8.25.2013

fall is for farmer's markets

In a perfect world, there would be year round farmer's markets, instead of moldy, puny strawberries on isle 3 in January. Blegh.

So we'll just live it up every Thursday and Friday night while we can!








8.14.2013

pro/con

Do you ever make pro/con lists when you have a really big decision to make? Like...where should we move to next, or when should we have another baby, or should I eat the rest of that ice cream in the freezer? 

Meh. I don't really either. Although, one time my very best friend made me (MADE me) verbalize a pro/con list for these two guys I was sorta dating, one of them being my current husband..soo I guess we know the results of that one. But generally when I have a big decision to make I just sulk and complain and call my mom. 

That was a really long way of getting to what I'm actually getting to, which isn't a big decision at all, but a pros and cons list for fall time. I'm just not ready to let go of summer! It was way too good to us. I didn't even mind the heat and consistent over 100 degree weather- bring it on. 

So this in all in attempt to help myself cope with the fact that we're going out out of one of my favorite seasons and headed towards one of the worst (winter that is). I'll just really try to enjoy the in-between...

The pros/cons of Fall:

Pros:
  • Sweater, scarves, and boots- oh my! And I'm just gonna do it this year- I'm buying Jillian and myself a pair of Hunter boots. Just gonna do it.
  • Pumpkin EVERY thing. Kneaders has a "count down to pumpkin bread" running on the board outside of their store and it's nearly torture. 
  • Leaves changing colors- it's absolutely gorgeous 'round these parts when they do!
  • Apple cider. I'm not necessarily a huge fan, but there's something about apple cider in the fall time that just makes me giddy.
  • Pumpkin patches and hay rides. Things like that are infinitely more fun once you have kids.
  • Anniversary! Our 5 year anniversary is this October and we're headed off to Florida to ditch let Jillian stay with Nana & Papa while we go off for a bit (to a destination that has yet to be decided...ideas are welcomed)
  • I don't have to turn my AC on = lower electricity bill for 3 months.
  • School supplies are everywhere. Although I'm not really ready to get back into a school/work routine, I love, love, LOVE buying new school supplies. 
  • Soup! I usually only make soups in the fall/winter season...like 3 times a week. And man oh man have I pinned some delicious soup recipes the last couple of months just-a-waitin' to be simmered on ma' stove. 
  • The farmer's market is open and we go every week!


    Well, that's more than I was expecting to come up with.

    Cons:
  • Summer is over.
  • No more snow cones
  • No more swimming
  • It get's darker earlier 
  • Means winter is coming...*shudder

    Really if I could live in a place where there were just 3 seasons- spring, summer, and fall, life would be grand. If you know of such a place, do share. I'll make a pros/cons list of why we should move there ;-)

    But that totally helped me cope a little better with summer being over...and maybe, just maybe, get a little excited for fall. _________________________

    And a few random things from this week:
 

1// Designing my business card for my new Etsy shop! More on that later.
2// Check out this book I found at the library called "Everybody has a Tushie". It's literally a book for kids about butts.
3// One of my neighbors decided to rig up a hammock on the parking structure...
4// James dislocated his shoulder playing soccer and has to wear that beauty for a couple of weeks.

8.04.2013

the family came to town

My parents and little bro spent the last two weeks with us here in poo-tah (my family's affectionate name for Utah). We had such a great time! I also love that anytime my Mom visits I revert to a teenager and she takes over "Mom" role (cooking, cleaning, laundry)..yeah..I'll milk that for as long as she still does it. Ain't ashamed.











It was so sad when they pulled out of our house this morning to head back to the airport- Jillian sat in the grass and cried, which of course made my Mom cry as she was waving and blowing her kisses from the car.

 This was one of the greatest summers- marked by Popsicle stains, sunscreen, and sidewalk chalk. I'm trying to breath in all of the last little bits of it. We'll have to squeeze in a few more pool play dates while the weather is still hot enough for it.

Now that they're gone, summer is officially over. I start work again tomorrow and I'm ALL but ready for it.

It will take me a few weeks to accept that summer is done and welcome all of the yumminess of Fall. But for now I'll just sulk about it...in the sun...with a snow cone.

8.03.2013

a day at the zoo

We had a fun day at the zoo this week when my parents were in town! Jillian loved it. 

We also caught two gorillas doin' it right behind the glass. Zoo animals sure aren't shy, are they? 

Anywho, here's a little video from that day! (Gorilla whoopie-making is excluded from said video).;-)


8.01.2013

how the houlins do pizza

I'm pretty sure pizza should have it's own separate group in the food pyramid. Then again, it does kind of hit each area, right? Grains...dairy...vegetables...meats...sometimes even fruits! All around seems like a good idea to me. 

Anyway. I never used to consider pizza a "favorite" anything really. That is, until I branched out from the usual Domino's and the like to buy and even make real, quality stuff.

Now I consider pizza a favorite. 

I love, love, LOVE these recipes I found for pizza on the grill. It is so delicious and tastes way better than anything you could buy from the freezer section or even homemade baked in the oven. 


Look at those grill marks on that crust! Yum-o! It is also pure culinary coincidence that it is shaped like a backwards Louisiana. 

I'm really loving discovering all of these new things we can use our grill for...it's panned out to be quite the investment. 

Last night's deliciousness: 

('lotta cheeses, arugula, proscuitto) 



(roasted red pepper, garlic, fresh mozzarella, basil)


The third pizza in the back is what my dad named "Man Pizza". He thought my pizzas sounded like "chic food" and wouldn't be filling. He even mocked my delicious prosciutto calling it "gay ham." Haha...But he also used pizza sauce that came in a squeeze bottle. No big picture or recipe description there. You're probably safer with $5 Little Caesars. ;-)

Now go. Grill. Eat. Be happy.