Curb Appeal Heritage Park

Tim, Isabella, and I visited Fort Wayne, IN this past week/weekend. We left Thursday morning and just returned today, Saturday. I'll blog more about our visit, but I wanted to get started tonight.

From Grandma Dorton 2010

The original purpose of our visit was to see Grandma Dorton, Tim's 92 year old maternal grandmother. This year, her Walker Grandchildren wanted to do something special for Mother's Day, so we all went in on a few perennials and annuals to brighten up her front space.

In the spirit of Curb Appeal the Block, we talked to the two ladies that live next to her and planted a few Marigolds in their space. They also agreed to help Grandma care for her new garden.

Isabella was quite the helper and brought smiles to all that crossed her path. We hope that she'll think of us often.

From Grandma Dorton 2010

Grandpa Chendo and Lita visit Atlanta!!!!!

This week my parents visited us from Corpus Christi, Texas. I knew it would be special, but I never imagined just how much. Isabella took to her maternal grandparents as if no time had past since our last visit.

I would describe Isabella's week as Operation Discovery. Their favorite game was to walk to the fridge, open it up and taste all sorts of new things. Part of me wanted to ask my father not to open a can of worms (how would I ever get anything done in the kitchen if all she wanted to do was explore); however, I didn't have the heart. They both were having so much fun it was worth anything that may or may not happen down the line. This video is from Friday as we discovered a caterpillar in our backyard, a very similar game to the fridge, but obviously outdoors.

Many days they would spend out on the porch eating watermelon, walking up and down the street in her buggy, or eating various meals. Time with her Lita was just as special and much of the same.

This picture was taken as we tried feeding Isabella breakfast, at the time we're singing a silly song in Spanish and she's tapping her head as the song calls for. Meal time has become very challenging, she does not like to eat in a chair and wants to graze. So for the time being we're doing whatever it takes for her to eat, we'll work on the where and how later down the line.

From April 2010

Here is our family on our way out to dinner. We took my parents out to dinner at Prime as a belated birthday gift.

From April 2010

This was taken in our back yard as Lita strolled her Isabella up and down our streets in her buggy. On one of those trips she found her dream home so we've got to figure out a way for them to get $2,000,000 so they can move here. :)

From April 2010

On their way to the airport we stopped at a park for Isabella to play.

From April 2010

Getting ready to go down the big girl slide.

From April 2010

Showing Grandpa that she can climb the chain ladder.

From April 2010

Our growing family. We're so blessed to have such loving parents in our lives. I miss them terribly and can't wait for July so I can have them here again.

From April 2010

Super-Quick Salmon Stir-Fry

This recipe from my Jaime Oliver book was fantastic, and serves 2 perfect for nights in. From start to finish it will only take me about 15 minutes (rice takes longer) the second time around. Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

1 cup of wild rice/basmati
3/4 lb of salmon fillet (I used two frozen fillets from costco) cut into 1 inch cubes
1/4 cup of raw shelled peanuts (crushed in a plastic bag)
2 cloves of garlic (finely chopped)
a thumb size of ginger (finely chopped)
1 fresh red chile (I used a small dried chile, but I am pretty sure I should have used a fresh larger chile)
Small bunch of fresh cilantro (separate the leaves from stalk, and finely chop stalks)
vegetable oil
1 heaping TBS of tandori or mild curry paste
large handful of snow peas
2/3 cup of coconut milk
handful of beansprouts
1 lime

Heat wok on high add about two swirls around the pan with vegetable oil. Add garlic, ginger, chile, and cilantro stalks. Stir 30 seconds add curry paste cook for another 30 seconds. Add salmon, cook for another minute then add coconut milk and peas. Cook for another minute. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve over rice, garnish with bean sprouts, cilantro leaves, peanuts, and squeeze of lime.

Isabella plays in water

Some of my fondest memories as a child are playing in water outdoors. Pools were fun, but nothing would beat a sprinkler. Yesterday being one of the warmest days we've seen I tried to have a little fun in the sun with Isabella. Like most things I have enjoyed as a child, Isabella was not a huge fan. I think it's my eagerness that wants to introduce to her to things earlier than she's ready to enjoy. Nevertheless, we got some good pictures. Thanks to Grandpa Walker and Uncle Ben who tried to make it a fun afternoon.

Not to sure how she feel about the sprinkler!!!

Ok now what?

Maybe this water thing isn't so bad.

I love my Uncle Ben, and no he doesn't make rice!!!!

Easter at the Walkers

Tim, Isabella, and I were so blessed to have spent Easter with my in-laws. The drive on Saturday morning to Akin, SC was virtually painless, thanks to our DVD player. Our arrival was just in time for brunch and Isabella's nap. The rest of the day was spent settling in, walking around Downtown Akin, and preparing for Easter festivities.

