Lunch at Michelangelo's

Papa and I ate lunch at Michelangelo's Ristorante Italiano in Tucson today, as an early birthday lunch for me.  Michelangelo's has the best parmesan garlic homemade rolls I've ever had anywhere!  

One of the options on their lunch menu is to create your own pasta dish.  I created fettucine with pesto, mixed with peas, asparagus, and yellow squash, and topped with mozzarella and parmesan.  It was an outstanding creation!  Between the two of us, we licked the platter clean.

Cholla

Cholla is a genus of cacti covered in spines.  There are cholla also known as "stick cactus"
or "jumping cactus."  The different varieties of cholla have incredibly beautiful and
brightly colored blooms.  Such delicate blooms on such a prickly plant!

Chinese Peanut Slaw

This recipe is a terrific way to use leftover chicken and it's perfect for hot summer suppers.  

Chinese Peanut Slaw
1-3oz. package chicken ramen noodle soup mix
1/3 cup peanut oil
3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
1 small head of cabbage, shredded or use ready made coleslaw mix
1 cup dry roasted peanuts or sliced almonds, optional
2 cooked and shredded chicken breasts

Remove seasoning packet from noodles.  Break noodles into pieces and place in a shallow baking dish.  Bake at 400 for 5 minutes or until golden.  Set aside.

Combine seasoning packet, peanut oil, vinegar, and sugar in a small bowl.  Beat with a whisk until blended.  Combine dressing, shredded cabbage, and shredded chicken.  Sprinkle toasted ramen noodles and nuts on top.

Birthday Ideas from Blogs

Before going to Austin for Toby's birthday party, I looked at several blogs for festive ideas.  At http://www.designmom.com/2011/05/happy-birthday-baby-june/, I found the idea to make a balloon banner.  I bought four bags of different color balloons plus a roll of string.  

Toby had fun playing with the balloons while I was blowing.

Lulu, Corey, Toby, and Whitney with Toby's balloon banner

Audrey found a cute cake on a blog and posted on her blog http://www.casasheds.blogspot.com/.  Whitney made a sour cream vanilla cake.  We used raspberry jam between the layers, then frosted with a vanilla buttercream frosting.  I covered the sides in shredded coconut and sprinkled sprinkles in a circle on top.

Toby blowing out candles on his birthday cake

My philosophy is if you are going to have a party, make it nice!  

These ideas were very inexpensive, festive, and pretty. 

Blogs are an incredible resource for ideas.

Corral Repairs

Papa has been making repairs to our corral over the past two weeks, in anticipation of our ranch branding on June 25.  Our corral is over 100 years old and not in the best of shape.  Making repairs to the corral is like "putting lipstick on a pig."

Agave Blooming

Over the past three weeks, many agave on the ranch have started blooming.  There are six blue agave blooming on the ridge just to the east of our house.  We've hiked over a couple of times, just to get up close, seeing hummingbirds both times.  The blue agave blooms are deep orange red and their blossoms are bright yellow.  They are beautiful!

Toby's 2nd Birthday Weekend

I am spending a few days in Austin, Texas, to celebrate Toby's 2nd birthday.  What fun we're having!  Toby loves his new swimming pool in the backyard.  He and his friend, Dylan blew bubbles, opened gifts, and played at his party.  Loved every moment, including the "friend" hug at the end of the party.

Family

The family - that dear octopus from whose tentacles we never quite escape, nor, in our inmost hearts, ever quite wish to. ~Dodie Smith 

What greater thing is there for human souls than to feel that they are joined for life - to be with each other in silent unspeakable memories. ~George Eliot

The family is one of nature's masterpieces. ~George Santayana, The Life of Reason

National Register of Historic Places Sign

The Schilling Ranch Historic District, aka "Rock House, Bunkhouse, barns, and corrals" on our ranch, were placed on the National Historic Register in August 2009.  Papa and I recently bought and installed a National Register sign at the gate.

Summertime

I love summertime!  The days are warm and long.  We can wear lighter clothes and we can do all sorts of things we can't do in wintertime.  I have been sorting and scanning old photos from the girls preschool years.  We lived in Dallas then.  We went on a beach vacation every summer and we went on field trips every day of summer.  The field trip could be in the back yard or at the zoo or a park.  We were busy!  These photos share some favorite memories from those summers.

Audrey Riding her Bike for the first time Without Training Wheels!

 Playing on the Beach

 Swimming

 Climbing Trees

 Playing in our Playhouse in the Backyard

 Enjoying Local Parks

Going Fishing