Bar Gernika

Basque pub.

With bread and cheese and some amazing chorizo.

It's small. It's surprisingly family friendly.

Solomos, lamb grinders, chicken croquettas, chorizo sammies, rice pudding and flan. (Go for the lamb grinder. It was the best!) The kids inhaled the rice pudding. I need their recipe.

A casual dinner where we just spent the time asking about everyone's day.

And even a rare smile from Firstborn.

Bar Gernika

202 S. Capitol Blvd.

Boise Idaho

208-344-2175

www.bargernika.com

Brick 29 Bistro

Chef Dustan Bristol, you are my kind of genius.

Fabulous shrimp cakes with vanilla butter and fresh salsa on a bed of field greens.

A pumpkin soup with maple creme and pepitas (and a kick!) that I am going to attempt to recreate at home.

Pefectly cooked salmon with an amazing smoked mushroom risotto.

A rib-eye steak with blue cheese fondue (fondue, people!) and crispy onions.

A relaxing, wonderful dinner for two, all taking place in a Masonic Temple building redone with a definitely cool vibe. Brick 29 Bistro.

Having Mr. Wonderful all to myself at my favorite restaurant.

Did I tell you how much I love date night?

If you watch Restaurant.com, when they have their $2 or $3 sale you can get a coupon good for $25 off your $50 bill. Once you have tried this place, you won't want to wait for another coupon sale. The food is consistently great. Other must-trys: Mac-n-Cheese, Bistro Chicken, and the Flat Iron Steak.

Warhawk Air Museum

This activity requires a bit of homework on your part and a babysitter for your youngest kids. For your homework:

1. Have your kids ask grandma and grandpa to tell them stories about what life was like during WWI. Now I know that WWII is before their time (at least most of them) but they will have stories from their parents. Read family journals if you have them. Search through family photo albums.

2. Have older kids research WWII online and have a family night where they can report their findings.

Now you are ready for the Warhawk Air Museum. Plan on a couple of hours. There are so many things to see. So many stories to read, such as the women who flew airplanes from the factories to the bases. There are items that the soldiers brought home. Then there is my favorite: a silk wedding dress made out of an unused Japanese parachute and the story that goes with it.

Listen to the music that was popular during that time.

Skip over the pin-up girls pictures (little or no clothing, not something your kids need to see).

Tell your kids what it meant to display blue or gold stars in the window.

Show them the books and toys kids their ages played with. Try out the telegraph machine.

Then there are the planes. Real planes. My 12 year old who loves anything and everything historical and military went nuts.

Warhawk Air Museum

201 Municipal Drive

Nampa, ID 83687

Telephone: (208) 465-6446

Admission Prices

General Admission : $8.00

Seniors: $6.00

Veterans/Military (with ID): $6.00

Kids 5 -12: $4.00

I'm trying to keep my kid's interest and my sanity intact this summer. As we were making a list of things to do, all of the kids declared they wanted to go hiking. Warning: I am not the greatest outdoor mom. I married an Eagle Scout. My sons are all working towards earning their Eagles. You'd think I'd be more hip about this outdoor stuff.

Lucky for me, someone told me about the easy hike at Hulls Gulch Reserve in the Boise foothills. A few wrong turns (I'm still not used to all the one way streets in Boise) and we made it.
With a backpack full of water bottles, sunscreen, and bug repellent, and our dog on her leash, we explored a two mile trail that was easy enough for my 6 year old daughter and had enough challenges to keep my two older sons happy. There were plenty of trails for hikers and mountain bikers. The kids learned quickly to move to the side of the trail when bikes rode past. The bikers were friendly and courteous and did not run my kids over. Thank heavens.

We explored trails and creeks for two hours. As soon as we were back to the car, my boys wanted to know if we could come back again the next day.
Mission: successful.

Mission: successful.

We're now trying to plan weekly day hikes. Suggestions are appreciated.

Hulls Gulch Reserve

Ridge to Rivers Trails System

Ellen's

Just two businesses east of Heritage Park in Eagle is a small yellow house that has been converted into Ellen's Gourmet Fudge shop. We went there because of a rumor circulating around town. A rumor I dearly hoped was true.

Ellen's Gourmet Fudge sells something besides fudge: decadent, creamy, wonderful BYU Creamery Ice Cream. What makes it so good? It contains 2 to 4 percent more butterfat than most other brands. Ellen's sends a driver to Utah to bring back ice cream from the BYU Creamery. You've got to love it- they go the distance for really good ice cream.

The kids and I taste-tested as many flavors as we could: root beer float, peanut butter cup, birthday cake (can I just tell you the raptures my 6 year old expressed when she saw they had a birthday cake ice cream flavor?), strawberry lemon, and boysenberry sorbet. Everything was pronounced wonderful and Mom-can-we come-here-again? Oh, yes, I plan on coming here again. I still need to try the fudge.

Eat inside at the cute vintage tables and chairs or outside in front at umbrella tables. Or you could walk back to the gazebo and offer a taste of your ice cream to every person you pass (as did my 6 year old).

Or not. There are times where selfish is good. I plan on being selfish when I go back for the fudge.

FYI: July is National Ice Cream Month. Go celebrate.

Ellen's Gourmet Fudge

227 East State Street

Eagle, ID 83616

(208) 830-0814

ellen@ellensfudge.com