Pure Michigan

::Cue Tim Allen's voice::

"Carpools, conferences, microwave dinners.  They blur one into the next.  We lose ourselves in the fog of everyday life and drift away from what matters.  But, like a beacon in the night, it finds us. The light of more than 100 lighthouses burning through that fog and beckoning us back to what's real and true.  This light shines for us all.  This light is pure Michigan."

We could not have picked a more beautiful, wintery weekend to go up north.  Scott's sister, her husband, and her husband's brother went in on the purchase of a lake house on Torch Lake last summer as an investment.  They were kind enough to invite us up for a weekend during the winter since it's a slower season for rental.  We went back and forth on which weekend to go or whether we should even go at all.  It's hard enough with the kids being in daycare all week justifying a weekend away from them.  But, it's been a rough winter for us.  Between Evan's hospitalization for RSV, countless colds and stomach viruses, and the adjustment to having another baby, we were ready for a few nights away.  So, we took them up on their offer, solidified a weekend, and made sure our parents could help out with the kids.  We left after work, packed up the Jeep, and headed on the 4.5 hour long drive up to Alden, Michigan.

We were shocked to find 3 feet of snow that far north and some snow covered wooden steps leading us down to the house.  Despite the numerous falls we each had going both up and down the steps over our weekend there, the house was very nice and the views were gorgeous!

Our first day there we headed out to Bellaire to go to Shanty Creek and Schuss Mountain to snowboard for the first time since either of the boys were born.  We're talking 2009 was the last season we were able to snowboard since I found out I was pregnant with Sean early 2010, a few days before we went up to snowboard at Boyne Mountain with some friends.  To say I was out of shape, is an understatement.  But, man, it felt great to breathe in that fresh air and to hit the slopes like the good ol' days.  And it was so nice to warm up in the Chalet with some specialty beers from Shorts Brewing Company or out by the fire by the slopes with some hot chocolate.

By 3:30pm, we were ready to call it a day.  We changed out of our snow gear and put on some comfortable clothes to head over to Shorts Brewing Company for a flight and some dinner.  We were both exhausted, but the beer was going down smooth.

We came back to the house, Scott took the dog for a walk while I took a nap, and then we just crashed on the couch watching Seinfeld and America's Funniest Home Videos until we couldn't hold our eyes open any longer.  While it wasn't much different from our typical night at home, it was still relaxing.  And I think Bailey was definitely enjoying her ability to join us on the couch.

Our last full day up there we decided to drive an hour into Traverse City to go to some wineries, eat at some yummy restaurants, and do a little shopping.  I navegated Scott on to the Peninsula first, which we found was a mistake.  Nothing was open during the winter season until 11:30am and we were there at 10:30am.  So, we drove on snow covered roads all the way up to the top to check out the lighthouse and to kill some time.  Scott wasn't happy with my decision to have us skip breakfast by the lake house so that we could eat out somewhere in Traverse City....oops!

By 11:30am, we followed the order of the wineries on the Peninsula and started with Chateau Chantal.  We loved their 2012 Trio Reserved Red and had to have a bottle.  We then went on to Bowers Harbor where we enjoyed their Bloc II Riesling and their House Red.  I was absolutely thrilled to be able to taste some Apple Cider Wine and Ice Wine.  Two things I've been dying to try!  I definitely had to buy a growler of the cider wine.  Yum!

From there we went on to the Jolly Pumpkin Brewery for a flight of beers and some lunch.  It was by far, the best meal we've had in a while out at a restaurant and the bonus was that Scott got a free beer glass with their logo, a $10 gift certificate for merchandise/beer, and a dessert for his birthday!  He definitely got the royal treatment.  He went next door to the distillery that was part of the same company and sampled 5 different liquors.  He ended up using his gift certificate towards a fifth of Whiskey.  Happy birthday, Scott!

We got off the Peninsula and headed over to downtown Traverse City to go to a highly recommended building called The Commons.  We did some shopping at boutiques and Michigan made product stores.  But, we also went to Black Start Farms winery and distillery inside the building.  I really liked a sparkling wine called Be Dazzled and we got a Dry Riesling for my parents.  Finally, we decided to head back to the lake house, but made one last minute stop at the Grand Traverse Distillery to see the production of the alcohol.  A cool guy named, Chris, gave us a tour and wayyyy too many details on how it's all made.  I'm not sure if he thought we were chemists or what...but, my Spanish and English majors didn't help me understand all of what he was saying.

As we got back a little on the early side, we took the dog for a long walk, came back and relaxed for a while, and then headed back out to town for some beers and appetizers at the local bar.  It just happened to be karaoke night and I think it's safe to say that there's not a lot of talent in Alden. 

