We had an inpromptu dinner party tonight for Blake who is off to the Air Force Academy this week. Omid took off a little early today to prepare for dinner (kubideh & jujeh kabob). The kids' reaction after Omid told them it was a "Farsi Summer" (no English). MuahaHaha!!!

Naseem helping Omid skewer meat for our dinner party. How 'bout them skewers?!

Kari, Ward & Blake (I was so busy socializing, I forgot to take photos and remembered when everyone was leaving).

appetizers, nummy!

Omid & I preparing dinner

Nas & Remy in an awkward kiss - it looks like Remy is biting her, but he is not. Not to worry Farijoon - Nas immediately washed her face (just for you) after this picture. :)

Movie Plug

Nas & I watched the movie Penelope last night. It is very cute and very appropriate for all ages. The movie stars Christina Ricci, James McAvoy & Reese Witherspoon. I won't give you any details - except to tell you to rent it - you won't be disappointed.

Calling all ABBA fans!

I am an ABBA freak/nut. It's a good thing my friends are too. Today we went to see the movie Mamma Mia. I had seen the musical a few years back when it was playing in Portland. It was a lot of fun. The movie is almost exactly like the musical. If you love ABBA music, you won't be disappointed. If you can't find anyone to see the movie with you, call me. I will be there for you!
There is also this fun group you can see called Bjorn Again. They are ABBA impersonators. A bunch of us went to see them perform at the Crystal Ballroom a few years ago. They are so much fun & sound just like ABBA (even the Swedish accents).

I am so excited! I just bought an AHOPE shirt. I can't wait to wear it and have people ask me about it. :) Now I have to save my pennies so I can get the necklace I want from JunkPosse on Etsy.

Smoky Potato Salad

I went shopping at Trader Joe's today and found Baby Dutch Potatoes. They are so good and tasty I bought 2 bags. I have a recipe I have been saving since August of 2002 for smoky potato salad, but haven't had a chance to make yet. Today was that day!

Baby potatoes boiling away.

Finished product ready for the fridge.

The grocery store I visited after Trader Joe's was out of cilantro. I went to my trusty neighbor (Jodie) and asked if I could have some of her herbs. Jodie has cultivated a beautiful garden. The salad is missing cilantro but has thyme, basil, & parsley instead. I also tasted the sauce and I put in 2 chipotles - that may be a bit hot for some so definitely taste it after the first pepper. I also think next time I will use sour cream instead of mayo. Sour cream just has that special "ooomph" about it.

Smoky Potato Salad

2 pounds small red potatoes (or Baby Dutch)

2 T. Sea Salt (divided)

1/2 c chopped red onion

1 T. adobo sauce from can of chipotle chiles

1-2 chipotle chiles - finely minced from the can

1 c mayo or Greek yogurt
1 tsp cumin

1 bunch fresh cilantro

Boil potatoes with 1 T. sea salt until tender. Drain & cool until easy to handle. While potatoes cool, combine onion, adobo sauce, chipotles, mayo, cilantro & remaining sea salt. Stir until well mixed. Cut potatoes in half and gently toss with the dressing.

**If you substitute regular salt for sea salt use a much smaller amount.

Banana Cream Pie (mmmmmm good!)

Omid is off fishing today and when he comes home, he will see I have made one of his favorite desserts: banana cream pie. Omid would crawl through the desert for a BCP he likes them so much.

I usually use Julia Child's pastry cream recipe for my BCPs. Though lately, I have been using my friend Lin's delicious filling recipe.

BFF Lin

Lin's pudding recipe is really nummy. I took it to my parents house a few weeks ago and everyone went gaga over it. I used it for fruit dip (along with pound cake). So delicious. So...I am sharing Lin's famous pudding/pie filling recipe with you. If you feel so compelled, make a BCP while you're at it.

Lin's Fruit Dip/BCP filling:

1 tub Cool Whip (extra creamy)

1 large box vanilla INSTANT pudding (Jell-O brand)

Make instant pudding. Let sit for 5 minutes. Fold in Cool Whip. Chill & serve with fruit or as a pie filling.

On a side note: Check out the new link to Michael Feldman's Whad'ya Know? show. He is super funny and I love listening to him. He has polls, quizzes, etc. Lots of fun things to peruse on his site. Sorry Arezoujoon! You are officially excused from checking out the link! :)

Nas & I went on a walk today to cut a few blackberry branches for our Walking Sticks to eat.


Nas & Remy on a path.

Nas, Remy & I after dinner.

