybe lemon chicken would be a satisfying dish that they could enjoy even with their limitations. Sometimes I can't remember where I get my ideas for food - or if they're ever original. <br />
<br />
With a quick google search, I found several recipes that I used to inspire me. I used a mixture of chicken tenders and boneless, skinless thighs, but next time I'll use all thighs. I also steamed some broccoli for a side, and it was the perfect accompaniment. <br />
<br />
This is flawless one pan cooking at its best. The lemon flavor is very reminiscent of spring. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76Tyn6UDLPwVKEUqaGpFXa-kbmPjyDU-Bn1BQPHYPxtOqvJQ88rVEAsU53wnJB1tv7YaIcIsTQQeWaQSyfmGmJbUzzUxq2n8RA7VdENKMTeHnezPX07DzSkuHJEHp5DlNH1nomcxLMVk/s1600/DSC_4304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76Tyn6UDLPwVKEUqaGpFXa-kbmPjyDU-Bn1BQPHYPxtOqvJQ88rVEAsU53wnJB1tv7YaIcIsTQQeWaQSyfmGmJbUzzUxq2n8RA7VdENKMTeHnezPX07DzSkuHJEHp5DlNH1nomcxLMVk/s1600/DSC_4304.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love that the potatoes get browned and crispy on the outside</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Lemon Chicken with Potatoes<br />
<br />
8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (2 for each person)<br />
2 lemons, juiced<br />
2 lemons, sliced (you'll need 4 lemons total)<br />
4 large yukon gold potatoes<br />
1 large onion, chopped<br />
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped<br />
1/3 cup olive oil<br />
salt, pepper<br />
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley, oregano, or rosemary (I had parsley on hand)<br />
<br />
1. Place chicken thighs, lemon slices, and potatoes into large baking dish, overlapping if necessary. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.<br />
2. Mix chopped onion, garlic, spices, lemon juice, and olive oil into mixing bowl. Pour mixture over chicken pieces, potatoes, and lemons. <br />
3. Bake at 375 for 45-60 minutes. <br />
4. I shook the pan every 15 minutes or so, to try to get as much browning on the potatoes as possible. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYcJZCLbOiApW_bSOxy60NHhyXNUyf5TyHRU1nBiZNHAEKq7TNz7xuJhNTGy_DdqdVCQly7OlU3uKbsMnpNkeIu25036sqWwdN_nOuZzZF4DcrvCIZ40-YKWQv9sAo5eQ1buXOP5vItSQ/s1600/DSC_4305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYcJZCLbOiApW_bSOxy60NHhyXNUyf5TyHRU1nBiZNHAEKq7TNz7xuJhNTGy_DdqdVCQly7OlU3uKbsMnpNkeIu25036sqWwdN_nOuZzZF4DcrvCIZ40-YKWQv9sAo5eQ1buXOP5vItSQ/s1600/DSC_4305.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the lemon slices become addicting - just a warning!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Kirsten's Cookinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129971420086685005noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030165350839649840.post-72623276165844689972014-03-12T19:23:00.002-04:002014-03-12T19:23:28.999-04:00Longboat Key, FloridaRob and I make it a point to get away for a week by ourselves each year. This year, he had to be in Orlando for meetings and we planned to add three days of sun and relaxation on Longboat Key. <br />
<br />
When we left, this is what our street looked like. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6ptzvlQzOZI0oYA2sHrC4K9fc28vz-WY-TlII31lfElCc2654tjTX29NFjDwfr6RohsDgGnh9Ci_LY63t3rCk28rUZFeUmMQDEwhf7o8KGg5iHf6zb5KAPLMBfpR01-Qx9P72PkMXas/s1600/DSC_4112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6ptzvlQzOZI0oYA2sHrC4K9fc28vz-WY-TlII31lfElCc2654tjTX29NFjDwfr6RohsDgGnh9Ci_LY63t3rCk28rUZFeUmMQDEwhf7o8KGg5iHf6zb5KAPLMBfpR01-Qx9P72PkMXas/s1600/DSC_4112.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
While we were gone, most of our county lost power. My grandmother, aunt and uncle spent a night here with my mom and our three kids. I heard it was real cozy. :)<br />
<br />
The day after we returned, our street looked like this. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqy5W1-VgW_DUvoq6jsJSdbEmCEiBRc5xWBpFRYxLKsSjT0ee78rBfDBAIq1ROzoZOprt3VhGSQxtW9uZSoo5bWXPY7t9Z07wixr7BWuI7YmpoG1Qm3RmkfucvXfg2EBf7zJcpdBRyq2g/s1600/DSC_4254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqy5W1-VgW_DUvoq6jsJSdbEmCEiBRc5xWBpFRYxLKsSjT0ee78rBfDBAIq1ROzoZOprt3VhGSQxtW9uZSoo5bWXPY7t9Z07wixr7BWuI7YmpoG1Qm3RmkfucvXfg2EBf7zJcpdBRyq2g/s1600/DSC_4254.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpSF_wYcWD11MRJ5oX3RIUnuXP97nyShVXVoLvuYMJJbMtUcQjm5G6euz1NQVVvygwPNbUozMqodty4xAewz5bi2FRBx5K52Li2vQ5IJa4D76-Zz1-Qc9G7xO3PzU-vqpNdfxMe8wCzSc/s1600/DSC_4263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpSF_wYcWD11MRJ5oX3RIUnuXP97nyShVXVoLvuYMJJbMtUcQjm5G6euz1NQVVvygwPNbUozMqodty4xAewz5bi2FRBx5K52Li2vQ5IJa4D76-Zz1-Qc9G7xO3PzU-vqpNdfxMe8wCzSc/s1600/DSC_4263.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The first part of our trip was a little chilly and dreary, but we ended on a good note. Sunshine, time together, and lots of good food were the components of the break we needed. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0vLgZ2eLuDKpniju0d9HCAClL1vQ-ePuUj5LobgOeRWqzVP4d8_SydHGPeg1DhRX70yV2_TRSczZSkOFXOks3eEcu7tlAoknZVbCtQGeCMyGtdYxWl4B9bAZjcf2EBZsq4u1pTr3O24/s1600/DSC_4114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0vLgZ2eLuDKpniju0d9HCAClL1vQ-ePuUj5LobgOeRWqzVP4d8_SydHGPeg1DhRX70yV2_TRSczZSkOFXOks3eEcu7tlAoknZVbCtQGeCMyGtdYxWl4B9bAZjcf2EBZsq4u1pTr3O24/s1600/DSC_4114.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this was the view from our hotel in Orlando - dreary and 50 degrees</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We rented a 'villa' (I use the term loosely), it was perfect for us. We were literally maybe 50 feet from the beach, and it was pure perfection. I wouldn't describe our accommodations as five-star, but we really didn't care. Sure, the refrigerator leaked, and the sofa was crazy uncomfortable, but we were on vacation. <br />
<br />
We spent our time walking on the beach and soaking in the sun. We ate a lot of fresh citrus and local strawberries. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsch4QKzR1TT1zzhZLSdRYazWZw_VJADE4TzTtJRHKPXA5BerH0HfokBzxLJul6Xje7pISTUDQGY_6YIplOGx4PRzrh7f9oZRAvmG630ZZJ0lrqPuM7Z_YUeqoTdGgob6CQs64GVAg4s/s1600/DSC_4129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsch4QKzR1TT1zzhZLSdRYazWZw_VJADE4TzTtJRHKPXA5BerH0HfokBzxLJul6Xje7pISTUDQGY_6YIplOGx4PRzrh7f9oZRAvmG630ZZJ0lrqPuM7Z_YUeqoTdGgob6CQs64GVAg4s/s1600/DSC_4129.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKyBmipmyH7l1-X_phB589S36bvKHvjraw7he78TI2cGbveYagCclOaf8Qp4mVwUX3_zyjXcjSK4E-ava3XGwWG1VkLKmupILYHaQFNH3KmlCIRXy4vGSBe1SkgWfkJZ-051r9UwYoys/s1600/DSC_4165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKyBmipmyH7l1-X_phB589S36bvKHvjraw7he78TI2cGbveYagCclOaf8Qp4mVwUX3_zyjXcjSK4E-ava3XGwWG1VkLKmupILYHaQFNH3KmlCIRXy4vGSBe1SkgWfkJZ-051r9UwYoys/s1600/DSC_4165.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLXmuU3crh1gty8jRoOu-chARQzACzrMt4dcbZ1T-w_wiO9UIS83wtPv7rT4ILa1APU5wJol5rfr-6fGuA6yXXt4l_Acb6MRYuLPS1g_KD9uInxHAGMWhQrOXxR8ggvSqNr9aDL1MqPbc/s1600/DSC_4168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLXmuU3crh1gty8jRoOu-chARQzACzrMt4dcbZ1T-w_wiO9UIS83wtPv7rT4ILa1APU5wJol5rfr-6fGuA6yXXt4l_Acb6MRYuLPS1g_KD9uInxHAGMWhQrOXxR8ggvSqNr9aDL1MqPbc/s1600/DSC_4168.JPG" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHyk29CTZgvCsr3Rz8skLKzP5Qp1G5YAZrxlqq8GdmcQXjKyWBTlUuran_7SXVnttIA3AlWTAk3uK6AkIRa7PPVi2KTu98ch3IERjFEeJlz9GxRlQAiKM4gh4BQ4hL16TJrIH0m43Tjlc/s1600/DSC_4170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHyk29CTZgvCsr3Rz8skLKzP5Qp1G5YAZrxlqq8GdmcQXjKyWBTlUuran_7SXVnttIA3AlWTAk3uK6AkIRa7PPVi2KTu98ch3IERjFEeJlz9GxRlQAiKM4gh4BQ4hL16TJrIH0m43Tjlc/s1600/DSC_4170.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikEq70Nh_FAE5lVpPRRqJHUyLfrYMlPJERm6Lhm7MYSqUFFl86QtxtfPN8v9TUdvs61OF444Y5CgU0aXHRCQeRMdCAJTaKMZabM2117FLfpZK9i8qNaO_jHAMBednP7Tl3R_A0w6i7iOE/s1600/DSC_4171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikEq70Nh_FAE5lVpPRRqJHUyLfrYMlPJERm6Lhm7MYSqUFFl86QtxtfPN8v9TUdvs61OF444Y5CgU0aXHRCQeRMdCAJTaKMZabM2117FLfpZK9i8qNaO_jHAMBednP7Tl3R_A0w6i7iOE/s1600/DSC_4171.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5l5PJZ2J7vGb6PeVQLd8FnFSLB3P-ZeFoW58qwRDAFIQe1lwO8Vwcm6jfZ6SmaSFMhyphenhyphenhZ_DvrThYMLbaafM7gdjMdL21pVwq-lEP1EzVuK5GDX_i3ILyQoAnu6LzBBxR4P98muQQJsYI/s1600/DSC_4173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5l5PJZ2J7vGb6PeVQLd8FnFSLB3P-ZeFoW58qwRDAFIQe1lwO8Vwcm6jfZ6SmaSFMhyphenhyphenhZ_DvrThYMLbaafM7gdjMdL21pVwq-lEP1EzVuK5GDX_i3ILyQoAnu6LzBBxR4P98muQQJsYI/s1600/DSC_4173.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh12WDryITgJvbubGAv__XhbWI0G4n0SuIeCHk5dH7XZr-EWV2gYRlIx0E-kXzVeRAX9lzra7sOCNrPiZtHGGf0pzkJsYEdXJQZRVa8xPRQNy28Z1YeLCcbz9ZmpPiceNY5uul_81FZkXU/s1600/DSC_4174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh12WDryITgJvbubGAv__XhbWI0G4n0SuIeCHk5dH7XZr-EWV2gYRlIx0E-kXzVeRAX9lzra7sOCNrPiZtHGGf0pzkJsYEdXJQZRVa8xPRQNy28Z1YeLCcbz9ZmpPiceNY5uul_81FZkXU/s1600/DSC_4174.JPG" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPlxXWHwlbtQhQGLd3Rh2D4F2aMhj6r1BYAJ6ZWm-MYX6cEIlRm4jg6AjO7RPVtvox3Hhfplypw3ls9Cc8SXh_PyERng1lPp_P17PBi2_-zKWIH7lGGv39LYTc5qjBDbjg1x9znmnUJ4/s1600/DSC_4204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPlxXWHwlbtQhQGLd3Rh2D4F2aMhj6r1BYAJ6ZWm-MYX6cEIlRm4jg6AjO7RPVtvox3Hhfplypw3ls9Cc8SXh_PyERng1lPp_P17PBi2_-zKWIH7lGGv39LYTc5qjBDbjg1x9znmnUJ4/s1600/DSC_4204.JPG" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ5yN2TStyeJVIST_sOAbdRTJ7Nlp1qusxGe1_l0ysoDgg7s3zb7R8Pwy_oO-ehBZ-JZLO85WI_mcTP4BmLo93OSRZ548hrb5lfNoFo8sMyBl6zSppAANSVFr3i7EPX5zEdZNftpoo6as/s1600/DSC_4224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ5yN2TStyeJVIST_sOAbdRTJ7Nlp1qusxGe1_l0ysoDgg7s3zb7R8Pwy_oO-ehBZ-JZLO85WI_mcTP4BmLo93OSRZ548hrb5lfNoFo8sMyBl6zSppAANSVFr3i7EPX5zEdZNftpoo6as/s1600/DSC_4224.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We discovered a new (to us) place - Boca Grande, also known as Gasparilla Island. It's a little fancy-schmancy, but the sights are quaint and timeless. It was about an hour south of where we were staying. <br />
<br />
We also walked to an amazing restaurant for dinner - where Rob almost got picked up by two ladies. It was hilarious. I could see it happening from across the room and when I finally walked over, I heard him say, "and I'm Rob"....it probably helps that we were the youngest people on Longboat Key by about 30 years. <br />
<br />
I think our week away every year is one of the things that cements our relationship. It is necessary for us to have time together without distraction. I find that I have to share my husband every other week of the year - I'm a firstborn and not very good with sharing. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Kirsten's Cookinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129971420086685005noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030165350839649840.post-7512243706431209892014-03-07T15:42:00.001-05:002014-03-07T15:42:50.133-05:00Our Recent Travels to Upstate NYIn December, we took the kids to the Adirondacks in upstate New York. We surprised them with three days of skiing as their big Christmas gift. We rented the cutest cottage in Paul Smiths, NY, and skied at Titus Mountain. We were less than an hour from Quebec, but none of have passports, so maybe that will be our goal for the next time. I'd love to investigate some French inspired cuisine, and possible a maple sugar shack (featured on Bizarre Foods). <br />
<br />
I thought I'd show you a few pictures. We didn't take many, but here are a few snapshots (some of them iphone photos).<br />
<br />
