Here a few things we shot and bagged at the Sedgwick County Zoo today.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Gourmet Club at Chez Roach
We somehow managed to pull of the second meeting of the Gourmet Club, working around everyone' busy schedule. Danielle and Cody moved to a new house, Brent's work load has picked up because of the holidays, Chuck is super busy, and me, well, I'm always ready to eat. Our menu this month:
Endive with Brandied Gorgonzola, (Danielle and Cody made this only using Boston lettuce)
Curry Pumpkin Soup (by Chuck)
Roasted Red Potatoes with Artichokes (Danielle and Cody)
Acorn Squash Apple Rings (Kelsey)
Mediterranean Pot Roast (Sally)
The Fallish menu was delicious. Even the little girls dug in. For dessert, we munched on turtles and peppermint bark from the Nifty Nut House.
No meeting in December. I don't think any of us will go hungry though.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
1st Annual Harvest Art Party
Kelsey's beautiful Starry Night cupcake creation
The sweet treat display
The spread with a Mediterranean flair
Charis in her party dress
Kelsey inspired our first every Harvest Art Party. Originally we were going to have two couples over but she wanted to bake this treat so we decided to host a party. Chuck invited his art class and a few members of the Kansas Art Guild. We had almost 20 people! It took two days to prepare all the food. Besides the cakes by Kelsey, we had pumpkin bread, Lebanese meatballs, Chuck's flat bread with dips, hummus, whipped feta, carrot and garlic yogurt, veggies and chips. Several people volunteered us to do this again next year. Perhaps we will!
Chuck's art teacher, Mary Binford, brought her nine year old granddaughter, Emma, to the party. Charis had the best time playing with Emma. Charis also took time to charm our other guests. She was looking so ladylike and pretty in her dress, carrying a little pink purse. A lady asked what was in her purse and she pulled out a green water pistol! Our baby is packing heat! It was so unexpected....and funny.
I think a good time was had by all.
The sweet treat display
The spread with a Mediterranean flair
Charis in her party dress
Kelsey inspired our first every Harvest Art Party. Originally we were going to have two couples over but she wanted to bake this treat so we decided to host a party. Chuck invited his art class and a few members of the Kansas Art Guild. We had almost 20 people! It took two days to prepare all the food. Besides the cakes by Kelsey, we had pumpkin bread, Lebanese meatballs, Chuck's flat bread with dips, hummus, whipped feta, carrot and garlic yogurt, veggies and chips. Several people volunteered us to do this again next year. Perhaps we will!
Chuck's art teacher, Mary Binford, brought her nine year old granddaughter, Emma, to the party. Charis had the best time playing with Emma. Charis also took time to charm our other guests. She was looking so ladylike and pretty in her dress, carrying a little pink purse. A lady asked what was in her purse and she pulled out a green water pistol! Our baby is packing heat! It was so unexpected....and funny.
I think a good time was had by all.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Ari's birthday weekend. 3 years old!
A fun time was had by all at Ari's amazing birthday #3. He was quite the gentleman with his two lady friends, graciously sharing his toys and birthday cake. Papa and I relished our time with Ari and Keira and they seemed to enjoy our company as well. Sara served up some great food to go with our lively discussions. A very happy birthday to you, Ari. We are blessed to have you as our grandson.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Custer part II- please read part 1 below
Saturday morning we went to find my cousin, Sharon and her daughter, Autumn, from Minnesota. They arrived late on Friday. We all took off to see Mt. Rushmore, but Charis hurled on the way and the Gray van had to return to clean up and nap. The rest of us took the scenic route to the heads, in the rain. By the time we watched a movie about the sculpture and looked at the exhibit, the rain had stopped and we went outside to have another look. Then we took a drive to see the wildlife, dear, buffaloes, donkeys, etc. We met up with the Grays in Hill City where we enjoyed a steak dinner with Brent's aunt and uncle.
Kelsey, Brent, and Charis went back to the cabin with Sharon and Autumn and Chuck and I returned to our camp. The sky was clear, the wind had died, the stars were beautiful and so was our fire. We sat up for a long time enjoying conversation and so happy that the rain had stopped. We looked forward to a good night's sleep. At about two a.m., the rain started and didn't stop until sometime near noon. Both of us wanted to get up and relieve ourselves and waited for the rain to let up. It just didn't. When we did get up later, I peeked into Brent's tent to see the lake. I'd say it was more rain catcher than shelter. We grabbed breakfast stuff and headed to the cabin to eat and dry out.
The plan for Sunday was a visit to Wind Cave. What can I say. It was dark, cavy, not all that impressive. After lunch, Chuck and I took a drive on Needles Highway, through beautiful scenery and narrow tunnels. That night we had the big roasted weenie cookout at the cabin, with s'mores. We all slept in the cabin that night.
