Black Raspberry Jam , Nelson Family Tradition

One thing that I have loved since marrying into my family is my mother-in-laws black raspberry jam. We crave it and cherish every jar. After moving into our house we purchased some plants...and 5 years later we have an abundant surplus! Tomorrow after picking today we will be making our own small batch!

I will share our success after tomorrow! Keeping traditions alive is what it is all about, but more importantly is continuing those traditions!

38 is going to be Great!

As I turn 38 I can't help but look forward to this year and all it has to offer! I always hear women say, "how does it feel to be 29."  I am not afraid of 38 (except maybe 5-8lbs more tone) but embrace it. We as women only get better, stronger, prettier, bolder, more relaxed and maybe a little more adventurous! So I want women to embrace their age as we are just getting better with it! 

I call this my year of core! Working hard to prevent future injuries. I just transitioned to a new job I love and my family and life couldn't be better! Thankful everyday! 

Goals for 38:

1. Do 100 days of Pure Barre

2. Work on patience

3. Be more present

4. To laugh more each day

5. To just have fun! 

38 feels good!

Sun-dried Tomato, Mushroom and Artichoke Creamy Pasta

I love this yummy recipe! I feel like you can do anything you want with this, the sauce itself is to die for, reheats well throughout the week.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 package of baby bellas, quartered
• 2 tsp of pre-cut garlic in the jar
• 4 oz of chopped sundried tomatoes
• 2 cups of Vegetable broth
• 1 can of artichokes
• 1/2 sweet onion diced
• 1 tsp of red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp of Herbs de Provance
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup half and half
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese 
• 1 package of linguini
• Corn Starch as needed

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil on medium-high heat, add onions and garlic - and saute until onions are translucent.
2. Add the quartered mushrooms and artichokes towards the end of saute.
3. Heat the 2 cups of vegetable broth in a separate pan. Once heated add the broth to the skillet - continue to cook the vegetables in the vegetable broth on medium heat until the mushrooms and sun-dried tomatoes absorb some of the broth and the broth reduces. Add half and half, heavy cream and bring to boil just for a short moment. Add Parmesan cheese and cook the sauce, stirring, for a couple of minutes, on low-medium heat until the cheese melts.
4. Add Corn Starch to thicken sauce slightly. Whisk continuously until dissolved.
5. Keep whisking and add red pepper flakes, Herbs de Provance - keep whisking.
6. Cook linguini al dente according to the package instruction.
7. Drain and than add to the sauce and toss with tongs.

New Pizza Recipe!!

My son's top request is pizza and beets! Today we tried a new recipe.

Pesto, Sausage and Red Pepper Pizza!

Use your favorite dough!

Pan cook or grill 1 Basil n Garlic Chicken Sausage (Whole Foods)

Pre sauté red peppers in olive oil until al dente.

Once your stone is ready:

- Spread pesto on bottom layer of dough

- Place cooked chicken sausage throughout pizza

- Disburse red peppers on pizza

- add mozzarella 

- add Parmesan 

Once finished cooking add fresh spinach and drizzle with good balsamic (the thicker version)

Enjoy!

Happy Family Day!!!

Two years ago today we were in Korea and attending the Prayer Ceremony and packing to bring Cy back to the US and in our lives forever. I remember like it was yesterday. I feel lucky, during our time we met some amazing families while we were there that were so supportive and helped make the process smooth. In between the joy I feel that I made life long friends. We are so blessed everyday that Cy is our son and he is the funnest kid!

Rochester, MN over Christmas! Loving the Bounce houses!

2013, I love this picture with his Bear.

First week home from Korea!

CY'S LOVES:

Bear! He received it as a gift from his Foster family on his 100 day celebration in Korea and Bear is his right hand buddy! We don't leave home without i!

Tea

Music

Carrots (now that Elsa, from Frozen, has shown him the way)

Brussel Sprouts

Daddy's sauteed Collard Greens and Kale

Trains

Chicken

Noodles

Lightning McQueen and Mater Matchbox cars

Oriental Flavored Ramen

Batman

TV's -> Pretty much any Disney movie from Faries to the Incredibles!

Loves wearing jeans 24/7

Chocolate!!!! 

Current Activities: Soccer and Dance

Friends: Yosh, Atikus, Cousin Owen, Helena and Niah (neighbors), Jackson, Eddison

 School: Primrose in Fort Collins, CO

TRIPS

In the first two years we have traveled a lot with Cy. 

California to visit family

Florida for Aunt Jill and Uncle Eric's wedding

Minnesota to visit Grandma and Grandpa Nelson

Hawaii with Grandma Irene

Weekend in Beaver Creek, CO

I look forward to many more local and a far adventures with our family! 

Looking Back

Recently a good friend of mine shared this post on Facebook that someone had written about waiting for adoption. It literally brought back so many memories. Waiting for my son to come home was the hardest thing in my life, at this time, to deal with.

Waiting Adoptive Moms
One exert from the article was especially close to home:
She isn’t sure they’re coming home.
This is the part of the adoption process that makes you want to crawl under your bed and not come out until it’s safe again. This is the part that tears you soul in two. This is the part that you wake up in the morning remembering and going to bed at night fearing. Because there are no guarantees. And that’s hard. No, not hard. It’s gut-wrenching. It’s not just the fear that your child might die before having a family, it’s that this child you love with every ounce of your being might grow up in an orphanage, on the streets, or worse.

I don't live life with many regrets. However, I do regret how little time I spent at home with my son when we first came home. I only had 4 weeks. Looking back I really should have taken off 2 to 3 months. I know going forward if I adopt again that will be the case and the consequences of taking that time off I am completely ready to deal with and the outlook.

For anyone adopting this is a fantastic read.  While it was very difficult I don't regret anything as I have the most amazing son who I love more than myself.  However, I don't know if I was prepared for the reality of the wait, especially the political mess we endured. Looking back it would have been helpful to probably talk with someone professional as while friends are good I am not sure it helped.

Ghetto Sangria!

My family and I recently went to Rockygrass over the weekend in Lyons and discovered something amazing....ghetto sangria! Seriously this stuff is sooooo good!

Grab your Boxed Wine (always a necessity camping). I am a fan of Bota Box!
Grab a six pack of San Pellegrino Aranciata Rossa!!! It has to be! Watch out not to get the orange kind!
Then add ice and mix about half and half or to taste! So yummy!