This is just some of the stuff we needed to take. And then the day before we left, our truck wouldn't start. And there were no parts closer than Texas. Thankfully, we were able to have our truck towed to the mechanic and we borrowed a much smaller vehicle from my father-in-law. It saved a bunch on gas! <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsROPLUtX3OPnNbvX6i_yNsE0JksFdX_oRWLe0aVIcP-20kyUeR-wpAxxztCeFJ8hZ1Xg8Z66ot-ougiqIIWLB2h1Q2OtSXOaMg-HXTCM8MyjALvYBvGs0h7alfyigLb27sUrh22zL_a0/s1600/DSC_3832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsROPLUtX3OPnNbvX6i_yNsE0JksFdX_oRWLe0aVIcP-20kyUeR-wpAxxztCeFJ8hZ1Xg8Z66ot-ougiqIIWLB2h1Q2OtSXOaMg-HXTCM8MyjALvYBvGs0h7alfyigLb27sUrh22zL_a0/s1600/DSC_3832.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we bought used skis and boots for the kids' at a local swap</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I hope you don't mind all of the pictures of the cottage where we stayed! It was just so quaint. And clean. It was perfect - three bedrooms, the perfect amount of space, no internet or phone signal. Pure bliss. We stayed for four nights and the price was $165 a night. It was originally a cottage that was built for a community of loggers, in the late 1800's. The new owners have completely renovated it. It was immaculate. I didn't think anyone could be more cleanly or organized than my mom, but Anne just may be!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNLzPaMvsv2a2heiqYfFEBEM0TSDtJxDawUObvjT7K-sosAFW6J6OblOvT4Z6vDWNTXTd_UVo0NzLmrE6waz9j5pBPrEQojk2SQPW8MrkBt7U0RUGjE3HBFZHuRVQqMdeGokpnOFjLQc/s1600/DSC_3849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNLzPaMvsv2a2heiqYfFEBEM0TSDtJxDawUObvjT7K-sosAFW6J6OblOvT4Z6vDWNTXTd_UVo0NzLmrE6waz9j5pBPrEQojk2SQPW8MrkBt7U0RUGjE3HBFZHuRVQqMdeGokpnOFjLQc/s1600/DSC_3849.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mudroom with washing machine and drying racks for ski stuff</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhwLrJkUZLUugYk473MQrYGBsKFirYgFP37YwLrEE-6sI5UleldKXCvhABQ2QtY4LbSQ9egLURZbYmGWyOqP3TVWXYx7zIUEh1MXIcehKwCSgd_TjYfJKkj3-943mRud3dXJWOyHlYKDY/s1600/DSC_3851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhwLrJkUZLUugYk473MQrYGBsKFirYgFP37YwLrEE-6sI5UleldKXCvhABQ2QtY4LbSQ9egLURZbYmGWyOqP3TVWXYx7zIUEh1MXIcehKwCSgd_TjYfJKkj3-943mRud3dXJWOyHlYKDY/s1600/DSC_3851.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">woodstove in the living room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAm26oGZx85dzfGErOWa70pj-q8fDPnZZkdgEfzZPH3hITPMJvgq5UnPJuVJwsJFd1UFF07uz5HRzqPUQcLNCXZSODEvY0BP0Sa0SevH9MCAQbOxqEb-kx5NhF0h1Pl7tXOFGlVpZl6U/s1600/DSC_3852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAm26oGZx85dzfGErOWa70pj-q8fDPnZZkdgEfzZPH3hITPMJvgq5UnPJuVJwsJFd1UFF07uz5HRzqPUQcLNCXZSODEvY0BP0Sa0SevH9MCAQbOxqEb-kx5NhF0h1Pl7tXOFGlVpZl6U/s1600/DSC_3852.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the bedroom where Josh stayed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsKt02jyPT5o5Qh3hTO_-74gXj2XqsJQ7cz39UzyLwCFZ4Qq0RcG5KmIZLqa5d_vZ87rmYZOVvn84-w5wBIkPIJlwuRqVrNZoleuRzcLLo60-owGoPJlqLbu3GmQ8atM-3YF8U5UnfHKY/s1600/DSC_3853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsKt02jyPT5o5Qh3hTO_-74gXj2XqsJQ7cz39UzyLwCFZ4Qq0RcG5KmIZLqa5d_vZ87rmYZOVvn84-w5wBIkPIJlwuRqVrNZoleuRzcLLo60-owGoPJlqLbu3GmQ8atM-3YF8U5UnfHKY/s1600/DSC_3853.JPG" height="320" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the girls' room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-f1PmwTS81SWqJIQKpj1axU7SnZRscWAvT5TA13LSyuRItYH0s9ymUxta_BpqWjHadMcTwalshf4NUGKZNwZfrh-e7Fv4L4HWAUfguwFslGNLTYCYue9_7WzPtNUlyw5p_NSfvDCCi4w/s1600/DSC_3859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-f1PmwTS81SWqJIQKpj1axU7SnZRscWAvT5TA13LSyuRItYH0s9ymUxta_BpqWjHadMcTwalshf4NUGKZNwZfrh-e7Fv4L4HWAUfguwFslGNLTYCYue9_7WzPtNUlyw5p_NSfvDCCi4w/s1600/DSC_3859.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">living room - they had a great library and lots of games!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVSg9Dd0rSXkpgcpceJXQJFd-dtC7uLX_kQQu88U47noxNyUvdngOUYfJ7wd5srzD46WcxcP9AYAURXkL6Zivj_-Q2YstCDaETPRgJTJOtUWOFCwI1Knwq9ROdruUvEZwV6Yb5EiX4Do/s1600/DSC_3864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVSg9Dd0rSXkpgcpceJXQJFd-dtC7uLX_kQQu88U47noxNyUvdngOUYfJ7wd5srzD46WcxcP9AYAURXkL6Zivj_-Q2YstCDaETPRgJTJOtUWOFCwI1Knwq9ROdruUvEZwV6Yb5EiX4Do/s1600/DSC_3864.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made all of our food ahead of time - $215 total for five days<br />
<br />
<br />
(Well, now, that is not exactly true - we made a pit stop at a grocery store halfway through our trip and inhaled a rotisserie chicken in the car like we were a pack of hyenas.)<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5AWvL36WchTkrx4mcxvkxY7WncXsJRgkM7W0CiG4f91nCbfivvrysI8z9dkSgy5mFvG8yZeh4N-DLeBS5jsy9u2YBYvi1KUzL6tvOCoIOUBUTOMETfih9YS6dJFaGaBZjgzxNDfI1gw/s1600/DSC_3884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5AWvL36WchTkrx4mcxvkxY7WncXsJRgkM7W0CiG4f91nCbfivvrysI8z9dkSgy5mFvG8yZeh4N-DLeBS5jsy9u2YBYvi1KUzL6tvOCoIOUBUTOMETfih9YS6dJFaGaBZjgzxNDfI1gw/s1600/DSC_3884.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it was quite a process getting packed up each day </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigs2L4q_nLfBjRZn07qW0UOe1pquIBFiy2UzzoS6RHAeYau4WubCDBwbQG2y8Otce9VSMO_ORlzsIvzYqaVcn96wKS_L5nK50KKMQaedD-VqBzU8bfModkj-ZoXfeeKbHhvM_X98SHz9U/s1600/IMAGE_963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigs2L4q_nLfBjRZn07qW0UOe1pquIBFiy2UzzoS6RHAeYau4WubCDBwbQG2y8Otce9VSMO_ORlzsIvzYqaVcn96wKS_L5nK50KKMQaedD-VqBzU8bfModkj-ZoXfeeKbHhvM_X98SHz9U/s1600/IMAGE_963.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this was the girls' first time skiing - they did great!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKr5UvMnM1avhkTnSa46ASZ_ARnJCcAtFmws0WJ6ZVdy_qjxhlIJ-E26-MNHOJ6m28hu9lVQ7Am5R7-fMZAoIvk_n0fxnPh2eP1Am0LLmO0VqoH5RK0WJBSDsgigSDNs5sqppussezhk/s1600/IMAGE_966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKr5UvMnM1avhkTnSa46ASZ_ARnJCcAtFmws0WJ6ZVdy_qjxhlIJ-E26-MNHOJ6m28hu9lVQ7Am5R7-fMZAoIvk_n0fxnPh2eP1Am0LLmO0VqoH5RK0WJBSDsgigSDNs5sqppussezhk/s1600/IMAGE_966.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emma</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN5hhp470JFQsxztVP8zCGS79-FVcoNVi4ISaZgoCXOTc64fTDHnn0nc32lc2vvW0t9POfjJ8GdUwbU8LuMgpgrF_5HpPUPlAsg9yt_e4GpCy_4UYxy3p5SxDQe0PNvkFlphpJhGd_IE0/s1600/IMAGE_968.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN5hhp470JFQsxztVP8zCGS79-FVcoNVi4ISaZgoCXOTc64fTDHnn0nc32lc2vvW0t9POfjJ8GdUwbU8LuMgpgrF_5HpPUPlAsg9yt_e4GpCy_4UYxy3p5SxDQe0PNvkFlphpJhGd_IE0/s1600/IMAGE_968.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">having a blast!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdG8W6A5JnoOB-RdvBkJka8YnCouKT3PbpZQBmNAGSGi8gwwYrqTVDz0mJQBP4n_UkUfoJKoJRo1V3qDom26MDkkIogF2vKk1sWVxVDEKIPYbefGt4YbZ3mSeL7o8uj0tle8g-mVDL-I/s1600/IMAGE_970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdG8W6A5JnoOB-RdvBkJka8YnCouKT3PbpZQBmNAGSGi8gwwYrqTVDz0mJQBP4n_UkUfoJKoJRo1V3qDom26MDkkIogF2vKk1sWVxVDEKIPYbefGt4YbZ3mSeL7o8uj0tle8g-mVDL-I/s1600/IMAGE_970.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">love that guy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And this......was the last guy. Holy cold. The wind chills were -15 degrees Fahrenheit. It was icy and not fun. Don't we look great? Josh actually had a patch of frostbite on his face (that was completely covered). We took lots of breaks!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXbyxPUCvWCYPTq8wBQlgKr7G2iBuZdKOreSyPvec62PxMrGzANlnuBJ8iVL8x_JkgkFk0b6AMnIz7s8ohZhXRALacyhtwdmkadBgoBIRKcK2q4gKu1bBms8KiPHweEP_x2Mw1MgNySo/s1600/IMAGE_974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXbyxPUCvWCYPTq8wBQlgKr7G2iBuZdKOreSyPvec62PxMrGzANlnuBJ8iVL8x_JkgkFk0b6AMnIz7s8ohZhXRALacyhtwdmkadBgoBIRKcK2q4gKu1bBms8KiPHweEP_x2Mw1MgNySo/s1600/IMAGE_974.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No, I hadn't been drinking. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCbW9bCYKC3rdHYoA8B6CozJgccHGhJR3E5uHc2HBR-wAkVuXdtRciCkqA9CjfSElKWfjeOpOrFpCEOkzQWwQQWLPVxqdgNbLF0dj8Y8V5y6shd0xv0Aj_6hQWd4hf4F_PjWN7o4YKJuo/s1600/IMAGE_977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCbW9bCYKC3rdHYoA8B6CozJgccHGhJR3E5uHc2HBR-wAkVuXdtRciCkqA9CjfSElKWfjeOpOrFpCEOkzQWwQQWLPVxqdgNbLF0dj8Y8V5y6shd0xv0Aj_6hQWd4hf4F_PjWN7o4YKJuo/s1600/IMAGE_977.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yes, -4 degrees. That was the actual temperature, and our cue to head home.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We hope to return to the Adirondack region in the summer, not this year, but maybe next. The outside activities sound amazing, the black flies do not. But, there is bug spray and we will use it. <br />
<br />Kirsten's Cookinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129971420086685005noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030165350839649840.post-17290937827201472362014-02-28T15:05:00.001-05:002014-02-28T15:05:36.570-05:00Keep Your Head Up. I am no expert in anything. As you all know, that doesn't prevent me from having an opinion on everything. It's one of the curses of being a firstborn. <br />
<br />
I've noticed, mostly on facebook, but also in talking to people in real life, winter has been hard on all of us. I am certainly no exception. I took a personality/vocational assessment in high school, and the results suggested that I would be prone to depression. Looking back over certain periods in my life, I think I have struggled, but that struggle has always intensified in the winter. <br />
<br />
I have discovered a few things that have helped me get through the dark days of winter. If winter has been especially hard for you, I hope some of these suggestions are able to help. <br />
<br />
1. <a href="http://kirstenscooking.blogspot.com/2012/12/northern-lights-10000-lux-light-box.html">My light box.</a> I honestly don't know how I was able to get through winter before. It has saved my emotional stability. I am not being overly dramatic. <br />
<br />
2. Eating healthy. For whatever reason, studies have shown that people who struggle with seasonal depression crave starches. This is especially problematic for me, because I happen to love starches. I've found that the less starches I eat, the better I feel. I still love crunchy things, so I munch on nuts. Staples of my daily food include: grapefruits, roasted almonds, fage yogurt (whole milk only), and dark coffee with a splash of light cream. I then usually eat salads or leftovers for lunch and a full dinner. In perusing pinterest, some of the desserts that are being pinned just make me a little nauseous. I actually saw a "fruity pebbles" cupcake. I don't know about you, but I just can't eat like that anymore.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIs9pXo_XGkHqkmFipS0Mluk-gGCCczWqcaobD9eeNXGmX5_AmsmmZNyxSFsrI02w05PZQTErt_1jY8se7BMkA_Vk-oOGS2XM1C9o3lVZy3ymcfbnj4tkPexdwimGZ51agVyeZ6YMGJcw/s1600/DSC_6036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIs9pXo_XGkHqkmFipS0Mluk-gGCCczWqcaobD9eeNXGmX5_AmsmmZNyxSFsrI02w05PZQTErt_1jY8se7BMkA_Vk-oOGS2XM1C9o3lVZy3ymcfbnj4tkPexdwimGZ51agVyeZ6YMGJcw/s1600/DSC_6036.JPG" height="320" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I cannot get enough grapefruit!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
3. Sunlight. While our winter has been brutal in terms of temperature and precipitation, it seems to have been rather sunny. If the sun is shining, I bundle up and head outside to walk for at least 30 minutes. It helps. Trust me. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosHuLiQ2DFRrwTGuHAzqeXmmzMSjDuJplzJ0slscP_NtiHpBZIGXpzFps2kWLrz_PZ9gzs81JFqSo6_Lo2ytwh_2ZCGnYpwSNuwSiJcVhPi6d6rySDNPUdjCI5T46O5460C2_g1AQtkw/s1600/DSC_4111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosHuLiQ2DFRrwTGuHAzqeXmmzMSjDuJplzJ0slscP_NtiHpBZIGXpzFps2kWLrz_PZ9gzs81JFqSo6_Lo2ytwh_2ZCGnYpwSNuwSiJcVhPi6d6rySDNPUdjCI5T46O5460C2_g1AQtkw/s1600/DSC_4111.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our street - the sunrises have been magnificent</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
4. Vitamin D supplements. I take 5,000 mg per day. Yes, I'm a self-diagnoser, why do you ask? You can go to your doctor and have your levels tested. I don't need to be tested, I know I'm deficient!<br />
<br />
5. An orderly house. I should preface this by saying that I feel best when I'm surrounded by order. My mind will not function properly if I am surrounded by chaos and clutter. You might not even notice your surroundings, and that's great! In late January, I de-cluttered and re-organized everything (except Rob's garage and the attic). I pared down and tidied up. It helps me focus and keeps my mood bright. <br />
<br />
6. Something to look forward to. Rob and I try to get away every year for a week by ourselves. He realizes that this is something that is a priority for our relationship and also for my mental health. We don't spend a lot of money or go anywhere lavish, but we try to get away to warmth and sunshine. This year we were able to spend a week away - three of those days we were able to spend together and in warmth and sunshine. Heaven. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivKmcC5L1DSw3z68mBl0HwSgRcOdHhDoP2GLbnT6ErEUdcNovycSmEBDeGPvODsaG34LkaJgvNY-RWatU5vEyVP7eMjRnbYuYRxSWS1dNILodX5NyeC_qLIBY9LlmMyy7WzGJ6oMvVTds/s1600/DSC_4173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivKmcC5L1DSw3z68mBl0HwSgRcOdHhDoP2GLbnT6ErEUdcNovycSmEBDeGPvODsaG34LkaJgvNY-RWatU5vEyVP7eMjRnbYuYRxSWS1dNILodX5NyeC_qLIBY9LlmMyy7WzGJ6oMvVTds/s1600/DSC_4173.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">in Boca Grande, Florida</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAdUFG7s7bU5zbj2BzYwbgLX4aoESPqf2trz1f63XliY3QaF96m9vfVG_hlZLUExaaZo-oVU-vd8Zv1eQmDmFzNDvQnOkbFTFItTevGmMqFwL7MbxU9-Xb6xH2iw7SSB7bTWMZmTvN-Jk/s1600/DSC_4174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAdUFG7s7bU5zbj2BzYwbgLX4aoESPqf2trz1f63XliY3QaF96m9vfVG_hlZLUExaaZo-oVU-vd8Zv1eQmDmFzNDvQnOkbFTFItTevGmMqFwL7MbxU9-Xb6xH2iw7SSB7bTWMZmTvN-Jk/s1600/DSC_4174.JPG" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-uV2yjstnSsoaNvXxafdufjlB2nJXe35zhiuE8Y4qk9mvUT6zGaR88M49Z50A661U7860x9S3cmgxIfShqXjo2OJqbKEqQfXGImMSxusQl1-q04kQVRbrHxASLu4j_mNaV6G5vLdwPI/s1600/DSC_4190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-uV2yjstnSsoaNvXxafdufjlB2nJXe35zhiuE8Y4qk9mvUT6zGaR88M49Z50A661U7860x9S3cmgxIfShqXjo2OJqbKEqQfXGImMSxusQl1-q04kQVRbrHxASLu4j_mNaV6G5vLdwPI/s1600/DSC_4190.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
