Hoopfest 2015

We experienced the biggest 3-on-3 basketball tournament on the planet!  In 100 degree heat, no less!  Kylen participated in Hoopfest once before, but it had been several years.  The event is huge.  Over 7,000 teams, 3,000 volunteers, 225,000 fans and 450 courts spanning 42 city blocks.

Part of the fun is following the teams of friends and family.  There were five, and a couple of them did extremely well.  My cousin's team actually won their bracket, and his little sister won their consolation bracket.  Kylen's team, unfortunately, lost all their games.  We figured out that they were probably in the wrong bracket.  Disappointing, but we're proud of them for trying.

Following other teams required a lot of walking.  We had a dreary start when one team's schedule was messed up and another's got delayed, causing us to miss them by probably 10 minutes.  But we did manage to catch two full games in which our people won, and that was really cool.  I didn't go back the second day - my feet were shot - but my boys brought me fair food: fat fries slathered in cheese sauce and topped with grilled chicken, salsa, and sour cream.  =)

I think Kylen would be open to competing again, but we need to try for a lower bracket next time.  He and his friends have always played for fun, and it would be nice if they were up against kids closer to their level.   

This plant was dripping on me, which was quite welcome!  Very rare to have heat like this in June.

 

Kylen is in the white shirt and black shorts.

Second day: Kylen in grey shirt, looking on.

We at lunch at Mackenzie River Pizza the first day.  Looks like the pulled pork was burnt, but it wasn't.

I got a latte in this place, and I loved the way the shadows reflected the window drawings.

Snapping a few shots while waiting for Greg to pick me up.

 

Father's Day 2015

The Wednesday before Father's Day, Greg hurt his back badly at work.  He was just standing up from his desk chair when he "felt something."  He needed crutches to get from the car to his bed that night.  The next two days, he worked from home, because he couldn't handle sitting anywhere other than the loveseat.  Poor guy!!!  Consequently, his Father's Day was a tad uneventful.  He was feeling well enough to eat out, but other than that we hung out at home.  He did a couple hours of work in the morning, opened his cards and gifts, and then it was off to Max Mirabeau and some shopping.  He spent a large part of the evening reading the rules for a strategy game, but it was so late by the time he finished, we didn't end up playing it that day.  He loves having down time at home, so it was probably a perfect day for him minus the stiff back!  I'm glad to report he's back to normal now.  :)

Elimination Diet: Indian Inspired Roasted Cauliflower

I wish I could remember where I found this recipe so I could give credit to the source.  A quick search on the net didn't turn it up, so I may have gotten it from a book.  It is one of my favorite healthy side dishes.  Best immediately out of the oven, since the crispiness disappears in the fridge . . . although I still enjoy it as leftovers.  The flavors are a bit subtle; I recommend serving it with mild foods such as rice and white fish.

Indian Inspired Roasted Cauliflower

1 large head of cauliflower, cut into florets

1 yellow onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
1/2 cup gluten-free bread crumbs (I used crushed brown rice cereal.)
2 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 tsp. ground turmeric
1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
1/2 tsp. yellow curry powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. garlic powder

Preheat oven to 425.  Mix seasonings in small bowl.  Put veggies in gallon size bag, add oil, and seal.  Leave in some air to make it easier to mix.  Turn until veggies are coated.  Repeat with seasonings and finally bread crumbs.  Dump veggies on cookie sheet, and spread evenly.  Roast 20 minutes, stir, and reduce heat to 350.  Roast another 15 minutes or until tender and browned.

 

Handmade Card

I received this handmade card from a drawing.  It's a simple design, but there is something about it that really appeals to me.  A happy feeling.  I should learn how to stamp, get one of those mini sewing machines, and try making some.

Lake Days

We've been blessed to get a ride to a couple of our co-op's lake days recently.  One of them was at Farragut.  We haven't spent much time there, but I'd like to go back with Greg and Kylen sometime to explore more.

What a gorgeous day!!!

