Garden Fresh Tomato and Serrano Salsa

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I think I bit off more than I can chew when I planted two Serrano plants, now I am choking on chili’s. If you live near me, please come by and grab a few or 10. Salsa and guac are the obvious way to use some of them up and I just happened to have 2 perfect heirloom tomatoes ready to be picked.

I used 4 chilis in this salsa and holy toledo it is spicy. But that’s the way, uh huh uh huh, I like it, uh huh uh huh…did you just sing that?

Tomato and Serrano Salsa

2 medium, ripe tomatoes

3-5 resh serrano chiles to taste

A large handful of cilantro, chopped

1 garlic clove, finely diced

1 small white onion, finely diced

1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lime juice

Salt or garlic salt, about 3/4 teaspoon

Core and dice tomatoes and put into a small bowl.

Cut the chiles in half lengthwise ( I would advise wearing gloves if you have small children you will be handling soon after) and scrape out the seeds (if you are a wuss) Chop the chiles as finely as you can, then add them to the tomatoes.

Add the chopped cilantro, diced garlic and diced onion. Taste and season with lime juice and salt. Cover and refrigerate  for an hour or two.


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Chicken Shawarma + Greek Salad + Sriracha

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If you combine these three things you will have yourself a very tasty and healthy meal, no need to thank me.

My neighbor brought over some fresh cucumbers from his garden and I had just picked a few tomatoes from mine. Add those to the feta cheese and Kalamata olives I had left over from the Greek dip I made a few days ago, and I was on the way to having myself a Greek salad. I marinated some boneless, skinless chicken thighs in a mixture of greek yogurt, lemon juice and Shawarma seasoning.(<– I got mine at a Middle Eastern market). After a few hours I tossed it on the grill and then chopped it up.

I topped the Greek salad with the chicken, drizzled with Tzatziki and gave  it a few good squirts of Sriracha. Then I devoured it in front of my daughter who wanted to eat all of my feta cheese…who does she think she is?

Homemade Teething Biscuit

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This is what has been going on at our house the past few weeks.

Yep, teething. Kaili has been cutting two top molars for weeks now and they aren’t in any hurry. I have heard some moms say that teeth can take months to break through, I really hope this wont be the case for us. For the most part teething hasn’t really given us to much of a problem. You wouldn’t know it was even happening during the day if she didn’t have her whole hand in her mouth and drool pooling all over the place. Nighttime is a little different. It wakes her once in awhile, but the Advil helps a lot.

I remembered seeing this on Pinterest a while back. I decided to give it a try and must say I was impressed. I followed the directions exact, cooked it in the microwave for 80 seconds and voila, a teething biscuit.

Kaili gnawed on that thing for a good 15 minutes. Once she was over it, I put it in the fridge until I saw her hand go into her mouth, then I gave it to her again. Such a great idea, easy to make and much cheaper than buying a box of those Earth Organic teething biscuits.

get it girl

Greek Dip for the Block Party

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We had our block party Saturday and it was such a fun time. A lot of our neighbors showed up, we had tons of great food and live music from my next door neighbors band.

I made these chocolate chip cookies. They were very good and the recipe makes a ton, so now I have a lot of frozen cookie dough for the future. I also made a greek dip. The original recipe had it as a 7 layer greek dip but to make things easier on myself I combined all the ingredients beside the hummus and tzatziki before hand .The flavors got to hang out and be merry for a few hours and then I just tossed it on top, it was delish. I doubled the recipe and served with pita bread.

Kaili had a fun time mingling with new people, feeding the dogs pita bread and dancing to the music. She also met a little friend from our street who played with her, oh and she took some solo steps. The time is coming soon and we will have ourselves a walker.

The only shot I got of her in these cute glasses. She’s quick like cat.
playing with her new friend

grill time
music time

I don’t think we were ready for the picture

Over all the block party was a success. I met a bunch of great people and one potential baby sitter.

 

Colored Ice + Water {Sensory Play}

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Kaili loves playing in the water and I wanted to start incorporating colors but I am hesitant with using food coloring. The best part of water play for a toddler is pouring it all over the place.  It goes back to philosopher Jean Piaget’s Sensorimotor stage, toddlers learn by doing and these experiences help them understand cause and effect.

I will never forget years ago when I was teaching in OC. I made colored Gak using food coloring. The kids loved it but it turned their hands pink. No biggy right? I mean it will come off in the bath or at least in a day or two…Well one of my girls father was not happy to say the least. That was the last time I did that, I still haven’t recovered. So that is why I am hesitant with putting food coloring in any sensory activity.

