Hamilton Pool

Last Friday when Robin and Lindsay were in town, ISSB, Robin and I went out to Hamilton Pool Nature Preserve. We have been wanting to go out and see this beauty since moving here. And we finally made it....and it was totally awesome.

If only the bacteria levels were lower so we could put our tootsies in!

After the day at the pool we went out to the Saltlick and had a wonderful TX BBQ experience!

Nice walking path all the way around.

Gorgeous tree growths as we walked down to the pool.

2009: 2 minutes faster

I finished the Cap 10K for the second year in a row!

18,000 people and me...

Thai in five easy steps

I got my Fine Cooking in the mail the other day and I am working on trying some new recipes. This one was too enticing, it said “Make it tonight” so I did. And, it was awesome, made enough for two dinners and two lunches (had one today) and the aroma of this dish alone is worth the addition of “fish sauce” to my cooking repertoire.

Note, I did do a couple little things different than the mag, I didn't have shallots or dried chili flakes. So I made due with yellow onion and red pepper and garlic chili paste. Also, I used olive oil not vegetable oil.

1. Heat in pan until onions are translucent little olive oil, garlic, onion (crescents), and red pepper and garlic chili paste.
2. Add chicken evenly diced and cook until not pink.
3. Add 1 Tbs fish sauce, juice from one lime, 2 tsp brown sugar and ¼ cup water. Let simmer and stir often until liquid thickens.
4. Turn off heat and toss in as much basil as you can (or like), then stir it in to wilt it.
5. Serve over jasmine rice.

And the final presentation on my clay coyote dishes: Tonight, I am going Italian with lasagna roll-ups.

Carne Guisada Slowcooker

Last weekend with a little searching around the internet and $10 put together this recipe. Carne Guisada in my slowcooker.

Thankfully when I was tossing it all together I remembered to write it down. Lookin' good, tasted AMAZING!!

Mix together a marinade of:
3 cloves garlic
table spoon salt
¼ c olive oil
¼ cup vinegar
splash kitchen bouquet
1 tsp cumin
2 tsp chili
1 tsp paprika
1 jalapeno diced
Add cubed beef shoulder and let rest for about an hour in the fridge.

Put everything in to the slow cooker on low and come back four hours later.

Serve with chopped cilantro, onion and fresh lime. We put it in to tortillas and had Mexican rice and black beans on the side.
Let me know if you give it a try!

ISSB & Me: Maiden Voyage

And then there were two...ISSB got his bike this weekend and today we went on our first ride together. They are ready to go:
We went down to Town Lake Park to ride the path. It was very busy on this beautiful day!


Last week I tested out my new commuter bike coffee mug. It was a failure. So back it went to Mellow Johnny's. I guess I will have to keep looking. Currently I have my eye on one like this, but with fun colors.
Overall, we made is 6 miles in 42 minutes through the hills of downtown Austin.

Why are you not blogging that much?

Because we are planning an wedding celebration and small ceremony!

Here are our two beautiful settings:

Minnesota for the BIG celebration on the "farm."
And vows on a Cape Cod beach.

So much to do, so forgive my lack of posting. I am going to be better. I promise. :)

Happy Sarge Day 3!!!

Today is our three year anniversary of bringing home Sarge. He is still the boss around here and always keeps things interesting.

Here I am bringing him home from the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria VA.
Scratches!
The men bonding.
Hugs!
And a recent one when he was peacefully resting.
And many more........

Soy-Braised Kabocha and Lemon Wasabi Tuna

Back in the fall I attempted to turn this into...


This: First, you give your self a MAJOR upper arm workout. This baby is not easy to cut. If you are working as a team, give this job to someone else.

Get the freshest of the fresh for the best flavor. None of that pre-cut ginger for us! (In a beautiful Mel Jacobson bowl.)
Saute in a nice castiron pan. Be careful not to burn it.
Add the soy mixture and the Kabocha to the pan. Simmer and try not to eat it all before dinner.
We served it with a tuna steak grilled and topped with store bought Lemon Wasabi sauce (really, I am nly willing to be "risky" with one dish per meal.)
Grilled tuna. The final product. I think it looks mighty close! Note the great colors and the complementary Clay Coyote Pottery (glaze 17) Enjoy!

Philly with my mom

Mom and I went on our annual trip to Philly for the Buyers Market of American Craft. We were placing orders for the Clay Coyote Gallery in Hutchinson, MN. It is one of the best times of the year.

Here is our view from the Lowes.
At night on Valentine's Day.
The city welcomed us!
This is the convention center where it all takes place.
My good friend Anne came down from NYC to be Mom and my Valentine!!!! We had a great Thai dinner in Chinatown and got to catch up. It was fantastic.
More soon!

Twins!

Over Christmas break I got the amazing pleasure of getting to meet my friend Mary Jo's twins. Here are two photos from their second day in the world. I am holding little Ben and Mom has Maddie. They are adorable!!!

Too throws a soup bowl

Amazing, they are going all high-tech up there in Minnesota!

More pictures with Auntie M and Uncle ISSB

More fun photos of the little guy over Christmas, can't get enough of him, he is way too cute.


Just got great news that there is a San Fran trip in my near future so we get to meet Little Lucy too! I love being Auntie M!!!

Winter wonderland

Sarge is wearing a tee from Michelle (in the Gallery) that says "Rudolph ain't got nothing on me" to stay warm.

Christmas with Phoenix (and the rest of the family)

I had the most amazing holiday...and all because I finally got to meet my favorite nephew (my only, but who's counting). Over the next few days (as I learn to use iPhoto) I will post more pictures from the holiday home with Phoenix.

Here with my brother, I think they look a lot alike.

And here he is admiring my handy work on his train stocking.