Learning from the experiences of other families, such as how they experience their community, is informative and so much fun! To take a closer look at life in Boise, Idaho, we connected with the Walker family, whose unique sense of style and creativity is tangible from the get-go. Nathan, Sherri, Calais, (12) and Beckett (9) invite us into their new home to share about Boise life. Read ahead to learn more about this family, their traditions and favorite aspects of their new home and a little bit of how they experience music together.
Q: We'd love to learn more about your new home. Did you fall instantly in love with it?
The Walker's:
We searched for a home to purchase in Boise for nine months. We were pretty picky because we wanted our children to be able to stay in the same school district after the move. We were just about to give up on finding a home in the neighborhood we loved, that was also within our budget, when our house came on the market. The moment the house went on the market, my heart (Sherri) started to pound hard. I knew it was the one. I called Nathan and told him we should make an offer without even going to see it. We did go to see the house, but immediately fell in love. We made an offer that day. There was a competing offer, but the family chose us! We closed on the house within three weeks. A few days later, we moved in and I brought home a puppy, our now one-year-old Brittany, named Bowie.
Q: How do you enjoy your home as a family?
The Walker's:
Our kids love to play basketball in our driveway, but we have to be careful to not let the ball go all the way down the hill. It is a steep driveway. We also love watching sunsets from our big windows and watching the storms come in from the West. We have a lot of Juniper trees on our property. Right after it rains, there is an amazing smell that surrounds our property. It's heavenly. We also love hosting our friends for meals.
Q:What is a favorite feature of your home?
The Walker's:
We love our backyard. It feels like we are in the woods with huge trees and distant neighbors, and we have a beautiful deck. Just a few weeks ago, we took out some of the old zeroscaping and put some grass in. Now, we will also be able to have a place for soccer and baseball.
Q: What is your favorite way of connecting as a family? Do you have a day of the week that you spend together?
The Walker's:
We spend a lot of time together on the weekends. I like to make big breakfasts. We like to do outdoor activities likes skiing, hiking, riding bikes and we love ending the day with a family movie or game board night. We also love going to live concerts.
Q:Do you have a favorite space in your home to gather as a family?
The Walker's:
We spend a lot of time in our living room playing games, watching movies and listening to LPs. One of the other things we love about our house is the space we have for the music room. With my husband being a musician, we can jam as a family in that room.
Q: Do you have a special way of celebrating traditions together?
The Walker's:
The way we celebrate always revolves around a meal. We love hosting at our house and we love being able to share meals with our friends and family for all occasions.
Q:Where did you meet?
Nathan & Sherri:
We met at summer camp. Nathan's band was playing for the camp and I was a counselor. It was not love at first sight, but as we kept in touch, over time we developed a strong friendship. That friendship blossomed into a deeper love. We have now been married for over 17 years.
Q:Do you have a family favorite vacation destination?
The Walker's:
Last summer, we went as a family to visit Victoria, BC and Seattle, WA. We had great fun doing all of the tourist things in both locations, but our kids loved the hotel pool the best.
Treefort is our favorite holiday, especially when it falls during Spring Break week. We love all of the activities for kids and adults alike, and we love listening and discovering great bands.
More About Treefort
Since its inception in September 2011, Treefort Music Fest it has become a well-known gathering of independent and emerging artists from as far as Western Europe, the Middle East and Australia that travel in to the Treasure Valley.
With the vision of connecting Boise and its creatives with other communities around the region, and those in the arts and culture scene at large an active group of volunteers, fans and supporters enjoy the music scene. This support continues to encourage Treefort each year. Treefort features a wide variety of musicians and bands, and each year produces its own soundtrack.
According to Treefort sources, the initial groundwork began with co-founders Lori Shandro Outen, Drew Lorona, Eric Gilbert and Megan Stoll. Seven more members from the Boise community, John Betts, Elizabeth Corsentino, Stephanie Coyle, Matt Dalley, Jeni Rose Larsen, James Lloyd and Phil Merell joined in the efforts to form the roots of Treefort. Since then, earned honor of becoming City of Boise’s Cultural Ambassador due to genuinely reflecting across multiple mediums to represent Boise’s rising community and cultural scene.
In addition to great music representing many different genres, Treefort includes 9 forts, Alefort, Comedfort, Filmfort, Foodfort, Hackfort. It is a great place to listen to new bands, connect as a family in creative
To conclude our time with the Walker family, we asked if they had a favorite family recipe that they would like to share. Their Super Easy Saturday Homemade Donut recipe, featuring Pillsbury biscuits, is great for leisurely Saturday mornings, and a treat everyone will enjoy!
Super Easy Homemade Donut Recipe
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 15 Minutes
INGREDIENTS
1 can (16.3 oz) refrigerated Pillsbury Grands! Southern Homestyle Original biscuits or Pillsbury Grands! Flaky Layers biscuits
2 liter bottle lid, or donut cutter
2 c vegetable oil for frying
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 c sugar
DIRECTIONS
Cut a hole out of the middle of each biscuit using the lid of a 2 liter bottle, or a donut cutter (we have a 1950s donut cutter)
Deep fry the biscuits in oil 2-3 at a time
Cook donuts on both sides until lightly golden in color
While cooling, mix cinnamon and sugar together in a plate or flat bowl
Roll each donut in cinnamon and sugar
Serve and enjoy!
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