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Mock Tri
This past weekend, Mr. Evans participated in a local Mock Tri (Olympic distance). The nicest woman and her husband host the event (for free) at their home. It was a beautiful day and was really fun to watch. People of all ages and skill levels took part - all for the joy of swim, bike, run!
Grandma Lorraine
Three years ago yesterday, my Grandma Lorraine passed away. However, it seems like just yesterday my Mom and I were at the hospice - sneaking in her favorite baked goods, spending time in the sun room, wheeling her out to watch the fountain.
She was a strong, generous and wonderful woman. I love you, Grandma! It is with honor and grace that we remember your life.
Here are a few of my favorite photos ...
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| Just a few days before she passed away... |
Another delish summer meal on a nice night
A few nights ago my in-laws came over dinner on a warm summer evening. I always love to see them! So does Nina and Mr. Evans (of course). There are always many good stories and political jokes to be told. And, if I'm lucky my mother-in-law will bring a fabulous dessert! I also used salad from my garden for a large, fresh tomato salad lightly dressed with sea salt, evoo and good balsamic vinegar. I use the Oilerie's 25-year balsamic. Homemade turkey burgers, a chilled glass of white wine... what could be better?
My two favorite turkey burger recipes are this one and from this cookbook (which I swear both my mom and I use for just about every weeknight dinner). The version I made on this occasion had dijon mustard, gruyere cheese, scallions and breadcrumbs as its base.
My two favorite turkey burger recipes are this one and from this cookbook (which I swear both my mom and I use for just about every weeknight dinner). The version I made on this occasion had dijon mustard, gruyere cheese, scallions and breadcrumbs as its base.
Party Planning Ideas
I am starting to get excited about Nina's first birthday party. Although I cannot believe she'll be that old, it will be fun to celebrate with family and friends. Cute details and a fun theme are in order! I thought I'd share some sites I've been perusing for inspiration. Any ideas or suggestions?
Etsy and Pinterest (no brainers)
The TomKat Studio
Hostess with the Mostess
One Charming Party
Kara's Party Ideas
Hip Hop Hooray Blog
Love the Day
Etsy and Pinterest (no brainers)
The TomKat Studio
Hostess with the Mostess
One Charming Party
Kara's Party Ideas
Hip Hop Hooray Blog
Love the Day
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Annual Family Golf Outing
This past Saturday, Mr. Evans and I played in my family's 4th Annual Golf Outing. This year there were over 24 participants. We always have a blast and this year was no exception. I was happy to be back golfing (last year I sat out due to my large belly)! Mr. Evans's team won - yipee!
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| Everything has been so dry, but I'll take the sun over rain any day! |
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| After golf, we always have a cookout with lots of great food and drinks. Mike and Kala put up a pool, so Nina and Evelyn enjoyed swimming together! |
Thanks to my cousin Mike for organizing the event again this year and to my mother-in-law for babysitting Nina!
Father's Day
Father's Day is a very special day. I wouldn't be where I am today without the love and support of my dad. And, Nina surely wouldn't be who she is without my husband, her daddy. Mark is fantastic, loving and fun father. I am in awe of how great he is every day.
We celebrated with Beer and Bacon Mancakes for breakfast (prior to daddy's big swim/bike workout... maybe not the best breakfast choice). Part of his gift included a collage frame of these three photos. I thought I'd share them since they're so stinkin cute. :)
Happy Father's Day to all of the daddy's out there! Young or old, new or experienced, strong and wise, funny and witty... you deserve a great day!
We celebrated with Beer and Bacon Mancakes for breakfast (prior to daddy's big swim/bike workout... maybe not the best breakfast choice). Part of his gift included a collage frame of these three photos. I thought I'd share them since they're so stinkin cute. :)
Happy Father's Day to all of the daddy's out there! Young or old, new or experienced, strong and wise, funny and witty... you deserve a great day!
Next Stage Baby Food
Nina is now eating more adult/solid/finger food. Yipee! Gone are the puree making sessions of yesteryear (or yestermonth). But, don't you go thinking I'm done cooking for my little one. No sirree.
