I also made a few modifications to the carnitas recipe. I will make those changes to the recipe I posted yesterday some time soon.
Showing posts with label Kohlton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kohlton. Show all posts
Monday, September 14, 2015
Celebrating Ethan's and Kohlton's Birthdays
Last night we celebrated Ethan's 22nd and Kohlton's 19th birthdays. It was a fun party. We made good food, spruced up the yard with our outdoor party decorations and invited fun people to our party. Everyone bought more food and/or drinks to share. It was casual, silly and wonderful. I was visiting and relaxing a bit, so I did not get many photos. Most of the ones I took did not turn out; Larr took the good photos. Thanks goodness for him.
I also made a few modifications to the carnitas recipe. I will make those changes to the recipe I posted yesterday some time soon.
I also made a few modifications to the carnitas recipe. I will make those changes to the recipe I posted yesterday some time soon.
Saturday, October 25, 2014
My Favorite Story from Yesterday + Horseradish-Crusted Roast Beef Recipe
Last night as I lay in bed, I had the window open listening to the sound of the leaves dropping from the tree. It almost sounded like rain. There we so many of them. I lay there, content, thinking about my favorite story from the day. It is the story of our dog, Remmie, playing in the leaves.
Ellie and Kohlton spent part of the evening racking up the leaves. Remmie did not like the racks, but LOVES the leaves. Kohlton, Remmie and the rack played Scary Monster for a short bit and then Kohlton went back to racking. Remmie ran rounds in the yard happily.
The kids played with the leaves, too. Kohlton gave Ellie a leaf bucket challenge. She came out wearing a crown of leaves. It was very cute.
Remmie was sure that the pile of leaves was for his benefit and he was thrilled.
They kids wanted in the action, too. Remmie thought that was even better!
Remmie was feeling a bit wild, so they got up and then Ellie decided that it might be fun to bury Kohlton in the leaves so that Remmie could find him, sort of a game of hide and seek. Remmie was perplexed, at first. How could the leaves suddenly smell like Kohlton? Remmie might have been thinking. Then Kohlton made a slight noise and Remmie knew for sure what he must do. Kohlton is such a good sport and he loves Remmie so.
The feeling is mutual, as you can see here.
(As I write this story, I find that it sounds a bit flat. I think the fun I felt was from watching the dog have such a wonderful time, letting himself become fully enveloped in that joy. The dog often reminds me that I need to be more willing to surrender myself to simply joys and be less distracted by other things. This is a lesson that I seem to need to learn over and over again.)
We also had a lovely dinner and great conversation about the day at AVS. I cherish nights like these. We had a Horseradish-Crusted Roast Beef, brussel sprouts sauteed in butter with garlic and parmesan cheese, as well as biscuts for dinner. I thought you might enjoy the recipe for the roast beef.
I also included a fun joyous dog video for your viewing pleasure.
-----------
Horseradish-Crusted Roast Beef
via: Food and Wine
One 6-pound sirloin tip roast, preferably grass-fed, tied
1/2 cup prepared horseradish
2 tablespoons kosher salt
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
1 tablespoon coarsely ground black pepper
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon sherry vinegar (I did not have sherry vinegar, so I used rice vinegar. It worked nicely)
Preheat the oven to 375°. Set a rack in a large, deep roasting pan and place the beef roast on the rack.
In a small bowl, blend the horseradish with the salt, Dijon mustard, chopped parsley, ground pepper, sugar and sherry vinegar to form a paste. Slather the paste all over the top and sides of the meat. Roast in the lower third of the oven for about 2 hours, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center of the roast registers 125°. Transfer the roast to a cutting board and let rest for at least 20 minutes.
Discard the string and thinly slice the roast beef across the grain. Transfer the meat to a platter and serve.
Speaking of happy dogs, here is one of Kohlton's favorite videos of all time:
Ellie and Kohlton spent part of the evening racking up the leaves. Remmie did not like the racks, but LOVES the leaves. Kohlton, Remmie and the rack played Scary Monster for a short bit and then Kohlton went back to racking. Remmie ran rounds in the yard happily.
