Delicious Summer Salad

I Love Avocados.

When I was pregnant with my daughter I used to eat an Avocado and Tomato Salad DAILY.

Yes, I did say Daily.

I enjoyed it so much that I figured out how to make it and made it myself (and it is Healthy).

Avocado and Tomato Salad

3 Large Avocados

1 Container Grape Tomatoes

1 Red Onion

2 limes

Olive oil

Salt

Cut the Avocados so the pieces are like cubes. Cut the tomatoes in halves and dice about a 1/4 of the onion (I use less since I am not an onion person). When I put the avocado in the bowl I squeeze lime juice on it to prevent from turning brown. I add a little EVOO (I just had to type that) and salt to taste. (I think the onions at the restaurant I used to get the salad from actually cut the onions on a mandolin they were so thin and then diced them.) OH, now I just remembered what was missing - CELERY! THAT IS WHAT GAVE IT CRUNCH! I will have to get me some celery tomorrow and add it in.

Enjoy!

I had it this evening with my roasted chicken from Costco. Yummy!

Family Lake Time

Look at those dads enjoying themselves

Okay, I know I am a week late but now I will post about Father's Day.

We had a lovely time up at the Lake, where my in-laws have a beautiful home.

Even though someone who shall remain nameless did some damage to the new boat and there was no waterskiing to be had, there was a great time had by all.

Everyone got in on the action.

Grandpa getting in on the action with the kiddies

Look at the talent of my niece

There he goes, right in!

So funny, I decided to relax myself on the new tube, raft, water trampoline (see we can all improvise when needed). I knew that at some point I too would end up in the lake.

I removed my sunglasses, flip flops and watch - sure enough my darling husband decided to FLIP the raft over with me and whoever else was on there with me at the time. And you know what? My boy was in on it! He threw his momma in the LAKE! I will get him!

In any case, we had an amazing day and lots of fun!

Project Completion

Ok, so I have been on a self imposed hiatus. Not on purpose just exhausted and too lazy to sit down and do my postings. Believe me I have lots to say and I will try to limit my posts to help me catch up.

A few weeks, scratch that, months ago I found this awesome frame on clearance at Home Goods.

The frame was originally pink with chocolate brown polka dots.

I spray painted it white and then stamped on a zebra pattern.

The frame actually has a little mirror, it is not a picture frame.

The mirror is now in and I will find a place to hang it tomorrow in her room.

Have a great night, and I will be posting more soon...

Happy Anniversary

Ten years ago, my husband and I stood before our family and friends and pledged our love to one another.

The Cantor who married us, spoke of Beshert, meaning that two people who were meant for one another.

She really understood us and we had our video guy keep all of what she said in our ceremony in the video because it meant so much to us.

Since then we have had highs and lows, I will not lie.

We had two FABULOUS children.

Shared dreams, trips and laughter with each other.

We have even had some bad things happen, illness and death.

But

The good times out-weigh the bad - and make us stronger.

Here's to 10 more years!

Love you very much my dear.

Zizette

Stuck in a Rut

I am dying to be creative.

However, I am stuck

in a rut.

I have ideas in my head

and then won't come out.

Is it my motivation?

Is it laziness?

Not laziness to do the project

but to clean up the stuff that goes with it?

I have a spare room that is used as a playroom

computer room

catch all room.

Maybe, I need to claim some of that as my space?

The kids don't play there,

well with the Wii they do.

I think it's time for a major clean out.

Thursday is Bulk pick up day this week.

You can leave ANYTHING on your curb

and the town will pick it up 3rd Thursday of the month.

My parents cleaned out their basement

asked me to get my stuff out.

That means breaking down Maya's crib.

Sad.

I need to shake it up a bit.

Clean up, Clean out.

I think I will make a

guest room/crafting room.

The kids can play in the basement

that's not finished

for now.

But not today, I have camp.

Time to set up my space.

Total Disappointment

Has someone mentioned to you a place and immediately you think of what you enjoy from that place?

Then thought about it all day?

How good it would be?

And then when you go to the place and order what you want it SUCKS?

Well today we had a professional development day

and that meant an hour lunch

and that meant being able to go out for.

Someone mentioned a diner.

Now in my neck of the woods, diners are everything and serve great Tuna Melts (to me at least).

It was terrible!!!!

So disappointing!

It was fishy and yucky and so disappointing!

I should have stuck to the Chicken/Avocado Club or BLT.

So I had the next best Diner thing, French Fries.

Sorry for the vent but I really wanted a good Tuna Melt - I guess I will have to make one myself over the weekend.

Creme Brulee - My favorite

A few years back a dear friend, Simone, introduced me to this fabulous recipe for Creme Brulee French Toast. It is my favorite and now for special occasions I make it.

Today I made it for a baby shower at work tomorrow.

Creme Brulee French Toast

1 Stick of unsalted butter

1 cup packed brown sugar

2 Tablespoons Corn syrup

1 8 or 9 inch round country loaf (I use Challah bread)

5 large eggs

1 1/2 cups half and half

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon Grand Marnier

1/4 teaspoon salt

In a small saucepan melt butter with brown sugar and corn syrup over moderate heat until smooth, pour into a 13 x 9 baking dish. Cut six slices of bread 1 inch thick and lay together in baking dish squeezing them slightly.

In a bowl wisk together eggs, half and half, vanilla, grand marnier (optional) and salt until combined and pour over bread. Chill bread mixture at least 8 hours up to 24.

Preheat oven to 350 and bring bread to room temperature.

Bake bread mixture, uncovered, in middle of oven until puffed and edges are pale golden - 35-40 minutes.

Serve hot french toast immediately.

Enjoy!

Happy Weekend

My husband's family has a Lake House.

The house from the lake

We love to spend our weekends there, especially during the summer.

We do lots of this

New boat with tubing gear to go

and this

That is MY boy skiing

and just general hanging out with the family.

Maya, Zach, Jack (my nephews), Sam and Alexis (my niece)

We really have lots of fun. It's been a long time since we have all been up there at the same time because two years ago my mother in law was diagnosed with ALL (a serious type of Leukemia that mostly children get). She went through Chemo and then a Stem Cell transplant in September of 2008. I am very happy to say that she is doing fantastic!

She is allowed to be around us, have us sleep over and be around her. It was very nice to spend this past weekend all together (7 grandchildren there to enjoy her and she enjoy them - not to mention her children and their spouses).

We cooked, ate, played, talked and watched movies. It was so very nice.

This is also when we cooked the shrimp and clams.

Oh and one more thing, over the weekend my sister in law made, I guess it is called Roasted Kale. Hello, fabulous!

Roasted Kale

One head of Kale, cut of the ribs (white part)

Olive oil (preferably in a Misto but not required)

Salt

Pepper

Cut the ribs off the kale and then cut kale into smaller pieces (larger than bit size, maybe the size of your inner palm). Spread onto a cookie sheet covered with Aluminum foil. Spray with olive oil and then salt and pepper. Roast (bake in a 375 oven) for 10-15 minutes. Enjoy!

I was thinking about this today and thought that the Kale when roasted would be a perfect garnish around a platter of roasted vegetables (asparagus, zucchini, Portabello mushrooms, etc). Sorry I got caught up in food again.

In any case, the weekend was fabulous and we had a great time. I hope you all did too.