Sunday, May 30, 2010

garden upgrade

a few weeks ago i mentioned to Gavin that next spring i wanted a raised garden bed. then i thought of this ugly flower bed we have that was just covered in ground cover. THEN i got the idea, why wait! So my wonderful father in law came over & helped me clear it out, till the ground & put in some new topsoil. I love having an in ground garden! So far I haven't killed anything!! I've planted even more since our transition. We have: Tomatos, potatoes, several varieties of Basil, rosemary, oregano, thyme, sage, lavender, citronella, chamomile, carrots, spinach, swiss chard, cilantro, parsley, chives, lettuce, radishes, watermelon, strawberries, zucchini, 2 types of bell peppers and eggplant. phew. seems like a lot, but it's a small garden. I do have big plants for next year. I will definitely plant more lettuce, spinach & swiss chard. potatoes too...actually add all my veggies to that list. I also would love to attempt blueberries next year! I also can't seem to keep the basil plants in my garden (we have 5) full enough...i keep making homemade pesto...and it's too dang good. I'm thrilled with what we have & that I have managed to keep everything alive AND growing AND producing!

Before:


During- we cleared it out completely right before the sky dumped some glorious rain on us. Boy do we need some more of that!


After the topsoil- Mason had a blast going with Papa Tony to get the top soil- he keeps talking about the tractor that dumped the dirt in the truck.


After, but during all the planting.


Man, do my plants look puny here. I fertilized right after this and I think my plants and have double over in size in the last 2 weeks if not more.


Mason had a blast with the worms!


Boys & bugs. I won't ever understand it.


I got to wear my cute new rain boots!! I love them!



Tuesday, May 11, 2010

New Recipe- Thai Chicken & Basil Stir Fry

in an attempt for all fresh & natural ingredients (allergen free too!) I came across a recipe that I tweaked just enough and it was a big hit with my family tonight. This one is definitely going in my top recipes to rotate :) I was also excited to be able to use my basil in my garden, it was starting to get a little out of control. Next time i will add even more veggies, perhaps something like bok choy or some other type of greens. some Cashews could be good too!

Ingredients:
1 pound boned, skinned chicken breast halves
1 tablespoon olive oil or grapeseed oil
1-2 tablespoon minced garlic
1-2 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
1/2 teaspoon red pepper chili flakes
2/3 cup fat-skimmed chicken broth
1 tablespoon Asian fish sauce (nuoc mam or nam pla) *You can also use soy sauce, however I suggest sticking with the fish sauce, not only is it allergen free, but cuts out a lot of sodium too!*
2 teaspoons tapioca starch *you can use cornstarch as a substitute*
3 cups lightly packed fresh basil leaves (see notes), rinsed *this might seem like a lot, but believe me it adds so much to it! if you have thai basil even better!!*
1-2 large carrots cut length wise
1/3 of a white onion
1 bell pepper cut in thin slices
Salt

Preparation
1. Rinse chicken and pat dry. Cut crosswise into 1/8-inch-thick strips 2 to 3 inches long.

2. Place a 10- to 12-inch nonstick frying pan over high heat; when hot, add oil, garlic, ginger, chili flakes, and the chicken. Stir often until chicken is no longer pink in the center (cut to test), 3 to 4 minutes.

3. Once mostly cooked, add the veggies and let cook an additional 2 minutes or so.

3. In a small bowl, mix broth, fish sauce, and tapioca or cornstarch until smooth. Add to pan and stir until sauce is boiling, about 1 minute. Add basil leaves and stir just until barely wilted, about 30 seconds. Add salt to taste (barely needed any!) and pour into a serving bowl.

Serve over steamed white jasmine rice! Will make great leftovers too...that is if you have any!

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Gumball machine fun!

The other day before we left we needed a few things at the grocery store so we ran to Krogers & then to Dee Dee's school to wish her a happy birthday. Walking in the store I saw a gumball machine that had facial hair! I thought it was funny so on the way out I decided to get one - little did I know this mustache would be entertainment for the rest of the day!













Maddox didn't want to have anything to do with it, but I was able to bribe Mason with chocolate chips ;) he wore it into Dee Dee's school and all over the school! He gave some kids & teachers so good laughs!!
Best 50 cents ever spent!


-- Post From My iPhone

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Day 2

Today we headed up to Long Beach. We went to the Aquarium of the Pacific when Mason was 15 months old & had a blast. We didn't get to last year as it was 4th of July weekend & we saw it was beyond packed. What a perfect day for it today. We got there & went to eat our lunches first on the pier. Picnic on the pier :) we even saw some seals playing in the water.
By the time we got in the aquarium most of the school kids were heading out to lunch so it died down pretty quick. What a great place. I think I love it just as much as Mason!
After, we hung around the pier for a while on a shady grassy spot & the boys just enjoyed the outside time. They love entertaining each other so we just laid back & relaxed a bit.
Came home for a short nap time before some last minute beach time followed by a yummy dinner at home :)
Whenever we're here we usually fill our time with shopping & constantly going with friends & family; but this time around it's 100% family time and taking it easy :)


Watching for seals



Love this with the faux hawk shillouette!


Seals cause squeals!


Hangin' out & enjoying the weather



Picking shells & sea glass



Mason doing what he does best- making his brother laugh!




Keeping each other busy... These 2 are becoming quick friends!


-- Post From My iPhone

Friday, May 7, 2010

Go West

We've headed west for a long weekend. I'm loving this new camera app on my iPhone. It makes your pictures vintage looking.
Maddox & me hanging out on the flight






Planes are not the greatest for photo ops





Spending a late afternoon on the beach





All mason does is dig dig dig






Our drive south to Laguna Beach. Just slightly amazing, huh?






Came across an organic pizza restaurant that carries gluten free pizza! And more excited that there is a location about 20 minutes from us at home!!!!!! Highlight of our day was watching our 3 yr old enjoy some good pizza for the first time :)






Sun starting to go down on our drive home






Enjoying some ice cream on the patio






How could you not enjoy this everyday ??





- Post From My iPhone

Location:Corona del Mar,United States