Remmie was sure that the pile of leaves was for his benefit and he was thrilled.
(As I write this story, I find that it sounds a bit flat. I think the fun I felt was from watching the dog have such a wonderful time, letting himself become fully enveloped in that joy. The dog often reminds me that I need to be more willing to surrender myself to simply joys and be less distracted by other things. This is a lesson that I seem to need to learn over and over again.)
We also had a lovely dinner and great conversation about the day at AVS. I cherish nights like these. We had a Horseradish-Crusted Roast Beef, brussel sprouts sauteed in butter with garlic and parmesan cheese, as well as biscuts for dinner. I thought you might enjoy the recipe for the roast beef.
I also included a fun joyous dog video for your viewing pleasure.
-----------
Horseradish-Crusted Roast Beef
via: Food and Wine
One 6-pound sirloin tip roast, preferably grass-fed, tied
1/2 cup prepared horseradish
2 tablespoons kosher salt
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
1 tablespoon coarsely ground black pepper
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon sherry vinegar (I did not have sherry vinegar, so I used rice vinegar. It worked nicely)
Preheat the oven to 375°. Set a rack in a large, deep roasting pan and place the beef roast on the rack.
In a small bowl, blend the horseradish with the salt, Dijon mustard, chopped parsley, ground pepper, sugar and sherry vinegar to form a paste. Slather the paste all over the top and sides of the meat. Roast in the lower third of the oven for about 2 hours, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center of the roast registers 125°. Transfer the roast to a cutting board and let rest for at least 20 minutes.
Discard the string and thinly slice the roast beef across the grain. Transfer the meat to a platter and serve.
Speaking of happy dogs, here is one of Kohlton's favorite videos of all time:
Monday, February 24, 2014
Ellie and Kohlton - Wacky Quiz Results, Reddux + "Life is not a Marathon" (an inspirational video)
About 2 years ago, right around Ellie's 15th birthday, I spent an afternoon with Ellie and Kohlton asking silly interview questions. You can see those answers here. This evening those two thought it might be fun to have another go at those same questions:
Fill in the blank -
1. If I hadn't become E= (Kohlty’s girlfriend, K= a partner in a business) I might (E= not be awesome, K= be happy in my job.)
2. If I hadn't (E = gone to the animal shelter that day K = the trade show ), I might never have met (E= Remmie K= Willie Robertson (from Duck Commander & Duck Dynasty ).
3. My ability to (E= understanding people K= Sales ) is one of my greatest skills.
4. If asked, my family would say my greatest accomplishment is (E= being the best worker ever on the Jeffco Open Space Trail Stewardship crew, K= finishing my first mountain bike race).
5. I am sorry that I will never see (E= Grandma Eleanor & Reisha (our previous dog) K= Greta (his dog who has died ) again.
6. Going to (E = North Carolina, K= AVS ) taught me that (E= sunscreen does not work very well in the ocean, K= respecting other people’s values and opinions is very important).
Two by Two -
1. 2 everyday things you couldn't live without:
E= Kohlton’s hugs & my dog, Remmie
K= Ellie & my knife
2. 2 favorite songs:
E= “Wake Me Up” by Avicii, “THISKIDSNOTALRIGHT” by AWOLNation,
K= “The Storm I Ride” by Between Two Worlds, “Wake Me Up” by Avicii
3. 2 things I want to do before I die:
E= Visit Fiji & Drive a Lambroghini G at 200 miles per hour
K= Become full owner of BMK & Complete a Century (100 mile) mountain bike ride
4. 2 things I worry about:
E= Money & The Revolution
K= The future of BMK & The Revolution
5. 2 stores I shop at:
E= Cabela’s & Marshal’s
K= Feeder Frenzy Reptiles & Cabela’s
6. 2 things that scare you:
E= Of what sadness will do to me & buried alive
K= Spiders & Flying
7. 2 snack you could enjoy every day:
E= Smoothies & nacho Cheese Doritos
K= Ice Cream (Blue Bell Rocky Mountain Road) & Jamba Juice
8. 2 people I'd be lost without (excepting your family):
E= Kohlty
K= Ellie & Mayo (his best friend)
9. 2 nicknames I've been given:
E= Bug & Baboon
K= Kohlt & KiTTen
10. 2 places I want to go on vacation:
