WAR HORSE!

Last week we got an invite to the theatre for a special presentation and t.v. promo spot for War Horse.  I have no idea how we got invited, but was counting us lucky as we have wanted to see this play for over a year (the closest it was to us before the move was Seattle and that was just a little too far to drive).  Anyway, we knew it was coming to ABQ as of last summer, and planned on going... but alas the tix were crazy prices and it wasn't in the cards.  So, I jumped at the chance to get us up early and drive downtown for this presentation to meet the star - Joey - see the t.v. show filming process, and the participate in the Q&A with the puppeteers.  SO COOL!  The magic of theatre... when Joey walked into the lobby, it was just as if he were a real horse!   Manned by 3 puppeteers (also actors) they had the horse mannerisms and sounds down to tea.  The horse is made of an aluminum frame, tyvek (mane and tail) , weighs about 125 pounds, and can actually hold a rider.  Outside, they set up a meet and greet with Joey (the War Horse) and a real horse from a therapy riding facility.  Very interesting to witness the live horse's reaction to Joey - took her a while, but she eventually warmed up.

Well, as you can imagine, the kids (and me) were pretty excited and obviously only more excited to see the performance after this up close and personal encounter.  Beg - beg-beg... grovel -grovel - grovel... "we'll give up our allowance for 3 months"... You guessed it - we are heading to opening night in a bit:)  Thank God for Visa.  It'll be worth it - there is nothing better than reading great literature (War Horse by Michael Morpurgo), watching a movie adaptation (Spielberg), and then seeing a live theatre interpretation of a heart-warming story.  

Cook Fest!

What I did most of the weekend was cook to fill my freezer and prep for the next busy month!  I feel like I got so much accomplished;)  I've never actually devoted an entire weekend to cooking, but it really is a great idea for busy moms!  I only pre-made a few meals, but I cooked and prepped chicken breasts, ground some beef, and shredded cheese so it is easier to pull out and use.  Here's what I made:  quiche x2, cinnamon rolls x 3, pumpkin bread x2, ground beef x2, chicken x1, noodle casserole x1, meatloaf x1, and berry butter (for french toast).  I am attempting to make some yogurt in my crockpot (2nd attempt as yesterday's didn't work).... I'll let you know, 'cause if it works it'll be pretty cool!  Off to enjoy the fruits of my labor... hmmm where to start?!  

*** The yogurt worked!  I am so excited!!  Just like regular old Greek yogurt from the store, but I made it:)  

Mom and Daughter Day

E- and  I had the house to ourselves today as the boys were away at scout camp.  She had some studying to do (the AP test is just 2 weeks away) and I wanted to pre-cook some stuff to stock my freezer (I'll post on that later).  Anyway, we both decided to stop by 4:00 (afterall we deserved some time to relax) to enjoy a healthy dinner of spinach artichoke dip and chips (something we love and the boys hate).  And a quick easy dessert that I needed to make after working out to the Pioneer Woman this morning!  We indulged while watching Saving Mr. Banks which is a super sweet movie and I recommend watching with a box of kleenex by your side:)

Here's the Dessert (and recipe):

Easy Apple Puff Pastry - 

1 puff pastry dough (unthaw and slice lengthwise so you have 2)

4 apples (thinly sliced - no need to peel)

1 c. brown sugar

Juice of 1/2 lemon

powdered sugar to sprinkle top

*Slice apples, place in bowl, cover with lemon juice and brown sugar and a dash or 2 of salt (though I think this is a weird step and probably fine to leave out).  Stir to coat.  Let sit for about 5 minutes.  Lay apples on to pastry.  Bake at 415 degrees for about 20 minutes. The pastry will puff around the apples - so you don't even have to do anything to it!  Sprinkle with powdered sugar.  Slice and enjoy!  Or.....

Serve with some vanilla ice cream sprinkled with cinnamon/sugar and a little whipped cream!  Mmmm!

Well, after we finished the movie and ate all our goodies, the boys came home!  Crazy weather forced their trip to end early.  Right before they arrived, this is what our backyard looked like - 

Awesome right?!  We could see the entire rainbow!  BTW, there is actually a mountain behind the rainbow, but the wind is so wild you can't even see it.  And the colors could be better - but we'll blame the camera!  Still beautiful:)

Happy 13th!

M- is officially 13 after celebrating his birthday yesterday!  I can't believe we have 2 teenagers!  I think he had a good day with minimal school work, a field hockey game at p.e., some nerf play at the park,  beef burritos, mega ice cream cookie sandwiches, and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" movie night.   Ah Birthdays - always fun:)  

Got Duct Tape?

 

M- in action at the park

Mmmm- beef/bean burritos

Whovians

13 and cool in his TKD jacket

The rest of the story...

As per the previous post, you know we spent our much needed Spring Break at my parents home in Tennessee.  They have made the decision to begin downsizing their nearly 5000 sq. ft. home.  Our week was spent fixing, cleaning, packing, labeling for garage sale, driving loads to Goodwill and dump, Craigslist posting, and sprucing up.  Definitely a lesson in not accumulating so much stuff!  Oh boy - 

We did manage to fit in some fun and relax time enjoying the beautiful Tennessee spring, lake and family.  Kids especially loved their time with cousin D- and lake time searching for turtles, frogs, fishing, and avoiding the snakes!

E- caught a bass!

 Robin Eggs

M- caught a bass too

Ah - Tennessee in the Spring... Beautiful!