It will be spring eventually. Keep your head up!Kirsten's Cookinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129971420086685005noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030165350839649840.post-6616688823732281522013-11-19T13:22:00.000-05:002013-11-22T06:27:37.268-05:00Monkey Trunks in Chocorua, NH<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We took a family trip to New Hampshire for the Columbus Day Weekend, leaving Friday morning and returning Monday morning. We stayed with college friends who we hadn't seen in seven years. Rob and "Drewski" (Andrew) are the kind of friends that can pick up right where they have left off from, years previously, in this case. They met the first day of freshman year and are so alike it's actually uncanny. I guess I just assume that my dear husband is unique until he's around his buddy and then I'm reminded that they're two peas in a pod. Andrew and his lovely wife, Kara, along with their kids, Abagael and Micah, hosted us in their home. They are the consummate hosts, thinking of every last detail. It was so much fun!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVmUWQdEAWrj96iuLV5Ku5i_2WeGTn1ld1FUvWJXU0EkLIuVceWjofayr3Q4OZr64mZVMHdlb9tKGVLKYZWiBDzIDwrea3rVLpPIAUtqiWxvnbQkmiF59bc9-qAD4SlrVA8ZZxdh27y7U/s1600/nh1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVmUWQdEAWrj96iuLV5Ku5i_2WeGTn1ld1FUvWJXU0EkLIuVceWjofayr3Q4OZr64mZVMHdlb9tKGVLKYZWiBDzIDwrea3rVLpPIAUtqiWxvnbQkmiF59bc9-qAD4SlrVA8ZZxdh27y7U/s400/nh1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rob and Andrew</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0dN1W49q5rGvEHp0sSekAXfGRysGiH-wPRoZexVj0Ms6LYSb09Ge6VtOA71dxKNIldliwSc_Pl8_D0pn734EI_GVG_SdkWHWck95ifTfnywaPr1c19Z35rARzI01hw2h_Fe0LeMxK3kY/s1600/nh7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0dN1W49q5rGvEHp0sSekAXfGRysGiH-wPRoZexVj0Ms6LYSb09Ge6VtOA71dxKNIldliwSc_Pl8_D0pn734EI_GVG_SdkWHWck95ifTfnywaPr1c19Z35rARzI01hw2h_Fe0LeMxK3kY/s400/nh7.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrew, Kara, Abagael and Micah</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg321ogbySrH45Sey8k_BkKpTWzqu0tK7MMXI1jbITfI2GGUEZStbpLpjqL-eZLTy9jUsczrHRwpjBwxxaGiLlVU54vAJJT7bS0NdMb4SA8J2zgLDtwKTAXySAFKxtjoR_su_9gn2zbUo/s1600/nh5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg321ogbySrH45Sey8k_BkKpTWzqu0tK7MMXI1jbITfI2GGUEZStbpLpjqL-eZLTy9jUsczrHRwpjBwxxaGiLlVU54vAJJT7bS0NdMb4SA8J2zgLDtwKTAXySAFKxtjoR_su_9gn2zbUo/s400/nh5.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">us :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj9k5KDtMx6bd846WdqJH6bNJp_ZQeIKHs9qkaP9Jy-R2WQ2mXr_X6DhovrSP0pG3J_d_cyLorYFBhwKZjcGGeWBk1sSyBl0BkybFHG4ljyYjGpi2lQVOM_ffzJLAa2TEtGuvIhfkte9M/s1600/nh6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj9k5KDtMx6bd846WdqJH6bNJp_ZQeIKHs9qkaP9Jy-R2WQ2mXr_X6DhovrSP0pG3J_d_cyLorYFBhwKZjcGGeWBk1sSyBl0BkybFHG4ljyYjGpi2lQVOM_ffzJLAa2TEtGuvIhfkte9M/s400/nh6.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Chocorua - usually Mt. Washington is visible on clear days</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjonO6D1M72nVitMU3X9TDFcTLyCTvd4rc0_bxpLInZZBjZqlWpjSnD5X0vJmgKr77-WbVJMiQzgmyf7fxTZUQuanFUMVjCRYqnoJ8umeWFh4EAKKypx-x1wnOpQhtFNt98qjQhi7wGzs/s1600/13+-+2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjonO6D1M72nVitMU3X9TDFcTLyCTvd4rc0_bxpLInZZBjZqlWpjSnD5X0vJmgKr77-WbVJMiQzgmyf7fxTZUQuanFUMVjCRYqnoJ8umeWFh4EAKKypx-x1wnOpQhtFNt98qjQhi7wGzs/s400/13+-+2" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the kids loved taking a boat ride on Lake Winnipesaukee on Sunday</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I had researched some fun things we could do with our kids and we'd thought about kayaking or hiking, but then I found a ropes course/ziplining tour. Can I just tell you this may be the coolest thing we've ever done as a family? It was so much fun! It was called Monkey Trunks (<a href="http://monkeytrunks.com/">click link</a> to see their website). <br />
<br />
There were actually three courses, with a zipline in between (to travel between the courses). We were given helmets and harnesses and we were clipped in at all times. It was $40 per person, which I think was a steal. We easily spent three hours there and it was just perfect. It was challenging without being out of reach for our abilities. The last course was a consecutive one, meaning that you had to complete one challenge in able to get to the other (and most importantly, to the end and your car)!<br />
<br />
We didn't take our big camera, but I kept my phone in my pocket - I apologize for the quality of the pictures, but hopefully the smiles will make up for it! <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D5QEOxz9d28/UouBzDe7NnI/AAAAAAAAIgI/7_35MuJupdE/s1600/13+-+3" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D5QEOxz9d28/UouBzDe7NnI/AAAAAAAAIgI/7_35MuJupdE/s400/13+-+3" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rob on the "spider web" - the last challenge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HYh95dqmnrg/UouBzK1y1lI/AAAAAAAAIiU/01HitLlGt4Q/s1600/13+-+4" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HYh95dqmnrg/UouBzK1y1lI/AAAAAAAAIiU/01HitLlGt4Q/s400/13+-+4" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kate - see how she's clipped in?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mnMUtB74oDY/UouBzIESKPI/AAAAAAAAIhM/W_iygxvLwE8/s1600/13+-+6" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mnMUtB74oDY/UouBzIESKPI/AAAAAAAAIhM/W_iygxvLwE8/s400/13+-+6" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rob - in between challenges</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TTCMkPv1TYA/UouBzBG6xLI/AAAAAAAAIgo/wL_K7prnZsk/s1600/13+-+9" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TTCMkPv1TYA/UouBzBG6xLI/AAAAAAAAIgo/wL_K7prnZsk/s400/13+-+9" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">big smiles!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LCWEgKv-17U/UouBzF_kEHI/AAAAAAAAIg4/XTN8JvJ19Fc/s1600/13+-+7" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LCWEgKv-17U/UouBzF_kEHI/AAAAAAAAIg4/XTN8JvJ19Fc/s400/13+-+7" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and another one!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HCCnhdbzGqk/UouBzCD4C5I/AAAAAAAAIgw/JJq44eogxEw/s1600/13+-+11" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HCCnhdbzGqk/UouBzCD4C5I/AAAAAAAAIgw/JJq44eogxEw/s400/13+-+11" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emma - landing after ziplining in</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TOJhGH_j8kQ/UouBzEpE4mI/AAAAAAAAIhk/pFV6jgiVoEE/s1600/13+-+12" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TOJhGH_j8kQ/UouBzEpE4mI/AAAAAAAAIhk/pFV6jgiVoEE/s400/13+-+12" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rob and Kate - ziplining in</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AwEr9UsehKE/UouBzNGmneI/AAAAAAAAIhw/9MJZly_xIV4/s1600/13+-+15" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AwEr9UsehKE/UouBzNGmneI/AAAAAAAAIhw/9MJZly_xIV4/s400/13+-+15" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this was the middle course - with about 40 optional challenges</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gyZpAtFZ1Wg/UouBzHTR4uI/AAAAAAAAIik/iX9G0DUohww/s1600/13+-+13" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gyZpAtFZ1Wg/UouBzHTR4uI/AAAAAAAAIik/iX9G0DUohww/s400/13+-+13" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josh - taking a rest (he'd been diagnosed with mono that morning) :(</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9tjhqfuVSC5GREI8IOvUAOjTZJve96v2rNEaPTWJMtA8k2TdlOWZYOOEZRRTviaO1l_EDUVbRqNddjSMNpKaA7BMEPxar_b1aP1CsOwAW4uxrc2Ok3hIFR7lytN-gUr7UaW5YpNhPDDo/s1600/13+-+16" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9tjhqfuVSC5GREI8IOvUAOjTZJve96v2rNEaPTWJMtA8k2TdlOWZYOOEZRRTviaO1l_EDUVbRqNddjSMNpKaA7BMEPxar_b1aP1CsOwAW4uxrc2Ok3hIFR7lytN-gUr7UaW5YpNhPDDo/s400/13+-+16" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emma</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPuqbH8ZY4nay8WTEyqCz3leos7sSJfIScPKx0bjDMjtNqzgDXaUlKlgqfKXNZnV0RpcVbbGusvzzs6ViNFmuuisF7mPvslFve8NxLBqF2DiohDeC4iHXW8tbPIfiQmDA-wDoIAM2sqOg/s1600/13+-+17" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPuqbH8ZY4nay8WTEyqCz3leos7sSJfIScPKx0bjDMjtNqzgDXaUlKlgqfKXNZnV0RpcVbbGusvzzs6ViNFmuuisF7mPvslFve8NxLBqF2DiohDeC4iHXW8tbPIfiQmDA-wDoIAM2sqOg/s400/13+-+17" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mono doesn't keep him down!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xyV5tTBSfxw/UouBzFhJqEI/AAAAAAAAIh8/wqGvybKft0I/s1600/13+-+18" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xyV5tTBSfxw/UouBzFhJqEI/AAAAAAAAIh8/wqGvybKft0I/s400/13+-+18" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">even the 8-hr drive was beautiful</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
We were sad to leave after just a weekend in New Hampshire, but after witnessing this sunrise over Lake Winnipesaukee, we'll be back! <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EiscZkfQub0/UouBzPnbDkI/AAAAAAAAIgY/2N-_Bhp4hMs/s1600/13+-+19" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EiscZkfQub0/UouBzPnbDkI/AAAAAAAAIgY/2N-_Bhp4hMs/s400/13+-+19" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Kirsten's Cookinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129971420086685005noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030165350839649840.post-89299333741325549852013-11-14T20:24:00.000-05:002013-11-14T20:24:00.661-05:00Family CalendarFor the past few years, I've made calendars to give to our families for Christmas. We take so many pictures throughout the year and it's nice to be able to use them in a calendar format. It is extremely time consuming. For this years' project, I think I'm about eight hours in (maybe just an hour left, hopefully). <br />
<br />
I searched for about 45 minutes for one picture of my uncle. My sister-in-law deleted her facebook and I had to resort to using a picture of her husband singing, her baby sleeping, and a picture of her that's three years old. The only picture I could find of my brother-in-law is one where his face is partially obscured by a vase of flowers. I found a hilarious picture of my Aunt Connie wearing a cowboy hat and holding a fake gun. <br />
<br />
The lasting impression, though, after slugging through this all day
is that we are blessed. Beyond anything I ever imagined for our
family. Our children are healthy. We have families that love and pray
for us. We have a house to call our own. We get to do some really cool
things with our kids - traveling to Florida (twice), New Hampshire, and
our cabin. We travel by ourselves - this year to Arizona and
California. We have the ability to be active - to kayak, to hike, to
ride atv's, to play sports. We've eaten some really great food. We've
visited state parks, toured strawberry farms, picked citrus, and taken a
ziplining tour. <br />
<br />
When I commiserate on how much Rob works, I need to remind myself of the special things we get to do as a family. Here are some of the many pictures I was able to include on the re-cap of 2013. Hope you enjoy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI8KuSEGP_DrdUWt_H3yFz8OdYx-2BeeSzRCbzx-NowNkCU3FF9yMheaY1-AHGJgp3ZBl_3-aDIMUzfN9a0nkBFDaFXKpgdzmn3eaSfeRozp_gBBB6zyZh_if6NN9IiHuYkoYGPrUJ9eY/s1600/DSC_0958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI8KuSEGP_DrdUWt_H3yFz8OdYx-2BeeSzRCbzx-NowNkCU3FF9yMheaY1-AHGJgp3ZBl_3-aDIMUzfN9a0nkBFDaFXKpgdzmn3eaSfeRozp_gBBB6zyZh_if6NN9IiHuYkoYGPrUJ9eY/s320/DSC_0958.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY8-WMOwERUA39OCYRCPBO_qr5IBzpqebE1v2x56T4tiL4Hpat6ex7AaaO9bTBtqt7l386JK3eeg1OAWjLzcPQF2O80uK9IG-Mb1H7MddCuyUJyJNoadeUMkFmBo8tXmKoVOKD1gmyvvk/s1600/087C8059-38FE-4D76-9710-B2F8FEF7F484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY8-WMOwERUA39OCYRCPBO_qr5IBzpqebE1v2x56T4tiL4Hpat6ex7AaaO9bTBtqt7l386JK3eeg1OAWjLzcPQF2O80uK9IG-Mb1H7MddCuyUJyJNoadeUMkFmBo8tXmKoVOKD1gmyvvk/s320/087C8059-38FE-4D76-9710-B2F8FEF7F484.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkHjWtsprAH-HCuu_OfMBdtXrtxMwZMHh8RQ93rvLebxO1eiAL8CN43DEa0lfaztQp4rct3ZWzCS7W-EUqsPdc50TK5KhZQC4CffefobmTLCEf56ZdfQsTly1DtJfLDwWNDIO3Ys16wE/s1600/D5BA6D56-BBA1-47AA-9020-50410C97672E.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkHjWtsprAH-HCuu_OfMBdtXrtxMwZMHh8RQ93rvLebxO1eiAL8CN43DEa0lfaztQp4rct3ZWzCS7W-EUqsPdc50TK5KhZQC4CffefobmTLCEf56ZdfQsTly1DtJfLDwWNDIO3Ys16wE/s320/D5BA6D56-BBA1-47AA-9020-50410C97672E.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTbMxm4-t6y7TwHOFNaDPFPBWKbzh86zxCOav8wXPeWIaI1GA8OIYtKmBmY8f3AnWd-ctXEcFJB1nxmgvcA-qu0yR6v6i4IeMFmtfj0EPpyO2-L0XkWLJP3xvsFDB-T84rmrPM8vByFg4/s1600/tj%2527s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTbMxm4-t6y7TwHOFNaDPFPBWKbzh86zxCOav8wXPeWIaI1GA8OIYtKmBmY8f3AnWd-ctXEcFJB1nxmgvcA-qu0yR6v6i4IeMFmtfj0EPpyO2-L0XkWLJP3xvsFDB-T84rmrPM8vByFg4/s320/tj%2527s.