Learning.

We are all learning to be a little more patient. 

Even though I am not the best artist in the world, (who is?!) I've learned I should draw more.

I love it.

  

Taking more pictures, but also learning to be in the moment is something I need to practice.

Forget thorns in roses. We've learned there are white spiders waiting to scare you in even the most beautiful roses.

MerDock has not learned how to fight back.
The night after this photo he got his little butt beaten up again resulting in a rather horrible face abscess. Poor guy.

I've learned the butter cups turn into spike balls after they lose their petals.

 

Jared learned how to make a bow out of a tree branch and string. 

I had to learn not to shoot the arrow (our one and only) across the property into the yard waste pile,

because chances are, you'll never see it again.

I've learned that bee-fly hybrids exist? 

 

I've learned some people see Jesus in their toast, but I see ninja turtles in shaving cream.

Also, too much cilantro is too much cilantro

even if you plan on making jars and jars of salsa...

I've learned I need to be outside more.

I've learned most people dismiss miracles for mere coincidences, and that is very hard to take in.

I've learned sometimes Jared has more faith in the little things than I do.

I've learned I make good salsa, but I want to make GREAT salsa, so I need practice.

We learned how to make vegetarian egg rolls!

'Til next time!

Biscuits, Gravy and Morels

We were feeling a bit lazy so please forgive the "pop-can" biscuits, but we made home made gravy 

so I feel it made up for it. So here they are! Wild morels with biscuits and gravy!

Easy Noodles!

 Growing up we ate A LOT of ramen. I mean A LOT, but it is one of the few things that was not ruined due to over-doing it as a kid. However if you put a whole wheat peanut butter sandwich with and a handful of pretzels on a plate in front of me I would up and leave. Eating that for lunch everyday for 2 years can do that do a person. Anyways, I can still eat ramen, and I really enjoy it, as simple as it is! I blame this on the fact that I discovered the BEST way to cook it a couple years ago but incase someone out there had never done this before I figured I should let 'em know!

First off I'd like to get the idea out of your head that ramen = soup.

I don't like ramen in soup form and I don't know many people that do!

Think NOODLES!

I put a few handfuls of veggies/toppings into about 3 cups of boiling water,

whatever you would like really! Mushrooms, peanuts, chicken, shrimp, leeks, peppers, whatever!

And cook everything until it's done.

Next add the ramen noodles and the flavor pack.

Stir about every 3 minutes. Leave the lid off.

Cook on medium until there isn't any water left in the pan.

Ta-Da!

Noodles!

A couple little helpful tips:

You can't add too much water.

If you boil the water out and the noodles are not done yet,

 add half a cup and wait till the water boils out again.

Also be sure to cook your meats FIRST,

before adding them to the water/veggies.

Date #11 Work Out Partners and #14 Gyros

 Today, Jared did yoga and paliates with me. 

Isn't working out next to someone really awkward!?

I made funny puffy faces doing arm exercises and breathed heavy when doing crunches.

Thank goodness I got Date # 11 completed! 

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Work out together.

It's finally crossed off my list! 

We also finished:

Date # 14. Look up a favorite restaurant's menu and copy one of their entrees!

http://www.kafeneo.net/images/KN_PDF/KN_Edmonds_Marysville_ldt_Menu.pdf

^     ^     ^

Have you never been to a Kafe' Neo? There are only a couple but you should check em out!

We.

made.

GYROS!

Inspired by Cafe Neo's Vegetarian Gyro.

We added:

Lettuce

Feta Cheese

Onion

Tomato

Yellow Bell Peppers

and Tzatziki Sauce with Cucumber and Vinegar

How to make Tzatziki sauce:

1 Cup sour cream

1 Cup plain yogart

3 TBSP of Oil

1 TBSP Vinager

Salt and Pepper

Half a chopped cucumber

Ta-da!

I could not find any proper gyro wraps so I supposed gordita shells would do.

So tasty! I will definitely be making these again!

Only 11 Dates to go!

Birdsview's Best Pasta

What you will need:

• 1 Tablespoon of garlic.
• Half a stick of butter
• About 25 sticks of asparagus
• Half a cup chopped onion
• 1-2 Cups of sliced mushrooms
  
• 1 Cup of sour cream
• A Medium handful of pasta noodles
• 1/3 Of a package of tofu chopped into cubes
•  A dash or two of salt and pepper
• 2 Tablespoons oil
• As much grated Parmesan as your heart desires!

The Tofu Part:

• Cut a stick of butter/margarine in half and place it into a small microwavable bowl with the garlic.
• Nuke it until the butter melts.
• Soak the chopped tofu in the butter/garlic mixture. Sprinkle an itee-bitee amount of salt in the bowl.
• Make sure to coat all the tofu cubes then set aside.

The Asparagus Part:

• Bend the bottom ends of your asparagus spears and they will snap at their natural breaking point.
• Toss the bottoms. (They are very dry)
• Cut the asparagus into inch long strips.
• Boil asparagus in 1 inch of boiling water with a dash of salt for 3-5 minutes.
• Immediately rinse and strain to prevent over cooking then set aside.

The Mushroom + Tofu + Onion / Pasta Part:

Do these steps at the same time.

We used some of our home grown oyster mushrooms. Mmmmm!

• In a large skillet on medium heat, empty the bowl of your soaking tofu garlic mix plus your sliced mushrooms and chopped onion.
• Leave the lid off. 
• Cook until the pasta is "al dente" with a tablespoon or so of oil to prevent the noodles sticking together and add a dash of salt.

Cook both at the same time.

• Once the pasta is done, drain and set aside. Check your pan of mushrooms. If you think they are all done (which they should be within a couple minutes of the noodles) turn off the pan and throw in the asparagus to reheat.
• <------ Like the picture to the left.

Put the sour cream

+

As much parmesan as you see fit

+

A dash of salt and pepper

+

Pasta noodles

=

Awesomeness. 

Mix the awesomeness. 

You know you want too!

Put all ingredients together. 

TA-DA! 

The best pasta ever!

Hope you enjoy.

Nomnomnom....