Tie-Dyed Easter Eggs

We waited until nearly the last minute, but we did squeeze in this activity Saturday night.  I learned about  it last year on this website.  Waiting to unwrap these eggs is like waiting to unwrap Christmas presents.

Why Didn't I Think of That?

For how many years did hospitals routinely use these for sickness?  Did anyone ever feel confident getting sick into this shallow, small, bean-shaped vessel?

Who was the smarty-pants that came up with this?  I feel I have brain power enough to invent such a thing.  Why didn't I?  This sickness bag stores compactly and looks as though it would do its job perfectly (fortunately, Brent didn't need to test it out after his recent ACL surgery.)  Then, you just toss it out.  Genius.  They should make these available for household purchase.  Maybe they do - it's not something for which I typically shop.  

This is the best use for the old emesis basin.  I've been storing my toothbrush in this for many years.

What Flowers Grow on Faces?

Tulips

The Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm in Woodburn, Oregon has 40 acres of tulips

Not all of them were in bloom at once.  The colors were unbelievable.

Mmmm

I bought this book over a month ago.  It was supposed to inspire Brent because he had previously expressed interest in this area.  Well, after it sat around for a couple of weeks, I decided to take a crack at it.

My first loaf was cooked in the Dutch oven inside the regular oven.  It was a garlic rosemary round loaf (also called boule), and I severely overcooked it.  The inside, however, did have that yummy, unique taste and texture that you pay $6.00 for at the farmer's market.

The tricks to these breads include the following:
1.  These are no-knead doughs, meaning you just mix the ingredients by hand and let the dough sit overnight.  The glutens form and the yeast works during this prolonged waiting period, thus eliminating the need to proof the yeast and knead the dough.
2. Some of the breads are cooked in a Dutch oven inside the regular oven.
3. Some of the breads are cooked on a baking stone and utilize steam in the oven by pouring water in a hot pan on the bottom rack.

We've tried lots and lots of various breads since that 1st attempt.  Almost all have been delicious.  Only a few have been photographed.

Rosemary Focaccia - everyone's favorite
Also, the fattiest with tons of olive oil

Garlic Boule in the Dutch oven 

Rosemary Garlic Boule

Kalamata Olive Loaf                      

Three Cheese

Evil Goatheads

Today, I had to deliver some cards in a nearby neighborhood.  It was lovely outside.  There is construction happening in the nearby neighborhood, so delivery by bicycle seemed the perfect idea.  I couldn't find one of the addresses.  Each time I thought I was close, I had to wrap around a block to get to the other side.  I ended up traversing across an old field that used to be a drive-in movie theater.  As soon as I reached the sidewalk, I saw trouble.  Goatheads.  Covering both tires.

Goatheads are evil.  At least rose thorns are accompanied by a flower that is not only beautiful, but also smells wonderful.  Even a cactus is a pretty plant.  What do goathead weeds have to offer?

The bad news:

1) I never did find the house.

2) I have to buy two new tubes.

3) I ended up walking home with this.

The good news:

1) It was a short walk.

2) It was perfect weather.

3) I know a guy who can fix this.  I'm pretty sure he'll give me a discount.

Goldilocks

The other day, Oli and I were walking through the grocery store parking lot.  A little girl, maybe about 4 years old, was lounging in the very bottom of her shopping cart.  She yelled out in a sing-song voice, "Look Mom.  Those two have matching hair."  I laughed.  I said to Oli, "One of us really should get our hair cut."  Guess who has the hair appointment tomorrow?

Me.

Two boys and I

I Wish I Were a Swimmer

I could always swim, but I was not a swimmer.  I love that my boys have caught on to this sport.  They've tried football, soccer, basketball, lacrosse, but none of those sports really clicked quite as well as competitive swimming has.  Makes me proud.  I wish I had tried this sport in my youth.

This is Oli in lane 4.  He's the last one off the block, but he took 2nd in his heat.  Butterfly is beautiful.