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_FJLfRHm4G_0Agjo6lCvjV3VSLHLNGh0PXEtFA9rme3_Lcsy8IizzhewTSfNweijrXdc3vMbgqryx7ivJLYfkdV_jnBm5G20BfanCqj-GN35wcS-6T80fAAujkC1F2OfiocI9MknjeCk/s1600/DSC_0728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_FJLfRHm4G_0Agjo6lCvjV3VSLHLNGh0PXEtFA9rme3_Lcsy8IizzhewTSfNweijrXdc3vMbgqryx7ivJLYfkdV_jnBm5G20BfanCqj-GN35wcS-6T80fAAujkC1F2OfiocI9MknjeCk/s320/DSC_0728.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLnqKfKoPPFcRZxDHxM0mnbUgzQdxMqZMMUzs_9X1OJojnmGAzLAjqlUUNVboQCB3gSf5jX3oLVJoCNgP19ZeuJLxb4V9KYiBkFesCnpEr4i12xnAe4pFLe_I-6cNQnkwEuvoEcvDh80/s1600/DSC_0749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLnqKfKoPPFcRZxDHxM0mnbUgzQdxMqZMMUzs_9X1OJojnmGAzLAjqlUUNVboQCB3gSf5jX3oLVJoCNgP19ZeuJLxb4V9KYiBkFesCnpEr4i12xnAe4pFLe_I-6cNQnkwEuvoEcvDh80/s320/DSC_0749.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA7SqX7fEt9WF4Dnm9yN0BJ1V4nIITrb9CrMAhUg8cPE9XyBS9AkByyQbTHfO-3QujaZDhRWSN3pt6mm_IA03QtUA42uLPBprSQ-PNGf7oC-Uc3gn0Li-mkcsdxJTdS-5oEP9BQVeIO-w/s1600/DSC_0868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA7SqX7fEt9WF4Dnm9yN0BJ1V4nIITrb9CrMAhUg8cPE9XyBS9AkByyQbTHfO-3QujaZDhRWSN3pt6mm_IA03QtUA42uLPBprSQ-PNGf7oC-Uc3gn0Li-mkcsdxJTdS-5oEP9BQVeIO-w/s320/DSC_0868.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKLwUxy_EgHs3kCSAex-RBci7Kp5Ah_20oLapTm_YqLrJTHu2l5uGb3UT7mg2E5ElEWFaBw0zhCfhqtXziXH_hxgbppODHSmqtYGhTGLhwUYaiFiATZH_-E6oPwylmclcDnhuqgYbFBfE/s1600/9DF15492-815C-4550-A252-D2E5789AE399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKLwUxy_EgHs3kCSAex-RBci7Kp5Ah_20oLapTm_YqLrJTHu2l5uGb3UT7mg2E5ElEWFaBw0zhCfhqtXziXH_hxgbppODHSmqtYGhTGLhwUYaiFiATZH_-E6oPwylmclcDnhuqgYbFBfE/s320/9DF15492-815C-4550-A252-D2E5789AE399.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOSche29GYjZez3mBys2WhskXIGpXkUtia0xBk7E9x0OcvO0IA9QnFrIQ3ZQ_OpsVRtpnH-FOVnC_2WvTNRXfOIFgx6_czHUFCh0lzpcVHEuXiE9iDAwn8QCPjpPUMh5PZnybFN3PKeiM/s1600/6B76A2EB-F589-4705-9C2C-475858763DA0.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOSche29GYjZez3mBys2WhskXIGpXkUtia0xBk7E9x0OcvO0IA9QnFrIQ3ZQ_OpsVRtpnH-FOVnC_2WvTNRXfOIFgx6_czHUFCh0lzpcVHEuXiE9iDAwn8QCPjpPUMh5PZnybFN3PKeiM/s320/6B76A2EB-F589-4705-9C2C-475858763DA0.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxTt6YmxqDJ2306JBkmX5I1oqrSvZBnOKMOn1ntEXcrgT0mptf7jQ_uDMaxSkjcXcEv2oiqyOf_O0uyfs9LSgGnvv02S83ZlK-LpxeZ3TiiFd_Tljt67WEW35_5MaFMT_kk6-9zhzjmOc/s1600/E8DA0321-255A-4EFA-900C-1B33376B1D08.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxTt6YmxqDJ2306JBkmX5I1oqrSvZBnOKMOn1ntEXcrgT0mptf7jQ_uDMaxSkjcXcEv2oiqyOf_O0uyfs9LSgGnvv02S83ZlK-LpxeZ3TiiFd_Tljt67WEW35_5MaFMT_kk6-9zhzjmOc/s320/E8DA0321-255A-4EFA-900C-1B33376B1D08.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0P_TkRI1Ugr5NVaDugTFmvLubjb-SytRMtQuXNhVOkjDx7V-yntZeA_ln55MM_Sy1pNdmmkKK3-E6uxoRw4apRogfcchCHiqaB2l8Uza0JDYwoMozrO2YGrDHJNHQST5pi3YGoEKFKL4/s1600/84B8F5B6-6EB4-4103-BDC9-9DF67DF4DDDD.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0P_TkRI1Ugr5NVaDugTFmvLubjb-SytRMtQuXNhVOkjDx7V-yntZeA_ln55MM_Sy1pNdmmkKK3-E6uxoRw4apRogfcchCHiqaB2l8Uza0JDYwoMozrO2YGrDHJNHQST5pi3YGoEKFKL4/s320/84B8F5B6-6EB4-4103-BDC9-9DF67DF4DDDD.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz_aTox_2SZTjE7m9Wh3TWSPHSOicXf2w86KuZBVlQKKFvIv_OC1S_3DL0sFg9_URY49xQuYDdTgEZBdXehqg-eqBMYSTiwPMgiFqSJliSx3VDmDzYePKI-mmnHhMzuX_x0ENiJEtwsMY/s1600/9501AFB9-7CD6-4B98-938F-D968CE570E16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz_aTox_2SZTjE7m9Wh3TWSPHSOicXf2w86KuZBVlQKKFvIv_OC1S_3DL0sFg9_URY49xQuYDdTgEZBdXehqg-eqBMYSTiwPMgiFqSJliSx3VDmDzYePKI-mmnHhMzuX_x0ENiJEtwsMY/s320/9501AFB9-7CD6-4B98-938F-D968CE570E16.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHPYMPtRjM37T9FZ5_jn4sd10ahVVjokKAqpqg30K0a9nx-t2PHl8NFh8r0o2mdqbP0ugl40UgL8qcNJGrbePrFZNUE3W3kZNcYEF5o-tIfS_4jdZYuSKw48ZRpqfRW7bv5jXghz5nkrc/s1600/D5A2CAC9-E114-4725-80C3-11A9EAAC3293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHPYMPtRjM37T9FZ5_jn4sd10ahVVjokKAqpqg30K0a9nx-t2PHl8NFh8r0o2mdqbP0ugl40UgL8qcNJGrbePrFZNUE3W3kZNcYEF5o-tIfS_4jdZYuSKw48ZRpqfRW7bv5jXghz5nkrc/s320/D5A2CAC9-E114-4725-80C3-11A9EAAC3293.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmoE824y8YmnDsx_KvtGuf-VEW_v8xaaa8B9-0Ym7AtddzK8kxtN4Aoygu8Q8gc-n3OJy5GGEty8C0Rd1fMhXR9hHMUQaTZ3secDYwo7oH6wJMEfXbB8w0JSgLsa88lnMzam3hvP8HrJ8/s1600/DSC_2812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmoE824y8YmnDsx_KvtGuf-VEW_v8xaaa8B9-0Ym7AtddzK8kxtN4Aoygu8Q8gc-n3OJy5GGEty8C0Rd1fMhXR9hHMUQaTZ3secDYwo7oH6wJMEfXbB8w0JSgLsa88lnMzam3hvP8HrJ8/s320/DSC_2812.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWb9zkwpAmvHFQ1jVqmbK9vsg5fna-6XXDfPKFrBfonhzsW0jPtOL0gB0zCiNmTz8Jj_4hi_IG9iZGKKSwyJ2YekL5w0QF5B5LsZ8gk6kHmhZPYFmdjv7yISHWdESWlOYin_8DgHDxGpg/s1600/IMG_1002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWb9zkwpAmvHFQ1jVqmbK9vsg5fna-6XXDfPKFrBfonhzsW0jPtOL0gB0zCiNmTz8Jj_4hi_IG9iZGKKSwyJ2YekL5w0QF5B5LsZ8gk6kHmhZPYFmdjv7yISHWdESWlOYin_8DgHDxGpg/s320/IMG_1002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3nx6q_CBxn22c0TiHXLsS7Nu2AvZWsSNSnxNVfO7Nfp3NI5ly2Gye9uqTIIlbcDbBI6hzpIFCQeN6kO_HnqMFsFRqshieGLst4jqD5QGT7I01CVb9YKWxa0v_M8HFTUkirdf9huTfatQ/s1600/IMG_0990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3nx6q_CBxn22c0TiHXLsS7Nu2AvZWsSNSnxNVfO7Nfp3NI5ly2Gye9uqTIIlbcDbBI6hzpIFCQeN6kO_HnqMFsFRqshieGLst4jqD5QGT7I01CVb9YKWxa0v_M8HFTUkirdf9huTfatQ/s320/IMG_0990.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnEn_bXnIVCSm9ZHu2iD1M_e3KPyfWwwfncpW-5LxwizV-M8Mn_HPB602iSeuT4UuczavHFoYTd3pvYQV4Eqn4tFYUppLj7LKQruZWZHQ0ykl19bk79drpBw3xJueI0bl6wYFUchdDHc/s1600/IMG_0988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnEn_bXnIVCSm9ZHu2iD1M_e3KPyfWwwfncpW-5LxwizV-M8Mn_HPB602iSeuT4UuczavHFoYTd3pvYQV4Eqn4tFYUppLj7LKQruZWZHQ0ykl19bk79drpBw3xJueI0bl6wYFUchdDHc/s320/IMG_0988.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYABxRsj56GuyMUupPRucDCFBSDHEcgeEd-dxsVj4apXeOJ6Nbk188tKI4DapJ8yI9_5kYbImzjaYmHLgpwiKqX2dnlOHooEZ5ZKWY4lc6SrWsa4rH_tlncO5a9uHPf5JRPaTkhwbsxlU/s1600/IMG_0986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYABxRsj56GuyMUupPRucDCFBSDHEcgeEd-dxsVj4apXeOJ6Nbk188tKI4DapJ8yI9_5kYbImzjaYmHLgpwiKqX2dnlOHooEZ5ZKWY4lc6SrWsa4rH_tlncO5a9uHPf5JRPaTkhwbsxlU/s320/IMG_0986.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We are blessed and thankful to God, from who all blessings flow. Kirsten's Cookinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129971420086685005noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030165350839649840.post-6719261057260536692013-11-13T08:46:00.001-05:002013-11-13T08:46:19.576-05:00Fresh Thyme and bacon omelette, with chevre<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gKeQ_F953nc/UoN_cGjsTKI/AAAAAAAAIe4/ZcOO2wBjRp8/s1600/13+-+2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gKeQ_F953nc/UoN_cGjsTKI/AAAAAAAAIe4/ZcOO2wBjRp8/s400/13+-+2" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the perfect omelette</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I am forever in search of a breakfast that will satisfy me until lunch. So far, the only successes have been full-fat yogurt with fruit and granola or an omelette.<br />
<br />
I had made crustless mini quiche with bacon, thyme, and chevre a few years ago, and for some reason had the inspiration to make a single serving today.<br />
<br />
I do not have the answer to perfect, fluffy, creations when it comes to producing an attractive omelette, if you do - please share! It looks like scrambled eggs, but tastes like heaven.<br />
<br />
<i><b>single-serving omelette with fresh thyme, bacon, and chevre </b></i>(I think this was originally a parade magazine recipe)<br />
<br />
2 eggs<br />
2 tsp water<br />
3 pieces of bacon<br />
1/4 of a small onion, chopped<br />
1 tsp dijon<br />
1/2 tsp fresh thyme leaves, removed from stem (I have some outside!)<br />
salt, pepper<br />
crumbled chevre (amount to your liking, I used a nice handful)<br />
<br />
1. In the microwave, place slices of bacon on a plate, sprinkle onions overtop. Cover with a paper towel and cook to your liking - I like crispy! Allow to cool, then crumble bacon and set bacon and onions aside, discarding the grease.<br />
2. In a small cup, whisk eggs, water, thyme leaves, salt, and pepper.<br />
3. Cook egg mixture in a small saute pan, using your choice of: oil, non-stick spray, or butter.<br />
4. Sprinkle bacon/onion mixture overtop. Sprinkle chevre overtop.<br />
5. Once firm, fold omelette over itself, allow to finish cooking, then serve. <br />
<br />
<br />Kirsten's Cookinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129971420086685005noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030165350839649840.post-66032980869072588282013-11-12T13:20:00.000-05:002013-11-12T13:20:29.024-05:00Homemade Eggnog<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--bC1RzSJcaI/UoJuSvTye8I/AAAAAAAAIeM/vchKHPYSd6Y/s1600/13+-+2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--bC1RzSJcaI/UoJuSvTye8I/AAAAAAAAIeM/vchKHPYSd6Y/s400/13+-+2" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">just a sprinkling of freshly ground nutmeg</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
It's about this time of year that I begin craving eggnog. I'm not a big fan of milk or ice cream, but I do like cream in my coffee. A few years ago I discovered that egg nog makes the perfect creamer for the winter months. I find that a splash adds just the perfect combination of creamy, spicy, barely-sweet flavor to my very dark morning brew.<br />
<br />
I have yet to find a commercial variety that does not list high-fructose corn syrup as one of the first ingredients. Even our beloved local dairy contains hfcs. I tried the Bolthouse Farms "healthy" egg nog. To say it tastes healthy is being generous.<br />
<br />
I found <a href="http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/eggnog/">this recipe</a> for eggnog and thought I'd give it a try. I started with a half batch. I also discovered about halfway through that the recipe called for cream. I just added the equivalent of whole milk in with<br />
the second step (slowly heating the milk). I also omitted the whipped egg whites and liquor - basically because I was making coffee creamer. <br />
<br />
I can barely wait to have my coffee tomorrow. <br />
<br />
<br />
<h2>
Eggnog Recipe - courtesy of Simply Recipes</h2>
<div class="recipe-meta">
<ul>
<li class="recipe-yield"><span class="recipemeta-label">Yield:</span> <span class="yield" itemprop="recipeYield">Makes 1 quart. Serves 4-6. </span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="entry-details" id="recipe-ingredients">
<div class="zl-recipe-link">
<a class="custom-butn-link" href="http://www.blogger.com/null" title="Add this recipe to your ZipList, where you can store all of your favorite web recipes in one place and easily add ingredients to your shopping list.">
</a>Ingredients
</div>
<ul>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">4 egg yolks</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1/2 cup sugar</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">2 cups milk</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">2 whole cloves</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">Pinch of cinnamon</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 cup cream</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 teaspoon vanilla extract</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">2 Tbsp each of bourbon and rum or brandy, or to taste (can omit for kid-friendly eggnog)</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients"><i>*4 egg whites (optional) </i></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>
Method</h3>
<b>1</b> In a large
bowl, use a whisk or an electric mixer to beat egg yolks until they
become somewhat lighter in color. Slowly add the sugar, beating after
each addition, whisking until fluffy.<br />
<b>2</b> Combine the milk, cloves, and cinnamon in a thick-bottomed
saucepan. Slowly heat on medium heat until the milk mixture is steamy
hot, but not boiling.<br />
<b>3</b> Temper the eggs by slowly adding half of the hot milk
mixture into the eggs, whisking constantly while you add the hot
mixture. Pour the mixture back into the saucepan.<br />
<b>4</b> Cook on medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden
spoon, until the mixture begins to thicken slightly, and coats the back
of the spoon. It helps to have a candy thermometer, but not necessary;
if you have one, cook until the mixture reaches 160°F. Do not allow the
mixture to boil, or it will curdle. (If the mixture does curdle you
may be able to save it by running it through a blender.) Remove from
heat and stir in the cream. Strain the mixture through a mesh strainer
to remove the cloves. Let cool for one hour.<br />
<b>5</b> Mix in vanilla extract, nutmeg, and bourbon/rum and brandy (feel free to omit for kid-friendly eggnog). Chill.<br />
<i>*Optional: Beat egg whites until they reach soft peaks. Add a
teaspoon of sugar and continue to beat until they reach stiff peaks.
