'Spoiled by Mom' weekend

Wow, this was soooo much fun I can hardly stand it! My sister and I flew to San Jose for a whirlwind weekend mini-vacation (read: we needed to get.away.from.the.children).

Upon arriving, we snacked on sushi, and were then surprised with a totally fun cooking class at Sur La Table on Thursday night. We then attended the Women of Faith conference Friday and Saturday (and then flew out Sunday early). While it was not what I would call a relaxing weekend, it was plain fun and my mom spoiled us rotten. Thank you, Mom!!!! I love you!!

Wii bowling and us posing with our Miis!

Attending Women of Faith, Day 1

All went fairly well with my return home (which by the way, I came home to the largest fort I have ever seen constructed in my living room......). And then yesterday, had a bout with a stomach flu (I guess that's what happens when you have too much fun!).

Please also visit my sister's blog for more pics!

What we've been up to since the Mister arrived home!

Can we say home improvements galore??
Lots of playing outside!
Painting!
Napping!
Tea Parties with Daddy!
And for me: an extra pair of hands to help when needed!!!!!

BB: Pasta with Sundried Tomatoes

I am WAAAAY behind in my blogging, so this is going to be short and sweet!! I made Pasta with Sundried Tomatoes for the 4th of July and had some family over to help consume it and the other delectable items we served! I am also an avid follower of Pioneer Woman, who has her own rendition of this salad which also looks great.

Cat of Delta Whiskey selected this great summer salad. Thanks, Cat! We enjoyed it!!

Please hop on over to Barefoot Bloggers and check out the other participants!!

BB: Gazpacho

Meryl of My Bit of Earth has selected Ina's Gazpacho which can be found in the Barefoot Contessa Cookbook.

I wasn't sure that a cold tomato soup was going to be up my alley, but YUMMO! This month's Barefoot Bloggers recipe is a keeper for sure. Very fresh, VERY summery, VERY tasty!!! It makes a lot, but both my husband and I agreed we will eat it for lunch and dinner until it is gone (it's that good). Thanks, Meryl, for a great pick!

Gazpacho

Copyright, 1999 The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook

Prep Time: 20 min

Level: Easy

Serves: 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

• 1 hothouse cucumber, halved and seeded, but not peeled
• 2 red bell peppers, cored and seeded
• 4 plum tomatoes
• 1 red onion
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 23 ounces tomato juice (3 cups)
• 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup good olive oil
• 1/2 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Roughly chop the cucumbers, bell peppers, tomatoes, and red onions into 1-inch cubes. Put each vegetable separately into a food processor fitted with a steel blade and pulse until it is coarsely chopped. Do not overprocess!

After each vegetable is processed, combine them in a large bowl and add the garlic, tomato juice, vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Mix well and chill before serving. The longer gazpacho sits, the more the flavors develop.

This is a sappy, gushy post...beware!

This is for my darling dearest, who has been traveling for just under 15 months out of the past 2.5 years...I love you with all my heart and can't wait to see you again (in 4 days!!!!).

BB: Curried Couscous

So let me begin this post by saying how much I d.r.e.a.d.e.d. making this dish. I don't like curry and the ingredients just about gagged me when I thought about them all together. It was almost to the point of "What would happen if I just didn't make this one?" ALAS...with furrowed brow and hellacious attitude, I forged onward, purchased all of the ingredients, and made it today (with forewarning to my friend whose house I took it to for dinner!). VERDICT: This was unbelievably awesome. And trust me, I nearly didn't try it to say I didn't like it!! I am SO glad I did.

So without further adieu, may I introduce Ellyn of Recipe Collector and Tester, who selected Ina's Curried Couscous for our first June Barefoot Bloggers selection! Aside from all three adults liking it (and taking seconds and thirds), all of the kids liked it too! Unreal! We think it was the allure of the raisins (which I used because the store I was in did not carry currents), but likely it was the fact that my dear friend referred to this dish as "Fairy Princess Food" which of course, our daughters fed into hook, line and sinker. I did halve the quantity of curry and turmeric (I was afraid, what can I say) but honestly, I was very pleased with the flavor and I can't say I would add anymore the next time I make this either. The carrots and almonds just gave it enough texture, then add to it the onion flavor (my friend's husband was allured by that part!) and this was a real winner. I used Greek yogurt because I already had some in the fridge, and although I was initially concerned that the consistency might be too much for this, my concerns were quickly allayed.

GREAT dish, I highly recommend it. Thanks, Ellyn!! You've cured my fear of curry!

Wordless Wednesday (there just plain aren't any for this)