E= Madagascar & Panama
K= Nepal & Ireland
It's a Kid's World -
1. If I could have one superpower it would be
E= Flying
K= Telekinesis
2. What chore did you do last?
E= dishes
K= dishes
3. What was the last movie you saw in a theater?
E =“Hunger Games: Catching Fire”
K= “Hunger Games: Catching Fire”
4. What did you eat for lunch?
E= Crackers, Turkey and Apples
K= Crackers, Turkey and Apples
5. What is the nicest thing you've done lately for someone in your family?
E= I gave my mother an early Easter present that was wrapped beautifully
K= Helped my dad clean out the safe
6. What makes you mad?
E= Lies
K= my phone going off in rapid succession
7. What makes you happy?
E= Running (besides Kohlton, duh)
K= Bartering & getting more than I paid for (besides Ellie)
8. What do you like to drink?
E= Orange Juice
K= Cranberry, Orange Juice and milk
9. Websites you visit.
E = Pinterest & Tumblr
K = Davidson’s & You Tube
10. What would you like to learn to do?
E = to ride a lion
K= Skateboarding
E= draw people
K= to ride 100 miles
The Best and Worst -
1. The age in your life you have enjoyed the most so far:
E= 16
K= 17
2. The age that you've hated the most so far:
E= 14 or 15
K= 14 or 15
3. The best day of the week:
E= Saturday
K= Sunday
4. The best bands:
E = Volbeat & Led Zepplin
K = Volbeat & Iron Maiden
5. The worst day of the week:
E= Thursday
K= Friday
6. The worst thing you've done:
E= be mean to people that I love, specifically Kohlton
K= lie about stuff to Ellie
7. The color that looks best on you:
E= Olive Drab Green
K= White
8. The color that looks the worst on you:
E= Pastel Orange
K= Yellow
9. Your favorite movie of all time:
E= “The Breakfast Club” or “Up” or “Slappy and the Stinkers”
K= “V for Vendetta”
10. The worst movie of all time:
E= “Spring Breakers”
K= “Sea Biscuit””
Here's a video that Larr found that is worth watching:
Fill in the blank -
1. If I hadn't become E= (Kohlty’s girlfriend, K= a partner in a business) I might (E= not be awesome, K= be happy in my job.)
2. If I hadn't (E = gone to the animal shelter that day K = the trade show ), I might never have met (E= Remmie K= Willie Robertson (from Duck Commander & Duck Dynasty ).
3. My ability to (E= understanding people K= Sales ) is one of my greatest skills.
4. If asked, my family would say my greatest accomplishment is (E= being the best worker ever on the Jeffco Open Space Trail Stewardship crew, K= finishing my first mountain bike race).
5. I am sorry that I will never see (E= Grandma Eleanor & Reisha (our previous dog) K= Greta (his dog who has died ) again.
6. Going to (E = North Carolina, K= AVS ) taught me that (E= sunscreen does not work very well in the ocean, K= respecting other people’s values and opinions is very important).
Two by Two -
1. 2 everyday things you couldn't live without:
E= Kohlton’s hugs & my dog, Remmie
K= Ellie & my knife
2. 2 favorite songs:
E= “Wake Me Up” by Avicii, “THISKIDSNOTALRIGHT” by AWOLNation,
K= “The Storm I Ride” by Between Two Worlds, “Wake Me Up” by Avicii
3. 2 things I want to do before I die:
E= Visit Fiji & Drive a Lambroghini G at 200 miles per hour
K= Become full owner of BMK & Complete a Century (100 mile) mountain bike ride
4. 2 things I worry about:
E= Money & The Revolution
K= The future of BMK & The Revolution
5. 2 stores I shop at:
E= Cabela’s & Marshal’s
K= Feeder Frenzy Reptiles & Cabela’s
6. 2 things that scare you:
E= Of what sadness will do to me & buried alive
K= Spiders & Flying
7. 2 snack you could enjoy every day:
E= Smoothies & nacho Cheese Doritos
K= Ice Cream (Blue Bell Rocky Mountain Road) & Jamba Juice
8. 2 people I'd be lost without (excepting your family):
E= Kohlty
K= Ellie & Mayo (his best friend)
9. 2 nicknames I've been given:
E= Bug & Baboon
K= Kohlt & KiTTen
10. 2 places I want to go on vacation:
