Happy Father's Day

This was Payton's Father's Day card to Jim. On the front there is a set of cards. Hearts I think.

This is what the card says in case you can't read it:
"Dear Dad, Thank you for letting me watch you play poker. Thank you for coaching my football and baseball team. And especially thank you for making the hockey rink downstairs. Thank you so much for taking me to school every day and thank you for buying me food. And thank you for taking me to the Hawks parade. I love you dad. from Payton"
Reading this card from Payton reminded me of what a great dad my kids are blessed with. I am so proud of him and happy for them that they have a father who cares so much for them and is willing to give so much of his time to teach, care and love for his kids. It is so special to me that this is the example he is giving them of what a dad is and should be.
Thanks Jim, you are awesome in my eyes and theirs.



And this was the splended dinner we had on father's day.
2 full slabs, home cooked, with SBR's of course...



Fresh corn, spinach, zuchinni, squash and tomato from the farmer's market.

simply yum.

Payton Pitches

Payton is in the Rookie league this year and the kids are pitching. It takes a lot longer for the game to be over but so worth it when you see him pitch.

The kid is good.

and has noooo problem telling anyone who will listen about it...

perfect teaching moments of pitching form and etiquette.

girl friends

These girls have been friends since they were born.

They are 1 day apart and love each other so much.

As they enter school together in the fall I pray they will continue to trust each other

and stick up for each other as they do now.

Everybody needs a best friend.

Movies In The Parks

Movies In The Parks, originally uploaded by frogverde.

Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs

Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs, originally uploaded by frogverde.

movies in the park this summer is a great night out to see a recent movie under the stars on the big screen. there are over 170 movies shown at chicago park districts this summer. check out this one... sponsored by the NCJFA (Northwest Chicago Junior Football Association) at Portage Park on June 29. The movies are free and start just before dusk.

cool bracelet

cool bracelet, originally uploaded by frogverde.

file under 'want' not 'need'

0620001325.3g2

0620001325.3g2, originally uploaded by frogverde.

this girl...

this girl..., originally uploaded by frogverde.

the cone of shame! ...for a hedgehog?

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Blackhawks Parade

BLACKHAWKS PARADE

we took the kids out of school (shhh!) and jumped on the train to see the Blackhawks, the mighty Blackhawks, travel down Washington Ave. in celebration of winning the Stanley Cup.


the anticipation was immense



commit to the cup, B


find a light post and climb up so you can see



celebrate till you can't stand it anymore.

... thanks Hawks.

Campbells Recalls Spaghetti-o's

this is a good reminder of why we stopped buying processed food. It's not the first, last or only way food can be tainted, but it does remind me, again, that my belief in sticking to whole, natural and home cooked meals is better for my family.

Campbells Recalls Spaghetti-o's

Campbell Soup Co. is recalling 15 million pounds of SpaghettiOs with meatballs after a cooker malfunctioned at one of the company's plants in Texas and left the meat undercooked.

CLICK HERE for more important information on this recall.

originally posted at http://www.thesafetymom.com/

dog show

yes we do this.

yes it's pathetic.

but Cal likes it, as you can see, all smiles!

Pasta Salad Primavera

Pasta Salad Primavera
Serves 6

http://savingdinner.com/healthy-vegetarian-recipes/ttr-basil/

3 cups pasta shells, uncooked
3 carrots, sliced
3 3/4 cups zucchini, sliced
1 small red bell pepper, diced
1 small red onion, minced
1 cup fresh corn, cut from the cob
3 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic, pressed
4 tablespoons fresh basil, thinly sliced (see TIP)
Salt and pepper, to taste
6 ounces chopped provolone cheese

Prepare pasta according to package directions; drain and set aside.

Meanwhile, steam the carrots (for 4 minutes) then add zucchini cook till just until tender, another 3 to 5 minutes. Place in a bowl with ice to stop cooking, then drain and add the vegetables in a large bowl, along with the bell pepper, onion and corn.

Add remaining ingredients and mix well.

Add pasta to bowl and toss lightly.

Per Serving: 203 Calories; 15g Fat; 2g Protein; 9g Carbohydrate; 3g Dietary Fiber; 0mg Cholesterol; 30mg Sodium. Exchanges: 0 Grain(Starch); 2 Vegetable; 1 1/2 Fat.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS: Serve with a big green salad.

