Friday, June 3, 2011

Moustaches, Dogs, and Saxophones

We each sported a stick-on moustache before skyping with Xander on Mother's Day.  However, the first people to see us on skype were other elders - NOT our son.  I wonder what those elders think of us.


 After our morning walk, the dogs all sit, waiting for their treats before they get leashed up again.


Simon drew this picture a many months ago.  I just happened to be browsing through our photos and saw this one of Simon taken about 2 weeks ago.  They look so much alike!  The clothing, the angle, the mouth - this was totally random.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Funny Sign

Brent saw this sign years ago at a bicycle shop.  Then I recently saw it at a local store.


Hilarious.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

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.





Tuesday, April 26, 2011

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.

Saturday, April 16, 2011

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.








Sunday, March 27, 2011

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

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

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.