The teenage boys hung out on the left side of the bar, while the moms and remaining children hung out on the right.  In other words, I didn't see Kylen much!

There's Kylen (speck to the right) and his friend (speck to the left) waaaaaaaaay over there!

Last Piano Recital?

Kylen had what may be his last piano recital last week.  He had the first half of "Phantom of the Opera" memorized and needed the sheet music for the second half.  He made some mistakes, but the crowd still seemed very impressed!  It's a dramatic piece.

The funny thing that happened though is when we were leaving.  Greg, who NEVER gets the wrong car, steered us to the WRONG car!!  I am capable of making this mistake, but not him!  Even when I thought the car looked a little different - more scratches than ours - I still got in, because I never thought Greg capable of that.  After sitting down, I knew it was wrong!!  Very different from ours inside.  I got a picture of it and Greg and Kylen waving next to ours.

They're Back! Trader Joe's Fried Broccoli!

It's hard for me to find convenience foods that I really love and that work with my diet.  Trader Joe's "Crispy Crunchy Broccoli Florets" is one of my favorite snacks.  You can imagine, I was completely distraught when after just a few weeks they disappeared from the store.  We have been checking for months, and they are FINALLY back!!  Or at least they were a week ago!  Greg grabbed three bags for me.  Good man.

It is possible to like these even if you aren't a big fan of the vegetable, and it's also possible not to like them even if you love the stuff.  Greg eats broccoli fine, and neither he nor Kylen will come within 10 feet of them.  I, on the other hand, enjoy broccoli only when it is at the peak of quality or smothered in Velveeta, and yet I am crazy about these.  Trader Joe's site says they are prepared in a unique way - fried, but not in a deep fryer.  A "common Southeast Asian method" is used that effectively "vacuum fries" them in palm oil.  They are VERY crunchy and VERY good!!

 

 

Glimpses of Summer: Mill River

Kylen is still finishing up some schooling, so we haven't seen much summer here yet.  But we have gotten glimpses!  Greg and Kylen jumped off the dock at a beach called Mill River in Coeur d'Alene.  Meanwhile, I enjoyed a latte (It has to be REALLY hot for me to go in.) and took a few pics. 

Afterwards, we ate outside Del Taco.  I can go off my diet occasionally.  :)  For fast food, it's pretty good!  Greg asked me if I was going to "post" about it, because there is a post in the shot.  Funny guy!

Kylen Learning Cello

Sermon We Listened to Today: Voddie Baucham

Loved it!  Titled "Why I Choose to Believe the Bible"



I had all five parts on here, but it was slowing down my blog.  You can find them easily on youtube though.  :)

Mini Family Reunion

We had a mini family reunion last Saturday.  Some relatives came from a branch of the "tree" I hadn't seen since I was a child!  It was nice reconnecting, and I especially enjoyed hearing my grandfather's sister "Aunt Myrna" speak.  She is a talented storyteller and has a nice collection of pictures and  keepsakes.  Even though the reunion was only one day, I know a lot of time and energy went into planning.  I appreciate all those who organized and hosted!  :)

We started out by meeting at Riverside Cemetery in Spokane where my great-great-grandfather and great-great-grandmother are buried.  Aunt Myrna talked about how our family immigrated to America from Germany and settled in Ohio.  There were three siblings.  Two stayed put, and one came west to Idaho.  The one who came out west is where my family is descended from.

Next, we headed to the home of relatives who live near the cemetery.  They have a large house and a significant collection of vintage items.  They are actually planning to open an informal museum!  We all had lunch together and hung out for several hours chatting and looking around.  Aunt Myrna gave the second half of her presentation, Aunt Karen took pictures, we ate cake, and my cousin Kamin filled out a family tree on large sheets of paper.  We recorded Aunt Myrna's presentation, and I took pictures of her notes.  I am planning to type it up and email her.  So far as I know, a lot of this info is not on a computer but hand typed or in peoples' heads.  I would love to get it in a form that is easier to pass on to others.