Sally, Autumn, Sharon, Kelsey
Campfire at the cabin.
Tunnel on Needles Highway, 8'4" wide.
How would you like to find a buffalo in your front yard?
Kelsey, Brent, and Charis went back to the cabin with Sharon and Autumn and Chuck and I returned to our camp. The sky was clear, the wind had died, the stars were beautiful and so was our fire. We sat up for a long time enjoying conversation and so happy that the rain had stopped. We looked forward to a good night's sleep. At about two a.m., the rain started and didn't stop until sometime near noon. Both of us wanted to get up and relieve ourselves and waited for the rain to let up. It just didn't. When we did get up later, I peeked into Brent's tent to see the lake. I'd say it was more rain catcher than shelter. We grabbed breakfast stuff and headed to the cabin to eat and dry out.
The plan for Sunday was a visit to Wind Cave. What can I say. It was dark, cavy, not all that impressive. After lunch, Chuck and I took a drive on Needles Highway, through beautiful scenery and narrow tunnels. That night we had the big roasted weenie cookout at the cabin, with s'mores. We all slept in the cabin that night.
Sally, Autumn, Sharon, Kelsey
Campfire at the cabin.
Tunnel on Needles Highway, 8'4" wide.
How would you like to find a buffalo in your front yard?
Trip to Custer State Park, SD
It was a long drive to Custer State Park in South Dakota. We left at five am and arrived at the park at five pm. The registration for a campspot was complicated and after driving around even more, we finally ended up in a nice spot on Stockade Lake. My cell phone wasn't working here so we had to drive (again) to a lodge to call Kelsey to tell her where to find us when they came in the next day. After pitching the tent and starting a rip roaring fire, we celebrated with champagne and hot dogs. It was a beautiful evening and we slept well.
The next morning we drove up to Sylvan Lake, a lovely little lake surrounded by huge boulders and pine trees. After walking around the lake, we spotted a trail head and decided to load up our fanny packs and check it out. It was rather demanding in places and we were aching by the time we returned to the car. By the time the Grays joined us back at the campground, the wind was picking up and the clouds gathering. Charis played at the playground, we took showers, and cooked up spaghetti. It was really too cold to enjoy sitting by the fire so after some roasted marshmallows, we all turned in at 7:30. It rained during the night and we learned the next morning that the Gray's tent leaked. I will let her tell that story.
To be continued....
Sunrise in northern Kansas
Hike at Sylvan Lake. We were feeling this one later.
Our campgroud at Stockade Lake
Charis enjoying roasted marshmallows.
The next morning we drove up to Sylvan Lake, a lovely little lake surrounded by huge boulders and pine trees. After walking around the lake, we spotted a trail head and decided to load up our fanny packs and check it out. It was rather demanding in places and we were aching by the time we returned to the car. By the time the Grays joined us back at the campground, the wind was picking up and the clouds gathering. Charis played at the playground, we took showers, and cooked up spaghetti. It was really too cold to enjoy sitting by the fire so after some roasted marshmallows, we all turned in at 7:30. It rained during the night and we learned the next morning that the Gray's tent leaked. I will let her tell that story.
To be continued....
Sunrise in northern Kansas
Hike at Sylvan Lake. We were feeling this one later.
Our campgroud at Stockade Lake
Charis enjoying roasted marshmallows.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Car show and other happenings
My blog has been neglected since I opened my facebook page a month ago. It is quick and easy and seductive, but I am having problems loading pics.
So, here we are, August 30th, already. Yesterday, Chuck and I rode the Speedster to Cheney, KS for a car show, part of a celebration of the town being 125 years old. Hank was the organizer of the show. Hank owns a microbrewry called Hank Wiser Brewry. It is a fine establishment and we sampled a couple of his brews. One was a special anniversary beer and the other was a Canadian type brew he named, Eh. Both were smooth and tasty. This was the first car show for this event and 150 cars showed up, much more than they expected. Shown above are three of our favorite entries. A Lotus, a Chevy pickup that I fell in love with, and a Hudson. We sat next to a crusty old dude with a 55 Chevy named Roxanne. He said Roxanne was a whore because she got everything she wanted. Is that the way it is with whores? I didn't know.
Our weather has been most unusual for August in Kansas. We actually sought out the sun yesterday because we were chilly. Today is even cooler. So nice! The plan today is the Wichita Flight Festival at Jabara Airport where we will watch a parade and an air show. Kelsey and Charis are going with us, or rather, we will ride with them in the big van.
In a few days we are going camping and hiking and sight seeing in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The Grays will be joining us as well as my cousin Sharon and her daughter, Autumn, both of Minnesota. I need to get serious about getting my gear in order!
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