Pickles!!!

A Meyer Tradition that has been passed down...but for Rich and I as a couple, it was out first time!!! Tonight, we PICKLED! Yes, you read that right. Denise brought fresh grown pickling cucumbers over from the Meyer garden and Rich and I decided to embark on the family tradition!!!

Rich diligently reading Chris' Famous Pickle Recipe...just as Brianna, I guess they are to die for (we should know within a few days)!!!
Chukar (conehead) helping me bring in the jars to sterilize!
Supplies are ready...look at those cucumbers!
A little break while the glass was sterilizing...time for dinner and Rich made a delicious homemade pasta...
with fresh tomatoes and fresh beans from the Meyer garden! Delicious!
The garlic, salt, dill, vinegar and water were in the jars...time to tighten the lids!
Next up...boil the filled jars!
Wah-laa! DONE....we will hopefully be enjoying our first batch this weekend (or being tremendously ill because we missed a step).
Looks like we have put another weeknight evening to great use...and might have found a new late summer/early fall hobby! Maybe this is what I do when the boys (Rich and Chukar) are out bird hunting!

The season opens on Thursday...but out little buddy is taking opening weekend off to heal!

BBQ and Boats...

Another fun weekend in the books...both my sister was here from Iowa and Rich's Mom and brother Shawn...so what to do...Family BBQ time, obviously!

Prepping for the fun...(the beautiful flowers are from Aunt Roxy and Grandma)...so gorgeous!!!
Shawn helped clean up the deck...
while Rich and Denise worked on prepping things in the kitchen...
Then it was time for the fun...Jenn, Avea, Rene and me...
Insert Mama with her daughters...pretty happy to have the family back together again!
Next up, Aunt Roxy with her nieces!!!
A view from the other side...Grandma, Rich and Mama Denise!
Finally...a picture of my hubby and I!
Richie and his little brother Shawn!
Totally missed Dad...Bryan...Lori...oops....

Michael, Baby Emily (bump), and Alison (soon-to-be BIG sister)!
It was time for some of the troops to go...so Alison jumped on board and waved BYE-BYE with Chukar!
Sunday was a BOAT-load of fun...when Lori invited us to tour the cruise ship and have a delightful lunch!

Ready to board!
Our personal tour guide with Rene and Avea...
Lori and Mom with Avea and Rene (pre-swim) at the pool!
A foggy morning in Seattle....
My parents.....love you!
The whole gang on the ship!
We even got to go to the BRIDGE and meet the Captain...pretty awesome!
Last stop...Mom's clinic area with the kidlets!
Sunday night ended with a trip to our favorite Greek restaurant with my parents and sister...a fun weekend...now off to start this week!

Next up...Labor Day weekend!!!

Cone Head!

As most everyone knows who reads this blog (or knows Rich and I), Chukar is our son...no ifs, ands, ors about it. We treat him probably better than we will our first born and have learned so much by having him. Of course, during his almost 2 years on this wonderful planet, this puppy has had more bad luck than most dogs 5 times his age. Is this paranoid parents or a dog that is prone to things happening? I guess your guess is as good as mine, but thank goodness for pet insurance.

A few weeks ago his pesky "infection" in his man parts came back and we headed back to the vet today...we have decided to start with the least invasion (but most embarrassing) and so our little King has THE CONE OF SHAME...this will just be for about a week to see if anything gets better. Of course, our little man has already ran into a few walls, had a run in with the kennel and dumped some water. I'm sure the struggles of the next week will be felt by all...I can't imagine what it will be like in bed tonight...he already was a bed hog and now he has a HUGE cone! Oh well, anything to help him get better!

Poor Chukar!

Anniversary Celebrations!

YUM, YUM, YUM...yep, that about sums up the celebration for my parent's 36th wedding anniversary and our 2nd wedding anniversary at The Barking Frog!

We indulged....in everything, food, wine, laughs and an overall GREAT TIME!

We started off with:

Grilled House Made Foccacia & Prosciutto di Parma
Then had:
Grand Marnier Prawns
Next up was Salads....Dad stuck with a traditional Caesar, Mom had Mixed Greens & Herb Salad, and Rich and I had a Tomato, Watermelon and Mozzarella Salad....all were spectacular!

Next up...a little photo op for Rich and I...
For the Main Course...(just to make your mouth water)
Rich had:
Grilled Snake River Farms Pork Chop
Smoked Sausage Stuffing, Controne Beans, Fava Beans, Artichokes Hearts, Basil Butter
Dad had:
Eight Ounce Northwest Beef Tenderloin
Oregon Blue Cheese Gnudi, White Asparagus, Sweet Onion Ring, Veal Demi Glace
and Mom and I each had:
Sea Scallops & Sous Vide Pork Belly
Grilled Corn Risotto, Smoked Shimeji Mushrooms, Caramelized Leeks, Jalapeno ~ Corn Broth
Dinner was followed by dessert...but there was not time for pictures then....we were too stuffed and I barely remember the end of the night!!!

A group shot at the end of the night!!!

Thanks M&D for an awesome night out celebrating!

Kelby's Birthday Boating!

For Kelby's 30th Birthday...Ryan planned a little surprise boating excursion for Kelby....it was a blast....boating, birthday celebrating, beer, taco del mar and fun!!! Oh, and did I say CAKE!!!

Rich and I enjoying our time on the boat....
The birthday girl and her FOUR-LOCO....you know, she crazy like that?!?!
A view on the water of Seattle...so pretty!
Captain Ryan!
The Birthday girl and her Prince Charming!
Happy Birthday to YOU....Happy Birthday to YOU!
Make a wish (let me guess...it involves babies and happier ever afters)!!!! Done!!!
We celebrated...we boated!
A little group shot at the end of the night....for those of you paying attention...
Kelby, Ryan, Matt, Loni, Me, Rich, Tim, Alicia and Michael!
We salute you Kelby...to a fabulous 30th birthday!
Xo and MPBS forever!

Dick's Garden

It's the boys....being all silly and stuff! Only Rich and Shawn...and I really think that they might have bought them if it wasn't for my laughing!

We headed over to Kennewick on Saturday to go visit my Uncle Lorre at the hospital and wish him well...he has a long road to recovery, but I know that he will stay strong!

On the upside, we got to visit with Rich's parents...and my parents and Grandma were even able to come visit with Dick and Denise for a bit! Plus, we were able to see Dick's Garden (courtesy of all the hard work of Denise and Shawn) in FULL bloom!

Here is a little video of the garden...to give you some insight into what is there!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwfAQEnU4-U


Jalapenos and Beans....


Close up of Hot Banana Wax Peppers!
Fun plants in the garden....
Overview....rows of peppers and tomatoes!
Tomatoes...
More peppers...
Brussel Sprouts...
Artichokes...
Nectarines...

Onions....
A dead puppy....
...and even more!
Such an awesome garden...can't wait for more treats from it. The tomatoes, cucumbers, pickling cucumbers and more!!!