"Mr. Howe tear down this wall!"

It's been as Melanie likes to call it "Extreme Yard Makeover"! We decided to replace the railroad tie retaining wall with brick/stone. I think it turned out well. It was a much more involved project than we both expected, from tearing out the old railroad ties, hauling them to the dump, digging out the yard to fit the bricks, leveling the first row, and desiging corners. I was a little sorry we decided to start it once there was no returing. I'm glad we persisted though because it looks sooo much better. Matt finished it up for the most part yesterday. What a CHAMP!! I ran a race and had some clients to see and he worked in the rain all day yesterday (For which I am forever greatful)! I wish I had some pictures of the rain yesterday because it way crazy how much came down.

Here's some before, during, and after shots!

Before

The point of no return!

The almost end result!

Since I didn't get a photo of my hard working guy out in the rain - here's some from the race (St. Lukes Women's Fitness Celebration 5K)...we looked a bit like drowned rats by the end!

Good Eats!

Thought I'd share a new recipe I've tried and an old favorite!

First the new....

Big overgrown zucchini (you know the ones all your neighbors try to give you) are great for this!

Zucchini Crisp

4 C. Zucchini peeled, seeded, and chopped
1/3 C fresh lemon juice
1/2 C. + 2 T. white sugar
1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

1 C. Flour
1 C. Oatmeal
1/2 C. Brown Sugar
6 T. Butter
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/2 tsp. Cinnamon

Preheat oven to 375. Coat 9x9 baking dish with cooking spray.
Place zucchini and lemon juice in a medium saucepan. Cook, covered over med. low heat, stirring occasionally, for about 15 min. or until tender. Stir in white sugar, 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, and nutmeg. Simmer one min. longer. Remove from heat and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl combine flour, oatmeal, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Cut in the butter until mixture resembles course crumbs.
Place zucchini in prepared dish and sprinkle crumbs on top.
Bake in pre-heated oven for 30-40 min or until golden and bubbly.

Enjoy! Tastes great with ice cream, or whipped cream with carmel and cinnamon sprinkled on top. Don't forget that it isn't really apples! (I had Matt try it before I told him what it was and he totally thought it apples...very surprised to learn it was zucchini!)


Here's a link to the old favorite!

Baja Fish Tacos

Guess what's for dinner tonight??

Carpenter Family Reunion

We spent last weekend in Robertson, Wyoming for a family reunion (points to anyone who knows where that is let alone has ever heard of it!) It was in the middle of a cow pasture (don't worry, besides the cow patties everwhere, it doesn't look much like a cow pasture). The weather was great until Sunday night when it rained all night and we even ran into some snow going home the next day. It was pretty fun to see everyone. As this is an annual event, it's like Christmas in that you realize that a whole year has gone by...CRAZY!

We had a bit of bad luck going to and from. We were stuck in stop and go traffic on the interstate for a brush fire on the way down and some crazy accident (some girl thought it would be a good idea to get onto the wrong side of the interstate...unfortunatly the semis didn't think it was such a great idea) on the way back. Both times we were within like 30 miles of Boise. Not fun!

A few pix from the weekend...

No reunion is complete without Papa's homemade root beer. The wasps and bees particularly like it too!

Traditional "Saw dust dig". You never know what you'll find in the sawdust. Money and candy are among the most popular. When I was a kid, I used to think I made SO much money diging in the dust. I'm sure it was less than a buck or two. Usually you get about as much sawdust in your bag and shoes as you do anything else...of course this year I got a handfull down my pants. Thanks Dad! (That stuff itches like no other....and you can't just shake it out!) If ever you participate in such an event...watch your back!

These little cousins sure take a liking to Matt everytime that we are there. It's fun to see them each year and yet kind of sad to see them all grow up!

My family is in charge next year....we'll have to see what fun we can come up with:)