Botting Family Weekend.

We spent the weekend at Lake Tahoe with Tim's parents and his sister's family. It was a rare but much needed time for us to spend together and reconnect. I am filled with gratitude for those precious days the Cousies spent playing "Let's Pretend...".

Celebrate!

Hutters, 

This is Goo, now two. Happy Birthday my boy.

Mini-Break.

We are in Tahoe with Eva and her Littles for a few days. Building forts in the sand, swimming in the lake, eating ice cream and playing Hide & Seek have never felt more like Summertime.

Collecting.

Here are a few treasures I found while thrift shopping this last weekend. There is the BEST chain of second hand stores in our area, I dare not share the names because at my core I am a seriously competitive thrift shopper. I may have a problem... There is always a fantastic supply of well crafted old furniture ready for a new life, artwork, antiques and collectibles.

I love this little wood box in chevron pattern, $1.

A collection of wooden spoons  25 or 50 cents each. 

And milk glass, my favorite. All these vases were from one location. $2 a piece. FYI, I've seen the top left two vases re-purposed as candle holders at a Sacramento Boutique for $38. 

Simple Supper.

Last month I tried this new-to-me recipe; One-Pan Pasta. It is genius and delicious and ANYONE can make it. It currently is on our weekly dinner list here at The Hut. I used Angel Hair Pasta but I'm sure you can use any other regular variety though I don't recommend using whole wheat or gluten-free pasta here. The recipe is here but this is how I make it.

Ingredients:
half package Angel Hair Pasta
1 tomato chopped (I've also used a drained can of petite diced tomatoes, it works too)
1/4 chopped onion
3 cloves of garlic, minced
small handful basil leaves, chopped
1 t salt
1/2 t pepper
dash of red pepper flakes
2 T olive oil
4 1/2 cups water

Boil all ingredients in a large skillet, turning ingredients as the pasta cooks about 8 minutes or when liquid is almost evaporated. Top with Parmesan cheese.

Oh...and the clean up after this meal is a dream, One Pan!



Old Tricks.

There are typically only 2 or 3 days during the summer when we wish we had air conditioning. Usually those days are spread throughout the summer months and not in a row. This week is an exception. So this morning when I was awake at 5 am without the typical cool breeze coming through the window, I knew I'd have to come up with some tricks spaced well enough apart to keep My Littles sane instead of edgy.

1. Sprinklers.
2. Letting the chicks out of the coup and on the soft grass for the first time.
3. Popsicles, lots of Popsicles.
4. 2 trips next door to see neighbor Nita.
5. Berry Milk Shakes.
6. Water Balloons.
7. Cool Taco Salad for dinner.

Tomorrow I'm going to a pool.

High Hand Conservatory.

Tim's parents took us to a very special place last Sunday: High Hand Conservatory.

This nursery/conservatory/boutique boardwalk in an old wheat/fruit mill is a dream. The grounds are lovely, we enjoyed the koi pond before brunch and after.

This Rug Shop caught my eye, the smell and visual sensation was inspiring.

I really wanted to take home these fruit boxes and make them into shelving as one of the boutiques had done.

My favorite display was this old cook stove turned succulent garden.

The Goo was enamored by this old truck turned vegetable garden.

And this old Tonka gave me an idea...must search thrift shops for old trucks!