For a little while now, we have been telling this lady (my little sis) we would take her to the big city up north. She had never been, (which is crazy cause we live so close) and wanted to just explore and take some pictures. So last week when she finally finished school for the summer, the mr, this lady, and I made the trip.
I guess the best way to start a little road trip is with a bowl or egg noodle covered in the smelliest teriyaki sauce ever ( it was 9 in the morning). Gross as hell, but i give her credit for creativity. This lady has a fantastic (and pretty freaking dirty) mind.
And really, what's a trip to Montreal without stopping at Ikea. It's like a house ware themed playground. So much tomfoolery!
The mr. wants to know, "is it really frozen yogurt, cause it's too good to be yogurt?" The lady just wants an Ikea closer so she can eat ice cream and hot dogs all day, everyday.
The balls we plastic and full of water….and after wondering aloud if the balls ever dropped, this one fell onto my head.
Once in the city, we parked and set out on foot. The goal for the day was to walk, see some cool shit, and get a good cup of coffee. All of which we did. So after a few hours, tired, hot and sun burnt (we forgot the sunscreen), we dragged ass back to the car and drove home.
Until next time. (maybe we'll take her to a strip club)
-C
It's been a long, packed, but very fantastic week. Everyday has been full of work, chores, family, and trying to get in a least one good bike ride or walk in. I made a list of a few important points to mention from the past week.
The mister and the worlds biggest crayon, which is made of scraps of blue crayons from all over the world. I could totally use a big ass crayon like this.
The coolest most badass 95 year old lady that I know (I know a few), Grammy Stem. And the little, getting a lift. (I could have used a lift too!)
Brothers. The guy in the green is my Dad.
Aftre dinner ice cream break.
The sky has been on point all week long
And made myself some veggie chips. The colors alone are delicious. 
And that's how I know that this is a winner. 
As an awesome aunt, when I have any of my nieces or nephews, I feel the need to make something special for dinner, something that the kiddos might not get very often, but also keep it on he healthy side. I have 2 littles for the night which gives me the perfect opportunity for a trash food recipe. You know trash food, things like boxed mac and cheese, beefaroni in a can, or, in this case, sloppy joes. 
The stuff… We start with onion and green pepper, chopped into pieces. Black beans, bulgur, can crushed tomatoes. Chili powder, garlic powder, a bit o apple cider vinegar (which I forgot to picture) ,and some salt and pepper. Oh and cheese if you want… Plus a bun of some sort is necessary.
Toss the chopped onion and peppers into a deep skillet or pot with a drizzle of oil. Cook on medium heat until tender and toss in the spices. Give a stir. Add in the beans, bulgur, and tomato, a splash of vinegar. Stir it all up, cover, and let simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the bulgur has absorbed the liquid and is nice and tender.
And Then dump a good heaping pile right onto a bun. Add some cheese, or not..and eat with wild abandonment, making sure to get as much on your face as you get in you mouth. 
And I am home. The mister and I woke up at 2:15 am Friday morning to drive to Easton PA and spend the weekend with family, going to the Crayola crayon factory, wondering a grave yard, and hearing some fantastic stories about my family from the mouth of my 95 year old grandmother. (I'll show some pictures and tell you some stuff later this week) Than we drove back late last night… I don't know how I am even awake right now...I am sooooo much tired! But that's how I work I guess. 
My forsythia bush in from of one of my houses… Always the first one to bloom. 
This is how washer sleeps in the warmer months.. All feet in the air. 
I ate it all and it was good.
Two pretty ladies
Veggies Plants!!!! 
The other day the mister and I started reminiscing about some of our earliest memories of what our parents fed us or what they used to eat when we were growing up. One of the dishes that we both remember eating was the classic creamed beef on toast, or as my mom use to call it, shit on a shingle. 
The shit….. A few mushrooms, a bit of onion, cooked lentils, flour, milk, oil, salt and pepper, and garlic powder. And the shingles.. 2 pieces of thick white country bread. 
Slice the mushrooms and the onion and toss into a skillet with a drizzle of oil. Cook on medium heat until browned and fragrant..Remove from pan.
In the empty pan still on medium heat, add in the olive oil and the flour. Whisky constantly, slowly add in the milk. Keep whisking until sauce thickens. Remove from heat. Add in salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Add the mushrooms and the lentils into the sauce and give it a good mix. Oh, and don't forget to toast up the bread. 
Now dump that shit all over those shingles! Oh the memories.