Just take this for example:
I am using my immersion blender like no other! Prior to the triathlon last weekend, Mr. Evans wanted pasta with a non-spicy yet hearty sauce. I gave it a good mix (maybe 6-7 pulses with my immersion blender) and it became perfect dinner for Nina. I even made extra and froze some for times when our adult meals just are not kid friendly (i.e. fish, sushi, salads - which we eat a lot of).
I also have devised a little system to hang on my refrigerator so I can keep track of foods I have in the house that Nina can eat. I used to be able to just a pull a "meal" from the freezer, but now I feed her much more variety which means I have to plan a bit more.
Feel free to download and print the little planner below. I thought I'd share. :)
Have a great weekend!!
Just take this for example:
I am using my immersion blender like no other! Prior to the triathlon last weekend, Mr. Evans wanted pasta with a non-spicy yet hearty sauce. I gave it a good mix (maybe 6-7 pulses with my immersion blender) and it became perfect dinner for Nina. I even made extra and froze some for times when our adult meals just are not kid friendly (i.e. fish, sushi, salads - which we eat a lot of).
I also have devised a little system to hang on my refrigerator so I can keep track of foods I have in the house that Nina can eat. I used to be able to just a pull a "meal" from the freezer, but now I feed her much more variety which means I have to plan a bit more.
Feel free to download and print the little planner below. I thought I'd share. :)
Nine Months
Yesterday, Nina turned nine months old! This was the best picture I had the patience for this month. :) She kept eyeing up her daddy instead of the camera, and then shortly after that she spit up the chair... so needless to say, we were done. We still her love her though! She's become very curious, a little crawling machine, an adventurous eater, a cutie full of laughter, and a summer water baby. Sugar and spice and everything nice - just how it should be. We love you, Nina Lorraine.
Elkhart Lake Triathlon
Over the weekend Mr. Evans competed in the Olympic Distance Elkhart Lake Triathlon. He's done this tri for a quite a few years now. It seems like he returns for the warm weather, nice course and the guarantee to see tons of people from his hometown (which is just a few minutes away). We had great fun watching and cheering him on... as always! Thanks to my mother-in-law and my dad for coming as well.
We celebrated that night with lots of sushi from Ninja. I had some wine, Mr. Evans celebrated with some scotch. :)
Next up... Door County Half Ironman in July.
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| Our little family. Nina wore orange to match her daddy. |
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| Swim. Bike. Run. (The photos are a bit off. I know. Nina plays with the camera strap, so I had to be careful!) |
Rhubarb Jam
So despite the fact my blog title is Rhubarb and Linen, despite the fact that I LOVE rhubarb and despite the fact it's rhubarb season... I have yet to post any rhubarb recipes. With the first rhubarb crop of the season, my mom has always made Rhubarb Jam. This year was no exception. It truly is the only jam I eat all year long. Over the past few years, I've made it with my mom and we share the batch.
The recipe was passed down from my Grandma Lorraine and it's so easy, it just might be your new family tradition as well. (Don't let "jam" scare you. There is no laborious canning involved.)
Rhubarb Jam
7 c. rhubarb, chopped
3 c. sugar
1 can blueberry pie filling
Boil these three things for 10 minutes in a large pot. Then add...
6 oz. raspberry jello
Stir until dissolves.
Makes 6 jars. Store in freezer until ready to use.
The recipe was passed down from my Grandma Lorraine and it's so easy, it just might be your new family tradition as well. (Don't let "jam" scare you. There is no laborious canning involved.)
Rhubarb Jam
7 c. rhubarb, chopped
3 c. sugar
1 can blueberry pie filling
Boil these three things for 10 minutes in a large pot. Then add...
6 oz. raspberry jello
Stir until dissolves.
Makes 6 jars. Store in freezer until ready to use.
Link Love
I need to make this. I am terrible at remembering birthdays. They always sneak up on me. Anyone a woodworker?
I laughed harder than I have in a while reading this. Even Mr. Evans had a few good belly laughs.
A friend from college recently released this song. Check it out.
What a fun project - state sandwiches! I wish I thought of this.
I would eat all of these.
There are some great organization ideas here.
** I thought every once and a while I'd post links to things I've seen around the internet I think are cute/funny/creative/lust worthy, etc. What links do you love lately?
Basil Rubbed Pork Chops, Panzanella and Grilled Nectarines
If you've been to our house for dinner, you've probably had this recipe. I've been making it for years. In fact, I've made it so often I basically have the recipe memorized. It's this recipe and this recipe... with lots of tweaks.
