Asparagus Risotto

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ingredients

• 3 cups Imagine Organic Low Sodium Free Range Chicken Broth
• 2 cups water (to blanch asparagus)
• 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
• 1 1/4 cups Arborio rice
• 1/4 cup dry white wine
• 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
• 2 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley
• 1/4 teaspoon Hain Pure Foods Iodized Sea Salt

Directions

1. Bring Imagine Low Sodium Free Range Chicken Broth and water to a simmer in a medium saucepan. Add asparagus and simmer, uncovered, until just tender, about 4 minutes. Transfer asparagus to an ice bath to stop cooking and then drain. Keep broth at a bare simmer, covered.
2. Cook onion in 2 tablespoons butter with 1/4 teaspoon Hain Pure Foods Iodized Sea Salt in a 4-quart heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Add rice and cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Add wine and simmer, stirring constantly, until absorbed.
4. Stir in 1/2 cup broth mixture and simmer, stirring frequently, until absorbed. Continue adding broth, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring frequently and letting each addition be absorbed before adding the next, until rice is creamy and tender, about 18 minutes.
5. Stir in asparagus, zest, remaining 2 tablespoons butter, parmesan, parsley, and pepper to taste.

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Quiz show crew

written by: Dan

Our grand Finale in Colorado was a night out in Downtown Denver.  Steve-O picked Annie up (we had returned the Wrangler earlier), and took us a place by his work.  There we met back up with the newlyweds. The highlight was live trivia contest in the bar.  Our team, I heart Dickel, finshed 5th out of about 12-14 teams.  Hanging out with good friends is a great way to finish a great vacation.
 

Mountain Towns

Written by: Dan

After leaving Glenwood Springs, we decided to bum around mountain towns.  We started with Lunch in Vail.  We picked a Mexican place right at the base of the mountain.   We spent the next few hours walking around Downtown Vail.  A very nice place.

After leaving Vail, we headed to Breckenridge.  We took the Gondola ride up the Mountain (we took the bus back down).  There they had plenty to do during the summer.  Alpine Slide, Put Put Golf, Sky Lift Ride, Even a Roller Coaster.  A great way to spend a summer evening.  We ended the night by finding a local place to stay downtown, finding a local brewery, and walking downtown at night.  A great place.  I, personally, liked Breckenridge a little better.  A warmer town, a nicer crowd, a little more to do, an all around better experience.  That being said, we haven't done either place in Winter.  I gather that is an entire different experience.

Vacation Photos: Here

Spa of the Rockies

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Beer sampling

Beer Sampler at Glenwood Canyon Brewery.

Our anniversary

Written By: Dan

We had yet another unusual Anniversary.  We started the day with a snowball fight, in late July.  We took the trek up Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park to 12,000 feet.  Up in the frozen tundra there is still snow.

After we climbed back down the mountain we went to the Alluvial Fans.  This huge waterfall was formed in 1985 when a dam in an above lake broke, causing 29 million gallons of water to come crashing down the park, all the way to Estes Park.  It is not as known as Pikes Peak, or Trail Ridge Road, but just as worthwhile of a trip.  

After a long day of adventure we headed to the Stanley Hotel for dinner.  The Stanley is a very nice hotel just outside of the Park in Estes Park, Co.  The hotel is well known for many reasons: being very old, having a huge deck with views of the mountains, being the inspiration for The Shining, and a filming site for "Dumb and Dumber."  We started the night with drinks on the porch.  We exchanged Anniversary cards while drinking sparkling wine and looking over the mountains.  After dinner on the back veranda, we retired back to our camp site at Rocky Mountain (Moraine Campgrounds).

An unusual Anniversary.  A snowball fight on an 85 degree day, dinner at a famously lavish restaurant, then sleeping on the ground.   We couldn't have scripted a better day!

Vacation Photos: Here

The Flat Irons

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Emily and Aaron's Wedding

Written By: Annie
Pictures: Here

boulder

Annie is stuck between a rock and a hard place on Pearl Street, Downtown Boulder.

Oakland Hills

 
View from the veranda. 

Written By: Dan

The Twilight Benefit Foundation hosted their annual Golf Outing.  This year was at Oakland Hills.   Because of great sponsors, we had the privilege of playing both the North and South Courses.  The event was a hit.  We haven't put on a better outing to date.  Because of Great sponsors, a great venue, terrific volunteers, and generous players we raised a lot of money for The Rainbow Connection and The Charlie Porter Research Grant. 

4th of July Redo

Written by: Hobee

OK.  Take two on the fireworks.   Last week, Pam and John saw the fireworks.  But it was only one "Grand Beginning/ Finale" because the raft holding the fireworks caught fire.  So they tried again.  Someone thought it was a good idea to take me (a dog) to the fireworks.  Not only that, but RIGHT UNDER the Lake Orion fireworks.  A little too close for comfort.  I was not a fan.  Stayed hugging someone the entire time.  Maybe this is someone else's bag.

Annie's 30th Birthday

Written by: Dan

Today Annie turns the big 3-0!  You may ask how a young lady, entering a new decade, spends her last moments in her 20's.  Well, for Annie, it is different from others.  As she put it, her day stated out by "getting my hair did."  After that she did what every woman in their 30's wants - to go see dinosaurs.    Yep, we headed to the Detroit Science Center.  They had a display of what Dinosaurs looked like back in the day.   Apparently, some the baby T-Rex had hair and feathers.

Annie at the Detroit Science Center.
Just one of the couch potatoes.


After leaving the D, we headed to Victoria's.  A little bistro in downtown Oxford Annie.  Very nice.  Fresh food, local wine, and great service.

The last stop of the night was the patio at BW3s in Lake Orion.  We were joined by Kevin, Tots, my mom, John, Sarah, Tony, Sam, and Susanna.  A dozen or so of us sat, overlooking the Lake, and celebrating our Old Lady.

Hoban 4th of July weekend

Written by: Hobee
Pictures: none, broken camera lens. 

It is that time of the year again when the Hoban's invade Rogers City.  Annie didn't have a lot of time for work, so we crammed the entire experience into one weekend.  We picked Kevin up from the Airport at 10pm and drove straight through the night to Aunt Donna's.  After a long nap we were all back up and ready.  As usual, the festivities got under way with bowling.  Kevin and Tots made it to the final "bowl off" final, but lost to Uncle Chuck and Aunt Pat.  After that we headed home and went to bed.

The next day was quite busy.  We spend the day getting ready for the Magic Show!  Tricks had been rented/ purchased the week before.  But set up was in order.  Aunt Pat made a large Magic Curtin while the rest assembled and practice the tricks.  The Show was a hit.  You  may be able to see some of the tricks at the following facebook links.

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=2023441200096

 http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=2006982268633

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=2006832784896

The next day was our annual 4th of July BBQ at Uncle Bob and Aunt Judy's cottage.  We picked up our usual margarita glasses, noticed another year recorded on our chalice, had a great meal, Annie and Kevin celebrated their birthdays, then we hit he road. 

The 4th is one of our favorite holidays of the year.  This year was no exception.