Nas & Omid made Pioneer Woman's Cowboy Nachos for dinner tonight. Naseem has been requesting them for 2 days now. Check out Nas' blog for the recipe & photos. The nachos were tasty. We didn't use brisket (didn't have any on hand) so we used hamburger instead.

Dutch Babies

Dutch Babies or German Pancakes. Whatever you call them, I call the DELICIOUS! I made one for breakfast this morning. They are super easy to make and eat. Try making one for dessert with strawberries & whipped cream. We like them simple with just a little lemon juice & powdered sugar.

The DB right out of the oven - all puffy.

Here it is one minute later - deflated with lemon juice & powdered sugar.

Here is the recipe. Enjoy!

Dutch Babies

3-4 qt pan: 1/3 c butter, 4 eggs, 1 c milk, 1 c flour

Preheat oven to 425*. Place butter in pan and set in oven to melt. Blend eggs, milk, & flour in blender. Pour into pan with melted butter and bake 20-25 minutes or until golden & puffy.

Dinner & Kim Vo

Here are the finished photos of dinner tonight. The potatoes were really tasty. Nas had two. That is saying something!
But...what is really saying something is if Omid has 2nds or 3rds of dinner. When I cook dinner, Omid usually has one helping. Tonight...he had 3 helpings of the chicken legs. Woo hoo!! This means I will definitely make the chicken again. A winner!


The salad from Costco was a winner too. Not one shred of lettuce left. Delicious!

After dinner, we watched Shear Genius on BRAVO! Kim Vo is our favorite judge (well, Mine & Nas'). He is always so positive and has the sweetest smile (along with his collagen injected lips). He is the least negative person on the show.

I have two blogs to thank for dinner tonight. First, of course is The Pioneer Woman. She posted her Spicy Roasted Chicken Legs recipe. The other is Noble Pig. Her Smokin' Red Roasted Potatoes will accompany our chicken dinner (rounded out with a delicious Cherry-Almond-Bleu salad from Costco).

I started the chicken at 9 this morning and stuck it in the fridge. I am trying to be more organized & get dinner ready earlier. I usually start to think about dinner around 5 p.m. Not so good - I don't recommend that.

Here are the photos of the potato process. Nas wasn't up at 9 a.m. to photograph my chicken process, but you can check it out on Pioneer Woman's site if you are curious. My process was exactly like hers (except for that I couldn't find Morton's Hot Salt & used some other spices instead).

Chicken legs - complete & ready for the fridge.

This really worked (cutting on the wooden spoon). I was worried I would cut through every time, but I didn't.

I fanned the potatoes out a little bit.

Ready for the microwave.

Nuked potatoes. Notice how they are pink now instead of red. They are cooling right now. When they are cooled enough for the fridge, I will add the olive oil and spices; then place them in the fridge along with the chicken. I will post photos later tonight of the finished product. I am most happy that both dishes were easy & fast. Hope they don't taste that way!

Camping & River Rafting

We spent the weekend camping & rafting the Deschutes River with 25 other people. It was a lot of fun. Enjoy the pics! **Update: We left on Sunday, but on Monday there were 2 exciting events we missed. #1: a 4.2 earthquake and #2 King Abdullah of Jordan rafted the Deschutes with his son and secret service. I would have LOVED to get a photo of them for the blog. :)



On our way...

Omid setting up our tent & accessories. Remy refused to sleep on the floor of the tent. He insisted on sleeping on the air mattress. When Omid tried to move him, Remy became a dead weight & wouldn't budge. Omid didn't sleep very well. :( Next camping trip, Remy may get his own tent.

Dinner Friday night...camp-stovetop nachos.

Tom & Francis cooking dinner.

Lin & Ward

Kids ready for their first river run of the day.

Omid & "Lawrence of Arabia"

Ward had the 'accent' down and was using it! I was laughing so hard I had tears (so did many others!).

Tom aka "Camp Supervisor" aka "The Pest". Tom was officially christened The Pest by Ward this weekend (for his ability to assign jobs in the campsite).

Blake & Brian on dish duty.

Ward on dish duty

Ward, Jack & Remy swimming.

It wouldn't be a camping trip with the Kelloggs without Sangria.

Kids

Kids on their way for a 6th run.

Amy squished in the back.

Nas - flash those pearly whites!

An exhausted Remy.

Chow time!

Blake & Francis

Jack & Remy

By standing on a rock, I was actually taller than Omid. I was holding on for dear life too - the current was strong & the rocks slippery.

Matty in a creek (catching crayfish).

Matty - he was the "tannest" of us all this weekend (by being in the water 99% of the time).

The dads finally get a turn to raft the river.