Gently fold into eggnog. Note, because of the salmonella risk from raw
eggs, it is recommended that children, elderly, and people with
compromised immune systems refrain from eating raw eggs such as the
optional whipped egg whites in this recipe, unless you use pasteurized
eggs.</i>Kirsten's Cookinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129971420086685005noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030165350839649840.post-68902016496003079142013-09-12T14:26:00.000-04:002013-09-12T14:26:14.865-04:00Creamy Onion Soup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ydMiFVCO9lP79vaGgdcrpd8iMLLJhyfuJwoPQe0jOGhp_3VcLgHzeD7R9ebxkS5Od5w9j98UTT_0ywkwslV91In83qwXTBYCLbiXEspdEO8-EPD_hKaSXO1vGZlONRp7nTw3PsHFehU/s1600/DSC_2995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ydMiFVCO9lP79vaGgdcrpd8iMLLJhyfuJwoPQe0jOGhp_3VcLgHzeD7R9ebxkS5Od5w9j98UTT_0ywkwslV91In83qwXTBYCLbiXEspdEO8-EPD_hKaSXO1vGZlONRp7nTw3PsHFehU/s400/DSC_2995.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
A few weeks ago I enjoyed lunch with a friend and we had lunch at her private club. The chef has been utilizing local farms for some of his ingredients and I was curious to try his "creamy onion soup with <i>Raab</i> <i>Farms</i> candy onions". It was fabulous. Not too rich, but hearty enough with chunks of sweet onions and a creamy, silky background. I have been obsessed with it ever since. <br />
<br />
This week and next I have the opportunity to work at a local farm that employed me as a teenager. I worked at <a href="http://kirstenscooking.blogspot.com/2011/06/j-mar-farms.html">J-Mar Farms</a> in the summers during high school and college. If you can believe it, the last time I worked there was the day before <a href="http://kirstenscooking.blogspot.com/2010/09/birth-stories.html">Josh was born</a>. I'm working there as a substitute and I have to say, it's a little surreal. It's almost like I've traveled back in time, but hopefully with a little more maturity! I am enjoying it, it's like a break from being me, which is always nice for a bit. <br />
<br />
I do have a point here, and I promise you it's about "candy onions". J-Mar Farms sells them and they also supply the chef at the country club with ingredients. I kept hoping he'd come in this week so I could beg him for the recipe, but it seems I missed him. So, after fixating on creamy onion soup for two weeks, I did a little research on google, used the ingredients I have here and I think my soup can rival his. <br />
<br />
One little note: after taking pictures, I actually tasted the soup and the onions needed softening. So, I just simmered the soup for another hour on low and the consistency is now perfect. I've adjusted the recipe below to reflect the desired outcome (soft onions!). I ate mine with buttered french bread that had been broiled briefly - because I love bread. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GcgZIWjm_Lf3WucNjl30T9hAs_9YlWTNXTSWk_xIg9dBc7bJ9zCN13JgyhHELLknkUIXs__duEP0ABPCKYsVVWAK73M87TXnCTd2I5d4FHSXFPzAO7_ZjR4qzuq0It7XdjPKtRkg2jc/s1600/DSC_2989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GcgZIWjm_Lf3WucNjl30T9hAs_9YlWTNXTSWk_xIg9dBc7bJ9zCN13JgyhHELLknkUIXs__duEP0ABPCKYsVVWAK73M87TXnCTd2I5d4FHSXFPzAO7_ZjR4qzuq0It7XdjPKtRkg2jc/s400/DSC_2989.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<i><b>Creamy Onion Soup</b></i><br />
2 sweet onions, sliced<br />
3 Tbsp butter<br />
1 Tbsp olive oil<br />
1 tsp fresh thyme<br />
1/2 tsp ground black pepper<br />
1/2 tsp granulated garlic<br />
1/4 cup flour<br />
1/8 cup cooking sherry<br />
1 cup chicken stock<br />
1/4 cup half-and-half<br />
<br />
1. In a medium-sized stockpot, saute onions in butter and olive oil for fifteen minutes. Add thyme, pepper, and granulated garlic. <br />
2. Sprinkle flour over onions and stir for a minute. Add sherry and stir mixture. <br />
3. Slowly add stock while stirring onions until thick (this will take several minutes). <br />
4. Add half-and-half and simmer on low for about one hour or until onions are soft. Serve with buttered bread or croutons sprinkled on top. Kirsten's Cookinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129971420086685005noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030165350839649840.post-41728511576839753122013-08-26T14:27:00.000-04:002013-08-26T14:27:15.300-04:00Birthday Weekend - Instagram StyleA few weeks ago, Rob and I <strike>begged my parents to take the kids</strike> snuck away for a weekend. It was a gorgeous summer weekend that felt like fall and we were ensconced in the beauty of the family cabin. We left on a Friday afternoon and were joined by my parents and the kids on Sunday morning - for a little atv riding. I'll provide some captions, as the instagram colors can be a little hard to decipher. What you can't tell from the pictures is the sheer quiet of the surroundings. No tv. No cell phones. No fighting children - in fact, I didn't hear the words "stop", "mom", or "ow" until Sunday. It was pure bliss. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgC4BwTpAgEtWhhrAPwh7Gu4DAsN2SnIPFqddBXsR1pb4HZlnFw7HKLcrUmT6FVGH5SLTe_DVPNBAjAMuMicAAnKV91g53i5hgJ9c3p55jHqTW67oLA5VFDSLZULdH_EEWIrxdXMmcGk0/s1600/IMG_0983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgC4BwTpAgEtWhhrAPwh7Gu4DAsN2SnIPFqddBXsR1pb4HZlnFw7HKLcrUmT6FVGH5SLTe_DVPNBAjAMuMicAAnKV91g53i5hgJ9c3p55jHqTW67oLA5VFDSLZULdH_EEWIrxdXMmcGk0/s400/IMG_0983.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">baby deer unfazed by our presence</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLcjxxR8YLkduMzyEDwb7GsKoqcVpy7cQvqJJ5DWoa0vISfHkNX99vovhx95Oqm1MSuzRPD1u-bpPrwwh4laxZbRkYwyUbz3B9fuqMHtyJoBYsNZcGl_nnNN68Hb2l-lx4UfQpwEiA0zE/s1600/IMG_0966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLcjxxR8YLkduMzyEDwb7GsKoqcVpy7cQvqJJ5DWoa0vISfHkNX99vovhx95Oqm1MSuzRPD1u-bpPrwwh4laxZbRkYwyUbz3B9fuqMHtyJoBYsNZcGl_nnNN68Hb2l-lx4UfQpwEiA0zE/s400/IMG_0966.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my steak - I think the USDA recommends 19 oz. per meat serving, right?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLcZD7K0vA7HmlJICmTp9y5IkpJEaOy9owB3wrlrFwY901gwdi4TbSGBcOoWJf1ZfL1T9vh8l8msYYZCTvQWw1NwlvnHPL4K1lQ0rHG4IO5JInczRo3wOHMFTe1pR37IkFYmV6PdI06o0/s1600/IMG_0957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLcZD7K0vA7HmlJICmTp9y5IkpJEaOy9owB3wrlrFwY901gwdi4TbSGBcOoWJf1ZfL1T9vh8l8msYYZCTvQWw1NwlvnHPL4K1lQ0rHG4IO5JInczRo3wOHMFTe1pR37IkFYmV6PdI06o0/s400/IMG_0957.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the vista after a long ride</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo8kqypTrydjFdPTHl-bjYOKatAs9tgP35REtu7DoInrbPNk1xhIps08__dRvVTHm62zNK2mf_MG5r1XWkWS-zbpsrLl2pue4r9qKZRIEeF7_EgufChUVGEzj8OWn5FqvwxZIZ7PztMAE/s1600/IMG_0951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo8kqypTrydjFdPTHl-bjYOKatAs9tgP35REtu7DoInrbPNk1xhIps08__dRvVTHm62zNK2mf_MG5r1XWkWS-zbpsrLl2pue4r9qKZRIEeF7_EgufChUVGEzj8OWn5FqvwxZIZ7PztMAE/s400/IMG_0951.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">getting ready to coach me through a stream</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglua_wKVpyDbVVLivMT0UAbxiLnd7i_4-7BfUOBAdHwrwkz5iv5t141Fqql2Isjsi9d67IsE2kB-EoQY1Ice8n56QefHUXP5MdEzSwZSEpvd-_RiAR-5F6T4mFqUpaWtWxWJGZu3UQ0c/s1600/IMG_0947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglua_wKVpyDbVVLivMT0UAbxiLnd7i_4-7BfUOBAdHwrwkz5iv5t141Fqql2Isjsi9d67IsE2kB-EoQY1Ice8n56QefHUXP5MdEzSwZSEpvd-_RiAR-5F6T4mFqUpaWtWxWJGZu3UQ0c/s400/IMG_0947.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my ride</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEe52T-b2qvjsBNF-95-gA3CYzQanvtjCno_hrkwv1GUwCOILqWWqVGwkPePvdoLaQVqDSSoULVcczII5_PGhn0AmeAogULZQxKoqiy5Mz6Unane2aTvyHe8WVXpd5EqQkC6ty-4dEOsI/s1600/IMG_0923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEe52T-b2qvjsBNF-95-gA3CYzQanvtjCno_hrkwv1GUwCOILqWWqVGwkPePvdoLaQVqDSSoULVcczII5_PGhn0AmeAogULZQxKoqiy5Mz6Unane2aTvyHe8WVXpd5EqQkC6ty-4dEOsI/s400/IMG_0923.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">breakfast</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNjDqwcgpdCohGJwaZL99zt_vgS8-9xzzTsDZurq8m9a8kASdPRB0WS6ZdcN5NjYaF9gv4MgfdkFsnmFGefbzWZm5Lhmvj40RWDEY6N74_8GzeCNCXFY0D8WEFLJ9VD2z3o2DFBgQpsVs/s1600/IMG_0930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNjDqwcgpdCohGJwaZL99zt_vgS8-9xzzTsDZurq8m9a8kASdPRB0WS6ZdcN5NjYaF9gv4MgfdkFsnmFGefbzWZm5Lhmvj40RWDEY6N74_8GzeCNCXFY0D8WEFLJ9VD2z3o2DFBgQpsVs/s400/IMG_0930.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqidlv42uMwSFsWCil7k1WA-Yx0YzMjio_XVKqe_ESOfz5_OO_Ty50DF4liIeuUWAt0NGOjwTxkSgSY0fHejLncbRS6c65BMD7SoB5VoNMWoVXCTzcYVGtLNsb3pXB_8hP8HCPq1WIMY/s1600/IMG_0994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqidlv42uMwSFsWCil7k1WA-Yx0YzMjio_XVKqe_ESOfz5_OO_Ty50DF4liIeuUWAt0NGOjwTxkSgSY0fHejLncbRS6c65BMD7SoB5VoNMWoVXCTzcYVGtLNsb3pXB_8hP8HCPq1WIMY/s400/IMG_0994.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQClGR2Yces-j_Fy3mEAPGJnW5RaQMzp5IoNmSV7E2r4AoRIblMXn1stjPCDZPduJE9G6E0NzowqdpDLDpkXmoQkdvzfebX_pmDNOV4HqBS6uemijrPEdNLYNmh-uX5P2FC0aUTEc8hYw/s1600/IMG_0980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQClGR2Yces-j_Fy3mEAPGJnW5RaQMzp5IoNmSV7E2r4AoRIblMXn1stjPCDZPduJE9G6E0NzowqdpDLDpkXmoQkdvzfebX_pmDNOV4HqBS6uemijrPEdNLYNmh-uX5P2FC0aUTEc8hYw/s400/IMG_0980.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the world's best donuts - still warm, my friends</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoaX6lu4i2iGWliKaE1YhveEcjGzlaY5hPUz_Bztq6ETstx4s6H3IVLeap_1zxE22MrZiX2DRilGQxXgXlcyT83g_uTK00coEGJUgIXAuKxXZtNPmc66wU8c3Pq6lf0hku6ygPtXTBytc/s1600/IMG_0959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoaX6lu4i2iGWliKaE1YhveEcjGzlaY5hPUz_Bztq6ETstx4s6H3IVLeap_1zxE22MrZiX2DRilGQxXgXlcyT83g_uTK00coEGJUgIXAuKxXZtNPmc66wU8c3Pq6lf0hku6ygPtXTBytc/s400/IMG_0959.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">summer sunshine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJbSNqZU1ZwAjAXQwL910z629Laa7XRyAWhXy-j23PytOLseRj2JvK6E-N1zSb3K4bH82BwmZ5zw2UXz9_HeTQmXA1NKGbSa7oItofMiOP3SIfC7N_oULK9LflPdzd0KWeBTRWlHYEe8w/s1600/IMG_0957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJbSNqZU1ZwAjAXQwL910z629Laa7XRyAWhXy-j23PytOLseRj2JvK6E-N1zSb3K4bH82BwmZ5zw2UXz9_HeTQmXA1NKGbSa7oItofMiOP3SIfC7N_oULK9LflPdzd0KWeBTRWlHYEe8w/s400/IMG_0957.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNun8MkxH3QpT4gMHj4tS8WG7j7f0qHJvswWifEGU5d_q1Te1MEz2h_poZCgAPZelDTLkEnKm1eAQhc3dtdLS6_cw-vk_VRv3VM6mZd2xv6cPH9Qc0q4iUq8k3QS_mQQ0hyphenhyphenutru0QFrTk/s1600/IMG_0955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNun8MkxH3QpT4gMHj4tS8WG7j7f0qHJvswWifEGU5d_q1Te1MEz2h_poZCgAPZelDTLkEnKm1eAQhc3dtdLS6_cw-vk_VRv3VM6mZd2xv6cPH9Qc0q4iUq8k3QS_mQQ0hyphenhyphenutru0QFrTk/s400/IMG_0955.