E= Madagascar & Panama
K= Nepal & Ireland
It's a Kid's World -
1. If I could have one superpower it would be
E= Flying
K= Telekinesis
2. What chore did you do last?
E= dishes
K= dishes
3. What was the last movie you saw in a theater?
E =“Hunger Games: Catching Fire”
K= “Hunger Games: Catching Fire”
4. What did you eat for lunch?
E= Crackers, Turkey and Apples
K= Crackers, Turkey and Apples
5. What is the nicest thing you've done lately for someone in your family?
E= I gave my mother an early Easter present that was wrapped beautifully
K= Helped my dad clean out the safe
6. What makes you mad?
E= Lies
K= my phone going off in rapid succession
7. What makes you happy?
E= Running (besides Kohlton, duh)
K= Bartering & getting more than I paid for (besides Ellie)
8. What do you like to drink?
E= Orange Juice
K= Cranberry, Orange Juice and milk
9. Websites you visit.
E = Pinterest & Tumblr
K = Davidson’s & You Tube
10. What would you like to learn to do?
E = to ride a lion
K= Skateboarding
E= draw people
K= to ride 100 miles
The Best and Worst -
1. The age in your life you have enjoyed the most so far:
E= 16
K= 17
2. The age that you've hated the most so far:
E= 14 or 15
K= 14 or 15
3. The best day of the week:
E= Saturday
K= Sunday
4. The best bands:
E = Volbeat & Led Zepplin
K = Volbeat & Iron Maiden
5. The worst day of the week:
E= Thursday
K= Friday
6. The worst thing you've done:
E= be mean to people that I love, specifically Kohlton
K= lie about stuff to Ellie
7. The color that looks best on you:
E= Olive Drab Green
K= White
8. The color that looks the worst on you:
E= Pastel Orange
K= Yellow
9. Your favorite movie of all time:
E= “The Breakfast Club” or “Up” or “Slappy and the Stinkers”
K= “V for Vendetta”
10. The worst movie of all time:
E= “Spring Breakers”
K= “Sea Biscuit””
Here's a video that Larr found that is worth watching:
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Celebrating Kohlton's 17th Birthday + Denver Cheesecake Recipe
Kohlton turned 17 last Sunday. If you follow my blog you already got to see the extra special and amazing present Ellie made for him. Here's what they did to actually celebrate his birthday:
They went to the Zoppw' Italian Family Circus and LOVED IT!
Grandma Gay hosted a picnic style dinner at her house. Ellie made cheesecake from scratch for the first time. It was excellent. (I have included the recipe below. It is best made at least one day ahead of time so that the flavors can blend.)
And when you are at Grandma gay's house, you have to check out the costumes. It is always a fun time!
Then we went down to the city park for a fireworks display. The band that was playing was excellent!
Then back home for a little more cheesecake and the trick candles that keep relighting themselves.
Now, I think we would think that was a bang-up birthday, but we are not done, yet.
The next day his mom hosted a family party where he received some pretty funny presents.
Mark, Kohlton's dad, gave him some nice presents and then he gifted him a box of bacon and cheddar flavored crickets. Kohlton was having no part of it. They were going to become a curio on his shelf until Mark and Ellie decided to try them. They declared that they taste like popcorn, but you end up with legs caught inbetween your teeth. Yucky and haha.
Ellie made tiny one-bite cheesecakes with phillo cups. Some were topped with dark chocolate, almonds and pearl colored dragees. Others sported homemade salted caramel, or blueberries. Some were left plain, simple and delicious!
Now, how will she ever top that!? Surely Kohlton feels very loved.
--------
Denver Cheesecake
via: Creme de la Colorado Cookbook by the Junior League of Denver
(an old, trusted and loved volume of reliable, awesome recipes.)
