Lawn Games & Goodbyes

 

It's time to say see ya later to one of the girls in our small group and take our break for the summer. We've had to say goodbye to a few people before and it stinks everytime but we're so happy that they've been in our lives however short or long. We celebrated Jeni heading off to home and to get married with a cookout.

 

 The Putnam's taught us new lawn games - I don't remember any of the names of them but it was fun learning them. Joshua is determined to now go cut up wood to make the one below :) It seems like a mixture of games simplified out into hitting blocks with cylinders of wood. I'm a fan, even if I'm not sure I was ever clear on the rules, Joshua seemed to get it.

It was a great way to celebrate the beginning of
summer and of Jeni heading of on her next adventure
Here's to hoping our summer is full of more fun with these lovely people

Garden Pea Pesto Pasta

yes- I'm wearing overalls, I've been dying for it to be acceptable
to wear them again (since like middle school)
I decided recently the time is now :)

 

 

I've been struggling on what to do with some of the veggies from my garden because I always forget they're there until I need to use them all at once. So I threw together a recipe so I wouldn't have to waste any of my crops :)

 

And it was a yummy solution!

 

Garden Pea Pesto Pasta:

 

1 cup peas

handful of mint

3/4 cup basil

2 cloves garlic

juice from 1/2 a lemon

2-3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

2 tbs olive oil 

salt & pepper to taste

box o noodles

handful of lettuce

handful of snap peas

 

1   in a food processor grind up the peas, mint, basil, garlic, lemon juice, cheese,

     olive oil, and salt and pepper

2   in a large bowl of salted boiling water cook the noodles

     (I used linguine because it's all I had but I'd suggest a smaller noodle)

3   dump noodles into a colander and run cold water over them to stop cool them off

4   toss in a serving bowl with pea pesto

5   top with handfuls of fresh lettuce and snap peas, finish of with a few good grinds

     of pepper and squeeze of the other half of a lemon

 

 

 

Also very random but my freckles are getting darker and it makes me happy. Joshua said he used to think freckles were ugly, but when he met me he said I changed his mind. :)
I've always loved them and I'm excited Seattle has been sunny enough to make them come out more :)

Goat Cheese & Berry Ice Cream

Now that Agatha is back in business and it's summer time I'm in ice cream making mode.
Starting off with the goat cheese one because while I was working in Portland a few weeks ago I had a goat cheese ice cream and can't stop thinking about how to make my own.

Goat Cheese & Berry Ice Cream:
inspired by Jeni's Ice Cream Cookbook

1 cup bluberries
1 cup huckleberries
1 cups sugar

1   place sugar and berries in a small saucepan and bring to a boil

2   let simmer until cherry mixture reaches 220 degrees F on a candy thermometer

3   let cool and transfer to a small container, store in fridge until after you make the ice cream in the machine

2 cups whole milk
2 tbs cornstarch
1/4 cup corn syrup
heavy cream
2/3 cup sugar
3 tbs cream cheese; room temp
4 oz goat cheese
1/4 tsp salt

1   in a small bowl mix cornstarch and 2 tbs of milk and mix into a slurry
2   in a large saucepan mix milk, cornstarch, cream, and sugar
3   bring to a rolling boil and boil for 4 minutes
4   remove from heat, whisk in cornstarch slurry
5   put back on heat and bring to a boil and simmer for about 1 minute, stir consistently,
     should thicken a little
6   stir cream cheese, goat cheese, and salt in a large bowl until cheese is all melted it
7   cover with plastic wrap and store in fridge overnight
8   make in ice cream maker following manufacturer's instructions
9   place a layer of ice cream in storage container, then drizzle a layer of the berry sauce
     repeat in layers until all of ice cream and sauce is used up
10 store in fridge about 1-3 hours before serving so it can thicken up
7   pour milk mixture over cheese mixture and mix together

To Orcas & to Community

Sunset on the summer solstice while on the ferry

This past weekend our small group headed to Orcas Island to stay at our friend's parent's cabin. It was beautiful, restful, and right on the ocean. We spent time in the sun, watching sunsets, tempting our bravery in the cold ocean, lifting up rocks to find creatures, throwing the dog Bowie's ball, eating, eating more food, taking turns cooking, snuggling, doing group yoga, prancersizing, being very goofy...

Elrod's turn for breakfast, Challah French toast & Frittata

so so so many crabs, lifting up rocks sent tons scattering

starfish and sea stars

Bowie loves fetch

playing with the ocean finds



Liz sticking limpets to Jenna's nose :)

jellyfish, my favorite!!

 

a Mexican dinner

on top of all that goodness we also spent a time listening to each other's life stories, giving one another affirmation, worshiping, and learning to love each other deeper. It was such a treasure to be able to spend the weekend with this amazing group of people who have come to love us and make us feel cherished.

taken by Ryan Putnam, sadly Jeni wasn't fit into this frame

So sad that some of them won't be here again next year but so thankful for all that this group has been to Joshua and I.



chasing rabbits with carrots

We missed our ferry and had to wait 3 more hours for the next one and that may have been one of my favorite times together there, we picnicked, chased bunnies, ran, jumped, yelled, sang, twirled and were just ourselves around each other. And around 11:30pm Sunday we finally rolled home. Very wonderful, life giving weekend.

2nd versary Kayaking

We celebrated our 2 year anniversary with a kayaking trip. We've both been talking about renting some to take up to a lake and explore and this was the perfect time to embark upon it.

We drove up to Spada Lake and had the whole thing to ourselves until the very end of the day. It was misty and beautiful and halfway through the sun broke through and opened up to the mountains. It was so fun to be all alone celebrating our marriage in the middle of a lake. So serene to just hear your paddles in the water and have conversations in the middle of this beauty.

Hubs packed lunches and we paddled out to a small rocky front and relaxed.

We've had a great 2 years and though there are rough patches we can't wait to see how we grow and develop together into year 3. God has blessed us in so many ways and the support and love from all our family and friends in our marriage has been one of those big blessings! Thanks to all of you!

When the sun shines

We layed out in the sunshine at Greenlake this past weekend and our friends came over to join us. We did a little reading, sun-soaking, and napping. I may have even gotten a little color- my poor legs have never been so white. Also drank some amazing rhubarb ginger beer from the market mmmm.

rainbow around the sun !!!! :)

I also made us summery salads from my garden :)