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hard to see - but a whole flock(?) of turkeys - babies and mamas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZ5zuxJE_wv9wkRCaeM3It232XnJuSdU1W-CMdpAAC_HXSYJdfcxK-SGUq3O7el5A9l8jiCrxixiT2UxN0ZiU2o-lvuIAhHH21WPBm5NNRaaKi5UqYh0pDO-2ULW3bUdNMWl0C7P1Azw/s1600/IMG_0935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZ5zuxJE_wv9wkRCaeM3It232XnJuSdU1W-CMdpAAC_HXSYJdfcxK-SGUq3O7el5A9l8jiCrxixiT2UxN0ZiU2o-lvuIAhHH21WPBm5NNRaaKi5UqYh0pDO-2ULW3bUdNMWl0C7P1Azw/s400/IMG_0935.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUnGzf05uZSd20IlD6tfYZp1VN1vu_RLJXo_nedKZuJpv5odRj4LGfBD8oxIz0RM0ziAhpCEbvXX_LEkffsdErJ-1-c_jsQlVDSAu3YyRzaumN9jkurc2WIihAvSjXxhaoafZlsZxO-Xs/s1600/IMG_0939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUnGzf05uZSd20IlD6tfYZp1VN1vu_RLJXo_nedKZuJpv5odRj4LGfBD8oxIz0RM0ziAhpCEbvXX_LEkffsdErJ-1-c_jsQlVDSAu3YyRzaumN9jkurc2WIihAvSjXxhaoafZlsZxO-Xs/s400/IMG_0939.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we had walked until we realized the height of the grass - then we rode!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvvGnIjHRmL-P6kn-7soRzsJz0McgJZYdVJ5Jqs_Ad8Y_YqCbgubN8IqW3ZQDbVnNbhpdjYwuTUl0hRlMg4sPfyU3rxiY9yqEPuMKYri2bND83cSUNmA0pGDEiUendgEF-6THogI0r9o/s1600/IMG_1002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvvGnIjHRmL-P6kn-7soRzsJz0McgJZYdVJ5Jqs_Ad8Y_YqCbgubN8IqW3ZQDbVnNbhpdjYwuTUl0hRlMg4sPfyU3rxiY9yqEPuMKYri2bND83cSUNmA0pGDEiUendgEF-6THogI0r9o/s400/IMG_1002.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kate and her Daddy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzSQ1QVTskTMh0FcZk4wQfEFKUozE1oDfHrU2q12R0hi31at6Ryq-ii6UpoSnfEJxoJr4AVaYeQ2SVID3pEkWGZGTlGPrAZh2mCDlSgyfC17bWdEYg1nOXqlTSODoW9VqUeFkpzBzIBM/s1600/IMG_0999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzSQ1QVTskTMh0FcZk4wQfEFKUozE1oDfHrU2q12R0hi31at6Ryq-ii6UpoSnfEJxoJr4AVaYeQ2SVID3pEkWGZGTlGPrAZh2mCDlSgyfC17bWdEYg1nOXqlTSODoW9VqUeFkpzBzIBM/s400/IMG_0999.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rob, explaining something (as only he can do)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-6kBRPFNZXVsKeoQuYkWB2pzxh1TAztly0XXhOGoyV5X5wEqsvxAnnQRg1M7t45FwoRf4ZgYWRYgOrnBXAuqJJ-H-gNz-V2DxpPkCw6zsvfx88DYTP7D-PB5kOsGOT9IS8gvdAaaAUQ/s1600/IMG_0991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-6kBRPFNZXVsKeoQuYkWB2pzxh1TAztly0XXhOGoyV5X5wEqsvxAnnQRg1M7t45FwoRf4ZgYWRYgOrnBXAuqJJ-H-gNz-V2DxpPkCw6zsvfx88DYTP7D-PB5kOsGOT9IS8gvdAaaAUQ/s400/IMG_0991.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqy0F5C01S3MZVBHWnBr4bVOQPH11FepA3iZD2V42ocIFB3Ywqbj1Xzik30Un-qxWaD1tkqdUkco1-fHXWAe5d-eIgpwYXOpbgM9ZA2GpY67agTj96Y_HKsFMp2mVaCiXzt3SeqTHckY/s1600/IMG_0990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqy0F5C01S3MZVBHWnBr4bVOQPH11FepA3iZD2V42ocIFB3Ywqbj1Xzik30Un-qxWaD1tkqdUkco1-fHXWAe5d-eIgpwYXOpbgM9ZA2GpY67agTj96Y_HKsFMp2mVaCiXzt3SeqTHckY/s400/IMG_0990.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my Dad!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9kTioOkOEnK9HVGYobrWzPgL6EptZsAD8oZHIy6ihzZ4RaRe2dB2aNecocGwcbsaHLrZqjEXXZAF-rem_I8u-Y0oj3_EO0izG2Ws36gU9uamRCgPQ1o8VyGIsKNELUDW6TG1jpeqpR2o/s1600/IMG_0961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9kTioOkOEnK9HVGYobrWzPgL6EptZsAD8oZHIy6ihzZ4RaRe2dB2aNecocGwcbsaHLrZqjEXXZAF-rem_I8u-Y0oj3_EO0izG2Ws36gU9uamRCgPQ1o8VyGIsKNELUDW6TG1jpeqpR2o/s400/IMG_0961.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rob - getting some wood ready for the winter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlb6M-VkmYgQfnHj4Frhm9MzABc3_1KwBfYhtg36tiEllhRW15uJO0EzbrV-zWPbyZTrDdf6_UdyfkQFLlBnn2QgAHkjWKKQOvnnAumounFfWm7TaicOpxerwkHwIf5i_StmPhoT2zv9I/s1600/IMG_0974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlb6M-VkmYgQfnHj4Frhm9MzABc3_1KwBfYhtg36tiEllhRW15uJO0EzbrV-zWPbyZTrDdf6_UdyfkQFLlBnn2QgAHkjWKKQOvnnAumounFfWm7TaicOpxerwkHwIf5i_StmPhoT2zv9I/s400/IMG_0974.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sunset - from the sunroof!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOb9XCuHhd8p0b6-PMPnA2vw6lAZgHqTXB0A54M8TRoqC9sEXW10bOxSoyte31tKrJjAYTSL55__JDPZMCOuu-BSn65RLugfMeAXdIXvEbJSra8E9UJj0xh22VrJ7GsFcl6y81L8fUlu4/s1600/IMG_0943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOb9XCuHhd8p0b6-PMPnA2vw6lAZgHqTXB0A54M8TRoqC9sEXW10bOxSoyte31tKrJjAYTSL55__JDPZMCOuu-BSn65RLugfMeAXdIXvEbJSra8E9UJj0xh22VrJ7GsFcl6y81L8fUlu4/s400/IMG_0943.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAbBcPLQ4xYmIfnl7iBrUzBVAzNLYOaZ6cSA8QK2CDsBIjY9XQKBgDBPiuK8i7HL3N4PeEhV2cyqNb_BxmN7BuaH60girvuiigazjFeCuat5TtUTjs1K3EhwgpxjtSqNOb7H1XNh1_qiM/s1600/IMG_0988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAbBcPLQ4xYmIfnl7iBrUzBVAzNLYOaZ6cSA8QK2CDsBIjY9XQKBgDBPiuK8i7HL3N4PeEhV2cyqNb_BxmN7BuaH60girvuiigazjFeCuat5TtUTjs1K3EhwgpxjtSqNOb7H1XNh1_qiM/s400/IMG_0988.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">relaxing on the porch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8tvZelQZd6IMklBMyOtFSkHRbdUifs5H6QBQ0_aUCaVSvNwo8XszgtQGodrIkOOsFvcPbJ66_F7Btd2eyiVe4f5EM1IaREUOiCOnrBF3c-zoeRphUn2wQkp-sZexBzMcK0eF54oYLlc4/s1600/IMG_0986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8tvZelQZd6IMklBMyOtFSkHRbdUifs5H6QBQ0_aUCaVSvNwo8XszgtQGodrIkOOsFvcPbJ66_F7Btd2eyiVe4f5EM1IaREUOiCOnrBF3c-zoeRphUn2wQkp-sZexBzMcK0eF54oYLlc4/s400/IMG_0986.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">morning tradition - coffee on the porch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjksutV2bAM3mjUsZR4PD7CBcJHP1BKgGiM1AXQOfk7iuPf7I1UIGVcUsvEzqecWd5qlgnuSgzfI_8ag5FoTTMt-ipY-sD464g-CRo8V0_vgAZy8kNCJKu_kMx3hFcJSJRfkwnss-EM5TE/s1600/IMG_0978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjksutV2bAM3mjUsZR4PD7CBcJHP1BKgGiM1AXQOfk7iuPf7I1UIGVcUsvEzqecWd5qlgnuSgzfI_8ag5FoTTMt-ipY-sD464g-CRo8V0_vgAZy8kNCJKu_kMx3hFcJSJRfkwnss-EM5TE/s400/IMG_0978.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">waiting for donuts - in a little town (with cell service)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BHhyphenhyphencgRjvpbsm_ictJYejsiAIYoRJflNwDSri7NKFG4kLjooCQ9cZ8-OpKt7JgwbQbhvTEtCUEe7vAGhpZqK2RESnO8c7YpXXRbudTcTe8vA4WuGlXtMvVkhD-bTsuR7tkQrdpw2iA0/s1600/IMG_0976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BHhyphenhyphencgRjvpbsm_ictJYejsiAIYoRJflNwDSri7NKFG4kLjooCQ9cZ8-OpKt7JgwbQbhvTEtCUEe7vAGhpZqK2RESnO8c7YpXXRbudTcTe8vA4WuGlXtMvVkhD-bTsuR7tkQrdpw2iA0/s400/IMG_0976.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">still waiting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8OtCAyu6TfWMR_L-SAoP_DjNyGnllgsHtxRVtbUNSwhwL1nlhQQtlpPl5SGLcMpzA2FAJOFNTy7g5WLevN8zzxiLkKYKsMe2WhP_WnPni-ijKcsHSkIsvVop6R1WkWMIa-V632WFZes/s1600/IMG_0949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8OtCAyu6TfWMR_L-SAoP_DjNyGnllgsHtxRVtbUNSwhwL1nlhQQtlpPl5SGLcMpzA2FAJOFNTy7g5WLevN8zzxiLkKYKsMe2WhP_WnPni-ijKcsHSkIsvVop6R1WkWMIa-V632WFZes/s400/IMG_0949.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">how do I look in my helmet - kinda slimming, right?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUzvJE2nPRbODq_L0hHzM_9fwpjYdND7Re5ToorcBDZoZ7i2rsdm2mWkqNYjcfyMJHrRuGCfydT1FpSGZCsxhwrPadOnObZtime2aJwQecGno91MdYvNWQA8PFg0i9594cHKx-gFyAJBo/s1600/IMG_0941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUzvJE2nPRbODq_L0hHzM_9fwpjYdND7Re5ToorcBDZoZ7i2rsdm2mWkqNYjcfyMJHrRuGCfydT1FpSGZCsxhwrPadOnObZtime2aJwQecGno91MdYvNWQA8PFg0i9594cHKx-gFyAJBo/s400/IMG_0941.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHfl6r7FH8gedGHvfJiKqyUjV9UK4WmBm0aB95oMYUYWjibheT7d83c3ebjsO8YV1CcIyn6fDsyHGaCk7QyhvJiwKd_F70wdU_atHMj3_SxPIWov5MKoc3N-vVKT_G0IODmz9to8C-HFk/s1600/IMG_1004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHfl6r7FH8gedGHvfJiKqyUjV9UK4WmBm0aB95oMYUYWjibheT7d83c3ebjsO8YV1CcIyn6fDsyHGaCk7QyhvJiwKd_F70wdU_atHMj3_SxPIWov5MKoc3N-vVKT_G0IODmz9to8C-HFk/s400/IMG_1004.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it's a lot of work to suit up for a ride!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I realize the pictures aren't in chronological order - still trying to navigate google live with cell phone pics, an ipad, and transferring that to a laptop. I am quite limited! Kirsten's Cookinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129971420086685005noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030165350839649840.post-70143624416841731972013-08-25T15:40:00.001-04:002013-08-25T15:42:14.301-04:00Baked Apple Pie Donuts<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;">As I was perusing Pinterest this morning, I happened upon a recipe for </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;">gingerbread baked donuts. </span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">I was waiting for everyone else to wake up and </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">remembered the kids complaining that we had no food in the </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">house </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">(who knows why my grocery bills top $200/week). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Anyway, I didn't feel like the gingerbread donuts </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">but after a quick search, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">I happened upon </span><a href="http://momadvice.com/blog/2011/09/baked-apple-pie-donuts" style="font-family: Helvetica;">this</a><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"> recipe. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxtAx87xF6YpOxlUbMzON9WGD4OnI5t-hn254pZoAipSIgEDhsGUEvF-j14Zw8ebzuVFPTA0ISh8TKpybqZCzCSw7VIuiTkYSF3g1P6HWhCqe-TbXMhhVWy-__QTJ3_WTaRR4gkI1DQ2c/s1600/donuts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxtAx87xF6YpOxlUbMzON9WGD4OnI5t-hn254pZoAipSIgEDhsGUEvF-j14Zw8ebzuVFPTA0ISh8TKpybqZCzCSw7VIuiTkYSF3g1P6HWhCqe-TbXMhhVWy-__QTJ3_WTaRR4gkI1DQ2c/s320/donuts.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;">A few things drew me in: I had all of the ingredients (including leftover 'baked apples'), </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;">prep time was </span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">15 minutes, and I had a donut pan (I'd only used once). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Not 30 minutes later, I was dipping the donuts </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">in butter, dusting them with </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">cinnamon and sugar, and drizzling them with </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/easy-caramel-sauce-recipe/index.html">this</a> leftover caramel sauce. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;">Let's
just say that I was a hero this morning. Now I feel better about </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;">purchasing the donut pan! They taste like an apple fritter </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;">without the