Easter Sunday Isabella woke up to her Easter basket full of books, Veggie Tales DVD, stuffed lamb, and electric toothbrush. Then it was off to church for Easter service at Harold & Yvonne's home church. Isabella sat through the entire 45 minutes of worship...thankyou General Mills for your contribution via Cheerios. Yvonne hand made her entire outfit (with the exception of the shoes), I couldn't have picked out a better outfit myself.

Easter dinner was quite impressive. Baked ham, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, cream corn, and home made yeast rolls. We all ate way too much, but it was worth every bite. Isabella woke up from her nap with an Easter egg hunt. I stuffed her plastic eggs with her favorite veggie puffs (basically a puff dipped in ranch dressing). Once she figured out what was inside she was all about the eggs.

The one disappointing thing was that she freaked out with our confetti stuffed eggs. As a child our friends and family would get together for what we would consider the ultimate egg hunt. We stuffed our empty (real) eggs with paper confetti (flour if we were really cruel) and once we found them hidden around our yard we'd would chase each other and crack them on our heads. Isabella got scared when I helped crack on on my head, so we quickly stuck to the plastic eggs. Perhaps next year she will enjoy the confetti eggs.

We do realize that this year will be the last year that she will have an uncontested Easter egg hunt. Next year, with baby grace being just shy of two and two other babies at 9 months, it's only going to get more difficult!!! Good times will be had by all.

Later that afternoon we visited an Akin park, and as always Isabella enjoyed herself. We even stopped for ice cream. We stay here through Tuesday, as Tim and the Walker men attend The Masters practice round. Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Ground Beef Wellington

Today's adventure in my world of Jamie Oliver took me to England making Ground Beef Wellington. Traditional Beef Wellington is a beef tenderloin coated in pate then wrapped in puff pastry; however this is nowhere near as fancy. I would best describe it as an extreme veggie meatloaf wrapped in a pastry shell. I paired it with asparagus served with a mustard vinaigrette.

Tim thought it was fantastic, but gravy would have made it out of this world. Perhaps when we host people for dinner I go through the extra effort. Even Isabella had a little, most of which ended up on her.

It took me a little over half an hour to prepare, but it was extremely easy. Good everyone!!!

Jamie's recipe for Ground beef Wellington:

1 onion
1 carrot
1 stalk of celery
4 sprigs fresh rosemary removed from the stem and chopped fine
2 cloves of garlic
large handful of frozen peas
1 lb of ground beef
1 lg egg (preferably organic/free range) beaten
2 sheets of puff pastry
2 portabella mushrooms

Salt and pepper


Dice the celery, onions, carrots and mushrooms into small (1/4 inch) cubes and sauté together for approximately for 8 minutes until softened, adding garlic and rosemary a couple minutes in. Place in a bowl and mix in frozen peas. While that cools, mix a good pinch of salt and pepper, half the beaten egg, and ground beef in another bowl. With Clean hands, mix together with cooled veggies. Preheat oven to 350 Fahrenheit.


On a well floured surface, place the two sheets of puff pastry out. If using pre-rolled make sure its about 12"x16" roughly, and if using unrolled make sure to use plenty of flour to roll to those dimensions as it can be sticky or tear. Centre the beef mixture and brush edges with some of remaining egg. Roll around beef and seal the edges, then brush with remainder of egg. Place on a floured cookie sheet (use one with a lip because it will drip a bit), and cook for 1 hour or until golden brown.

***I used only one sheet and it came out fine, if I make this just for us I will make it healthier by using only one, for company I'll use two. I also made it during Isabella's nap and refrigerated it until I was ready to bake.

My Adventures in Cooking

After watching Jaime Oliver’s Food Revolution., I was left with a profound need to start cooking wholesome unprocessed meals. Nothing over the top and not too organic (although I’ll try if it’s cost effective). So who better to lead me down that path than Jaime Oliver, via his new book Food Revolution. I wouldn’t recommend the book if you don’t like spices/exotic food. There are a lot of Indian and Asian inspired meals so not for the faint of spice.

Anyhow, today we tried Sweet and Sour Pork, and it was very good. The best part that it was very little prep and mess, can’t complain about that. Click on the link below for the recipe:

http://www.hubcom.com/recipe/cgi-win/recipe.exe?3$2$0$9$1465

A few notes: I used a pinch of crushed red pepper in place of the red chili, only used yellow bell pepper (but think I will use half of each next time). Also, it took me a while to fine Five Spice Power but it’s in the Asian food section.

Good luck!!!