Dinner date

To celebrate our 10th anniversary (still can't believe that time has gone by that fast!), my husband and I went on an impromptu dinner date to Sego in Ketchum.  The kids begged us to take them to the YMCA's Parents Night Out---seriously, they really did. So, my hubby and I were left with a few hours to ourselves. Since this is a rare occasion, we loved every minute of it.

After walking around town to see all the beautiful Christmas lights and to do a little window shopping, we headed over to Cornerstone for some drinks (water for me) and to check out the social scene.  Boy, that place is always packed--must be a good sign.

Then, we ventured down the street to Sego for a light dinner. Since we weren't too hungry, we decided to sit at the bar for the first time and experience what all of our friends were talking about. Even though we were "at the bar", we were still in a comfortable and private booth and had great service.  Everything from the warm rolls, to the hamburger condiments, to the mini donuts made my mouth water more and more.  After a delicious and healthy, once again, Sego proved to be my favorite valley restaurant.

Happy Anniversary dear!

What a quick get-away to Sun Valley?

Check out this great article by the NY Times on what to in SV in 36 hours:

http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/12/12/travel/12hours.html?src=dayp

Annual Lee Pesky Scavenger Hunt

In cased you missed the Lee Pesky Scavenger Hunt this past weekend, just know that it was a ton of fun and a great way to spend the morning with the family.  Sad to say, our family didn't win, but we sure broke a sweat trying.  We used our brains and our legs!  We had to answer 12 clues in less than an hour that took us all around downtown Ketchum.  So neat to see how many families participated.

*families gearing up for the great race at Ketchum Town Square*

Irving's hot dog stand gave all participants a free hot dog, chips and drink after the competition was over.  That made it so worth it!  Thank you Irvings.

We are already planning our strategy for next's years big event.  Hope everyone had a fun and active weekend with their families.

The newest and coolest part of Ketchum

If you haven't spent some time at Ketchum's new Town Square,, then run there as fast as you can. You will be amazed and impressed.  Grab a to-go lunch of crepes or yummy pannini's at Penelope's, plus some ice cream at Leroy's (can you tell that I love ice cream) and enjoy a nice lunch outside at the square.  The kids can run around on the nice square while you can sit and people watch.

It was so nice to see how many people were using Town Square on Saturday morning.  Well done Ketchum, well done!

A date night in Ketchum

Last night, my husband and I took advantage off the YMCA's Sitter Saturday and headed out with some friends for Gallery Walk.  The rain stopped, there was a rainbow and lots of locals and tourists enjoying our fine galleries, plus some wine.  In our two hour "walk", we only managed to make it to two galleries. We were too busy talking to many of our friends that we ran into.  It definitely was a social night and a great night!

Luckily for us, one of the galleries we stopped at was DeNovo and Jamie Lee Curtis just happened to be having a book signing there. Since I have young kids, love books and am slightly star struck, I just had buy a book and have Mrs. Curtis sign it herself.

Did you know that her "Where do Balloons Go" book was dreamed up at Atkinsons Park in Ketchum?  Once upon a time, Jamie Lee Curtis attended a birthday party there and they let all the balloons go up in the sky.  One little girl asked her mama, "Where do balloons go?" and voila!  a book was created.   Of course, I had to buy 3 of those books!

After admiring art and mingling with friends, we headed to Ketchum's newest restaurant, Cornerstone.  At 8:00pm, that place was PACKED.  Again, we ran into so many people that we knew. That is one of my favorite things about Ketchum, everywhere you go it's like running into "family" and you feel so welcome.  Cornerstone is a really cool (for lack of a better word) building.  This building is about 100 years and one of Ketchum's oldest buildings.  Cornerstone offers great food and it has only just begun.  In the near future, they will be offering family nights.  Can't wait to hear more details about family night and enjoy Cornerstone with my family and more friends!

We went home with huge smiles and big bellies.  It's going to be a great summer in the valley and I can't wait to experience it all.

Ketchum Bike Park

The weather is still on the chilly side, but we are pretending that it is warm and went on a family bike ride to Ketchum.  The bike path was filled with bikers and the whole town seemed to be active. What a great sight to see.

After a quick lunch at yummy Perry's, we stopped by Ketchum's bike park across from Hemingway Elementary.  That place is awesome!  Such a great activity for the tweens (plus older and younger) in our valley. The park is well used and well loved.  

All the kids were respectful and supportive of each other and they sure are good bike riders!  Some of my kids tried it out and loved it.  I think we may be hanging out a lot a the bike park this summer. If not to ride our bikes, but to watch as well.

Warmer weather is on it's way at the end of the week.  Hope everyone had a lovely weekend with their families.

