Monday, August 16, 2010

Mango & Jicama Salad




A perfect accompaniment to grilled steak or chicken is a tangy salad.  This one, made with crunchy jicama and juicy-ripe mango fits the bill.  If you've never cooked with jicama before, try it!  It's super inexpensive and easy to use.  Think of it as a cross between a crisp apple and a crunchy potato:  Mildy sweet but loaded with textural interest! 

In this recipe, you'll find yourself with a side that's exotic, refreshing, and of course, super-simple to make.  Try my version, adapted from Bobby Flay's Jicama & Watermelon Salad, and let me know what you think!

Mango & Jicama Salad
Serves 6

Ingredients

1 large fresh orange, juiced plus 1 teaspoon zest
1 lime, juiced plus the zest
 2 tbs honey
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp salt
1 medium-sized jicama, cut into matchstick pieces
2 mangos, diced
1/2 c cilantro, roughly chopped

{Special Note: Always season to taste!} 
I run sweet with this salad, and if that doesn't come across I don't hesitate to add a teaspoon of white granulated sugar. 
Make it, taste it, and adjust accordingly!

Directions

Whisk together juices, honey, pepper and salt in a large bowl.

Add the jicama, papaya, and cilantro and toss to coat.

Let the flavors meld at least 15 minutes before serving and get ready to.... 

Enjoy!


Family Home Evening: Backpacking 101


Since Samuel and I were fresh from our first backpacking trip,
I was dying to share all the fun toys with the kids!


We simulated wilderness conditions by giving them
tools and ingredients
you'd carry with you on the trail.

That meant that before we got cooking...


We needed clean water!

The kids got a kick out of using the water purifier.

Samuel threw dirt in the pool,
which really wasn't necessary since the pool
is almost always a little gross anyways.

With Iris being sure not to lose a single drop
of precious clean water,
we could move on to the next step...


Chocolate Pudding Surprise!


Powdered milk is a little wonky to get used to,
but once you work with it a bit,
you can create some really tasty stuff.

Note:
It helps too if you've hiked your buns off
and are ready to eat just about anything!


Owen wrapped up our evening by making a batch
of warm chocolaty goodness.

He did a great job,
and a decent amount of the powder
actually made it into the pot!

...

Happy Trails!





Sunday, August 15, 2010

I'm Going There Some Day...


At least once a month we pack a small picnic
and take the whole family to the temple.

In good weather,
it's the best.

In bad,
we sit in the parking lot and cozy it up with hot chocolate.

Either way,
it's loads of fun.

And it makes me happy to know that one day,
our entire family won't just walk the grounds of the temple,
we'll all go inside the temple.

Together.

I can't wait.
























We'll be back!



Church at 1 PM: Tea Parties, Robes, & Forts



 As much as we'd LOVE to meet
at an earlier timefor church on Sunday,
meeting at 1 PM does have some benefits.

For example...




Elegant Tea Parties

Where the dress code ranges from
semi-formal to very casual!


Cozy robes!


And monstrous forts!

It is a wonder to watch and listen as your children just...

play!

And play in peace, no less.

Now that's a blessing!


Saturday, August 14, 2010

No Crafts!


This year I taught how to make a menu board
at our ward's Relief Society "Super Saturday" event. 

Needless to say,
the "simple" and "easy" portion 
escaped me and I wound up ruining my first attempt. 


Yes, I can DO crafts,
but I certainy don't have the patience for them!


Bless those who do!




Friday, August 13, 2010

Lake Clementine


My sister-in-law Rachel
coordinated a stolen day at Lake Clementine.

It's a beautiful stretch of water that is super family-friendly
and has a little bit of something for everyone!


Mr. Gabriel


Ava braving the shark!


It's a crazy inflatable toy that successfully flipped
just about everyone!

Ava's got it in the bag though!


Iris Luciana


So, so beautiful!


 Owen Joseph

He dug around the picnic basket and found
-what else?-
 chocolate!


Samuel,
trying to coax our little guy into the water.

He's not falling for it!


Owen & Meggers

Water Biologists/Recreational Enthusiasts


I borrowed the Greens scuba gear for a turn in the water.

Yes, I did finally go UNDER the water!

...


All in all,
it was a super-hot day at the lake,
not helped by the fact that we drove out of our way
to borrow my mother-in-law's shade canapy-
and then left it at home!

Luckily we spent most of our time in the water,
and when we needed a break we squeezed in with Rachel!

Isabella's not to be found in a single pic,
but she was there,
happily frolicking with Abby
to their hearts content!

Thanks for the invite, Rach!

We had a great, great time!

Love,
Us


Monday, August 9, 2010

2010 Swim Lessons: My Duck, Seal, & Marlin


Because our summer was packed with so many camping trips,
finding time for swim lessons was a trick!

We squeaked into one of the last summer sessions,
and as you can see by Iris's smile below,
the girls were happy to be back in th water again!




Iris Luciana, Duck

The cutest one in the pond, at that!



Ava Grace, Seal

Our natural born athlete. 
She takes to the water so easily,
and becomes this bronzed goddess
within minutes of being under the sun!





The Spectators

Me  & my little sis, Julia.

...

Samuel made it out a few times with the boys,
but they're at the age where all they want to do is
launch themselves into the pool at every turn,
so most often than not they stayed home!

Next year, boys.

Next year!


Isabella Rose, Marlin

She surprised us all by advancing from Seal to Marlin
only minutes into the first lesson! 
Where have you been secretly taking lessons, girl?

Way to go Bella-Boo!




The Diving Board

This was the first year Isabella & Ava
flopped off the diving board!

They did so great,
and I was happy to capture the fantastic splash
they made as they hit the water!

Samuel,
The King of the Tidal Wave, 
was proud!


Nice one, Bella!


Ava's turn!


I love her arm form!


Beautiful!


Graduation Day

These past two weeks flew by so quickly,
and this year the girls learned so much!

Everything just clicked!





Congratulations, on another great season, girls!

We can't wait to get you out on the water again!

...

Introducing...


Iris,
The Alligator

&


Ava Grace AND Isabella Rose,
The Dolphins

...

Way to go, skipping Marlin Ava!


I feel that way too!


One minute sober, quiet, watchful...


...the next:


Look-out!