Anyone find a diamond?

On Monday night we went out as a family looking for some Fall/Halloween decorations.  We went to Lowe's and bought some mums for the porch.  Then we headed to Big Lots, but didn't find anything.  Our last stop was Macey's grocery store for some pumpkins.  Hattie was almost asleep, so I decided to stay in the car while Brendan and Hazel went in.  As I was waiting in the car I went to turn the radio station and saw that my diamond was missing.  I gasped out loud.  I grabbed Hattie and went in the store to get Brendan.  We backtracked the stores we went to and looked around in the car, but couldn't find it anywhere.  Luckily we had an insurance policy just on my ring.  I called the insurance company the next morning and filed a claim.  I'm now just waiting for them to get back with me.  They have my ring appraisal on file and they send the info to a local jeweler who says how much a diamond of the same value or more is.  I can either get one at that jeweler or get a check to go somewhere else, so I will luckily be able to get a replacement. 

Tomatoes and.....other food

We've seriously had so many tomatoes this year, so I've been using them a lot in my recipes.  I made this delicious spaghetti sauce from Smitten Kitchen and loved it.  She gives you a few variations, so I pulsed my vegetables in the food processor and I simmered my sauce for 2 hours for my desired thickness.  I then used it to make a vegetable lasagna.  

I also made some creamy tomato soup the other day that I really enjoyed.  It was from my Bon Appetit magazine for October.  It called for canned tomatoes, but I used fresh.  Brendan put more seasonings in than the recipe called for like garlic salt.  It was really good, and I didn't get a picture of it, but here is the recipe.

I combined two different recipes to get this salsa, and I really liked it.  Go easy on the jalepenos at first and add more depending on how much spice you like.  I used some mild jalepenos from my garden on my first batch and then gave the recipe to my brother to make some.  The jalepenos he used were from the store and he doubled the recipe, so he put in three.  We'll just say it was fire hot.  We could barely eat it.   

Salsa

2 lbs fresh tomatoes cut into quarters

2 cloves of garlic

1 1/2 jalepenos (start out with 1 and add more after tasting)

1 bunch of cilantro

1/4 c onion

2 limes squeezed

1 tsp salt

1 tsp cumin

I put the first 5 ingredients in the food processor, but leave about 1/3 of the tomatoes out, and pulse about 15 times.  Just get it to your desired consistency and then pour it into a bowl.  Then take the rest of the tomatoes and put them in the food processor and process them less, so they are a little bit chunky.  Add those to the bowl also.  Then strain some the liquid out so it's now so runny.   Add the lime juice, salt, and cumin.  Enjoy.   

Belgium waffles are so good, but I wouldn't say they are a breakfast food with all of the sugar they contain.  Bruges Waffles in Salt Lake is really good, and Waffle Love is a great local food truck.  Yum!   I found a recipe that tastes just like them, but they do require a lot of time to make with all of the rising.  My favorite topping is for sure the biscoff spread in either creamy or crunchy.  You can order it online and it is pretty pricey, but I finally found it at Winco of all places for a great deal.  We eat it by the jar full here.  You can use it on anything you would put nutella on.  It kind of tastes like liquid teddy grahams.  The recipe also calls for pearl sugar which I bought at a specialty store in Salt Lake, but then I read you could also crush up sugar cubes to the same size.  We've used both and they turned out very similar.

I found this watermelon lemonade recipe from Rockstar Diaries (I found her blog a few months ago from a friend and LOVE it.  She has great style.)  It tastes great!  I think Hazel will definitely have to sell it at her lemonade stand next summer!

I tried this pizza dough recipe for the first time a few months ago and loved it!  I got it from my Bon Appetit magazine.  It is a no knead dough and the crust turns out chewy with air bubbles.  For toppings I used caramelized onions, goat cheese, mozzarella, thyme, pine nuts, and olive oil.  Give it a try!

The Piano Guys

Last night Brendan and I went and saw The Piano Guys in concert at the Red Butte Gardens.  PBS was actually filming the concert to be shown on TV in December.  I had never been to Red Butte before, and it is such a great venue.  You can bring in your own food and everything.  It was a pretty long concert because they had to redo some songs and pause a lot because they had to make sure it was just right for TV.  We had a good spot on the side, and then right before they started they told everyone to scoot in, so we got a great spot right in the middle in the front.  We will for sure be on TV too!  In one of their songs they had a surprise orchestra spread out throughout the audience and a group of nine girls playing the violin stood up behind us and the spotlight and camera were on us.  It was super cool!  We had a great time together, and hopefully we will attend some more concerts here next summer.

We got home pretty late, and Breeze, Hazel, and Hattie were all asleep together on the bed.  It was cute.  I even took a picture and they didn't wake up.  I thought about posting it, but didn't think Breeze would approve.  Thanks Breeze!

This is the song where the secret orchestra started playing throughout the audience.  They were all kids from the American Heritage Lyceum Philharmonic (youth orchestra).  Here is their youtube video of it.  This was definitely my favorite part of the concert.   

Alex Boye performed the Coldplay Paradise song African style with them

I love this video they do of One Direction with 5 guys and one piano.  You should seriously watch all of their videos on their youtube channel.  They do a really great job.

