joe.talaiver.com

My bit of Father’s Day swag from the kids this year. The burger bead really makes it ultimate dad mode.

Absolutely a joy just being a father and seeing them explore with each other.

Realizing that @SteveMartinToGo was perfecting performing for just the show crew with @themuppets LONG before COVID restrictions.

Testing out

Earlier today Leo Roman and I tackled the literal ice breaking job to clear the walk and driveway so I could make the supply run for Elizas birthday. It was too thick and dense for any snowblower so we had to hit it like Edmund Hillary or Shackleton (pick your favorite adventurer). Just gotta say hacking at ice and throwing it with a shovel is not conducive with my spine/neck. Definitely feeling it. The cold already adds more discomfort to the joints but “hard labor” doesn’t help.

Birthday awesomeness continues with @annatalaiver bagels and breakfast sandwich amazingness.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CInn_swjfJ1/?igshid=1xnyy04q75zks

When your 7 year old uses @scratch_mit_edu to program a birthday card, then schedule email delivery of the link for when he walks in with a paper birthday crown. Best birthday ever. #soproud #talaiverstyle
https://www.instagram.com/p/CIk6Dt4j4Vu/?igshid=1sf42ibovovjg

Crispy B-Sprouts

Main Ingredients

• 1 pound Brussels sprouts
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Sea salt
• Paprika
• Garlic Powder

Herb/Parmesan seasoning, optional

• 1 tablespoon grated, or ¼ cup shaved Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
• parsley leaves, for garnish
• red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425° and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Slice the Brussels sprouts bottoms off and then in half, toss with olive oil and pinches of salt and pepper, and garlic powder in large bowl
3. Then spread on the baking sheet and dust with paprika. Roast 30 minutes or until tender and golden brown around the edges. Then down to 375° for another 5-10.
4. If desired, toss the roasted Brussels sprouts with the Parmesan, and thyme leaves. Garnish with parsley and red pepper flakes.

Perfect Cast Iron Potatoes

<Insert useless story about these potatoes and/or family memory>

Main Ingredients

• Yellow or russet potatoes
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Paprika powder
• Herb/Parmesan seasoning, optional

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°
2. Slice the potatoes with a mandolin cutter into thin slices
3. Coat cast iron skillet lightly with oil and start placing potato slices in a spiral around the skillet
4. Drizzle oil, garlic powder, sea salt, and paprika over the potatoes
5. Cook in over covered for 30 min
6. Uncover and cook for additional 25 min or until all are golden brown

David Prowse @isDarthVader. The most iconic villain played by one of the most unassuming actors. He was never even given a chance to be on screen. They changed out the actor for Vader’s face at end of ROTJ. I will cherish the autograph I have from him to my sons.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CILXsHEjZhV/?igshid=15isia2le7tkp

Apple doesn’t put a charger in the box anymore. So I make the box a charger. Boom. #Technologic #Apple #iPhone12
https://www.instagram.com/p/CGyYIPHjB1g/?igshid=mrgzweh1eq4c

Enjoy little discoveries when you can. Yesterday had to take time off to help with the kiddos. I was going to teach @leotalaiver about erosion and showed him some river rocks in our landscaping I put down a year ago. As we sat there he spotted a snail shell. As I looked I noticed it was solid stone and a fossil! We dug around some more and found more shells and then shark teeth! The kids thought I was messing with them and I thought @annatalaiver was messing with me but we ended up super lucky. Thinking we found them all I went back and found more this afternoon. Just keep digging to find more joys in each day. #fossil #fossilhunter #rockhound
https://www.instagram.com/p/CGA8fh0jScW/?igshid=k0ou65jd5kve

I mean Shen from #StarWarsSquadrons is speaking my language… going forward just going to call my neck break a hard landing. #starwars #representationmatters 😂
https://www.instagram.com/p/CF-7OzhDDzF/?igshid=16xoxt7nzzj10

16 years ago I fundamentally changed my life jumping in a pool (the deep end) and totally shattering my C7 vertebrae crushing my spinal cord to within 1mm of severing it. I could have been a quadriplegic. I was concussed disoriented 6ft underwater and still calm in his hands. I was able to get out of the pool with what I can only describe as full body funny bone strike sensation that increased to searing firey pain through every nerve. The surgeons in TX did amazing work but God did more by miraculously fusing bones that were fractured in previous imaging. C6-C7-T1 were fused and I learned to live with a constant reminder of the fragility of life and power of my faith. Then fast forward 12 years and I started having shooting pains in my left arm and across my chest. Then numbness. Thought I was having a heart attack. Come to find out I had blown out the disc above the previous injury and needed surgery to repair. Now C5-C6-C7-T1 are fused. I may have lost some range of motion. I may hate cold weather or temp chsnges for the permanent brain freeze I get when the metal gets cold. I may get grumpy when I sleep wrong. I could numb it with opioids that the docs are willing to prescribe. I choose instead to use it as a reminder and a memorial to how precious life is and what I could’ve lost but instead was blessed to enjoy with a new perspective. Every day I get up and see the scars on my neck when I brush my teeth I thank God I’m standing to do it. God is good… even at the bottom of a pool with a foolish 20 year old. I celebrate the day I hurt myself and changed my life, for the better. #iamironman #technicallytitaniumman #andnoidontbeepatmetaldetectors
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFnijh7D5Zj/?igshid=1drmvy6pcp5t0

Proud of this kid. He’s had to adjust and adapt to whole new learning and social dynamics. There have been tears and days of frustration but he is up everyday at 6:15, down and dressed by 7, and online as soon as he can be. I know some adults haven’t adapted to work from home situations as good as my guy. Still breaks my heart that we picked him up from school one day in March and then he never got to go back and see his friends or teachers in person again. He is so strong for such a little guy and with such a big heart. I know it’s hard for him to not have the social/interpersonal connections in person but man he is making the most of what he can. Love @theemperorroman for being an example even to me.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CE9cqppjhDz/?igshid=ntbyxp0ex81j