Sweet Corn and Cashew Chowder...

The eve of the our BBQ I wanted to cook something light for Justin and I. Something vegetarian, something EASY! And that it was - all you need are the few ingredients below and a blender :)

Here is the chowder, adapted from Food + Wine magazine...

Ingredients...

3-1/4 c fresh yellow corn kernels (or 4 ears of corn)

2 c water

1/2 c raw cashews (I would revise this to 1/4 c, it was pretty nutty!)

6 tablespoons EVOO

1 small garlic clove (no need to chop, blender will do it for you!)

2 tsp kosher salt

1-1/2 tsp chopped cilantro leaves (for garnish)

Freshly ground pepper (for garnish / flavor)

Directions...

n a blender, combine 2-1/4 cups of the corn with the water, cashews, olive oil, garlic and salt and puree until smooth. Pour the soup into bowls. Garnish with the remaining 1 cup of corn kernels, the cilantro and a sprinkle of pepper, then serve.

Shabbat at Mi Casa

This past Friday I had a nice reunion with two friends I met on my Israel trip! My friend Laura came in town from Pennsylvania and my friend Chelsea and her boyfriend Zach came from Boulder. Justin was there of course, too :) We did the full Shabbat at my house - it was great doing this with friends who I had shared this experience with in Israel!


We did the whole shabang... All the prayers - for the wine, the bread, and the lighting of the Shabbat candles. I ended up making veggie pizzas as Laura is a vegetarian - Justin ended up making homemade pizza dough and helping me out a bunch with dinner since I had to run all over town to pick everyone up from two bus stops :)


Chelsea and Zach brought Challah from Udi's (YUM!), Manischevitz (which I hadn't had since forever!), and salad. So, Friday really was a true Shabbat - our way!!


We had a wonderful time catching up over yummy food and drink!! We gabbed forever and then someone mentioned they wanted something sweet, and next thing you know we are driving to Scrumptious in Olde Town Arvada - an awesome sweet shoppe! Later on, we came back to my house for a bit and then headed into the city to watch Chelsea and Zach's friend play in his band.


I am hoping to gather more pictures from the evening from Laura to add later!!!


It was a good night had by all :)

My Spring Wreath...

My friend had a spring wreath making party a couple weeks back. You can see if I have wreath obsessed ever since a visit to Williamsburg during the holidays; check out my post from December.

 Considering it has been Seattle-ish here in Denver with a "chance" of sunshine... I am happy the Spring/Summer weather is here! (And hopefully here to stay!) This wreath has reminded me that the warm weather really was/is coming!!! I ended up hanging it with the calla lilies at the top. I took this photo against our wood floors before it was hung up!

HAPPY SPRING/SUMMER - whatever you want to call it!

Flying Pigeon

Tonight is the last yoga posture clinic I am attending for a week or two and tonight's final pose is Flying Pigeon!! Can you tell I am just a little excited?!? XO

Everything's Coming Up Vegetables

We have had a lot of RAIN. So much so that I believe we are in another place, say Seattle, Washington...


It was sunny most of the day for the first time in a long time and it just started down pouring!! I glanced over at my vegetable / spice garden and realized something GREEN was peaking up from the ground!! I threw on my sandals and ran out to be sure it was one of my plants!!


Low and behold.... we have the beginnings of vegetables. Now I have a different perspective of the rain... things may seem dreary on the outside... but on the inside... the earth is being fed and therefore everything is green and growing!!


Happy Weekend!
Robyn

Holstee Manifesto

via

BRRRR...

What is up with the Colorado weather ? The month of MAY has been quite strange... Warm, sunshiny days and now this cold 40 degree stuff that I thought we were done with for a while ??? I guess I need to be thankful we are not experiencing severe weather  / flooding as the south has been seeing over the past couple of weeks.


I completed a 10 mile hike last weekend with my pup in Greenland, CO with great views of Pike's Peak... There were many mountain bikers on the trail... I might have been one of two walking that whole afternoon!!

Last weekend I worked on another painting - acrylic and yarn... I bought a few more different sizes of canvas for more works I hope to begin next weekend after the deadlines wrap up for the week!

Last night after dinner, we went over to Three Dogs and then Elm Street on Colfax. It was a pretty fun night; it was much needed after this LONG week!! We grabbed some Phở this morning and I am about to head to a { yoga } posture workshop at Qi this afternoon. Should be good times!! 