We made it a few nights ago again for dinner and it couldn't be any easier. Here's the breakdown of a dinner for two.
1. Grill boneless 1 inch thick pork chops that have been rubbed with basil and seasoned with salt, pepper and a bit of evoo. We each at one chop.
2. Buy 2 nectarines, half them and grill until marks appear.
3. Meanwhile, make your panzanella. I used about 3 small tomatoes, 1 cucumber, 1 red pepper, 1 garlic clove, a whole bunch of chopped basil, some goat cheese, some dijon mustard, salt, pepper, evoo and white wine vinegar. I think that's all. Oh, and bread of course. You really don't need a recipe.
4. To assemble, drizzle your necarines with some honey and top with blue or goat cheese, pine nuts and basil. Serve with your pork chop and panzanella.
5. Enjoy!
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| via my iPhone |
I recently posted a few summer grilling/salad recipes for two. What are your favorite things to make in summer?
Happy Weekend!
Summer Weekend
1. I'm not sure how I feel about this new splash pool by the lake.
2. Oooh, I really like it!
3. Yes, I love it. I love it!
4. Wahooo!
Welcome to summer, Nina!
We had a fun filled weekend including our local Seafood Fest, Farmer's Market, a great wedding, Mr. Evans and Nina's first 5k together, good food and time by the lake. What could be better? What is your favorite summer activity?
2. Oooh, I really like it!
3. Yes, I love it. I love it!
4. Wahooo!
Welcome to summer, Nina!
We had a fun filled weekend including our local Seafood Fest, Farmer's Market, a great wedding, Mr. Evans and Nina's first 5k together, good food and time by the lake. What could be better? What is your favorite summer activity?
I Voted
I voted... did you? Nina and I just got home from a walk to our local polling station. Happy Tuesday!
(I am home today with Nina because she has her first pink eye - it's cleared up wonderfully in the past 24 hours, but no final swim lesson tonight due to her condition. Stay tuned for a photo op of her "diploma" from Shrimp Swim Lessons. Perhaps a graduation ceremony at the lake or in the kiddie pool is in order? Maybe ice cream to celebrate?)
(I am home today with Nina because she has her first pink eye - it's cleared up wonderfully in the past 24 hours, but no final swim lesson tonight due to her condition. Stay tuned for a photo op of her "diploma" from Shrimp Swim Lessons. Perhaps a graduation ceremony at the lake or in the kiddie pool is in order? Maybe ice cream to celebrate?)
Easy Dinner
Hello, summer!
I made up this easy dinner and it turned out so yummy, I thought I'd share. :) It's perfect for a weeknight meal for two.
1. Grill up a flank steak that has been seasoned with a little olive oil, kosher salt and pepper.
2. Shuck two cobs of corn and grill until marks appear.
3. Meanwhile, in a medium sized bowl combine 1 diced avocado, about a pint or so of halved cherry tomatoes, about a half bunch of cilantro chopped (or more depending on your love of cilantro), 1/2 c. or so of feta cheese and corn (cut off of husks with a sharp knife).
4. Add on top of the veggie mixture a large pinch of kosher salt, fresh cracked pepper, evoo and white wine vinegar (to taste). I don't measure... sorry. Mix this up and put over sliced grilled steak.
It's kind of like panzanella without the bread, kind of like a salsa... but who cares, it's good. :)
I made up this easy dinner and it turned out so yummy, I thought I'd share. :) It's perfect for a weeknight meal for two.
1. Grill up a flank steak that has been seasoned with a little olive oil, kosher salt and pepper.
2. Shuck two cobs of corn and grill until marks appear.
3. Meanwhile, in a medium sized bowl combine 1 diced avocado, about a pint or so of halved cherry tomatoes, about a half bunch of cilantro chopped (or more depending on your love of cilantro), 1/2 c. or so of feta cheese and corn (cut off of husks with a sharp knife).
4. Add on top of the veggie mixture a large pinch of kosher salt, fresh cracked pepper, evoo and white wine vinegar (to taste). I don't measure... sorry. Mix this up and put over sliced grilled steak.
It's kind of like panzanella without the bread, kind of like a salsa... but who cares, it's good. :)
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