Fall Cooking Class + Cookies

Tonight we kicked off our Fall Cooking Classes with an incredible Italian dish.  We had a fun demonstration and enjoyed some Quadertine Casserole.  This is such a tasty dish, and incredibly healthy!

The recipe includes so many vegetables and fresh herbs (or dried), and when we pulled the finished product out of the oven, it all smelled incredible.

Mixing in the fresh spinach...

 This informative table runner came from Naples Italy last year.  What fun decor!

We talked about different types of noodles and fresh herbs vs. dried herbs.  I loved looking at this pasta dictionary.

There you have it, Quadertine.

And as a little cooking class dessert, I thought it appropriate to enjoy these cookies.  Last night we headed over to Maria's aka brilliant cake decorator and she taught us the technique/special frostings for dam and fill sugar cookies.  I loved every minute of our mid-week girls night in.  Thanks Maria for your patience, and thanks Britt for making the cookies!  I can't wait to try this again.  I have a new respect for cookie and cake decorators. 

Everyone attending cooking class this fall received a welcome to class basket.  How fun! I can't wait to use everything in it, and learn more about the art of cooking! If anyone would like me to post this recipe or email it to them let me know.  You won't regret making this healthy dish!

end of summer bbq

Happy Labor Day weekend.  We had one last summer "official" summer bbq in my parents backyard today.  And some of us just so happened to dress alike.  On the menu, a hotdog bar, accompanied by salads (almost all of my aunts and each of my grandmas specialize in one particular salad) and desserts (always the best part!).  The hotdog bar turned out quite successful.   Everyone likes to prepare their hotdog a different way, and today they could.

My favorite was the chili cheese dog. Yes please. The sauerkraut with bell peppers was pretty good too.  TT likes the relish on his, and as long as I have mustard I'm good.

I've got so many fun pictures from this weekend, and I'll be doing a little review of Swiss Days coming up!  It's one of the reasons I love Labor Day.  We were able to cram quite a bit into the long weekend, and I'm excited to share.  Have a wonderful week!

Sunday Lunch

One of my favorite things to do on a Sunday afternoon is spend time in the kitchen.  I always have one or two recipes in the back of my mind that I've come across during the week, or have been craving for awhile.  I love pancakes, and I almost always prefer wheat over white, which is why I decided to try some whole wheat blueberry pancakes.  Originally I had planned to use a mix from the pantry, but pulled it out only to see it had been expired...for over a year (that's embarrassing).  So I tried this recipe, and it actually turned out really well!  I love all of the fresh produce right now too!  TT and I enjoyed this for lunch before we headed to our families for birthday celebrations galore.  Happy birthday Dad, Chandler, and Savannah! 

Happy Birthday Dad + Silver Fork Lodge

Saturday night, the family met at Silver Fork Lodge up Big Cottonwood Canyon to celebrate my Dad's birthday.  The night included incredible food, the beginning of a great birthday celebration, and breathtaking scenery. 

 

Love the feel of this little restaurant.

School starts this week, which means the twinners are headed back down to BYU.  It's so much fun having them around for family dinners and adventures.   I can't believe how fast summer has flown by!

 

WIW: Top: J. Crew, Jeans: J. Brand High Wasted Skinnys, Necklace: Falling Whistle, Boots: Frye

EVC finishing her nap just in time for dinner.

In love with my new Frye's.  Can't wait to wear them all day every day this fall.  So excited!

When we all go out for a meal together we usually order lots of appetizers.  I love it! It's such a fun way to get a feel for the restaurant, and I love tasting lots of different foods.

Canyon Pepper Steak, fresh vegetables and steak fries.  This is TT's meal, however I think a few other people ordered it as well.  Delicious.

Blackened Salmon with Special Sauce (read: I don't remember what it was), mashed potatoes and fresh vegetables.  This was my meal.  I love salmon, and this didn't disappoint.

Berry Crisp Cobbler with Vanilla Ice Cream.  This is one of the many desserts we tried and was my favorite.  The table favorite was the chocolate lava cake, which I unfortunately do not have a photo of. 

Why to dine at Silver Fork: Beautiful drive up the canyon (even though I fell asleep).  If you eat on the patio you have an incredible view of the mountains and canyon.  The food is delicious, and the menu offers something for everyone.  It is a little bit on the pricy side, but because of the location, atmosphere, and time you'll spend dining at the lodge, I think it's worth it (then again, I didn't pay for the meal).

Happy Birthday Dad!!  You are the best!

Here's a super quick video from last night's dinner...

dinner at the bird

Snowbird.

And to top off the night...

We had a tasty and fun family night up at Snowbird.  We love Mexican food in this family, and are always up for trying new restaurants.  We enjoyed our dinner out on the patio of El Chanate up at Snowbird.  It's absolutely beautiful up there and starting to feel like fall (already!).  I needed a jacket.  So fun!

delicious dessert

A while back I scoured the city with my mom for some fabulous desserts.  It's always good to know who has the best chocolate, cheesecakes, donuts, pastries, and candies in your city(right!?).  We picked this up from Tulie bakery, and tastes as good as it looks!

August Already

This summer is flying by, would you agree?  Here are a few of my favorite things so far:

1. BBQs with friends and family

2. Meeting my family for meals, whether it's Saturday breakfast at McDonalds, lunch somewhere downtown, or dinner anywhere Mexican

3. Beautiful Weather

4. Getting good workouts in

5. Weekly ice cream shake runs

6. Going on random photo shoots

7. Diet Coke (my current favorite is at Crown Burger, I top it off with a little Vanilla Diet Coke)

8. Walking our dog together

9. Celebrating Birthdays and other holidays

10. Long weekends away

11. Reading - just started Born To Run, recommended by Adam

12. Summer playlists

13. Making dinner together

14. Redboxing movies, and grabbing a Slurpee and Swedish Fish for a late night date

15. Going to the movies, last weekend we saw Cowboys and Aliens (not bad!)

16. Gathering a pile of recipes to make using fresh summer produce

17. S'mores

18. Creating beachy waves in my hair (successfully)

19. Late night visits to see EVC and Britt, where we trade baked goods

20. Laying out by the pool

What are you favorite things so far this summer? I'd love to hear!