spring break 2014

a few weeks ago we went to maui for spring break. the weather was great all week and we loved our hotel. it was a perfect week.

the first day we were there, the boys explored the pools and waterslide!

then the gees took us to the most amazing shave ice place ever. and next door was a fantastic little bakery. such great finds. tagg was in heaven.

speaking of heaven. across the street from the shave ice place was a great little beach with a rope swing.

the next day we played at the beach in front of our hotel. freaking stunning.

that evening the boys had their usual meal out on the lanai.

we skipped the pb&j sandwiches that evening because we were headed off to mama's fish house. our favorite.

two beautiful sisters.

the next morning was more fun at the beach. love it there.

and the pools at our hotel. they were great.

that afternoon we drove out to my favorite place to "hike". (i use the term "hike" loosely. but its a little more intense than a walk. somewhere in between)

exploring little, private beaches in between the lava fields.

even though no one else was getting in the water out there i wanted to be able to say that i swam out in the middle of nowhere. so i took a little dip.

more shave ice that afternoon.

and more beach.

the boys enjoyed their first pina colada of the week. their favorite.

that evening we went out to dinner then drove out to the beach to watch the sunset. my uncle, david, brought his ukulele to serenade us through the experience.

my favorite bunch of nuts.

sappy pictures with the sunset.

the next day, craig took the boys down to the beach to dig a huge hole in the sand. it takes them hours. they love it.

see?

then i had tagg take a picture of craig and me out in the water. he did a pretty good job!

that afternoon we relaxed by the pool and the boys played "rock paper scissors". so cute.

later that evening, we walked along to beach to watch the sunset. my boys looooooved having my mom with us for the week.

our sun kissed little group.

the following morning, my mom took the boys to the pool so craig and i could go out and snorkel. it was a beautiful day.

 

as we walked up the beach to go snorkeling, we spotted this guy sunbathing. it was VERY cool to such a big animal out in nature.

tagg got a super cool tattoo that afternoon.

we drove over to lahaina that evening to get ice cream and show the boys the banyan tree.

the next morning was more snorkeling in our favorite spot.

my favorite little guys. and their shark tooth necklaces. they were so proud.

waterslide time! sully was the cutest little nugget going down that huge slide.

and tagg is apparently a teenager now and couldnt just go down the slide like a normal human. each time he came down in a different position.

mostly i just tried to go down without losing my sunglasses.

CRAIG!

that evening, my mom watched the boys so craig and i could go watch the sunset and have dinner. "secret" beach wasnt very secret that night. there were about three weddings and two prom groups. :)

the lobby of our hotel. we LOVED the fairmont.

our last morning there, craig treated me to a fancy breakfast at the hotel. it was suuuuuch great food.

then we all went down to the beach to play and explore in the tidal pools.

we had to drag ourselves off the beach that day. its always so depressing to leave.

tagg and sully with momo. it was such a great week, made better by having her there with us.

every evening, at the hotel, a local hawaiian guy ran around the grounds, lighting the torches and blowing a conch shell. the kids all ran as fast as they could after him. it was seriously so cool.

sunset in wailea.

last few shots before we had to leave. love my boys' rosy cheeks!

such a magical week. there really isnt anything better than a relaxing week in the sun with my favorite people.

cast iron chicken pot pie

everything tastes better in a cast iron skillet. chicken pot pie (which is pretty good to begin with) is no exception. this is a very easy recipe and i hope it quickly becomes a favorite in your dinner rotations.  


cast iron chicken pot pie
makes 8 servings
working time 25 minutes
total time 1 hour

2 tablespoons butter
1 medium onion, finely chopped
4 carrots, cut into 1/4 inch thick slices
2 ribs celery, cut into 1/4 inch thick slices
1 potato, peeled and cut into 1/4 inch cubes
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 (or so)teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons flour
3 tablespoons heavy cream
2 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
1 rotisserie chicken (costco & safeway have them), shredded
1 cup frozen peas
1 cup frozen white corn
1 pie crust (i use pillsbury pie crusts)
1 egg, beaten
pinch of kosher salt 

1. preheat oven to 400 degrees. heat butter in a 12 inch cast iron skillet over medium heat. add onion, carrot, celery, potato, and garlic and cook until carrots begin to soften, about 6 minutes. season with salt and pepper.

2. reduce heat to medium-low and stir in flour. cook for 1 minute. stir in heavy cream and chicken broth, using a whisk, until combined. stir in chicken, peas and corn and bring to a boil. remove from heat.

3. gently roll out pie crust until it reaches 12 inches in diameter. cut vents (or a clover!) in the middle of the pastry. place dough a top chicken mixture and pinch over the sides. brush with egg and sprinkle kosher salt evenly on top. transfer skillet to oven; bake until crust is browned and flaky, about 35 minutes.

obviously this pie would really blow minds if it was made with a homemade pie crust and cooked chicken. but for now, this is pretty fine.

marcia's salmon
  

i had this salmon last summer at a bbq and still think about it all the time. it was SO delicious. my friend's mother in law gave me the recipe for her rub but i was a little nervous to make it on my own. i had never prepared salmon before but it is super easy and makes me feel very grown up. ha!

marcia's salmon
salmon (i like atlantic or just the lightest color you can find)
mayonnaise
lemon
johnny's seasoning
red onion (finely chopped)
fresh basil (finely chopped)
grated parmesan cheese 

set oven rack to two levels below broiler. preheat oven to 450 degrees. place salmon on foil on top of baking sheet. spread thin layer of mayonnaise onto salmon. squeeze lemon juice on top. sprinkle johnny's seasoning (less is more). evenly sprinkle red onion, basil and parmesan cheese all over.

turn off oven. turn it on to broil. place salmon in oven for about 14 minutes. check and take salmon out when the center is still a little pink (it will continue to cook once out of the oven). enjoy.