Crust:
12 oz. box Vanilla Wafers, crushed (place them in a large ziplock baggie and use a rolling pin to crush them)
6 TBL Butter, melted
Filling:
40 oz. Cream Cheese, softened
1 3/4 cups Sugar
3 TBL Flour
1 tea. Lemon Peel, freshly grated
1 tea. Vanilla Extract
6 Eggs
3/4 cup Heavy Cream
In a small bowl, mix together the crushed wafers and the butter. Press into the bowl bottom and partially up the sides of a 10" springform pan. Chill while preparing the filing.
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese. Add all the rest of the ingredients except eggs and cream. Mix until it is well blended and creamy. Add one egg at a time, beating well after each. Blend in the cream. Pour in crust. Use a 10" springfoam pan. Bake at 500 for 10 minutes. Then turn down temperature bake 225 for 70 -80 minutes. (You are looking for the filing to be almost set) Cool at room temperature. It is best to refrigerate it for at least 8 hours before serving to allow the flavors to blend and meld.
And when you are at Grandma gay's house, you have to check out the costumes. It is always a fun time!
The next day his mom hosted a family party where he received some pretty funny presents.
Now, how will she ever top that!? Surely Kohlton feels very loved.
--------
Denver Cheesecake
via: Creme de la Colorado Cookbook by the Junior League of Denver
(an old, trusted and loved volume of reliable, awesome recipes.)
Crust:
12 oz. box Vanilla Wafers, crushed (place them in a large ziplock baggie and use a rolling pin to crush them)
6 TBL Butter, melted
Filling:
40 oz. Cream Cheese, softened
1 3/4 cups Sugar
3 TBL Flour
1 tea. Lemon Peel, freshly grated
1 tea. Vanilla Extract
6 Eggs
3/4 cup Heavy Cream
In a small bowl, mix together the crushed wafers and the butter. Press into the bowl bottom and partially up the sides of a 10" springform pan. Chill while preparing the filing.
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese. Add all the rest of the ingredients except eggs and cream. Mix until it is well blended and creamy. Add one egg at a time, beating well after each. Blend in the cream. Pour in crust. Use a 10" springfoam pan. Bake at 500 for 10 minutes. Then turn down temperature bake 225 for 70 -80 minutes. (You are looking for the filing to be almost set) Cool at room temperature. It is best to refrigerate it for at least 8 hours before serving to allow the flavors to blend and meld.
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Young Love is So Romantic - Ellie Celebrates Kohlton's 17th Birthday
Kohlton turns 17 this weekend and Ellie wanted to make sure that Kohlton felt celebrated and special. And my, did she do a great job. School starts on Monday for them, so they spent today celebrating. It started out with a nice breakfast, then a mountain bike ride at Bear Creek Lake Park, home and then to the circus. She also made a super special birthday present.
She spent many, many hours of joy creating this special momento box.Ellie started out with a plain wooden box and a wood burning tool from the craft store. She decorated the outside of the box. It smelled nice all afternoon.Then she went through and printed photos, made copies of tickets from events they attended, momentos from the events and organized them into dated envelopes.
For example, in March the kids attended the Volbeat concert. The bass guitarist gave Ellie his pic. Ellie make a copy of it and attached that with a grommet and colored thread to the photo.
Wonderful things like this remind me that there is love, magic and hope in the world. :)
After a quick dinner the kids also went to the Zoppe' Family Circus. I am excited to hear what it was like. They are in town for a few more days and I may need to go as well.
-----------
On a completely different note, here's what the kids are watching and enjoying:
She spent many, many hours of joy creating this special momento box.Ellie started out with a plain wooden box and a wood burning tool from the craft store. She decorated the outside of the box. It smelled nice all afternoon.Then she went through and printed photos, made copies of tickets from events they attended, momentos from the events and organized them into dated envelopes.
After a quick dinner the kids also went to the Zoppe' Family Circus. I am excited to hear what it was like. They are in town for a few more days and I may need to go as well.
-----------
On a completely different note, here's what the kids are watching and enjoying:
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