Happy Birthday Breeze

My sister Breeze just recently moved to Provo and is going to BYU.  September 14th was her 18th birthday.  We celebrated by taking her out to dinner, and Bruce made her a delicious chocolate cake.

Labor Day Week

On Labor Day we decided to take the sailboat out with the kids.  We really just wanted to try out the little motor that my dad gave us.  In the past we have had to paddle out of the marina which takes forever!  It was so nice to have the little motor, but as soon as we got out of the marina Hazel was freaking out.  She doesn't like any wind at all, so we headed back in and let the kids swim.

Hattie kept falling over in her lifejacket.  She was on her back and looked like a bug that couldn't flip over while kicking her hands and feet.  Hazel had to help her up.

 A few days after Labor Day, Brendan and I were back at the lake for some more fun.  We had 2 wave runner rentals that we had to use before the end of the week.  Everyone was working during the week, so we got a babysitter and went with just the two of us.  It was a fun little date, and we had the whole lake to ourselves!

California Day 8 / San Francisco

As difficult as they may be somedays, Hazel and Hattie can be so cute!

Our last day in San Francisco we went out to eat with Brendan's cousin Casey.  He took us to a great place that had breakfast and lunch.  It was very tasty!

Casey was entertaining Hazel by drawing princesses.

After lunch I had to visit Miette.  We picked up some french macaroons and cupcakes.  

The store was eye candy.  So cute!

California Day 7 / Stinson Beach & Oakland

Day 7 was also a bit rough for us.  Daniil suggested that we all go to Stinson Beach, which was a great idea, but with kids everything can turn into a disaster.  The drive was very beautiful, but a little crammed for me in the back with 2 car seats on each side (a larger car would be nice.)  We got to the beach and unloaded the kids, but it was an overcast day and a little windy, so it was cold.  We weren't exactly prepared for the beach with a blanket, chairs, or towels, so Brendan grabbed some pool towels from the hotel. When we got their and laid them them out it looked like we had three small hand towels.  We weren't there very long and of course Hattie is just eating the sand and rolling around in it, and it was kind of hard to control.  A few minutes later Hazel wet her pants.  We hadn't eaten since breakfast and we didn't pack a lunch, so we are all a little hungry.  I really had no where to sit (not that I could anyway because I was chasing Hattie) and I was feeling really stressed, when Daniil asks, "Have you ever considered hiring help? You know, like a nanny?" I kind of wanted to laugh because this is just how life is with kids (and yes Daniil I know you're probably reading this), but Daniil was also just wanting me to be able to relax.  We left shortly after to go find a place to eat.  After eating, we headed back to the city.  On our way we decided to stop and see the Oakland Temple grounds.  Brendan and I had not been there since our wedding 5 years ago, so it was nice to go and walk around.  

California Day 6 / San Francisco

I had been wanting to go to Tartine for quite a while and last year when we were in San Francisco we weren't able to go.  I've read about Chad Robertson and his wife and their bread making and pastries in lots of magazines.  Unfortunately, it wasn't the greatest experience, but not because of the food.  When we got into town, we went and picked up our friend, Daniil, and then went to Tartine for lunch.  We had our double stroller, and the place was packed with not much room, so we had to fold up the stroller.  Then we were standing in line and the kids started going crazy.  Hazel was throwing an out of control fit about something and all of the hipsters around us were staring.  I had to take her outside, but she would't calm down.  Brendan had to come outside and try to work with her.  I found a two seater table and was saving it while Brendan and Daniil were ordering.  Brendan came back with 2 pastries a quiche and an open faced sandwich.  I guess these were premade and the other sandwiches were a half hour wait, which we couldn't do with the kids.  Brendan and I had to trade off eating and going outside with the kids.  The kids put me in a terrible mood, and I was still hungry after eating.  What we did eat though, was good.

Tartine was actually just down the road from Bi-Rite Creamery which we had been to before and loved.  It was also down the road from Mission Dolores Park, where they opened up a new kids playground at the beginning of the year.  We decided to let the kids get some energy out, so we walked down to the park.  It was the COOLEST kid's park I've ever been to.  The toys were so cool and modern, and it had such a beautiful view of the city.  The girls definitely enjoyed themselves.

Later we checked into our hotel and met up with Brendan's uncle Pete.  In the evening we went to dinner with Pete, Daniil, and Andre in Marin County.  We also enjoyed some delicious gelato from Ciao Bella.  I have their gelato cookbook, which I love, but I hadn't eaten at their gelataria.

California Day 5 / Family Pictures Preview

While we were in California, I had my good friend Erica take some family pictures of us.  We went to downtown Sacramento to William Land Park where they had some beautiful gardens.  It was good to catch up with Erica, and I can't wait to see the rest of our photos!

California Day 4 / Snowie Fun

On Sunday after Blake spoke in church, we all went to my Aunt Brenda's house for an extended family luncheon.  Later we came back to Mom and Dad's house for some delicious shaved ice.  Bill and Merrill bought a Snowie machine and made this cute little stand.  They picked out some great flavors, and of course we had to top them with a shot of cream.

Dont mind that hose in the corner.  This was the only shady spot for a quick group picture.  Hazel was sleeping and wouldn't wake up, so Brendan put the zombie in the front.  We're just missing two brother in laws.