ann morrison park, boise parks, boise river greenbelt, disc golf, julia davis park, kathryn alberson park, sushi

Park It!

June 8, 2011 Megan Alton

One of the best parts of living in Boise is the extensive park system. The Boise River runs through downtown and along that is the Boise River Greenbelt. On either side of the greenbelt, for many miles, are acres and acres of parks. The three that we are closest to are Julia Davis Park, Ann Morrison Park and Kathryn Albertson Park. Click each park link for information about the park and story of the woman each one is named after. For an interactive list of all the parks in Boise click here. You can also read about Porter’s and my train track hike to another park, the Boise Depot which has a beautiful park and gardens, in the post Abundant Sunshine.

Public parks are a fantastic way of enjoying the outdoors within city limits. We are lucky in Boise that they are so well maintained, offer a variety of activities year round and have mature beautiful trees and landscapes. All of the parks/greenbelt are free and open to the public and each one has its own personality.

I am a firm believer that open space, especially within a city, is important to keep communities alive and in touch with the earth. It is always worth supporting organizations that help maintain these open spaces for use by the public. Our parks not only have open spaces, but a zoo, many museums, Library! access and facilities for huge social gatherings and festivals. While the museums and zoo have entrance fees, most other activities at the parks are almost always free. The activity that brings us to the park on a regular basis, Luke especially, is disc golfing. All you need are the discs. The tees and baskets are already set up for 18 holes. Spending time in our many parks is a great way to connect with nature, our community, and have a great time as a family without having to spend a dime, and that’s always tender!

For our anniversary, yesterday, we went to Kathryn Albertson Park where Luke and I got married. We had a picnic in the same place that we had our ceremony. Then we took Porter for a walk around. Spring is baby gosling time for the Canadian Geese and that meant occasionally having to part a sea of geese in order to get through. Luckily we made it and weren’t pecked to death! 30 geese all in the same area can be intimidating for sure. Porter, however, wasn’t fazed a bit.

I loved getting to share such a special place for Luke and I with our child. It’s an activity that I had never considered sharing with our children, but I’m glad we can do it so easily. Telling our stories and sharing special places is what will make our family strong and keeps our shared experiences alive. I sure do love my little family!

The Eyrie Gazebo where we were married.

There were turtles sun bathing on every available rock.

Every available rock.

One of Albertson Park’s many ponds.

Another pond in Albertson Park.

I’m always a sucker for flowers in bloom!

We’ve also been enjoying our feet, friends and spring days here in Idaho.

Porter has officially found his toes, in fact, there are times when his big toe replaces his thumbs entirely. It makes changing diapers and putting on clothes EXTRA fun!

We went to sushi with my friend Chelsea and her family. Spicy tuna roll anyone?

My boys. Tender, no?

anniversary, kathryn alberson park, marriage

Three

June 7, 2011 Megan Alton 2 Comments

Today is a special day for my husband and I. Three years ago on 6/7/8 we were married in Kathryn Albertson Park, Boise. We were married by my brother and surrounded by friends and family.

That night was filled with fun and dancing. It was the best wedding I’ve ever been to. My husband I and met on the first day in college at UCSC, Porter College, and started dating a few years later. We’ve been together for a total of 11 years, each one more wonderful than the last.

I love you Luke.

There is no one else I’d want to spend all my days with.

Happy Anniversary!

BBQ chicken pizza

Chicken Little Act 3

June 3, 2011 Megan Alton

Pizza anyone? I decided to freeze the broth made from the roasted chicken so I can use it in the future. Tonight, with the rest of the chicken meat, I made BBQ chicken pizza. It was delish!

Ingredients for BBQ chicken pizza: pre-made dough, chicken, BBQ sauce, bacon, red bell pepper, red onion, tomato, mozzarella and gouda cheeses, fresh green onions from the garden.

It was super tasty, although I would use less chicken in the future.

