Saturday March 20, 2010
Boulder, Colorado
SNOW!!
Its 930pm on Saturday and I'm writing this update while finishing the bottle of Acacia Pinot Noir. What a fabulous day! I went to bed quite early the night before a bit surprised that my 10 year old nephew did not want to sleep in my room. Since he was a baby, he always slept with me when I visited. He is growing up. But when I woke up early this morning, thinking of going downstairs for a glass of water I noticed the door in his bedroom was wide open and he was sleeping facing my door. He stirred when I opened the door so I went back to my room and pretended to sleep so he gets some sleep. Around 730am, I decided I have to get up as I have lots of work to do, and sure enough as I opened the door and attempted to quietly walk by him, he immediately got up and said "Good Morning!" and followed me downstairs. So cute and adorable.
It snowed all night so the morning was glorious with the sun shining on virgin snow. But oh, so COLD!! I told Jackson that I had to spend the morning working, so he sat next to me playing PC games on his mother's PC while I worked. Billy then woke up early too (around 830am) so we had a simple breakfast and planned out the day. Billy, Jackson and I were going to make a gourmet steak dinner today. My sister and her husband had a busy day as they were volunteers for a fundraiser for the Waldorf School in Boulder that my nephews go to.
So we decided to go to Whole Foods early so that I can buy the ingredients for the dinner we planned tonite. The boys wanted a steak dinner and fortunately Whole Foods had aged NY steak that looked fabulous. A bit pricey but worthwhile for this special night with my nephews. I decided to get 4 steaks (just in case) and good thing I did as Billy invited one of his BFFs Andrew to join us for dinner. After shopping, we went back to my sister's place where I continued working, while Billy and Jackson played PS3 and Wii games and my sister and brother-in-law were busy getting ready for the fundraiser.
Jackson helping me de-ice the car so we can go to Whole Foods
Around noon, it was time for me to stop working and spend time with the family. My sister was at Waldorf prepping for the fundraiser, so we drove to the school to pick her up for lunch. But I wanted to see the setup so spent sometime touring the venue. And what a fabulous venue! The theme was Africa, and the students, faculty and parents created fabulous crafts that I am sure will raise significant funds for the school.
The venue for the fundraiser
Tea Cup baskets that Billy's class created.
The teacup that Billy made.
The flags that Jackson's class created.
Baskets and many other goods from Africa.
A Noah's Ark teacup the second grade class created.
We then drove to "downtown" Boulder for some noodles at Happy Noodles. Fun place for ramen that is not quite Japanese but very good. It is a pretty cool place with a hot bar scene. And very filling!
My sister and her family in front of Happy Noodle!
Deep fried brussel sprouts that the kids love!
The very cool bar scene. Supposedly it's hopping at night.
Jackson playing with my iphone
Billy digging into pork ramen
My hot and sour ramen. J
apanese ramen meets Thai and Vietnamese.
After lunch, we went home. My sister and Bill were very busy prepping for the fundraiser, while I prepped the dinner. Jackson and I spent a good hour making dessert – Julia Child's chocolate mousse. We used the recipe from Julia Child's "The Way We Cook" cookbook. Very easy and delicious! I love the way she provides details on how to whip up egg whites and cream and how to melt chocolate.
Billy also got into cooking and he helped me with the biscuits and made the garlic mashed potatoes again from Julia's "The Way We Cook" cookbook.
Appetizer was Whole Foods spicy shrimp and shrimp cocktail
Then the games began. Mario Kart on Wii. It's very serious.
Dinner Time!
Aged NY Strip Steaks
w/ garlic mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus in olive oil and Parmesan cheese and broiled tomatoes.
Julia Child's chocolate mousse with homemade whipped cream. The 3 boys ate all of it (it was supposed to serve 8!)
We had a fabulous dinner. Andrew, Billy's BFF is such a good, kind kid. Our dinner lasted over an hour where we had great conversations and most importantly lots of laughs. But, my god, do they eat a lot!!! Billy and Andrew had a 16oz steak each which they finished along with most of the biscuits. Jackson did well too, where he finished his 10oz steak and also had a biscuit. And then the dessert. All I can say is that the chocolate mousse for 8 was finished by the three of them.
They are now playing the Wii and are having a fabulous time. They are calling me to play the tennis game. I also overheard them talking about me and heard the word "cool". Now , that made my day!!