Botanic Garden: Chicago 2013

Perhaps the most beautiful gardens in North America?
(At least of those we've seen).

I give you the Chicago Botanic garden. At least one year we lived in Skokie we had a membership to the Botanic. It was worth every penny. I remember meeting moms there with little children, taking grandparents who came to see new grandbabies, and enjoying every minute there. (When we moved to P.R. I think we let our membership lapse because of the distance).

We went on Monday morning. It was threatening rain, but fairly cool. We had less than 2 hours, but we did it. So much we didn't see--here's a snapshot of what we did:

This walkway is the most beautiful place in the garden to me. The symmetry, line, texture, shape--it's perfect design.

From the other side

Think one of my girls took this one

I wish the internet could let you smell this--so fragrant

"Take one of the pink lilies, Mom!"

In the fruit & vegetable section

For us, the Botanic Garden experience includes the train garden. We were trying to re-create a photo from long ago here:

In time to see Mt. Saint Helens erupt

Just a few days ago, the big boy was little. Now a new little boy at the train garden.

A large army keeps the botanic garden looking awesome. I appreciate their work!
I wish I had a really great camera and a whole day--I could spend it here.

Returning to Chicago

Was very emotional for me . . . .
I went back once a few years ago alone for a special occasion, but this was the first time we traveled there as a family.
To me--Chicago represents a period of rapid growth in our lives.
We went as 3 and left as 6. That little fact alone represents a lot.
We went with no student loan debt, and left with loads.
We went with bachelor's degrees and came out with a career.
We went knowing no one, and left with friends who are like family.

The last 2 years we were there, Nathan's brother, his wife, and family moved there for a 2 year graduate school program. It was so nice to share that time with them.

So, Chicago will always have our hearts. As a girl, I wanted to live in Boston. Instead, the Lord gave me Chicago, and I'm glad he did.

My next few posts will detail a portion of our adventures this summer, 2013.

I loved going back and think we will for many years to come.

Temple groundbreaking announced

August 24, 2013 at 10 am.
Invited guests only. Broadcast to stake centers for all the stakes involved.

In other news, my home stake, Casper, WY, will be moving from the Billings, MT temple to Fort Collins.
So excited to see long time friends there!

1000 miles with my kids

We returned from an 8 day trip on Saturday night.
Nathan had an oral board exam in Chicago. For months, I went back and forth about whether or not the kids and I would join him. My mom was not up for grandchildren watching this time around . . . she would have but the timing wasn't right.
So Nathan flew and the rest of us drove the next day.
I didn't like telling anyone (except friends from Chicago who do this drive annually by themselves) because I got all kinds of negative feedback:
"You are doing what?"
"With all your kids and not other driver?"
"You should really take someone else with you."

I was going to order AAA, but then I realized my auto insurance had a similar program, but even better b/c you only pay for it if you use it. Armed with that phone number, I knew we could do it.

Not sure who took this photo, my guess is Bryn . . . . note how calm and relaxed I look

My kids rose to the occasion. They entertained Eddie, helped me with navigation, $ for the toll roads, distributing food for lunch. They were super helpful.
I was very happy to see Nathan when we met up, and I let him drive a lot after that, but it was a big success for me to do something so far out of my comfort zone.

YEAH for long road trips!!!!

I have lots more to say about going back to Chicago and 198 photos . . . . but that will wait for another day.

Pesto, pasta, peas

Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto

This was very, very good. Fresh, light, and awesome. Try it.
I am not a fan of canned Sun-dried tomatoes, but when I saw a bag of dried tomatoes, I thought, "That's right up my alley."
[This link is the exact brand I bought, but I did not buy on Amazon  . . . wonder if that's a better price?]
(I don't like the extra stuff that's added to the canned variety).

At 5:00pm when I still didn't have a dinner plan, this is what I decided to make.

Changes:
I soaked my 3.5 oz bag of tomatoes in 2 cups hot water for about 7 min.
The recipe seems to have left out the amount of nuts--I used about 1/3 C of pine nuts.
Omitted garlic.
Used green onions instead of sweet. Green onions are my fave.

3 of my children liked it . . . I think they were the only 3 that tried it.

Served with sugar snap peas.
So good.

Big "D"

We've got the best dads around.

Bryn wanted to make a treat, so she and Diana baked Oatmeal Raisin Cookies together. They made a giant cookie shaped like the letter, "D." They estimated it was the equivalent of 8 regular cookies.

Other than that, we had a nice quiet day at home. It was stake conference today, so we had even more time than usual together.

Happy Father's day!

Our kitchen tonight

Had this for dinner.
I loved it and my husband, who did most of the work, said, "We could have this again."
Which means: "Let's have this again!"
I think this would be OK with rotisserie chicken as they mention, but tonight it was perfection b/c of the homemade grilled chicken we had it with.
My favorite part of grilled chicken is the outer surface--browned & a little bit drier. This time the chef sliced each chicken breasts in two pieces lengthwise--

This is not my photo . . .found it on google images

To make more surface area for the grill. Best way ever.
Fresh basil is an important addition--adds to the freshness & depth of flavor.

The under 12 crowd for the most part did not appreciate the red pepper sauce or basil, but it's easy to make theirs without. And the red pepper sauce is the reason I wanted to try it. It did not disappoint. It was so good I think you would not miss the cheese if you left it out.

A certain 11 year old saw that someone was discarding her fresh basil, however, and asked if she could have it. So there is hope.

Today was our neighborhood garage sale. We didn't make a ton of $$$, but enough. My neighbor was selling a copy of this:

After I told her I loved it, she gave it to me. Can't wait to try some of these, the first up on my list is Spinach and Feta Frittata. If you are a young mom wondering how on earth you are ever going to feed your family, this is a fantastic resource. Highly recommend.

Tomorrow we are going to try this.
Some night soon . . . . this, but we will have it with spinach, because it's better.