Despo's in Sunset Magazine

One of my favorite magazines is Sunset Magazine. I have been a loyal reader since college, so that's about 3 years (or perhaps a a few more years).  I love the travel ideas, the garden ideas and the healthy recipes.  I will sit and read the entire magazine at one time. Of course, this can only happen when the kids are snug in their beds.

I get extra giddy when our hip town is mentioned in the magazine--which happens quite frequently.

This month,  Sunset lists Despo's as makers of one of the best burritos in the West.  The specifically mention the all-veggie Richard Burrito.  I  usually try the zucchini burrito, so I will have to add this one to my menu wish list.

I must add that Despo's is the ONLY place mentioned in Idaho.

Way to go Despo's!  Looking forward to some chips and salsa this summer outside.

Happy Easter

What a great Easter we had. Hope yours was extra hoppy as well!

During the holidays, I'm always reminded that this town is just one big family.  Everywhere we went today, we ran into some "family" members.  So it was like spending Easter with the family.

First the first time, we ventured up to Galena for the Easter Egg Hunt and Easter Brunch.  What a hoot that was!  Kids all decked out in their snow clothes hoping to get a few eggs.  We even got a lively greeting from the Easter Bunny!

The eggs were pretty much buried in the snow, so lots of moms and dads were lending a hand for the little ones.  We came straight from church, so we didn't have proper snow pants, but the kids still had a blast!

After the quick, but successful hunt, we enjoyed a cozy brunch.

What I love most about Galena (besides the gorgeous view), is that it just feels like home.  Friends and family are gathered around for a low-key, but delicous, meal up in the mountains.  You can sit around and talk and eat all afternoon.

Now, what do the kids do most of the time while we talk and eat?

A huge kudos to Galena Lodge for providing a toy area!  You helped make our Easter Brunch a hit.  Sure, the kids didn't eat much, but they were having a good time while we filled our bellies!

Happy Easter everyone!  Now, it's time to clean out the house of Easter eggs and get started on our indoor garden.

Spring break is here!

Today is the last day of school before spring break for all schools in the valley.  Kids everywhere are rejoicing and so is this mama!

To get the week off on a fun note, we are headed to the Sun Valley Resort to feed the swans some of our "day old bread".  We are hoping that this summer we will be able to feed some baby swans again!

After feeding the wildlife, we will need to feed our bellies, so where do you think the kids want to go?

If you said The Donuts' Lodge, you know us too well!  Can't pass up those yummy donuts.

Here's to a sweet first day of Spring Break to all of you.

Sego Review

This weekend, the hubby and I went on a double date to Ketchum's lastest and greatest restaurant---Sego.  We dropped the kids off at the monthly YMCA's Saturday Sitters and enjoyed the next 3 hours of adult time.

We have heard mixed reviews about Sego, so I was ready to experience it all and form my own opinion. We arrived at around 6:30  and the restaurant had about 5 other couples there.  Apparently, we beat the rush.  We were greeted promptly by several people--one to take our coats, one to pour our wine, one to pour our water and our waitress to tell us about the specials.  So far so good!  As of last night, Sego had not received their liquor license, but they were hoping that this is the week.  For the mean time, they charge a $15 cork fee per bottle.  

The men in our group started off with an appetizer and with each bite they took, they expressed that they were in Heaven.  According to them, it was the best meal ever!  

Shortly after, our meal arrived presented so beautifully. I ordered the Vegetable dinner and it came on a wooden slab.  I wish I could eat all of my meals like that.  The Vegetable dinner consisted of 3 different bowls composed of varying cooked veggies and grains.  I am a red meat eater, but wanted to try this healthy alternative and boy, I was not let down!  Delicious!!  My husband ordered a meat dish and let me sample his as well, barely though.  Every bite I took was wonderful and an explosion of flavor.  Completely unique and beautiful!  

Then, it came time for dessert.  We still had some room in our bellies and had heard that their dessert was a must try.  My husband and I split the Chocolate x3.  Homemade hot chocolate with chipolte and homemade marshmellows, homemade ice cream that was the best ice cream I have EVER tasted, plus a chocolate mouse that was so divine and so rich.  

We were all very pleased with Sego and proud that it is in our town.  We will be back again and again to try their local and fresh food!  Can't wait to try their summer menu.

Well done Sego!

http://www.segorestaurant.com/

They are open for dinner Tuesdays through Sundays starting at 5:30

Reservations are highly recommended  208.928.7878

Weekend plans

Hmmmmm....

What do to this weekend?
or
Take the family out for some beautiful spring skiing?
or
Sign the kids up for the YMCA's Saturday Sitters so I can go on a date to Sego with my hubby?   Click here for more info on Ketchum's newest and finest restaurant.
or
Watch the annual Paw n' Pole?
or
Take 5 year old son to the Children's Arts Festival.  http://www.wrartsalliance.org/Site/Childrens_Arts_Festival.html

Yes, please!  I'll take all of the above.