         

How to have fun on a 1200 mile car trip...

Last week we embarked on a road trip from ABQ to Nashville.  Don't know why, but we drove the 20+ hours in one day.  Starbucks at 9 pm helped.  We broke it up on the way home - long, but more tolerable.  Still on my fitbit quest for steps, I ran in place at every pit stop getting 8000 steps while driving all day!
I was impressed with myself:)

Kids were fantastic travelers (as usual) and we had some fun with nostalgic kiddie cd's we found buried in the glove box, cranking up the oldies (that'd be 80's for us) through Oklahoma City, and stopping to enjoy some fun sites along the way.   Here's the travel log:

Make sure to stop in Memphis to say "hi" to Elvis

Relax for a bit and a bite at The Barrel (Cracker that is)

Stop to pay your respects to Garth in Yukon!                        

        

Stretch your legs and get a photo at the Texas Welcome Center

Gotta eat some Texas BBQ while in Amarillo!

And don't miss a stop at the world famous Cadillac Ranch!  Hubby even got into the spray painting (no worries, it's legal here).

Hope you all enjoyed Spring Break!  Ours was busy - - - more on those adventures later as now I am off to snooze in my own bed:)

Nature, Nature, Everywhere:)

Spring is in the air and there are so many photo ops - I just couldn't stand myself today!  Here are a few:

E- and I enjoyed an awesome walk this afternoon

We have a duck couple in our pond!

E- caught the frog today!

And here are the artsy ones... I love to play around with my camera.  Someday I'll have a fancy one that can really capture the beauty:)

A glorious afternoon makes me a happy Mom!

And They're Off...

E- and her Dad took off early this a.m. (they look tired don't they?) for an almost 10 mile hike from the tip of Sandia to the base.  They organized the trip for her Venturing Crew - so 10 teens and some adults took on the challenge.

Her dad was pretty proud of her orienteering and hiking skills:) - E- is the one holding the map.

She also took the lead the entire day - making it to the bottom 1st:)

Ah - the Memories of Father and Daughter!  Makes me smile:)

The Best $60 I Ever Spent!

I think the best money I have spent lately has been on my fitbit.  I LOVE this thing.  I got it with some Christmas money to motivate myself to move more - remember I was a little lazy with the move etc... (excuses - excuses).  Anyway, I was aiming for the minimal 10,000 - which is hard to get even with a 40 minute elliptical workout (the stride on that makes steps less than they would be on a treadmill).  Most days I came close and some days I hit my 10,000 and some days even a bit more.  At any rate, I was at least moving more than I had been and getting my recommended amount for good health:)

Enter Miss Oregon - and the competition was on!  Remember that contest for the most steps for the pitcher of margaritas?  It started Monday... I should have known I was in for trouble competing against a Miss America contestent!  We are cracking each other up with our need for steps.  I get some, she gets more.  I get some more, she obviously runs in place to get ahead:)

Today I ROCKED.... 26,000+ steps!!!!!!   Obviously, I am a little competitive (but so is my friend!).  FYI - that is a little over 11 miles of walking in one day.  Here's what I did to get it:  a 3.5 mile hike this a.m., some yard work for 2 hours, various running around the house doing this and that AND another 3.5 mile hike in the p.m. (the kids wanted to go this time).  

So... even if I have to buy the pitcher of margaritas, I figure I win as I am getting more exercise than I have got in years.  Plus, I get to enjoy the margaritas with my friend:)

If you need motivation - get a fitbit!  We can compete for anything from gift cards to margaritas - but after I win this round (positive thinking), I'll need continued motivation - so let me know when you are ready to join in the game!

2 for 1 Special

Our pear tree

I was getting a little lax on posting this week, so I thought I'd give you 2 for 1 Wednesday with a recipe and photos!  Don't you feel special?

Spring is here and I love it!  How to describe the weather in ABQ - warm and windy... really windy.  This is doing wonders for my hair, which you all know I spend so much time on anyway (ha ha) - lots of static and really no way to keep it one place, but oh well it is warm and sunny, the flowers are blooming, the birds are singing so I don't mind.

Our fruit trees are blossoming - does this mean we will have fruit this year?!  I hope so... may be wishful thinking as we just planted the trees.  We are expecting lots of grapes and the next project is to start pruning the many rows of vines.  I am anticipating sore hands from clipping.

E- enjoying the sun

Kids are enjoying the weather as much as me.  They are constantly outside trying to catch the frogs, turtle, and/or tadpoles. Today, E- was out reading The Odyssey  (her last book for Classical Studies!).  She and I recently discovered a nice walk out our backdoor along the waterway.  It's a little tricky as we have to balance on a rickety bridge to get across, but we haven't fallen in yet.  My friend and I have a little competition going on Fitbit - whoever has the most average steps owes a pitcher of pink margaritas so I am walking as much as possible:)

Cecil the tadpole

My almost 13 year old

And M-... he will soon be a teenager!  That means I'll have 2 teens in my house - does that mean I am older or wiser?!  I am definitely not taller as both kids have now surpassed me in height. He getting a sense of style about him (note the red converse he requested for his birthday).  He's been out playing basketball every chance he has, but his mom can still beat him most of the time:)  He is also very much enjoying homeschool p.e. - and so am I.  We have finally met some like-minded homeschoolers and nice kids and moms.

Fun at homeschool p.e.