Wordless Wednesday...

Memorial Day!

We are enjoying a wonderful vacation in Arizona right now, just the three of us. Being here over the Memorial Day long weekend has opened our eyes to the passion and power these folks feel for their troops, in all corners of the world.
Freedom is a true gift. Today we salute all those that have gifted our country to the north as well.
We've taken over Grama & Papa's home and reacquainted ourselves with a few of our favorites from this awesome little kingdom. Sunshine, Budweiser, & burritos!
Back at it next week but here are a few from the last couple of days from my iPhone.

KISS!

I found this video of Andrew from last summer.
Just so cute.
Where does time go?
Andrew loooooves to give kisses, especially to Teddy!

Summer? Is that you?

I took most of these last week when we were pretending it was Summer.

And then it snowed a few days later.  HELLO CRAZY!

We are so fortunate to be so close to amazing pathways and views of the Bow River.

My old Lifeguard senses tingle though, I'm PARANOID about the Bean and water, of any kind.

We walk.

We bike.

We picnic. 

We popsicle.

Not a bad way to exercise and explore...

 Tomorrow we are off to PHOENIX to pic up our new truck.
CAN NOT WAIT!
Bustin out the sunscreen big time!!
Because apparently 37 degrees C means SUMMER!  Capital S!!

Apres long weekend

3 little collages to sum up a wonderful wknd.

it was that simple!

delight...

Chocolate Chip Cookies

These are by far THE BEST CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES you will EVER have.
Classic.
Easy.
Fast.
Chewy.
Soft.
No fail.
Seriously beautiful cookies.
Give them a try and call yourself Martha freekin Stewart!
You will never need another recipe for chocolate chip cookies.

Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
* 2 cups plus 2 tbsp flour
* 1/2 tsp baking soda
* 1/2 tsp salt
* 12 tbsp (one stick) melted, then cooled to warm BUTTER
* 1 cup packed brown sugar
* 1/2 cup white granulated sugar
* 1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk
* 2 tsp vanilla extract
* 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Adjust oven racks to middle positions.
Preheat to 325 degrees C.
Line your cookie sheets with parchment paper.

Whisk dry ingredients (excluding sugars) in a bowl and set aside.
Mix butter and sugars until combined.  Add egg and extra yolk and vanilla.
Add wet and dry and mix until just combined.  Add chocolate chips.
Roll into balls the size of a golf ball and spread evenly on your cookie sheet.
Place in the oven and rotate the cookie sheet 180 half way through.  I bake mine for 12 mins and rotate at the 6 minute mark.
Bake until slightly brown on the edges and let cool on a wire rack (11-14mins depending on your oven).
Don't overbake these babies! They are meant to be soft and chewy in the middle.

Thanks to Annie's Eats for this recipe.  I did some tweaking but am grateful for so many of her delicious ideas.

May Long WKND (2011)!!

I went through some of my DRAFT posts to tidy things up.
Came across this one that I forgot to post. DUH ME!
Thought I'd post it today.
Oh how we've changed.
Oh how we've grown.
We are in Calgary this May long instead of F town but we plan to do all of the same relaxing activities.
Have a super long weekend and go where ever you are going SAFELY!
PEACE
xo


May 2011 I wrote...
We had another family fun weekend in Fernie over the May long weekend.
Lots of exploring our favorite small town.  We managed to find new treats and corners that we'd never been to before.  Fernie continues to hug our hearts. It was also nice to get in a great visit with some friends, Aaron, Cat, and wee Julia who have a home there.
Another relaxing weekend in the mountains.  The sun was shinning and the birds were singing! Sigh....

FRIDAY PHONE FAVS!

HELLO ADDICTED TO INSTAGRAM!?

I've changed my Instagram name to reflect my blog site. I'm now PLUSONEWEEBEAN on Instagram. Check it out if you haven't already.  IT IS CANDY!!

And leave a comment or two!

Just a walk in the park!

Andrew and I often sneak away to explore.

No agenda or real "plan", just nature and us, and of course the canon.

Most of these adventures involve a new to us playground, a big sip of fresh air, and a Tim Hortons in hand

Calgary has wonderful parks, paths, and quiet spots.  You can almost pretend you are in the country if you close your eyes and listen... ALMOST!

Last week we cruised a path I've really only done training runs on.  It was a warm and overcast day and the leaves were just about to POP!

A beautiful way to share some giggles with Andrew. We practised our running. Good thing summer is around the corner, our form might need some tweeking!

(these are all unedited pics... no tweeking necessary)

The stare down! You will go my way Mumma!

Hmmmmm, what's that way?

A Bean sized tree! 

Blurry action shots! My boy is a RUNNER!

So Mumma, just curious, where is our chariot?

 

All kinds of things that make me happy.

Family.

Fresh air.

Ponies.

Nature.

Little boys just being...

It doesn't get any better in my eyes!