Color Me Rad - 5K - Reno 2012

Going to run the Color Me Rad 5K with my sister!  http://www.colormerad.com/races/reno.html

Reno Trip - July 2012

We just got back from a week in Reno. As usual it was a busy trip, but we had an amazing time. While we were there, we helped Tiffany and Jared build a shade structure in their backyard.  Rob and the kids kicked butt and finished ahead of schedule!  We spent Thursday and Friday at U.N.R. for student/parent orientation. We toured the campus and the dorms and really got excited for Trevor to begin his college journey!  

While we were at orientation, Tiffany stopped by with the girls.  Allie and Courtney got a good look at the campus and we took them on a tour of the dorms as well.  They are both looking forward to attending U.N.R.  :)

We have been debating on whether or not Trevor should bring his Jeep with him in the fall.  This helped with our decision!

When orientation was finished, we spent the rest of the weekend at the lake and showing the kids around the area.  Sunday, we spent the morning in Virginia City.  Unfortunately Tyler got sick and rested in the truck while the rest of us checked out the sights, took old time photos, and of course ended at Grandma's Fudge where we all got ice cream in waffle cones and fudge!  Yummy!

So, that was our trip in a nutshell! We will be going back next month to drop Trevor off at the university.  I am beyond excited for Trevor, but sad for the rest of us.  We will miss him so much it hurts!   <3

Try it!

I am in love with this recipe!

Black Bean Salad 

Servings: 6-8

Ingredients

Salad:

2 15-ounce cans black beans, rinsed and drained

3 ears fresh corn, grilled, kernels cut off the cob

2 red bell peppers, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons minced shallots, from one medium shallot

2 Hass avocados, chopped

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Vinaigrette:

2 teaspoons salt

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 tablespoons sugar

9 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon lime zest (be sure to zest limes before juicing them)

6 tablespoons fresh lime juice

Instructions

Combine all salad ingredients except for avocados in a large bowl and mix well. Combine all vinaigrette ingredients in dressing jar, shake well.  Add vinaigrette to salad and mix well.  Cover and chill for a few hours or overnight. Right before serving, add avocados and mix gently, being careful not to mash avocados. Garnish with chopped cilantro if desired. 

4th Annual 4th of July Pie Contest!

4 years ago my sister, Holly, asked me if I wanted to have a 4th of July pie contest, and of course, I said yes! Our tradition began, and every year since, we have had our annual pie contest. Each year, we team up with Trevor and Allison, make our amazing pies, and have Rob be the judge (on presentation and taste).

This year it was between Team Holly and Trevor (and girlfriend Courtney) and Team Heather and Allison. Team HTC decided on a pumpkin dutch apple pie while Team HA went with a strawberry pie.
Here are the pies!

Team Holly - Trevor - Courtney
PUMPKIN DUTCH APPLE PIE


Team Heather - Allison
STRAWBERRY PIE


This year we had a couple of guest judges and the race was a tight one. In the end, the contest ended in a tie (first time ever) and each team walked away boasting! Once again, we all had a great time and can't wait for next year!  For those of you sitting here drooling, here are the recipes. Go make a PIE!  :)

PUMPKIN DUTCH APPLE PIE
Ingredients

1 unbaked 9-inch (4-cup volume) deep-dish pie shell
APPLE LAYER
2 cups peeled, cored, thinly sliced green apples
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
PUMPKIN LAYER
1 1/2 cups LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
1 cup NESTLE® CARNATION® Evaporated Milk
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
CRUMBLE TOPPING
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
5 tablespoons granulated sugar
3 tablespoons butter
Directions

PREHEAT oven to 375• F.
FOR APPLE LAYER:
COMBINE apples, sugar, flour, lemon juice and cinnamon in medium bowl;
pour into pie shell.
FOR PUMPKIN LAYER:
COMBINE pumpkin, evaporated milk, sugar, eggs, butter, cinnamon,
salt and nutmeg in medium bowl; pour over apple mixture.
BAKE for 30 minutes. Remove from oven; sprinkle with Crumble Topping.
Return to oven; bake for 20 minutes or until custard is set. Cool completely on wire rack.
FOR CRUMB TOPPING:
COMBINE flour, nuts and sugar in medium bowl.
Cut in butter with pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

STRAWBERRY PIE
Ingredients
1 Cup Water
1 Cup Sugar
3 Tablespoons Strawberry Gelatin Mix
3 Heaping Tablespoons Cornstarch
1 Pint Fresh Strawberries
1 Pie Crust, Cooked And Cooled
Instructions
Combine sugar, cornstarch, and dry gelatin mix in medium sauce pan. Add water and cook until thick and clear over medium high heat, stirring constantly to prevent scorching. Set aside and let cool. Wash and hull strawberries, cut in half and arrange over pie crust. When filling is cool, pour over strawberries and chill pie until ready to serve. Serve with whipped cream.

Nice Stache!

My son the comedian!

The Beginning!

My name is Heather and I'm 38 years old. For quite a while now, I have been contemplating about starting a blog/journal about the happenings in my life. Well, here it is; my first official blog entry!

First and foremost, my family is the most important part of my life. I am blessed to be married to my best friend, Rob. We met in high school, fell in love, became engaged, got married, and started a family together. That was 22 years ago! In those 22 years, we have been married for 19, gave birth to our son, Trevor (18), and our daughter Allison (16), have moved many many times, gone through ups and downs (mostly ups), fought, made up, started careers, changed careers, gained weight, lost weight, gained weight again, made friends, lost friends, laughed, cried, traveled, grown older, watched our children grow into amazing young adults, and have loved every minute of it! Through it all, we have always supported each other, been there for each other, and loved each other unconditionally.

Recently, our son graduated from high school, and it got me thinking. There have been so many fantastic events in our lives that I should really be writing them down, so we can remember them always. All of those little moments that happen so quickly that you want to just bottle up and keep close to your heart forever. There have been so many of those moments in our lives, and if we are lucky, there will be so many more.

So, welcome to my blog, Fireflies and Family Ties. It will be filled with memories, new events, stories, family, pictures, recipes, humor, and love! I hope you enjoy following along as much as I will be enjoying the journey!

~Heather