Chicken Little Act 3

Pizza anyone? I decided to freeze the broth made from the roasted chicken so I can use it in the future. Tonight, with the rest of the chicken meat, I made BBQ chicken pizza. It was delish!

Ingredients for BBQ chicken pizza: pre-made dough, chicken, BBQ sauce, bacon, red bell pepper, red onion, tomato, mozzarella and gouda cheeses, fresh green onions from the garden.

It was super tasty, although I would use less chicken in the future.

I can hardly believe that my sweet baby is almost 5 months old! My how time has flown faster than ever before. Here are a couple of shots, taken by my friend Ashley, when Porter was 1 week old.

I love my tender little baby so very very much!

Chicken Little Act 2

As promised, I made dinner using leftovers from last night's roasted chicken. Tonight was quesadillas. What I noticed was that the chicken tasted more chicken-y. The roasted chicken has way more flavor than if I bought the chicken breast or thighs in a package, plus it cost less since I bought the whole chicken. I still have some leftover chicken and all of the broth. Tomorrow is a soup day, especially since it's June and I still have the heater turned on.

Tillamook Colby Jack Cheese and leftover chicken, chopped.

Cooking lettuce is all the rage these days, so I thought I would add some lettuce to my quesadilla. It wasn't the best choice I've ever made in the kitchen.

Cheese, chicken and lettuce.

My mom had these awesome mermaid plates special ordered for me at Many Hands Gallery. I love them.

Here are the final quesadillas with a side of salsa.

Porter can read! Or at least turn the pages of a cardboard book, kinda.

Chicken Little

In an effort to save money we have cut down on eating dinners out. Plus, it's easier with Porter to eat at home. I've been slowly getting back in to the habit of making real dinners, as opposed to the cereal or Top Roman that we got used to since our wee one was born. Growing up, my dad was always the main cook in our house, and he's excellent in the kitchen. During his visit here he revived a classic, roast chicken. When I lived at home my dad would make one little chicken last for multiple meals, and now I want to do the same. So, here goes!

My kitchen supervisor

Here she is, all 4.23 pounds. Roasted a la Julia Child and basted in butter. 

Chicken, sour cream smashed potatoes, gravy and garlic asparagus. This was a happy time of  day.

Leftovers, dark meat on top and white meat on bottom.

This is for my dad. Not a bit of her will waste, here is her carcass being boiled into broth.

The result! Beautiful golden chicken broth. Stay tuned to find out what happens with our own chicken little.

Granny Alton came to visit!!

We toured around Ann Morrison Park with Granny Alton and Porter's cousin Quila while Aunt Anna played volleyball.

Porter and Quila

It was a long walk, deserving of a nap.

Aunt Anna playing in a volleyball tournament.

 In more Porter cuteness.

Holding hands with dad at the dinner table.

Porter finally found a willing recipient of his fondness for hair pulling. Turns out Misty enjoys a rough grab, if only she knew what was coming!

High Desert Hike

Boise is considered the high desert. It is 2,730 feet above sea level, has a dry climate, averages 234 sunny days a year, and receives about a foot of rain yearly. The summer tends to be pretty hot and dry, between 85-95 degrees with stretches over 100 degrees. The winter can be quite cold. I know what zero feels like. This is what makes me appreciate the beautiful sunny days we've been having this spring. It makes it even better that we are getting to enjoy the outdoors with our new baby this year and that Luke's work place makes it so easy to take walks in the foothills.

For a brief time in the spring and fall, the hills are green and burgundy colored with blooming grasses and the trees have leaves. The sky is filled with big spongy clouds and the temperature hovers around 70. It doesn't get much more tender than that!

I've been documenting our hikes so that I can look back when I'm schvitzing like crazy this summer or piling on the blankets next winter, and remember that there is a time of year when being outside makes me very genuinely happy. To have anytime to enjoy the great outdoors is a treat and a luxury, and I'm happy to share it with you!

Help save the Hollow hiking trails! Click here to find out more.

Luke works at the bottom of this hill

Yet another view of downtown Boise from the foothills.

Luke is the designated family pack horse, and I love him for that.

Simplot hill: great for sledding in the winter and ice block riding in the summer!

Beauty growing from the dry earth

I finally got a picture of him awake during the hike. He promptly fell asleep after this pic was taken. Porter likes his Deuter hiking backpack better than all the rest because his giant baby body doesn't get scrunched up and he stays much cooler.

Love My Life

This last week my dad, Porter's grandpa, came to Boise for a visit. Whenever family or friends come to visit I am always reminded about how lucky we are to have such wonderful people in our lives. During my dad's visit he cooked up a storm. He made everything from curries to chicken soup, and we were lucky enough to have a friends dinner where my dad cooked. It was a great treat to have my dad cook the whole meal for us and I know we were all very appreciative of his tasty curries. Luke and Shaun jammed on their guitars, Lucy and Porter were their charming selves and it was heart warming to spend a beautiful evening with everyone. We are so blessed to have each other!

Porter and his doula Aunt Sarah playing at friends dinner.

Lucy lovin' the Magnum ice cream bar.

We spent time hiking on the greenbelt and in the foothills. Hiking was made much easier by the sweet Deuter hiking backpack to carry Porter in, from REI. The foothills were green and in bloom.

Porter's Grandpa

Napping on the hike.

Downtown Boise

My dad was also nice enough to beef up Porter's wardrobe. My 4 month old is wearing 12 month sizes, with just a little room to spare! I especially love the plaid jumper he's wearing when he fell asleep on my dad. It was a great visit and I we're so happy that Porter has family that wants to be involved in his life, because no matter how much stuff this little boy gets, it's the relationships that make our lives rich.

Tenderness

Porter the acrobat