The next morning we woke up to a beautiful, sunny day.  It was hard to leave on the only sunny day we had, but I was ready to get home and see my boys.  Plus, it was Scott's birthday and we had dinner plans with cake/ice cream for dessert.

I'm so glad we took the time to get away and re-boot.  As we were driving home, I was reading the latest Parents magazine and was taken aback by an article where the author wrote, "I love my kids like crazy, but I loved my husband first.  And we don't ever want to forget that."  All the guilty feelings I had about leaving the boys and spending money on a mini-vacation without them suddenly disappeared.  This author had it spot on.  Every now and then, you have to take the time to nourish the relationship that is the very foundation of your family.  I truly believe that makes me a better person, a better wife, and more importantly, a better mom. 

Week 8: Garlic Cilantro Lime Rice

It was a busy, yet exciting week in the Ferstle household!  Monday started a full week of Mid-winter break for Scott and a two-day mini break for me.  Our to-do list was as long as it always is during breaks from work, but of course, we were lucky if we crossed off a task or two.  The biggest challenge this week was not going to the grocery store.  Since Scott and I were going out of town Thursday after work through Sunday, we knew it didn't make much sense to drop $100+ on groceries, so we made it a challenge to do a pantry/fridge clean-out week.  Things got real creative around meal times!

Monday, we kept the boys home from daycare and just had a lazy day at home.  Puzzles, tummy time, Mega Blocks, and every transportation vehicle later, we enjoyed our extra snuggle time with the boys.

Tuesday, I spent the day packing everyone's bags for a weekend away from home, went out and bought a bridal shower gift, got my snowboard waxed, bought new snowpants, etc.  With the boys at school, I was as productive as I could be since these days without interruptions are pretty rare.  Scott on the other hand...enjoyed his afternoon on the couch.  Sigh...

Tuesday night we grilled some Cilantro Lime marinaded chicken (thanks to a bottle of marinade from the grocery store).  We also grilled some corn tortillas, cut up some lettuce, had shredded cheese, salsa, and sour cream readily available and made it a taco night!  I just happened to be watching an episode on the DVR of the Pioneer Woman and came across a recipe where she made some Garlic Cilantro Lime Rice.  I thought...that would be perfect with tonight's dinner.  I thought for sure I wouldn't have all the ingredients, especially since we skipped grocery shopping.  But, I was pleasantly surprised to see I had all, but fresh limes.  A little lime juice never killed a recipe.

Since it was a quick recipe and I was in a hurry to throw it together while Scott was grilling, I didn't snap any pictures, but here's Ree Drummond's picture of the rice and here's the particulars:

1 tablespoon canola oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 large onion, chopped
2 cups long-grain rice
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3 to 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Juice of 3 limes and zest of 2 limes (hold back juice of 1 lime for garnish)
Chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and onions and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and add the rice and salt. Cook over a low heat for 3 minutes, stirring constantly to make sure the rice doesn't burn. Add 2 cups of the broth and the juice and zest of 2 limes and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes or until the rice is done. Add more liquid as needed. The rice shouldn't be sticky.

Just before serving, stir through the juice of 1 lime and lots of chopped cilantro.

It was delicious!  I love the idea of cooking the rice in chicken broth, as opposed to water.  And the lime juice I used was just the right amount without having it over power the taste of the recipe.  We are definitely making this again and I'll for sure be buying fresh limes so I can have some zest in it too.

Wednesday and Thursday I went back to work and Scott stayed home to work on some house projects, or watch TV.  

Thursday after work, we scooped up the kids at daycare, loaded the Jeep and hit the road to Nana and Pop's house to drop off the boys.  A little while later, we were on the road and headed to Torch Lake and Traverse City for a long weekend.  After a very long winter full of illnesses, hospitalizations, a never-ending basketball coaching season, and potty training, we figured we owed it to ourselves to steal a few nights away to spend some quality time as husband and wife.  And what better time than in conjunction with Scott's 31st birthday and mid-winter break!  This will definitely merit another blog post, but for now, here's a sneak peak at our gorgeous wintery escape!

More to follow!!

We got back Sunday afternoon, just in time to celebrate Scott's birthday with the boys.  My parents brought the boys over to our house and also brought along an amazing lasagna my mom cooked and a cookies and cream ice cream cake.  We gobbled up the few hours we had with the boys before it was bedtime.  Sean loved getting to sing happy birthday and help blow out the candles!  Although, I think his favorite part was stealing all the Oreos off the top of the cake.  Somehow Evan sensed those were highly desirable and tried to snatch them from Sean.  Too funny...