I can hardly believe that my sweet baby is almost 5 months old! My how time has flown faster than ever before. Here are a couple of shots, taken by my friend Ashley, when Porter was 1 week old.

I love my tender little baby so very very much!

Uncategorized

Chicken Little Act 2

June 2, 2011 Megan Alton

As promised, I made dinner using leftovers from last night’s roasted chicken. Tonight was quesadillas. What I noticed was that the chicken tasted more chicken-y. The roasted chicken has way more flavor than if I bought the chicken breast or thighs in a package, plus it cost less since I bought the whole chicken. I still have some leftover chicken and all of the broth. Tomorrow is a soup day, especially since it’s June and I still have the heater turned on.

Tillamook Colby Jack Cheese and leftover chicken, chopped.

Cooking lettuce is all the rage these days, so I thought I would add some lettuce to my quesadilla. It wasn’t the best choice I’ve ever made in the kitchen.

Cheese, chicken and lettuce.

My mom had these awesome mermaid plates special ordered for me at Many Hands Gallery. I love them.

Here are the final quesadillas with a side of salsa.

Porter can read! Or at least turn the pages of a cardboard book, kinda.

roast chicken

Chicken Little

June 1, 2011 Megan Alton

In an effort to save money we have cut down on eating dinners out. Plus, it’s easier with Porter to eat at home. I’ve been slowly getting back in to the habit of making real dinners, as opposed to the cereal or Top Roman that we got used to since our wee one was born. Growing up, my dad was always the main cook in our house, and he’s excellent in the kitchen. During his visit here he revived a classic, roast chicken. When I lived at home my dad would make one little chicken last for multiple meals, and now I want to do the same. So, here goes!

My kitchen supervisor

Here she is, all 4.23 pounds. Roasted a la Julia Child and basted in butter.

Chicken, sour cream smashed potatoes, gravy and garlic asparagus. This was a happy time of day.

Leftovers, dark meat on top and white meat on bottom.

This is for my dad. Not a bit of her will waste, here is her carcass being boiled into broth.

The result! Beautiful golden chicken broth. Stay tuned to find out what happens with our own chicken little.

Granny Alton came to visit!!

We toured around Ann Morrison Park with Granny Alton and Porter’s cousin Quila while Aunt Anna played volleyball.

Porter and Quila

It was a long walk, deserving of a nap.

Aunt Anna playing in a volleyball tournament.

In more Porter cuteness.

Holding hands with dad at the dinner table.

Porter finally found a willing recipient of his fondness for hair pulling. Turns out Misty enjoys a rough grab, if only she knew what was coming!

deuter backpack, downtown Boise, family hike, hillside to the hollow, spring hike

High Desert Hike

May 24, 2011 Megan Alton

Boise is considered the high desert. It is 2,730 feet above sea level, has a dry climate, averages 234 sunny days a year, and receives about a foot of rain yearly. The summer tends to be pretty hot and dry, between 85-95 degrees with stretches over 100 degrees. The winter can be quite cold. I know what zero feels like. This is what makes me appreciate the beautiful sunny days we’ve been having this spring. It makes it even better that we are getting to enjoy the outdoors with our new baby this year and that Luke’s work place makes it so easy to take walks in the foothills.

For a brief time in the spring and fall, the hills are green and burgundy colored with blooming grasses and the trees have leaves. The sky is filled with big spongy clouds and the temperature hovers around 70. It doesn’t get much more tender than that!

I’ve been documenting our hikes so that I can look back when I’m schvitzing like crazy this summer or piling on the blankets next winter, and remember that there is a time of year when being outside makes me very genuinely happy. To have anytime to enjoy the great outdoors is a treat and a luxury, and I’m happy to share it with you!

Help save the Hollow hiking trails! Click here to find out more.

Luke works at the bottom of this hill

Yet another view of downtown Boise from the foothills.

Luke is the designated family pack horse, and I love him for that.