fried taste. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;">The great news is that you can easily make these with or without leftover </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;">apples, with or without caramel sauce, and you can use a muffin tin if </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;">you don't have a donut pan! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;">They were the perfect breakfast for an impulsive baker like myself!</span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;"><br /></span></span>Kirsten's Cookinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129971420086685005noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030165350839649840.post-56132691463567154612013-07-24T08:13:00.000-04:002013-07-24T08:13:29.122-04:0015 Years Ago.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjswkbsPUASurVOwf9tBiZqmGzsiCUJqh4VLy7k_NwrILIiuqj4ihSfXADmYtiNi5etQ4nO-5ElIt2PzEMu8QplGr_HZrTseJTjtEB89kYAbCPCf2sZ0gxRHaz9whG4Psx9YFoHB-Qawxs/s1600/DSC_2577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjswkbsPUASurVOwf9tBiZqmGzsiCUJqh4VLy7k_NwrILIiuqj4ihSfXADmYtiNi5etQ4nO-5ElIt2PzEMu8QplGr_HZrTseJTjtEB89kYAbCPCf2sZ0gxRHaz9whG4Psx9YFoHB-Qawxs/s400/DSC_2577.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Our son. How can he be fifteen today?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjAiAiXq8JCgmFDzoYfFeFFC_Lv5cks89nu7NzanglUn8UcmdLVoUTs2jmCpAZ3NLpVwd0zDdDCBABhxIza2PGe2FiTou4ocLMsw6_E28taTue5LE1jwzhHX62_1870Tyy1qFA1WWZJQ/s1600/DSC_2812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjAiAiXq8JCgmFDzoYfFeFFC_Lv5cks89nu7NzanglUn8UcmdLVoUTs2jmCpAZ3NLpVwd0zDdDCBABhxIza2PGe2FiTou4ocLMsw6_E28taTue5LE1jwzhHX62_1870Tyy1qFA1WWZJQ/s400/DSC_2812.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Josh is growing up. He is now inches taller than me and faster in a foot race than his dad. He is still kind, thoughtful, and funny. But, he now prefers the company of his friends. Does it make sense that we miss him and he's not even gone?<br />
<br />
As he pulls away in a very natural way, I'm reminded of years gone by. <br />
<br />
I remember the day he was born, quickly and with no fuss. I remember his laid-back demeanor, only crying occasionally. <br />
<br />
I remember how chatty he was as a toddler. He had incessant questions and just loved to talk, even in his sleep. <br />
<br />
He is still enthusiastic. He is happiest when his schedule is filled with sports, friends, and having fun. Every day that passes he looks more like his dad.<br />
<br />
Our prayer for him is to continue to love God, love others, and do what he was created to do. He is pretty certain he want to be a police officer and I think he'd make a great one. <br />
<br />
We're so proud of him! Happy Birthday Josh :)Kirsten's Cookinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129971420086685005noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030165350839649840.post-65280109348697234982013-06-20T07:42:00.002-04:002013-06-20T08:00:27.682-04:0010 Random Thoughts1. I love the eucalyptus-mint scent from Bath and Body works, but I wish the scent wasn't so strong. I love the Citron natural hand soap from Target, but I wish the scent was stronger.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapdxyBzZXcCmLyFn9ix84pVBk0KNzgPaejfxPnJn5NBoGqQgivrQ3LfGs77t0_CC-ayurfNrBiV33Rr-pnosReUcmtHxPHOqllZVylh-FXaAvxVgKdrpV7QNK5N8OyLs1vKhDQWREW54/s1600/257588C9-BA0A-4B8C-B511-5CC0AA88DDAF.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapdxyBzZXcCmLyFn9ix84pVBk0KNzgPaejfxPnJn5NBoGqQgivrQ3LfGs77t0_CC-ayurfNrBiV33Rr-pnosReUcmtHxPHOqllZVylh-FXaAvxVgKdrpV7QNK5N8OyLs1vKhDQWREW54/s320/257588C9-BA0A-4B8C-B511-5CC0AA88DDAF.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
2. I am almost giddy with all of the daylight we are enjoying. Tomorrow is the longest day of the year. Part of me realizes it's all downhill from here.<br />
<br />
3. Autocorrect can be really annoying. I just had to re-type 'crepes' in the epicurious searchbox three times (it kept correcting to 'creeps').<br />
<br />
4. The girls and I spent the day in Philadelphia with my mom and sister last Friday. I had the best crepe of my life. Prosciutto, fig jam, and goat-milk Brie. I'm going to try to recreate it. Best food I've had in years!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje1HejIymqYzj2lOvvMIfX__fIro8uU2Ppc7LB11jc9igQR48mKWNLLAWTRNzLa4NhsfRN3euluoUA9mn8USvhJIA5JA8G1bBE7aao-LQT3Jf5en2KyeM63KCut_5pAU4ZVk7iYrkKlSg/s1600/D5A2CAC9-E114-4725-80C3-11A9EAAC3293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje1HejIymqYzj2lOvvMIfX__fIro8uU2Ppc7LB11jc9igQR48mKWNLLAWTRNzLa4NhsfRN3euluoUA9mn8USvhJIA5JA8G1bBE7aao-LQT3Jf5en2KyeM63KCut_5pAU4ZVk7iYrkKlSg/s320/D5A2CAC9-E114-4725-80C3-11A9EAAC3293.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
5.My husband and I are polar opposites. He credits this as a glimpse into my personality. Guess he would have taken the time to untangle the charging cords of two other devices before he charged the Nikon battery. I consider that a total waste of time.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwmgQiyb8NmIUcdKRfvrorm8oJQwGs3Uz5AzF0EDzFOfkZqr66vlJghMKCySlvIDGeP4JKJF0Qn_GCI1clHspffXaE4V6Ihr9FnSnDhoa20F9g4idW6PhkQ_D4pI9I3IEoT5gNtAG_J5s/s1600/CC775C2A-5A89-46E3-9CE9-BDBD9489E0B5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwmgQiyb8NmIUcdKRfvrorm8oJQwGs3Uz5AzF0EDzFOfkZqr66vlJghMKCySlvIDGeP4JKJF0Qn_GCI1clHspffXaE4V6Ihr9FnSnDhoa20F9g4idW6PhkQ_D4pI9I3IEoT5gNtAG_J5s/s320/CC775C2A-5A89-46E3-9CE9-BDBD9489E0B5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br 6.="" a="" are="" br="" consider="" favorite="" flower="" flowers="" fresh="" from="" having="" house.="" hydrangeas="" i="" in="" love="" money="" my="" next="" of="" re="" second="" the="" them="" they="" to="" total="" tulips="" unless="" waste="" yard.="" />
<br />
<br />
6. I love fresh flowers in the house. I consider them a total waste of money if I have to purchase them, though. The hydrangeas from our yard are my second favorite (next to tulips).
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzyxpKuoFK_qo9BslWlJCPLo03TchSG0cR09qoqP6uzW3giTp6pRLg4ocSL84gv7dbXApofkXrvptpKA-sC4ojeOLfWWC-XwQ1lxaI1Tq-wOiTm3kvMHXn4C-JfCNMTNqVmI8mQOzVboY/s1600/5074F9FD-AB09-42DF-BBA9-31D61C0D9BA7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzyxpKuoFK_qo9BslWlJCPLo03TchSG0cR09qoqP6uzW3giTp6pRLg4ocSL84gv7dbXApofkXrvptpKA-sC4ojeOLfWWC-XwQ1lxaI1Tq-wOiTm3kvMHXn4C-JfCNMTNqVmI8mQOzVboY/s320/5074F9FD-AB09-42DF-BBA9-31D61C0D9BA7.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
7. My kids are very capable. The girls helped me clean the house in 90 minutes flat on Monday. Kate helped me make dinner last night and did a fabulous job. I need to delegate more, instead of thinking I'd do it better.<br />
<br />
8. I keep smelling my eucalyptus-mint hands. Ugh. Maybe I can water down the mixture?<br />
<br />
9. I fell for a Pinterest 'too good to be true' recipe last night. The skinny shake that tastes 'just like a Wendy's frosty'. Don't fall for it. Nothing has ever tasted less like a Frosty. I made everyone try it - the votes were unanimous. Terrible.<br />
<br />
10. Has anyone discovered the secret for repelling rabbits? They are obsessed with my gazanias and the girls green beans.Kirsten's Cookinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129971420086685005noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030165350839649840.post-44098888375852686472013-06-17T21:06:00.000-04:002013-06-17T21:06:39.169-04:00Strawberry TrifleIt was my Mom's birthday on Saturday and she requested a key lime pie. I typically just make the condensed milk version, but she has another recipe that she prefers. The process was simple, but I was unhappy with the results. I think I'll stick to the tried and true recipe that I make. In an effort to redeem myself, I decided to take advantage of our delicious local strawberries (we prefer the produce at <a href="http://kirstenscooking.blogspot.com/2011/06/j-mar-farms.html">J-Mar Farms</a>). <br />
<br />
I layered cubes of Betty Crocker's foolproof recipe for <a href="http://kirstenscooking.blogspot.com/2011/06/betty-crockers-pound-cake.html">pound cake</a> with the <a href="http://kirstenscooking.blogspot.com/2011/06/strawberry-lemon-cream-pie.html">lemon cream sauce</a> for my strawberry pie. All the trifle needed was lots of strawberries and dollops of freshly whipped cream. And, all of a sudden, I was back in business!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4N2tlWiIEDA-tJ0KAwmwhuZ2e7sTjiTK1UtT7giyfT9WZpGVfGQ1WIOcAUqxxWNAkQ4f7CaoAErFHn8c_Iht0ELKgnnYwguq4ios3vwmQBKtkG0ocmLKXIRxtqNK_ns_j3ucapbpSjaU/s1600/C7AAA9D0-32BB-47DA-BD88-9289803DF2BE.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4N2tlWiIEDA-tJ0KAwmwhuZ2e7sTjiTK1UtT7giyfT9WZpGVfGQ1WIOcAUqxxWNAkQ4f7CaoAErFHn8c_Iht0ELKgnnYwguq4ios3vwmQBKtkG0ocmLKXIRxtqNK_ns_j3ucapbpSjaU/s400/C7AAA9D0-32BB-47DA-BD88-9289803DF2BE.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5M0A4K9YrXQ32xtGg6XmfEQ9P8VnqKnbzpzoAiB8ddsVlfX7GF-8xeT7h-BejODUhAmlWZOsypHj8A6OaflX98IxSx589QzaPJHv4preufhMl-QDcUMJnOeW6gH_PPh-MMxuyv5krKDY/s1600/D71048B5-9650-48F4-AAD5-F7632750DA4A.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5M0A4K9YrXQ32xtGg6XmfEQ9P8VnqKnbzpzoAiB8ddsVlfX7GF-8xeT7h-BejODUhAmlWZOsypHj8A6OaflX98IxSx589QzaPJHv4preufhMl-QDcUMJnOeW6gH_PPh-MMxuyv5krKDY/s400/D71048B5-9650-48F4-AAD5-F7632750DA4A.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWo82EdYQ2H7ELuvDpuETD3V7Fg9XavkOCKR5BqrxFtv4XIbkeOIKUru9n5Y4imM_XrM9eP6a20f9DUmawtRPSxF7sqDfT1bCk1j1FED8Kj9yeh4UMg0lCPu2h4D8NHtmp-w2EyT0L6z8/s1600/CCB0E32B-4AF4-4633-872D-D96D990826AD.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWo82EdYQ2H7ELuvDpuETD3V7Fg9XavkOCKR5BqrxFtv4XIbkeOIKUru9n5Y4imM_XrM9eP6a20f9DUmawtRPSxF7sqDfT1bCk1j1FED8Kj9yeh4UMg0lCPu2h4D8NHtmp-w2EyT0L6z8/s400/CCB0E32B-4AF4-4633-872D-D96D990826AD.JPG" width="300" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Again, I'm back to using iPhone pictures for my blogging. For the second time, my girls tried to hook up my laptop to a projector - we've already fixed the laptop, but were told that the projector hadn't fried it. I beg to differ. I apologize for the quality of the pictures. I'll be happy to be back to my Nikon. The ease of sharing pictures with a mobile device are convenient, but the quality is definitely lacking. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In any case, I hope these pictures are appetizing enough to inspire you to create something with your local produce. We are thankful to live in a community where farming is still very prevalent and quality produce, dairy, and meat are locally produced and sold on the farm. We try to take advantage at every opportunity! I wish strawberry season was longer, but so far we've enjoyed them every way possible. </div>
