Vacation to Colorado: Day 2

Our little house at Dean & Mona's. Our "little house" was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the depression for tourists and rangers at Mesa Verde. As the story goes, after tourists required "fancier" accomodations at Mesa Verde, the park service sold off all the little houses for $0.50 to $1 to the people in the area. Legend goes that this was a ranger unit because instead of having two bedrooms, it has a living room, small kitchenette, bathroom and bedroom. It was perfect for us!
We visited Spruce House at Mesa Verde.

Our hostess, Mona, with the kids.

Pretending they are grinding corn.

Another cliff dwelling in Mesa Verde.

A gorgeous view.

More cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde.

"Back at the Ranch" hunting for toads. (Notice Hannah's fashion look of white leggings with white shorts.)

Hannah with a toad we never thought she'd touch!

Self portrait with my camera. I know my "pre-teen" daughter sitting on my lap and thinking it is cool is a fleeting thing and I am enjoying every moment.

Maple Apple Tarlets

Our friends in Cortez, CO gave me the recipe for the Apple Maple Tarlets. So yummy and so easy.

Start with Puff Pastry (I used my Silpat brought back from France by my sister instead of parchment paper).

Add sliced apple pieces, a bit of cinnamon sugar and butter.
Bake and add some Maple Syrup (thank you to Matthew & Mindy for the birthday gift!).

Delicious and beautiful. I brought 6 to work for a MDA bake sale fundraiser at work. They were gone within 30 minutes. Hmmm...must have looked homemade. :)

Colorado Vacation: Day 1

The kids and I took a road trip to Cortez, CO the week before they went to school. We visited real dinosaur tracks in NE Arizona.
Aren't they cool?

Simon thinking his Mom is crazy. I know...it will get worse.

We visited the Navajo Museum in Tuba City.

They had a special exhibit about the Code Talkers that Hannah enjoyed since she studied them last year in school. Simon liked the guns.

We also visited Monument Valley National Monument in Utah & Arizona.

We finally reached our destination in time for dinner after a long day of driving. Thankfully, Dean & Mona had Legos, lots of Legos to entertain the kids.

First Day of School

I can't believe summer is over! The kids were happy to go back to school yesterday so that is a GOOD thing!
Plus, they both survived the day well.

Tomatoes & Children

After visiting Micheal Chiarello's restaurant, Bottega, I started reading one of Diane's many cookbooks. One of the recipes I saw that looked good was the Oven Dried Tomatoes from Michael Chiarello's cookbook. I had 3 tomatoes & a toaster oven.
I mixed up the Herbes de Napa in my mortar & pestle.

Slathered it over my tomatoes with salt, pepper and garlic.

And baked until done. The toaster oven worked great!

Hannah had decade day at her summer camp program. She was able to borrow a dress from her friend (who is a lot shorter than she is!) and worked the leggings with the dress.

Totally reminded me of the 1970's.

Is it me or is she suddenly growing up faster than normal??