La Casa Chavez

Monday, May 10, 2010

From the garden to the table

I admit it's a bit embarassing that I'm writing so much about food on my blog. But it's more about the garden. About how we are growing our own food. The process of.....but I will admit, it tastes mighty fine too.

Remember the first picked zuchinni?

How about stuffed zuchinni as a side dish?

To go along with these beautiful beef kabobs nonetheless..

The squash on these kabobs are also from the garden. Apparently I was so excited about the zuchinni coming off first that I neglected to give the squash their own spotlight.

Here makes a (somewhat) healthy & hearty meal.

From our garden to our table!

Stuffed zuchinni

(Makes 4 servings)

Boil 2 zuchinnis for 10 minutes in a pot of water.
Let cool. Slice each zuchinni lengthwise. Using a spoon, scoop out the inside of the zuchinni, creating a shell. Mix in a large bowl with bread crumbs, shredded mozarella cheese, diced bell pepper, a little butter. Scoop the stuffing mix back into each zuchinni. Top with more shredded cheese and broil until cheese is melted.
DELISH!

Saturday, May 8, 2010

First pick

First pick off the garden. Look at these beautiful zuchinnis. As a side dish on tonight's menu, I'll be making my mom's stuffed zuchinni. They are yielding so quickly that I'm going to be making all kinds of zuchinni related dishes. Any suggestions, friends?

It's a very rewarding feeling to eat the food you grow. I'm loving it.

Monday, May 3, 2010

El Jardin

Remember those squash, zuchinni, tomato, pepper & corn plants a couple weeks ago?

Look at them N.O.W.!

Tomatoes ripening....I can already taste the fresh salsa.

The corn is almost as tall as Carver.

Gilbert removed some of the overgrown corn & we now have 3 strawberry plants.

Perfect for Carver & I, we are quite the berry lovers!

Can you spot the lone pepper?

While the flower first catches your eye, don't forget it is atop a zuchinni.

Look at that baby!

Stay tuned for a late May follow-up...

Gilbert's 39th

Heaven forbid I take pictures of an actual birthday "party." There were 2 homemade signs from Carver & I wishing Gilbert the happiest of 39th birthdays, his favorite carrot cake from Central Market, a few gifts & of course a happy birthday song. After the family sized "party," we did what the birthday boy really wished for....headed to the hill country. We went to Pedernales Falls State Park. Packed a bag with Carver's spiderman fishing rod, a few sandwiches, and plenty of water.
Carver loved every second of our "hike" - envision 1mph walking speed so we can stop and pick up e.v.e.r.y single rock along the way. We then made the trek down to the river and what a sight it was. Best time of year in Texas. The flowers were blooming, the water was flowing. It was a perfect half day at the park, followed by a picnic lunch.

First feel of water on his feet

Daddy sharing the skills of casting the rod

"I got a big one, it's a real big fish!" (verbatim)

Just like his mama, loves to dig his tootsies in the sand.
Daddy enjoying the peace & quiet of the river

I'll hold this fake smile as long as you hurry to take the picture..

All that walking called for a snack.
Love to look at those skinny little legs in his undies...

I didn't think it was time for his swim trunks yet but the boy was ready...

Walking back up the trail

View of the flowers with river in background

After falling asleep on the way home, I carried him to bed.

How peaceful is he?

Happy birthday to my "big" boy, Gilberto!

xoxoxo

Friday, April 16, 2010

Movin' On Up

There is a big boy who resides in our house. No longer a baby. He is moving on up to a big boy room and plans are underway. Here's a sneak peek.....

Enter at your own risk...

View from the doorway

Yes this is a very bright blue...I think I should've spent a little more time on the color

Trains, trains, trains...

Testing out the side rail

Curtains are up...every boy must be in darkness for naptime

Oh what fun mommy is having shopping for this big boy room..

and this is no cliche, this boy can hit a ball!

Bookshelf awaiting its occupents

Now it's just time to do a little more shopping (poor me), hang some stuff on the walls then..

move in...tentative date scheduled for next weekend...more to come.

On another note, the Paci Fairy unexpectadely visited our house 2 days ago. After buying the book, Carver jumped up and wanted to collect all paci's in the house and leave for the Fairy..in exchange for a toy of course. Mommy was not mentally prepared for this day at all..I always envisioned I would plan it a month in advance, heck I already had that month picked out. But I went with it. I was scared. Nervous. Anxious. Okay, I was an emotional wreck for my baby boy!

Night 1 was brutal. I felt I was comforting an addict in withdrawal as I rubbed his back, sang to him & denied him his paci's...the fairy had already taken them to the babies in the world after all. I think we slept about 3 hours all night long. No nap that day either.

Day 2: A little whiney, not noticeable. Looked for paci 1 time and never mentioned it again. Slept ALL night long last night - no problems. Took his 2 hour, typical nap today - no problem. Are you kidding me? For 3 years this has been a fundamental part of his existence..or so I thought?

I guess it was harder for me to let go.....

I'm so stinkin' proud of this boy. Words can't express. Amazing.

I think I want to do this, right?