dear may

note: this is the most random assortment of photos....whoops

dear.........may?!! What?? Where did April go?

Dear May,

hello. Nice to see you again. You bring so many wonderful things.

(hopefully) something smallish from the garden.

spring in the mountains....more open trails!

maybe camping....please?

closer and closer to summer each day. 

yay, may.

Dear April,

WHAT HAPPENED? Where did the time go? I really don't remember. I'm sorry.

There was the boy's birthday, easter, moab.....you just passed too quickly.

Dear Our Giant Tree,

the last few weeks have been so fun watching you change.

bare. blossoms. full green leaves. thank you for your shade.

Dear Appendix (or as my girl calls it, "independex")

what was that all about? Seriously you are the WORST. I will not miss you.

Dear Tomatoes,

I should be able to get you in the ground this month.....hooray!! I look forward to hanging out.

Dear Trail Running (Addiction?),

you are all I think about! Must. have. more. trails.

Running this and this (please read the description of that last one.....thrilling!)

Who wants to join me?

Dear Camping,

when will you happen? I need some fresh mountainy air.......right now.

Dear S'mores,

I'll see you soon too (see above)

Dear Grilled Asparagus,

you are my favorite right now.

Dear Shadow Puppets,

you really are a good time for all.

even better when the animals "attack the world"

Dear 7 year old,

Every year I ask the same thing.....how?

I love you.

Your shaggy hair. Missing teeth. Curious mind.

Dear Attempt at a Lego Cake,

fail.

frosting marshmallows is maybe the most impossible thing,

ever.

But he loved it.....so oh well I guess.

Dear Charly,

you are THREE now!!

and you are actually turning out to be quite the dog.....

....until someone comes over and you tackle them and lick them to death.

Dear Future Guests,

watch out for our dog,

she is still crazy.

Dear Chocolate Pudding,

you really know how to cheer a girl up.

Chocolate and Coconut Pudding

serves 4

1/2 cup sugar 

2 TBS unsweetened cocoa powder 

2 TBS cornstarch 

1/8 tsp salt 

1 1/3 cups milk

2/3 cup coconut milk (small can is 2/3 cup. I'm pretty sure if you swapped out ALL the milk for coconut milk, it would be awesome, but I just had a small can.)

 2 egg yolks (slightly beaten) 

2 oz dark chocolate, finely chopped 

1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract 

Mix sugar, cocoa, cornstarch, and salt in a saucepan. Slowly mix in milk and coconut milk. Cook over medium heat (continue stirring), until mixture comes to boil. Boil for one minute (still stirring) Slowly stir half the mixture into the egg yolks, and then back into the saucepan on the stove. Boil for one minute. Remove from heat and add in chopped chocolate and vanilla extract. Pour into bowls and  cover (unless you are one of those people who like the "skin", cough, mom) and put pudding in the refrigerator for at least one hour. 

Top with toasted coconut and enjoy!

Dear YOU, 

what have you been up to? 

sincerely yours/love/until next time

me.