Happy weekend!!  We got some well needed snow yesterday, now it's nothing but blue skies.

The surprise family restaurant

I'm sure many of your remember this scene from over a year ago...

Hard to believe that our beloved Whiskey Jacques' is open again a hopping place for locals!  When I think of Whiskeys, I think of bar, drinks and late night fun.  The image of family doesn't pop into my mind.

Yet, a friend of mine told me that her family hits Whiskeys for dinner and some video game entertainment. I had to try it for myself!

On Friday, we all headed to Whiskeys and boy, we were pleasantly surprised by the crowd. It was packed, as usual, but a vast majority of the folks were families and kids.  We were there at 6:30pm, so the adult crowd still had plenty of time to enjoy the joint after the kiddos were all in bed.

There was even a birthday party going on in the back!

My kids were thrilled to be there, running into some of their friends and playing Duck Hunter!

We didn't stay for dinner since there really was no place to sit and we had family movie night to attend to at our house, but tonight's dinner plans includes Whiskey's!

Check it out for yourself. You will be pleasantly surprised.

Penny Hill

Ketchum is definitely bustling this weekend with all the tourists in for President's Day Weekend.  Or perhaps it's all locals who are enjoying the great outdoors and our beautiful weather.  

With school out for the day, the kids and I headed to Penny Hill in Ketchum. We weren't the only ones with the grand idea.  Many families were there as well, but since the hill is so big, we had our own runs over and over again.

We had way too much fun sledding.  I figured I got a good mommy work out in as well hiking up the hill all the time.  

After all the sledding, we headed over to Tully's and enjoyed some nice hot cocoa.  Tully's is perfect place for families since the kid's hot cocoa is only $1 and is warm (not hot).  Plus, they have toys in the corner so the kids are entertained while I sat and enjoyed the scenery.

Definitely another good day in Sun Valley for this family.

off the vine

Nothing makes my mouth water more than fresh fruit (or chocolate).  We are very lucky to Idaho's Bounty in our county to help local farmers and to keep our families eating healthy.

Once a week, they make a delivery in Ketchum AND Hailey.  From the convenience of your warm home, "buy" your products online, then pick them up (or have them delivered) later that week.  Isn't that simply wonderful!  FRESH, HEALTHY, and LOCAL food at a reasonable cost.

Click here to check it out.

They offer seasonal veggies, fruit, bread, eggs, milk (delicious Cloverleaf milk), meat, yummy treats (including those from the irresistible Rolling in Dough), even soap and oh so much more!

We once purchased pizza dough and after creating our very own pizza, the kids declared it their favorite pizza ever!

Bon Appetit!

Vanity Fair likes us!

Click here to check out the great things Vanity Fair has to say about Sun Valley.

We're big time now!

blue skies, skiing and donuts

For our mini-adventure today, we joined the masses at Dollar and relished in the gorgeous blue skies and above average temperatures.  With a *new* sledding hill and a *new* terrain park,  Dollar is great for families and for all ages.  How lucky are we to have this in our town?

The kids practiced a little skiing, but enjoyed playing with all the Ski School "toys".  We could have lasted hours there!

Since it is Friday and because I felt like it, we made our next stop to The Donuts' Lodge in Ketchum.

Yummy donuts + cheap prices = happy families.  Plus, the store owner provides fun and lively conversation each and every time.  You can tell he loves this job and he loves this town.

A few good eats

A rundown of some great local restaurants


Family friendly:  
1.  KB's ---Hailey
2.  South Valley Pizza --Bellevue
3. Donut Lodge--Ketchum
4. Rustic Moose---Ketchum
5. Johnny G's--Ketchum
6. Wrap City---Hailey
7.  Shorty's--Hailey

Great for a date:
1. Vintage--Ketchum
2.  Ketchum Grill--Ketchum
3. 310 Main--Hailey
4. CK's --Hailey

Great for socializing:
1.  Pioneer--Ketchum
2.  Zou 75--Hailey
3.  Sawtooth Club---Ketchum

1st meal of the day:
1.  Shorty's--Hailey
2.  Rustic Moose---Ketchum
3.  Kneadery---Ketchum

Dessert time!:
1.  Christina's---Ketchum
2. Donut Lodge--Ketchum
3.  Leroy's---Ketchum (open during the summer)

Lunchy Lunch:
1.  Johnny G's ---Ketchum
2.  Kneadery--Ketchum
3.  Christina's--Ketchum
4. DaVine--Hailey


If you have any other suggestions or opinions, I would LOVE to hear them!