Salt Tasting

I made an impulse purchase at our ginormous grocery store last week. I mean who knew that Fred Meyer would offer a salt sampler? I had to have it.

The sampler had 8 different salts, but we could only match about half to the names. There was Murray River flake salt, Fleur de sel natural sea salt, Bolivian Rose salt, Hiwa Kai sea salt & activated chargoal, Salish sea salt smoked over alderwood, and Mediterranean Artisan sea salts.

We did a salt taste test with some steaks, expertly grilled by Ross. (look at those grill marks!)

My favorite was the rose colored salt. I found that granule size was more important to me than an actual taste difference.

Beautiful days call for dinner outside!

3 years ago: Lake House Trip

2 years ago: Roma is Snake Ready

1 year ago: Minus 2!

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Hike: Ptarmigan Lakes Pt 2

Here's some more pictures from our weekend hike!

Breakfast time.

In the morning, the water was so placid and peaceful.

So beautiful watching the sun come out and the clouds burn off.

Morning family photo.

Early morning tooth brush.. Look at those sleepy eyes..

3 years ago: Lake House Trip

2 years ago: A hot day needs... ice cream!

1 year ago: Milne Point Camp

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Hike: Ptarmigan Lakes

We had planned to hike Crow Pass, but that's a pretty intense 26 mile, multi-day kind of hike (which includes crossing a frigid river, rolled up pants and all) and we were just not feeling up to the task. Ross was just coming off the crazy sheep hunt and Hunter threw out his back. Soooo, we decided to hike Ptarmigan Lakes, which is about 20 minutes outside of Seward. It's a fairly flat 3.5 mile hike to the lake where we camped. It was one of the prettiest camp sites we'd ever stayed at, located on a little jetty out into the lake- we were surrounded by water on 3 sides. Here's some pics:

At the trail head.

Hunter.

Ross, Hunter, & Kaity.

Kaity and Pup.

Do you see the spawned out salmon?

The bright red blurs.

Raspberries! We saw lots of berries. (and lots of bear scat because that's what bears eat)

Roma wanted to play fetch with a huge tree limb.

Roma didn't understand the fire making process. She kinda thought the wood looked like fetch sticks...

Tent camping with Roma is interesting for sure- she always tries to steal my sleeping bag. "Good morning mom, time to wake up!"

More hike pictures to come...

3 years ago: Salam um aleikum

2 years ago: Cajun Jambalaya

1 year ago: Dorie's Toffee Bars

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Roma turns 5!!

My little baby girl turned 5 this weekend!! We celebrated with a hike and overnight camp. I think Roma had a great time :)

Love love love my special grey one. 

Happy birthday Roma!!

3 years ago: Two Years Old

2 years ago: It's a Birthday!

1 year ago: Guess Who turns 4? 

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Goodbye Summertime

There's not going to be many more beautiful days of 60 degree weather this summer. So we gotta get outside and enjoy them while we can! We bought some lightly used patio furniture on Craig's list at the beginning of the summer and we have really enjoyed sitting outside and eating our dinner. Roma tries to entice us into throwing her toys around the backyard, but when we decline she resorts to keeping backyard security as tight as possible. Afterall, bike riders on the other side of our fence are mighty suspicious.

Here's some shots of the backyard, patio furniture, and some "just because" flowers...

3 years ago: Chef BoyarLiz

2 years ago: Greek Style Baked Shrimp

1 year ago: Orange Blueberry Muffins

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Peanut Soba with Edamame and Kale

Whipped this up for myself while Ross was a'hunting last week. Ummmm, YUM! Peanut Soba Noodles with Edamame and Kale, anyone? Yes, please.

I'll also take 3 more leftover servings :) Cold OR hot works for me.

This might also be my favorite way to eat Kale thus far. Who knew?

Recipe from Love and Lemons HERE.

Peanut Soba with Edamame and Kale

serves 4loosely adapted from the Tastespotting the blog

INGREDIENTS:
8 oz. soba noodles (or rice noodles if gluten free)
1 pound kale (5 or 6 large leaves), chopped
1 cup edamame (cooked and shelled)
3-4 scallions, chopped
1/4 cup chopped basil leaves
1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves
juice of one lime
1/4 cup crushed peanuts

sauce:
2 tablespoons peanut butter (creamy or crunchy)
1.5 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon mirin
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon minced ginger
1/2 teaspoon honey (or agave or brown rice syrup)
zest of 1 lime
1/2 teaspoon sriracha (or to taste)
1/4 to 1/2 cup water, (to thin sauce)
1 tablespoon sesame oil

METHOD:

Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook noodles.

Whisk together sauce ingredients. Set aside.

In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add chopped kale, cook for about 30 seconds (tossing it as you go – bringing wilted leaves from the bottom to the top). Add edamame and scallions. Cook, stirring, for about 30 more seconds. (you could also just blanch the vegetables…boiling water + ice water)

Pour in the dressing and noodles and toss together. (If your skillet isn’t large enough for this transfer to a large bowl).

Taste and adjust seasonings.

Stir in basil and cilantro. Squeeze lime on top and garnish with chopped peanuts.

3 years ago: Baseball and Ceiling Fans

2 years ago: P90

1 year ago: iPhone Pictures

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When Daddy's Away...

We're so glad to have Ross back after his sheep hunt! Ross may not have come home with a sheep this time, but it sounds like he and Vaughn had a pretty good time being manly men: not showering for 9 straight days, growing scruffy beards, hiking 40+ miles up and down mountains hauling 60 lb backpacks, living off freeze dried food and protein bars, counting bears, and fjording rivers. By the way, what's hand washing? :)

Ross is sporting a beard now...

In the meantime, Roma and I were hanging out. She kinda likes when dad leaves... Daddy's bedtime spot.

A couple times Roma tried to push me out of bed. She likes to sleep with her head propped up on the pillow too. My little pup that thinks she's a person...

3 years ago: Early Night

2 years ago: Natalie's Party

1 year ago: Skinny Raven Half Marathon

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Newborn Pictures: Baby Bronson

I've never done a newborn photography session... until last week, with Baby Bronson.

I tried to do some studying up on newborn photos beforehand, but nothing beats the hands on experience. A couple things I learned:
1. Pictures are so much easier when baby is sleeping!! I've gotten used to taking pictures of scenery (mountains don't move around much), so this was a unique challenge.
2. Babies like to be warm. The Honas's had a space heater set up next to Bronson to keep him comfortable, even when he was naked.
3. Have lots of props. It makes it much easier to modify based on what's working and what's not.
4. Natural sunlight is crucial. You MUST set-up for pictures somewhere that gets great lighting. Using a flash creates too many artificial shadows.

Hope you enjoy these 1 week old pictures of Bronson Honas!

What a sweet little baby boy!

3 years ago: Early Night

2 years ago: Boys will be Boys

1 year ago: Kitchen Update

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