Springtime in Idaho

Hi friends! I am sorry for my lack of blogging over the past week. I did enjoy being away from my computer for a bit, but most of all, I enjoyed visiting my sister and brother-in-law!

I've been up, way up, in lovely, sleepy Moscow, Idaho.

{flickr credit - Ryan McGinty}

I was in Denver, Colorado last week for work, and Mom had planned to go visit my sister this weekend, so it worked out perfectly for me to join her since I was already halfway there!

{flickr credit - Ryan McGinty}

{flickr credit - Roger Lynn}

My sister's house is very cute and charming. Cozy and sunny...

My sweet Dad sent flowers ahead of time for his 'girls'. How thoughtful!

The weather in Idaho was great. Crisp spring air, lots of green. Lots of flowers.

And bunnies in the front yard :)

Sweet, little bunny. 

Staring at me on the other side of the window.

Jen and Jerry have a great little nest, with a kick-butt garden started in the back.

I am jealous of all the things that will be growing here soon...

The neighborhood was blooming with tulips. They were everywhere!

I LOVED this little house's side yard, slope thing. Gorgeous!

My older sis is so cute, she looks like she could be my younger sis.

And just right around the corner, in Moscow, Idaho, was a house flying a Razorback flag. 

How random!

What else did we do? Bummed around!

We went to this awesome store called Tri State....

It was a delightful blend of a Bed, Bath & Beyond, Ace Hardware and a Bass Pro Shop.

I wanted one of each of these colorful delights.

There were funky little gadgets in there. Using a orange man as a spreader would be so bizarre...right?

Colors, colors colors!

My sister with 2 items every cook needs:

Onion goggles....and...

....a ravioli rolling pin.

Necessities, people!! Necessities!

We also picked up a b-e-a-utiful windchime for the sis.

What ELSE did we do on our lazy weekend?

ATE LIKE KINGS! We cooked up all kinds of deliciousness.

A whole bunch of strawberries!

In the dehydrator......

....equals the best snack ever!

A very addicting treat!

Mom made blackberry cobbler with these.

I made a baked brie in phyllo with raspberry jam on top and bottom. 

Note: all of these things weren't made at once. Yeesh. We did take breaks between meals.

Oh, my heavens the goodness!

It was fab.

Will make again.

We also had some great dinners:

Crespelle with Asparagus, Mushrooms, and Goat Cheese. Like crepes.

Quite possibly one of the very best things I've eaten!

We cooked out one night...

Mom and Jerry.

Scallops stink up the house, so you gotta do 'em outside!

Outstanding!

It was like a Linguine, Caper, Scallop Pasta.

Quite possibly, one of the very best meals I have eaten.

I'm serious!

Being that I am/was (whatever,) The Middle Sister, I bought this sassy wine.

It was yummy.

Jerry recently spent 6 months working in Japan. So, he made an authentic Japanese lunch for Mother's Day!

It was as tasty as it looks!

If I can learn to cook half as good as my sister and brother-in-law, I'll be an amazing chef!

Mom and her girls!

You must sip the miso soup from the bowl, not use a spoon. We were going for authenticity!

Ok, enough of the food, we did take some family pictures:

Sisterly love.

I had such a great time! It has been a while since I laughed as much as I did on this trip.

It was good for my soul.

There was no TV, no Internet (except for the phone), nothing to clutter the mind.

Sun, hammocks, clean air, good food, family, bonding.

All worth the trek to Moscow!

Love you, J & J! Thanks for being great hosts!

{let me know if you figure out that iron thing}