Kirsten's Cookinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129971420086685005noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030165350839649840.post-69246707837354748452013-06-10T11:06:00.001-04:002013-06-10T11:06:44.622-04:00Phone Snapshots<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Also known as: my laptop blew up again and I'm blogging on my iPad. I can't page down and write captions, so feel free to make up your own!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's our first week of summer vacation and the weather is hideous! Kate and Emma have a friend over and they set up a movie theater in their room. Rob and Josh are attending the practice round for the US Open. I'm doing laundry and probably going to read this afternoon. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hopefully one of these days I'll actually share a recipe! In the meantime, enjoy your Monday. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXx1yaDRjnfXfSSSOBwTz5YNfHVqhEVgAjgbUPJf6Zlne3x-vVoIHUUtc0ThyphenhyphenUdoUs8hsJhCumeaQb6SQDuhi_TQT8CiJ8wigHCvOf-wMmNuW7NJhuKdox4F3GRKEtH16MZic4vUmwzSs/s1600/F4371E8E-ABFF-450E-97B6-DE659BBF52B5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXx1yaDRjnfXfSSSOBwTz5YNfHVqhEVgAjgbUPJf6Zlne3x-vVoIHUUtc0ThyphenhyphenUdoUs8hsJhCumeaQb6SQDuhi_TQT8CiJ8wigHCvOf-wMmNuW7NJhuKdox4F3GRKEtH16MZic4vUmwzSs/s320/F4371E8E-ABFF-450E-97B6-DE659BBF52B5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxoELk5CsmQd0vLxIKUtN_id2eznmxB4qOUvLGYikmXuaYEqBgEzHQvNJSGAjTBV6-4zfU0GzfrAcxqPmpAwU7SIKb9d16C6B4XCNGWr1o3gi6sRPATeWh8aJdm4NiNE4H78sWIy2gN4s/s1600/1603403C-CB19-4CD7-B83C-A53A5CC3A587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxoELk5CsmQd0vLxIKUtN_id2eznmxB4qOUvLGYikmXuaYEqBgEzHQvNJSGAjTBV6-4zfU0GzfrAcxqPmpAwU7SIKb9d16C6B4XCNGWr1o3gi6sRPATeWh8aJdm4NiNE4H78sWIy2gN4s/s320/1603403C-CB19-4CD7-B83C-A53A5CC3A587.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqKRsUyyGgl4yY10ObsQychnCQTU0rcL6WFdAcp6KhR9WUa7fhyphenhyphenTJjzKYaoTt9_w9kjKMftbCAO7K9jWNe-i67jSYTN55N3flHKP0qw3h1eJFI32LnCQEGaAHAYrcf6K9l62-4G2xhqk/s1600/E47E46DF-B3F8-459C-9723-0C753B1DA846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqKRsUyyGgl4yY10ObsQychnCQTU0rcL6WFdAcp6KhR9WUa7fhyphenhyphenTJjzKYaoTt9_w9kjKMftbCAO7K9jWNe-i67jSYTN55N3flHKP0qw3h1eJFI32LnCQEGaAHAYrcf6K9l62-4G2xhqk/s320/E47E46DF-B3F8-459C-9723-0C753B1DA846.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_fR3m0e5J_3Pt8QrLi2bE3LGcNs7oFXubLww_uK0LKo6wSJRgAf6lyvH5zUUq6IpiJl1tMQqqKQB1DlhP_dZ_Fms1CD0XtO6L6iwONuDZWa4Jh2Dwsdse39gJMfE772a9CmFRCScGrTc/s1600/013A16C2-7126-448A-82DC-F5DC6A2886D0.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_fR3m0e5J_3Pt8QrLi2bE3LGcNs7oFXubLww_uK0LKo6wSJRgAf6lyvH5zUUq6IpiJl1tMQqqKQB1DlhP_dZ_Fms1CD0XtO6L6iwONuDZWa4Jh2Dwsdse39gJMfE772a9CmFRCScGrTc/s320/013A16C2-7126-448A-82DC-F5DC6A2886D0.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2LKDvfZUOGJkICvr1qGCzNh6xgT-qU8cwv3ou_i75v-cbRvPWFajDrWNxwIvithcMLPLOEFGbPi47Wd2f_VOgoicnQQVziBHo1lKBUGXrp-Nzf6m6gDwUGv7x9CYPIGMHtg-4TAs1-Y/s1600/EAAF4941-154E-40AC-8588-9FE3CD944E1B.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2LKDvfZUOGJkICvr1qGCzNh6xgT-qU8cwv3ou_i75v-cbRvPWFajDrWNxwIvithcMLPLOEFGbPi47Wd2f_VOgoicnQQVziBHo1lKBUGXrp-Nzf6m6gDwUGv7x9CYPIGMHtg-4TAs1-Y/s320/EAAF4941-154E-40AC-8588-9FE3CD944E1B.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsW9c0XYaEggKeqE2wkRQkoXKGHz_mGFTMe0WN8ChsEbLwFe9FGoEAtL3uo7GkFPi3TOPqUfjm0jMhlQXrvta1n1sBQLkLutKGtyOUhO9MXGKbp4f2ECL_n2untYP0aTXRtmvvz5u4EM/s1600/9501AFB9-7CD6-4B98-938F-D968CE570E16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsW9c0XYaEggKeqE2wkRQkoXKGHz_mGFTMe0WN8ChsEbLwFe9FGoEAtL3uo7GkFPi3TOPqUfjm0jMhlQXrvta1n1sBQLkLutKGtyOUhO9MXGKbp4f2ECL_n2untYP0aTXRtmvvz5u4EM/s320/9501AFB9-7CD6-4B98-938F-D968CE570E16.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWdLATQ0wDmcrD1_QErd8waUkvcz-ztjAdXYwVgxd9Jwl-KofiAZqpC-7sO-TAfrfTJFaoDr49Y5f2puJwOdCQHOV2u6A05Fsrk5n15_I83Uo7EBy1eydDd275sU2QQOe6lnUvBmHBCo/s1600/2DB6710F-DEF5-40F0-A37B-F814A0D191F4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWdLATQ0wDmcrD1_QErd8waUkvcz-ztjAdXYwVgxd9Jwl-KofiAZqpC-7sO-TAfrfTJFaoDr49Y5f2puJwOdCQHOV2u6A05Fsrk5n15_I83Uo7EBy1eydDd275sU2QQOe6lnUvBmHBCo/s320/2DB6710F-DEF5-40F0-A37B-F814A0D191F4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPQz8S5Rap_nP7lMYLuqIJXpN8hEoo431Fjc8DRHAPiGHK_pzMPzZvQI0w5L6CHXog9Xg85QbNd13l5ytQ9_oBzL-pCP7ff7z10v6xhSPkdE0qaHRjB8j-LI-2BdPk9E_0KkzUerXr9g/s1600/FFCC8457-AFBB-417C-B89D-F4ADE8A5DE3A.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPQz8S5Rap_nP7lMYLuqIJXpN8hEoo431Fjc8DRHAPiGHK_pzMPzZvQI0w5L6CHXog9Xg85QbNd13l5ytQ9_oBzL-pCP7ff7z10v6xhSPkdE0qaHRjB8j-LI-2BdPk9E_0KkzUerXr9g/s320/FFCC8457-AFBB-417C-B89D-F4ADE8A5DE3A.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKFLESz46J_I4ZEjK-Kd9edgmLvDwC-u7cv309tt5OOYlYYIMDZi1QJ1z8n0oIJHaHdSCn0p2Pa2oxhDxXpcqdE7myZwi5OFIVfzDx2oi_9kd5Tr9yTeZjkuPk82x4zNP54w0Elxva6QE/s1600/E8DA0321-255A-4EFA-900C-1B33376B1D08.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKFLESz46J_I4ZEjK-Kd9edgmLvDwC-u7cv309tt5OOYlYYIMDZi1QJ1z8n0oIJHaHdSCn0p2Pa2oxhDxXpcqdE7myZwi5OFIVfzDx2oi_9kd5Tr9yTeZjkuPk82x4zNP54w0Elxva6QE/s320/E8DA0321-255A-4EFA-900C-1B33376B1D08.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXGAgo7DM4EojPjJg-r0gEqQYKnmX9V4yuC_OrqvUKlBmWXu2l8k21Z6P_CljiWxUckUQCuOCD8qYCy4vtFUbRMoIAfvfXTpHIbRxReX3VTgogiKA_U-4OEjJ1uGGIWcashprlpeYndCE/s1600/73FF87AE-DCBB-4FCF-9CFD-E9F79369EAA1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXGAgo7DM4EojPjJg-r0gEqQYKnmX9V4yuC_OrqvUKlBmWXu2l8k21Z6P_CljiWxUckUQCuOCD8qYCy4vtFUbRMoIAfvfXTpHIbRxReX3VTgogiKA_U-4OEjJ1uGGIWcashprlpeYndCE/s320/73FF87AE-DCBB-4FCF-9CFD-E9F79369EAA1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLHHWmsRiXDyb54eGxaAmSp4O6KqJHR-Dy5xvuxZNpJ2QK0MNGZ30axqg-W1q_0G87UBJNXqj6kv6JVt8VGv6T6JizP7SWMj5pBFEgkVpvUzCj-BirZBTZVRNC7I6G3ZOSOoFd8In_WJo/s1600/9B4AA006-82CF-420B-822B-1B5967C4F8CC.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLHHWmsRiXDyb54eGxaAmSp4O6KqJHR-Dy5xvuxZNpJ2QK0MNGZ30axqg-W1q_0G87UBJNXqj6kv6JVt8VGv6T6JizP7SWMj5pBFEgkVpvUzCj-BirZBTZVRNC7I6G3ZOSOoFd8In_WJo/s320/9B4AA006-82CF-420B-822B-1B5967C4F8CC.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIrGRPMB-uKlpK5WPBiwodFG1BxZjTDRO9Fu1b0cCSODOGHczeGAuHPZarfakX8ONnACVs1s-flhBjGU8uiEvsz4oaNzGqIbDD4QoCA3FW9llkFd4EYqZNrvsQo0_k6JJ5j6f91StFAec/s1600/76B45DA0-A559-420A-8C54-172084F2BA97.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIrGRPMB-uKlpK5WPBiwodFG1BxZjTDRO9Fu1b0cCSODOGHczeGAuHPZarfakX8ONnACVs1s-flhBjGU8uiEvsz4oaNzGqIbDD4QoCA3FW9llkFd4EYqZNrvsQo0_k6JJ5j6f91StFAec/s320/76B45DA0-A559-420A-8C54-172084F2BA97.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKuoY0KTMSCIQyZ-dpIzcK6qXlb9OZxhvMfN4nEat_MY6YSHPOXeDl_zUDT5CzFDLjIHgURub3s_ESeqZqdqCuZ9TGtrLl6yOISw4GdYgjzgxdlEMe-yA2p-0wi92yCn9jl8Ptm19vnCo/s1600/20F71BBE-F8C1-47FB-8C4E-429758BB9099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKuoY0KTMSCIQyZ-dpIzcK6qXlb9OZxhvMfN4nEat_MY6YSHPOXeDl_zUDT5CzFDLjIHgURub3s_ESeqZqdqCuZ9TGtrLl6yOISw4GdYgjzgxdlEMe-yA2p-0wi92yCn9jl8Ptm19vnCo/s320/20F71BBE-F8C1-47FB-8C4E-429758BB9099.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSjnj9KauKlptbD2HfKIxN62SS7lg8qm7quCfKn6nP6PFUls3SA6xJwGEgTJL0Cj85f8O2iR5HIsDwbm11owve_0UJgdPBV_OIOe6BoSN0S-YBs33rxU85crpBHaR6DpfnfEbH-6MQKPU/s1600/B22888FB-AFD3-4E0A-9712-0873C303B114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSjnj9KauKlptbD2HfKIxN62SS7lg8qm7quCfKn6nP6PFUls3SA6xJwGEgTJL0Cj85f8O2iR5HIsDwbm11owve_0UJgdPBV_OIOe6BoSN0S-YBs33rxU85crpBHaR6DpfnfEbH-6MQKPU/s320/B22888FB-AFD3-4E0A-9712-0873C303B114.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4wp9gitVBYt3ZqIspM8e7PrqCPPya3XACi29ONPRc0m8_p8y3eG2FqB99DMyEW-JAkl-409I-icLKEXMsOZlMH8iP3BiyTmVW8FOzG1icr-yYdQUDIThs17ULM6PuyOk4fTm5idrUzi0/s1600/695CEF55-B191-4504-AE5E-B6D6334B7D71.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4wp9gitVBYt3ZqIspM8e7PrqCPPya3XACi29ONPRc0m8_p8y3eG2FqB99DMyEW-JAkl-409I-icLKEXMsOZlMH8iP3BiyTmVW8FOzG1icr-yYdQUDIThs17ULM6PuyOk4fTm5idrUzi0/s320/695CEF55-B191-4504-AE5E-B6D6334B7D71.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzt_55DxX8MnpPrQRTbcXwHMpEUiJsnmHqQ9-D7t8_NDYBsGGA-G9tHpIs54gGG4Bw0BETmnaXPFRXYQTrQxWTB-JtV-PictEVVUDAZM3ocCma7zo_TIgS5xs0v0L19m-q4riW3PK6FPc/s1600/D638AA15-37CB-49DE-ADF0-1AEEA3C125A8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzt_55DxX8MnpPrQRTbcXwHMpEUiJsnmHqQ9-D7t8_NDYBsGGA-G9tHpIs54gGG4Bw0BETmnaXPFRXYQTrQxWTB-JtV-PictEVVUDAZM3ocCma7zo_TIgS5xs0v0L19m-q4riW3PK6FPc/s320/D638AA15-37CB-49DE-ADF0-1AEEA3C125A8.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqwZHzhHn6MhYK_6UIRVvyzu1iLAtBOMwBZ4WhdjlqECTD5KwKt8r6eIFxGnny8HyafRP-_Tz-EL-FDQHmmVl_hKZ7yu24RI-rBsvnjFxQuNJ1moBJt6i-22GvhGf1dO0Izmsz3fqRIl8/s1600/3872E986-AA70-4A94-82DE-7C6C1CA7EB94.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqwZHzhHn6MhYK_6UIRVvyzu1iLAtBOMwBZ4WhdjlqECTD5KwKt8r6eIFxGnny8HyafRP-_Tz-EL-FDQHmmVl_hKZ7yu24RI-rBsvnjFxQuNJ1moBJt6i-22GvhGf1dO0Izmsz3fqRIl8/s320/3872E986-AA70-4A94-82DE-7C6C1CA7EB94.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJqxcAutEwfDXxiDnb4qEEZy8OFyrJXBqffHFRwb6NRrG95mPuLnt3JuneB9ZVbmDZIbRXmFK3b4s8y58UX7-PwBm1dG0PFba0WXzhyphenhyphenUX7IZ7MxfuqQynyzQGjsY-HMSMl9CjaPiY6I8/s1600/A213F82E-9937-4F2F-A37B-B8F31BC1F318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJqxcAutEwfDXxiDnb4qEEZy8OFyrJXBqffHFRwb6NRrG95mPuLnt3JuneB9ZVbmDZIbRXmFK3b4s8y58UX7-PwBm1dG0PFba0WXzhyphenhyphenUX7IZ7MxfuqQynyzQGjsY-HMSMl9CjaPiY6I8/s320/A213F82E-9937-4F2F-A37B-B8F31BC1F318.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDfRGfrF3scXK5IPkR03nlynP9JiKaqHPuiImHRqTtiQtZlBrjBlPdEKC71WzYe9v77PGLtyYVXovF1L1Ff1GCBgMQKiwltoVHJfkz5lnjmSpmWKxlqiilPzpkaKAs_YdDc5-vvdYLHM/s1600/8E29A4CE-6EB3-4DE4-8848-D230C5663B26.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDfRGfrF3scXK5IPkR03nlynP9JiKaqHPuiImHRqTtiQtZlBrjBlPdEKC71WzYe9v77PGLtyYVXovF1L1Ff1GCBgMQKiwltoVHJfkz5lnjmSpmWKxlqiilPzpkaKAs_YdDc5-vvdYLHM/s320/8E29A4CE-6EB3-4DE4-8848-D230C5663B26.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeatE8HPO8Gs-598m8vXHiw5NFLf8cYYO06QeIydRjBu0ToqCsOBW2hq2zDikKnU4s1-ufmhro_2DZA8gU7CbUsDZA0ELuBroe2dYk_4pXEGIZrN5oYN0CAw455yKnSQaNvB6-YWKlgjk/s1600/52D43577-BAEF-4CC9-9D7C-5A048518AF62.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeatE8HPO8Gs-598m8vXHiw5NFLf8cYYO06QeIydRjBu0ToqCsOBW2hq2zDikKnU4s1-ufmhro_2DZA8gU7CbUsDZA0ELuBroe2dYk_4pXEGIZrN5oYN0CAw455yKnSQaNvB6-YWKlgjk/s320/52D43577-BAEF-4CC9-9D7C-5A048518AF62.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Kirsten's Cookinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129971420086685005noreply@blogger.com2