Happy Labor Day Weekend!

A little photo of Nina to start your day ... Happy Weekend! Happy Labor Day!

We're headed to the lake to soak up some sun and relaxation before the hustle and bustle of September kicks in! I hope you have fun plans as well!

Germanfest

Last weekend, we celebrated our German heritage at Germanfest in downtown West Bend. Missy and Dave were along for the fun!

We ate the best of fare including bratwurst, kraut, red cabbage, walleye fish fry, spanferkel sandwich, spaetzle, Sprecher beer, poppy seed torte, and apple kuchen. I snapped these photos on my iPhone.

Along with listening to and watching some great Polka, Mr. Evans and Dave participated in a Masskrugstemmen contest. Google it. All I can say, is stay tuned on Missy's blog here for photos and maybe even a video. Basically, it involves lots of beer, a strong arm and a 1st place prize.

So glad she's back in town!

These men even wore matching Hofbrauhaus t-shirts from Germany... Nina doesn't look so impressed. :)

Laundry Time!

Mr. Evans has a way of making even the most monotonous chores seem like fun for Nina. Here's what I caught them doing over the weekend. They came up the stairs (our laundry machine is in the basement) and voila... Nina loved it!

Random Acts...

I'll be honest. I am accustomed to UPS and FedEx boxes waiting at my side door. I do lot of Internet and Etsy shopping, so it is normal to come home and see a box perched against my freshly painted house.

However, last week was an exception. The box was from a good friend of mine, Sarah (she blogs here). What a treat, but why was she sending me something? I ripped the box open eager to find out and lo and behold... I found this.

I was a "victim" in a series of Random Acts of Kindess. Read below. How cool is that? I was honored to receive the box. Love you, Sar!

Side note, the item I chose was a frozen strawberry margarita mixer... haha. I left the pretty bracelet, necklace and coffee for someone else. Who might be next? :) I was at the Post Office yesterday afternoon so it's on its way to the next victim.

Might this prompt you to think about ways to perform a "ROAK" today? How have you received or performed a ROAK in the past?

Happy Tuesday!

I mustache you a question...

I mustache you a question. Doesn't Nina look hilarious with her yogurt mustache that reminds me of the Got Milk ads?! :)

I snapped this during dinner yesterday and couldn't help myself. Totally blog worthy and meant for a smile!

Great Meal

I love to cook... especially when it's a great recipe made for even better friends. Our schedule lately has not permitted much true cooking time (enjoyable time spent trying a new recipe), but rather meal preparation (quick homemade weeknight dinners).

This past Sunday, Melissa and David came over and I made a few recipes from my Gwyneth Paltrow cookbook. I did a quick Google search and found the recipes online for you to try if you're interested. Click here and here.

The main course was fish tacos with a lime crema, salted cabbage, pico de gallo and guacamole. It was light, flavorful and great with a Mexican beer and a lime. If you plan to make this, be sure to ask your local fishmonger which fresh fish is best and available. Mine advised tilapia (which worked great)!

Dessert was her Blueberry Pavlova recipe. Missy and I grew up eating my grandma's version - Schaum Torte. One of my favorites. Gwyneth's is a bit different, but still yummy. I used fresh blueberries from the farmer's market. Also, be sure to whip fresh cream as opposed to the canned stuff. It's worth the effort.

My mouth is watering just thinking of this meal. Thanks again for your help and continued friendship, Missy and Dave!

Eleven Months

As of August 13, Nina is eleven months old. Between a fever and case of Roseola for Nina and Mr. Evans's peak Ironman training weeks, amongst many other things, this photo is a bit delayed.

Nonetheless, Nina is doing fabulously! She still doesn't have any teeth, but has started to walk with a baby walker quite well. And, I am happy to report she is officially off of formula/bottles and now is a cow's milk drinker. While I say I am happy to report this (she's healthy, growing, perhaps this will help reduce/eliminate her spit up, etc), I'll be honest that I'm a bit sad that she's getting to be less and less of a little baby on paper. Yet, I know she'll always be my baby. We love you, Nina Lorraine!

Irish Planning Meal

We are currently in major planning mode for Ireland. A few nights ago, I hosted a planning dinner. I think our itinerary is set. How exciting!

Drinks included Guinness and of course, Jameson. I prefer the Big Ginger (Jameson and Ginger Ale). We had Powers and The Knot on hand as well.

Irish Soda Bread is tasty, but too hot and heavy for the summer. Instead, I made Ina Garten's Scalloped Tomatoes. Click here for the recipe. It was perfect since I have a ton of basil and tomatoes from my garden. 