Happy Birthday Card

Happy Birthday Card, originally uploaded by frogverde.

reagan's happy birthday card to her auntie karen.

this girl

yes, this one...

must be nice to have your head rest on the window so you can spy on squirrels.

must be nice to have your head rest on the window so you can spy on squirrels., originally uploaded by frogverde.

banana nana... nana na na, hey hey hey good bye

good bye banana. old, brown, sweet & ripe banana...

and hello bread... yummy, walnutty, chocolate chipy bread.

so much yum.

quality time with cal

quality time with cal, originally uploaded by frogverde.

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the last (pre-k) graduation

Here are some late pics from rea's graduation. I can't believe I have a kindergardener! I have 3 babies (an yes, that's what they still are, babies) in grammer school now. 3 in K - 8.

Not for long, but for 2 more years, for almost 20 months, I will not have a high schooler. Oh Jimmy, to be shown in another post...

On our way to graduation. Rea was excited.

She sang great and said she would like to be a fashion designer when she grows up...

I thinklike Fancy Nancy.

I am so proud ofher, and them, and yet wish they would slow down b/c the time is flying by. It's going too, too fast and I can't stop it, so I must embrace it.

Here is embracement... is that a real word?

rea and her boys...

rea and her daddy and grandma.

cp1_0611001116a.jpg

cp1_0611001116a.jpg, originally uploaded by frogverde.

cp1_0611001117.jpg

cp1_0611001117.jpg, originally uploaded by frogverde.

downsized_0611001023.jpg

downsized_0611001023.jpg, originally uploaded by frogverde.

jimmy found a light post to shimmy up. best seat on washington. he was just on tv! lol

downsized_0611000959.jpg

downsized_0611000959.jpg, originally uploaded by frogverde.

hawks parade

hawks parade, originally uploaded by frogverde.

da da da da da da

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Ricotta Artichoke Pizza

Pizza Dough:


1 cup of warm water (105F)
3 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons of olive oil
2 teaspoons of honey
1 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of yeast

Ricotta Base:

ricotta cheese
1tbsp parmesean cheese
1 tsp evoo
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp oregano
salt & pepper to taste
red pepper flakes to taste


Artichokes (jarred from Costco, in oil, drained on paper towels)
about 2 quartered

• Roll out the dough and place on pizza stone. (or make 4 small for individual pizza's).


• Scoop ricotta base on the dough and spread to edge of crust. Top with artichokes.


• Bake at 350 degrees for 20 min.

This was a great recipe that everyone ate. Definately will make it again.

Eli's Cheesecake Farmer's Market - Grand Opening June 17

save the date:

Thursday, June 17th

Eli's/Wright College Farmer's Market Grand Opening
7:00 AM - 1:00 PM
-Free, Live performance by the Happiness Club, 12pm



Chef Antonio's Lunch Menu:

Grilled Sirloin Steak w/ Amish Blue Cheese Butter & Charred Red Pepper Sauce on French bread, $7

Char-Grilled 8 oz. Eli's Market Burger, $5

Featured Vegetable: Lettuce

Today's Market Vendors and Guests:

Nichols Farm, Piedt Farms, Urban Meadows, CHICAGO HIGH SCHOOL OF AG SCIENCES Farm Stand, Cooper Farm, Bright Endeavors, Master Gardeners, Love Your Pet Rescue (10am-12pm), High Rise Bakery, Crop to Cup Coffee, Family Jewels, Baby Stuff, Officer Ray Rayne, Chicago Police Department, Country Financial, Chair Massages

FREE CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST for MARKET CUSTOMERS 7am-9am (with $5 market purchase)

This Sunday, June 6, 2010- Portage Park Farmers Market

The Portage Park Farmers Market will begin it's Summer season June 6, 2010!

It will operate every 1st, 3rd and 5th (If applicable) Sunday of the month June through October from 10am to 2pm.

Please stop by and visit us.

Kent Rose, The Voice That Remembers, will be performing at The Portage Park Farmers Market on June 6th 2010.

T.J. Simon of Music-Box Online described Kent Rose as "dressing like Buck Owens, singing like Dwight Yoakam, and writing songs like Buddy Holly."

His voice is the Voice That Remembers; his voice, his show, and his presence you will not forget.