Happy Weekend!

Robyn

Moab - Spring 2011

A few weeks ago, a large group of us road tripped it to Moab, Utah. We camped in the true desert as most camping spots were too small for our group and many were all ready taken because of Jeep Safari weekend. The weather was pretty perfect although at night it got a bit chilly... But we always had a camp fire burning and music blasting and lots of friends all around - so we didn't really notice the weather change!


I was told to buy a harness for the trip as we would be doing some rock climbing and rappelling. I really had no idea what I was in for, but I bought the harness and was excited to try something new, exciting, and kind of risky I came to learn. But that's what adventure is all about, right ??


The first full day in Moab we looked for a camping spot - but we met new friends and hung out in the mean time - so, this wasn't so bad. I had Baci along with us for the weekend - so that was an adventure all its own and another thing to keep me occupied and take care of!! But I am so glad we brought him, he had a blast I think.


Later, when the rest of the crew showed up at our desert camping spot, we piled into trucks and made our way to Wall Street. One of the guys lead climbed and set up our climb. I borrowed a friend's shoes, as I learned how important shoes are for climbing - they are everything!!! Justin did a wonderful job climbing! He has super long strides and made it up without a problem; I was pretty proud of him! When it came to be my turn, I put on Sarah's shoes and was told to "go." Easier said than done! For me, this was a lesson in body alignment - for climbing. I learned that my booty needs to stick back and I need not be so close to the mountain!! I think my muscle memory from dance was creeping up on me, because my hips wants to be above my knees. But I learned this does not get you anywhere - where is the power in your thighs ? How was I to go up if I was standing straight as a board against the mountain ?!


I made up further than I thought I would and knew that I wanted to get the body positioning sooner rather than later! The following weekend, Justin and I ventured to Rockn and Jammin in Centennial to take a beginners class. We passed and then climbed on our own - Justin and I switched off being the climber and the belayer. Taking this class allowed us to understand all of the ESSENTIAL safety precautions, knots.... This was so helpful and I cannot wait to go back!!


Back to Moab...


That evening we made a fire, cooked dinner, ate s'mores and just hung out!! I tried a friend's beer from The Moab Brewery and made it a point to remember to buy a growler for Justin and I to share for the following evening...


The next day (Saturday) we ventured to Negroville Park (I need to double check the name). We hiked for a while and took some pretty neat pictures in narrow areas of rock formations. Moab was absolutely gorgeous!! Our hike would lead us to two locations where the group would be rappelling down two different cliffs. The first was down through a cave-like formation and the second was off an arch. I kind of freaked out here, so I decided to be belayed down... Next time I return, I want to do it right and rappel, but I know I made the right decision if I was that worried about it!!


After the 2 rappels, which was much much later as there were about 14 of us rappeling each time on one rope, we were among beautiful fauna. I wondered if this really was a desert because it was SO green! During that weekend, it was super cold and gray in Denver, so this was a nice treat for all of us!


I am hoping to camp at least 3 or 4 more times this spring/summer. It is such a blast; every time I do it, I want to do it even more often :)


Happy Weekend!
Robyn

Hello, Warm Weather

Justin left today for Auburn to see his sister graduate from Pharmacy School! I spoke with our friends tonight that he is hanging out with and wow do I miss everyone!!! I am staying in Denver as I couldn't take 4 days off from work....


This evening after yoga, I walked Baci for 90 minutes around our neighborhood, through the park, and around the lake!! It was warm and just plain gorgeous outside, even though it was cloudy. This is my kind of weather! I ended up being such a mom and taking zillions of pictures of him in front of the lake. (Dork, I know...)


I am so thankful to live in such a beautiful state :) I have to take advantage of every warm day this spring/summer!! Cheers to the warm weather...


Happy Weekend!!!
Robyn

A Stroke Of Creativity...

"One never knows what one is going to do. One starts a painting and then it becomes something quite different. - Pablo Picasso


I have rediscovered painting and I am just loving it!! I am painting for every occasion I can think of and it is a gift that comes from the heart... It's relaxing, creative, and plain FUN!! I really believe anyone can do this. You just have to do it. That's it. You make it your own.


Here is what I just completed for my sister-in-law. She is graduating on Monday!! It needs one more glossy coat, and then it is ready to go!