they like it!

Jamison Square

Our friends come to visit from Bend. We had dinner downtown and then took the kids to run around in the park. There was still water in the fountain and everyone got wet. They had fun and it wasn't too cold.

Happy Birthday Alexa

It was Holly's good friend Alexa's birthday was last week. Her mom took us to Baskin Robbins after school. I think she liked her ice cream.

forget back blogging = Latourell Falls

Hike a Latourell Falls with Holly's friend Alexa a few days before school started

April Visit with Nana and Papa

Papa arrived a few days after Nana.

The girls decided to decorate their rooms with all their drawings.

Emma wall of photos. It turned into a competition between the two.

Playing at Ainsworth. The girls school

Grandparents day at school. Nana planned her trip around this day.

Tulips - April 2009

April 2009 visit to Woodburn Tulip Fields

Emma and Holly flying high as Mom and Dad cross our fingers
New iPhone!

I planted about 100 tulips bulbs in our front yard.

Basil and Black Pepper Ice Cream with White Balsamic Strawberries

Basil & White Peppercorn Ice Cream

with Strawberries in White Balsamic

Ice Cream

1 1/2 cups 2% milk

1 1/2 cups half and half

pinch of gray salt

3/4 cups sugar

1 vanilla bean or teas. of vanilla

10 whole white

3 yolks, slightly whisked

2 cups basil leaves chopped

Strawberries

2 cups strawberries cored & sliced

6 T white balsamic

1/4 cup sugar

gray salt

white pepper

Place milk, half and half, salt, sugar, vanilla bean in non reactive saucepan.

Bring to boil over medium heat, stirring from time to time till sugar dissolves.

Slowly temper eggs, whisk in milk and eggs. Slowly add eggs to milk in saucepan. Heat to 180 degrees, stirring constantly, until slightly thickened.

Turn off heat and immediately add basil and pepper. Stir. Allow to sit for 30 minutes in ice bath. Strain mixture. You can add fresh basil and place in blender mix till basil is small specs.

Place in refrigerator overnight. Follow manufactures directions to freeze ice cream.

Strawberries

combine all ingredients. mix well. place in refrigerator for at least 15 minutes.

Adapted from Michael Chiarello - Top Chef Masters

Fore Street - Portland, Maine