Simplot hill: great for sledding in the winter and ice block riding in the summer!

Beauty growing from the dry earth

I finally got a picture of him awake during the hike. He promptly fell asleep after this pic was taken. Porter likes his Deuter hiking backpack better than all the rest because his giant baby body doesn’t get scrunched up and he stays much cooler.

deuter backpack, doula, family hike, Idaho wildflowers, Magnum ice cream, rei

Love My Life

May 22, 2011 Megan Alton 1 Comment

This last week my dad, Porter’s grandpa, came to Boise for a visit. Whenever family or friends come to visit I am always reminded about how lucky we are to have such wonderful people in our lives. During my dad’s visit he cooked up a storm. He made everything from curries to chicken soup, and we were lucky enough to have a friends dinner where my dad cooked. It was a great treat to have my dad cook the whole meal for us and I know we were all very appreciative of his tasty curries. Luke and Shaun jammed on their guitars, Lucy and Porter were their charming selves and it was heart warming to spend a beautiful evening with everyone. We are so blessed to have each other!

Porter and his doula Aunt Sarah playing at friends dinner.

Lucy lovin’ the Magnum ice cream bar.

We spent time hiking on the greenbelt and in the foothills. Hiking was made much easier by the sweet Deuter hiking backpack to carry Porter in, from REI. The foothills were green and in bloom.

Porter’s Grandpa

Napping on the hike.

Downtown Boise

My dad was also nice enough to beef up Porter’s wardrobe. My 4 month old is wearing 12 month sizes, with just a little room to spare! I especially love the plaid jumper he’s wearing when he fell asleep on my dad. It was a great visit and I we’re so happy that Porter has family that wants to be involved in his life, because no matter how much stuff this little boy gets, it’s the relationships that make our lives rich.

Tenderness

Porter the acrobat

hot cocoa, maine narrow gauge railroad

Tidbits and Trains

May 16, 2011 Megan Alton 1 Comment

Our last day in Portland, Maine was drizzly and cloudy. Luckily the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad had closed cars so that Porter could get his first train ride in while on vacation. Here’s a picture, video to follow!

Here are a few tender tidbits that I wanted to share from our trip to Maine, a state I would highly recommend visiting:

Hotel Hot Chocolate
Our hotel had 24 hour coffee, tea, water and hot cocoa mix in the lobby. Luke really likes hot cocoa, but I’m not a super fan of making it with plain water, so here is the recipe to beef it up a little.
Ingredients
1 pack of instant hot cocoa
3-5 ounces of boiling water*
3-5 containers of half & half or flavored coffee creamer (in the event that there is no more half & half)*
*I prefer half&half. When I have half&half I use more of that and less water and when flavored creamer is available I use more water and less creamer.

Ingredients!

Boil or microwave the water.

Add water to the cup first.

Empty packet of instant cocoa.

Add half&half or creamer.

Stir to combine.

Enjoy a creamier, better, version of instant hotel cocoa.

Travelling with 4 month old Porter, overall, has been a great experience. While he often sleeps through our excursions, it’s exciting for us as parents to do the simple activities just knowing that he’s with us. It’s also nice because he keeps our pace in check. When Luke and I vacationed before Porter we were on the go much of the time. It was great and we got to see awesome places like France, British Columbia, LA, Southern Oregon and Maui, and having Porter won’t stop us from future adventures. As a couple we also got to enjoy things like dinners out, doing activities on a whim, and hot tubs without any limitations. We were always going somewhere, doing something.

Porter has forced us to slow down, take naps, sleep in, eat in, change plans and appreciate the moments when he’s asleep so we can savor a few moments alone. This trip involved a lot of hanging out on the bed and playing with our baby. Here’s a taste of what down time with Porter is like. Of course I can never get the amazing laughter and giggles of when we start playing together, on video, because I’m pretty caught up in the moment with him…but that’s the way it should be.