Along with not wanting to turn my daughters skin different colors I also don’t want to ruin clothes, or our backyard flagstone. I decided instead of colored water, how about using colored ice cubes? I did use food coloring but I felt more comfortable with it in this form, call me crazy.

This is a perfect summer sensory activity. It will help keep the kids cool and it’s a learning experience. I still didn’t want do this activity in our backyard so I took it to the front yard and let her play in the water while we were having our block party.

In reality, Kaili is getting her top molars and thought the ice  would feel good on her teeth. I struggled with keeping the ice cubes out of her mouth and then decided this was not a great activity to do while a child is teething. We will try it again in a few months.

date, corn and goat cheese salad

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I finally did it. I’ve been dreaming about it, waiting for the right time and I finally did it. It was awesome!

I made this salad.  I found the recipe on one of the blogs I follow and I have been thinking about it ever since. The flavors are so perfect together, a little of everything, sweet, crunchy, bitter and just plain delicious.

I am going to have it again for dinner and maybe again for lunch tomorrow.

Ingredients 

*serves 2

1 tsp oil (like grapeseed or olive)

1 cup frozen corn

8 cups greens of choice

1Tbsp olive oil

1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

salt & pepper

4 dates, sliced thinly

2 oz goat cheese

2 Tbsp toasted walnuts

Heat oil in small pan.

Add corn and saute for about 3-5 minutes, until golden brown.

Set aside.

Toss lettuce with olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper.

Divide onto two plates.

Top greens with dates, goat cheese, walnuts, corn and turkey or chicken if desired.

Red White and 14 Months

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Kaili Bear is 14 months.

Loves: Singing songs ~ Barney ~  pasta, any way you prepare it ~ her beauty sleep ~ animals and her Senna cat ~

She now has 12 teeth and her blonde hair is getting lighter with each summer day. My baby is growing into a pretty darn cute little lady.

Happy 14 months!

Weekly {4th of July} Faves

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This time last year we took a trip to Paso Robles for some wine tasting, that was Kaili’s first road trip. We ended the trip on the 4th of July and I remember being so concerned that the fireworks were going to wake her up.

This year we are having a block party and I have so many fun ideas floating around. Here are some of my favorites…will I do any of them? Your guess is as good as mine.

Favorite Picture

I wish I had the talent to take this picture

Favorite Recipes

Wouldn’t you just love someone to make this for you for breakfast on the 4th? How festive!

4th of July Breakfast

Toast with cream cheese, jam, blueberries and bananas.

I am so in love with this cake. It’s a little too time consuming for me these days, but please don’t hesitate to make it and share.

4th of July Cake

the coolest flag cake

 

 Favorite DIY

Now this is something I can see doing. I am a pro at tracing and cutting things out, I have had years of practice.

 Stars and Stripes Banner

DIY banner using paint swatches

I want to be invited to this party, you know it would be a happening shindig.

Vintage Soda Pop Banner & Tub 

How very retro

Favorite Destination to see fireworks

Warm weather, ocean breeze. Who wouldn’t want to take in the firework show from a Hawaiian island?

Maui 4th of July Fireworks

Fireworks cruise

Toddler Water Painting

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There is no shortage of creative activities activities to do with children. Almost anything can be turned into a learning experience.

I picked up some paintbrushes for Kaili at the dollar store for water painting. Kids love it and it mess free.

I put out a bucket of water a paintbrush and some sidewalk chalk.

Then I sat back and watched Kaili take it in and create.

It was hours of fun. Ok not hours, minutes but when you are home alone all day with a child, minutes can seem like hours.

Kaili + Senna

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My first baby Senna has been by my side for 15 years now. She has always been a skittish feline and I thought she would make herself scarce once baby K arrived. Turns out I was wrong, she has mellowed out now that Kaili is here. With each day Kaili gets a little braver, now she tries to give her hugs and kisses. I am impressed with the  way Senna tolerates the love abuse.

“Nice kitty, soft kitty”

pet the kitty
don’t leave me!
Trying to give Senna a kiss, Senna split.
I hear de plane
Ay Kitty!!
my beautiful babe

yay!
“De plane, de plane” or ” Praise the Lord” whatever road you want to take.

P.S  To my friends and family that have had to put down their long time companions, I am truly sorry. I don’t know the loss you feel, but I can imagine how hard it is.