The main course was Bangers and Mash. Again, I used Ina's recipe here.

I happen to know I have many "Irish" readers. What are your favorite recipes and/or drinks?

College girls... remember those Halfway to St. Patty's parties? Just had to throw that out there... fun stuff.

Surprise graduation party

A few weeks ago, my parents and Mr. Evans hosted a "surprise" graduation party for me. It was a very thoughtful party - small enough for my liking and it basically entailed spending the day the lake eating and drinking and sun bathing. Perfect!

Photos at the lake and explanations of our delicious food are not included. Just picture sun and fun!

So... this was the real surprise part of the day. Since my grad school is in Spokane, WA and we don't plan to fly out for graduation, Mr. Evans and my parents coordinated a "mock" ceremony. Haha. As soon as dinner was over, my mom lured me inside and somehow got me to put on a borrowed cap and gown.

I paraded down to where we were eating (this is so not me... in hindsight I don't know what I was thinking). The programs (designed by our friend John and printed by my MIL) were fantastic. What a great touch, seriously! After my parents gave the welcome and Mr. Evans presented the commencement address, I was presented with a tassel. Mr. Evans had specially ordered a Gonzaga 2012 tassel! What a guy! ... And, a commencement toast of Limoncello shots. Oh, and did I mention I processed in to the guests humming Pomp and Circumstance. :) Life is pretty good. 

I had my swimsuit under the cap and gown. I guess that's the way to do it right!

Thanks everyone. What a memorable and fun day!

Three years ago

Three years ago I married Mr. Evans. It was a perfect, beautiful, hot day and most importantly was a celebration of the beginning of our lives together. I didn't know three years later I could love him more. Enjoy being his wife even more. 

But, I did know he would be an amazing father and provider. I knew he'd make me laugh every day. I knew he'd have more energy than me every day. I knew we'd live life to the fullest, jam packing in everything possible.

It's been a great three years...

Every single day I feel so blessed to be happy and healthy and to live my life...

especially with this man.

Happy Anniversary, MPE!

Refrigerator Pickles

My Grandma Lorraine always used to make Refrigerator Pickles. There are easy to make and are the perfect thing to keep in your refrigerator to pick at when you need a little snack. Here's how it's done.

Buy 2 qts small pickles/cucumbers at the farmers market. Do not peel them, but wash them thoroughly. Slice them thinly (a mandolin works well).

In a large bowl, mix the cucumbers with 1 thinly sliced onion (we use the mandolin for this as well) and 2 tsp salt. Cover and let stand for 2 hours. Do not skip this step.

Then, mix 1 1/2 c. sugar and 1/2 c. white vinegar. Put pickle mixture in canning jars. Then add the sugar/vinegar mixture to cover. Add in some celery seed and dill seed to taste (not much, maybe 1/4 tsp of each or so to start).

Refrigerate and eat as desired. Enjoy!

Life Lately...

Sorry for the lack of posts lately. I promise... there are lots of fun posts on the docket!

Here is just a small taste of what we've been up to... We recently had our house painted (looks lovely) and made some exterior updates, had to buy a new refrigerator (ours broke after a one month stint of repairs), are eating a ton of fresh basil and tomatoes from the garden, went to the Brewer's game, have had many fun days at the lake (as usual), visited a new precious baby in the hospital, walked to our local farmer's market (every weekend as usual), had a special party (stay tuned for more), and more of the daily fun that is our life. Life is good, isn't it? Also, Mr. Evans is at the height of his Ironman training and is testing the limits of time management, miles on a bicycle, time spent swimming and running, stretching, eating, etc. He's doing fabulously. He trains nearly every day and spends countless hours away from home, but what a feat! If you didn't get my Ironman email last night (from my personal email address) and are interested in spectating at Ironman, let me know asap. Leave a comment and I'll send you the details.

In the meantime, I thought this print below was more than appropriate... :)

via

A day at the Plymouth pool

On Wednesday, Nina and I met up for a picnic and afternoon at the pool with my SIL, her kiddos and my MIL. The weather was beautiful and we couldn't have had a more fun time!

Gabe, my FIL and Nina (with her currrly hair). Grandbear joined us for lunch at the park.

At the pool, Elsa and Ethan were like little fishies. It is so fun to watch them grow older, more confident and full of life!

My wonderful SIL Carla hanging with Nina and Gabe. :)

I was trying to make Nina smile, but she was too busy people watching. I wonder where she gets that from?

Have a great weekend!